Ron turned to her. “I hear we have you to thank for that, Nia. I don’t have enough words to express what it means to me. I’m sorry I gave you a hard time about talking with Myra.”
“You were just trying to protect her.”
“Still, you were right, and I was wrong.”
Cooper hugged Ron. “Let’s forget about that. It’s time to have a party. How about we meet at the pond in an hour and a half. That gives me enough time to bake a celebration cake.”
11
A week later Nia was in her bedroom packing. It was hard to believe summer was over. Back to Atlanta for a few days and then on to college. With Keisha. She hoped. She was still refusing to answer Nia’s calls. Things would get back to normal between them once they got to college. Everything would be fine.
Someone knocked.
“Come in, Cooper.”
He opened the door and walked in.
The expression on his face made her stomach twist up in knots. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s no easy way to tell you.” He waited a moment. “It’s Myra.”
The top she’d been folding fell from her hands. She didn’t want to hear any more. “What about her?”
“She passed away last night.”
“No. No. That can’t be true. God was going to heal her. I was sure of it.”
“I’m sorry, Nia.”
She bit her lips to try to stop from crying but it didn’t work.
Cooper put his arms around her and held her as she sobbed. “I know it’s a difficult thing but Myra’s in heaven. And that is because of you. You made sure she was right with God before it was too late.”
She stepped back, shaking her head. “I wanted her to get better. I prayed and prayed for her. I was sure God would heal her, as he did me.”
“Ron wanted me to thank you again for what you did for Myra.”
“I didn’t do anything. She died. I failed.”
“That’s not true, Nia. It’s not about failing or succeeding. It’s about God’s will. And this life is temporary for all of us. You helped heal Myra’s spirit. Her heart was right with God.”
Cooper was right, but Nia couldn’t help feeling as if she’d failed. She’d been so sure Myra would be healed. What had she done wrong?
Cooper was staring at her.
She managed to nod. “You’re right. It’s just…so hard.”
“I know. Rachel got better at handling these situations the longer she did it, but it was never easy. A part of her died each time she lost a friend.”
“I don’t know how she did it. This is…so horrible.”
“It’s part of life, Nia. People live and people die.” His voice was soft. “The important thing is that they die knowing Jesus. Want to go horseback riding?”
“No, thanks.”
“One last ride before you leave? Sweet Cherry would love that. She’s going to miss you.”
She pointed at her suitcases. “Gotta get packed.”
“OK. Are you all right?”
“I guess.”
He walked to the door but turned back toward her. “I know it’s hard, Nia, but you need to remember you did all you could do. You prayed for that child’s soul. And that child accepted Jesus in her heart.”
“But it wasn’t enough.”
“Really? Because she’s with Jesus, now.”
****
Nia strummed on her guitar. The sad music she played matched her mood. She could see the Puzzle Room from where she sat in the practice room, and her heart welled up with even more sadness—she hadn’t thought that possible. She would miss this place so much, but the time had come to be honest with herself and with Cooper. As if bidden by her thoughts, he walked in.
“Hey, Nia. I take it you’re all packed and ready to go home.”
She nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She didn’t want to break down in front of Cooper. She needed to be strong. What she had to tell him would be hard enough without her falling apart. “We need to talk.”
“Exactly my thought. I know it’s been a rough few days with the news about Myra yesterday. I hate the fact you’re leaving on such a sad note because I think you’ve done a great job here this summer.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond.
“It’s proven to me that Rachel was right about you. I’m sad to see you go, but I’m excited to see what God will do with you at college this year.”
“Me, too. I guess.”
He gave her a strange look. “You know I’m very proud of you for stepping up this summer. It took a lot of courage for you to just walk into the Puzzle Room that morning and start helping people with their puzzles.”
“I was a little terrified.” But what difference did it make—they hadn’t worked. She wouldn’t be able to heal anyone. Ever.
“You’ve done a great job. Not one person has come up to me to even ask who this young girl thinks she is giving out spiritual advice to people much older than she is.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“It’s a testament to your wisdom.”
“Not mine, God’s.” They both smiled, knowing the other was thinking of Rachel.
“Very true. Anyway, I want you to know how proud I am of you.”
“But?”
“Excuse me?”
“I sense a ‘but’ in there somewhere, Cooper. So what’s on your mind?”
“You are getting very wise. You’ve done a great job, but I noticed you always talk in terms of puzzles. I rarely hear you say the name of God.”
“Really? Are you sure about that?” But even as she asked the question, she realized it was true. “I suppose you’re right. I guess I just don’t want to impose my beliefs on other people.”
“That makes sense, but talking about God is not the same as imposing your thoughts on other people. It’s about sharing the truth with them.” He smiled. “It’s just something I wanted you to think about. God put it on my heart.”
“I have something I need to talk about with you, too. I…uh…I—” She stopped, not able to find the right words. This was harder than she’d imagined.
Cooper’s eyes were filled with concern. “What is it, Nia? You know you can talk about anything with me.”
