Free The Eleventh Commandment by Lutishia Lovely Page B

tomorrow and water the bushes drying prematurely under Arizona’s relentless sun. It was only June, but she already knew the summer would be a scorcher. She only hoped that her husband’s anger wouldn’t outdo the record-breaking temperatures that Phoenix expected.
    â€œThat’s bullshit,” he finally said, turning and walking toward the window in time to see the birds that Stacy had observed leave the rosebushes and fly off in pursuit of each other. “But I know you’re trying to make me feel better. I appreciate it.”
    â€œI married the man you are, not what you do.”
    â€œI know that. I believe that.”
    After a roller coaster of emotions within minutes, they’d reached a tender moment, one that had been rare in the last few months. Stacy didn’t want the moment to end, so she mentioned something safe, something that almost always put a smile on Tony’s face. “I’ve been thinking about the Fourth of July holiday, maybe spending it in LA and being able to spend at least part of it with Shea, Justin, and DJ, all of us together doing something fun.”
    Tony looked out the window for another moment before turning to face her. “It’s funny that you should mention LA. I finally got the call and will definitely be doing a walk-on at their training camp.”
    â€œThat’s great, baby! I know you’d love to be back in LA. Me too.”
    It was true. Tony had loved playing in California. And now that this new team had been formed, and the Coliseum rebuilt, he’d like nothing better than to end his career in the City of Angels. “I’m not getting my hopes up but . . . it’s a shot.”
    â€œI talked to Hope today and she’d just gotten off the phone with Lady Viv. She’s putting together the next Sanctity of Sisterhood conference and wants my help. She told Hope that if we were in town for the fourth, we were welcome to their barbecue.”
    A slight frown scampered across Tony’s face before he settled his features into an unreadable mask. “We’ll see what’s up.” Without another word, he walked away.
    Okay, what just happened? These mood swings were throwing Stacy off balance; one second the two of them could be in a great place and the next second he’d be filled with attitude. Walking on eggshells was an understatement. Anything could set him off. Stacy opened the Essence magazine and continued reading the paper that she’d hidden inside it when Tony came home. She was an optimist, but she was also a realist. If anything shaky jumped off between her and Tony Johnson, she planned to be prepared.

12
    Happy Family, Happy Meal
    D arius sat with a smile on his face, watching his son consume a Happy Meal. For the life of him he couldn’t figure how a little toy inside a colorful box could make chicken nuggets and fries such a hit, but his son had turned down Bo’s slap-your-mama spaghetti in favor of the popular children’s fast food meal. D1.J. walked the action figure across the granite island top as he munched on a fry, his legs swinging freely beneath the bar stool. Darius continued to watch him, amazed that doing what mothers around the world did every day all day—taking care of their children—could bring one such joy.
    DJ took a break from the imaginary war happening on the table and turned to find his dad watching him intently. “What is it, Daddy?”
    â€œNothing. Just watching you eat.”
    DJ scrunched up his face. “Why?”
    Darius laughed. “No reason.”
    DJ pondered that comment a moment, then reached for another fry and aimed it toward his father. “Do you want one?”
    â€œNo, he does not,” Bo answered, turning from the stove with two plates of sausage spaghetti. “Nobody in this house eats that fake food but you.”
    â€œIt not fake!” DJ protested.
    â€œIt isn’t as good as my spaghetti,”