A Test of Faith (Excerpt)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. ~Ephesians 5:25
Chapter One
“Peace offering?” Joshua stood in the doorway of his bedroom with a generous slice of New York style cheesecake smothered in his wife’s favorite strawberry sauce. “I know you can’t resist.” He wore a flirtatious grin, flexing the chiseled muscles of his arms.
Gayle looked up from her book and lowered her dark framed reading glasses to the bridge of her nose. “You said some pretty hurtful things to me,” she reminded him of their recent argument.
“But it’s me and cheesecake, baby,” he joked, snapping the white fitted tank against his chest.
“Does it look like I’m laughing?” She glared at him.
“Oh, I know what’ll cheer you up.” He ran to the kitchen and lathered the dessert with heavy whipped cream. When he came back to the bedroom and extended it in her direction Gayle rolled her eyes at him.
“Josh, I’m so serious right now.”
Joshua’s chest deflated as he took a few steps toward her. “Okay, I was just trying to put a smile on your face. I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it?”
She placed the book beside her on the opposite side of the bed and removed her glasses. “Did you mean it? The things that you said, did you mean it?”
Joshua placed the clear, square saucer on the nightstand and sat beside his wife. “Gayle,” he began, choosing his words carefully, “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I did mean what I said.”
Gayle sucked her teeth and grabbed the book again.
“No, wait.” Joshua held her slender wrist. “Hear me out.” He gently massaged her shoulder with his other hand. “I meant what I said, but I probably shouldn’t have said it the way that I did.”
“You’d think that an argument like that wouldn’t have happened right after church though.” Gayle shook her head at him. “I mean, really? It’s Sunday, Josh.”
“So?” He furrowed his brows at her. “When have I ever minced words? I didn’t curse you out or call you out your name. You know I’d never do that. But having a disagreement on Sunday is not a sin you know.”
“A disagreement?” Gayle moved his hands away from her and adjusted the pink sleep shirt she wore. “No, baby,” she said in a condescending way, “that was way more than a disagreement. You shouted at me that I shouldn’t give any more money to my family while it’s okay for you to give money to your sisters for their lavish wedding.” She referred to the double wedding of her two sisters-in-law, Charity and Elisha.
Joshua’s jaw tensed as he turned away briefly. “I’m not doing this again.”
*End of Excerpt*
