Page 2 of Pieces of Us

That didn’t ring true for me, though. As soon as I got the opportunity to lose my virginity, I took it. Being caught after the fact, my father made me get baptized, and I couldn’t date until I graduated high school. It took a lot of repenting and convincing for him to allow me to date Justin a few months before our graduation in high school.

Although my father was the pastor ofRenewed Salvation Baptist Church, he was super cool, and me and my sister had nothing but respect for him at one point. He spoke from the Bible but had a dope way of delivering the Word, and our entire community loved him.

When Justin and I started dating, my father invited Justin over for dinner. I was a nervous wreck because Justin wasn’t into church like that, but he did believe in God. When Gio summoned us into his study, I just knew he was about to ban us from being together just like he’d done with Nehemiah.

“Listen, I was once a young man. I did a lot of things I’m not proud of while growing up, but I had to grow up, you feel me?”

“I do,” Justin replied.

“So, I know what you expect when you want to be in a relationship. I give my girls the game, then I leave it up to them on how they want to play it. As her father, I would love for her to follow the commandments of the Father. I hope she understands that defiling her temple without being equally yoked and married to whomever she agrees to be with will knock some points off her record with the Big Man.

“I’m not here to preach to you. I leave that in the pulpit. But as her father, I am going to let you know that my girls are my world. I protect, provide, and love them wholeheartedly. If that’s not what you are willing to do, then just bow out gracefully and leave her alone.”

“I love your daughter, Mr. Prescott. I will do anything to be with her, be anything she needs me to be, and never disrespect her in any way. My father always told me that a man who isn’t intentional with his actions isn’t a man of good integrity. I’m being intentional when I say she will be my wifebefore anything else happens between us.”

He didn’t lie. Once we graduated from college, we got married at my father’s church and began our journey as husband and wife. I gave my heart, soul, and body to him…every piece of me, and I believed I had every piece of him. Our life together had been nothing short of amazing until recently.

They say closed mouths don’t get fed. Well, I planned to open my mouth because I needed Justin to feed my growing concerns of his whereabouts and actions.

Focusing my attention back on the stage, Justin took my hand, kissed the back of it, and smiled at me. That smile was why I fell so madly in love with him. He was so cute and charming that I couldn’t wait until we went on our honeymoon to allow him to do whatever he wanted with me.

I trusted him. I just prayed that whatever I was feeling proved to be wrong. Him being at a strip club to conduct business didn’t sit well with me, but he claimed it was for his client’s pleasure, not his own.

Maybe I needed to learn how to dance erotically. If he was into that kind of stuff, then I would do what I had to do to be what he liked. There was nothing wrong with a little extra spice.

As my thoughts continued to roam, we went through countless musical talents before the time had come for my baby to take the stage. My smile broadened watching her strut onto the stage with poise and grace.

The navy-blue gown with the puffy bottom gave her elegance. I had taken her to my bestie Bailey’s shop to get her hair straightened and put in an updo with spirals framing her pretty oval face. Her three-inch heels clicked across the stage before she took a seat on the bench.

“She looks beautiful,” Justin commented, smiling wide.

“Always.” I beamed. The scouts were in the building, so she had been a little nervous. Next semester, she would be starting high school, and she wanted to attend the Detroit School of Arts to explore her talent. I could see my baby on stage, playing her cello for Beyoncé. Her love for music came from attending my father’s church on Sundays. She was a part the choir and worked toward playing the piano as well. For the time being, Mr. Lewis, her music teacher, played the piano for her in the background.

She began her musical piece with Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep Mountain High.” She was required to do three musical pieces, so she chose that one, Beyoncé’s “Dangerously In Love,” and “A Whole New World” fromAladdin.

Her cheek rested slightly against the instrument, eyes closed, and face serene as her bow and fingers strummed the strings, creating the perfect symphony. My smile didn’t leave my face because my baby was gifted. This was a pivotal moment for her, and I could see and feel the passion in her being as she put on a show for the scouts. Everyone watched until she finished the last song, then the auditorium erupted in applause and standing ovations. Megan had closed out the show, stood, and did a subtle curtsy.

“That was amazing,” I said, dabbing the corners of my eyes.

“Those rehearsals really paid off I see.” Justin marveled. He shouldn’t have been surprised. Megan had only been practicing since she was eleven. He’d know that had he been present. I understood, though. His business was a hot commodity. Being a sports attorney was very demanding, so I tried not to put too much pressure on him.

“They certainly did. Let’s just hope she gets into DSA. Look at their faces. Do you think she’s got a good chance?” I asked as my eyes traveled across the room to where Mr. Lewis shook their hands.

“I’m sure she does…I think we should give it some more thought, though.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Morgan!” I looked to my right to see Jolie approaching.

“We’ll talk when we get home,” Justin whispered to me.

Suddenly, I felt a twinge of discomfort after he said that. Jolie stood in front of me, placing her hands on my shoulders, and giving me fake air kisses. Why she thought we were friends, I’d never understand.

“Jolie, how are you?”

“I’m well. Your daughter is such a doll, and she did amazing.”

“Thank you. Your son wasn’t too bad himself with the sax,” I lied. The poor kid was horrible, but I would never say that to her.

---