Pink & Patent Leather (23 page)

“
I know.” I sighed.

“
But don’t give up on God.”

“
I’m not going to do that, but it’s hard not to feel some kind of way when you think you’ve gotten a message and you didn’t.”

“
Or maybe you did and you just got it mixed up.”

I frowned. What was Xavier talking about? He was the one who was always saying there was no confusion in God.

Leaning toward me again, Xavier said, “God told me
that the woman for me had been chosen.”

My mouth opened wide. God
had used the same words to him?

Xavier nodded before he kept on, “
I had just graduated from Howard and was praying one day, asking God to bless my decision to go to law school, and to bless every part of my future.

“
And during that prayer, God told me that even though I hadn’t met her yet, I needed to start praying for the woman He had chosen to be my wife. He told me that she would come to me broken.”

Don
’t cry, Sasha. Don’t cry,
I kept telling myself. 

“
But God told me that He would help me take those broken pieces and make her a stronger, better and wiser woman because of all that she’d been through.”

When X stopped there, I frowned. I waited for him to tell me that I was that woman. I wanted so badly for him to tell me that. But he stayed quiet and my
heart dipped all the way down to my toes. What did I expect? Even if Xavier once wanted me, why would he want me now? I was more than broken, I’d been a straight up fool.

But I wasn
’t going to be a fool anymore. I wasn’t going to lose Xavier again. I would take his friendship and make that enough.

Then he stood up, and reached for me. He pulled me into another hug and in the middle of the Food Court, we stood there holding each other.

Finally, when we broke our embrace, he leaned back and said, “Come on. Let’s go home, Sasha. Let’s start putting together the broken pieces. Together.”

And then, I did what I
’d been fighting against all day.

I cried. 

I thank God from whom
all blessings flow. Brown Girls Publishing for allowing me the opportunity and platform to share my story. To my brothers Sonny, Larry and Joe and my three sisters-n-love, Valerie, Shirley and Sherese for cheering me on and taking care of me every step of the way. There are friends and then there are fighting friends (lol!) and these women wouldn’t let me lose and I love them for it: Ophelia, Cynthia, Shirley, Alberta, Lacy, May and Shirley, I feel so loved that you ladies stuck by me.

My two sons, Nicholas and Chase for stepping up and pulling the weight for
their mom when I couldn’t do it for myself, from the bottom of my heart, I love you guys. Now, here’s where it gets mushy so just bear with me......When my heart was broken into a million little pieces these people got down, picked them up, and placed the pieces right back in place, my baby girl, Jourdan Simone. Your strength and courage has gotten me through many days and nights. Knowing that you have been with me holding my hand, cooking me dinner, and making sure your mama was good to go, you’re a warrior and a beautiful young woman and I can’t wait to see the blessings that God has in store for you, thank you daughter. To Victoria, for being my mentor, my road dog, and a friend when I needed someone to listen. Thank you for your advice and guidance I truly believe that you’re my soul sister.

And to Major Timothy Evans, my special man, because you
’re the truth and so real, and I love the way that you make feel, and if I’m a reflection of you, then I must be fly, because your light, it shines so bright. I love you (thanks India.Arie because these words fit perfect for my man)

I saved the best for last, I want my parents to know that they
’ve been everything I had hoped my parents would be, my journey has been wonderful because of the love you continually give to me. Because in times of trouble, you hid me from danger, encouraged me to go further, you’ve been there for the good and bad, held me up and cheered me on. I love you mom and daddy....forever!

And just in case you
’re wondering, yes, my mother dressed me in pink and patent leather every day! lol!

If I missed anyone, please charge my mind and not my heart because every day of my life wouldn
’t have been the same if you weren’t in it.

I hope you enjoy my first novel and I look forward to writing many more.