The Resolution Read online

  “Me too.” Geneva blew into her hands.

  “What do you mean, me too?” Isabella put her hands on her hips. “You have a paid trip to Jamaica.”

  Geneva raised a brow. “And?”

  “Do you need me to spell it out?” Isabella asked. Then she wagged a finger. “I know you. I know you thought about it.”

  Geneva touched her chin. “I did, but it’s the honeymoon suite. I’ll look pitiful curled up in there all by myself.”

  “So? Call the resort and change rooms.” Isabella pointed to her head. “You’ve got to change your mindset. Consider that vacation your reward for earning your dissertation. You go, girl. You did it.” Isabella broke into a praise jig and then sang, “Dr. Samson in full effect.”

  Geneva giggled. “Your age is showing. I don’t know who says that anymore.”

  Isabella rolled her neck back and forth. “I do.” She broke into the Prep, a nineties hip hop dance move, and sang, “Geneva in full effect.”

  “You taking it way back doing the Prep,” Geneva said, mimicking her.

  They did a broke-down version of the Kid-N-Play, another dance move from the nineties, before they cracked up laughing.

  “I love you, girl,” Geneva said. “It’s only with you I get this silly.”

  “That’s what best friends are for.” Isabella gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’d better get to the courthouse. My bailiff friend might be worried about me.” She unlocked her door and jumped inside.

  “Leave those young men alone, Isabella.”

  “Jennifer Lopez and Demi Moore have nothing on me.” With a wave, she pulled off.

  Geneva entered her Camry and started the car. She shivered and turned up the heat. While the car warmed up, Geneva rested her head on the steering wheel and prayed.

  “Lord, I thank You for seeing me through. I couldn’t have done this without You. Thank You for bringing everything back to my memory. Thank You for helping me rise above.”

  She set her music to Kirk Franklin and sang along. Geneva was determined to praise her pain away. The more she sang, the less she thought of he-whose-name-shall-not-be-called.

  Geneva pulled into the drive-thru of her favorite, fast food restaurant to get herself a burger and some fries. Her stomach had been in knots and she hadn’t eaten. She couldn’t risk throwing up in the middle of her presentation because of nerves.

  She squinted. There was a brown Durango two cars ahead. Her heart slammed into her chest. That was Josh’s SUV.

  Ch. 3

  Geneva blinked, tapping the steering wheel.

  Then she pressed the redial button. “Guess who’s by the burger joint?”

  “Don’t tell me it’s Josh,” Isabella said.

  “Yep.” She gripped the wheel.

  “I’m on my way.” The line went dead.

  Mandisa’s “Overcomer” came on the radio. Geneva turned down the volume. She didn’t want to hear about overcoming nothing. She drove past the order window, still tapping the steering wheel. This time her left eye ticked. She watched Josh give his order and say something to make the busty girl at the window smile. He pulled his Durango into an empty space. Just as she knew he would. Josh always stopped to pour his fries into the bag and add salt.

  She swerved out of the line, pulled behind him and locked him in so he couldn’t leave. Geneva watched his reverse lights come on and waited for him to glance in the rearview mirror. Then she turned off her engine and jumped out of the car with her keys in hand.

  Geneva banged a fist on his window. “Open the door. I want to talk to you.”

  A car honked. “Go around!” she yelled, cutting her eyes.

  Then she glared at Josh. “Open the door.”

  Josh cracked the window a sliver. “Geneva, get out of here. You’re making a scene.”

  “I’m not going anywhere!” she screamed, bouncing her leg. “You’d better get out of that car and talk to me like a man.” She kicked the door.

  “Leave that man alone,” somebody shouted.

  “Mind your business,” Geneva snapped back.

  Josh held up a hand before cracking the door open. One leg hit the ground. Geneva pushed her body against the door. Her chest heaved.

  “Ow!” Josh screamed.

  A small crowd gathered around them.

  Geneva ignored the onlookers.

  When he saw the crowd, Josh got out the car. “What the heck is the matter with you? You’re behaving like a madwoman.”

