Free Sacrifices of Joy by Leslie J. Sherrod Page A

jewels a new home in the ring setting you have in your hand. I respect your past, Sienna, how it’s shaped you, affected you, changed you forever. Now, I am offering you a chance to take that past, acknowledge it, and start over, make it work for you in a layout of your choice. That is what I’m offering to you. I’m not just asking you to be my wife. I’m giving you a chance to live your life.”
    â€œI am living my life! And this is your idea of a proposal? Telling me what I need to do with my life to line it up with yours?”
    â€œThis is us, Sienna. You pull, I push. I give, you take. And at the end is a fat check from my dream job in Atlanta.” He cocked his head to one side and put his hat back on. “Don’t feel like you have to figure it all out right now. Aside from the fact that this has been a ridiculous weekend, I have to get back to work. I don’t have time this evening to wait for you to process all your feelings. I’m going for the night, Sienna. I’ll send a taxi or something for you in a couple of hours so you can pick up your car at BWI. Go eat the chocolate quesadilla and enjoy your downtime.”
    â€œLaz, you are the most arrogant man I have ever met.”
    â€œAnd yet, I’m all the man you’ll ever need.” He winked as he walked toward the door of the suite. “I mean, really, who else could take care of you better than me?”
    I saw the apprehension flash in his eyes the moment he realized what he’d asked. He knew I saw it, too.
    We both knew there was another.
    Leon.
    The two had been cordial to each other the weeks leading up to Leon’s move to Houston; but the day Leon left, Laz seemed to exhale and never hold his breath again.
    Until just now.
    â€œI don’t need anyone taking care of me. Good night, Laz.” I smirked and closed the door behind him, determined to win my power back.
    I had a lot to think about, consider, mull over, and decide.
    I needed to pray.
    I needed to use that soaking tub.
    And I needed no interruptions.
    That last need would be met, I realized as I nibbled on a piece of the quesadilla.
    Laz still had my phone.
    That man from the airport had a left a message stating that he would be calling me Sunday evening, now, to schedule a “conversation.” The fact that I would not be able to get a potential phone call from him calmed and frightened me all at once.

Chapter 11
    As always, over the top.
    At exactly eight-fifteen, I received a call from the front desk to inform me that my limo was waiting. I gathered my belongings, including the envelopes and the gift bag with the ring, and left the rest of the suite’s mess for Laz to address. I headed downstairs in a hurry, anxious to get back home, ready to put this crazy weekend behind me.
    I’d been near a terrorist attack, run from family drama on the West Coast, been somewhat proposed to, and had my entire life, existence, and purpose challenged by a man who truly got on my nerves, but treated me to a day spa.
    I could not imagine what else waited in the coming week, though my gut told me more absurdity was on the radar.
    Plus, I had to plan my trip back to San Diego. Though I’d successfully avoided thinking about it, I still had the brochure from the La Bohemia Café in my purse.
    Kisu Felokwakhe. 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
    In light of Laz’s offers, I needed definitive answers about RiChard’s whereabouts, all the more reason for me to speak with Kisu. Perhaps he would be able to help shed some light on the unending mystery that was RiChard. Unbeknownst to Laz, I had in the past looked up what needed to be done to divorce an absent spouse. A divorce by publication. Since I did not know where RiChard was, I would have to show the courts proof that I looked for him as best as I could, and could not find him. Then, the decree would have to be announced in a newspaper and other widely published outlets for a specified time