Say a little Prayer

Prologue

"This is B.S." I murmured angrily under my breath for the hundredth time. This was absolutely freaking insane. Quickly as if on autopilot I touched the fours points of the cross against my forehead in one swift motion before kissing the tips of my fingers and spreading them wide as I aimed it above my head towards the heavens.

Snapping the cord of the vacuum I whipped the monstrosity of old technology down to the last pew in formation and shoved the plug into the socket.

I could be with my friends or maybe studying for my test on Monday, but no, I am here cleaning. I griped out through clenched teeth as I shoved the machine forward my thumb kicking up the on switch in unison with the harsh thrusts of my arm propelling the mammoth of ancient times around on the well worn indigo carpeting that had seen too many mud soaked evenings.

Or I could be at Creep’s party with Amaya being an average teenager instead of watching my life as we speak pass me by! But No! No no ho ho no I have to be here cleaning up after disgusting people who have more fun in a single second than I have had in my entire existence! Whipping the cord again I pushed the vacuum up one small isle then back up the opposite side, crossing the middle isle and down the left side of the room, only to feel the snap of the extension cord as it was pulled tightly around the benches.

Letting out a frustrated breath I counted to five forwards, then a stuttering backwards my arms crossed, my foot tapping anxiously against the worn carpeting. I stared angrily at the vacuum as if it had done this to me. When in all actuality, I had done this.

This wasn’t the first time, nor would it be the last time that I have vacuumed the long expansive great hall of the Central Islip Lemon Street Church of Christ. In fact, this was a ritualistic routine, made only for me in my chore list, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturday evenings. It was the duty of Pastor Emery Bryson’s family to uphold the church and keep it well maintained, spiritually and otherwise. In fact, it was the best part of being the youngest daughter of said Pastor. Normally, I would have done my chores with no word or thought against it. Tonight however, I was freaking pissed. Lord forgive me, but these heathens who came here and had done every last sin against the ten commandments should be; vacuuming, dusting, window washing, used snotty tissue picking, book up righting, pulpit straitening, trash emptying, the hell out of this church. Not just me.

And I wasn’t the only child of Pastor Bryson! I had four sisters ahead of me and a Brother who had a family of his own! Where the hell, forgive me Lord Jesus Christ I love you and I repent of my sins, were they? I looked up at the cathedral ceiling with its cross chandeliers twinkling at me and prayed for my debauchery.

Why was I the only one here? Oh I remember. Per my conversation with my dad the other day: Genese Olimpia Bryson, life is a lesson of morals, sacrifice and empowerment. In order to gain morals, one must sacrifice all the pleasures of life; to seek those pleasures is what makes sin. In order to be empowered in the word and righteousness of God, you must love, praise and worship his name and abide by his commandments. He has a plan for you and being a reckless teenager is not in that plan. So you will sacrifice parties, carelessness, intolerance and ignorance to live and walk with Christ. It is his word and mine. Now here is your list of chores, you are old enough to appreciate these words that I have given you…

My eyebrows knitted together in annoyance as I remembered his exact words as I sat in his office after Sunday service to ask permission to hang out with my Amaya and skip bible study tonight.

It always bothered me how my dad just couldn’t say no. His version of the word No were long drawn out lectures of what God wants for me, how I am to walk with Christ in purity or in short ask yourself before you act- What would Jesus do? I even had a purity ring on my ring finger with the logo surrounding the band!

Well I can honestly say I don’t know what he would do. I have no clue because I know of him but I don’t personally know him. In fact, no one does. The man lived thousands of years ago. How am I supposed to ask him what would he do? And even still, he didn’t talk to people nowadays so it’s not like he would answer. But after losing the proverbial teenage snide attitude I would calmly remember the good book where I could read about Jesus, his word and teachings, but I would still be mad.

I didn’t get to do anything! Not that I am complaining….a little…maybe? I just wanted one day where I could be free! I was a good girl! Not to embellish but I was! Am! Whatever! I don’t lie; I can fib but not lie! I don’t intentionally go around hurting people, stealing boyfriends, having sex, and underage drinking! I am where I say I was going. I do as I am told, eat my fruits and vegetables, for Christ’s sake, sorry lord don’t mean to take your name in vain, but can I get a break? And not the Kit Kat kind!

