The Other Side of Goodness by Vanessa Davis Griggs Page A

picked up her Bible off the nightstand and began to turn the pages. She couldn’t remember where that scripture was. “God, please bring it back to my remembrance. Help me find that scripture.”
    She fanned the pages, stopped, then scanned down the page. Nope , not it. She allowed the pages to fan past again. When it stopped, she again scanned the page. Nope . Again, she let the pages fall from her thumb, then she stopped and scanned. There it was; the scripture she had just referenced to Jessica. Philippians 4:8. She began to read. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
    Gabrielle looked upward and closed her eyes as she thought, Whatsoever things are of good report. I believe God. I believe.

Chapter 11
    Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
    â€”Habakkuk 1:8
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    D eidra brought the telephone over to Lawrence. “It’s William.” She handed the phone to her husband. “Should I hold off on finishing getting dressed for this evening?”
    Lawrence smiled. “No. I told you that we’re going out, and nothing and no body is going to change that.” Lawrence held the phone in his hand. “So you just go right on and finish getting all dolled up for your man. This won’t take long.”
    Deidra looked at him as though she didn’t believe him. Lawrence could understand why she would feel that way. This wouldn’t be the first time he’d stood her up for a night out on the town after receiving a call from William.
    â€œGo on now, baby. Go on and finish getting ready.”
    Deidra walked out of the bedroom and into the master bathroom. As soon as Lawrence was certain she was out of ear- and eyeshot, he scurried out of the bedroom and down the stairs into the den.
    â€œWhat’s up?” he said to William, barely above a whisper.
    â€œI have some good news and some better news,” William said.
    â€œBetter than what you already told me earlier today at lunch?”
    â€œOh, yes. Now you know we have the best folks around working on our behalf. Of course, you also know that I don’t trust cell phones when it comes to discussing most of our business. That’s why I had to wait until I was home and could call from my landline to your landline.”
    â€œIt’s that good?”
    â€œOh, it’s that good! Do you want to hear the long version or the short?” William said.
    â€œGive me the short version. Deidra’s upstairs getting ready for our date, and the last thing I want is to be late in taking her out, especially during these obviously contentious times.”
    â€œOkay. The short version is Miss Goodness and Mercy is dating an up-and-coming doctor named Zachary Morgan. And my sources tell me the good doctor is trying to get his clientele up and going. Of course, you know that in starting up his business, he’s incurring quite a bit of debt. Then there’s Miss Gabrielle’s family.”
    â€œShe has a family? But I thought she was single—”
    â€œI’m talking about her aunt Cecelia and uncle Dennis Murphy and their four delightful grown children.”
    â€œThere’s something on them that we can use?” Lawrence asked.
    â€œIf we need to. Although my sources tell me that the relationship between them may be strained at the moment. Looks like Aunt Cee-Cee has gotten herself into a bit of a jam by forging a signature and embezzling money that didn’t belong to her.”
    â€œAunt Cee-Cee,” Lawrence said with a bit of nostalgia. “If