FREE EXCERPT - The Scales of Love

Chapter 1

Sista Love
Some of the most sacred female relationships are the ones you share with your beloved sister, whether blood related or not; There’s no bond like a Sista’s -cherish it!

It was a Saturday afternoon, Brayla and her homegirls Nia, Sasha, and Amerus, were enjoying an afternoon girl time brunch. Nia, a remarried divorcee’ who is raising her twin niece and nephew in addition to her son; is a saved entrepreneur. A former NFL wifey, she is currently married to her high school bestie, James. Sasha's the sharp fierce one who is also married with three kids. Sasha, is a handle her business no time for yo mess type of chick! Her boo, Lonzo, is a successful business man in sports and entertainment. Amerus is the young diva of the mix. Serving as somewhat of a mentee - she’s fresh outta college and handles her business, yet she can’t seem to balance her career and love life. Then there’s me, Brayla, I’m single with two kids and fresh out of a relationship. The thing is my heart is still taken by my ex, Bishop. Even though I’m a successful business woman, with three prominent businesses, I still struggle with trying to get this man out of my heart. It's easier said than done for most women. I know. But none-the-less, I’m productive I take care of my home, have the best home girls a friend could ask for, I love the Lord, and I give to my community often. I've mastered applying all the right things to my life – but this one relationship has taken me off course.

Bishop is in upper management at a prominent company. He's in a relationship or, should I say married with four kids and has been with the same woman since college. His tall, athletic physique makes him more than charming. He's gentle, well-kept, and has the pearls (smile) any woman would want to keep close to her heart. Oh, and his skin is the smoothest, softest, luscious carmelicious texture physique ever embraced.

I love my girls, but they have no idea that Bishop had a separate life all those years that we were together. Except Nia. I can depend on Nia not to judge, plus she’s been through hell and back. Remember, she’s a former wifey of an NFL player, so I can only imagine what her ex did to her. Plus, her faith is unshakeable and I know she can guide me through her wisdom from God and life experiences.

You can’t share everything with all of your friends. You gotta have discernment and know what and who to share certain information with. Nothing personal. Just wisdom. Plus, you don’t want everybody in your mix. They get too hype and can give you the wrong advice. Gotta know the different personalities of your homegirls and inner circle. That way, you know what information to share and not to share. Hopefully they're mature enough to handle and respect your privacy.

“So Brayla, what’s really up with you and Bishop?” Sasha asked. “Girl, I know it’s been awhile since ya’ll last talked. But, neither one of you ever said it was officially over.”

“Sasha!” Brayla exclaimed. “That’s a subject I really don’t care to talk about. Besides, knowing Bishop, he probably thinks he can just waltz his behind right back into my life as if no time has gone by and everything is all good. As if there is no work to be put in. I do know that I’m not about to chase him down. He’s very much aware of where I reside and how to reach me, if he so desires. I’m not a man chaser. I’m the cake and he’s just the frosting in the middle.”

“Dang, what about the top of the cake?” Amerus chuckled.

“Girl, please! It takes a whole lot more than what he was willing to give to make it to the top! I don’t have to ride any man to get his attention. I refuse!” Brayla bellowed.

“Amen, to that!” Amerus shouted. “And why should we?! I’m just saying.”

Nia chimed in, “Girl, I’m with you on that. But we as women have to remember to be true to ourselves and not to get so wrapped up in any man where we lose ourselves. Don’t get so caught up in living his life that you forget you have one of your own.”

“Nia, you always share so much wisdom. We also need to make sure we up lift each other and pray for our men, even at times when it’s challenging and we don’t want to,” Brayla explained.

“Oh shoot,” Sasha says. “Listen to Ms. Brayla over there preachin'!”

“Girl, please! Don’t act brand new. Seriously,” Brayla continued. “If I knew me and Bishop would end like this, I woulda paid more attention instead of listening to my heart.”

“See, that’s our problem, right there,” Amerus said. “We invest too much and end up with nothing in the end. We allow our heart to be so consumed with love that we fail to pay attention to all the signs. I’m young, but that’s a lesson I learned early.”

Sasha agreed. “But even though we do all that, sometimes we can’t help who our heart chooses to love.”

“Yeah,” states Brayla. “But I wonder how much of that is true. They say ‘can’t choose who you love’ or as Bishop says, ‘can’t control who your heart chooses to love.’ Same thing. But it's kinda contradictory. I mean, we are responsible for our choices, so how can those statements be true? Don’t we choose who we want to be with, who we love?”

“Hmmm…that’s deep!” Nia shared. “Well, love is deep. In any relationship, you have to have resilience 'cause love will test you and only the strong survive.”

“Whew!” Brayla hailed. “Not only that, love has so many elements -loyalty, trust, communication, commitment, consistency, oh and giving!” As Bishop Murphy says, "There is no indication of love until giving takes place." In unison they declare, "Amen to that!"

“Oh,” says Nia, let’s not forget love gives, and lust takes!”

“Yes, yes,” says this smooth, yet soft baritone voice as Nia, Sasha, and Amerus look up. Brayla stared straight with a blank look on her face as Bishop smiled and said, “Good afternoon ladies, Brayla!”


Barakah Miller
Author/Speaker/Love & Relationship Specialist
"The Scales of Love" coming fall 2014
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Copyright © 2013 by Barakah Miller All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper or magazine with permission of the author.