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time, but her life would go on without Derrick. The sun would still continue to shine whether Derrick was in her life or not.
    She placed her wedding ring into her jewelry box and looked down at her watch. It was only one o’clock in the afternoon. She grabbed her briefcase from the closet and decided it was time to go back to work.
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    â€œDr. Garrison, your patient is ready.” This time Rhonda knocked on the door before entering. Instead of stopping in the threshold, Rhonda walked in and leaned against his desk in the identical spot Staci had occupied earlier.
    Derrick shifted in the chair but didn’t make eye contact. “I’ll be right out.”
    â€œI missed you at lunch. I brought you something back for later.”
    That’s when Derrick noticed the plastic bag containing a Styrofoam container in her hands. “You didn’t have to do that.”
    â€œI know, but I wanted to. I can’t have my gentle giant passing out from hunger.” Rhonda placed the food inside the refrigerator. “See you in a few.”
    After she closed the door, Derrick leaned back in his chair and picked up his wedding picture. “You’ve always mattered to me,” he whispered to Staci’s image. Why he couldn’t voice the words in Staci’s presence he didn’t know.
    Derrick had been stuck in his seat since Staci left an hour ago. He didn’t mean for their first meeting since his leaving to go so badly. When he saw her standing at his desk, he wanted to hold her and tell her how much he’d missed her, but fear gripped him. Then Rhonda came in and everything went downhill from there. There was nothing going on between him and Rhonda, although she would like for it to be. She’d made several advances toward him, and honestly, he enjoyed the attention.
    He owed Staci an explanation, but he just didn’t know how to talk to her. His normally steady hands shook as he punched her number. Her voice mail picked up on the third ring.
    â€œHello, you’ve reached Staci Simone. I’m sorry, but I’m unable to accept your call at this time. Please leave a brief message and I’ll return your call shortly.”
    Derrick felt like he’d been sucker punched in the gut. Staci had removed his last name from hers. What he feared most was starting to happen; Staci was removing him from her life. Derrick steadied his voice enough to speak.
    â€œStaci, I’m sorry about today. It’s not what you think. There’s nothing going on between me and Rhonda. I just wanted you to know that.”

Chapter 13
    â€œYou did what!” Miss Cora yelled.
    â€œI’ve moved out of the house.” Derrick shrugged his shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal.
    â€œYou can’t be that crazy. How could you leave Staci?” Her son’s stupidity was enough to make her sit up in bed. She’d been feeling weak all day, but the anger brought on by her son’s revelation gave her a much-needed energy boost.
    â€œMama, you don’t understand.”
    â€œWhat is there to understand? You left your wife and for what?”
    Derrick stood there with his hands in his pockets and his head lowered, just like he’d done all his life after he’d done something wrong. Like the time he loaned Miss Cora’s car to his so-called friends who, in turn, participated in a street race, getting the car impounded.
    â€œBaby, sit down.” Miss Cora patted the space beside her on the hospital bed placed in her home. Derrick quietly obeyed. “Derrick, I’m not going to be around much longer,” she began. “I need you to really hear what I am about to say.”
    â€œI’m listening, Mama.”
    â€œDerrick, I want you to forgive me for you not having a father around.”
    â€œThat’s not your fault,” he protested.
    â€œYes, it is partially my fault.” Miss Cora nodded her head. “Baby, I knew before