Read Online Joy Comes in the Morning by Ashea S. Goldson - Free Book Online

ever let me get close enough to him, if I would ever marry him. Then came the dreaded question: Could I be a proper mother to his three year old daughter? Suddenly, an unimaginable fear came to me, worse than those that came before it. What if I weren’t physically capable of having children with him after what had happened to me? I began to tremble at the possibility. Another strike to my soul. There were so many, but I dismissed the thought quickly.
    After entering my block, and spotting an empty parking space, I hurried to parallel park in front of my six story, stone faced apartment building. I walked through the lobby slowly, feeling the heat and the weight of the day, not even stopping to check my mailbox. Then I started the lonely walk through the dimly lit hallway and up the stairs to the third floor. When I reached my apartment, before I could turn the key in the lock, the door was pulled open.
    â€œOh hi, Taylor,” I said to the used to be mirror image of myself.
    â€œNo time for that, girl. Come on in.” Taylor pulled me by the arm.
    â€œWhat?” We were like oil and water, the two of us.
    â€œNot just what, but who?”
    â€œI’m tired, Taylor, and I don’t have time for games.” I pushed past my sister, walking to the bathroom. I turned on the water and began to wash my face with Noxema.
    â€œAll right, all right, but I’ve got a special VIP invitation for us to attend Club Hot25 tonight—”
    â€œTaylor—” I turned off the water.
    â€œWait a minute. Now I know what you’re about to say, but just listen for a minute. They’re gonna have a special guest tonight.”
    â€œI have Bible Study tonight.” I stopped drying my face and looked Taylor right in the eyes.
    â€œI know that, but guess who is going to be there?” Taylor followed me around the couch like a child. “One of your favorite entertainers.”
    â€œCeCe Winans?”
    â€œVery funny. No, one of your favorite entertainers from back in the day . . . Anita Baker.”
    â€œThat’s nice, but you know where I stand on that. I’ll be at church tonight, but I do appreciate you thinking about me.”
    â€œYou mean you’re not going? Don’t you even care?”
    â€œYes, I care. And no, I’m not going. But thanks anyway. In fact, as soon as I freshen up a little, Joshua will be here to pick me up.”
    Taylor stormed out of the bathroom, slamming the door. Another typical confrontation with my twin. I sighed before proceeding to peel off my work clothes and hopping into the tub. My shower was brief and unsatisfying, and when I was done, I walked out into the living room, wrapped in a peach towel and feeling frustrated. Here I was battling the same spirit all over again. I knew it was spiritual warfare, but heck, my soul was weary.
    â€œYou and your Bible toting fiancé can just get the heck on for all I care.” Taylor took up a pillow and threw it at me. “Go on with your hypocritical self.”
    I pretended to smile as the pillow hit me in the face, but on the inside, Taylor had cut me. If I had to endure one more remark from her about my faith, I didn’t know what I was going to do. After all, I was already dealing with my own issues, crying out in prayer and in my sleep, waiting for God to answer. The last thing I needed was to be reminded of who I was, or wasn’t in Christ. Or maybe that was the first thing I needed. I wasn’t really sure anymore. One thing was sure though, that my twin sister, who should’ve been my best friend, was instead, a spiritual enemy.I huffed, looking at my watch and counted the seconds. Joshua couldn’t get there fast enough. Couldn’t I just enjoy a night at church without being bashed for it? I watched Taylor’s mini skirt clad body walk through the ivory door before she left the living room.
    Once I was inside my bedroom, I squeezed myself into a panty girdle,