Anika gets to work just in time and gets busy. Working takes her mind off of everything that is going wrong. As she's working she hears her mom's voice. She turns to give her standing at the checkout. She tried to hide so there’s not a scene, when she hears someone scream whisper her name. “ANI-KAAA,” the voice says. Anika freezes she doesn't know who’s behind her. She starts to turn around but the voice tells her not to draw attention so she stays turned around. “It's me Emmy! I convinced mom to let me come with her to the store, I have to tell you something. Mom and Dad are acting weird,” she says. “They pulled us out of school and said we're moving for dads job but we all know it's to be with those people they keep bringing over to the house. I think they're helping them with their wedding or something,” Emmy says. Anika gets a sinking feeling in her stomach she knew exactly who “those people” were. She suddenly remembers something “those people you're talking about are already married,” she says to herself. “They're always at the house being weird. And they keep making us go to bed early. Mom and dad keep trying to give them parenting advice as if they know how to parent,” Emmy says. “Wait what? Is that lady pregnant?,” Anika asks in shock. “I guess she doesn't look it but I don't know they're always whispering,” Emmy says. They're mom calls Emmy so they can go. “Here's my new number hide it okay. And don't be afraid to call me!," Anika tells her sister. Emmy hurries to find her mom and they leave. Anika goes back to her work agitated by what Emmy told her. After her shift is over she walks home thinking about everything Emmy told her. Why would her parents move with these freaks? Had her dad gotten her pregnant? The whole situation is a mess that Anika cannot fix. She thought about her siblings being stuck in that horrible situation. She thought about calling CPS but what would she say her parents were acting like crazy people? She has no evidence and no one is being abused or anything. According to her parents she didn't have any other relatives so they would be stuck in the system. Frustrated she turned the corner and headed to the apartment.
When she opened the door she found Chris and Debbie sleeping on the couch Chris on one end and Debbie on the other. Papers were spread all over the coffee table. They had been sleeping for a little while now from the looks of it. She left the two and walked into the kitchen to find Anderson and two adults. Her confusion was written all over her face. “Ummmm… hi!,” she said to the two strangers. They greeted her with warm smiles. She knew these people had to be Anderson’s parents. “Hi sweetheart!,” Anderson's mom said giving her a hug. “I'm Gretchen Anderson's mom this is my husband John,” she said motioning to the man at the table. “I'm Anika nice to meet y’all,” she said. “As soon as Andy told us what was going on we hopped in the car and drove down here,” she said. “ We didn't know he had made so many,” she pauses for a moment, “fascinating friends,” she finally said. Anderson gives Anika an apologetic look, she smiles. “He's been an anchor for all of us,” Anika says with a smile. “That's my boy,” his dad says. His parents talked to her for a little while longer and then left. They had ordered pizza for the bunch so Anderson and Anika say down to eat.
After a few moments Debbie and Chris walk into the kitchen. “Are they gone,” Chris asks looking around. “Shhh, they might hear you,” Debbie whispers. Anderson laughs and assures them that his parents are gone. They both breathe a sigh of relief. “I thought I was gonna have to lay there forever,” Chris says. “You're telling me I've had to pee for for two hours,” Debbie says heading the bathroom. Anika laughs “what happened,” she asks trying not to laugh any harder. “It's not funny Anika! Debbie and I were just minding our own business and then hurricane Jetchen walks in,” Chris says. Anika and Anderson look at each other and burst out laughing. Debbie walks back to the kitchen and sits down. “ In the six months I've been pregnant I have never felt so judged,” Debbie exclaims. “Did you tell them you became a father today Chris,” Debbie says with a smirk. “What!,” Anika exclaims. Chris takes a moment and begins to explain what happened with Andersons parents. “So Jetchen walks in and I’m sitting on the couch with Debbie talking about stuff for tomorrow, when Mrs. Gretchen walks over and sits down with a concerned mother look on her face,” he says. “She just assumed he was the father and went into a long thing about sex and babies,” Debbie says. “I tried to explain that I wasn’t the father but she wouldn’t listen. SO Debbie was like I’m really tired touching her stomach dramatically,” Chris says with a hint of a smile on his face. Debbie breaks in “It was the best thing I could do,” she says laughing. “But, it worked I just tagged along and made up some story about liking to take family naps. So she left us alone,” Chris finishes. At this point everyone is laughing too hard to make out clear words. They talk for a little while longer. It’s nearly 3 a.m. by the time they finish talking so Anderson suggests the two stay and they happily agree.
