TUESDAYS WERE always Patrice’s busiest days. For her, it was the first day of the work week. It was the day she worked with the most students facing speech challenges—and she could hardly wait for the day to end. Despite her impatience, the hands on the clock had been in no hurry to reach 2:15 p.m. And once they did, another forty-five minutes passed before Patrice could fully end her day. Today of all days, a parent decided that it was a good time to come and praise her for her effective teaching skills. The woman had noted a substantial decrease in little Jamie’s stuttering since she began sessions with Patrice at the start of the school year. It was one of the highest praises that a speech pathologist could receive, but today, Patrice couldn’t give a flying flip about Jamie’s progress. She had to free herself from the classroom’s four walls before they smothered her to death.

As soon as the grateful mother left her room, Patrice gathered her belongings and headed to her awaiting Solara. Once she was secured inside, she started the engine, turned the air conditioner on full blast, and fished her cell phone out of her attaché case to check for messages. Patrice hoped for an awaiting voice or text from Josiah. She would have even settled for a missed call. Anything would have been better than nothing, but nothing was what she got.

“What were you thinking?” she scolded herself.

Her hand fluttered to her lips as she remembered it all… again. Patrice had been reliving the moment all day long, and it was about to drive her crazy. She clearly recalled Josiah making the first move, and his advance wasn’t what one might call subtle. He’d kissed her fingers for Pete’s sake! And even if she had been dense enough to misconstrue the kisses on her fingers, hand, and wrist, the one that had them lip-locked for what seemed like a blissful eternity, was definitely not to be defined as a casual encounter. Just the thought of it made Patrice’s heart race all over again. That kiss was incredible. It was indescribable. It was … so very inappropriate. After all, he was her brother.

But did that give her the right to slap him?

Tears that had wanted to spill from their ducts all day long were finally granted their wish. Patrice closed her eyes and allowed the water to flow. All she could do was pray that none of the other educators who had lingered after hours would walk past her car and see her weeping. They would have questions, and she would have no rational explanation to offer.

How could she have struck him? Josiah made the first move, yes, but he had clearly given her the final say so. It was up to her to decide whether anything would become of his prelude. She was the one who made the connection that started the electrical charge. She was the one who cupped his cheeks to hold his lips secure to hers. She was the one who deepened the kiss, probably making it more intimate than Josiah had even intended. And then after all of that, she was the one to break away and have the audacity to punish him like it had all been his fault. Like she hadn’t enjoyed every moment of it. Like … like … like ever since yesterday, she hadn’t been hoping that it could be possible that he no longer saw her as his older sister.

“And you actually thought that he might call you?” She yelled the question to herself, and then readjusted her rearview mirror so that she could see if she looked as idiotic as she felt.

Patrice was angry with herself, and it was evident in the aggressive way that she wiped away her tears. She looked at her cell phone as it rested on the seat beside her purse. Maybe she should call him. After all, it was her fault that things had gone so badly. Because of her, she and Josiah had ridden back to the hotel with the volume on mute. Not one single word had been spoken between them. Maybe if she called him and said…

“And say what?” She challenged the thought as though making the call had been someone else’s idea. Patrice looked back at her reflection again. Running mascara made her tears look like crude oil. “What on earth are you gonna say that would make you look any less of a neurotic fool?”

Again Patrice aggressively wiped her tears, but she couldn’t erase the picture in her mind. The stunned look on Josiah’s face after her hand had come in fierce contact with his cheek was a freeze-frame in her memory. Her reaction had totally taken him by surprise. It had taken her by surprise too. Even now, nearly twenty-four hours later, she couldn’t make sense of it. No explanation. No justification. No rationalization. Just regrets.

Patrice released a labored sigh. In times like this she wished she had a close, saved girlfriend to talk to. Someone who would not only give her good advice, but advice that was biblically sound. She knew women at the church where she fellowshiped every Sunday, but outside of church, they didn’t have much interaction. And then there was Theresa Loather, first lady of Kingdom Builders Christian Center. Theresa was about the same age as Patrice, and she’d always made it clear to the sisters of the congregation that she was there if they ever needed counsel. But as much as Patrice loved her pastor’s wife, she couldn’t see herself approaching her with this particular quandary.

Yesterday’s urgent meeting at the church was one that resulted in the demotion of one of the head deacons. His wife had discovered that he’d been having a highly inappropriate cyber relationship with a woman in Sweden. If the deacon could be removed from his position for a relationship he’d been carrying on with a woman he’d never even met, what would they do to Patrice if they found out she’d actually kissed her foster brother? They’d probably not only remove her from the choir; they might even remove her name from the church roll altogether.

