Put It In Ink

By Danyelle Scroggins

Nikiya Barnett is no spring chicken and she is too smart, too independent, and too wise to see the truth and ignore it. With every ounce of strength she has, she lets go of the only man she thinks she'll ever love. Just when she is convinced that moving forward, means moving into the arms of someone new, God intervenes and the real truth emerges.
Raja Abrams lost the love of his life, and all because of a one night adventure with the woman who is now his wife. As he builds his future, a key business decision to let God in his business, opens the door for not only prosperity but also problems and possibilities.
Sappora Ink is only doing what she is called to do when she leaves her job and becomes the host of blog talk show Real Folks, Real Truths. Never in a million years would she have ever imagined God to do the exceedingly and abundantly and all because of obedience. Will her talk show be in the middle of a huge scandal or will it expose secrets that need to be exposed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: DS Publishing
• Release date: May 14, 2016
• ISBN: 9781386705932

Danyelle Scroggins

Author Danyelle is a Louisiana native and the Senior Pastor of New Vessels Ministries north in Shreveport, Louisiana. She studied Theology at Louisiana Baptist University, has a Psychology Degree from the University of Phoenix, an Interdisciplinary Degree in Psychology /Biblical Studies, and a Masters in Religious Education from Liberty University. Danyelle owns Divinely Sown Publishing LLC and is the author of several Christian fiction and nonfiction books including: His Mistress or God’s Daughter?, Not Until You're Ready, Put It In Ink, & Evonta's Revenge. She is the wife of Pastor Reynard Scroggins, a mother of three by birth, a mother of two by marriage, and recently became a grandmother. Danyelle hobbies includes reading, drawing, and web designing. To find out more about Pastor & Author Danyelle Scroggins and her ministries, please visit any of the sites below: Website & Blog: www.danyellescroggins.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/danyellescroggins Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pastordanyelle Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Danyelle-Scroggins/e/B004513RVY Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/danyellescroggins Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pastordanyelle  

Book preview

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The Power of Pain

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The Power Series:

The Power of Pain, Restoration, Love & Forgiving

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The Jacobs Series

Evonta’s Revenge

Other Books By Divinely Sown Publishing

The Truth Set Me Free!  Evangelist Shaerica Wright

Put It in Ink

DANYELLE SCROGGINS

DivinelySownLogo2.jpg

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Danyelle Scroggins

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from this book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [e-mail]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

Divinely Sown Publishing

2715 Jewella Avenue

Shreveport, Louisiana 71109

Cover Designed By: Danyelle Scroggins

Cover Model: Davina Genall Ruffins-Welch

First Edition Paperback: February 2016

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (13) 978-0-996003872

Printed in the United States of America.

Dedicated to

To All the Ladies of the late

Salon Select Beauty Shop

Stephanie, Leslie, Tanya, Patricia, Shon, Pearlie, Glenda, Misty, & all the other Ladies who graced us with your presence and your business. We had good times at this shop and although God has moved us all in many different directions, you will forever be my sisters!

Terry & KC

We drove you guys but thanks for always

respecting us as your sisters!

Put It in Ink

Nikiya Nikki Barnett

Nikiya Barnett, known to shop patrons and friends as Nikki, was eager to tune in to RFRT with Sister Sappora Ink. The blog talk show previewed for the first time the past week, rating high and considered a hit by reviewers. As far as Nikki was concerned, the world needed someone who would tell the truth, live the truth, and share the truth, even if it were a blog talk show host.

As explained, Sister Ink answered questions about relationships, and although honest, she was raw. Against her will, Nikki listened to blog talk shows often blaming the desire to be a good best friend for this phenomenon. A couple of them were worth listening to, but some were uninformative and a useless waste of time. The hosts were inexperienced or too pretentious to explain life’s circumstances with realness and clarity. They failed to solve problems or share foundational truths from the Gospels, as Chelle declared Sister Ink did.

For the first time, Nikki’s curiosity about a show’s review ignited interest and Nikki refused to miss it. Intent on judging for herself perhaps sparked the motivation. It may also have been the desire to understand how she lost the love or her life or the need for spiritual advice. Either way, Nikki would be in the front of the computer, with an open mind centered on Sis. Ink.

