“You’re inviting killers and rapists into your world,” Isabella said, leaning close to the computer screen.
Geneva had designed a draft of her ad. She had become quite skilled at creating posters and designing worksheets for her classroom. The women stood in Geneva’s office in her condo. Geneva had called Isabella to look over her ad before she pressed ENTER.
“You sound like my dad. He yelled at me before giving me a ten-minute lecture on the disadvantages of social media.” She dropped her voice to mimic her father’s deep bass. “Geneva, I don’t think this is a good idea.” She rolled her eyes. “I told him I was going to do it anyway, so get ready for the sermon this Saturday.”
“I don’t agree, either.” Isabella hugged her. “Normally, I’m adventurous, but there are too many people that are not too right in the head. My courthouse is filled with undiagnosed hurt people hurting others.”
Geneva put the finishes touches on her advertisement.
“I know, but there are millions of normal, good, everyday Joe’s, or should I say, everyday Josh’s out there. Good people who help others in need. You hear about them all the time over the news. That’s who I plan to take with me to Jamaica.” She told Isabella about the man she had heard about on the radio.
“That’s good for that man, but I’m scared for you. I don’t want to hear some maniac killed my friend and then left her body at the bottom of the ocean.”
Geneva shuddered. “Why would you put that in my head? Relax, Isabella. I’m posting it for fun. Don’t be a spoilsport. It might not even go anywhere. I’ll probably get a few likes and comments, but that will be it. The best thing that can happen is that Josh sees this post. He’ll see I’m doing fine without him.”
“Are you?” Isabella asked. “Because now you have me thinking you’re on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” Her brown eyes were filled with worry.
Geneva cracked up. “I’m fine, believe me. I might still shed some tears in the shower, but it isn’t because of that joker. It’s because I can’t get the time back I wasted on that dead-end relationship.”
She downplayed her pain, but the heartache hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would be. She didn’t feel incapacitated. She felt… free. Josh had checked out of their relationship months ago. She had been the one dragging them forward and holding them together.
“What if Josh decides he’s made a mistake and comes slithering back to you?”
“I’ve thought of that.” Geneva eyed the picture of her and Josh at their graduation sitting next to her computer. She picked it up. “We were so happy here with our future ahead of us…”
“Would you take him back?” Isabella asked. “A part of me suspects you’re doing that ad to shake him up.”
Geneva shook her head. “I looked deep inside myself to see if I had any secret motives. But I don’t want Josh back, especially not after what he said to me in the parking lot. When a man shows you he doesn’t want marriage, you believe him. I ignored his hesitation. I…” Geneva lowered her head. “I believe I pressured him without realizing it.”
“You did no such thing, so stop making excuses for his infantile behavior. You were both celibate Christians. A relationship between the both of you could only lead to marriage. Josh knew that when he asked you to marry him. Unless you dragged him down the aisle with a gun to his head, then you didn’t pressure him. He was the one who started pressuring you to have sex. What did he call it?”
“Sampling the goods,” Geneva said. “That’s another reason why I wouldn’t take him back. I’ve seen the pictures he posted online. He’s definitely not celibate anymore.” Her heart constricted. She wondered whether they would still be together if she had caved.
“I’m glad you didn’t give in to his demands,” Isabella said, not knowing she addressed Geneva’s thoughts. “That man doesn’t deserve a taste of your ice cream sundae.”
Geneva clutched her stomach and laughed. “You’re so right. God’s got the key to this goody box, and it’s not getting unlocked until marriage.”
Isabella’s eyes softened. “I’m jealous you’re able to maintain your integrity. Ever since you gave your heart to God, you’ve kept yourself together. I tried it and failed.”
Geneva fanned her cheeks. “It’s not easy. I try to keep temptation at a minimum, but I was looking forward to the benefits of marriage.”
“I know you were ready for rain after that drought, but God will keep you.”
Geneva bit her lower lip at Isabella’s analogy.
“That’s why I’m scared of you posting that ad,” Isabella went on. “You’re picturing a regular Joe. But what if a hunky, bronze chocolate bar answers the ad? You know the devil is all about temptation. Imagine you and some fine man sharing a place in paradise. Could you keep it together?”
Geneva’s mouth drooled at that mental image. She released a breath and focused on Isaiah 26:3. “God will keep me in perfect peace, and my mind will be stayed on Him. I’ll be all right.”
“Don’t worry about it, girl. I’m messing with you. With your luck, you’ll get a broke, snaggle-toothed stand-in to accompany you. That’ll cure you of men called Josh for good.”
Geneva chuckled. “You’re wrong for that. He could be a nice, broke, snaggle-toothed stand-in. In that case, I’ll have a new Josh for a friend.”
Geneva uploaded her ad and held her index finger over the POST button.
“Wait.” Isabella clasped her hands and closed her eyes. “Lord, protect my friend because I’m really scared and I think this is a crazy thing to do in this day and time, but since she’s going to do it anyway, please send her the perfect Josh.” She released a breath. “Amen.” Isabella squared her shoulders. “Okay, post it.”
“Here we go,” Geneva said, pressing the key. Her heart raced. She logged off. “Well, it’s out there in cyberspace. Let’s see where it lands.”