Doin' Me by Wanda B. Campbell

bring back the Oreos. Now here he was, eating the rice cakes like sliced bread.
    â€œWhat?” he asked, reaching for another caramel-flavored rice cake. “So what if I didn’t knock? It’s not like you didn’t expect me.”
    Kevin retrieved a serving dish from the top shelf for Marlissa, then turned to his friend. “I see you and Reyna didn’t resolve your issues on the ride over,” Kevin smirked. “What did you do? Drop her off at the nearest bus stop?” Kevin laughed.
    Tyson stopped chewing and discarded the remaining rice cake in the trash, but didn’t answer. Kevin’s laughter ceased.
    â€œYou wouldn’t,” Marlissa said.
    Tyson pounded his fist against the granite countertop. “I didn’t drop her off, but I should have. That stubborn goat is out in the car.” Tyson winced at the sound of the doorbell.
    Kevin stepped back. “Whoa, man. Reyna has really gotten under your skin. I’ve never heard you revert to name-calling. Maybe you should rethink this tenantlandlord thing.” Tyson had shared his plan with Kevin two days ago.
    â€œThere’s nothing to rethink,” Reyna said upon entering the kitchen after Marlissa let her in. “I held up my end of the bargain. Now he’s stuck with me.”
    Tyson whirled around to face the woman he cared about but at the moment found difficult to like. Reyna had publicly embarrassed him again, causing him to lose his placidity. He glowered at her from head to toe and then silently berated himself for admiring the yellow pantsuit she wore. Even though Reyna had a smug look on her face, her beauty excited him. She wore more makeup than he thought necessary, but it was what he saw beneath the surface that twisted his heartstrings into agony.
    â€œHow can you be so callous toward God?” Tyson asked through clenched teeth. “You once had a strong relationship with Him.”
    The doorbell sounded again, and Kevin left the kitchen.
    Reyna planted a fist against her waist and stepped closer to Tyson. “What I had was a bunch of lies fed to me by people claiming to be His mouthpiece.”
    â€œIt wasn’t people, Reyna. It was one person,” Tyson corrected. “And you need to forgive Pastor Jennings so you can move on with your life.”
    Reyna scowled. “You may forgive seven times seventy per day, but I’m not there yet.”
    â€œWell, at least you remember one scripture,” Tyson shot back just has Leon and Starla joined them in the kitchen. Instead of greeting one another, the couples stood back and watched the interaction between Reyna and Tyson.
    â€œI remember more than you think, but it would do you some good to remember the one about drawing people with love and kindness,” Reyna sneered. “All you do is judge me for not wanting to serve your God anymore.” She turned toward Kevin. “Sorry if this offends you, but your mother destroyed my life.”
    Tyson erupted before Kevin could respond. “You are not a child! You’re a grown woman with a mind of your own. No one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. You’re just as much to blame for your bad decisions as Pastor Jennings. You were a willing participant.”
    Reyna’s fist pounded the granite countertop. “Shut up! You’re self-righteous, just like Pastor Jennings!”
    Tyson’s cheeks burned, and he lost control. The words tumbled out before he could stop them. “Come off it, Reyna! Were you a victim, and was Pastor Jennings the reason you spent the night at the Claremont with a man you barely knew?”
    Tyson heard the collective gasp of his friends behind him, but the pain etched on Reyna’s face held him captive. In seconds the arrogance and bravado evaporated, and tears welled up in her eyes. Tyson hadn’t meant to expose her, but her careless act had hurt him to the core. Her boorish behavior only added salt to