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out about his mother, but he couldn’t reach him. He must have already left his hotel room.”

      Alexa’s first instinct was to protest, but given the delicate situation her friends were facing, she refrained from doing so. Instead she tried her best to assure her that everything would be okay.

      “Don’t worry about a thing, Maya. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to spend some time with my goddaughters.”

      Maya turned around before exiting the room. “Thank you, Alex, for being here. I’m so grateful you came early, you just don’t know.”

      Had it been any other day, Alexa would have remained in the bed until noon, but godmother duty called. When Maya closed the door, she got out of bed and opened the dresser drawer in search of something to wear.

      The first thing that she laid her eyes on was a snug black sweater and a pair of fitted boot-cut jeans. Although casual, the outfit complemented her size ten figure. However, she had second thoughts when she remembered Darius. She didn’t want him to entertain the idea that she was dressing to impress him. So, she quickly laid the outfit to the side and selected a loose-fitting pair of sweats and an oversized long-sleeved T-shirt. Ordinarily Alexa wouldn’t be caught dead in her sweats; however, they came in handy today. She hoped that choosing the sweat suit over something more visually appealing sent a strong message of indifference to Darius.

      Before stepping into the bathroom, she stopped to turn on the CD player. She fingered through the CDs in the holder, before selecting Cassandra Wilson’s latest.

      Once the composition started to play, she gathered her things and went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. As the water warmed up, she bobbed over to the sink and began brushing her teeth.

      Moments later she emerged from her quarters feeling fresh and ready for the day. To her surprise the Renault family was seated at the breakfast table before 8:00 a.m.

      Bryant, who was pouring himself a second cup of coffee, glanced up as she entered. “Thanks, Al, for staying with the girls.”

      “No problem. I just pray that your mom is okay.”

      Bryant didn’t respond and Alexa could see the concern in his eyes. “Are you ready, Maya?”

      “Mommy, where are you going?” Brielle asked.

      “We told you, boo,” Maya answered patiently. “Daddy and I have to see Granny because she is sick.”

      “Is Granny gonna be okay?” Monaye asked, her little face contorted as if she would cry. She was definitely the emotional one.

      Bryant and Maya exchanged worried glances.

      “We hope so,” Bryant finally answered.

      Maya quickly added, “You can do your part by praying for her in the meantime.”

      “I will,” Monaye quickly replied.

      “I’ll pray, too, Mommy,” Brielle said, not wanting to be left out.

      “I pray, Mommy, okay?” Sasha added.

      Maya smiled at her precious children with loving eyes. She leaned down and pressed her lips to each of their foreheads. The tender exchange was like a Kodak moment.

      “Call me as soon as you hear something,” Alexa called out.

      “We will,” Maya promised, releasing her hold on the girls. Alexa could see the lines of worry furrowing her brow. She walked to the door behind Bryant, and Alexa followed.

      “Thanks again, girl,” Maya said turning back to her friend for a hug before departing.

      Alexa squeezed her tightly. “Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”

      Maya solemnly nodded and left to join Bryant in the warming vehicle.

      Alexa watched them from the doorway. As they began backing out of the driveway, she closed her eyes and said a quick prayer. When she opened her eyes a black SUV pulled up the drive and stopped alongside the truck.

      Alexa’s stomach fluttered when the window rolled down and she spied Darius poking his head out to talk to Bryant. In a flash, she closed the door and scurried over to the front bay window. She peeped through the drapes to see the two talking. After a few moments, Bryant continued to back the truck down the drive. Alexa waited for Darius to do the same, but was surprised when he pulled in and parked.

      She exhaled, her breath creating a fog on the window. Why is he staying? she asked herself. It would be awkward having him around without Maya and Bryant around to be buffers between them to alleviate possible tension. Darius had a way of stealing her control, which really unnerved her.

      She watched him fiddling around inside the truck for a few minutes before opening the door and stepping out. So as not to be seen, Alexa hurried off to the kitchen where the girls had just finished eating their breakfast. The three of them wandered into the adjoining great room where they were watching cartoons.

      In an attempt to look busy, Alexa began to clear the table when the door opened.

      “Good morning.” He greeted her in a voice as smooth as a caress.

      Alexa looked up right into his smoldering eyes. How could he look so sexy at this hour of the morning? she wondered, digging his style. The reversed leather Kangol cap on his head and the belted, black leather jacket looked good on him.

      “Good morning,” she responded, turning her back to him to place the dishes she was holding inside the dishwasher.

      “Uncle Darry!” Monaye and Brielle screamed in unison. They scrambled up from their places on the floor and charged him like miniature linebackers on a quarterback.

      “Hey, little bits!” he returned, scooping them both up in his arms. “How are my girls?”

      “Guess what?” Monaye asked, completely ignoring his question. “Our granny is sick.”

      “I know,” he sadly replied. “Your dad just told me.”

      “Mommy said we should pray so she can get better.”

      “That’s a good idea,” Darius replied.

      “Okay, let’s pray,” Monaye suggested as she had seen her mother do on countless occasions. She motioned for Darius to place her back on the floor, and he obliged.

      Alexa, who had heard everything as she watched from her side of the room, found her goddaughter’s approach touching.

      Just as they did at the dinner table, Monaye locked Darius’s hand in one of hers and Brielle’s in the other.

      Darius glanced up at Alexa with pleading eyes as if begging for a way out. Alexa, in turn, pretended as if she hadn’t noticed, believing that she was exempt from the circle. However, that was not the case as Monaye called her over to join them.

      “Are you sure?” Alexa asked, stunned by the child’s astuteness.

      Monaye nodded. “Mommy said that if more than two people pray in Jesus’ name, God will answer our prayers.”

      This time it was Alexa who looked to Darius for a way out. But just as she had treated him moments before, he returned the favor by ignoring her pleas. To stress his point, he released Monaye’s hand and extended his hand therefore creating a space for her.

      Seeing no other way of getting out of it, Alexa joined them. The point at which she entered required her to hold Darius’s hand. It was the first time they had touched in nine years. His hand was more massive than she remembered, yet amazingly soft.

      For a few seconds they stood there looking at one another to see who would take the initiative. Alexa thought Darius would and vice versa. Again, they were surprised when Monaye stepped forward with a sweet, short prayer for her grandmother. When she was done, Brielle followed suit. Alexa was impressed and made a mental note to praise her friends for the great job they had done in developing their children’s spirituality.

      Upon

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