The only dilemma was making it home on time. Nikki’s solution may not have been perfect but it was plausible. She drove 85 in and 70 mph zone, praying the angels would blind the police. The inability to afford another speeding ticket should have detoured Nikki from breaking the law, not to mention how dumb it would be to get a ticket resulting from rushing to hear a talk show, but it didn’t. With long hair weave blowing, as the wind whipped through the windows of the car, Nikki uncaring and unconcerned bobbed and sang along with the music. We are conquerors, conquerors.

Driving fast, the "zooming" of the other passing vehicles warranted a rearview mirror check. Dang Nikki! The thought was not a result of a police approaching, but the reality of looking at a hot mess. Nikki snickered, but noticed the children in the car to the left laughing and pointing their fingers. Nikki licked at the children and then sped past them.

She didn’t care about them laughing. Nikki commissioned today a nappy day and hair didn’t matter. There was a trend with most professional beauticians, either your hair was nappy most of the time or on point all the time. Nikki's stayed on fleek because styling and touching it up throughout the day became the norm, but not today.

This complete rarity occurred once every rushed moon; when Nikki’s mind was set on getting customers in and out, due to something to achieve, somewhere to go, or something to experience. Maybe it was being a Jesus freak or nosey, but this new talk show sparked intrigue and both were okay with Nikki. Life was too short not to be a Jesus freak or living enthralled by new information, which was her definition of nosey.

Glancing in the mirrors and noticing no lights, Nikki drove a little bit faster, all the while, praying there was no police ducked off I-49. Nikki merged off the highway onto Stonewall Frierson exit. If a cop stopped or ticketed her, Nikki’s recourse was to blame, the spoiled brat Zina Michelle Hastings, AKA Chelle. Chelle would pay the ticket for coming into the salon begging for the show to be included on our weekly to-do list, which is my excuse for speeding.

In Nikki’s defense, if Chelle wanted something, this woman would drive folks nutty, until they complied. Like earlier in the week, when Chelle ran into the beauty shop going nuts about the show, bringing it into their conversations every few minutes. Chelle, a five feet seven ball of fire, loved all things blog and you could tell to what degree she liked a show by the feedback given.

If it was okay, you got a head bob. If it was exotic, you got a stinky nose squint with side-to-side head motion. But if it stayed on your mind well, Chelle couldn’t keep quiet. You would get words like ‘oh my gosh or goodness’, ‘that’s dope’, ‘oohhh wee’, and sometimes a few choice curse words if it were super exciting. This time, Nikki got the curse words.

Based upon Chelle’s reaction, Nikki figured RFRT standing for Real Folks Real Truths, must have been good. Chelle’s response alone caused Nikki to buy into the hype of RFRT, but neither did Nikki say, yes or no.

Nikki never cared for blogs, but Chelle’s reaction to something, often caused it to become a part of their extracurricular activities. Friends on any level learned because you don’t like something, doesn’t mean you do not participate. If your friend likes it and it doesn’t require breaking the law or negating your values, you sometimes play-ticipate; Nikki’s word for playing as if you like participating when in fact, you don’t.

A friendship spanning since the fifth grade when they were their own version of Salt & Pepa until now, rather attached them more like sisters than friends. Friends get mad and forgo their friendships, but sisters get mad and fix their flaws with covered love as Nikki and Chelle did. Their bond, built on sisterhood and commitment to both their relationship and their dream of becoming a black beauty salon chain, withstood the test of times.

At the salon last week, Nikki watched attentively as Chelle gathered the words to explain this new talk show host. She promoted the host as a Christian woman -putting tons of emphasis on ‘Christian woman’, counseling women and men dealing with real situations. Nikki was certain Chelle predicted if she said the word Christian, she was all in. Even, if it meant sitting through thirty minutes of blog radio. Nikki was not a fool by far and knew tons of wolves in sheep’s clothing, people claiming to be Christians displaying their Christianity on Sundays and Wednesdays. Her grandmother prayed the gift of discernment over her and although she thirsted and hungered for more of God, she perfected trying the spirit by the spirit. She planned to do the same with this blog talk show host and makeshift classroom.