She nodded. “I…not to say Rachel was wrong, and I’m sure it’s all my fault.”
“What’s your fault?”
“I don’t think I’m anointed to be a healer anymore. I don’t know what happened. I must have done something to make God change His mind. To make Him mad at me. I’ve tried to be good—even though it’s not always easy.”
“Is this about Myra? Because—”
“It’s not just about Myra. I’ve been feeling this way for a while now.”
“Oh, Nia. I don’t believe for a moment that Rachel was mistaken. God has great plans for you here at Puzzle House. I’m sure of it.”
“I know you don’t agree, and neither does Auntie but there’s something neither of you know.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ve been going to hospitals every week for the past year. I sit with sick people. I pray for them. Nothing ever happens. I don’t have the gift of healing. It’s just not there.” She looked the other way not wanting Cooper to see the pain in her eyes.
“How do you know?”
She looked back at him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean how do you know none of them were healed? Do you follow up with them later?”
“Well, no, but I don’t feel anything while I’m praying. No warmth. No sense of God working. Like the way it was when Rachel prayed with me when she told me I was anointed by God to be a healer.” She met his gaze. “Nothing.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. Rachel didn’t always feel something in the moment. Even in your case, you know that was true. Your healing came over time, not overnight.”
He was right about that but she couldn’t let him sway her decision. She’d made it and was sure it was the correct one. “I want it t
o be there, Cooper. But it’s not. So I’m done.”
“Now, I don’t know what that means.”
“It means I won’t be coming back here. Puzzle House is not my home. You do what you want with it. I…” She stopped, not able to continue.
“First of all, Puzzle House belongs to you when you turn twenty-one. Rachel was very clear about that. So whether you think so or not, it’s your home. And always will be. To do with as you wish.”
She shook her head, making her tone more adamant. “I’m not coming back. It wouldn’t be fair. I don’t have the gift of healing.”
“There’s more than one kind of healing, Nia. You know that. And you’ve done a wonderful job this summer, helping others find peace. Helping them to reconnect their own creativity with God’s Will. That is spiritual healing. And Rachel always considered spiritual healing to have top priority.”
“I was just parroting Rachel’s words. You said so yourself.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“But it’s true. And if I wasn’t completely sure about that before Myra, I’m absolutely sure God has other plans for me. Puzzle House won’t be a part of them.” She stood up and hugged him. “I love you, Cooper. The time I’ve spent here at Puzzle House with you has been so special. It changed my life, and I’ll never forget it, but I won’t be back.”
He hugged her. “Yes, you will be back. No one ever said how long your David years would be, Nia. Waiting for God’s timing is not an easy thing. One thing is true, you can’t hurry God no matter how much you try.”
“I know, but I really don’t think that’s the case. I just don’t feel anything. It’s just not there.” And maybe it never was. It had only been wishful thinking on her part.
“I don’t believe that for a minute.” She started to speak but he held up a hand. “But I’ll give you the space you need. For now.”
She stepped away. “I won’t change my mind. I have to do what I think is right. And it wouldn’t be right to take this wonderful place under pretense. I’m sure God will provide you with a healer. A real one.”
“You are a healer, Nia. Whether you feel it or not. Whether you think so or not. And you belong here at Puzzle House. Not now but sometime in the future.”
There wasn’t anything left to say to Cooper on that subject. “Bye, Cooper.”
“For now, Nia.”
She shook her head and walked out the door as she whispered, “Forever.”
12
She was back home. Nia looked around her room filled with boxes. Summer was over—time to go to college. The thought terrified her but only a little. Mostly she was excited. Even though she’d decided Puzzle House wasn’t in her future, that didn’t mean God didn’t have great plans for her. Just as there was more than one kind of healing, there was more than one way to serve God.
She was only taking her clothes, a few pictures, and of course her Bible journals, but the room was still a mess. She’d called Keisha several times in the past two days and left messages so they could coordinate their trip tomorrow to St. John’s Bible College in Tennessee.
Keisha still hadn’t called back. Nia didn’t know what her problem was but hoped after a few days as roommates, they’d be back to being best buds. The sooner she got Keisha away from Marcus and his friends, the better.
She finished packing and put her room back in order. She walked out with two large suitcases. “All done, Auntie.”
“That’s great, sweetie.”
Nia hadn’t told Aunt Margaretta about her decision not to go back to Puzzle House. After putting the suitcases by the door, she sat down. “Have you talked to Cooper?”
Auntie looked up from her book. “No, should I have?”
“Not really. Just curious.” She’d tell Auntie about her decision another time, maybe when they drove to the school together.
“I’m going over to Keisha’s house now. She hasn’t called me back. What time should I tell her we’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Seven AM sharp. But maybe you should drive my car over. That way you girls can put her things in now. Then you won’t have to do it in the morning.”
“Good idea.”
“The keys are on the counter.”
