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.
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.
When dinner is ready they all sit down and bless the food. “You know we're a band of misfits,” Chris says. Everyone looks around at knee another “ hmm I guess we are,” Anika says. “So I've come up with some names for our squad,” Chris says with a giddy smile. “How’d I know,” Anderson says. “ I was thinking AC/DA you know to not get sued, the Odd Squad, Freaks and Geeks,” he says. “ You do know you're naming things that already exist right,” Debbie asks. “ Yes I get that. But what about Saved part 2,” he exclaims happily. “Minus the gay dude getting that girl pregnant,” he adds. Everyone stares at him confused. “ Wait. Don't tell me none of you have ever seen Saved! It's such a good movie! Matter of fact were gonna watch it tonight. Get ready to be blessed,” he says.
After cleaning up the kitchen the four go into the living room and pile on the couch. Chris pulls out a DVD copy of Saved! Chris had put a copy in Anderson's apartment just in case. “ Chris!,” Anderson exclaims. “ I maybe slightly obsessed with it don't judge me!” Chris says. Debbie and Anika giggle “ Chris I just want you to know I am inspired by your commitment to this movie,” Debbie says. The movie gets started and everyone is hooked (if you’ve seen the movie you know why).
In the middle of the movie Anika phone lights up. She turns to look who it is and it’s Emmy. She quickly picks up the phone. She greets Emmy happy to see her call but Emmy sounds distressed. As soon as Anika hears Emmy she gets worried. Emmy explains on the other end that her parents are passed out in the living room with their friends, the house is a mess, and no one will listen to her. She asks Anika desperately for her help. Anika gets up from the couch and goes to the bedroom. She shuts the door and tells Emmy to gather her siblings and put her on speaker phone. Emmy gets everyone into her bedroom. Everyone is very happy to hear Anika and they start in a whirlwind of words. Anika gets them to quiet down and explains what they are going to do. She puts Zephaniah and Emmy in charge she tells them they need to clean the house top to bottom and make sure everything looks as clean as possible and tells the others to listen to them. After she puts the two oldest in charge she gives Dan unpacking duties and assigns the two youngest girls Marcy and Jada to help him put everything away. She tells Reese to make sure the bedrooms are clean and to make sure the bathrooms are clean. She tells them to be quick and quite. She inscruts them after they finish cleaning they could get a snack and go to bed. Marcy and Jada volunteer to get the snacks and put them on everyone’s beds. After everyone gets their assignments they talk to Anika for a few more minutes. Anika knows it’s dangerous to talk to them anymore so she tells them goodbye. “ I have to go now okay,” she says with tears in her voice. “But I want y’all to do everything I told y’all to do without fighting. Remember quick quite like mice,” she says and they all laugh. “I love every single one of you to the milky way and back,” she says a tear escaping her eye, “don’t ever forget that,” she tells them. “We love you to,” they say. “Bye,bye” Anika says and the call ends. She wipes her eyes and goes back to finish the movie hoping she hadn’t been missed.
When she gets back into the living room she finds everyone staring at her. “What’s going on?,” Anderson asks. Anika walks to a chair sits down. “Emmy called me,” she takes a pause, “She said our parents were passed out with some friends in the living room and she needed my help to get everybody in order because they weren’t listening to her,” she says. “I’m sorry to be that person. But, who’s Emmy,” Chris asks. “Her sister,” Anderson says seriously. “So what happened,” Debbie asks Anika. “I told them what I needed them to do, but they had to be quick and quiet like mice,” she says with a little smile. “I just wish I could be there with them or they could be here with me,” she says looking into the distance. “ I can take them in two years because I’ll be 18 but that just seems so far away,” she says. Tears spill out of her eyes. They sit in solemn silence for a little bit wishing they could do something that would change the situation. Debbie finally breaks the silence “ We’re gonna go now. Stay strong Ani. And call me,” Debbie says walking towards the door. “It’s gotta get better from here A,” Chris says reassuringly.
Debbie and Chris leave. Anika and Anderson look at each other having a conversation that they could only understand. They stay sitting in the living room staring into the darkness.