I want to go to the mall and sit at the food court talking about boys and makeup. I want to have an all girl day with other people besides my mom and sisters and get my hair and nails done! Go to a movie besides rated PG and see some lip locking action. I am seventeen and never have been to a PG-13 movie! I couldn’t even watch Twilight for crying out loud! Because it was too suggestive and I have virgin ears!

God! I scoffed shoving the vacuum up the isle as I angrily worked up the center. This was crazy! No wonder my siblings went crazy before me! They all got out! The douche bags! All of them! It was because of them I couldn’t even go to health class to learn about the human anatomy. I had to be the only one in class excused from that portion of learning and sit in a study hall by myself while everyone learned about condoms and sex! What kind of prehistoric family was I placed into?! I wish I knew who in heaven was in charge of placing babies with families because I wanted to give them a piece of my mind!

I had to learn the basics from my best friend Amaya because my brother Charles, my sisters: Eloria, Ajontae, Marissa, and Bianca aka Beenie had to go and break every rule made to man while growing up and now my rents kept me on a tight leash. Well thank you family how much I adore you! Not!

Its ok Genese, count to five forward….1,2,3,4,5. Now back again. 5,4,3,2,1. Good. I whispered quietly to myself. It’s not all bad right? I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back. I do get to get my hair and nails done. I don’t look busted. I have a loving crazy psychotically challenged religious family who would give me the shirt off their back if I asked or needed it. I have friends, I don’t get to see them much unless they come to church but I have friends no less. I am not a loser…not that people are losers, nice girl all the way but I can be deemed semi-popular… I said to myself before the devil on my shoulder showed up.

Yeah right, I hate my family, I hate my life and the only reason I am not a loser is because people think if they treat me badly my father would be able to bring the plagues and the wrath of God on their butts! Way to go kiddo!

Shaking the thoughts off I stepped around the vacuum turning it off and leaving it in the front of the stairs to wipe down the podium. As I leaned in taking the rag and cleaner from my back pocket I sighed.

They say God don’t like ugly. And I am mentally being very ugly. There are so many less fortunate out there who have nothing. And life isn’t all that bad….hey if I didn’t have chores or messed up older siblings to ruin my life I wouldn’t be so grounded. I would be mean and petty, rude and rough around the edges. I’d probably be a pregnant teen with an idiot baby daddy who doesn’t know basic math, but hey look at that I lucked out. I should be grateful.

As the smell of Pine-Sol and Ammonia, my mother’s elixir of cleaning juice slowly burned the hairs out of my nose causing my eyes to water, I cursed under my breath.

This is bullshi…. I quickly looked back at the watercolor stained glass with Jesus nailed upon the cross. I’m sorry lord. I said quickly touching the four points once again on my forehead effectively slapping myself with the drenched rag. I spit the scent and taste of cleaner out of my mouth and stood. This was just grea….

Before I could get the thoughts out the back doors burst open and a bloody man ran towards me. I stood stock still, my eyes wide, lips gaped open as his bleeding form sprinted up the center isle, took the three altar steps at lightening speed almost crashing into me before he fell over a heaping bloody mess at my feet.

OMG! I screamed as he barreled up grasping harshly at my pants to lift him self.

What are you doing?! What happ… I broke off as he spun away from me ducking behind the podium and putting a shaking finger to his lips.

I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak, all thoughts and words flew from me as I took in his bleeding scalp, his torn clothing and bruised face. Stepping away from him I tried to run only to trip over the vacuum. This night was horrid.

Using the vacuum to stand, I noticed my own hands were shaking. The doors behind me burst open again letting in three massively large black men. They were in all degrees of dress; baggy pants, folded bandanas flying out of their pockets the color of red, chains on their necks, rings on their fingers, titled hats I knew to be called Fitted’s. They were thugs, they were angry and they were in my daddy’s church.

Can I help you? I asked trying to look well put together. I began to wrap the cord of the vacuum to its attachment as if nothing at all was amiss.

Yeah shorty, where the niggah at who came in here? The tallest one, a dark sneering thing with gold fronts barked at me. They stood at the back, arms pumped fingers twitching like they were itching to beat someone down.

No one is here but me. You can look downstairs everyone is in bible study but other than that I am the only one up here. I’m cleaning as you can see. I continued to wrap the cord, not knowing what the heck I was doing covering for that bloody man behind my fathers podium. But from all I could tell, from the way it looked he was about to be beaten, maybe even killed. I would not be a true child of God or Christian if I let that happen. And my dad would kill me if I let it happen in here.

We seen him come in here. Another one spoke up. He was light skinned, snarling like a rabid dog and I choked back a cry.

