“Really? Oh, my. If it makes you feel better, you don’t look fifty.”
“Fifty?” Tamika remarked. “You look too young to be fifty.”
Meera’s skin was a shade lighter than Tamika’s; her hair was long and black, her face beautiful, her smile captivating, her body slim; fit.
Meera smiled. “Thank you. I had planned a two-week vacation to Europe to celebrate with some of my friends. We were on the plane waiting to take off when people suddenly disappeared. Needless to say, the plane never left Seattle. I was terrified like everyone else.
“With my birthday trip cancelled, I called work to see if they needed me there. The hospital was overflowing with patients. They begged me to join them. An hour after I arrived, my mother called to tell me my father and one of my brothers were killed in the aftermath.
“I couldn’t stop crying. My hands shook so badly that I couldn’t do my job effectively. I left to be with my grieving mother. When I arrived at my mother’s house, she was so bad, I called work and told them I would spend the rest of my vacation time with her.
“I was told the entire staff was working double and sometimes even triple shifts, and that I was badly needed. I told them my family needed me too.” Meera shook her head, “Even though it was my vacation time, the fact that I chose my mother over the hospital ultimately led to my termination.
“With my career over and my whole world in shambles, I fell into a deep depression. It was during that time that I watched a video that had surfaced produced by a man from my home country of India.
“Do either of you remember Ajit Laghari? He was the Indian delegate who first broke the news at NATO Headquarters, last November, that what happened was Christian in nature?”
Tamika said, “I don’t remember his name, but I sure remember what he said. How could I forget?”
Leticia said, “I sort of remember…”
“The video he made explained how he became a Christ follower after he returned to India after the Summit and read the Bible cover to cover. I was so depressed that I decided to check the facts for myself, to see if it would impact me the way it did him.
“I downloaded a Bible app on my phone and started reading it. I woke the next day with a severe headache from the small text on my phone screen. I went out that day and purchased a Bible for myself.
“Praise God, I found answers to all my questions, including what happened on that fateful day. I believe God used that video to point me to Him, which ultimately led me to the ETSM.
“Now that I’m saved, worldly accomplishments no longer matter to me. As the only Christian in my family, I pray each night that God would open the eyes and ears of each family member, so they, too, could have the same eternal assurance I have in Christ Jesus.”
Meera dabbed her eyes with a tissue. She still felt guilty about leaving her mother in Seattle and moving thousands of miles away. The pain was still fresh. And each time she thought about the eternal fate of her father and brother, she could barely catch her breath.
She asked Tamika, “What made you want to become a nurse?”
Tamika sighed, “You and I started out on the same path. Like you, I always wanted to help people. Growing up, everyone thought I would be the most likely to succeed. When my brother Antuwan was killed in a drive-by shooting, I was sad and angry that I couldn’t save him.
“It was then that I made it my mission to become a nurse. I paid more attention in class and studied very hard. After graduating from high school with good grades, not as good as yours, Doctor, but good enough, I enrolled at the local community college to study nursing.
“The problem was that I only qualified for a partial scholarship. I worked full-time and attended college part-time.”
Tamika had a faraway look on her face, “Just as I was on my way to fulfilling my dream, my boyfriend got me pregnant. I was forced to leave school and find a second job. But I kept telling myself I would resume taking college courses at some point, to keep my dream alive.”
She shook her head, “Two years later I was married with two kids. So long nursing degree. Just as I was settling into my new life, everything took a turn for the worst when Jamal was three and Dante was two...
“Isaac, my husband, came home from work one day saying he converted to Islam. He stopped by the local mosque every day after work to read the Koran and pray with his Muslim friends. In no time, he was in constant praise of Allah. The day he changed his name from Isaac Moseley to Abdul Muhammad was the day I could no longer take it.
“As the months passed, he became more involved with Islam and less involved with me and the kids. Things kept getting worse until we finally separated. That was the day my whole world fell apart. Cried myself to sleep for weeks on end...”
“Instead of becoming a nurse, I drove a taxicab for a living.” Tamika dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, “But I never stopped reading my nursing books every chance I got, just in case.”
“Looks like the countless hours you spent reading all those nursing books has paid off after all. Though you will never receive a nursing degree for your service…”
“Thanks for the trust, Meera. I’ll try not to let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Besides, you’re doing just as much a favor for me. The thought of being the only doctor on the premises overwhelms me. Having you here comforts me greatly. You’re a big reason why I decided to come to Pennsylvania in the first place.”
“Really?”
Meera nodded yes. “I was fairly new to the ETSM when we first met at the cabin in Tennessee. I still remember how out of sorts you were. As your doctor, I had to appear strong when tending to your leg.
“But, in truth, I was just as out of sorts myself, for leaving my mother when she needed me most. The fact that I couldn’t share my whereabouts with her was all the more excruciating to me. For whatever reason, I found strength in your anguish.”
Tamika scratched her head. She didn’t know how to respond to that. As it turned out, she didn’t have to. Leticia felt a light contraction, causing the two women to put the conversation on hold and focus on their patient.