When Nikki made it home, she tossed her purse and keys on the antique foyer chair. The chair was a gift from someone she once loved but now only served as a rest stop for stuff. Nikki braced herself by holding the arm of the chair, kicking off her shoes, too tired to bend down; she pushed the leather loafers by feet in the corner, which was their usual spot.

Nikki stole one quick glare in the hallway mirror at her hair now resembling a bird’s nest. I look like my old college professor after she got fluffed and teased. Nikki hurried past the kitchen, down the hall, and into the computer room. Turning on the lights, Nikki walked around the white fluffy rug, not wanting to put dirty, unbathed feet on it. Taking a seat in the office chair, she leaned over to hit the computer’s start button.

Like normal, the computer took forever loading. Nikki adjusted the memory-foam butt pillow and opened a pack of crackers while waiting.  Lord, take the wheel Jesus and while You’re driving, either grant me a Mac computer or speed this thing up. Clicking on the icon for the web browser, Nikki typed www.realfolksrealtruths.com. The Real Folks, Real Truths page emerged with a picture of a beautiful black woman.

To Nikki, black women were pretty, not because of perfect faces, but because they never lost their zest or zeal. They came in an array of colors, shapes, sizes, and strengths, which made their beauty both outer and inner noticeable. This woman fit the mold.

In the women’s eyes, Nikki saw wisdom and guessed the woman to be about sixty-years-old, although, her facial features looked not a day over 35. With hazel eyes and a bleached blonde bob, featuring curls hanging over the left eyebrow, the look signified jazzy and stylish. Nikki decided it must be Sister Ink and the bio located under this picture confirmed Nikki’s guess. Mrs. Ink was sixty years old. Lord, I pray I look like this sister at that age.

She lifted her eyes towards the top of the page and noticed one hundred and seventy-four people logged in. With a cheer, Nikki became the hundredth and seventy-fifth person, hitting the flashing link ‘RFRT Live’. The page’s chat and radio bar surfaced, and worship music from Brian Courtney Wilson pours from the speakers.

The song entitled All I Need was indeed a life-changing song. If people embraced the Lord is all they needed, the world would be a better place, she thought. Nikki could only imagine living in a world with no envy, no greed, and no coveting. Tapping to the beat on the desk, Nikki sang along with the singer. Although engulfed in the song, she still made a mental note to shop I-Tunes later for every CD Mr. Wilson ever made.

The song became personal and tugged at a place of emotions, gratefulness. Nikki no longer listened as an awaiting patron, transforming lifting hands, but as a worshipper. Yes, Lord, all I need is a touch. Touch me, touch me, yes. Nikki on the verge of going in, the church folk’s way of describing someone displaying emotions as the Spirit of God moved, standing up from the desk doing two-step praise, Nikki rejoiced. A woman’s voice shifted her attention.

Hello in blog land. You’ve tuned in to RFRT, Real Folks, Real Truths, and you are on the line with Sappora Ink-better known as Sister Ink. This is your Christian girl trying to help friends living in this sinful world. Shout out to all my single sisters logged in and what’s up to all those married girls on the lines.

Nikki refined a knack for speaking to the radio and television as if she was the one the character or DJ were speaking to and tonight was no different. I’m ready Sis Ink, let’s get this party started.

I hope somebody’s out there ready to yell back at us tonight, dapping it up with their girls. Our first show was awesome and over three hundred folks logged in. Tell somebody and let’s connect.

I’m the one and I’m ready, Nikki bellowed.

Before we go deep into this discussion tonight let’s pray. Dear Father, You know all, see all, and can do all, and we invite your presence on the line tonight, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Nikki opened her eyes after the quick but precise prayer and glanced towards the right corner of the page. Over sixty people had joined in. And people are still logging on. Turning full attention back to the show, Nikki listened.

"Our discussion tonight stems from a letter from Lady Tamika Thomas from Dallas, Texas and it reads....     "Dear Sister Ink, I’m single and want a man, but I keep getting solicited by married men and women. I’m like, what the heck am I putting in the atmosphere making me an appetizer for this crowd.

