A House Divided by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page A

said, “so that’s why I never said anything. I really do love you, though, Melissa, but I’m also not without problems. I’m not perfect.”
    “I don’t expect you to be. But I do expect you to be honest.”
    Curtis leaned forward. “Are you willing to get help for this, Dillon?”
    “Yes, but how?”
    “I really want you to pray about this. First thing in the morning and then again before bedtime. Even in the middle of the day, if the desire hits you. I also want you to read Matthew 5:27–28 every day, which says, ‘Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, that whosoever looked on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.’”
    “Can you write that down?” Dillon asked.
    “Yes,” Curtis said, picking up his pen. “I’ll give you a few other scriptures to meditate on as well. The other thing you need to know is that you’re not alone. As men, some of us struggle with our sexual nature. Even I have in the past, but I also know right from wrong and that sexual sin begins in the mind.”
    “We really appreciate this, Pastor,” Melissa said.
    “I’m glad to help in any way I can.”
    “Yes, thank you, Pastor,” Dillon said.
    “I’d also like you to start going to Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings. Prayer and scripture are a huge part of the process, but a 12-step program can also make a difference.”
    Dillon’s nervous stare indicated that he wasn’t too happy about Curtis’s latest suggestion.
    “It might not be easy having to share your personal feelings with a group of strangers, but these kinds of programs can do wonders for a person. Most people want to believe that sex, porn, shopping, and food addiction aren’t the same as alcoholism and excessive drug use, but they are all very similar in the way they affect addicts and their loved ones.”
    “I’ll give it a try,” Dillon said.
    Melissa grabbed his hand. “Thank you for being so willing to get help.”
    He smiled at her. “I know this is hurting you, and as much as I love it, I know it’s wrong. I wanna stop.”
    “And you can,” Curtis said. “It’ll take a lot of prayer and hard work, but you can do it.”
    “I’m so glad we came to meet with you, Pastor,” Melissa said.
    Curtis smiled. “I am, too. These are the kinds of things I’m here for,” he said. But then for some reason, he thought about those two phone calls and that scathing letter he’d received, and his smile vanished. Maybe because it wouldn’t be long before he would need help himself—a lot more help than Dillon needed—and that terrified him.

Chapter 14
    M atthew had finally authorized Charlotte’s visit, and she was now sitting in the parking lot of the hospital. She still had the car and heat running, though, since it was a little on the nippy side today, but she wanted to call her mother before going inside.
    “Hi sweetie,” Noreen said.
    “Hey, Mom. How are you?”
    “I think I’m coming down with some sort of stomach flu, but other than that I’m fine. Your dad’s doing well, too. But how are you doing and how’s that new grandbaby?”
    “If only you knew.”
    “Why, what’s wrong?”
    Charlotte leaned her head against the backrest. “I’ve been through hell and back ever since MJ was born.”
    “Why haven’t you said anything? We’ve talked every day.”
    “I know, but I didn’t want to bother you with this craziness. Especially since it shouldn’t be happening.”
    “What?”
    “That Vanessa woman. She’s doing everything she can to keep me from seeing MJ, and now she’s trying to turn Matt against me.”
    “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    “No, and the only reason I just got to the hospital now is because I had to wait for Matt to tell me when to come.”
    “Why couldn’t you go whenever you wanted?”
    “He asked me to wait until Vanessa had already visited.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “It’s a total mess,