Free Cover Girls by T. D. Jakes Page A

least from her desk, by something she knew, and her name was Michelle. She felt like she was in an unwanted spotlight at work. But she just wasn’t so sure that God was speaking with her like he did to Saul, or that she knew the plan.
    “God, I spent money I don’t have, for nothing.” Tonya took a deep breath. “It hurt my feelings, God, and it embarrassed me.”
    Finally, there it was—the truth. It wasn’t about the money. Tonya was hurt and humiliated.
    Then she felt the Lord draw near. It was the closeness of a loving father taking his child on his knee. The tenderness of a father consoling a child when she is heartbroken or injured. It was the kindness of a father who is infinitely, faithfully, and unequivocally concerned about the welfare and happiness of his children.
    Tonya pulled into her parking space in front of her and her son’s building in the apartment complex. She sat in her car for a few minutes, just until one of her favorite gospel songs ended—just until Tonya could get herself together.
    Then she slipped from the car and went inside.
    “Hey, Malik. I’m home,” she called to her son when she stepped through the front door.
    “Hey, Moms. What’s up?” Her seventeen-year-old son was back in his bedroom, but she imagined she could see him—headphones half on and half off his head, a video game controller in his hand.
    “How was school?” There was no point in bringing her office problems and laying them at her son’s feet. He had enough to deal with on his own. Instead, when he surfaced from his bedroom, Tonya listened to him talk about school. She washed the dishes that had been left in the sink—
Malik, I told you to wash whatever plates, glasses, or silverware you use so they won’t be left here for me when I get home
—and began like single parents and mothers everywhere to cook dinner without ever sitting down to rest.
    That night, when everything that could be done was done, she fell asleep before her body hit the bed, and she dreamed about Michelle.
    The office looked the same, except Michelle’s desk was bigger and more ornate than anyone else’s desk. Tonya sat in her space, trying to do her work and mind her own business, but Michelle kept snatching everything she wanted. It was as though Michelle was able to follow Tonya’s eyes, determine what Tonya wanted, then grab the item before Tonya’s fingers could grasp it. Or she would check Tonya with her body to keep her from what she desired. When Tonya reached for a stapler, Michelle grabbed it before she could get her hands on it. Michelle snatched a folder, a chair, even a window office—all things that rightfully belonged to Tonya— the instant before Tonya could reach them.
    Then, in that way that happens in dreams, they were instantly transported to Tonya’s apartment. Michelle took pictures off the walls, hustled plates and food off the table, and took Tonya’s car keys off the hook near the door. Michelle even took her husband.
    That’s when Tonya relaxed. That’s when, even though she was still dreaming, she determined that she was having a nightmare.
    Richard was already gone.

Chapter Eleven
    T onya pulled into her spot in the parking lot near the building where she worked, walked to the red metal slotted box at the entrance to the lot, and inserted her five-dollar bill to park for the day.
If parking gets any higher, I’ll just have to stay home.
She smiled, thinking about her son. She’d enjoy getting to see Malik more. He was a good kid—he was going to be a good man.
    As she got closer to the building, her breathing became more shallow and her palms began to sweat.
This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Tonya was glad for the solitary walk to the office building. It gave her time to shore herself up.
    What a way to begin a week. Mrs. Judson was going to be boiling after the blowup on Friday.
    “Tonya,” she had said evenly on Friday afternoon, “one of the