The idea came to her on a Thursday evening.
Not a plan, not even a bold move - just a passing thought while she sat at her vanity, twisting her hair before bed.
Marcus had mentioned once, in between pulling Jenga blocks and teasing her about her "game face," that he hadn't been to church in years.
"Not since before the divorce," he'd said. "Guess I just got tired of the noise."
She'd laughed then, but the way he said it stuck with her.
So when Pastor Lewis announced the upcoming "Men's Sunday" service, something in her whispered, Ask him.
The Call
Friday night, she dialed his number before she could talk herself out of it.
"Hello?" His voice was warm, like he'd just woken from a nap.
"Hey, Marcus. I know this is out of nowhere, but my church is having a Men's Sunday. Thought you might want to come."
There was a pause. Then a soft chuckle.
"You inviting me to church now, Tasha? Guess that means I gotta wear a suit."
"Only if you want to," she said, smiling even though he couldn't see it.
"Alright. What time?"
Sunday Morning
She got to the church early, like always, to help set up the hospitality table. The sanctuary smelled of polished wood and fresh flowers, the soft hum of the organ filling the air.
Marcus walked in just before service started, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe.
He'd gone all in - dark suit, crisp white shirt, shoes that shined like he'd borrowed them from a catalog. But it wasn't just the clothes. It was the way he carried himself, calm but sure, like he belonged there even though she knew he didn't feel that way.
Heads turned. Whispers started. Her aunt's eyebrows went up so high they almost touched her hairline.
The Service
He sat beside her, filling the space in the pew like it was built for him. When the choir sang, his voice joined in - low, steady, not polished, but real.
During the sermon, Pastor Lewis preached about rebuilding what was broken.
"Some of y'all are trying to fix things God never told you to keep in the first place," he said, his voice booming through the sanctuary.
The words hit Tasha like a brick. She could feel Marcus glance at her, but she kept her eyes on the pulpit.
After the Amen
When service ended, people swarmed him - handshakes, welcomes, compliments on his suit. He handled it all with that easy smile.
Outside, in the crisp morning air, he said, "Thanks for inviting me. I didn't realize I needed that."
"Sometimes we don't know what we need until we get it," she replied.
They stood there for a moment too long, neither moving, both knowing there was more under the surface.