Free The Other Side of Divine by Vanessa Davis Griggs Page A

not serious, Darius. Didn’t you tell me that Pastor Landris offered you a place to stay at that house they have—?”
    â€œIt’s a halfway house, Tiffany. I’m not going to stay at a halfway house with a bunch of drug addicts, alcohol heads, and known losers. I’m just not.”
    â€œBut if it will help us—”
    â€œThis discussion is over,” Darius said. “We need to get back together. You need to let me come home. You know I don’t like this stupid separation. And I certainly don’t want a divorce. But if you want a fight, then we can fight. But I’m not going to give up on us so easily. You might, but I’m not. How can we work things out if you’re over here and I’m somewhere else? Communication is the key to any relationship succeeding. And we don’t need some jack-legged preacher telling us that. I want to come home, Tiffany. My children need me and you know it.”
    â€œYour children need you to grow up and be the man and father God is calling you to be.”
    â€œI am that. At least, I’m trying. We fall down, but we get up. Right? Isn’t that what the song says? You’re the one standing in the way of progress here.”
    â€œNo . . . you’re not trying.”
    â€œOkay, Tiffany. I’m not going to stand here and argue with you. Okay? I’m going to pray for you ’cause you need real prayer.”
    Tiffany laughed. “You’re going to pray for me ? I’m not the one who was doing the wrong in this marriage, repeatedly doing it after you said it wouldn’t happen again.”
    â€œWhat you’re doing now is wrong. And you know what they say: Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Darius reached into his pocket and pulled out folded dollar bills. “Here’s some money to help pay on the cell phone bill. I need my phone, especially since I’m out here busting my behind trying to find a job so I can do more for you and our family. You might not want to do right by me and our children, but I’m not going to let you drag me down in the mud with you. I’m going to pray for you, and I pray God will open your eyes to what you truly had in a man like me. If you need me or if my children need me, I’m only a phone call away. But I’m not going to run up behind you when you’re not trying to do right yourself.”
    Tiffany shook her head. “You are truly a piece of work.”
    â€œWell, I’m going to warn you: Watch yourself with that Clarence dude. And don’t leave my daughters alone around him, either. Any man who will put women on stage to dance out of their clothes, there’s no telling what he’ll do if left alone with our daughters. For that matter, I don’t want him around our son, either. Because I’m going to tell you, Tiffany: If I find out that man ever puts his hand on any of my children in the wrong way . . .” He balled his fist and held it with his eyes closed in the air. “Just don’t be naïve when it comes to Mr. Wonderful. Do you hear me?”
    â€œAre you quite finished?”
    Darius stood back and grinned. “Yeah. I just need you to hurry up and come to your senses. I’m getting tired of having to find a place to stay while you’re getting it together. You know you need me. You know you miss me. We belong together. You need to quit playing these little games. They’re getting old.”
    â€œBye, Darius.” She walked to the door and opened it, tapping her feet as she waited.
    He strolled over with an added swag, deliberately taking his time. “Tell the kids I’ll see them next week. And as soon as I get a permanent place, that’s if you and I are not going to get back together, I’ll be getting them for some weekend visits. I pray it doesn’t have to come to that and you grow up and we work things out.”
    Tiffany didn’t say anything but continued to