“Knock Knock Knock,” Gretchen says in a sing song voice over the intercom. It’s nearly 9:30 and no one has gotten up yet. Anderson lets his mom up and unlocks the door so she would be able to come in and goes back to sleep. When she gets upstairs she is shocked to find the four asleep in the living room. She grabs a pan that she has brought and starts banging on it. No one moves, so she walks into the living room and starts marching around chanting “it’s time to get up!” while banging on her pan. After about five minutes of this everyone is up. They’re more confused than angry, Gretchen jumps in while they’re still confused before they get angry. “Good morning sleepy heads! Come on we have a big day ahead of us and it starts with you all getting dressed and eating breakfast,” she says happily. One by one they get up and head to the bathroom telling Gretchen and John, who’s cooking in the kitchen, hello. Around 10:45 everyone is dressed and ready to go. They scarf down their food (which is delicious by the way no wonder Anderson can cook like he does) and head to City Hall. On the drive over (Jetchen insisted that they drive) a speech is given to Anderson and Anika about the decision they’re making. When they get to City Hall Gretchen takes over to make sure everything is as perfect as it can be. The ceremony is beautiful not because of what was said but because of the noble intentions and sweet spirit of the matter. After the ceremony and signing papers are over with the new Mr. and Mrs. Peterson take everyone out for lunch.
Lunch is fun and full of jokes. Anderson’s parents seem more relaxed now that everything is over with. After lunch Debbie and Chris go home. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson say goodbye and that they’ll be over later to have a dinner chat before they leave. The newly weds finally get a moment alone and they walk home together. “Did we really just do that,” Anika asks looking at Anderson. “Yep,” he says smiling back at her. They walk in silence for a little while when Anika turns to Anderson with a serious look on her face. “ I hope you’re not expecting me to have sex with you tonight,” she says stopping for a moment. Anderson turns to her matching her seriousness “No. I’m not expecting anything like that from you Anika. When and if youre ready to. But, if youre never ready to that's okay, to," Anderson said. "It's not going to be thay long bae! I don't want to wait forever either!" She says playfully bumping him with hee hip and slipping her hand into his.
They finally get back to the apartment and collapse on the couch. They binged Friends and laughed until their sides hurt. After awhile the two decide to cook dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. By the time they arrive the food is ready and it’s time to eat.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson talk about how hard marriage is and even though they were in a unique situation they still needed to listen to what they were saying. They told stories about arguments, near divorce moments, and the great memories they had made together. They told them they had already called the pastor at the church Anderson and Anika went to and set up weekly appoints with the Pastor and his wife. After dinner the four cleaned the kitchen and talked a little more. Gretchen and John didn’t expect Anika and Anderson to have so many questions but they happily answered them all. When it was time for them to leave they hugged Anika and Anderson and assured them t
hat they were just a phone call away if anything went wrong. And they left.
“You can sleep in my bed tonight and I’ll sleep on the couch,” Anderson said. “I don't want to sleep alone if i don't have to... ,” she says. Anderson gets the hint and they go to bed. Anika sleeps like a baby, this is the best sleep she has ever had who knew sleeping in a bed with another person could do that! The next day is Sunday so they had time to sleep in.
Anika had already put most of her stuff in Anderson’s room so the other little stuff she just threw in the closet. She was up before Anderson so she got ready and went to go eat breakfast. She looked in refrigerator and found enough milk for cereal. After she ate breakfast she made a grocery list so she could go shopping after church. While she was making the list she heard Anderson getting up to go to the shower. She didn’t think much of it until she heard him singing. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard in her life. She stopped and listened to him sing until he stopped singing. Anderson walks out the bathroom and smiles at Anika who has the biggest smile on her face. “What,” he asks. “I didn’t know you could sing like that,” she says. He blushes “it’s just a shower thing,” he says shyly. “I wouldn’t be mad if it became an apartment thing,” Anika says. They smile at each other. After Anderson finishes eating they head to church.
In the car they listen and hum along to the music on the radio. Anika tells Anderson that they have to go to the store after church because they don’t have groceries. He nods and makes a mental note. When they arrive at church Anderson finds a good parking spot and opens the door for Anika. He offers her a hand to help her and they walk into church still holding hands.
As soon as they walk into church some people stop and stare at them. They look at each other wondering what everyone was looking at. They went to youth service as usual and everyone in the room was staring at them. They sat towards the back to avoid stares. “Why is everyone staring at us,” Anika asks. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he answers looking around. The service starts and everything feels awkward.
After service is over Anika and Anderson try to leave as fast as they can, but their youth directors Mike and Dana ask them to stay and talk. After the room clears out Anika and Anderson find their directors. They all sit down at a table. Mike and Dana look concerned. “So we heard about you guys’ situation,” Mike starts out. He turns to look at Anderson “You did the right thing by sticking around,” he says. Anderson looks at Anika they both share a confused look. “ And Anika I think you’re so brave to start a small group of people in your situation,” Dana says. “And the two of you reuniting a mother and a father is a true example of Jesus’ love,” Mike says. Anika looks at Anderson. They stare at each other for a long time and Anderson finally says “ What do y’all think is going on with us?” Mike and Dana look at them with a look of pity. “ You both don’t have to be afraid to tell us anything,” Dana says. “We heard that you’re pregnant from one of your friends, and that your parents kicked you out because of that,” Mike says. “ But, Anderson has shown himself a true man staying around and marrying you,” Dana says. “And I was so happy to find out that you, Debbie, and Anderson had formed a small group,” Dana says smiling. “I’m not pregnant. Debbie’s me and Anderson’s friend, and I guess you’re talking about Chris he’s not her babies dad,” Anika says as calmly as she can. “My parents kicked me out that’s true, but only because they’re mentally unstable and probably possessed by demons but definitely not because I’m pregnant,” Anika continues. Anderson sees that Anika is getting upset so he jumps in “ It’s true we got married yesterday, how you know that I don’t know . But, we did it to keep Anika safe,” he says. Mike and Dana try to say something but Anika cuts them off, “ I don’t know who told you all this nonsense but it’s a lie and it’s rude to bring rumors to people as facts,” Anika says. Anika stands up and Anderson follows and they leave. Dana and Mike don’t even try to come after them.