Nia picked up the keys and headed for the door. “I think I’ll just take one suitcase now and the other in the morning. Can’t believe how heavy they are. I’ll be back later.”
“I’ll be here.”
She drove the three blocks to Keisha’s house. It was hard not to notice the difference between the city and Puzzle House in the country. No wonder there was more crime in big cities. It was too noisy and too crowded. She really was becoming a country girl.
Her heart filled with sadness. She wouldn’t be living at Puzzle House in the future. For so long, she’d believed that was her future but not anymore. God still had plans for her—that she was sure of. Hopefully, she’d discover what at college.
Keisha’s mother answered the door. “Oh, hi, Nia.”
“Hey, Mizz Banks. I’ve been trying to get hold of Keisha, but she’s not answering her phone. Anything wrong?”
Tears filled the older woman’s eyes. “You better come in, sweetheart. Keisha’s up in her room. Go on up.”
Her stomach twisted. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “Go on up.”
As Nia walked up the steps a sense of dread overtook her. It reminded her of when she’d walked up the steps at Puzzle House to visit with Rachel the very last time before she died. She was just being melodramatic. Nothing could be that bad. She knocked on the door. “Keish, it’s me.” She opened the door.
Keisha was huddled on her bed.
Nia hurried over to her. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“Not exactly.” Keisha mumbled as she turned toward Nia.
Nia sat down on the bed. “I’ve been calling you all summer. Why aren’t you answering? Why didn’t you call me back?”
“I didn’t want to talk to you.”
“Oh.” Hurt blossomed, but Nia put it aside. “Why? Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Keisha sat up. “I didn’t want to talk to you ’cause I’m…I’m so ashamed.” The last word came out as a wail.
“Why?”
“I messed up.”
“That’s OK, Keish. Everybody messes up sometimes.” Keisha must be talking about Marcus and what she’d done over the summer. “God will forgive you. It’s not the end of the world. No big deal.”
“It’s a big deal this time.” Keisha looked down and then up at Nia. “I’m pregnant.”
It was as if someone punched Nia in the stomach. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. Finally, she wrapped her arms around her friend. “I don’t know what to say.”
Keisha leaned against her as big sobs wracked her body.
A moment later, Nia was crying alongside her friend. Finally, the two broke apart.
“I’m so sorry, Keish.”
“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I messed everything up. You tried to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. I thought I was so smart. I just wanted to have some fun. Yeah, a lot of fun this is.”
“What will you do? You’re still going to St. John’s tomorrow, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Why not?”
“I’m pregnant.”
“That doesn’t mean your life has to stop.”
“Well, it sorta does. You really think a Bible college will let me go there now? A pregnant, unmarried girl? Get real.”
“I don’t know but I would think they would. It’s a Christian college. That should mean it’s not their place to judge you. Only God’s supposed to do that.”
“Maybe so, but it don’t matter. So I go to college for a few months. Big deal. Once the baby comes, I can’t go. I gotta get a job and take care of it.”
Nia wanted to say a baby wasn’t an it, but Keisha didn’t need to hear that right now. “How long have you known?”
“Just a few days.”
“Have you told Marcus yet?”
Instead of answering, Keisha let loose a fresh round of tears. “Yeah. You know what he said? ‘How do I know it’s mine?’” More tears fell.
“I’m sorry.” Why couldn’t Keisha have seen the guy was a jerk?
“I haven’t been with anyone else. Just him. I promise.”
“I know that. I believe you.”
“I thought I was special to him. Thought he loved me.” She wiped at a few tears. “But he was just using me.”
“I’m sure that’s not true. You are special. How could he not love you? You probably just shocked him. He’ll come around.”
“No, he won’t. He actually broke up with me a few weeks ago. Even before he knew about the baby. Said there was just too many girls out there to get hooked up with only one.” She rolled her eyes. “His actual words were a lot nastier, but I’m not going to repeat them.”
Nia closed her eyes and prayed for guidance—for the right words. She opened them when she finished. Keisha was staring at her. “Don’t bother praying for me. God’s done with me.”
“That’s not true. God still loves you.”
“Yeah, right. After all the stuff I done, I don’t think so.”
“Yeah, it is right. God—”
“Whatever. You should go. I’m sure you got a lot to do before you leave.”
“Keish, we can figure this out together. We both need to go to school tomorrow. Together. Even if it’s only for the fall semester.”
“What’s to figure out? I already called and told them I can’t come. Gave up my scholarship. Just go. Like Mama said, I made my bed. Now I get to lay in it.”
“Don’t be that way.”
Her head drooped.
Nia took hold of her hand but didn’t say anything.
Finally, Keisha looked up. Her voice was soft. “Don’t worry about me, Nia. I’ll be OK. I’m just having a few bad days right now. I don’t know what I’ll do, but I know going to college isn’t one of the options for now. Maybe after the baby.”
“Oh, Keish.” Nia hugged her friend. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Now you go and do what you need to do so that God can use you.”
“God can still use you. It’s just like when David messed—”
David Years Page 5