“I’m going to miss you, Rae. I love you, girl. Thanks for everything.”
Sharia moved into LaKisha’s room so that they could bond. Grace and her daughter and grandchildren spent all their time together as a family, and Shay would sometimes join them because she and LaKisha really felt like sisters. Sharia liked LaKisha’s look and had the girls help her to develop a fresh new style of her own. She started her job, which was set up for her by Zach, and attended women’s fellowship with Zakia and Eboni regularly. Everyone treated her like she was a person, and she knew she would never go back to her old lifestyle, especially with the Lord keeping her in all of her ways. One night she went to a deep level of intercession for her sister, Karen. She understood that there was a time for everything. It was time for her to try to find her sister.
Sharia told Zakia and Eboni what she planned to do. They insisted that she not go alone.
“I have nobody to go with me,” Sharia said.
“We can get the guys to go, right?” Eboni asked Zakia.
“Sure we can,” Zakia answered confidently.
Jay, Zakia, and Eboni rode in the back of Eli’s SUV as Sharia gave directions through Creighton Court. It was broad daylight when they parked by a convenience store. Jay and Zakia got out with Sharia and went into the store. They began to ask people if they knew Karen Mitchell. Nobody knew her. Sharia thought that Karen might go by a nickname, so she asked Jay and Zakia to describe her.When Jay offered one guy a five-dollar bill, he informed him that he had just left Shorty Girl at a crack house around the corner, so that’s where they went. Jay told Zakia to stay in the SUV, and he went in with Sharia.
They entered the dilapidated bungalow and walked in and out of rooms looking for Karen. The people who were there, all high, totally ignored them. Prosperous-looking people came in and out to score and kept their heads down, trying not to draw attention. Jay and Sharia finally entered a room where they found Karen sitting on the floor. Sharia recognized her sister, even though she was dirty and raggedy. She knelt down and shook her, attempting to clear her mind, while Jay stood guard.
“Karen! Karen! It’s me, Sharia.”
“Sis, I thought you was locked up,” Karen said, recognizing her sister, to Sharia’s amazement.
“Karen, I’m out, baby, and the Lord sent me to get you.”
“Who sent you to get me?”
“Jesus.”
“Jesus?”
“Yes. Look at me. Look what He did for me. He wants to do the same for you.
“Ha ha ha! Yeah, right.”
“Please come home with me, Karen. Then all of Mama’s prayers will have been answered.”
“No can do, baby, but you can give me a few dollars,” Karen said, holding out her hand.
“You need more than a few dollars, sis. Please come with me.”
Karen jerked away and spewed at her sister. “Look at me. I can’t go to Mama’s house like this. Now, give me some money and leave me alone.”
Sharia felt in her spirit that their initial meeting was over. She didn’t push it. She had planted the first seed. She knew where her sister was, and she would be back. Sharia left without giving her sister any money.
Chapter Fifty-four
Jaron’s trial lasted three days. After much expert testimony and a five-year-old surprise witness, the jurors came back in less than an hour with an involuntary manslaughter conviction and a sentence limited to time served. Jaron was a free man. The local news highlighted the testimony of the “intuitive child wonder,” as the media referred to Ahmad. Everyone met at Zach’s to celebrate. Business associates, coworkers, friends from church, and villagers stopped by to offer their congratulations to Jaron and Micah. Ahmad knew that all the people around him were happy that Jaron was home, but he was enjoying all the hugs, kisses, and money that he was being given as well.
Now that Sharia knew where her sister was, she couldn’t give up trying every chance she got to get her off the streets. She could tell from their conversations that she was wearing Karen down. Sharia had not mentioned to her mother that she had found Karen, since her sister kept insisting that she didn’t want her mother to see her in her condition. Sharia shared with Zakia how she felt she was getting through to Karen and if she could get her cleaned up and feeling better about herself, that might help the situation.
Zakia talked to Jay, and they agreed to let Karen get herself cleaned up at their house if she agreed to let Sharia take her home to her mother. Finally, Karen agreed.
Zakia’s ability to motivate and inspire was a blessing to Sharia and her sister. Karen was open to receive words of wisdom from her because Zakia made her understand, and she could also make her laugh. She told her about how God put her life back together several times when it had come apart. All she had to do was love, obey, and trust Him. She told her how God had given her good friend Nikki a brand-new life and a new man in a new city and He would bless her too, beyond anything she could imagine, if she let Him. When Zakia showed Karen the postcard she had received from Africa from Nikki with a big X drawn by the pyramid to indicate the exact location where she had gotten her groove back in the Motherland, Karen fell on the floor laughing.
Chapter Fifty-five
It was the end of a very eventful summer. There was much for the village to be thankful for. There was also much to reflect upon, much to look forward to, and much to celebrate. The plans had been laid for a big Thank God celebration. Jim and Jean’s house and property were decorated with balloons, streamers, and banners. There was double the amount of food compared to the first pool party of the summer. There were four tables instead of two, and they were filled with everything to satisfy all types of tastes.
