expression.
Â
Â
Sunday evenings were the highlight of Marlissaâs busy workweek. With working a regular nine-to-five and part time four nights out of the week, Sunday evenings were the only time she had to regroup and prepare for the week ahead. While Leon worked the swing shift, she enjoyed the solace and tranquility that only an aromatherapy bubble bath by candlelight could provide. Bubble bath and candles from the Dollar Store were the only luxury items she could afford. During these extended periods of self-indulgence, Marlissa immersed herself in her journal, chronicling the previous weekâs events and accomplishments. She recorded every triumph and every failure and her emotions at the time. She noted her response to adverse situations and evaluated how to better handle them the next time around. Marlissa ended each entry with a closing prayer, and thanked God for being sober and in her right mind. Tonight she also added a thank you for the progress sheâd made with Kevin the night before.
Watching Kevin storm away with that cute limp, Marlissa second-guessed her decision to come on so aggressively, but then she remembered the firmness by which heâd held her. Kevin needed the connection just as much as she did. âHeâs right, some things never change.â Marlissa sighed and closed her journal, and then placed it on the towel rack. âThe way that man kisses, Iâd stand in line and pay.â Marlissa laughed out loud then sighed again, wondering if sheâd ever told him that before. She hadnât. As she dried her peach-scented body, Marlissa couldnât recall one time sheâd voiced to Kevin how much pleasure she enjoyed from being with him. She also realized that last night was the first time sheâd told him she loved him without him telling her first.
âMaybe that was a mistake,â she mumbled. âI should have been more affectionate.â
Since being freed of her demons, Marlissa realized that sheâd taken many things for granted, mainly Kevin. Marlissa realized that in an effort to protect herself, she inflicted hurt on the one true person in her life. Kevin was the one person who didnât take advantage of her in any form. She understood now that, through her behavior, subconsciously, sheâd expected him to. Sheâd expected him to do the same thing the last male she trusted had done.
âI canât change the past, but I will certainly work on the present,â Marlissa vowed after wrapping her hair and tying a frontal knot in her hair scarf. She then trotted into the kitchen and poured herself a drink. Sheâd just placed the crystal glass sheâd bought from the Dollar Store down on the table when the doorbell sounded. Her heart nearly jumped through her chest when she recognized his image through the peephole.
âKevin, what are you doing here?â she asked after yanking the door open.
âI . . . I came to see you,â he stuttered, taking note of her attire. She was wearing striped pajamas and a matching robe. âI didnât mean to wake you. Iâll call you later.â He then turned to leave.
âKevin, wait, donât leave,â she called, and at the same time gripped his arm. âI wasnât asleep, I was just relaxing.â
His arm muscles relaxed and he stepped inside. âEnjoying your time alone?â he asked once he was seated on the couch.
Marlissa tilted her head. âHow did you know I was alone?â
âLeon told me,â Kevin answered matter-of-factly.
âWhen did you talk to Leon?â
âI saw him this afternoon at the gas station on Telegraph. He said you spend Sunday evenings alone.â Kevin looked around the small living area as if trying to find something interesting to talk about. His eyes fell on the crystal glass. âI knew it!â he yelled, shaking his head and pounding his fist against the couch cushions.
âYou knew