In My Sister's House (29 page)

While waiting for Storm to join her in the courtroom lobby, Skylar turned on her cellphone and saw that she’d received a text from Princess. “Hey, how did everything turn out today?” Skylar planned to give her the update when she got home. She hadn’t heard much from Princess in the last few months. She had left Philadelphia and secured an on-air job as a celebrity dance judge on MTV’s reality show
Dance Like U Wanna
. Princess was now a national star.

She would also hit up Lovely and let her know how things had gone. Lovely had hung up her dancing shoes, returning to the hospital full-time as a nurse and dedicating all her free time to her son. The last they talked, she informed Sky that she was up for the head nurse’s position.

Out of nowhere, Skylar longed to hear Flynn’s voice, if only to
make her laugh again.
My brotha, where are you?
But she had not heard from him since the day he left Philly. Somehow, she knew this would be the case. Wherever he was, she hoped that he was laughing and enjoying life. Alexia was never caught; she was on the most-wanted list for Cleet’s murder and the attempted murder of Torch.

As Skylar looked up, she saw a smiling Storm approaching her. She returned the gesture. It was the first time she’d witnessed her own image looking back into her soul. … Without uttering one word, the sisters wrapped their arms around each other in a tender embrace that would last forever.

L
et me begin by thanking God for continuing to grant me grace! I have no idea how anyone can go through this life and not acknowledge Your existence. To my family (and that includes
all
of you that I listed in the first book, so don’t call me up and ask me how come you didn’t see your name): You know I know y’all love and support me. To Melody Guy, my editor: Thank you for allowing me to be me, and for letting my wild imagination come to life on paper. I know sometimes you just shake your head…. LOL. To Porscha Burke: Thanks for always laughing at my jokes … all the time … and for being on top of things!

To One World/Random House: Let’s climb to the top with this one! To Jonathan Welch: Hey, cuz, I didn’t forget you this time. Special thanks to Harry Smith, Alex Fisher, Alexander Hamilton, Danny Arroyo, Valeria Moore, Carol Roberts, Brandon Fobbs, Carla Stit, Jermaine Jacox, Christian Keyes, Sandra Hodge, Terryl Daluz (spelled it right this time), Jennifer White, Antina Campbell, Todd Thomas, The Living Waters Family, Keely Watson, Reggie White, Jr. To all the actors (too many to list) that have graced the stage in a Don B. Welch play, thank you for sharing your talents.

Stephen Slates: U already know that this friendship is for life.
Danny Berrios, the girls at City National Bank, Chico Benymon, Hattie Winston, Harold Wheeler, Diana Charles, Robsol Pinkett, all my Facebook friends, MySpace friends, fans, and the people of LA and Philly, my two homes. Patty Jackson of WDAS (Philly), Tammi Mac, and the KJLH family (LA). All my friends in NY, ATL, and Miami. To Jana Babatunde-Bey: Yeah, I know I acknowledged you in the first book, but you mean so much to me and my life, I had to do it again. Will and Jada: You’ve been a lifeline for me and so many others, but since I’m talking about me right now, know that I love and admire you both for so many reasons. Is thank you really enough? Debbie of Diamond Dust, Guy Black, Kieren Boyce, Ken and Brenda Gober, Leslie Magnum, Mike Davis, Vivian Vanderwerd (you went all the way in making those typing deadlines for me. I appreciate u so much). Farley Jackson, Vincent Ward, Kwame Patterson, Nile Taylor (Aaliyah in da house!). To Eric Benet: Is the script finished yet? (smile). A new friendship I graciously accept. Many thanks to: Adrianna Porcaro, Sandy Johnson, and “Q” the Barber. Thanks to Rodrick Paulk for coming up with the title. To my trainer, Verlondon: Stop counting! And I’m tired of working out! LMAO. To Eleanor Garcia, Dawnn Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Ananda Lewis, Callie Rogers, Ruth Blake, Sharon O. Walker, Freda Payne, Hill Harper, Loretta Devine, Glenn Marshall, Kenny Lattimore, Dorien Wilson and Obba Babatunde, Tasia Sherel (Thanks for spreading the word about my book in Chitown), Thomas Duckett, Scherrie Payne, Anna Maria Horsford (Where are u?). Tatyana Ali, Julian Johnson, Anthony (“Wayne”) Burley, DeVon Franklin, Jett Lake, Shannon Wiggins, Henry Johnson, Debbie Feagins, Luis Rodriquez, Catareh Hampshire, Naeem Congo (I forgot u in the first one), John O., Tony Adams, Tri-Destined. To my Brenda (Vivian), who I know just loves me to death! To Fred and Shoneji: Hmm, my next birthday, I want to go to Boa for dinner; get yo’ pennies together…. LOL. I dedicate the audio version of this book to my brother Vernon, who cannot sit still long enough to read a book!

Okay, for those I forgot this time, I’m sure I’ll hear from you, so I’ll catch u on the next one!

Living my life like it’s golden
,

Donald Welch

D
ONALD
W
ELCH
is an accomplished singer, actor, director, and producer, and the writer of eighteen stage plays, two television pilots, and several screenplays. He has also written for his friend the actor Will Smith, and recently sold him the film rights to
The Bachelorette Party
for a feature film. As an actor, he has costarred in
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
and
Cosby
. Don served as a celebrity judge for the Miss America Pageant (2000 and 2004).
In My Sister’s House
is his second novel, following his 2007 One World release,
The Bachelorette Party
. He divides his time between Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Visit the author at
myspace.com/donbwelch
or email him at
[email protected]