Generally Patrice felt comfortable talking to Joanne about anything. But not this. She couldn’t tell her mother that she’d crossed the line with Josiah. Mama, I think instead of being JT’s sister, I want to be his woman just wouldn’t sound right no matter how she tried to word it. The situation seemed hopeless.

Patrice pulled a tissue out of the glove compartment of her car and dabbed at her face. Voices were nearing her car, and she knew that where there were voices, there were people. She couldn’t allow her coworkers to see the mess she was in. Just as she was about to place the crumpled tissue in the compartment below her car’s stereo system, a small card caught her eye. It was the business card that Josiah had given her Sunday afternoon as they dined at the Smiths’ home.

Danielle Brown, Guidance Counselor. The same words that jumped out at her the first time she looked at the card were staring Patrice in the face once more. Danielle wouldn’t know her from Eve. The woman would probably think she was somebody who needed professional help if she called her about this Josiah thing. But Patrice’s fingers took on a mind of their own. Before she knew it, she was punching the ten-digit number on her cell. Just when she was reminded of the fact that Danielle worked in the school system too, and was probably gone for the day, she heard a voice on the other end of the line.

“Hello. Danielle Brown speaking.”

She sounded nice enough, but Patrice still hesitated, wondering if she should respond or just hang up. If she hung up, no one would be the wiser. She’d called the guidance office at the school. There wouldn’t be a caller ID screen on the phone that would give away her identity.

“Hello?” Danielle repeated.

Patrice inhaled. “Hello.”

“Yes? May I help you?”

“Yes. Hi. I’m sorry.” With those simple four words, Patrice already felt like she was babbling. She licked her lips and continued. “You don’t know me, but my name is Patrice, and I wanted to talk to you for a minute, if you had the time.”

“Okay.” Danielle’s voice sounded guarded, and Patrice knew she had given her good reason to be cautious.

“Is this a good time?”

“Sure. I’m winding down since it’s the end of the day, but I have a few moments. Are you a parent? Is this regarding a student?”

Patrice quickly rethought her plan. Maybe she shouldn’t jump right into the real reason for her call. “I am a parent, but not of one of your students. I’m actually calling you from Atlanta, Georgia. JT … Josiah Tucker gave me your number.”

“Oh,” Danielle sang. “You’re that Patrice. Hi. How are you?”

That Patrice? What did she mean by that Patrice? “I’m fine; thank you. And you?”

“It’s been one of those days, but I won’t complain. JT has told Craig and me so much about you and the others there in Atlanta. He’s just ecstatic to have reunited with his family.”

So JT had told them about her. Patrice didn’t know if knowing this would make her phone call harder or easier, but for some reason she felt a bit more relaxed. “We’re glad too. He really surprised us all. I can’t recall the last time my parents were so happy.”

“And we can’t remember the last time JT sounded so happy.”

The brief silence that lapsed must have concerned Danielle.

“Is everything all right?” she asked. “JT is okay, right?”

“Oh yes; he’s great.” Patrice thought fast. She didn’t want to raise too many questions in Danielle’s mind. “Um … I was just calling because, well, I’m a speech pathologist, and JT told me who you had a niece who needs some therapy.”

“Well, yes; I do, but…” Her voice trailed; then she spoke again. “I’m not certain what services my sister already has in place for Monica. Both of them were in a car accident about a year ago, and Saundra, my sister, didn’t get hurt, but her daughter sustained serious head injuries. Monica has come a long way. She’s been out of danger for some time now, but she’s like a baby who has had to learn everything all over again. She’s been in physical therapy for a few months, and she’s making progress with her walking. Last time I spoke with Saundra, she was following leads on some speech pathologists that had been recommended by her insurance company.”

“I see.” Patrice’s heart went out to the little girl, and for the moment, she forgot her own troubles. She put her car in reverse and began backing out of her parking space. “Well, if none of the references work out for your sister, you can get in contact with me, and I’m sure I can do some research and find out if there are people in your area that I can recommend. There was a set of twins—a brother and sister—who graduated from LaSalle with me who were headed out your way to begin a pathology firm. I don’t have their information on me right now, but I can get it if you need it.”

“Thanks so much, Patrice.” The gratitude could be heard in Danielle’s voice. “I really appreciate that, and I’m sure Saundra will too. And I don’t know if there will ever be anything to arise on your end wherein I might be able to return the favor, but if it ever does, I’m your girl.” Danielle laughed as she sang out the end of her sentence.

“Ac … Actually, there might be … uh, something that you can help me with.” Patrice nearly stumbled over her words.

