Read Online Unresolved Issues by Wanda B. Campbell - Free Book Online

her parents’ peaceful home and set out to face her tumultuous life. As she drove down Highway 37, the wind from the sunroof blew her hair and she actually felt good. It had been an entire week since Derrick had left. She hadn’t heard one word from him. Today that would change. She’d planned to stop by his office in hopes of spending his lunchtime talking about their marriage. She’d prayed fervently every day and hoped for a quick reconciliation. If that didn’t happen, she would do what her parents instructed. She would keep living her life one day at a time.
    Before heading to his office, she went home to change into something more appropriate and appealing, like the red and gold pantsuit he’d bought her for Christmas. Funny, Derrick couldn’t coordinate his own clothing, but could select flattering outfits for Staci with ease. Walking into the house knowing no one else lived there was kind of creepy at first. She turned on the sound system, and the atmosphere warmed a bit.
    Inside her bedroom, she noticed Derrick had been back and had removed more of his clothing. She swallowed the bile that threatened to erupt from the pit of her stomach and quickly changed clothes and applied light makeup to highlight her natural features. Before leaving, she sorted out Derrick’s mail and tucked it into her handbag.
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    â€œHello, Mrs. Garrison.”
    â€œHello, Phyllis,” Staci greeted Derrick’s office manager and the other staff members present. “Is my husband available?”
    â€œHe’s in with his last patient before lunch, but you can wait for him in his office.”
    â€œThank you, Phyllis.” Phyllis buzzed her inside the back office, and Staci slowly walked down the hallway that led to Derrick’s office. With each step, she wondered if this is what the death-row inmates across the bridge at San Quentin felt like. It was like walking to her execution; the end of the world.
    â€œExcuse me, Mrs. Garrison.” Derrick’s colleague, Dr. Hunt, bumped into her.
    â€œIt’s my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” Staci said and repositioned the handbag strap over her shoulder.
    â€œI’ll tell the big guy you’re here,” the elder gentleman offered.
    â€œNo need. I’ll just wait for him in his office. I have a key.” Staci was afraid Derrick would leave if he was alerted to her presence. She hurried on before Dr. Hunt could comment.
    Staci entered the office quietly. She placed her purse and Derrick’s mail on the desk. Out of habit, she walked around and checked the stock in his minirefrigerator. Mentally, she made a list of things to pick up at the grocery store. Then her eyes traveled to their wedding picture, still in its place on his desk. Her optimism returned. She picked up his picture and was outlining his face with her fingertips when Derrick walked in, leaving the door slightly ajar.
    At first she thought she saw a slight smile on his face, but he froze too quickly for her to be sure. Her heart nearly leaped at the sight of him. She had missed her teddy bear so much. He just stared at her, so she spoke first.
    â€œHello, Derrick.” She placed the picture back on the desk.
    â€œHi.”
    She inhaled and exhaled in metered breaths before saying, “Do you have any plans for lunch?”
    â€œNo.” His monosyllable answers made his mood hard to read.
    â€œI was hoping we could talk during your lunch break.”
    Her expectations fell when he walked around her and sat at his desk, then asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
    â€œI want to talk about our marriage, or what’s left of it,” Staci answered, still standing next to his desk and forcing herself to maintain eye contact.
    Derrick closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.
    â€œDerrick, I need to know if we still have a marriage or not.”
    â€œStaci—” he didn’t get to