When Somebody Loves You Back. Mary B. Morrison

      KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

       http://www.kensingtonbooks.com

      This book is dedicated to the man I am most proud of:

       Jesse Bernard Byrd, Jr., my son

      Contents

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      PREFACE

      PROLOGUE

      CHAPTER 1 Candice

      CHAPTER 2 Darius

      CHAPTER 3 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 4 Candice

      CHAPTER 5 Darius

      CHAPTER 6 Darius

      CHAPTER 7 Darius

      CHAPTER 8 Fancy

      CHAPTER 9 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 10 Candice

      CHAPTER 11 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 12 Fancy

      CHAPTER 13 Jada

      CHAPTER 14 Darius

      CHAPTER 15 Jada

      CHAPTER 16 Fancy

      CHAPTER 17 Candice

      CHAPTER 18 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 19 Darius

      CHAPTER 20 Fancy

      CHAPTER 21 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 22 Jada

      CHAPTER 23 Fancy

      CHAPTER 24 Darius

      CHAPTER 25 Darryl

      CHAPTER 26 Darius

      CHAPTER 27 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 28 Wellington

      CHAPTER 29 Darius

      CHAPTER 30 Fancy

      CHAPTER 31 Jada

      CHAPTER 32 Darius

      CHAPTER 33 Fancy

      CHAPTER 34 SaVoy

      CHAPTER 35 Simone

      CHAPTER 36 Melanie

      CHAPTER 37 Fancy

      CHAPTER 38 Darius

      CHAPTER 39 Jada

      CHAPTER 40 Fancy

      CHAPTER 41 Darius

      CHAPTER 42 Jada

      CHAPTER 43 Ashlee

      CHAPTER 44 Jada

      CHAPTER 45 Darius

      EPILOGUE

      ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

      I thank God for blessing me and I thank God for each of you, praying your lives are filled with joy and prosperity.

      To all of the Hurricane Katrina victims, many of whom are my family and friends, stay strong; hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Although I cannot relate firsthand, I do know home (New Orleans) will never be the same for me, especially for you. Wherever you are, keep love and faith in your heart, and get every dime you deserve from the government. In my opinion, no amount is too much, because the government hasn’t done nearly enough to compensate you. Never give up hope. There is a brighter day ahead.

      To my fans, writing the series was an enjoyable but not easy journey. After five novels, you’ve anxiously awaited number six, When Somebody Loves You Back, eager to find out what happens to Darius. All I can say is, “You are awesome!” I know many of you are still recommending Soul Mates Dissipate, and I cannot thank you enough for supporting my works.

      To my deceased parents, I’ve never written a book without expressing gratitude, and I never will. In loving memory of my biological parents, Joseph Henry Morrison and Elester Noel. To my great-aunt and uncle who reared me, Willie Frinkle and Ella Beatrice Turner, I am eternally grateful.

      To my loving son, Jesse Byrd, Jr., anything worth having is worth working for. Continue doing your best at all times. Take the bitter with the sweet. Visualize your success. As Chris Farr tells you, “Prepare for war in time of peace.” I know you can make it into the NBA if you bring your A game every single time. Adversity and success are teachers of life but only when you learn the lessons. Always respect yourself, respect others, and surround yourself with positive people who are good individuals. Stay humble. I’m proud of you, sweetie. You are truly a wonderful young man with great character and you are Mommy’s most cherished gift from God.

      A special shout-out to Jason “JG” Grisby, a wonderful young man beginning college. Jason, your strength comes from within. You’ve overcome more mental and physical challenges than the average teenager and I’ve never heard you complain. Jason, you have a quiet sense of confidence that some, but not all, of us understand. Progressing to the next level, you need to step it up and verbalize your confidence. I’m not suggesting you become arrogant. It’s not what you say but how you say it. The key is to speak up, speak out, respectfully so, especially when communicating with coaches.

      With mad love for my recently adopted godson, Robert “Chew” Owens, you have made Mama proud. You earned your number-one ranking in the Oakland Athletic League. A wise man, Mr. Al Cason, once told me, “You must always help someone. But when you choose that person, you’ve chosen wrong.” Mr. Cason made it clear that I could never help someone who didn’t want help. Chew, when I looked into your eyes, I felt your sincerity for wanting help. In many ways, I’m the one blessed because you’ve helped me to grow too. As you begin your first year of college, I want you to know, the thing I admire most about you, Chew, is your determination to succeed. No matter how challenging college becomes, hold on to your winning spirit. A man only fails when he fails to try. I will continue to be one of your catalysts. More importantly, I want you, on your road to success, to remember that you must help someone less fortunate. But when you choose that person, you’ve chosen wrong.

      I’ve got nothin’ but love for the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area college basketballers with game: Jesse Byrd, Jr., Antonio Kellog, James Morgan, Manny Quezada, Armondo Surratt, and Alan Wiggins, Jr., at the University of San Francisco; Timothy Kees at Menlo College; Diamon Simpson at St. Mary’s College; Larry Gurganious at Gonzaga University; DeMarcus Nelson at Duke University; Quinton Thomas at North Carolina Universisty, Jason Grisby, and Robert Owens, college bound seniors. Stay focused and I look forward to witnessing all of you play professionally.

      To my siblings, you’re the greatest! I love Wayne, Derrick, Andrea, and Regina Morrison, Margie Rickerson, Debra Noel, and Brian Turner.

      To my Sweeter than Honey sisterhood group, author Rachelle Chase, Onie Simpson,