THE PUSHING AND SCREAMING went on for more than 15 hours until at 9:16 the next morning, Julio Gonzalez junior entered the world.
Had the first newborn at safe house number one known what he was getting into, he would have clung to his mother’s insides and begged her to never let him go.
Tamika recorded the time of birth, then messaged Charles Calloway informing him of the news. He asked her to congratulate Leticia, then forwarded the message to Clayton and Travis to share the good news.
“Good job in there, Tamika.” Dr. Singh said, scrubbing her hands with soap. “You were born to be a nurse after all.”
Tamika beamed, “It was an incredible experience!”
“This is why we do what we do.”
A teary-eyed nurse Moseley said, “Amen to that, Doc.”
When Julio Gonzalez got the news, he raced throughout the property sharing the good news with everyone, even knocking on cottage doors. It was the first time anyone at this place had seen him smile.
Everyone rushed to the sanctuary, anxious to finally see a newborn in the flesh. Dr. Singh and Nurse Tamika wrapped the child to keep him warm, covered his face with a mask, and joined Marta, Julio and Joaquim in the sanctuary, to introduce the newborn to his Chadds Ford family.
Julio Junior was the most beautiful sight their eyes had seen in nearly a year. Yet, amid the many tears of joy, the look on most faces was mixed.
Joyful as they were, they were equally frightened…
LATER THAT DAY, after taking a nap, Julio and Marta went to check on their daughter and grandson.
Joaquim was holding Julio Jr. in his arms, looking quite nervous. They soon learned it wasn’t from a fear of dropping the baby.
Eyeballing the new grandparents, the young man cleared his throat, “Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez, may I have permission to marry your daughter?”
Julio a
nd Marta exchanged astonished glances. Both were still in their early 30s, making this moment even more mind-numbing for them. Under normal circumstances, they would never consider such an outrageous proposition. Marry their 12-year-old daughter? Not a chance!
If anything, Julio would give him a piece of his mind just for asking.
What sounded utterly ridiculous a short while ago no longer sounded that way. For one thing, both were convinced Joaquim truly loved their daughter. More importantly, for being so young, he had a deep love for Jesus and was always reading the Word of God. The closer he drew to Jesus, the better he would treat their daughter. It was that simple!
Once Marta gave birth, she would be busy taking care of her own child, to have the time to care for her daughter and granddaughter the way she would like to. Leticia would need help. She would also need companionship to help get her through what was headed their way.
Marta asked, “What about the state requirements?”
Joaquim said, “I already checked. Before the Rapture, the minimum age to marry in the state of Pennsylvania was fifteen. Romanero has since removed all age requirements. Even so, outsiders can’t know, right?”
Marta nodded, then looked at her husband. “Julio?”
Convinced Joaquim wanted to marry his daughter for all the right reasons, he sighed then shrugged his shoulders. “You have our permission and our blessing, but under one condition...”
Joaquim’s face lit up, “Sir?”
“That we share the same cottage, until Marta and I feel comfortable enough to let our daughter live on her own. She’s still my little girl…”
“Yes, sir! Thank you! All we want is to be together. I promise to be a good husband and love Julio junior as if he were my own.”
Marta smiled at Joaquim, “We look forward to being your in-laws…”
Leticia became teary-eyed, “I love you, Mama and Papa.”
“Love you too, hija.”
Julio looked at his future son-in-law and smiled. He always liked the kid. For being so young, Joaquim was mature beyond his years.
Even had Romanero not changed the minimum age requirement, Julio would have agreed to his wishes. The fact that Leticia was already a mother was the deciding factor. Had she not been, even despite Joaquim’s growing faith in God, their answer would have been no.
Besides, if they survived what was coming, that would give them roughly six years together. Certainly not much time…So why prolong it?
Julio shook his head, “Boy, oh boy! First, I become a grandfather at thirty-four. Now I just gave a fifteen-year-old boy permission to marry my twelve-year-old daughter! What a day I’m having.”
The way he said it caused Tamika to burst into laughter.
21
A WEEK AFTER THE package the Mulrooneys—posing as Brad and Joan Henriksen—sent to Yogesh Patel was confirmed as delivered to the P.O. box, in Chennai, India, the strategy to shift their focus from Hana to Yogesh paid off when he replied, thanking the Henriksens for the gifts for his daughter. He made no mention of the Bible or the letter enclosed.
Brian read the message aloud to Jacquelyn, who was lying on his lap on the living room couch. Dr. Kim set up an encrypted email address for their use in this matter.
“It’s a start, right?”
“Yeah,” Brian said, “But the way it’s worded, it’s like a celebrity replying to one of his many fans, as if no further reply was needed…”
“Remain persistent, sweetie. And prayerful.”
Brian rubbed his wife’s belly. Yogesh just gave him a burst of energy he hadn’t felt since Chelsea died, and Craig was killed.
He typed a reply. You’re welcome, Yogesh. My wife, who is pregnant, sends her best to you and your family. We can only imagine how crazy it must be raising an infant with the whole world watching. We pray for the three of you every day.
