The Savvy Sistahs Read Free Page A

care for more wine?”
    The three women looked at each other and held back the laughter that threatened to pour forth. Brandy winked at Carla and Amber before clearing her throat and saying to the waiter, “No, that’s all for us tonight. Thank you.”
    As soon as the waiter walked off, they burst out laughing. Each of them had a lot to be joyous about. They had been through some extraordinary mess with men and somehow they’d had the insight to make some positive changes.
    Moments later the table got silent as they took the time to reflect on what each of them had gone through. “I think we should pray,” Carla said.
    Brandy smiled at her. “That’s a good idea.”
    They joined hands, bowed their heads, and closed their eyes.
    Amber prayed.
    “Father, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, thank you for bringing us over. Please give us the strength not to look back, but to look forward, because we believe through you are brighter days. And we will continue to overcome whatever trials and tribulations may fall upon us, because in our hearts we believe that we can do all things through you, who will continue to strengthen us. Amen.”

Book One
    In whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:3

Chapter 1
Brandy
    B randy closed her eyes. She felt a headache coming on. If one more thing went wrong today she would absolutely scream. She had a million things to take care of before leaving for California, and the last thing she needed was to be on the phone listening to her mother rant and rave about what Valerie Constantine called “those damn Bennetts.” She sighed deeply and reopened her eyes. Whenever she could manage to get a word in she would have to remind her mother that her daughter was one of those Bennetts and proud of it.
    After a few minutes, when it became obvious her mother would not let up, Brandy had no choice but to cut in. “Mom, don’t you think you’re getting a little carried away?”
As usual
, she wanted to add but thought better of it. A part of her wondered if her mother and her father’s family would ever get along. Sometimes Brandy had a feeling that Valerie Constantine enjoyed the rifts she always managed to cause within the Bennett family. And Brandy had to admit that for a long while, she had been right there with her mother. But that was before she had discovered what a blessing the Bennetts were. Each one of them had stepped up in some form or fashion and offered their support after what happened with Lorenzo.
    “No, I am not getting carried away,” Valerie Constantine snapped. “They deliberately did not invite me to your father’s surprise birthday party. I have a good mind to tell him about it and ruin it for everybody. If your Grampa Ethan were alive he wouldn’t stand for this. Nobody’s behind this but those two heifers, Otha Mae and Cuzin Sophie. They never could stand me and they’re the reason Victor never married me.” After a brief pause she added, “And I don’t appreciate you taking sides with them, Brandy.”
    Brandy shook her head. “Mom, I’m not taking sides and I think you should ask yourself why they didn’t invite you. As far as everyone knows, you and Dad aren’t actually a couple.”
No, the two of you just get together occasionally to do the nasty
, Brandy thought as she sat in the chair behind her desk. This conversation would not be ending anytime soon.
    It had always amazed Brandy how her parents seemed to enjoy sneaking around like they thought they were fooling somebody. Brandy could never forget how many times, when she was still a kid living with her mother, she would wake up to find her father sneaking out of the house, trying to leave before she woke up. It had been downright shameful. She often wondered what excuse he gave his wife about being out all night. And now her father had recently gotten a divorce from his third wife. As far as Brandy was concerned, there was no reason her parents could not