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sleeve.
    â€œWithout Jesus, it’s hard for a man to respect himself, let alone another human being. You can’t expect him to not act like the devil when he’s full of the devil,” Pastor David said to Cynthia without flinching under Marvin’s solemn stare.
    Marvin scraped his finger across his neck. He took one huge step, inserting himself in the space between Pastor David and Cynthia. Pastor David had the same light shining in his hazel eyes Marvin had seen in him when they first met in middle school and earned the moniker the Drop Boys because either one of them was willing to drop anyone where they stood.
    â€œDon’t have any cross conversations with my wife. When I see a man, I’ll give him his props, but I don’t see one. Only a snake turns his back on his friends to save his own useless skin,” Marvin spat.
    â€œYou’re right. My skin is useless, but I never went anywhere that you couldn’t, Marvin.”
    â€œIs that right?” Marvin snickered. “Listen, David.” Marvin poked him in his chest. “I told her once and she didn’t listen, so now I’m telling you. Stay away from my wife and my kids. They don’t want any of your poison.”
    In the fifteen years they’d been together, Marvin could not recall Cynthia setting foot in a church; at least, not of her own volition. They’d attended the customary Christmas services, had the kids christened, but nothing more than that. The last thing Marvin wanted was some woman thumping the Bible at him.
    â€œMarvin, be careful not to hurt yourself,” Pastor David said, unmoved by Marvin’s rant. “She is a child of God, and He isn’t going to tolerate you keeping her from Him. She has dedicated her life to God, and you can’t get in the way of that.”
    Marvin switched his murderous gaze from Pastor David to his wife. Slap her now or later, now or later, now or later. Marvin weighed his options. Even though Pastor David was some type of do-gooder now, Marvin was sure he’d rise to the occasion if Marvin did anything too rash. Pastor David was no welterweight boxer, but he certainly knew how to throw and land a couple of effective punches. Even though it’s been years since Pastor David had thrown a punch Marvin knew he would definitely try to defend the honor of one of his ‘sistas.’
    It was best that he deal with Cynthia when they got into the building. The middle of 145th Street was too public. If Pastor David interfered and Marvin beat him down he’d always be seen as a menace for beating up on a member of the clergy, and if Pastor David got the drop on him, his rep was out the window.
    â€œLet’s go, Mrs. Barclay.” Marvin cupped Cynthia’s elbow as he led her and Keith down the hill.
    â€œSister, ‘wait I say on the Lord and be of good cheer.’ There’s no need for you to live in fear. Everyone in the church will support you.”
    â€œYes, Pastor,” Cynthia said without looking back.
    Upon entering the apartment, it seemed as though Marvin had returned from the dark place his mind often took him. A subdued silence occupied the space: the calm before the storm. Cynthia carted both boys off to bed and kissed them on their foreheads before exiting the room.
    She walked to the master bedroom and right into Marvin’s wrath. “Who’s in charge here? Didn’t I tell you not to go to that church anymore?”
    Before Cynthia could utter a response, Marvin used his fist to jog her memory. “I do not want to hear anything else about David, that church, or the Bible.”
    â€œWhat are you going to do, beat the Holy Spirit out of me?” Cynthia spat blood with each word. Marvin lunged at her. “Help me, Jesus! Help me, Jesus! You said you would deliver me.” Before Marvin could reach her, he stumbled on his own boots, fell to the ground, and busted his lip on his own teeth.
    Inside