Caller one, holler at your girl.

This is Betty from Springfield, Missouri. Tamika may flirt with this crowd unaware. I am a gay woman and I know when a straight woman is vulnerable or amenable. Let a man hurt them or they get into a financial tight. All I have to do is whip out a couple hundred, listen to their problems, and the next thing you know they in my bed.

Betty now Betty, Sister Ink think you a little strong. You may be right concerning the impracticality of some hurting women and have an interesting but valid point. When people are hurting they will accept many ways to heal, but what happens when their healing method is not the method God desires for them? God’s creation, primarily man is good for trying to heal a mess with a mess. Messy fixes create trashy situations. Another mess on top of a mess doesn’t clean a mess. Now, roll your eyes and neck.

Caller two, holler at your girl.

This is Eunita from Tennessee. Sister Ink men can be trifling. If you are married, leave me the heck alone. As for Betty, she needs to stop preying. I am not judging because we all will give in account for our own sins, but all I’m saying is, ‘enough folks go the gay way’. Stop preying on vulnerable people for your own pleasure.

Eunita, I get what you are saying but someone else who’s living an adulterous or homosexual lifestyle might be salty. Let me explain this. These brothers forget their wives are their good things but you, who are single, must remember your sisters and most of all yourself. You are too precious to be someone’s second-hand dish.

Say it, Nikki yelled at the screen as if Sis. Ink heard.     Women know... they do it because we let them. As for Betty, I’m sure not all gay people think like that. However, I know many straight women who became gay or bisexual, thanks to a Betty they ran across. I still believe holiness is right and if you having sex and ain’t married, I do not care what kind or who it’s with, it is sin in the eyes of God. We still need to be praying for one another in this sinful world.

Caller three, our last caller, holler at your girl.

This is Bobbie from the N. O., New Orleans, Louisiana.  Is she attracting these types because she’s throwing vibes?

Bobbie, she might attract this crowd because she took baths in the need smell. When a dog sniffs a steak, he does not inquire if it’s done, well done, raw, or rare. All he knows is it’s a piece of meat, and to him, all meat is good meat. The same thing with a lustful man or woman, they do not care if you are a good girl or a nasty girl, they want a taste. Regulate who or what you give a taste. And know, whatever your heart desires the most, the scent radiates from your pores. Tamika understands married men and females are off limits. Good for you, you’ve got the power to choose and because you are a free moral agent, you have the power to select what morals work for you. Choose a new scent... instead of needy put on satisfied.

Oh my, Nikki shouted and clapped at the same time. Should I ring Chelle? She dismissed the thought for fear of missing something.

Sappora Inked continued, You do this by changing the things you care about, from being loved by a man to showing love for God. 1 Corinthians 7:34 says, ‘The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit’. To all my callers listening in, send your prayers towards Dallas, Texas to your sister Lady Tamika Thomas. She needs to know peeps all over the world are sending love with the assurance, whatever Tamika wants, God has it. Tamika has to practice putting it in ink and putting it in prayer. Until we meet again, on the same line, at the same time next week...Be blessed.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored....

Titus 2: 3-5

Two

Nikki

Nikki was as impressed with RFRT as Chelle. She poked out full lips and nodded. Dang, I wish the show were longer than thirty minutes.

Sister Ink gave impeccable answers and Nikki detected by the slang, the sister was a hood girl. She also discerned Sister Ink spoke from a spirit-filled place. Nikki was overwhelmed with anticipation, with the greatest aspiration to broadcast at the shop, how great the show was.

As if unveiling an epiphany from mid-air, Nikki decided to air the show at the beauty shop. Dissecting the thought in her mind of having the computer set up and other amenities ready to go by showtime, Nikki smiled. The women at the salon were always talking about something, whether their own personal business or someone else’s. Nikki grasped both hands together, thinking this would permit them to discuss someone who put their business on blast for discussion. It would present the women with an opportunity to generate questions and solutions in an open forum.

