#4 Truth and Nothing But Read online

  She winked my way and walked off with her arm in her beau’s. I felt so bad. I was so wrong. I couldn’t believe all that I was seeing. I owed my dad such a big apology. Before I could give it, my mom and my sisters walked into the crowded room. My mom was in tears at all my dad had done to show his love for her.

  I felt sick to my stomach. All month I didn’t have the truth, and I didn’t wanna know it. Everything that had been done to me, I had done to my dad.

  But I had learned my lesson. I should have trusted what I knew in my heart all the time. Sometimes the truth lies within; you gotta go with your gut. Yes, you gotta go with the facts, but when you put those two things together, faith shines through, and your family can survive.

  My sisters kept looking at me like, “See, you almost messed up Dad and Mom over nothing.” That’s not what they said at all though.

  They came over to me, and Shelby said, “You’ve been through so much. We love you, girl. Let’s enjoy the night.”

  How could I enjoy the night when I had almost ruined my parent’s marriage? The room filled up. My sisters were great hostesses, but I was far from the festivities. My father saw me sulking.

  He came over to me and said, “I told you I love you, pumpkin. Are my actions showing you how much? There’s no other woman for me than your mom. I love my girls, and I’m proud of you for being such an excellent student and wanting to be a reporter who gets the truth out there. I’m putting together my administration, and I’d like to start a magazine that’s for young people. You all need a paper where you can express whatever’s going on. I want you to be the editor of it for me and own it with me. How does that sound?”

  “Are you serious, Dad?” I said as my eyes watered. “You aren’t mad at me?”

  “Didn’t you just hear me? I’m proud of you. In everything you do, you strive for excellence, and you hold everyone to a high standard. That’s my girl.”

  I’d learned so much. I didn’t think I wanted love, but now I was open to it. I never thought my talents could turn into a business, but here my dad was telling me we could own a magazine together. I thought my family was over, but this was just the start of big things.

  “I gotta change, Dad. I gotta be better,” I said as I held him tight.

  Hugging me back, he touched my face and said, “But don’t you ever stop being you. You’re my precious sweetheart.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Here is a thank you to those who help me settle for the truth and nothing but in my own writing world.

  To my parents, Dr. Franklin and Shirley Perry, thank you for showing me the truth of a great education.

  To my publisher, especially, Emily Harris, thank you for a truly tight cover.

  To my extended family, thank you for telling me the truth that I am living my purpose.

  To my assistants Ashley Sanford, Alyxandra Pinkston, and Candace Johnson, thank you for telling me the truth page after page.

  To my dear friends, thank you for showing me truly meaningful friendships.

  To my teens, Dustyn, Sydni, and Sheldyn, thank you for telling me what truly works in books and what doesn’t.

  To my husband, Derrick, thank you telling me the truth that when I get knocked down in my career, I am strong enough to get up.

  To my readers, thank you for telling me the truth and letting me know my writing makes a difference.

  And to my Savior, thank You for telling me the truth that You love me. Your love is everything.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  STEPHANIE PERRY MOORE is the author of more than sixty young adult titles, including the Grovehill Giants series, the Lockwood Lions series, the Payton Skky series, the Laurel Shadrach series, the Perry Skky Jr. series, the Yasmin Peace series, the Faith Thomas Novelzine series, the Carmen Browne series, the Morgan Love series, the Alec London series, and the Beta Gamma Pi series. Mrs. Moore is a motivational speaker who enjoys encouraging young people to achieve every attainable dream. She lives in the greater Atlanta area with her husband, Derrick, and their three children. Visit her website at www.stephanieperrymoore.com.