I’m sorry but no one came in here. I would have heard. You can look down…

Look shorty. The quiet one, a cute looking brown sugar boy stepped forward. He walked ahead of the snarling pack right up to me. We aint here for you and wont cause no harm ya feel me girl? Just tell me where he went and we will be on our way. Don’t hold up for no dead niggah ya feel me? We got no beef wit you and you don’t want none wit us ya heard? Where he at? I aint gone ask again I don’t like fucking repeatin myself. As he spoke he rapped his fist against his open palm spreading it out nice and slow so I could get his message. I heard it loud and clear. If I was in the way or lying to them I would get it next.

First of all I am not scared of you. Second, you are in a church the house of God and there is no reason for that type of language in this house. I told you I am the only one up here so you can leave. Third, that kind of behavior is not permitted on these grounds, so whatever you plan to do or was doing can be reported to the police. So leave. Now! I said bravely pointing past him to the swinging doors they just burst through.

Say what bitch? The tall dark one stepped in my direction but the boy in front of me held up his hand.

I got it Trey be easy my niggah. This the pastors daughter. We don’t step to that aight. At his words Trey, the sneering dark man backed down but his eyes smoked fire in my direction.

Aight. He said taking another step back.

Aight shorty. We gone… The boy began to speak again the doors opened as Deacon’s Sharp and Hynes walked in.

What is going on here? Deacon Hynes barked his eyes taking in the whole scene before touching my face.

We was just asking shorty right here bout the service. The boy answered before turning his back on me and sauntering to his boys. We just leaving. He bent his fingers into a couple of signs in front of Deacon Sharp’s face, his smile cocky as he stepped past him back into the hall. We out my niggah. They left and as I watched their backs I began to shudder.

Genese, you ok? wrapping his arms around me Deacon Sharp scanned my face as it crumpled.

Yes. I think. I replied my voice as shaken as I was.

Alright, you sure? he asked his bushy eyebrow cocked in question.

Yes. Is it ok if I finish tomorrow? I want to get home. I asked my eyes feeling like if they got any larger they’d fall right out the sockets.

Sure thing. If you have a problem I’ll let Emery know what happened. Just put everything away and go right on home we will lock up. I nodded bending my frozen fingers against their will to finish winding up the cord.

Thanks. I said into the silence as they left me to continue their own work downstairs.

Good lookin out. A voice sounded right behind me and I jumped ten feet high backing away from it and using the vacuum as a shield. Chill girl I aint gone hurt you.

I don’t know what you got yourself into but you had no right bringing that in here. I charged giving a warning push of the vacuum in his direction. The mass of metal was heavy, but I think I had enough adrenaline in my veins to lift it and hit him if I needed to.

Be easy girl. Be easy. He said spreading his hands wide as if to calm me. How could I be calm? Don’t trip shorty. I just wanted to thank you is all.

I took a good look at him now that we were standing a good inch apart. He was tall with broad shoulders, slim in the waist and hips. His legs looked like they could be sticks inside his dirty blood stained stone washed baggy jeans. His hands were huge like he could put a hole as large as a crater in my face with one punch; he had a thick neck, roped veins and a sturdy chin. I couldn’t tell if he was brown or dark brown, his complexion was muddied, his features turning different shades of purple from bruises and cuts, the one good eye I could see was hazel. His hair peeked out at me from a lopsided do-rag, it was low cut and I caught a glimpse of a shiny wave in the light. His nose was swelling looking disfigured and multicolored on his face, his left eyebrow was slit and a long jagged gash stuck out from the mess of blood dripping down the left side of his face. I thought I saw a hint of a beard or mustache but it was matted with blood and I couldn’t tell if it was all blood or bloody hair.

Why couldn’t you just say Thank you? I asked stepping back, he made me nervous. Needing distance between us I shoved the vacuum for a good measure between us, making the threat known.

I aint gonna do nothin. He said with a laugh. He cracked the muscles in his back, the action causing him to stand at his full height. He towered over me and I felt immediately intimidated.

What happened to you? I asked eyeing him suspiciously.

"Don’t know. Just walked to the store to get a black & mild. Get halfway there next thing I know these wack ass wanna-be’s jump me. I aint flying no flags or colors so I don’t know." He said looking around the room before his eye came back to me.

Well, those guys didn’t seem like they were finished with you. But you need to leave because I don’t want them coming back in here. I said stepping around him to grab up the rest of my cleaning supplies before snatching up the vacuum and heading behind the grand piano to store them in the closet.