The same grills were smoking, except Micah and a free Jaron had a new one with marinated pork chops. The younger generation was earning its grill wings. Taj was right beside his granddaddy flipping ribs and sizzling steaks. Eli and Damon were working the chicken. JJ and Ahmad were at the seafood grill with Jay. Zeke was with Zach still strategically rolling the hot dogs over to ensure perfect little lines. Grilling was serious business to these men.
The old-school cheerleaders were being brought up-to-date by the new-school cheerleaders. Essence had taught Mia, Taylor, Shay, and LaKisha some new-school moves. The old-school cheerleaders—Zakia, Eboni, and Pam—watched in amazement, insisting, “That ain’t no cheering!” They were impressed with the mounts, though.
Zeke made Jaron promise to look out for Damon when he left for Manna State University. To Essence’s overwhelming delight, Zeke had decided to stay with the MSU family tradition. Jaron vowed to always be there for Damon and his hero, Ahmad.
The grandmothers were sitting around a table sipping iced tea and praising God for their health, strength, and children. Bea’s heart felt better than ever. Her doctors attributed her speedy recovery to the love and care of her family and friends. Grace was praising God for her daughter being home when she looked over and saw Sharia walk out onto the patio with Karen.
“Oh glory hallelujah!” she shouted as she jumped up and ran over to her prodigal daughter. Karen was clean and fresh, stylishly dressed in an outfit that looked vaguely familiar to Grace. Then she remembered it was one she had bought LaKisha. Sharia had borrowed it for her sister, since she was the same size as her daughter. Shay had done Karen’s hair during a pampering makeover session at Zakia’s house. They hugged forever, crying a river of tears.
“My baby, my baby. You look wonderful, darling. Thank You, Jesus,” Grace cried, squeezing and rocking Karen.
“I’m home, Mama. I’m gonna stay clean and make you proud of me. Everybody said they would help me. Please forgive me, Mama,” Karen cried in her mother’s ear.
“All is forgiven, and all is well now, baby. All is well,” Grace said, holding her daughter like she was never going to let her go.
There wasn’t a dry eye at the grandmothers’ table.
Micah relinquished the pork chop grill to Jaron and went over to Pam.
“Everyone, may I have your attention, please?” he said.
Grace finally loosed her hold on Karen and along with everyone else turned her attention to Micah, who was getting down on one knee in front of Pam. The tears started up all over again, but at the old-school cheerleaders’ table this time.
“Pam, I have loved you since high school. I never stopped. Now that the past is behind me, I want to go forward into the future with you as my wife. Will you marry me?” Micah eloquently proposed.
Tears had already met underneath Pam’s chin. She was nodding vigorously.
“Yes, Micah. I never stopped loving you either. Yes, I will marry you.”
Rejoicing went on all over the yard. Everyone was cheering and yelling, screaming and shouting, hugging and crying, until Damon stood on the table and yelled, “I wanna pray!”
Calming down and composing themselves, the villagers held hands as they gathered in a circle for Damon to lead them in prayer.
“Jesus, thank You for making everybody so happy. Thank You that I was not really in trouble when Mia was saying all that stuff about me at the trial, and thank You that whatever we did helped Jaron come home. Thank You that Taylor is gonna have a daddy. Thank You for making Essence and LaKisha like each other. Thank You for my best friend, Ahmad. Thank You for bringing my auntie and mommy home to help Gramma. Thank You for all this good food. And thank You for all our neighbors and friends who are here to have fun with us. In Jesus’ name, amen!”
“Amen!” the family cried in unison. All their prayers were answered.
As the villagers, neighbors, and friends rejoiced with the family, there was a loud noise, then total darkness. As light was restored, those who remained saw not a soul in the prayer circle, just empty clothes. They saw empty clothes all over the property. Those who were left knew what had happened, for they had heard it time and time again from the family—Jesus was coming soon—and began to cry out, “Oh God! No! Help us! Please, Jesus! Please, Jesus!”
In a number of cells at the Women’s Correctional Facility, there were empty clothes on the beds. In one of these cells, there was a heart drawn on the wall. Inside it was written “Rae loves Jesus.”
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:16-18
Reading Group Guide
PART ONE / Saved Babies’ Daddies
In Part One Jay and Zakia seem to have it all—a nice home, a great portfolio, corporate jobs, and two good sons. They go to church, vacation together, and even have favor on their jobs. Yet even in the midst of all these worldly acquisitions, Zakia feels a deep void in her life.
1. Zakia tries to fill this void by coming up with new things to do, such as driving across country or redecorating the house. Is there any area in your life where you feel a void? Do you know what types of things you are using in an attempt to help you feel more fulfilled?
Read: JOHN 4:1-15
2. Jay and Zakia attend Jay’s home church. How can it be that they attend church but still have no personal relationship with the true and living God? Do you know people like this?
