BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE 2: GATE WIDE OPEN
M.T. POPE
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the reader, for supporting me
one more time. It is very much appreciated. Thank you for
the love.
Acknowledgments
This is book number two for me. I owe it all to God for blessing me with a wonderful gift that He chose to spring forth at the appointed time. Thank you, God, for finishing another book for me. You poured out the words once again onto empty pages and made it flow so easily. You know Lord; I agonized over if this whole writing thing was for me and if you were approving of it. You answered by filling up the pages once again. I thank You for the grace and mercy that allowed me to get this far in life. I am…because You are, and I live…because You died. And I will die because You showed me how to live.
To my Mom, Lawanda Pope, a little woman with big strength. You make me smile every time I see you. You are the best mom in the world. I love you. My brothers and sisters: Shirley, William, Darnell, Darlene, Gaynell, Latricia, Nathon, and Yvette. I love you guys.
To my Pastor, Melvin T. Lee, and First Lady, Tanya Lee, for coming out and showing love at my first book signing and everything else I do in this life. I promise dad that the Christian fiction is coming. Lol. To all my Because He Lives church family members, I love you with only the love that God shines through me. We are…because He lives!
To Tracey Bowden and Arnisha Hooper, my two best friends in the world, I can’t even begin to say how much you mean to me. I don’t say it enough, and I don’t show it enough, but I can’t pay for friends like you two. You put up with my mess and my mouth, and I am grateful for all the book signings you drove me to, all the books you sold for me, and all the bookmarkers you passed out. I appreciate it so much. There are just some things in life that you just know. I know that only God could have put us together, and you two were chosen just for me. I am honored to have you as my friends.
Carl Weber, once again, you had faith in what God has put in me to pour out of me. Thank you for this opportunity, and all that you do.
To all the Urban Knowledge Bookstore workers that pushed my book, it is appreciated. Will, Tracey, Renee, Daisy, Chris, Ruthanne, Tonya, Latonya, and any newcomers, thank you. May God bless you in all your endeavors.
To the Urban Books home office family: Carl, Karen, Natalie, George (Gee), Brenda, Shawn, A.D. (I still don’t know what that stands for, but I will find out), you guys make this easier for me.
To Nichelle Washington (the first reader, again, lol), Darlene Washington, Renee Warner, Ruthanne Ryan, Latonya Towns, Aleesha Rock, Antonio Glover, Lakeyshia Dorsey, Latricia Baker, Martina Doss, Karen Williams, thank you for reading the first draft of this book.
To Kenneth Goffney, I am totally blown away by God and how He used you to bless me. You came out of nowhere and lent a helping hand when I needed it the most. I thank God for you and the time you’ve put into this project. Thank you, friend.
To all the book clubs that hosted me, thank you for the love and support as well. Especially my hometown book clubs: The B’more Readers with W.I.S.D.O.M. Kudos to Tasha and Pat. ShayRod Bookclub, my first book club meeting. Y’all are the bomb.
DC Book Diva (Tiah)—Thank you for having me as my first away signing. You are the best.
Davida Baldwin, Oddballdesigns (www.oddballdsgns.com), Thank you for another slamming cover.
I want to give a special thanks to a couple of people who really supported me from a distance:
Martina Doss, for giving me my first official review and selling my books down there in Atlanta. Also, thank you for calling me and letting me know how my book moved you. You have to finish your book now. Lol.
Leona Romich, my Facebook friend, thank you for being honest and supportive and passing my book on to the appropriate people. You were such a great person from the first time we chatted. Thanks to Toka Waters as well.
My literary best friend, J’son M. Lee (Just Tryin’ to be Loved). Man, you are the best. We clicked from day one, and we have so much in common. Thank you for answering the phone every time I call. I’m waiting on that second book, sir. Chop, chop. Lol.
To Ashley & JaQuavis, you guys are the best at what you do, and you always are humble when I see you or talk to you. Thank you for the encouragement and the support.
My author friends that supported me. Karen Williams, Anna J., Dwayne S. Joseph, Ashley Antoinette, Jaquavis Coleman, Wahida Clark, Michel Moore, Kiki Swinson, Anya Ellis, Tina Brooks McKinney, Tra Verdajo, Kashamba Williams, Danette Majette, Tiffany Wright, Deborah Cardona (Sexy), La Jill Hunt, Kwan, Zoe Woods, Nanette Buchanan, Treasure E. Blue, Marlene, Dwayne Vernon, Mike Warren, Azarel, J’son M. Lee, and so many others.
To the people that encouraged me along the way. Kenneth Goffney, your words are so inspiring. I am glad to call you a friend. Marcel Emerson, boy, you are the coolest. Keep pumping out them hot books. To Dullivan Chavis for pushing my book like you wrote it…LOL!
A special shout-out to Deborah Richardson for helping a brotha out (wink, wink). You were a lifesaver. Thank you.
My Wal-Mart family: Shernae, Tamara, Renee, Wanda, Gary, Ms. Val, Danuiella, Keisha, Wayne, Sharon. Thank you guys for your love and support. I miss you guys, but not the work. Lol.
My Baltimore customers that I can count on: Ms, Cheetah, Ms. Janet, Ms. Connie, Charlene, Ebonee, Tanesha, Keyonne, Shavonni (Vonnie). If I left you out, put your name here: ________, because you are important to me too.
I can be reached at www.myspace.com/mtpope,
www.facebook.com/mtpope
www.twitter.com/mtpope
or email me at [email protected].
Thank you for the love.
Letter to the Reader:
First, I want to thank you for picking up book number two. If you haven’t read part one, please put this one down and go find part one first. Now!
Secondly, I hope that I have grown as a writer and that my messages will come across loud and clear to you. This book was a little harder for me, because I really didn’t plan on doing a sequel, but you guys asked for it. So here it is.
I have to say that I love the characters and that they did whatever they wanted to do in this book. I mean it. I had no control over them. They are just off the hook, every single one of them. LOL. And, yes, just like the first book, I pushed the envelope to get my point across. So take your time and pay attention to everything. The gate is wide open in this one, so once again buckle up, enjoy the ride and turn the page.
Enjoy,
M.T. Pope
Be Encouraged.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter