Free Faith by Michelle Larks

always trusted God.
    Monet dressed and berated herself for jumping the gun. Her legs were shaking as she walked to the nurse’s station and got the cup from Erica. Then she went into the restroom. When she was done, she placed the cup on the side of the sink, washed her hands, and then returned it to the nurse, who gave Monet a work order for the lab. Thoughts swirled in and out of her mind as the lab technician took a vial of blood.
    The technician put a bandage on Monet’s arm and said, “You won’t have long to wait for the results. Your doctor put a rush on the test.”
    Monet tried to smile. Then she returned to the physician’s waiting room.
    Minutes later, Erica escorted Monet to Dr. Washington’s office. As she waited for the doctor, her stomach felt like fish were darting inside of it. She looked up at the door, mentally willing Dr. Washington to hurry back and tell her what the test revealed.

Chapter 7
    â€œWhat have you got there, Marcus?” Wade asked. He’d just returned from the kitchen area after pouring himself a cup of coffee.
    â€œTravel brochures.” Marcus held them up. “I was thinking about taking Monet on a Hawaiian cruise for the holidays. So I’ve been checking around, doing some research online, and calling travel agencies.”
    â€œThat sounds like a good plan,” Wade answered. “If it weren’t for the kids, me and Liz would go with you.” He sat down at his desk and began eating a donut.
    â€œI know.” Marcus nodded. “If we don’t go to Hawaii, then we’ll be at your house for Christmas, and you’ll come to ours for New Year’s.”
    Wade picked up his coffee and sipped. “That tastes good. Nothing is better than a good cup of coffee in the morning. And yeah, I figured you and Monet would be at the house for Christmas like always.”
    The couples, along with Liz and Wade’s children, usually spent major holidays together. The friends rotated, meeting at each other’s houses on the last Friday of each month for a fish fry.
    Marcus nodded and left the room to refresh his own cup of coffee. When he returned to his desk, Wade asked, “Did you mention your idea to Monet?” He began moving files on his desk.
    â€œNot yet, I wanted to check the prices first. The Hawaiian cruise is for ten days, departing the day before Christmas Eve, so that would cover both holidays. I checked with the chief, and he approved the time off,” Marcus said.
    â€œAre you sure Monet would want to go? Christmas is her favorite time of the year,” Wade queried. He put a file on the bottom of his three tier tray.
    â€œI thought about that, but I still think it would be good for us to get away. Monet still hasn’t fully recovered from the attack. Some nights she wakes up screaming and can’t go back to sleep. So I think a change of pace would be good medicine for both of us.”
    Wade nodded. “Great. I imagine Monet’s symptoms are normal considering what she’s gone through. What does her doctor say? What’s her name?” He snapped his fingers. “Wallace?”
    â€œNo,” Marcus corrected. “It’s Dr. Washington. Monet has an appointment with her today. Doc mentioned giving her a sleep aid the last time she was there, but Nay-Nay fought that suggestion. She doesn’t like doing the pill thing.”
    Wade paused with his filing and complimented his friend. “I want to say that you’ve stepped up to the plate for Monet, just like I knew you would.”
    â€œI couldn’t do any less, and I know if something happened to me, Nay-Nay would do the same.” Marcus’s telephone rang. “Excuse me,” he said, picking up the phone. He listened intently for a few minutes and wrote notes on the pad next to his phone.
    Wade looked at his partner, who seemed to be involved in an intense conversation. Marcus had knocked over his cup