Permanent Resident at the Purse Table Read Online Free PDF Page A

let that one fool get you down. He ain’t nobody! Remember, you’re waiting for the right one. And obviously he’s not it.”
    â€œI know y’all are right, but it just runs me hot. I finally get approached by a man tonight and all he wants is sex.” She smacked her lips. How could her friends relate when they didn’t have the same problem? “Do I have a sign on my head that reads OPEN FOR BUSINESS ?”
    Toni squinted her eyes toward Ava’s forehead. “I don’t see anything. But I can’t be sure. I need to keep my eyes on the road. You may want to have Rene take a look. You know she’s the avid reader.”
    Everyone laughed as Toni pulled in front of Ava’s apartment. Ava got out of the car, and said good-bye to her friends. As they drove off, she wondered if there was something wrong with her. Why did men seem to pick her out for the wrong reason?
    Still upset with Jason’s poor choice of pickup lines, Ava was proud of how easily she turned him down. A few weeks ago she might have allowed him to keep talking until she gave in to his plea just to feel close to someone, but not tonight.
    As she changed out of her club attire and into her granny gown, she thought about her prayer earlier by the lake and couldn’t believe how soon the enemy tried to cancel her promise to God. He was working all the time, but he couldn’t even wait a full twenty-four hours to try to throw her off of her celibacy game.
    She could mull over her situation better with a package of Oreos and a big glass of ice-cold milk. After getting her snacks and retreating to her bedroom, she turned on the TV and flipped through the channels. Alone again. Did she really do the right thing? Jason was a good-looking man. Wait. Of course I did. Focus.
    Even though her body may have welcomed an advance from an attractive man like Jason, she did know she was worth more. And not only did she deserve more, she wanted more. She also hoped if she stood strong in her convictions, the perfect man for her would eventually cross her path. If he truly was out there, she didn’t mind waiting a little longer for God to help him find his way to her.

Chapter 3
    Ava stared at the ceiling from her warm bed. Church started in an hour, but her thousand-thread count sheets invited her to stay longer. Her mother’s words bounced around in her head. If you can stay out all night, you can definitely have your behind in a church pew somewhere on Sunday morning. She imagined her mother’s facial expression and finger pointing. Sneering at the thought, she released a deep breath, and then popped out of bed and got dressed.
    As she drove to the House of the Lord Baptist church, many reasons to turn around and jump back under the covers ran through her mind. She continued in spite of her thoughts. About ten minutes later, as folks from all walks of life filed into the sanctuary doors, Ava wore guilt on her face, along with a stylish purple hat. She could still smell the club smoke in her hair, and wanted the hat to do its job of hiding the unpleasant odor. Several hugs and hellos were passed out, and then she took her seat toward the back.
    After the choir belted out a few powerful numbers, and the collection plate had been passed around, Pastor Monroe traveled to his place in the pulpit. His wife, Sandra, gazed at him from the front row.
    â€œToday, I’d like to talk to you about being a lukewarm Christian.”
    A couple of amens and hallelujahs were shouted toward the front. Ava’s backside and shoulders descended into her seat.
    Pastor Monroe cleared his throat. “The scripture reads in Revelation 3:15–16, ‘I know your deeds that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.’ That’s from the New International Version.” He wiped his brow with his