Read Online The Devil Made Me Do It by Colette R. Harrell - Free Book Online Page A

whispered to her husband, “I’m glad this isn’t our neighborhood. I hope her neighbors don’t think we’re out here doing voodoo.”
    â€œShush.”
    Â 
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    Esther adjusted the visor as the morning sun glared through the moving truck window. A caravan of cars followed the truck down Rosedale Lane. Late into the night, Esther and her family talked. It was agreed that it was best to move her out of her house today.
    In the past four years, Roger had gone through her money, her friends, and finally, her patience. They tried private counseling, but Roger walked out. They scheduled Christian counseling with Reverend Gregory, and Roger never showed up.
    The slap woke her up, and the punch sealed their fate. Roger was a bully, the “boo!” leftover from a child’s fear of things that go bump in the night. She was cutting her losses before she woke up dead.
    The caravan stopped, and everyone piled out of their vehicles. Her cousin Tony jumped out; large, menacing, and chiseled from his recent prison workouts. “Okay, cuz, you’re the boss. Just tell us what needs to go and what stays.” As an afterthought, he said, “I hope that fool tries to stop us.” He cracked his neck and punched his fist into his hand.
    Esther shook her head. Tony and his siblings were the family’s holdouts for salvation. “Tony, don’t start any mess up in here. We’re getting my things, and then we’re leaving.”
    Esther’s parents had an important meeting and couldn’t back out at such short notice. She missed their calming hand.
    Phyllis marched up. “Tony, as much as I would like to see Roger’s tail whipped, we are under direct orders from Mama—no fighting. And, bro, you know you on probation . . .”
    The group began to get organized; unpacking boxes and labeling them by room. As they chatted and laughed, the front door opened. Roger’s clothes were rumpled, as if he had slept in them. The five o’clock stubble on his face showed signs of gray. He barked, “What are all of you people doing in my front yard?”
    Esther stepped out from the group. “We’ve come to get my things.”
    â€œEsther, let me talk to you a minute.”
    â€œNo,” everyone yelled.
    Esther looked back at her family, serene. “It’s all right.” She and Roger went to the side of the house, but in plain sight of everyone.
    He was fidgety and shuffled his feet. “How you gon’ just leave? You know I love you.”
    â€œReally? Since when, Roger?” Her eyes remained downcast, not out of fear, but because it was hard to look at the man he had become, not the one she imagined him to be. It was a mistake to marry potential, since there was a real chance it may never fulfill its purpose.
    â€œOkay, things got a little out of hand, but you should know how I feel. Girl, I love you so much that sometimes I get crazy with it.” He leaned low attempting to catch her eye.
    Esther continued to look down at the ground. Looking at Roger made her angry and sad all at the same time.
    He tried tilting her chin up, but she stepped away. “Look how good you’re looking this morning. All fresh and dewy.”
    â€œOh, I don’t look fat this morning?” she fired back.
    â€œI’m sorry, Baby. I was upset. You know I like my meal with more than a little meat on it. I wanted you with me last night, and I was frustrated when I came home and you were gone.” His voice was as slick as silk and just as slippery.
    Esther looked over Roger’s left shoulder; she saw a shadow cast against the side of the house. She shivered, closed and opened her eyes several times, but it remained; the shadow of a serpent.
    The morning mist must be playing havoc on my senses, she thought. Yet, her bones were chilled. Although hazy, it was a mild morning, and intuitively, she knew her chill had nothing to do with the