Anderson got up a couple hours later. Anika found a box of cereal and sat it out for the both of them to eat. “So you found the Bible I left for you,” he asked with a smile. She still couldn’t get over how adorable his smile was. “It wasn’t that hard to find,” she replied with a smile matching his. “ I have to go to school today. Are you gonna be okay,” Anderson asked with a concerned look on his face. “I’m gonna be fine Anika assured him. I’m going to go to school and say bye to my siblings I don’t care if they find me and kick me out,” she says her spoon hitting the bottom of her bowl with a clang. “ I just have to say bye ya know? Then I’ll walk around downtown for a little see if I can find a job,” she says confidently. Anderson nods in agreement with her plan. He gets up to put his bowl in the sink. “ So we can do it on Friday if you want?,” he says. “ That’s perfect!” Anika says. She puts her bowl in the sink and heads towards the door. “I’ll see you later okay?,” she says. “ Okay,” anderson says form in the kitchen.
Anika heads downstairs. She keeps her head down and hustles out the door. It’s a forty minute walk to the school so she’ll get there just before they get to class. Anika runs across town to the school. She arrives out of breath barely making it. She sees her siblings in a cluster together. She looks around for her mom’s car she doesn’t see it. So she hurries across the field separating her from the parking lot trying to draw as little attention as she can to herself. She reaches where her siblings are and Dan spots her. She motions for him to come over. Dan runs behind the building to Anika. The rest of his siblings follow no one seems to care. When they see Anika they rush to her with distressed looks on the face. Her baby sisters grip her legs. Anika explains with tears in her eyes why she’s not coming with them to the new house. She doesn’t disrespect her parents in anyway. They all huddle into a hug of sorts. Everyone is crying her baby sisters hug her legs tightly begging her not to leave them. She musters up every piece of strengths she ahs and prys their hands off. She takes tissue from her pocket and wipes their faces. She hugs them individually and whispers how much she loves them and how they’re going to see each other again this is just a rough part. She tells them too watch out for each other and to protect each other. “ I love you guys so so much, don’t ever forget that,” she says as tears stream down her cheeks. She hugs them all one more time and hurries them to class. After they are all in class she hurries off campus. She feels like her heart has been shattered into five trillion pieces. She starts walking towards downtown. She walks past storefront after storefront for hours. It’s lunch time but she doesn’t have anything to eat so she keeps walking. Around 1:30 she walks into a toy shop it just seemed like something she needed to do. As soon as she walked in a woman in her late 70s rushes up to her. “Are you here for the job?,” she asks in a sweet voice. Anika hadn’t even seen the sign in the window. She replies yes to the woman because she needs a job. The woman is relieved and hires her on the stop. They go in the back to sign some papers and the woman ( Mrs. Margie) gives her a five hundred dollar bonus. Anika’s heart is bursting with gratitude towards the woman she thanks her grabs her uniform and starts working. She works until 5:00 that evening (the shop closes at 5:00) and she was out by 5:15. She walked out of the store smiling. Right next to the store there is a Monty Mobile she goes in to get a new phone plan. After she finishes at Monty’s she text Anderson that she’s on her way home. As she walks towards the bus she sees Debbie. The two greet each other with excitement glad to see each other. Anika asks Debbie is she wants to meet for breakfast and shopping the next day. Debbie agrees and the two girls part ways.