  “You haven’t seen mad yet.” She got into his face. “Why didn’t you answer my text messages?” She growled.

  He shrugged. “I didn’t have anything else to say.”

  From the corner of her eye, Geneva saw Isabella pushing through the throng.

  Geneva jabbed Josh on the forehead. “You don’t have anything to say to me? We were supposed to get married in two weeks, and you didn’t have the guts to tell me in person you were backing out. Instead you send me a text message.”

  “Oh snap, that’s foul,” someone said.

  Josh looked her in the eyes. “A broken engagement is better than a divorce.”

  Geneva slapped him across the face so hard it sounded through the parking lot.

  “Yow. You gon’ take that?” someone egged on.

  Josh grabbed Geneva’s hand.

  “Get your hand off her,” Isabella said, holding up her cell phone. “Or you’ll rot in jail.” Something about her presence made the crowd disperse.

  Josh released Geneva’s hand. “I’m sorry,” he said. His tone said otherwise.

  “Sorry!” Geneva punched him in the chest. “I was faithful to you. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have graduated. I can’t believe you’d do this to me.”

  She put a fist in her mouth, dreading the tears, but they burst out of her like an angry river. Her shoulders shook.

  Isabella hugged Geneva close. “Hush. It’s okay.”

  She buried her face into Isabella’s coat. She heard Josh’s voice behind her.

  “I have to get back to work.”

  “How could he do this to me?” she sobbed to Isabella, ignoring him. “I was good to him.”

  “Yes, you were,” he said. “You are a good woman. But you aren’t the one for me. I shouldn’t have texted you, but I didn’t want to see you cry. I didn’t want to see the hurt on your face over me.”

  Geneva wiped her nose and faced him. “I’m not crying over you. Don’t kid yourself.”

  He snorted. “If that lie gets you through, then…” He shrugged.

  Her eyes narrowed. She took a step.

  Isabella squeezed Geneva’s shoulder and shook her head. “He’s not worth it. Let’s get out of here.”

  Geneva nodded and started walking toward her car.

  “Geneva!”

  She turned to look at the man she thought she would live with into her golden years.

  “Not once did you mention love,” he said.

  She shook her head. “What are you talking about?

  He shoved a hand into his slacks. “You stood there and mentioned how I should be grateful for all you did to help me, but you didn’t once talk about love.” He lifted his chin. “I don’t think you ever loved me.” He touched his chest. “I never felt it here.”

  “You pile of crap. You have a lot of nerve. Don’t try to throw this on me. I would have been a good woman,” she said through gritted teeth.

  He nodded. “Yes, you would have. But if I married you, I would have been settling.”

  Geneva gasped and her body swayed from the impact of his words.

  Isabella shoved past her and stomped into Josh’s face. “I suggest you shut your mouth and get in your car.”

  Geneva trudged to her vehicle, got in, and rested her head on the steering wheel. Why had she gotten out of the car? She should have slipped on her sunglasses and rocked out to “You’re an Overcomer.” If Josh had spotted her, he would have seen her having a good time without him.

  There was a
rap on the glass. Geneva lifted her head and rolled down the window. Isabella beckoned for her to move. She started up the car and pulled into another empty spot.

  Josh had the nerve to give her a wave before driving off.

  She wished she had Cyclops’ eyes to set his car on fire. But instead, she drew deep breaths.

  Isabella walked up to her. “You hungry?” She pulled off her gloves. “All this drama gave me an appetite.”

  Geneva’s stomach growled. “I can’t believe I just acted a fool.” She rubbed her temples.

  “You’re entitled. If it were me, his car would’ve been totaled. He’s lucky all he got for wasting your twenty grand was a slap in the face.”

  “This is not how someone with a doctorate behaves.” Geneva got out of her car and followed her friend. “And what if one of my parents saw me behaving like this in the parking lot?”

  “Girl, please. You’re a woman with a broken heart. You get a pass.”

  The women went into the restaurant and ordered their meals.

