Epilogue
Fifteen months later . . .
Â
Staci was on her third pack of tissues, and the service wasn't halfway over yet. No matter how she tried, she just couldn't stop crying. She was too happy and too grateful.
“Would you like for me to ask the usher for a bucket for all of your trash?” Keisha asked, referring to the mountain of soiled white tissue on Staci's lap.
“That won't be necessary. I came prepared.”
Keisha could do nothing but shake her head when her sister-in-law pulled out her own personal garbage bag.
Staci scanned the center section of True Worship and almost started crying again. Everyone in her immediate family was present, and a good number of extended family as well. She smiled down the row at her younger brother, Craig, who was still “holding on,” as he put it, and who was scheduled to enroll in seminary in the fall. Sometimes she wondered if Craig would be saved today had the incident with Malcolm never happened. Only God knows, she decided.
She smiled proudly at her big brother, Marcus, and her girl Shannon. Nothing had changed between them. At that very moment, Marcus whispered something in Shannon's ear, and she giggled. She really admired how well they worked together with the twins. Once again, her big brother set the example for her to aspire to. Little Marcus and Mariah were adorable in their coordinating outfits, looking more like Shannon than Marcus.
Lashay must have forgotten about wanting to kill herself during Briana's delivery, because now, she was five months pregnant once more, and Brian couldn't be happier knowing Brian Jr. was on the way.
Staci nearly laughed out loud when she noticed her mother's leg shaking. It was just a matter of time before she went forth in dance. Today, Staci believed the entire center section would join in with her.
Mingled in were Derrick's aunts, uncles, and cousins. Miss Cora had been gone for nearly two years, but Staci could feel her presence as if she were standing right in front of her.
Miss Cora would be so happy,
she thought.
Seated next to Staci on the left was John Archer, and next to him, Derrick's half brother and sister. John turned out to be sincere about wanting to be a part of his son's life. Over the last year, the two spent time together at least once a month. John even came over for dinner a couple of times. In the beginning, it was hard for John's other two offspring to accept Derrick, but after learning Derrick wasn't trying to hurt their mother or run a con game, they adjusted, actually finding Derrick a fun guy to be around. John, as well as his children, still had a hard time adjusting to the excitement of a Pentecostal worship service, though. Derrick's stepmother still refused to meet him, and he was okay with that. The only person's acceptance he sought after now was God's.
John Archer sure does have some strong genes
, Staci thought, looking into the big brown eyes of Derrick Garrison Jr. who snuggled comfortably in his grandfather's arms. Her six-month-old son was the spitting image of his father and grandfather, except for his mocha color. She didn't mind, though, believing this time around she was carrying a girl, and Coriana Garrison would look just like her. She'd have to wait seven months to see if her prediction was right.
She turned her attention back to the front of the sanctuary just in time to hear Pastor Reggie instruct Derrick to lie down. Staci's heart bubbled with pride as she watched her giant of a husband humbly lie prostrate on the floor in his ministerial cassock in front of all those people. In no time, the tears were back. It wasn't until Pastor Reggie raised both arms and began praying did she realize the scene was what she saw in her dream almost two years ago. It was Derrick's ordination, not his funeral. When Derrick stood upright again, she could have sworn he was glowing. Her mind went back to what Miss Cora told her: “His light is going to shine bright.”
Pastor Reggie beckoned for her to come, and with pride, she stood by her teddy bear. The smile Derrick gave her almost made her come out of the spirit. Without trying, the man could turn her into mush. She was relieved when Pastor Reggie asked them to kneel. With her head bowed and her hand laced together with her husband's, she listened to the praise and worship ministry sing “Alpha and Omega.” Tears rolled down both their cheeks. At the end of the song, they were still on their knees, holding each other.
That's all Alaina and the rest of the Simone and Garrison families needed. In no time the sanctuary erupted with praise and dancing. It seemed as though everybody felt the spirit that afternoon.
