Read Online Drama in the Church Saga by Dynah Zale - Free Book Online Page A

time all residents of the county jail. Everyone attracted to her had a criminal record, cornrows in their hair, and Timberlands on their feet. It was hard not to confuse them with one another because their matching tan khaki outfits made them look like they were still imprisoned in the penitentiary prison yard. This stereotype included her former, longtime boyfriend, Jabril. Jabril was currently serving a fifteen-year sentence for drug trafficking.
    Tressie had plenty of life-threatening stories involving Jabril. They had been stuck up, shot at, and even car-jacked together, but none of this stopped her from standing by her man.
    Jabril was a big time drug dealer from Camden, New Jersey who made a lot of money and bought Tressie whatever she wanted. A drug deal gone bad made him a fugitive. He was apprehended by the police on Christmas Day, and his arrest was televised on the eleven o’clock nightly news. Before he was transported to the county jail from the police station, he stopped to give a statement to the press.
    â€œI’d like to thank each and every one of you for coming here tonight to report on my arrest and the pending charges against me. First I want to declare my innocence. I have done nothing wrong. Secondly, I’d like to give a message to my girlfriend, Tressie.” Jabril abruptly snatched the microphone from the reporter. “Tressie, I love you, and if you ever leave me or if I catch you with another nigga, I’ll kill you.”
    The police pushed him into the waiting police transport and closed the door. Tressie watched the local affiliate stations air that statement for two days straight. Tressie feared for her life. She knew what Jabril could do to her, even from behind prison walls. During his trial, television stations replayed the threat against her life. Jabril was found guilty and sentenced to fifteen years, plus an additional eighteen months was added to his time for the televised threat he made on Tressie’s life. Some time had passed before Tressie felt safe enough to date again.
    â€œWhen I first laid eyes on Payce, I knew he was the one,” Tressie continued. “I just wanted to share my story with everyone here so that you would continue to pray.”
    â€œThank you,” Elise said to Tressie. “It is important to pray without ceasing. Pray to the Lord about the things you want and continue to pray for them until he answers your prayer. But keep in mind that the things you pray for must be in accordance with the will of God. Don’t ask the Lord to give you someone else’s husband because that is not going to happen. Don’t ask the Lord to successfully see you through on robbing a bank because it’s not going to happen. God is not going to give you or put things in your life that are going to harm you, so if you’re praying about something, and he doesn’t answer, then perhaps the Lord doesn’t want you to have it. Some things were not meant to be.”
    Olivia thought about herself and Bryant. She had prayed to the Lord every day about them getting married, but she was beginning to think it was useless. She had brought up the subject of marriage to him the other day, and he quickly changed the subject. Perhaps Elise was right. Maybe some things were not meant to be.
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    MID OCTOBER 2003
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    Val hung up the telephone as Julian walked into the kitchen.
    â€œOlivia said to tell you hello.”
    â€œHow is she doing?” he asked.
    â€œShe’s doing well. She said she’s getting bigger and bigger every day.”
    â€œI bet she looks funny with her big belly and skinny body,” Julian replied.
    Val smiled at the thought of her cousin being pregnant. “Julian, where are you going?” Val asked as he kissed her and grabbed his keys.
    â€œOh, I have a meeting with the general manager.”
    â€œWhat time will you be back?” she asked.
    â€œI’m not sure, but don’t wait