The Decks and the Road
book 1- Freeborn
Chapter 7
Tayeton- It was the day of reckoning. I didn’t know how I would hold up. My mother gave me strength. I didn’t assume I would be as strong without
her. I also needed to hold up
Kaylin. I was just about ready, and I
could bet she would be too, but I thought to check in on her. I crossed the hall, and stuck my head into
her room. She was praying. I didn’t know she prayed. I didn’t really know my mother to pray, and I
myself only ever prayed sometimes in my head, but she was kneeling beside her
bed. I did notice she was all dressed,
and so I thought to leave her. Funny,
even as I sat for months knowing my mother was leaving me, I hadn’t really
thought to pray. It just seemed so
final; so set in stone. I didn’t bother
to eat breakfast, and I found myself just sitting on my bed now deep in
thought. All of a sudden, I wanted to
pray. The image of my sister had left a
stronger impression on me than I ever would have imagined it could. I didn’t kneel or anything, but I
prayed. I wanted to ask God to make me
healthy again, but something kept saying, “You know you don’t deserve that.” I wasn’t sure whose voice it was, but I
answered to it. I held that part of my
petition back. Instead, I just asked if
God would show me how to raise my sister, and let the day go smooth. On the ride to the church, I checked in with
Kaylin.
“So,
how you doing?”
“I’m
good.” She offered a smile.
“Are
you ready for this? Think you’ll be
okay?”
“I
think so.”
“So,
I didn’t know you prayed… “ I was
interested to know what she prayed about.
“I
do.” She was so quiet… so
uncomplicated. I thought, okay cool, I
can handle this.
“So
what did you ask for?” I felt led to
take the liberty.
“I
don’t know if I should tell you.” She
answered, but she never turned her head.
“Well,
if you need to talk, I’m here too.”
“I
know.” She looked and smiled, and
appeared light again. Just then, I knew
she’d be okay. When we arrived, I was
surprised to see how many people were already there. It made me feel like we were late or as if
they’d cared more about my mother, but I didn’t let that pressure rest on
me. I took Kaylin by the hand to be sure
she felt protected and secure before all the people started making their way
over. I saw some familiar faces, but
there were more of the faces that I did not recognize. I suppose from the booklet, everyone knew who
we were. Some people just stared with a
look of sympathy, some seem to look to be waiting for us to find our places,
and others could not wait to release their condolences. They came feverishly. I accepted and appreciated their acknowledgements,
while my sister stayed quiet. A few
people actually took the time to acknowledge her, but she never spoke just
smiled. I wanted to correct her, but I
thought she should find peace her way.
I hadn’t spotted Kayla until the
burial. I wasn’t sure she’d come. I was hoping she hadn’t. I knew she was successful, I couldn’t figure
why she didn’t welcome Kaylin. Maybe it
was unfair; I don’t know. It was just,
the way she shoved me out of her life, and then this whole thing—that got me all
wrong. She looked better that I
remembered. She looked free, and not
anxious. There was a man with her, and he
stood close. I didn’t know if she would
approach me, but I prayed in my head she didn’t. After the service, I stopped to accept more
sympathies, and realized that Kaylin had made her way over to her. I then thought to prolong my conversation,
and just then my eyes landed on this beauty.
She was radiant. She was one of
the unknowns. I could tell she wasn’t
family, because all the family had mostly stuck together in one spot. My mother knew many people, so the unknown faces
were no surprise, nor was the attendance.
I continued to talk and listen as best I could as I stole glances at
her. Then before I could fully prepare,
she was introducing herself to me. We
were just about the last to leave, and so the interruptions were few. She didn’t appear to mind, and I silently
communicated to her not to leave. She
held on a few more times, and then she was gone, but I had her card.
FAQ:
"What is a Suspended-Release Novel?"
Answer: A Novel that has its contents released in a suspended manner, according to the schedule prescribed by the author or publisher.
Purpose: To engage the reading audience with an interactive book publishing and book release event. Learn more: http://thedecksandtheroad.blogspot.com/2017/10/welcome-to-decks-of-our-lives.html
Freeborn, a novel
Freeborn
© Grace Call Communications,
LLC
Copyright © 2017
by Natisha Renee Williams
All
rights reserved
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