I know. He answered quietly behind me.

Well… I began standing awkwardly after closing the closet and facing him. There is a side door in my daddy’s office you can go out. It leads down the back driveway out to Brier. I gave shrugging my shoulders, my hands digging desperately into my pockets for coverage.

Aight. He looked around his eye bulging out as it turned black and swelled out of his face.

It’s this way. With a sweep of my hand I led him back up the alter steps to a side door behind the baptismal pool into my fathers private office.

Thanks. I heard his shuffled gate behind me, his feet slurring in the procession.

I thought he would faint so I held the door and he brushed against me as he slid through, the collision of our bodies made me jump all the while sending a slight hum through my veins. I frowned at the sensation before stepping around his halted figure to daddy’s desk. Ripping a handful of tissue from its box I handed it to him.

Thanks. We stood in silence as he wiped at his face, the action causing more blood to flow from his wound. He held the wad there before stepping to the back door.

Wait! I said as he opened it letting in the cool summer air. Stepping to him I grabbed for his hand pulling him back into the room then tugging harder until he fell on his knees. Given the fact that you might die in the near future, I think this calls for prayer. He tried to snatch his hand away though a small smile trickled over his swollen lips. You need it. I said firmly stilling his hand in mine as I bent my head automatically closing my eyes in one smooth gesture. I peeked at him, smiling my own small smile as he bent his head forward mimicking my movements.

Heavenly father I ask that you watch over…over… I paused stumbling as I tried to remember if he had told me his name.

Majestic. He answered in a deeply hushed whisper.

"Majestic?" I asked opening my eyes and frowning at him.

Yeah. He peeked at me through his one good eye, it almost smiled at me and I rolled my eyes mentally shaking the skeeves off as I peered quickly into his broken face. Those boys beat the hell out of him!

"Alright. Lord God we ask that you watch over Majestic, whatever; in his journey home tonight and every night moving forward. We ask that you guide him safely through his life and endeavors and that you keep him and hold him as only you can do. Lord God we ask that you bring sense to the people after him in hopes that he will not have to live past this moment in fear or that they commit to the promise to hurt him further. Lord please help him to see the error of his ways no matter what they may be as only you know. We both know you brought him here tonight for a reason and whatever that reason may be we hope he hears your call to his spirit and returns to serving you with honor and praise as you so deserve for saving his life on this night. Thank you lord for the blessings and gifts of love and life you have bestowed on us and again we ask that you carry Majestic home safely, in your name we pray, amen." He let go of my hand, a whisper soft movement and before I had the chance to look up he had slipped out the side door and into the night, the soft murmured Amen the only lingering sound in the room before the door shut between us.

Chapter 1

I peeked outside the side door, my head barely able to turn as I twisted it both ways, my breath halted in my throat. I was scared beyond crapless and I was shaking. The events of the night had scared me to my core and I was afraid I would either find the three men or a dead body waiting for me in the dark parking lot.

Taking a deep breath I turned off the office light, locked the door and shut it behind me. Throwing the fur hood of my micro-fleece vest over my head I sprinted into the dimly lit night, down the black paved parking lot out the side fence and down the small side street of Brier.

I lived four houses down from the church but it felt like miles as I sprinted into the night. I had weird visions of black monsters coming at me from all angles, vicious snapping teeth nipping at my ankles. The sound of metal against metal tore a shriek from my mouth and I all but collapsed on the sidewalk in tears. They were coming for me!

I made it to the white picket fence of my yard, yanking the small door open and forcing myself through its crack. I took the front porch at a ravenous speed colliding into the door while I dug into my vest pocket for my keys.

I am going to die! They are gonna beat me! I am going to die!

What is going on out here?! my dad barked opening the door wide and stepping threateningly forward onto the porch. The light from behind him blinded me and I fell back shrieking as I pedaled my arms into the air. The impact of the fall sent sparkles of color over my vision. I stared up at the porch light, my eyes rolling before settling on the angry expression on my dads face.

Genese? What is going on? Why are you screaming?! He was yelling in my face as he bent over me lifting me off the ground. I burst into tears flying into his arms as if he could safeguard me from the cruel world outside our gate. Baby? Hey? Wrapping his arms around me he pulled me along as he went back into the house shutting the world out behind us.

They were in the church! I tried to get out through my tears. My mother came running into the living room, soup spoon in the air a question on her lips as she took in the scene.