When they get inside the car Anika goes off. “ I can’t believe them! What was that? We at least deserve the benefit of the doubt,” she says. Anderson is quite for a moment. After a few thoughtful moments he turns to her. “God doesn't make mistakes. When He created us he knew that our lives were gonna look like this, I have to believe he did this for a purpose far greater than we understand, so let people talk. Our life is not for them,” he says his words filled with passion. "You're right," she says.
The two head off to the grocery store. Chapter 7
New Beginnings Anika and Anderson set out to find the best deals they can in the grocery store. One thing they find they have in common is their love of deal finding. They walk through the store together Anderson checking the deals and Anika checking off the list. They are having so much fun in the store. They've had at least two dance parties and have come to the conclusion that grocery store music is the best! They're on their last stretch of the shopping list when they run into Pastor Mark and his wife Laurie. They congratulate the two and remind them not to forget they're session on Tuesday. After the short encounter Anika and Anderson finish shopping and head home. They're beaming from ear to ear because they saved a lot of money on groceries and had had a lot of fun.
By the time they get home it's late afternoon. They both come to a decision after putting the food away that cereals and a movie would be a perfect way to start the week. They choose an action packed movie and sit down to watch it. Although they said they were going to stay up they ended up falling asleep halfway through the movie.
Anderson gets up first this morning he turns off the T.V. and cleans up the living room. He waits until he has finished getting ready and wakes Anika. “Morning,” she says groggily. “Morning! You better get up don't you have to be too work,” he asks. “Yes, I do,” she replies. She drags herself up and trudges to the bathroom. “Walking slower won't make the time go any slower you know” he says jokingly. “A girl can dream,” Anika replies with a smile.
The two head out together. Anderson informs Anika she will have the apartment to herself for the night because he has to work after school and they part ways. Anika and Anderson text each other when they get to their destinations and accountability thing his parents suggested they put into practice. Nothing to interesting happens and the day moves quickly. Anderson reaches work and text Anika just as she is getting back home.
For the first time in a long time Anika is completely alone in the house. She's never really liked being alone in a house (you just hear to many noises). She turns on the T.V. to have background noise and cooks dinner for her and Anderson she decides to make enough so they can have leftovers for a few days. Once she's finished cooking she eats. She decides to eat at the table to try and conquer her fear of being home alone but ends up eating faster than she intends. She doesn't even attempt to go to sleep because she knows she won't be able to so she reads to herself. Around midnight she hears the door unlock. Anderson walks in looking more tired than she had ever seen him. She gets up off the couch and walks over to him being mindful to not over crowd him. “Rough day,” she asks. “Like you wouldn't believe,” he says. “Wanna talk about it?” She asks. “Not really I just wanna go to sleep,” he says. “Nothing would make me happier,” she says giving him a smile. They climb into bed together, wrapped in each others arms.
Tuesday is a fast paced day. Anika is working a full day and so is Anderson. After they're crazy days they meet at home to change and go to counseling. They rush around like crazy people getting ready in hopes they'll make it on time.
They arrive at the church on time and hurry to the Pastor's office. They knock on the door, Pastor Mark opens it and greets the two. Pastor Laurie greets both of them with a huge hug and offers them some sandwhiches they happily accept. A thing to know about the Pastor and his wife is that they've been married for 45 years. They've been mentoring couple's for awhile now but have never had a case as unique as Anika’s and Anderson's. They have determined that they're going to be acting supportive mentors.
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They start off with prayer and Pastor Mark jumps right in with questions. He asks for the full story if that's okay with Anika. She tells the story and they're left shocked. Seeing that this is a sensitive subject he doesn't stay on it long. He asks Anderson why he decided to do all of this with Anika and he simply replies “because I wanted to,” he says it with such conviction that it brings the Pastor and his wife to a new understanding of the special relationship the young couple share. The session didn't last that long because Pastor Mark and Mrs. Bright realized they were going to have revamp their counseling for these two. They saw that the two needed each other in a way they had never seen before and didn't want to hurt the relationship with some rehearsed nonsense. Anika and Anderson left having more time on their hands than expected, so they decide to invite Debbie and Chris over.
By the time they reach the apartment Debbie and Chris are waiting outside. “Hey!” Anika says giving Debbie a hug. “How's the baby,” she asks. “She seems to be doing alright,” she says. Chris greets Anderson and they all go inside. When they get inside of the apartment everyone heads to the kitchen, Anika heats up the leftovers.
Finding Him Page 4