Loving Lena

By S. J. Nelson

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Lena Pace has to decide the direction of her life now that her marriage is busted. Her husband, the Rev. Elijah Pace has been operating on the down-low with one of the male members of the church.
He nor his father feels that's grounds to leave, marriage is til death after all. Heavy of heart, Lena's confidence meter is broken and she can't tell who's straight or who's tipping on the down-low. Too bad, because just as good men are hard to find, so are good women. All she wants is someone who'll love her and only her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sitting Bull Publishing
• Release date: Jun 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9781937334000

Book preview

Loving Lena

S J. Nelson

Loving Lena

Copyright © June 2011 by S. J. Nelson

Published by Sitting Bull Publishing

Raeford, NC

www.wix.com/SittingBullPub/sittingbull

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this e-book ONLY.

No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed without prior written

permission from S. J. Nelson or Sitting Bull Publishing.

eISBN 978-1937334-00-0

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1

Lena Pace hid in her bathroom. For the hundredth time, she wondered what she was doing. Why had she given in to her wacky needs and left the club with the hunky man waiting in her room? Turning on the water, she looked at herself in the mirror. According to Faye, her best friend, she still looked like the fresh faced eighteen-year-old who’d run the streets of Denver five years ago. However, Lena knew better. Her sham of a marriage had left its mark even if her outer appearance didn’t tell the tale, her memory box wouldn’t allow her to forget. Her cynicism was in full bloom.

You okay in there? The soft knock snapped her out of her musings.

Yeah, I’m good. Just need a few more minutes. Head hanging forward, she pushed the long dark strands from her face and swallowed hard. This was no way to live, checking closets or medicine cabinets, double guessing every word or gesture. Standing straight in the spotless room, she grimaced at her fingernails. An hour ago, they’d been holding this man’s cheeks, pulling him tight as he pounded into her. It’d been fantastic and had almost silenced the fears, the doubts. Almost, being the key word.

I’ve got to get going. I have an appointment. Want to get together for lunch? He said through the door, his voice hopeful. The foul taste of regret stung her mouth and singed her nostrils. She couldn’t remember his name. Her new mantra, get what you need and then let them go. That way she was guaranteed against being humiliated again. Still, this wasn't working. She had to stop.

I have a meeting with the Principal at the school this afternoon. She lied, not intending to see him again. He waited a heartbeat.

Oh, okay. I’ll call you later then. Her forehead touched the wall as she waited for the pain to stop. When he left, she slid to the floor, opened the bottom drawer of the vanity, and pulled out one of the damning letters. The parchment that had fractured her self esteem and destroyed her confidence in her ability to discern fact from fiction appeared wrinkled and worn from many readings. She kept them all as reminders of what happens when you believe the hype. As reminders that men couldn’t be trusted. Moreover, as a reminder to be vigilant and never get sucker-punched again. Fool me once, forget it happening a second time. Bracing herself, she gazed at the short missive.

Dear Lena:

Your attorney won't give out any information on your whereabouts, and after my dad hit you, I can't blame you. First, I want to say I am sorry. Sorry that I've failed you as a husband, and as your spiritual leader and Pastor. The day you walked in on Anthony and I, my life stopped. You said I'd wasted five years of your life. That I was incapable of ever loving you the way a man loves a woman. I guess you believe that based on what you saw in the bedroom that day, but you are wrong. I love you. Have always loved you.

You are the bright beam in my dreary existence. Every since I was a little boy, I'd been told I was special, that God's hand was on my life.