Humbled Read Online Free PDF

she had expected. She hadn’t quite figured out exactly what to say.
    â€œWho is this?” Joel asked as she held the phone without responding. “Hello?” he said.
    Forget about semantics, she thought. She was diving in. “Why are you being such a jerk to your wife?”
    Joel chuckled. “And who is this?”
    Her resolve was gaining momentum, and she was certain the words would flow freely. “Tamara.”
    â€œOkay, Ms. Tamara. This is a surprise. I wasn’t expecting a call from you about my wife.”
    â€œSomebody had to call,” she said, enunciating the words heavily. “You are a trip, leaving Zarah in Detroit alone when you know she’s pregnant.”
    â€œExcuse me for one minute,” Joel told her. She could hear his muffled voice as he spoke to someone else before he returned to the call. “Now, what are you going on about?” he asked.
    â€œHow can you leave your wife alone? She’s pregnant, scared, and you are so insensitive that you can’t come and check on her. What kind of a man are you?”
    â€œTamara, I don’t see how this is your business. How did you get my phone number, anyway?”
    â€œIt wasn’t difficult to get. We do know a few of the same people,” she said, not feeling obligated to be cordial.
    â€œWhatever. Like you said, this is between me and my wife. I’ll take care of my business, and you handle yours.”
    His words resonated. She could back off and probably should have, but letting him off the hook wasn’t sitting well with her. He was treating Zarah despicably. Zarah had said she was going to stand up to Joel, but Tamara didn’t believe her. Unless she intervened, Joel was bound to get away with treating women as if they were disposable. No more.
    The words came from deep within Tamara’s soul, exploding by the time they reached her lips. “Who the heck do you think you are? You’re a loser who has to pump up his manhood by walking over women.” Tamara stood and shook her finger in the air, although Joel couldn’t see it. “Look, buster, you’ve picked the wrong person to mess with, okay. Your women might fall for your crap, but I won’t.”
    â€œWhere is this coming from? You don’t know me well enough to say anything about my marriage or any other woman in my life. You have some nerve.”
    Tamara felt herself overheating. Images of her eldest brother’s brutal attack dashed into her mind, followed by memories of her ex-boyfriend’s relentless stalking. She had to press those thoughts down in order to maintain control. She didn’t intend on making Joel pay for every man’s infractions. He deserved a thorough lashing, but only what belonged to him. So, she restrained herself just a little. “Since Zarah won’t speak up, I’m doing it for her.”
    â€œWhat are you? Her new best friend?”
    Tamara rested her hand on her forearm. “You could say that.”
    â€œI see,” Joel said.
    His cavalier response infuriated Tamara more. “You know, you don’t deserve a wife or a child. You are too selfish and narcissistic. Why don’t you do us a favor and keep your behind in Chicago, where you belong?”
    â€œTamara, I’m not going to discuss my marriage with you. This call is over. Take care of yourself, and maybe I’ll see you in Detroit.” He disconnected the call, leaving Tamara lingering on the line. Her anger cooled. Perhaps it wasn’t her place to call him about Zarah. Then again, why not? Tamara set her phone on the table without regret.
    Joel held the phone in his hand, staring into the room.
    â€œAre you all right?” Sheba asked.
    He rubbed his head. “Yeah, I guess so.”
    â€œYou sure?” she said, her voice elevated out of concern.
    â€œI don’t know.” He sighed. “That was Tamara Mitchell.”
    â€œYour sister?” Sheba