All I Want Is Forever by Neicey Ford

heart went out to all of them.”  She paused.  “The other night when Helen announced the verdict of the trial I waited for your response and when you didn’t I was relieved.  However, I could see in your eyes that you were really bothered by it.  Shoot, I was too, even though I tried to hide my emotions.  All I kept thinking was it could have been one of our sons.”
    “Thank God it wasn’t,” DJ replied.
    “I pray daily for God to keep them safe.”
    “And He will.  Sometimes they wander and get off God’s path, but that’s where we come in as parents and the church community.  It takes a village to raise a child.”
    “Yeah, but sometimes it’s the village people you have to be suspect of because while it takes a village to raise a child – who raises the village?”

CHAPTER NINE
     
    “Mrs. Chatman, you all’s party was great.  We had an amazing time.”
    “Thank you, Keisha.  We’ll have to talk about this “we” later, okay?”
    Keisha swallowed hard.  “ Um, sure.  Okay.”
    “Is my calendar updated?”
    “It is.  You only have a couple of appointments and I believe they’re phone conferences.”
    “Thank you.  I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Denise placed her purse in her side drawer, stood and looked out the window admiring the view.
    Lord, you know the desires of my heart.  You’ve answered me before so I know you’ll answer me again.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen .
    “Mrs. Chatman, you have a call on line two.”
    Denise sat down and pressed the speaker button as she answered line two. 
    “Denise Chatman.”
    “I love the way you answer the phone.  Actually, to be more specific, I love hearing the way my last name rolls off your tongue.  That’s so freakin’ sexy.”
    Denise laughed.  “Hey, you.  Are you at work yet?”
    “I am.  I’m sitting here turning on my stuff and waiting for Bree to come in.”
    “Oh, Bree’s coming in?”
    “Yeah, she has a new song she wants to record.”
    “Umm, hmm.  Okay, well sounds like fun.”
    “It’s not fun.  It’s work.”
    “Call it whatever you want.  Hey, I really need to get back to work.  I’ll call you when I take a break.”
    “For real?”
    “For real, what?”
    “Nothing.  I’ll talk to you later.”
    Denise sat back in her chair as she pictured Bree in the studio…with DJ…alone.  It wasn’t that she didn’t trust DJ, but she didn’t put anything pas s women.  Bree was a singer who was looking for her “big break.”  She was introduced to DJ through a mutual friend.  She was petite, young and beautiful. 
    Psspt, I’m not jealous.  I’m human , Denise thought to herself.  The vibration of her phone diverted her attention.  She opened her desk drawer and retrieved it from her purse.
     
    Not sure if I told you before hanging up, but I love
    you and I’m in love with you.  Thank you for walking
    by my side and committing your love and faithfulness
    to me.  I’m experiencing joy beyond words in this union
    of you, I & God.  Again, I thank you & lift you up in
    prayer for life.  I love you my good and lovely wife.
    Truly Yours…DJ
     
     
    “Now, how am I supposed to be mad when you send text messages like this?”  She asked, talking to herself.  She began her reply:
    I love you too.
     
    She swiveled back in forth in her chair.  “I hate feelings!”
    ***
    “Let’s stack that, Bree.”
    “A’ight,” she replied from the sound booth.
    DJ looked down at his phone and smiled at old text messages between Denise and him.  He knew he couldn’t control the way she felt, but he also knew he couldn’t let her entertain the thoughts in her mind too long.  It wouldn’t be good for either one of them. 
    “How’d that sound?”
    “It was cool.  You ready to do some ad libs then we can call it a rap?”
    “Sure.  You gonna run it back?”
    DJ shook his head.  “From the top.”
    Once Bree was done with her session, she listened to the