Read: JOHN 4:22-24, JAMES 1:22-26
3. Zakia begins to attend another church and even joins without consulting her husband. She takes her children and gets more involved with the “things” of God, such as the choir, alter guild, usher board, et cetera. Have you ever been more involved with the “things” of God than the Word of God? What was the result of Zakia’s behavior?
Read: MARK 3:25, PROVERBS 14:1
4. Zakia alienates her husband, family, and friends with her newfound zeal for God. What does the Bible have to say about our Christian lifestyle and walk? According to the Word of God, what should Zakia have done to win over her husband?
Read: I PETER 3:1-4
5. Sometimes one of the most important things we can do to solve our problems is to recognize our own part in creating them. Can you identify a problem in your life that is partly your creation? If so, what is your responsibility in owning up to and fixing it?
Read:I JOHN 1:9
PART TWO / Real Saved Folk
In Part Two, Nikki, a divorced mother, starts over when she moves herself and her three children from Richmond to Atlanta. While she is sad to leave her extended family, she is at the same time excited and hopeful for a bright future.
6. Has God ever asked you to begin “a new thing” in your life? Describe the emotional pulls you felt to stay where you were comfortable versus going into the unknown. Were you tempted stay? Did you do it on your own or did you need support?
Read:GENESIS 12:1-5
7. We all have things in our pasts that are more difficult than others to get away from. What keeps you looking back in one particular area instead of moving forward?
Read: GENESIS 19:12-17, 26
Children can often adapt to whatever situation in which they are placed. Nikki’s twelve-year-old son, Taj, has already learned to study and imitate his mother.
8. The Bible tells us that children are a heritage of the Lord. The Word clearly tells us to bring them up in the love and admonition of the Lord. Even with the societal problems of today, how can we bring children up according to this scripture? How did Nikki demonstrate her personal relationship with God in front of her children?
Read: PSALM 127: 3, LUKE 1:80, LUKE 2: 46-47, 51-52
9. Children often learn to develop their own relationship with Christ from the examples they see from their parents. How can we emulate the love of God to children around us? Whose responsibility is it to train children?
Read:DEUTERONOMY 6:1-9, DEUTERONOMY 11:18-21
PART THREE / Out Of The Mouths Of Saved Babes
In the beginning of Part Three we learn that Grace, Alexis, Jean, and Bea partied and traveled throughout the1960s. We also hear Grace and Jean discuss possible reasons why Grace’s children and grandchildren have turned out the way they have despite the fact that she loves the Lord.
10. What do you think contributed to the choices that Sharia and Karen made in their lives? Which choices may have stemmed from the behavior of their mother? Sharia was promiscuous and did drugs, and Karen was a crack addict. Too often we label people by their degree of dirt. How does God label?
Read: ROMANS 3:23, ROMANS 6:23, MATTHEW 7:1-5
11. Even though we may do things “out of sight” of the children or while they are asleep, the Word says that God is not mocked: whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. How does this apply to rearing children?
Read: EPHESIANS 5:1-10, GALATIANS 6:7-8, JAMES 1:22-25
12. LaKisha believes that her body is the way to get attention. She has been molested by one of her mother’s boyfriends and is already sexually active We are often alarmed by young peoples’ seemingly inappropriate behavior but excuse our own immoral behavior with the rationalization “I am grown!” When parents fail to recognize dangerous behavior in themselves, the children are often the ones who reap the pain. What types of adult behavior that parents think are not normally harmful can actually be destructive to an impressionable child?
Read: II TIMOTHY 2:19-22, GALATIANS 5, ROMANS 8, MATTHEW 18:6
Zachary, Micah, and Eli have grown up together and they supported each other throughout their lives. When they were younger they formed “The Executives,” a brotherhood, which helped to keep them out of trouble and focused on their goals.
13. What does the Word say about friends? In time of crisis, how important is it to have support from loved ones? How important is it for us to have Godly counsel?
Read: PROVERBS 17:17, PROVERBS 18:24, PROVERBS 11:14, PROVERBS 15:22, PROVERBS 24:6, PROVERBS 20:18
OTHER TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION AVAILABLE FROM WALK WORTHY PRESS
Soul Matters,by Yolonda Tonette Sanders
Infidelity and deceit threaten a Christian family when they are forced to face the secrets and lies that are creating mistrust, disorder, and tension in their lives.
What a Sista Should Do, by Tiffany Warren
A spiritually satisfying novel about three courageous women who must confront the harsh realities of their lives through faith and prayer.
All Things Hidden, by Judy Candis
A top female homicide detective confronts issues of racism, single motherhood, and the challenges of faith in this spectacular edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Heaven Sent,by Montré Bible
A compelling debut novel that details a young Christian man’s discovery of the previously hidden truth of his heritage—and his decision to use his life for good.
Good to Me, by LaTonya Mason
This debut novel from a fresh new voice—full of unforgettable and imperfect characters who overcome personal challenges, hoping against all hope for perfect lives—addresses such diverse issues as romance with prison inmates, single parenthood, and domestic abuse.
Saved Folk in the House Page 25