Forever Blessed (Women of Prayer) (4 page)

“Okay.” Keisha looked from Sheila to Laney.

Sheila smiled, “Keisha, I want to talk with Laney alone.”

“Oh, I got ya, Ms. Sheila. Sure. I know when Keisha’s not wanted.” Keisha eased off the chair and headed to the kitchen.

Sheila smiled apologetically to Laney. “I’m sorry about that. She doesn’t have the greatest sense of propriety. We’re working on that.”

Laney took a sip of her tea, “Oh, it’s ok. I need to stop being so sensitive. It’s obvious I’m here and we all know why. Why am I still trying to hide it?”

“Well, these are some of the things we talk about here. You’ll learn a lot about yourself through the healing process.”

Laney looked to Sheila and smiled, grateful for the wisdom and safety she provided.

“Thank you, Sheila, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

Sheila looked from the playing children to her friend. “This is what I do, Laney. I help women in your position get away from husbands who don’t deserve them.”

Sheila waved her hand toward the grand home that they were now sheltered in. “All this is for you. This was my dream for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a little girl and watched my mom being hit again and again by my father, I knew I was going to do something. Everything in my life has led me to this moment, to this place. I am very thankful to be able to be here for you.”

Sheila continued. “We have to talk about some practical things. Your van has been moved. If you need to go somewhere, one of us will take you. We can’t take any chances that Paul will find us. Our survival depends on the location of this home being kept a secret. Now that you have had some rest, let’s discuss some ground rules.”

Laney kept quiet, waiting for Sheila to go on.

“The most important rule we have is, no telling anyone where you are. Not your parents. Not your sister. No one.” Sheila waited for the information to sink in. “If you tell anyone, you will be asked to leave. I hate to be so direct, but I have to be. The rules are the same for everyone. Every woman here is counting on us to be discreet, to keep them safe. We cannot do it unless this rule is followed to the letter of the law. Do you understand?”

Laney shook her head before answering. “Yes. I understand.” She wiped a tear from her eyes. Her parents were getting older. They would be concerned.

Sheila knew from experience the types of thoughts going through Laney’s mind. “It won’t be forever. They will understand.”

Laney smiled through her tears. She wasn’t so sure they would, but she had to do this. She had no choice. “I’m doing this Sheila. I’m not going back. I can’t.”

Keisha opened the screen door with her hip and stepped onto the porch. “Ms. Sheila, Mary Beth told me to bring this-here plate a' sandwiches to you. You done talkin’ yet?”

Sheila took the sandwiches and passed the plate to Laney. “Thank you, Keisha, we’ll take those and no, we’re not done talking. Is there something you need?”

“No, I jus’ wanted to know, that’s all. I’m leavin’, no worries.” Keisha headed back into the house.

Laney managed a smile. “Thank you, Keisha.”

All Sheila and Laney heard in response was mumbling and they both started to laugh. Laney realized just how hungry she was and took a bite of the sandwich.

Sheila sat back and relaxed. “She’ll grow on you, you know. You watch and see. She has a heart of gold. She may be a little unpolished, but she has a good heart. Now as for the rest of the house rules, pretty basic stuff. Everyone pitches in and helps with the cleaning and cooking. Also, all the ladies take turns watching each other’s children during individual counseling times. We have an in-house advocate who will be meeting with you one-on-one starting tomorrow morning at ten and then each day afterward for the first week. She will discuss your second-week schedule with you once she sees where you are. We also have group sessions at 8:30 each night, after the kids are settled into bed. This is where you will build relationships with the other ladies. It really is a time of healing.

Sheila looked at her watch. “We do have some pretty strict schedules to adhere to. Why don’t you call in the kids and get them bathed and ready for bed. I’m sure they are exhausted. Then you can join us for our group discussion this evening.”

*  *  *  *

Laney looked around the room that would be their home for the next few weeks. Melanie and Matt were already sound asleep and Joy was curled up on the top bunk with a book. “Night, honey. I love you.”

“I love you too, mom. How long are we going to stay here? I like it.”

“I don’t know. A few weeks I think. I’ll let you know for sure when I find out. I’m going to head downstairs. I have to go to group therapy.” Laney winked at her daughter and started for the door, then turned around. “Thank you, Joy. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

*  *  *  *

The library had ten chairs arranged in a circle. The house was big, but Laney didn’t realize there was room enough for ten ladies and their children.
Well, eight if you subtract Sheila and the counselor, although Sheila did live there as well, so nine.

Laney took one of the four open chairs and quietly waited for things to get started. Keisha came through the door huffing and puffing, talking to whoever would listen. “What am I gonna do with that child? He won’ go to sleep. Keep callin’ for his mama.” She looked up and saw an open chair next to Laney. Laney groaned. Too late now.

Keisha headed straight for her. “Hey there, Laney. Fancy meetin’ you here.” Keisha found that funny and chuckled at her own joke.

“Hi, Keisha. Yeah, what are the odds of that happening?” Laney rolled her eyes and glanced away. She hadn’t met any of the other ladies and almost all the chairs were full.

Sheila and another woman entered together, talking rather animatedly about something. They both quieted down when they realized everyone was already there, waiting. Together they sat down on the last remaining chairs.