Anika arrives at the apartment around 7:00 and heads upstairs. She’s had such a day she laughs to herself thinking about the day she’s had. Her heart is still broken but things are starting to look up. She knocks on the door to Anderson’s apartment he opens the door dressed in jeans and a nice shirt this confuses Anika. She walks in and notices there's only ome light on in the whole apartment Anderson takes her hand and guides her into the light. He turns her to face him and takes both of her hands and asks “Will you be my girlfriend Anika?” Anika’s confused but says yes. The light switches to another part of the room and he takes her hand again and they walk into the light. He pulls a square box out of his pocket and opens it “ Will you move in with me Anika?” Laughing Anika replies you know I cant do that. Anderson smiles "just thought I'd ask," The lights changes again but this time the room is candlelit and there’s rose petals making a sort of walkway(think early seasons of the Bachelor). Anderson gets down on one knee he says “ Anika you’re the best girl I have ever met. You are strong, loving, and fearless and I don’t think I could ever live my life without you. I want you to be my.... wow you’re gorgeous. Will you marry me Anika Lynn?” Anika is smiling from ear to ear “ Yes,” she says happily. And for the first time they kiss. It was unintentional but sweet. Suddenly the lights come on and a guy stands up he looks about 17. “ Alright you two calm down! I did not sign up to see all of this,” he says smiling. Anderson pulls away from Anika smiling. “ This is my best friend Chris,” Anderson says. Chris walks up to Anika and looks her up and down with the most serious face he can muster he turns to Anderson and says “ I like her,” he says and wraps Anika into a big hug. Anderson excuses himself to finish preparing dinner leaving Chris and Anika to talk. They got to know each other a little while Anderson finished dinner. Finally it was time to eat.
Anderson had went to the store and bought ingredients for a lavish meal of chicken parm and vegetables. He called them into the kitchen so they could eat. Chris said grace and everyone dug in. After dinner Chris and Anderson cleaned the kitchen while Anika told them about her crazy day. After the kitchen was cleaned Anderson and Chris came back to sit at the table. Chris looked at Anika sincerely and asked her why’d they were getting married ( Anderson had not told him because he felt telling him was a violation of Anika’s privacy). Anika explained the story to him from beginning. He was blown away to say the least. He just sat with a look of shock on his face for a long time. Then he looked at Anika and Anderson and was in awe. “ So you’re my best man Chris,” Anderson said breaking the silence. “Obviously,” Chris replied. “I think I’m going to ask Debbie to be my maid of honor,” Anika says. “Yeah! She’s cool,” Anderson says. The three stayed up late talking about plans for the wedding and over things. By the time Chris left it was the next day. Anderson and Anika said goodnight and Anika slept for a few hours peacefully that night.
Chapter 6
I Hear the Bells Anika opened her eyes with a smile on her face ready to face the day. She sat up and the events of the past week came flooding back. The weight of her sadness pushed her onto her back. She cried silently her heart hurt so much it was physically stopping her. She fought hard to get up off the couch she forced herself to get to the table she finally got there and opened the Bible she landed on Psalms 32:7 she read it calming her. She read Psalms 34:17-20 and 1 Corinthians 10:13. The scriptures stabilized her she found safety in them.
Anika left the apartment before Anderson got up and ran to the school. She got there just in time to see her siblings walking out of school with boxes in hand. Today they were leaving. She wanted so badly to run over and say goodbye. But, she knew that would cause more pain for them so she ducked behind a tree and made her way downtown.
Just as Anika was nearing the restaurant she spotted Debbie. She walked over and noticed Debbie had already gotten them food. She gave her a hug and thanked her for getting the food. “What’s wrong Anika?,” Debbie asked sincerely. “ I got kicked out, my family is moving away from me, I’m getting married tomorrow, and I feel like I’m falling apart,” Anika admitted. Debbie takes Anika’s hand in her’s “ let’s go for a walk,” she says. The two girls walk and talk for a long time explaining the challenges the both of them are facing.
After a while the girls come to a park bench and sit down. Debbie looks around with a smile that lights up her eyes. “This is the first
place I saw David and the last place I saw him before he died,” Debbie says to Anika. Anika looks at Debbie and sees the happiness on her face. “He loved this place,” she says. “He told me it was the most beautiful place where he met the most beautiful girl.” Anika looks around the park is very beautiful. It's almost like a dream the grass is lucious and vibrant, the Willow trees make it look like a hidden green, and the mist makes it seem almost magical. “He told me that he'd had some real heart to hearts with God out here. He told me he felt closest to Him out here,” Debbie says. “He was gonna be such an amazing dad,” she whispers. They sit in thoughtful silence in the serenity of the garden. Anika looks at her watch and realizes she has to go to work. She asks Debbie to go shopping for their dresses and asks her to call Chris for the information about the wedding and stuff and hurries to work.
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 Anderson's 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 you're ready to. But, if you're 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 her hip and slipping her hand into his.
The
y 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 that 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.
Finding Him Page 10