After assisting his wife to her feet, Derrick noticed his father's wet cheeks. Staci freed John of his grandson. John stood to his feet and with both hands raised, surrendered his life to God.
“Thank you, Father. It was worth it all,” Staci whispered, watching father and son embrace. “Yes, indeed, it was worth it all.”
Discussion Questions
1.
Derrick and Staci participated in premarital sex that resulted in an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent abortion. Yet, they were able to restore their relationship and eventually marry. Do you think it's possible for a relationship to survive this type of stress?
2.
Staci acknowledged that although Derrick was her soul mate, she married him before the right time. Is this a common practice among Christians today? How do you think this practice affects the high divorce rate in the church?
3.
Staci and Derrick came from opposite family backgrounds. Do you think Derrick's family dynamics are what attracted him to her?
4.
When contemplating marriage, should a suitor's family history be taken into consideration?
5.
Do you agree with Miss Cora's decision to tell Derrick he was the product of an interracial, extramarital fling? How do you think this affected his self-image?
6.
Casual sex is a common and acceptable practice in this day and age. Before partaking in that lifestyle, should we consider the long-term emotional effects on the children produced from this activity?
7.
Although Staci had a strong family support system, she found comfort with a stranger. Why do you think it was so easy for her to ignore the morals she'd been taught?
8.
Why do you think it took Staci so long to end contact with Malcolm?
9.
Do you agree with Derrick's decision to leave Staci in order to work on his issues?
10.
Although absent, John Archer cared for his son. Why do you think it was so hard for him to interact with Derrick?
11.
Did Derrick's call to the ministry surprise you?
About the Author
A romantic at heart, Wanda Campbell uses relationships to demonstrate how the power of forgiveness and reconciliation can restore us back to God and to one another. Wanda is a graduate of Western Career College. In addition to building a career in health care, she is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in biblical studies. She currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband of twenty-three years and two sons, and she enjoys spending time with her grandson.
She is an award-winning author of four Christian fiction novels.
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Wanda loves hearing from readers.
UC HIS GLORY BOOK CLUB!
Â
Â
UC His Glory Book Club is the spirit-inspired brainchild of Joylynn Jossel, Author and Acquisitions Editor of Urban Christian, and Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Author for Urban Christian. This is an online book club that hosts authors of Urban Christian. We welcome as members all men and women who have a passion for reading Christian-based fiction.
Â
UC His Glory Book Club pledges our commitment to provide support, positive feedback, encouragement, and a forum whereby members can openly discuss and review the literary works of Urban Christian authors.
Â
There is no membership fee associated with UC His Glory Book Club; however, we do ask that you support the authors through purchasing, encouraging, providing book reviews, and of course, your prayers. We also ask that you respect our beliefs and follow the guidelines of the book club. We hope to receive your valuable input, opinions, and reviews that build up, rather than tear down our authors.
Urban Christian His Glory Book Club
What We Believe:
Â
Â
âWe believe that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God.
Â
âWe believe the Bible is the true, living Word of God.
Â
âWe believe all Urban Christian authors should use their God-given writing abilities to honor God and share the message of the written word God has given to each of them uniquely.
Â
âWe believe in supporting Urban Christian authors in their literary endeavors by reading, purchasing and sharing their titles with our online community.
Â
âWe believe that in everything we do in our literary arena should be done in a manner that will lead to God being glorified and honored.
Â
Â
Â
Â
Many Blessing to You!
Â
Shelia E. Lipsey,
President, UC His Glory Book Club
Urban Books, LLC
78 East Industry Court
Deer Park, NY 11729
Â
Unresolved Issues Copyright © 2012 Wanda B. Campbell
Â
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6228-6103-3
Â
Â
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living, or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
Â
Â
Distributed by Kensington Corp.
Submit Wholesale Orders to:
Kensington Publishing Corp.
C/O Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Attention: Order Processing
405 Murray Hill Parkway
East Rutherford, NJ 07073-2316
Phone: 1-800-526-0275
Fax: 1-800-227-9604