Once Upon a Sunday

By Renee Allen McCoy

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance. –John 10:10, AMP

Good Friday started off as anything but that for Melinda Black. After losing her job and self-dignity, a series of events cascade her onto an emotionally charged roller coaster ride that drastically changes her life forever. Will Melinda be able to handle the pressure when she stands to lose what's most important in her life?

Once Upon a Sunday is an inspirational short story.

Situations: job loss, family drama

• Language: English
• Publisher: FaytheWorks Publishing
• Release date: Apr 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781960169990

Renee Allen McCoy

RENEE MCCOY (known to readers as Renée Allen McCoy) is a loving wife and mother, an author, but most importantly a devoted Christian. To date, in addition to In the Presence of My Enemies, she has penned three novels that make up The Fiery Furnace series: The Kiss of Judas, Confessions, and The Eleventh Hour, and one novella: The Christmas Beau (The True Love Novellas ~ Book 1). Also available is her first non-fiction book entitled Soul Ties: Breaking Up with a Past That's Killing Your Future. Feel free to visit her online at www.ReneeAllenMcCoy.com for more information.

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www.ReneeAllenMcCoy.com

ONCE UPON A SUNDAY

© 2015 by Renée Allen McCoy

Faith works together in Christ.™

FaytheWorks Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from the publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s creativity or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental with the exception of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit: They are real. Although this body of work is fictional, the Holy Trinity is not.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Discussion Questions

Excerpts from Other Books

About the Author

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The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance.

–John 10:10, AMP

Chapter One

I ’m sorry... she began in a lowered, apologetic voice, but we’re going to have to let you go, Melinda. Charlotte stared down at me, her dedicated employee who had faithfully served at the company for more than three years. I tried my best to save your job, but the board decided that this was in the best interest of the agency. She briefly glanced at the security guard positioned next to the glass door where there was a red and white Exit sign overhead. You know that was not my idea.

I rubbed my dampened palms back and forth on my thighs, and calmly replied, I know.

We shared knowing glances as I recalled the conversation we had just the night before. This was her formal way of not showing favoritism. The company frowned upon nepotism, but being that we weren’t blood related and she was forthcoming about how we knew one another before I was hired, our association was overlooked.

After a defeated sigh, she rested a hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear, You’ll get through this. You know that I’m here for you ... this was just out of my control.

My eyelids fluttered as I exhaled through my anxieties. I shifted my eyes from the Certificate of Achievement that rested near my desk phone to the framed photograph from a recent awards ceremony. With a soft grunt under my breath, I gently shook my head. None of this seemed real.

Are you going to be okay? Charlotte’s hazel eyes pierced my brown ones. You know that I’ll give you a glowing reference letter... wherever you decide to go.

In an effort to not sound ungrateful, I pressed my lips firmly together. What could I say with six pairs of ears listening as they pretended to be on business calls? I knew my co-workers were all listening because I heard none of them talking. It was clear that if they were legitimately working, the call center would be humming with its usual chattering voices.

You understand, don’t you? Charlotte sympathetically asked.

Yes, I understand. I tried to smile through my pain.

I didn’t want to do it this way, but the regional director is here today and well ... you know. Her voice trailed thin.

Really, I understand. I held a hand up to her. You’ve done a lot.

Look, I’ll walk you to your car. Just let me get rid of him. She glanced at the security guard again, this time through squinted eyes. I don’t know why they felt the need to call him. You are not a criminal.

With a hint of sarcasm, I quipped, But I’ve been known to cause a scene.

Charlotte cracked a smile. I’m sure only because I grinned first. The way this office walked on eggshells around me I knew this was bound to happen. Over the past few months, they had put up with more from me than they would have the average employee. It’s not because I’ve always arrived at my desk on time, not because I took shorter breaks than everyone else, it was simply because I had recently experienced the most devastating day of my life. It was the day that changed my life forever.

Well, I guess this is more evidence that all good things do come to an end, huh? I twisted my lips to one side and smirked.

Charlotte’s sincere gaze was a result of her reading the innuendo in my voice, I’m sure. She had been there from the beginning of this madness. Although she was always the clear-headed one, the one who always had an inspirational adage for even the most dreadful situation, her facial expression displayed that she was at a loss for words. Maybe she had used up all of her sayings and Biblical quotes, noticing that none of what she had said worked on me. No matter how much she touted about her God, He was not my God. And after all that has happened in my life, I’m sure she understood why.

So, I take it that’s for me. I bobbed my head, motioning towards the cardboard box in her hand. Looks big enough to carry all of my things. There it was, the derisiveness in my voice that preceded every argument she’d seen me carry out over the years she had known me.

Charlotte