“Okay.” Danielle sounded guarded again.

“If you need me to call at a later time, I can,” Patrice offered. “I work in the school system too. I know what it’s like to be trying to get away from work and to have people come in and hold you there against your will. But normally I’m the hostage, not the hostage taker.” Patrice ended her weak joke with a nervous laugh.

Danielle must have thought it was funny because she laughed too. Then she said, “No problem. My fiancé and I work at the same school, and he has an after-school meeting today. I was going to stick around and meet up with him after his conference anyway. Talking to you will just help fill the time. What is it that you want to talk about?”

Patrice heard scuffling noises, like Danielle might have been getting comfortable behind her desk. She wished she could get comfortable too, but the small lapse of time was not nearly enough to give her the opportunity to prepare for how she’d introduce this matter.

“It’s about JT.” She took in a breath, and then released it. “He’s … well, he’s … um, it’s been a long time since he’s been at home, you know.”

“I know. He says it’s been fifteen years.”

Patrice nodded her head as she navigated toward the private Christian academy where she knew Arielle would be anxiously awaiting her arrival. “Yeah. A little more than fifteen, actually. Last time I saw JT, he was fourteen, and I was eighteen and heading off to college for my freshman year at Auburn University.”

“Auburn? You mentioned LaSalle earlier. Did you transfer?”

“After my sophomore year; yes, I did. My degree is from LaSalle.” Patrice adjusted the fan on her air conditioner. She was cold and feeling sweaty at the same time.

“He told us he was returned to his mother shortly before his fifteenth birthday. Did you ever get to see him again before he moved out?”

“No, I didn’t. We never got the chance to say good-bye to each other. So like I said, when I left for college, it was the last time I saw him before this past Sunday.”

“I guess you couldn’t help but be shocked to see him again after all this time. Especially since JT didn’t call ahead. It must have felt like a present day prodigal son moment for your parents.” Patrice could tell that Danielle was smiling.

“When my mother called to tell me that JT was at their house, I can only compare the moment to the alarm I felt that Thursday when the news broke that Michael Jackson had died,” she replied. “It just didn’t seem possible.”

“Surreal?”

“Yeah. I mean, who could have even imagined that he’d come back after fifteen years? JT … not Michael Jackson,” Patrice quickly clarified.

“Of course,” Danielle replied.

“Fifteen years is a long time.”

“A lot can happen in that length of time,” Danielle agreed. “A lot can change.”

“You got that right. When I last saw JT he was skinny, he wore a low cut fade, he was shorter than me, he was a computer geek—”

“He’s still a computer geek,” Danielle interjected.

They laughed together, and Patrice was the first to sober. “Yeah, but that’s about the only thing that hasn’t changed.” She proceeded with caution. “He’s … he’s so different now, you know? Don’t get me wrong. JT was a good-looking kid. I remember when we were younger, the women in the church would always tell Mama to keep his name on the altar because he was gonna grow up to be a heartbreaker. Everybody raved about his smile and his eyes.”

“He does have nice eyes,” Danielle said.

“He has gorgeous eyes. A girl could get lost in them if she …” Patrice didn’t know what Danielle thought of her incomplete comment because she offered no response. Patrice regrouped and continued. “When JT came into our home, I think he was eight, going on nine years old. He lived with us for over six years, and although he and I fought a lot—”

“Like most brothers and sisters do,” Danielle offered.

“Right. We fought, but we did a lot of fun things together too. We liked the same movies, so we’d watch television together all the time. I’d pop popcorn, and we’d wrap up in a blanket together in front of Mama’s imitation fireplace and snack while we watched the movie. And sometimes my homework assignments would call for me to use Dad’s computer, and while I worked at the keyboard, JT would hang around and watch. As long as he wasn’t talking or pulling my ponytail, I’d let him stay.”

Danielle released a soft laugh. “Sounds like the two of you got along pretty well.”

“We did on most days. He knew he had to be nice to me if he wanted his turn on the computer, and since he wanted to play on the desktop every day, he didn’t mess with me too much, ’cause he knew I’d tell Dad.” Patrice giggled and added, “I was kind of a tattletale as a kid.”

“That’s something we have in common,” Danielle admitted. “I think I was the president of that club when I was little.”

They laughed together, then Patrice continued, feeling much more comfortable now.

“Most times Daddy punished JT, he banned him from the computer. JT would rather get a whipping than to be told that the computer was off-limits to him. So he was good to me most of the time because he knew I was the all-access pass to his favorite room. On days when Daddy would allow JT to experiment on the computer, I had to sit and monitor him to make sure he didn’t mess up anything. I guess I had to do that because I was the oldest. JT caught on to computer stuff real fast. By the time I left for college, he knew how to build websites, do spreadsheets and slideshows, play web games, do system defragments, check for viruses … all that. We used to go to him to ask about computer stuff by that time. He was like some kind of prodigy.”

