A Test of Faith | Excerpt

Chapter One

“Peace offering?” Joshua stood in the bedroom doorway with a generous slice of New York style cheesecake smothered in his wife’s favorite strawberry sauce. “I know you can’t resist.” He wore a flirtatious grin, flexing the chiseled muscles of his arms.

Gayle looked up from her book and lowered her dark framed reading glasses to the bridge of her nose. “You said some pretty hurtful things to me,” she reminded him of their recent argument.

“But it’s me and cheesecake, baby,” he joked, snapping the white fitted tank against his chest.

“Does it look like I’m laughing?” She glared at him.

“Oh, I know what’ll cheer you up.” He ran to the kitchen and lathered the dessert with heavy whipped cream. When he came back to the bedroom and extended it in her direction Gayle rolled her eyes at him.

“Josh, I’m so serious right now.”

Joshua’s chest deflated as he took a few steps toward her. “Okay, I was just trying to put a smile on your face. I’m sorry. How many times do I have to say it?”

She placed the book beside her on the opposite side of the bed and removed her glasses. “Did you mean it? The things that you said, did you mean them?”

Joshua placed the clear, square saucer on the nightstand and sat beside his wife. “Gayle,” he began, choosing his words carefully, “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I did mean what I said.”

Gayle sucked her teeth and grabbed the book again. “No, wait.” Joshua held her slender wrist. “Hear me out.” He gently massaged her shoulder with his other hand. “I meant what I said, but I probably shouldn’t have said it the way that I did.”

“You’d think that an argument like that wouldn’t have happened right after church though.” Gayle shook her head at him. “I mean, really? It’s Sunday, Josh.”

“So?” His brows furrowed. “When have I ever minced words? I didn’t curse or call you out your name. You know I’d never do that. But having a disagreement on Sunday isn’t a sin you know.”

“A disagreement?” Gayle moved his hands away from her and adjusted the pink sleep shirt she wore. “No, baby,” she said in a condescending tone, “that was way more than a disagreement. You shouted at me that I shouldn’t give any more money to my family while it’s okay for you to give money to your sisters for their lavish wedding.” She referred to the double wedding of her two sisters-in-law, Charity and Elisha.

Joshua’s jaw tensed as he briefly looked away. “I’m not doing this again.” His eyes skirted across their stylishly designed bedroom. It definitely had a woman’s touch and Joshua’s approval. He looked up at the specially crafted skylights and then faced his wife with an exhausted look. “You know it’s not like that. Can’t I give my sisters a wedding present? Are you serious?”

Gayle pursed her lips and folded her arms.

“We’ve done many things to help your family out,” he calmly reminded her, determined to not get into a shouting match with her again. “My issue is with your brother always having his hand out when we’ve already given to him time after time.”

“Isn’t that what family is supposed to do?” Gayle huffed.

“Not if it’s going to bring us down too.”

“What’s that supposed to mean, Josh?” She asked the question twice by glaring at him.

Joshua threw his hands in the air and walked around to his side of the bed where he took off his slippers. After a telling glance in his wife’s direction, he tossed a throw pillow to the foot of the bed by its burgundy tassels and slid beneath the wine-colored sheet.

Previously, Gayle had allowed her brother to be an authorized user on her credit card, but when he maxed out her card in one weekend, Joshua put his foot down. It didn’t matter that he made millions of dollars, if they kept spending like that, he’d be broke like so many other former NFL players he’s heard about.

“Joshua?” Gayle called his name with an invitation to continue their sparring match.

With his back to her, Joshua turned the lamp off on his nightstand.

“So, you’re not going to answer me?” Gayle nudged him on the crest of his large shoulder.

Joshua reluctantly faced her. “I don’t want to argue about this again. I’m not trying to have that kind of marriage with you. We’ve always been able to talk to one another, even about things we didn’t want to talk about. Talk, discuss, but not fight.”

“So, that’s it? You’ve said what you said, and I can’t give anything else to my family while you spoil your sisters rotten?”

“That is not the same thing, and you know it. And it’s not about giving to your family. Anything your father needs, he’s got it. Your Aunt Gerry too. I would never deny a need. If I’m giving to charity, why wouldn’t I give to your family? Don’t be ridiculous. You know me better than that.”

“Do I?” Gayle challenged him.

“Are we really going to do this again?” Joshua grunted under his breath as he sat up in bed. “Let me ask you this. Do you think I’m a selfish person?”

“Well, no,” she quietly answered.

“In all the years we’ve been married, have I ever denied you anything? Cars, jewelry, money?” Joshua’s brown eyes pierced hers.

Embarrassed, Gayle shook her head. “No, of course not.”

“That’s right. All that I have, you have. And when your family is in need that means my family is in need.” He squeezed her hand. “We are one, remember?”

Gayle gently sighed. “Yes.”

“So, why are you so upset that I don’t want to give him any more money?”

“Because he’s hit a rough patch, Josh. That’s all. We didn’t grow up like you did. It wasn’t easy for us as kids.”

“But my family worked for everything that we have.” “And mine didn’t?”

“That’s not what I’m saying, and you know it.” Joshua raised his voice. “Did we not buy your brother a place to stay and give him some money after he was fired from his job?”

“Well, yes.”

“And what happened?” Gayle rolled her eyes away.

“The same thing that happened after he ran through his own money after getting cut from the NBA. Face it, Gayle. Your brother has an addiction. And I’m not going to let him run my household into the ground because of it,” he firmly said.

“You talk like he’s on drugs or something.”

“No, he may not be on drugs, but he’s still an addict!” Joshua inadvertently yelled at her. He caught himself getting riled up again and quickly lowered his voice. “You know he gambles like he has money to burn. And after all that’s happened, you’d think he’d learn by now.”