Chapter 8
Finally A Normal Day
It’s been nearly three weeks since Emmy called and Anika hoped they were doing okay. They had had a few sessions with Pastor Mark and his wife and they were learning a lot of helpful things. Anika has finally started classes at the community college and is taking on a big course load so that she can graduate earlier. Work is becoming tiresome for the both of them, but they still find time to be with each other and to hang with Debbie and Chris (who seem to be getting closer on their own). Everything has been okay lately. But, we all known okay rarely lasts long. It’s Saturday! This particular Saturday Anika and Anderson decide to deep clean the apartment. So they get up early and start cleaning. After an hour of cleaning they decide to take a breakfast break so they go in the kitchen and eat. They agree that after they finish cleaning they’ll go to IKEA with Chris and Debbie to pick out furniture for the baby so they can start building and painting on Sunday. After breakfast they go back to cleaning this time turning some music on to help them work faster. Anika finishes cleaning and goes to help Anderson. She walks to where he’s cleaning and finds him singing and wiping the mirror. She leans on the door frame and listens to his voice fill up the tiny space. Once he finishes he notices Anika staring at him. “What,” he asks taking a step towards her. “ I was just listening to you sing and thinking how lucky I am to have such a wonderful guy in my life,” she says looking at him. “Oh?” he says with a smile on his face. Anika turns to leave, Anderson grabs her hand and pulls her close to him. She looks up at him and kisses him. He pulls her closer and they meet each other on a level they have never met before.
I know you’re freaking out! I am too! Did you fall off your bed? Did you scream? Because I did. Let’s just take a moment to regroup. This is too much happiness for me! Anyway I thought we’d take a moment to just freakout together, so sit back get your tea and keep reading.
Debbie and Chris are at IKEA shopping around for baby stuff. “So are we trying to get pink or are we going with another color?,” Chris asks. Debbie stops looking through a pile of stuffed animals “ I was thinking lavender and turquoise,” she says. “That’d be cute,” he says. “I know! I’ve been thinking about names and I’m thinking Ani and Andy,” Debbie says. “Yeah Andy and Ani those would be, wait,” Chris turns to look at her. “ YOU SAID AND! Debbie are you having two babies,” Chris exclaims loud enough for the whole section to hear. Debbie smiles and tries to calm him down (which doesn’t work). “Yeah! The doctor just told me yesterday,” she says smiling from ear to ear. “How did she miss that” Chris asks. “I don’t even know,” she says. Chris gives her a big hug. Anika and Anderson finally spot Debbie and Chris. They see Debbie and Chris hugging and wonder what’s going on. When they ask what’s going on Chris happily tells them Debbie is having twins. Anika and Anderson look to Debbie to see if it’s for really and she nods. The three envelope her in a huge hug. “I didn’t expect to be shopping for two babies today! Have you
told anyone else,” Anika asks. “Yeah I went to tell David,” she says with a sad smile. “But I finally went to go talk to his parents. They were happy to see me,’ I told them about the twins and they freaked out. It was the best. But they didn’t beat Chris’ reaction,” She says. After everyone settles down the shopping trip begins. They get cribs, a rocking chair, stuffed animals, wall decals, baby swings, high chairs, car seats, a larger than life diaper bag, and other stuff. Chris, Anderson and Anika decide to help pay for the babies stuff as a gift to Debbie since she isn’t having a baby shower. Debbie cries and hugs her friends she’s so grateful to have people like them in her life.
On Sunday the whole gang goes to Debbie’s church. They enjoy the atmosphere and the judgement free zone. After church they head over to Debbie’s house to start setting up the babies room. Debbie’s parents gave her pity cash instead of allowing her her entire trust so she bought a house with a good chunk of the money she was given. She wanted some type of stability for herself and her children so she sacrificed other expenses for the house.But, she'll make it work . Who knows the bridal shop job may turn into a bigger position or better she may start her own event planning company.
After they eat lunch they start painting the room. Anika and Debbie start building furniture while the guys paint. They talk separately about everything that happened pre-IKEA on Saturday. Saturday is the topic of discussion the whole time. After the room is painted Anderson and Anika agree to come back tomorrow to help set up the room and they leave. Chris and Debbie talk a little while longer and Chris falls asleep on the couch.
Chris and Debbie have been living together for a couple of months now. Don’t turn your nose up because it is completely platonic. Haters gonna say it’s fake, but Debbie hated coming home to emptiness and Chris had been complaining about his roommate so she invited him to stay which he happily agreed to. The arrangement has worked out pretty well they have found each other to be nice company, something everyone needs.
Finding Him Page 11