  Geneva snacked on the fries. She would eat the burger later. Soon Isabella had her laughing at her antics in parking lot.

  She shook her head. “I can’t believe I lost my temper like that.”

  “I know,” Isabella said. “You were in psycho mode.”

  Geneva laughed to cover her embarrassment. She knew her cheeks flamed crimson red.

  Isabella tilted her head. “Honestly, I think you’re exhausted.” She dipped her fry into her mayo and ketchup combination. “That’s why I think you should go on your honeymoon.”

  “Not that again.”

  “Yes, that again.” Isabella dusted the salt from her hands. “I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go and enjoy yourself. You wouldn’t be the first person to do that. I’ve read about jilted brides who turn their wedding day into a party or feed the homeless.”

  Geneva scrunched her nose. “I don’t know about that, but at least I don’t have to worry about the food. The flowers were already on special order, so I’m having them taken to nearby nursing homes and hospitals. I figure they’ll cheer up a lot of people on that day.”

  Isabella smiled. “What a great idea.” She patted Geneva’s hand. “That’s real thoughtful of you to do that. That’s why I don’t want you burying yourself with doubts about Josh. He didn’t treasure you like he should have.”

  “He said I didn’t love him.”

  “Please. That fool wouldn’t know love if it bit him on his man parts.”

  Geneva chuckled at Isabella’s phrasing. But deep inside, she pondered Josh’s words. He was right. She hadn’t spoken about love. Her brows knitted. Why?

  Then she pushed the thought away. She didn’t need to speak about something they both knew she felt. He needed to go sit down somewhere with that sorry excuse. She wouldn’t have cried like that if she weren’t brokenhearted.

  Would she?

  Ch. 4

  Geneva parked next to her father’s car outside of Rock of Hope. He had been texting her for the past hour asking about her defense. She knew she had to come see him in person.

  She reached into the takeout bag for her burger and undid the wrapper. Geneva bit into the juicy beef. She would finish it before heading inside to avoid her father’s lecture on healthy eating.

  While she ate, Isabella’s words played in her mind. “You’re a woman with a broken heart…”

  She scrunched her nose. But was she?

  Geneva straightened. Of course she was. Darn that Josh for putting doubt in her mind. She crumpled the wrapper into a ball and grabbed the napkin to wipe away all the evidence. She reached for her phone and pulled up the Iberia Resort. Geneva looked at the blue sea, the white beach and bit her lip. She didn’t relish going solo, but maybe some alone time would be good for her. She had worked nonstop from college until this moment and needed to regroup. Her altercation with Josh was further proof she needed a break. She would see what her father thought.

  Geneva exited the car.

  The gusty wind nipped at her ears. Geneva dashed inside the church. The temperature had dropped several degrees. Her feet were freezing in her pumps. She rubbed her hands. Tonight, she was pulling out her boots.

  Once inside, Geneva headed to her father’s office. As usual, he had the radio station on 104.9 FM. She dropped her coat over a chair.

  “How did you do?” Pastor Samson asked. “I know I blew up your phone, but I was nervous for you. I don’t know why I let you talk me into not coming with you.”

  “Having you there would’ve made me more nervous.” She spread her hands and grinned. “You’re now looking at Dr. Geneva Samson.”

  Her father clapped his hands and came from around his desk to give her a hug. She enjoyed the warmth of his wool sweater.

  “Congratulations, Doctor. I’m so proud. I wish Maggie was here to see you,” he said releasing her.

  Geneva smiled and looked down at her feet. “I’m thinking of going on my honeymoon. Well, not the honeymoon, but the trip.”

  His eyebrows rose. “Without a husband?”

  “It’s too much money to waste. I could call the resort and have them downgrade my room. What do you think?”

  Her father’s eyes softened. “Don’t let money be the only reason you go.”

  “It’s not. But it’s high up on the list.” She glanced away and thought about her fight with Josh. “I saw Josh.”

  “How did that go?”

  Geneva shrugged. “I confronted him.” She wouldn’t mention how physical she had gotten.

