Read Online Reverend Feelgood by Lutishia Lovely - Free Book Online Page B

her about the Noble-Thicke tradition, Simone determined she wasn’t the type of woman who shared her man. She went away to college, got a marketing degree, and eventually moved to Dallas. She was determined to make a good life for her daughter, and eventually find a man for herself. She was well on her way to doing that. And then Katherine called.
    When Simone returned to Palestine and saw Nate, she was amazed and impressed at the change. He was younger than her, twenty-four to her twenty-eight, but he was handling the stressful job of senior pastor like an old pro. His lovemaking skills had gotten even better, if that were possible, and along with thoughts of marriage, Simone began imagining something else…a sister or brother for Destiny. She’d even joked with him about it, said that he and she would make some pretty babies. He’d joined in the laughter, but had insisted he wasn’t ready to have a child, that he didn’t want to become a father until after he was married. For that reason, he told her, he insisted on using a condom every time they had intercourse. A couple times she’d tried to get him to do it without one, but he had allowed no exceptions. Obviously, there’d been at least one exception—her daughter. Simone wasn’t proud of how she felt, but if she were honest with herself, she’d admit that that was the reason she wanted Destiny to have the abortion. Because she, Simone, wanted to be the mother of his child.
    Tears came to Simone’s eyes as she acknowledged this truth, along with the fact that she would not be Mrs. Thicke. It was her daughter, her pregnant daughter, standing in the way. And who am I to try and block her path? Simone reluctantly thought. During the discussion at the table, Simone had convinced herself that an abortion was easier not just for Nate, but especially for Destiny. Simone knew all too well the difficulties of being a single mother. She wanted to spare her daughter this hardship, have Destiny experience the joy of being footloose and fancy free at this time in her life, instead of burdened with responsibility. Not having the baby was definitely in the best interest of Destiny’s future, Simone again concluded. But her daughter, who was Simone’s even change in stubbornness, didn’t agree. She wanted to have Nate’s baby, just like her mother also did.
    “Marrying Destiny doesn’t have to change the relationship between us.” Simone remembered Nate’s words from the time he’d come over, the first time they met after he announced his plans to marry Destiny. His lovemaking had been exquisite that day, she also remembered. He’d lavished love on every inch of her, seeming to stroke her very core. Simone tried to imagine Nate’s words being true, continuing to experience the heights of ecstasy she did with him while he was married to her daughter. But can I be satisfied with just his dick, knowing Destiny has everything else? How did Katherine do it? Simone wondered. Maybe I’ll ask her. Simone knew that if she were to keep any part of Nate at all, she’d have to find a way.
    Simone sighed, rose from the chaise, and walked from her room to Destiny’s. She started to knock on the door, but when she put her ear up against it, heard nothing but silence. Simone decided that tomorrow was soon enough to begin mending the rift she knew the night’s conversation had put between her and Destiny. It would be mended—Simone was sure about that. Because from the time Destiny was born, she’d been the light of Simone’s life. Yes, she loved Nate. But she also loved her child. And at the end of the day Simone knew that nothing, and no one, could take away that love.
     
    Nettie prayed quietly, fervently, in the holy language. She battered the gates of heaven with her petition, asking God for clarity, direction, mercy, and grace. Alternately, she would become silent and still, listening for God’s voice. She knew He would answer, knew He’d make a way. He had never