What in the world? She cried taking in my tear streaked face and dads protective arms around me.

Hush now calm down and tell me what happened. Dad soothed pushing the hood from my head and leading me to the couch all the while stroking my hair back from my face.

Three guys… I think… they were… in a gang… came into the church… looking for someone. I said my breath stuttering out as I tried to compose myself, but I felt stripped naked in front of my parents as I always did, I couldn’t hide anything from them.

Alright. Dad replied squeezing my hand as mom came back from the kitchen thrusting a dishrag at him. He wiped my face quickly his eyes piercing as he looked into mine.

They came in after…this guy…that…they beat him up and he was hiding behind the pulpit! They beat him! And…and… I struggled out the hysterics of my cries clouding all coherent thought.

They beat him up in the church?! Mom screamed her hand flying to her mouth; she accidentally knocked the spoon against her face before thrusting it against her side, her eyes wide.

No…no…they beat him before and…and he came to hide in the church… almost ran into me! And then they came in…I was cleaning… and I told them he wasn’t there! And then they threatened me! Said if… If I don’t give him up they might do something! They would have beef with me! And then… this one guy said… they can’t touch me because I am the pastor’s daughter and…and then…

Wait slow down! Slow down. Dad interrupted as he paced before me. A guy came in after being beaten up, you were cleaning and he hid behind the pulpit, the thugs came in and threatened you…alright. Then what? He asked calmly his hand swaying to the side as he waited for me to continue. I took a steadying breath collecting my thoughts as he waved me on.

I told them to leave and not to curse in the church. They were about to say something but Deacon Sharp and Hynes came in and told them to leave. They did and I asked to come home I was scared! Deacon Sharp or Hynes I’m not sure I was so scared told me to come home and don’t worry that if I didn’t finish you could speak to him because I was so scared. And then they left and the boy he thanked me and I prayed with him and sent him out the side, you know the way we come home? And then I was scared so I ran home because I don’t know if they saw him or caught up to him and figured I hid him so they were coming back for me! I was so scared! Jumping up I barreled back into the arms of my dad hoping he could save me from the men in the dark.

Ok, everything is ok. Mom said quietly behind me. I watched as they exchanged looks over my head.

We should call the police. Dad said his eyes sending secret messages to mom, ones I couldn’t decipher.

No! I screamed pulling away. Then they will know I hid him! They will come after me! I backed away my nails shooting to my teeth to be chewed nervously.

It will not come to that. We will handle it sweetheart, go upstairs and get ready for dinner. Mom placed a soothing hand on my arm but I whipped it away.

You are going to get me killed! You didn’t see what they did to him! I screamed. They are gonna hurt me! I shouldn’t have hid him I should have just…just… I looked around the room, my eyes like rapid fire as they traced each piece of furniture for an answer I wouldn’t find. I tried to think of alternatives to what I had done, but I knew even though I was terrified I wouldn’t have sent him away. that boy needed to be saved.

You did the right thing. Although you should have kept him there called us and the police, but you still did the right thing. We are proud honey. And you prayed for him, asked the lord to protect him. Those thugs will not harm you, one because you are protected by the lord, and two because you acted unselfishly and shielded his child from danger. Go upstairs clean up and settle down, we’ll take it from here. Ever the leader my dad was, he patted my head and sent me on my way.

I am a true believer in the miracle of the lord; I was raised to know it. But I knew there was no God in the men who came into the church this evening. They were rabid, horrid, and filled with hate. And they would get to me, if they wanted to. And all I could do was pray that I survived their vengeance should they find out I lied, and then ratted on them. I may be sheltered, but my parents had no control over the gossip I heard from mouths at school. I knew what gangs were, what they did and how they affected our culture. They would get to me, sooner or later. And it wouldn’t matter if I acted in faith or for there preservation of another person, I was as good as beaten, or as good as dead.

This is insane. I said to the girl in the mirror as she stared back at me. She knew no fighting skills, no street slang or wicked ways. All she could do was cook, clean, read, sing, sew and dream. She didn’t know the first thing about the streets. Didn’t know the danger she had put herself in by saving a juvenile delinquent, because that’s who that boy really was. He was a bad person.

Why else would he be running for his life? Why else would those thugs beat him up? He had to be someone terrible. No…no Genese that’s not nice. I taunted the girl in the mirror. He said he was an innocent boy walking to the store for a….a…black and mild…I don’t know what that is but ok. And they jumped him. I know it sounded crazy, didn’t make any sense…but then again the streets didn’t.