“That’s believable,” Danielle said.

“Well, like I said, that’s all been fifteen years ago,” Patrice specified once again. She swallowed hard and hoped Danielle would cut in and say something more so that she’d have more time to think. No such thing. “When I heard that JT was back, I drove to my parents’ house to see him. At first it was like old times. I mean, it took a minute for him to warm up to me, but I guess after so many years, that should have been expected. But once the ice was broken, it was like old times. We ate as a family, we caught him up on our lives and he filled us in on his; then we sat around and talked until late in the evening. Even after everybody else in the house had gone to bed, JT and I sat up for hours, talking and watching television. Then at some point… I don’t know when but at some point in the evening …” Patrice was babbling again, and she couldn’t figure out how to make her point. She just couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud. Maybe now was a good time to pretend she’d lost the signal on the cell phone and hang up. Danielle would think that the call dropped, and she’d be off the hook.

“Things have changed, and JT isn’t feeling so much like your kid brother anymore. How’s that? Am I at least lukewarm in my attempt to turn your novel into a CliffsNotes pamphlet?”

Patrice was speechless. Lukewarm? More like boiling hot. How had Danielle managed to decipher the mumbo jumbo? Truth be told, Patrice could barely make sense of the words that had come out of her own mouth. So how Danielle figured it out, she wasn’t sure.

“Hello? Patrice, are you still there?”

Routing her car into the parking space in the lot of her daughter’s school, Patrice put the car in park and leaned against the steering wheel. The warm breath from the heavy sigh she released clashed with the cold wind that streamed from the air conditioner vent that was aimed at her face. “Yes, I’m still here.”

“I’m right, aren’t I?” Danielle’s question sounded more like a statement.

“I guess a lot can change in fifteen years.” Patrice stared out of her windshield at the brick structure in front of her and listened to the dead air coming from the other end of the line. She could tell that Danielle was judging her, and she couldn’t even blame her. “You must think I’m some kind of twisted human being, but I’m not. I never meant for anything like—”

“I don’t think you’re twisted at all,” Danielle assured. “JT is exceptionally handsome and very intelligent. It’s easy to see why a woman would be attracted to him.”

“A woman, yeah. But not his sister.”

“Patrice, you’re not JT’s sister, not biologically. The two of you grew up in the same house for a while, and—”

“We were raised like siblings, Danielle. For six years we referred to the same set of adults as Daddy and Mama.”

“So what? I have a godbrother, and I’ve called his parents Daddy and Mama my entire life. He calls my parents the same thing. That doesn’t make us related.”

“So you’re saying that you’d be okay if you discovered that you had feelings for your godbrother?”

“I would, and I was.” Danielle’s reply surprised Patrice. “I didn’t have a boyfriend, and his girlfriend at the time had the flu, so he and I went to our senior prom together. Like I said, I’d known him my whole life. His dad is the pastor of my church. We’d never dated before and had never viewed each other as anything other than siblings, but something happened that night that changed the course of our relationship. It wasn’t planned. It just happened. We’d never danced together before. We’d never dined together as a couple before. We’d never taken formal photos with our arms wrapped around each other before. Being in those new environments made us look at each other in a new way. By the time we graduated, we were an exclusive couple.”

“Really?” Patrice’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Yes, really. We weren’t biologically related. There was nothing wrong with it.”

“And you never felt like you were breaking some cardinal rule?” That was Patrice’s biggest concern. Something about her attraction felt downright sinful. Like God was looking down at her tsking and shaking His head in disgust.

“Of course not. Why would it?” The force of Danielle’s sigh could be heard through the phone. “Listen to me, Patrice. You are not JT’s sister. You aren’t related to him at all. There is absolutely no bloodline there.”

“I know, I know.”

“Then why are you beating yourself up over it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know.”

“Does JT know how you feel?”

The question took Patrice back to the park. “No.” Then back to the kiss. “Yes.” Then back to the slap. “I don’t know.” Her frustration ignited a heaving sigh.

“Sounds like there’s a part two to this story,” Danielle said. “Wanna talk about it?”

Patrice sank into the fibers of her driver’s seat, and as she stared at the colorful concrete building in front of her, tears began to blur her vision. She failed in her attempt to steady her voice when she asked, “How much time do you have?”

Not a moment of pause preceeded Danielle’s reply.

“How much time do you need?”