Brian and Jacquelyn waited with bated breath for a reply, praying it would warrant a deeper response from Yogesh. It never came; not until the following day, when they were having a Bible study at Tom Dunleavey’s cottage. Tamika Moseley, Donald Johnson, Mary Johnston, Julio Gonzalez, Joaquin Guzman and Meera Singh were also there.
Leticia wanted to join them but, after 18 hours of hard labor, she was too exhausted. Marta remained there with her daughter and the baby.
Now that Leticia had given birth, a cottage was opened just for the Gonzalez family, so they could enjoy a little family privacy. Before going into labor, they were shacked up with 50 other members.
They were studying John, chapter six, when Brian’s phone vibrated. “He replied back!”
“Who?” Tamika said.
“Yogesh Patel!”
Meera Singh’s eyes lit up, “What did he say?”
Everyone gathered around Brian as he opened the text message.
Brian frowned, then read the three-worded message aloud for all to hear, “Thank you, Brad.” He scratched his head, “Shorter than the first reply.”
Meera Singh looked up at the ceiling, “Hmm…”
Mulrooney wasted no time ramming the keys on his cell phone, dictating his words for everyone else to hear: I was wondering if you read the letter I sent?
It took a while for Yogesh’s reply to go through the proper channels before reaching Brian’s phone. But seeing the actual time of the reply, it was immediate: Yes.
“He read it! At the very least, it means he opened the Bible.” Brian typed: What are your thoughts on it?
Yogesh replied: Not sure what to think?
Brian read it aloud, then sighed.
Meera Singh had a thought, “Ask him about Ajit Laghari…”
Brian glanced at her, “What would you like me to ask him?”
“Ask if he knows about his recent conversion to Christianity?”
“Sure thing.” Brian switched to voice texting to save time: “I was wondering if you could take a moment to shed some light on what Ajit Laghari said at NATO Headquarters last year, about Christians being the only demographic in your country to be among the disappearances?”
Brian took a moment to make sure his words were properly translated, then sent it.
Yogesh replied: Been too busy with the baby to give it much thought.
Brian dictated: “Are you aware that after doing an exhaustive study of all world religions, Ajit has since become a Christian?”
Yogesh replied: If that’s what he believes, I’m happy for him. But me and my family are doing just fine without the need of his religion.
Brian pressed on, “Would you be interested in my take on it?”
The man from India replied: I’m not sure…
Though brief, it left the door open for further communication. Brian spoke into his phone: “I understand how you feel, Yogesh, but before we go any further, please know I don’t want your money. All I want is a moment of your time.”
It took a while for his reply to reach Brian’s phone: You may proceed…
“Thank you, Lord!” Mulrooney shouted.
“Amen…” Tamika Moseley whispered skyward.
Suddenly, Brian’s correspondences with Yogesh Patel became the main focus of the Bible study. Everyone gathered around to see what would transpire next.
Brian dictated, “Ajit recently made a video explaining why he changed his religion. Before I give my take on it, I’m sending it to you, just in case you haven’t watched it. This way, you can hear his words for yourself. Then we can further discuss it. Fair enough?”
Brian sent the text message and attachment, then joined hands with everyone and prayed that Yogesh would watch it. Hana too.
Yogesh was mindful of the video Laghari had made, quite mindful, in fact. When it first surfaced, it received extensive media coverage in India. The spiritual message it conveyed had nothing to do with it.
If anything, most were appalled, and dumbfounded, at how one of their country’s former top diplomats and most intelligent citizens had suddenly lost his mind and everything else in his life as a res
ult.
Aside from edited soundbites TV producers had allowed to be aired, Yogesh had no interest in watching the video, especially since his fellow countryman was highly critical of the man who’d made his family quite wealthy. Ajit even called Salvador Romanero the antichrist of the Bible.
With his curiosity now at fever pitch, Yogesh laid on the couch with his mobile phone resting on his chest. He pushed earbuds in his ears so his wife couldn’t hear it and listened to what the former Indian diplomat had to say about his recent conversion to Christianity.
Laghari’s face was illuminated by a bright flashlight piercing through the darkness. The fear in his eyes and expression on his face portrayed someone anticipating death for what he was about to say.
He was so terrified he even stuttered at times, “When I stood on stage at NATO Headquarters with my peers on that fateful weekend, nearly a year ago, to share my findings with the rest of the world, I may have appeared calm but, in truth, I was shaken to the core of my being.
“As a practicing Hindu, I was eager to get back to my hotel room, so I could explore the Bible for myself and search for answers to my many questions, without any distractions. But my mind was too cluttered that night, my heart too fearful, to comprehend what I was reading.
“That all changed when I returned to India and read the Bible from cover to cover in the privacy of my home. By studying the Scriptures very carefully, I learned the disappearances were prophesied long ago.
“To Christians, it’s known as the Rapture of Christ’s Church. Even more telling is that it came to pass exactly as it was foretold. The Rapture is only one of many prophecies to come to pass in the Book I now firmly believe to be the unequivocal Word of God.
“It took a while to wrap my head around Ephesians two, verses eight and nine, which states: ‘For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.’ Once God gave me the wisdom to understand it, I was amazed.
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