When You Wish(9)

Alexis pushed feverishly on the elevator button; willing it to get to her floor quickly so she could get out of the hotel. Before the elevator arrived, Chance caught up to her.

“Lex, just stop for a minute. Let me explain,” Chance offered nearly breathless.

Alexis turned to face Chance attempting to mask the hurt in her eyes.

“Oh you don’t have to explain Chance. There’s really nothing you can say now, is there?” Alexis’ gaze was unwavering. She was as much angry as she was wounded, but she refused to cry in front of Chance.

“But Lex, please…I’m sorry…I love you,” he continued pleadingly.

The ding from the elevator signaled its arrival. Alexis turned away from Chance and walked inside the awaiting carriage. Chance held his hand in front of the doors not allowing them to close.

“Lex, please don’t do this. Give me a chance to explain.”

“There’s nothing left to say, Chance. This is one thing neither of us can just wish away.”

Alexis pushed the button commanding the elevator to move. As the doors raged to be closed, Chance had no choice but to release them. He watched as the doors closed slowly in front of him. Hanging his head in shame, Chance made his way back to the party suite. He wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself. He didn’t know whether he had completely ruined his chances with Alexis or not. In his heart of hearts he knew he had messed up, and the chances of being able to fix it with Lex were slim to none. She would call off the wedding; of that he was sure.

As the doors to the elevator closed, a single tear fell from Alexis’ eye. She was hurt and disappointed. Less than 24 hours until my I do’s and this? It was hard for her to believe the man she loved so much, and so freely gave of herself to, would betray her on the eve of her wedding night. She knew in her heart it was over.

Alexis knew there was nothing she could do to change the course of events. As she exited the W and waited for her car to be brought around, she wished things could have turned out differently. She wished Chance hadn’t messed everything up. She wished he could have honored their agreement. She wished she could turn back time. Even a part of her wished that she hadn’t felt so convicted about making love to Chance in the first place. So much for wishing…





Excerpt from “The Marital Bed”

(Coming December 2012)

“Let The Church Say…”



Sinclair Livingston was as nervous as any blushing bride could be. She had wished for this day for so long; having dreamed about it since she was a little girl. Sinclair was preparing to marry the man of her dreams. She couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Edward Jones. All she needed to do was hold it together a little while longer, get through the ceremony and wait for the pronouncement. This should be a breeze, right? Her year and a half of preparation and planning were finally coming to fruition. Picking the bridal party, selecting the wedding planner, dress, flowers and cake and selecting the honeymoon location were done. All Sinclair needed to do now was walk down the aisle to meet her future husband and pray that her lover and best friend wouldn’t blow it for her.

Emanuel Baptist Church was the heart of the community. Erected some 160 years ago in the heart of the Parker District in Atlanta Georgia, generations of families had called Emanuel their spiritual home. Sinclair’s family was no different. They had been generational attendants of Emanuel since her great-great-grandfather settled in the area many decades earlier. Sinclair’s great-great-grandfather sang in the male chorus and was one of the first members of the deacon board. Her great-great-grandmother taught Sunday school and was on the welcoming committee. Sinclair’s father followed in the footsteps of his ancestors and sang lead tenor in the male chorus and sat on the deacon board. Her mother played the organ for the church.Pride in service to the community through the church had been, and continued to be, a family tradition.

After graduating from high school, Sinclair attended Spelman College, a historically African-American women’s college right in the heart of Atlanta. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, she continued her educational pursuits and earned a master’s degree in the same discipline. Although Sinclair was excited to be a new teacher in the Fulton County school district, she continued to grow within the walls of Emanuel Baptist. She always loved to sing and from very early on, she honed her vocal skills in the church. From watching her mother from the pews during Wednesday night choir rehearsal to participating in the children’s and junior choirs, Sinclair was presently the lead vocalist in the Young Adult Choir.