Free The Perfect Marriage by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page A

Denise said.
    Nina slightly pulled away. “Thank you for inviting me here because without Dixon, I’d be home alone. It’s really hard not
     being near my parents and brothers in Boston, so I’m really glad to be here with all of you. Dixon’s family.”
    “I understand, and we’re here for you for as long as you need us.”
    “I really appreciate that,” she said, sniffling. “The reason I wanted to talk to you is because even though I have a small
     life insurance policy on Dixon, I don’t know how I’m going to pay for any upfront costs.”
    “No worries. We’ll do whatever we need to.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Of course. Derrek wouldn’t want it any other way.”
    “I can pay you back as soon as the check…” Her words trailed off and tears rolled again. “I’m sorry…but this is so embarrassing.
     Dixon and I have lived together all this time but we have nothing, Denise.”
    “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain anything.”
    “No, I feel like I have to tell you the truth. Especially, since I’m having to ask you for money and you don’t even know me.”
    Denise leaned against the desk.
    Nina breathed in and exhaled. “The reason we have no money is because Dixon was addicted to crack.”
    Denise covered her mouth. “Oh my God.”
    “He abused drugs for nearly two years but then earlier this year I told him that if he didn’t get help, I was leaving. And
     thankfully, that’s when he went to rehab.”
    “I’m stunned, Nina.”
    “I wanted to leave him so many times, but Denise I loved him so much and I just kept praying he would stop.”
    “Well, the good news is that he finally did.”
    “Yeah…but now he’s dead. He’s gone.”
    Nina began shedding more tears but then someone knocked on the door.
    Denise strolled toward it. “Yes?”
    It was her father. “Hey, I hate to interrupt, but I need to chat with you for a minute.”
    Nina started toward the door. “That’s fine, Mr. King. We were pretty much finished, anyway.”
    When Nina shut the door behind her, Denise said, “What is it, Dad?”
    “Look, I’m not sure what it’s gonna take to snap your husband out of that funk he’s in, but you need to have a talk with him.
     The two of you have a funeral to plan, and you can’t do that if he’s moping around crying like a baby. I’ve watched you over
     the last hour, and you’ve got to stop babying him, Denise. You’ve got to make him man up.”
    Denise’s chest tightened, and she was mortified. Although she shouldn’t have really been surprised because, sadly, this was
     the way her father had always been. The man had no compassion or sympathy for anyone who showed signs of weakness.
    “You’ve got to pull yourself together,” he continued before Denise could say anything. “You’ve got to stand up and be the
     strong woman I taught you to be and then push your husband out of this rut he’s fallen in. Get him back on his feet. It’s
     not like he’d even spoken to his brother for years anyhow, so life goes on.”
    “I know, Daddy, but Derrek is really having a tough time with this. He regrets not talking to his brother for all that time,
     and now Dixon is dead. But I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
    “Your husband is weak just like his old man. I’ve always told you that, and seeing him the way he is tonight has finally confirmed
     it.”
    “Daddy, please try to understand.”
    “Well, I just hope he’s not planning to do all that crying at the funeral because two of my closest friends will likely be
     there: the CEO where Derrek works and also one of the hospital board members. And I don’t wanna be embarrassed.”
    Denise stared at her father but knew it wasn’t worth trying to reason with him. He judged and criticized everyone, and all
     Denise wanted was for him to leave—leave the room so she could settle her racing nerves in peace. Her father always tended
     to have this effect on her. Thankfully, Mackenzie knocked at the door and opened