Nikki logged off and picked up the phone opting to phone Chelle. Still needing to bathe, and while waiting for Chelle to answer, she walked into the bathroom to run a bubble bath. On a normal day, bathing was the first thing Nikki did because the stench of hot pressing combs and relaxer clung to beauticians like a baby to their mother.

Hey girl, hold on, placing the phone on speaker, then sitting it in the phone holder located on the bathroom counter, Nikki began to speak yelling to make sure Chelle could hear over the running water, Was the show hot or what?.

You must be in the tub? Chelle questioned, listening to the running water, knowing Nikki bared no shame with talking to people while washing her butt.

Not yet but I’m heading there, Nikki affirmed turning off the water which was now full enough to provide a relaxing moment. Chelle, I’m glad you finally included me in an enjoyable blog adventure. I loved it!

Uhh hum, y’all need to listen to me more often. I told you would.

We do listen to you, sometimes. But this is one time I’m glad I did and I plan on airing it in the salon next week. Nikki said talking while walking trying now to gather sleeping material. Shirt, panties, and socks, uhh head...girl why you need a darn headscarf.

Nice. Yeah, yeah, holding on to the ending of the word, distracted by Nikki slamming drawers, then recovering coming back to the conversation Chelle said, We’ve endured our share of the married brothers lusting over us and, to be honest, I fell for the lies twice. I’ve also denied my share of femdudes soliciting for my goods, too, and I sure as heck do not need no female faking to be a dude.

Chelle recalling a moment from the show reminded Nikki of something she forgot to do. Going back into the computer room, Nikki sat down and began to search the web before continuing with a response. After making the purchases, and while walking back into the bathroom, Nikki responded, You’re not the only one. As Sister Ink said, now we know better we must remember their wives, our sisters, and put him in check. As for the femdudes, put on a do not try me face. And both women chuckled and Nikki continued, Well my bubble bath is looking radiant and I need food. I’m going to get off this phone. You go to sleep.

Okay, Nikki.

Chelle, Nikki screamed, making sure Chelle heard before hanging up.

Yes.

Before I go, how do you feel about tuning in at the shop next week?

Great, because then, I won’t speed to get home.

Chelle, I was speeding like crazy. Goodnight chick, I’ll see you at the shop tomorrow.

Goodnight. They both hung up the lines.

Nikki felt anticipation brewing thinking about sharing Sister Ink with the customers next week. Most of them were more like friends, and she appreciated their business and friendship. Most of them came to the shop with their own set of problems. Though she did not have the answers to all of them, she developed a listening ear and a closed mouth. These two qualities were two of the best for a beautician. Some beauticians figured this out, while others used their mouth like a singing bird used his beak.

Nikki finished bathing, putting on nightclothes, and prepared a frozen dinner. After finishing the enchilada meal, she washed the fork and cup and hummed the song, which played before the broadcast. While conversing with Chelle, Nikki purchased two CD’s by Brian Courtney Wilson and loaded both to her iPod. Turning the kitchen light off, walking into the master bedroom, she plopped her tired body across pillow top mattresses. Nikki situated the fluffy pillow then snuggled between soft twelve hundred-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, pulling the top sheet underneath her chin.

Nikki’s 5 foot 6 framed body was sore from working hard all week long, but she dared not complain. Nikki asked God to send more customers, and He answered. With feet feeling the pains of the increase, Nikki’s mouth still cried out for unmatched increase and favor. I’m blessed and even grateful to come home to expensive mattresses and a bed.

Nikki’s eyes began to grow heavy. Climbing out of the bed, she knelt beside it to do what she was accustomed to doing every night before falling asleep, pray. Saying amen, getting back in bed, Nikki pulled the sheet above her head and closed her eyes. A vision of him, chocolate mixed with a honey drop, 6’2, bald-headed specimen of a man, flashed across her mind.

She gave her heart to him when she was 5 years old and body, at 17. Finding herself a husband much too early, then consummating their marriage before time with no one to fault but herself. As feelings of guilt and shame bombarded, Nikki closed her eyes tight trying to capture the one lone tear fighting release.

The fact of him marrying someone else still hurt. Nikki consoled herself by repeating aloud, If God desired us to be together, we would. She