And I couldn’t rationalize what had happened tonight. A man was beaten badly and he ran for sanctuary in the church and that’s exactly what I gave him, at the detriment to my own person. But I sacrificed. There take that rents! Kid one, parents twenty thousand something…the numbers were high because well they were my parents. But I learned something tonight. I had possibly saved a life and it brought a smile to my face, for only a second.

If my parents were going to call the police I was screwed, royally. I had saved Majesty…no…Majestic from being beaten to dirt and in return for my kindness I was scared up craps creek.

Who names their kid Majestic? What kind of name is that? And now I could see why they wanted to beat him up. Heck, I got teased in first grade for my name. Kids thought I was named after a game console, when in reality my name is Genese, pronounced like Denise except it has a G not a D, whatever, but still. I mean give a kid a break! It’s a cruel world out there and they go and name their kid Majestic. He must have had a messed up childhood.

And back to the fact that I was in danger now! My dad acted like I could be saved by praying for Majestic when in reality, I was toast. What was I gonna do? Throw the bible at them if they came for me? They were ready to stomp me out or much worse in that church if the Deacons hadn’t came to my rescue. I was ludicrous! Why did I stand up to them and say the things I said?! Was I mad?!

Yes. Definitely. I had been angry, made, upset, and very much pissed for being chained to that damn vacuum cleaning up the church instead of being with my friends. Ultimately I had brought the wrath of thugs on myself….but I made it home safely. They hadn’t been after me it was just my imagination. And the boy, Majestic must have gotten away because there were no dead bodies in the parking lot.

I chalked it all up to nerves. I rinsed my face, drank a sip from the cup of my hand and took a deep calming breath. I was losing my mind. I might have to go to therapy, but hey if it worked for Hollywood, it might work for me…right? Maybe?

Stepping out of the bathroom I crossed the hall to the small staircase leading to the attic, my room. I loved this room. I had so much space to create my own atmosphere and I loved it!

The ceiling was domed, round and perfect. A wide disco ball light draped from the ceiling. My bed stood at the far end of the room encased by two jutting walls on each side of the headboard and window above it. I had used the small space for inspirational multicolored post-it notes. My bible sat on the end table in the corner by my bed; a small unicorn stuffed pillow lay out on my rainbow quilt. The chest at the end of my empire bed was filled with hand knitted quilts and blankets. The large dresser with mirror attachment stood on the left side a sheer glittered wrap hung above it with Christmas lights draped around the shape.

A plush wicker scoop chair sat beneath the window by my bedroom door, with a side bean bag chair in a little seating area equipped with a plush furry white rug at the feet. I loved the little sitting area, it was encased by my bookshelf, adorned with childlike fantasies from my past. The lowest shelf held romance novels that I kept in stationary boxes. I don’t think mom cared to look in there yet, if she had they’d all be gone.

Running my hand along the wall I sank onto the chest at the foot of my bed and contemplated running away. I didn’t know what tomorrow held and was scared it could be my dooms day. Who wanted to die by being beat to death? Surely not I, I cringed thinking of Majestic’s face. He must be in a hell of a lot of pain.

Sorry lord I keep cursing. I whispered removing my shoes and going to the walk in closet, a small closet with no door, that sat on the right side of my room. It wasn’t a true walk in closet, it was normal sized, but the rods were set back against the wall so I had room to maneuver in the small space. There was no door, just the square opening where the door had once been, hence the walk-in.

Placing the shoes in their cubby hole, I opened a small set of drawers on the side of the closet, they opened out and a small hamper from its hiding place. I deposited my dirty clothes and padded back into the room.

Lets see, pink….pink….white? searching through my nightwear drawer I considered my options. Tomorrow was laundry day. It was a Friday and the house would be scrubbed down from top to bottom after I came home from school, cleanliness is next to Godliness as they say, even though the house didn’t have a speck of dust. Not to the visible eye anyways. Sighing I plucked a pink shorts set out the drawer, shut it with a thump and flung the garments on the bed.

At least I’ll be cute should they steal into the house in the night and slaughter me in my sleep. I muttered as I tossed the shirt on over my head them shimmied into the shorts. Going back to the dresser I selected a nice pair of fuzzy socks and headed back for the kitchen. I was hungry…a little.