Sheila began. “Welcome, everyone. Let’s open in prayer, shall we?”

Each woman bowed her head. Laney was a little surprised. She didn’t realize this was a religious house. Everything had happened so quickly, she’d not taken the time to find out what kind of safe house her friend ran. She listened, though she did not enter into prayer with the rest of the ladies.

“Lord, thank you for bringing each of these wonderful women and their children safely into our home. Father, I ask that you give us wisdom in every decision we make. I pray that we walk in your will and consider your ways in all that we do. Lord, if there is anyone here that does not know you personally and have a thriving, intimate relationship with you, I pray that you send the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts and draw them unto yourself. Please be with us now as we heal and grow together, giving of ourselves while learning to trust again. In your precious name, Jesus, Amen.”

Sheila continued, “Everyone, I’d love to introduce Laney to you. She arrived today and will be staying with us. Please make her feel welcome but remember how overwhelmed you were when you first arrived, so at the same time, give her a bit of space.”

Sheila looked to Laney. “Welcome, Laney.

“Now, we have some good news. Keisha has secured a job and is moving into a furnished apartment at the end of next week.”

There were quiet congratulations around the room. Although the goal was to become independent, not one woman in the room had complete peace about leaving the relative safety of the home. It was a bittersweet moment for most.

Keisha seemed confident and excited about being out on her own. “Yeah, I got me and my baby an apartment. An’ I got a job cleanin’ too. We goin’ places. Mmmm-hmmm. We ain’t goin' back to the hood. My baby gonna have a chance. He ain’t gonna be in no gang. He ain’t gonna take no drugs. He goin’ t’ school. Mmmm-hmmmm…he gonna make somethin’ a’ himself.”

Keisha looked around the room. “Don’ you all be looking like da mouse that da cat drug in. We gonna be fine. It’s all good. We got Jesus too. He ain’t lettin’ nothin’ bad happen to us. No way. You'll see.”

Laney quietly took everything in. One of the newer girls began to share her experience. Laney was horrified. It sounded as if they could have been married to the same man. She looked around the room, assessing each woman, trying to figure out her story. Each woman was different. Different colors, different heights, different weights, yet each of them had something very much in common. They had all been deeply and brutally hurt by those who were supposed to love them the most.

At 10:00 PM the group dispersed and Laney found herself standing before the bathroom mirror. She used the white washcloth to remove the makeup. The bruises were beginning to fade to yellow. The swelling around her eye had gone down enough that with makeup, she looked mostly normal. She took the cover up out of her makeup bag and tossed it into the trash. She would never put that stuff on her face again. She lifted her arm to examine her rib cage. This time he’d used his fist. Normally he used an open hand. Although it wasn’t the first time, she was going to make sure it was the last. She cringed as she slipped the nightgown Sheila had given her over her head. The pain had subsided, but was still very real. If only the pain piercing her heart would heal as quickly as her physical pain. The likelihood of that happening was next to nil.

Where did the real Laney go? The one who swore no one would hit her like her dad hit her mom? She was sure she’d never let it happen. Now look at her. Pathetic, homeless, helpless and running from a man who’d vowed to love her the rest of her days. What was she going to do? Her situation was grim, almost hopeless, yet here she was. Safe for the moment. Warm. Dry. Full stomach. Maybe there was something to all this God stuff. Who would have thought she’d be here, in this place, peaceful and silent with no hint of a storm about to hit.
God, are you the reason I am here? Did you orchestrate all this? Do you really care about me?

Quietly she sat in the rocking chair, where she could see each of her children sleeping. She would savor this moment; this moment where everything precious to her was safe, out of harm's reach. She had wondered her whole married life if she would ever know peace again. It seemed as though peace was only one long drive away.

             
             
             
             
Chapter Five

Keisha eyed the new woman.
She’s a uppity white woman if I ever seen one.
She’s still scared.
Keisha knew that just by looking at her.
Mmmmm-hmmmm, yep, she scared alright. Lookin’ around the place like her man gonna jump outta the bush or somethin’. Lord, I better be prayin’ for this one. She hurtin’, Lord. Why some man be beatin’ on such a pretty thang as her, Lord? Me? I know I ain’t smart and pretty, but that one, she be fine. Why her man be treatin’ her bad?
Keisha shook her head
. I ain’t never gonna understand these things, Lord. Oh help her, Jesus.

Keisha went back to the task at hand. She had a lot to do before her move on Saturday. Even though she had acted all brave the night before, she was scared. Scared that Jamal would find her and scared that she would go back to him
. Sometimes he could be so nice.
And besides, who else would love her?
Lord, Ms. Sheila say I gotta stop thinkin’ like that. Help me, Lord. She say he don’t love me. Love don’t hurt. I know she’s right, Lord. My brain gets all mixed up.

She looked at the form lying before her. It said “Budget” at the top. Keisha scrunched her eyebrows.
I ain’t never had no budget before. I s'pposed to give these papers to Miss Sheila after lunchtime.
They didn’t make much sense. She looked at Laney who was reading a book on the couch.
She seems smart-like. Maybe she can help.