  “Did he have any explanation?”

  She shook her head and looked up at the ceiling. “None that made sense.” Josh’s words about her lack of love came back to her.

  Pastor Samson stepped close. “I know you’re hurting, but in time you’ll be okay. I promise. I know about heartache, and I can tell you the pain lessens in time.”

  She touched his cheek. “I don’t think you can compare my situation to yours and Mom’s. Josh is very much alive. He just chose not to include me in his life.”

  He rubbed his chin. “Maybe time away will be good for you. What about asking Isabella to go with you? I’d come, but you know we have our convention coming up.”

  “Isabella can’t come, either. She had already put in for her cruise in March, and the other judges are going on their family vacations.” She shrugged. “The resort is all-inclusive, and there are daily excursions. But I plan to relax, sleep late, and read on the beach.”

  Pastor Samson’s smile widened with admiration. “That’s my girl. You’re a survivor, just like Maggie. She would’ve done the same thing.” He gestured toward the phone. “Why don’t you call them now? Your reservations are only a couple of weeks away, so if you’re going to make changes, do it now.”

  Geneva went over to his computer and pulled up her travel information. She used the landline to call the Iberia Resort. One of her teacher friends had stayed there during her trip to Montego Bay and had highly recommended the five-star resort. Her father leaned against the doorjamb and folded his hands.

  “Welcome to the Iberia Resort. How may I direct your call?” the voice on the other end said.

  “I’m calling to change my reservation.” Geneva supplied her travel information. “I had the honeymoon suite booked, and I wanted to change rooms and possibly get a refund on the difference.”

  “Let me see what we can do.”

  He put her on hold so fast she wasn’t able to respond. Geneva drummed her fingers on the desk to the tune of the on-hold music. She cupped the phone and addressed her father. “I’m waiting to see what they say.”

  He nodded. “I’ve got a meeting with the deacons.” He grabbed a notebook and threw her a kiss before leaving the room.

  “Ma’am? Unfortunately, we were not able to offer you a refund, as the package was nonrefundable. Also, because we are hosting two destination weddings, we’re almost full to capacity. But I have great news. I was able to book you into anothe
r suite. It features two master bedrooms and shared dining. I hope this is a better solution?”

  He made the disappointing news sound pleasant with that lilting accent. Geneva smiled. “That sounds wonderful. Thank you. I’ll take it.”

  She heard clicking before he said, “Okay, Ms. Samson, you’re all set. We look forward to your visit to the beautiful Montego Bay and trust you will enjoy your stay at the Iberia Resort. May I help you with anything else?”

  “Uh, yes, I’ll be there,” she said, not fully processing all his words.

  Geneva ended the call and touched her chest. She was going to an island she had never been to before. Alone. The reality was daunting. Geneva’s heart raced. She had traveled abroad before, but with the singles’ group from her church. She had been to Rome and London, but this was supposed to have been her honeymoon. Her shoulders sagged. The thought of being in a two-bedroom suite by herself depressed her.

  Geneva toyed with her dress shirt collar. “Lord, I know I’m not alone, but I would prefer to take this trip with another human.” She printed out her vacation information. Then a voice on the radio captured her attention.

  “So, I wanted to share this crazy story that’s been circling the Internet. A man planned a trip around the world with his girlfriend, but she broke up with him. You’re not going to believe what he did next,” the radio announcer said.

  “What did he do?” another host asked.

  “I’ll tell you in a minute. But first let’s hear from our sponsors.”

  Geneva cocked her head. She turned up the volume and settled into the chair to listen.

  “Don’t keep us in suspense,” his cohost said in a mellow voice once the commercials were over. “What did he do?”

  “He launched an online campaign to find another woman with the same name as his ex-girlfriend.”

  “No way. Get out.”

  Geneva heard the laughter and chuckled along with them.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what he did. And would you know that a young woman with the same name tweeted her passport picture to him.”

  “Wow, that is hilarious,” the woman said. “Are you sure this isn’t a hoax?”