The Prodigal Son (A Reverend Curtis Black Novel) by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page B

stopped at a red light. He sat there waiting for it to change, but as he did, he spotted a black Escalade SUV that looked exactly like his dad’s. His stomach churned nervously, and he took a deep breath. Strangely enough, though, when the light changed and he accelerated, he realized it wasn’t his father at all…it was his brother, Dillon. They both stared at each other in passing, and Matthew couldn’t help feeling a little jealous, because if Dillon was traveling this close to his parents’ home, he was likely on his way to see them.
    Matthew sighed and kept driving. His life was a mess, and he was starting to feel as though the stress was too great to deal with. He had so many unresolved feelings and issues, and he was starting to feel sad again. What he wanted was to be happy and problem-free—what he needed was a miracle.

Chapter 15
    D illon’s heart raced, and he felt as though he were hyperventilating. His body was hot, and he had to catch his breath a few times. But what were the chances? Here he’d been driving toward his dad’s house, just for the sake of doing so, and out of nowhere he’d seen Matthew. Had Matthew actually been over to see his dad and Charlotte? Had he finally forgiven them and called a truce? Had his father welcomed his precious little Matthew back with open arms and would no longer have any use for Dillon?
    Dillon’s heart beat faster than before, and he punched his steering wheel with his fist. He just couldn’t win. He’d already been devising a plan to get Charlotte out of his way—he’d spent the better part of last night and this morning plotting it—but now there was a chance his brother might be back in the picture?
    Dillon drove past his dad’s house, but he didn’t see anyone. Of course, there was no way to tell if Matthew had been there or not, but just the thought of it gave Dillon pause. It infuriated him and worried him, and he had to find out.
    So he called his dad.
    “Hello?” Curtis answered.
    “Hey Dad, it’s me.”
    “Hey son. How are you?”
    “Good. So what’s goin’ on?”
    “Just sitting here in my office preparing for Bible study. I need to leave for the church in about a half hour, though. Can I call you back when I’m driving?”
    He sure was rushing Dillon off the phone, and Dillon knew it was likely because he was now focused on Matthew and didn’t want to talk to him.
    “I’ll let you go,” Dillon finally said, wanting to slam his fist into his steering wheel again.
    “Are you coming tonight?”
    “To Bible study?”
    “Yes, it would be good to have you there.”
    “No, not this time. Maybe next week.”
    “Okay…well, why don’t I just call you afterward? That way we’ll have more time to talk.”
    “Whatever works best,” Dillon said.
    “Talk to you later, son.”
    It took every ounce of constraint Dillon could muster not to fling his phone against the windshield. He couldn’t believe his father was ignoring him once again. Maybe what he should do, though, was call Charlotte. He’d never done so in the past, but his dad had given him her number months ago, in case he ever needed it. The reason he wanted to call her now was because if Matthew had in fact been to visit, Charlotte would be glad to rub Dillon’s face in it. She would boast about Matthew being back in their lives and how Matthew would now be his father’s only priority. She’d brag about it for her own enjoyment and also to make Dillon feel bad. Only thing was, he didn’t want to call her when his father was around because for all he knew, that witch might be in the room with his dad.
    So instead, Dillon set his phone down on the passenger seat and kept driving. He had a plan, but now with this latest Matthew development he had to work faster. He had to break up that little union between his father and that deceitful tramp he was married to. If he could manage that, Matthew would be a nonissue. If Dillon showed his father who his wife truly was, his