“So, I can’t help my own brother now?” Gayle continued to press him. “Is that what you’re saying?”

After a heavy grunt, Joshua answered, “What I’m saying is that we make decisions together. No more secrets. When you sent him that three grand last month after we had already given him two just a week before was just crazy. And you didn’t even talk to me about it. I understand that you want to help him, but don’t let him ruin us.”

“He’s not going to ruin us.”

“I’m tired of talking about this. I’ve said my piece and that’s that.” Joshua jotted a brow for emphasis. “No more secrets.” He pecked her on the lips and slid back down to his pillow. “Now, enjoy your cheesecake and goodnight. We have to get to the airport early in the morning.”

Joshua turned his back to her again, fluffed his pillow, and yanked the sheet up to his chest. Gayle knew her husband meant exactly what he had said. Never in all the years they’ve been married has he made his point as abundantly clear as he had today.

Gayle had to admit though, Joshua had a valid point. And as she pondered their recent argument, her brother was unquestionably at the center of their growing contention. It was simply too hard for her to watch a family member struggle when she and Joshua have so much.

Joshua’s celebrity increased when he was named Offensive Player of the Year by the NFL for the second time this past season. His endorsement deals multiplied and with it came more people with their hands out. He had always been a generous person, helping those in need, but Joshua adamantly drew the line when it came to throwing good money after bad. Even with millions of dollars in the bank, he was cautious as to how he spent it.

When some of the players he knew were frivolous, Joshua was frugal. Before he started making his own money, his father, Gerald, instilled in him that if he was wise with his spending, he’d always have something to spend.

At first, it didn’t seem like such an issue when Joshua took her out on their first shopping excursion and encouraged spending like a rock star, but that was years ago. He had grown from the immature young athlete into a seasoned professional, both physically and mentally. It had especially hit home when Gayle listened in on a discussion her husband was having with her father-in-law. She remembered it like it was yesterday.

Gerald had encouraged his son to save for the future. He had told him to not be frivolous with his spending and save something for the future. “Football is not always a guarantee, son,” he had warned. “Only God is.”

Gayle tiptoed away from the conversation at the time wondering how things would change for them. She had respected Gerald’s advice to his child, but Gayle also remembered the sacrifice she had already made to her husband when they were just dating. She often paid the bill for movies and dinner dates while his parents tried to teach him the lesson of independence.

Initially, it was difficult for her to pay a man’s way. For years she had watched her parents live paycheck to paycheck just to keep food on the table in their house and clothes on the backs of her and her brother. Joshua never had to witness any of that, but in college the Maxwells weren’t handing out anything other than a reliable vehicle, gas money, and good advice. Gayle admitted, it did teach her then boyfriend responsibility, but somewhat at her expense.

Gayle made it through school with several scholarships and grants. She made sure that her grades didn’t slip because going to school was her one-way ticket out of the projects.

After a relationship blossomed with Joshua who later was drafted by the NFL, Gayle saw it as confirmation from God that He had heard her prayers of never being broke again a day in her life. She didn’t marry Joshua for his wealth because he was not famous when they met, but simply because she loved him.

Joshua’s athletic abilities paved the way for a promising future. He had captured the eyes of scouts since his high school days. The year he won the Heisman trophy in college helped solidify his dream of becoming a professional football player. All the while Gayle had been right by his side, encouraging him, when he became the number three overall draft pick that year.

After the father-son talk with Gerald, although it took some convincing, Joshua eventually loosened the purse strings again for them. They purchased their current vehicles after his last contract renewal. Gayle reasoned against Gerald’s advice to Joshua, arguing that they could afford to splurge every now and then. Gerald was merely trying to drive home to his son that just because you have money, doesn’t mean you should go broke spending it.

He was humbled by his success. After what had happened to Gayle’s brother in the NBA, Joshua was also acutely aware of how quickly it could all disappear.

Gayle grabbed the book she had been reading and placed it on her nightstand next to the cheesecake Joshua had given her. Although she was still bothered by their conversation, a smile crept across her lips. If she didn’t have to preside over a two-day session at a women’s conference for a group of married women later in the week, Gayle would definitely accompany her husband to his hometown of Lewiston Springs tomorrow. Despite how she felt, she didn’t want anything to come between her and her husband. He was right, they were one.

“I love you,” she whispered in Joshua’s ear, still bothered by his decision.

“I love you, too,” he answered in a drowsy voice. “Always remember that.”

There was a promise made between them to never go to bed angry with one another. It was derived from a Scripture in the Bible to not let the sun go down on your anger. Gayle was still growing in that area as she held resentment about Joshua giving so freely to his sisters, but harnessed a tight leash when it came to her brother. As much as she respected her husband as head of their household, Gayle wrestled with the fact that he didn’t care much for her sibling. It seemed as if they would always be at odds with one another.

After she glanced at the time, Gayle noted that she would only get about five hours of sleep before getting Joshua to the airport in the morning. Just as she reached for the softened cheesecake before calling it a night, her phone vibrated.

We need you, the text read.

What’s going on? I’m in bed, she replied.

It’s urgent, the next one read. Daddy’s asking for you.

Please come.

Is he okay? Is he at home? Gayle prepared to call for further details. She looked over at Joshua and then slipped out of bed.

Before she could get to the adjoining room, another text came through. He’s good, just having one of his episodes. We really need you though.

Gayle slowly lowered her phone. She gazed at her husband who was resting peacefully and quietly slipped back into bed. After careful consideration, she quickly booked a flight to St. Louis that would depart an hour after Joshua’s flight.

I’ll be there tomorrow. She sent one last text for the evening and placed her phone on the nightstand.

Gayle had always been close to her family and looked forward to easing her father’s heart; especially after all they had been through last summer. But she prayed for the strength to settle some things with her brother for the sake of her marriage, once and for all.