I don’t like this! I said it before Emery; she should not be left alone in that church. I don’t care if they were downstairs! Anything could have happened in the length of time it takes old men to run up stairs. That is my baby! And she is not a child she is a developed young lady and they could have raped her. You see how she came in! We are in different times. I don’t care if you don’t want to grasp that but we are. People are being shot for no reason other than to be initiated in a gang. People are dying, being hurt or blown away! I will not stand for this. You didn’t listen with the others. I sat quietly. But now? No more. They threatened to hurt her! She is terrified! They might just come back for her and we have to be vigilant. She can’t be alone from now on. I don’t care. Its either you have someone with her on the days she is at that church you call home or she won’t be there at all. We are too busy; it’s rare we are there at the same time… I halted my descent down the second set of stairs leading to the main floor as I heard their hushed voices. It’s only on Sundays. This is crazy Emery! You can’t sit there and say you’re not worried! I heard mom cry harshly at him.

I understand honey. I am worried too. But I don’t think it’s serious to warrant that. They were after the boy not her. And she said they left.

Are you crazy? She said they threatened her! What conversation did you hear because you’re distorting everything to suit your way of thinking. Now its either you protect my child or ill protect myself from you. Do you understand that? She isn’t at that church alone without supervision. Is that clear? You’re a man you know what goes through young boy’s heads. You know what they could have been thinking. Make sure that doesn’t happen to my child. It’s your congregation you know who is a proper fit to chaperon our daughter. And that’s the end of this discussion. I heard the bang of metal on wood and I caught myself imagining the gavel of a judge banging down on the pulpit. This case has been closed.

I had never heard my parents talk to each other that way. It was always light banter, always pleasant, but not this. My mother had just laid down the law in this house. I smiled despite myself.

Chapter 2

I had this annoying buzzing in my head, interrupting the pleasant dream I was having. In the dream I had been walking in the dark parking lot of the church, the owls hooted in the night, birds screeched and tumbleweed crossed my path as the wind swept up my hair against my neck.

It was cold, lonely, and eerily quiet despite nature’s sounds in the distance. I walked forward, my arms hugging me close in order to find some heat, my fingers felt numb and they twitched against the fabric of my velvet trench coat. The lapels teased my skin and I frowned down at myself as I realized I was naked beneath the coat. What?

Hard threatening foot beats touched my ears and I looked up. The three thugs were running towards me, their fangs glinting off the tired light from the lamp posts that stood like four posters on each corner of the black stone driveway. I tried to scream but I was rooted here, small vein like branches clutched my ankles, latching on and gripping me tightly. I tried to move, but my body was frozen like ice, cold and unmoving.

They advanced on me, their claws dripping with blood from the man I had saved. They snickered and sneered leering over me as brown sugar boy crashed into me, knocking my immobile body to the ground. I couldn’t scream I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t even think. All I could do was watch as they tore at my flesh, beat at my face with their fists and bit me with their hungry jagged edged teeth.

As the pain gripped me, I felt a cool calm rush over me, a light drifted down filtering into my nightmare like a strobe of heavens light. Warmth filled me as the dream changed. A man walked forward, his lips spread out deliciously into a smile. He was tall with butter soft cinnamon skin, slim but ripped with muscles and veins that traced his lethal body. He had straight white teeth, a small dimple in the cleft of his cheek as he smiled. His hair was cut into a fade that ripped in soft silky waves against his scalp. His nose was a medium bulk upon his face, all together he was a nice looking brotha and I went to him as he outstretched his hand beckoning for me.

When we touched the world shifted from white to red to gold. The hum of hummingbird’s wings fluttered around us, turning soft like a lullaby. There were trees sprouting around us, grass materializing through the shimmering colors of gold light. Butterflies danced in the breeze and the soft loving smell of soil and earth touched my nose.

Don’t worry. He said his voice deep and dark. I got you. His smile widened as I returned it. I grasped on to his fingers tightly and he pulled me to him. Thank you. He said cupping my face with his free hand and pulling me firmly against him. You saved me and in return I’ll save you.

Um. Ok. Was all I could think to mutter before his lips pressed against mine…

The noise sounded again and I jumped up realizing it was a vibration; the sound so familiar because mom’s phone vibrated all the time in church when she left me with her purse to conduct the choir. I would always ask who was calling and she would wave me off and shake her head. Charles phone vibrated too…and Amaya’s at school….I didn’t have a cell phone. I wasn’t allowed to until I was eighteen…

Peeking one eye