No Wasted Tears (13 page)

Chapter 9

Everyone in the house was up early. The sun found Cynthia on her knees praying for God’s guidance as the day
started.

She heard her boys running up and down the hall. Glancing over at the clock, it was time to get up and get moving. Looking around the room, she was proud of what she saw, loving everything about her new home. She had chosen a soft pink paint that Sara had sent her swatches of, which the painters applied perfectly. They even sprinkled the white spots on top of the paint, and the effect was dazzling. Sara made the curtains; they gave the room a feminine appeal. She had a window seat in which she put several pillows. It would be a great spot to read and reflect after
work.

She thought about her confrontation yesterday at the Lighthouse with Marvin, wondereding how long he and Kristen had been dating. A sharp stab of jealousy ran through her. She knew that she had no rights where Marvin was concerned, but it still hurt seeing him with another woman. She had promised herself that if she saw him, she would remain calm and act like an adult. Cynthia was proud of the way she handled everything. Miss Sara had been a lifesaver, taking the boys out of the restaurant before Marvin saw
them.

Adam had not shared the information about the twins with him. She knew for sure that his parents saw her at church on Sunday. Mary Wheeler was very observant, and she knew that if she got close enough she could tell that the boys were her grandsons. God had shown her some grace, but she knew that she would have to tell him and
soon.

Cynthia knew she couldn’t worry too long about Marvin. She had to meet with her boss today at M and W. That was going to require some much-needed strength. She made up her bed headed to the bathroom for a
shower.

Across the hall Destiny was gasping for breath, caused by the sobs rising in her throat from a terrible dream that interrupted her sleep. Sitting upright, she was
relieved
to know she was in her own bed. The sound of the rain against her windowpane was refreshing. It took a few seconds before the panic subsided and the sight of her new room steadied her a little. As if on cue, the alarm clock announced with a song that it was time to get
up.

“It was a dream,” Destiny said aloud as she brushed a hand over her tangled hair and scrambled out of bed. She was in Seattle. That fact alone gave her peace of
mind.

As Destiny and Miss Sara sat at the kitchen counter, Cynthia entered, inhaling the smell of the freshly brewed coffee. She glanced in on the boys and told them to put away their toys before coming to
breakfast.

“Good morning, Destiny, Miss Sara,” she said while moving toward the cabinet to get a mug for her
coffee.

Destiny looked at Cynthia. “If they base hiring on how good you look, then you have a new
job.”

She smiled before taking a sip of her
coffee.

Sara looked up from her newspaper to comment. “I tried to get the boys to stay calm this morning, but they are excited about attending their new school. It’s really a blessing that I got them on the list for Little Lambs Christian Academy when I moved here in February. It’s not far from where you’ll be
working.”

Cynthia looked over at Miss Sara as she took the makings for breakfast from the refrigerator. “The boys and I drove over to the school when I went to the mall to pick up some things for decorating my room. I also went by the M and W to make sure I knew how to get there
today.”

Sara gazed at her. “The boys asked who Marvin was yesterday when they saw you talking to him. Jonathan said that he looked like Adam, just like he looked like David.” Laughing, she went on to say, “David told him that was because Marvin and Adam were twins just like them.” Sara looked at Cynthia and in a serious tone said, “Don’t wait too long to tell them the
truth.”

“I’m going to tell them just as soon as I tell Marvin. I also want them to know all of their grandparents,” she
replied.

Sara walked over and put her arms around Cynthia before saying, “Trust your feelings and trust what God is telling you to do.” She looked up when she heard the boys entering the
kitchen.

“What’s God telling you, Mommy?”

Her sons were coming in the kitchen, talking at the same
time.

“God is always telling me how wonderful my sons are and how much they love me. Now come give Mommy a hug. Did you all say good morning to Destiny and Miss Sara?” she asked
them.

Both Jonathan and David left their mother and responded, “Good morning, Miss Destiny, and good morning, Me-ma.” They gave hugs to each of
them.

Jonathan smiled up at Cynthia. “Mommy, are you going to fix us some
pancakes?”

“We want chocolate chips inside,” David
added.

“Um-hum,” Jonathan
responded.

Destiny grinned. “Why chocolate chips, guys?” she asked as she was putting her mug in the
sink.

“That’s what Mommy always does to start our week off right. Today we start Little Lambs Christian Academy. We promised we would be good.” David looked sheepishly at
Destiny.

“Can we sit in front of the television and eat them, Mommy?” Jonathan
asked.

“Not today, guys. Mommy has to get you to the school, and I have an interview,” she told both of them. “We’ll watch cartoons on Saturday and eat pancakes. Deal, guys?”

They looked up at Cynthia, and said, “Deal.”

“I believe that a prayer is in order for all of us today,” Sara said. “Cynthia, you have an interview. Destiny, you are going to visit Tina and her family. David and Jonathan are starting a new school, and I’m going to be right here interceding for us all.” She looked at everyone in the kitchen, and then she held out her
hands.

Everyone walked over to join in the prayer. Sara began in a voice of authority to pray for her family as they began to walk in the purpose for which God called
them.

“Gracious God, there are so many requests that we have for our lives this morning, but before we start asking, we just want to say thank you. For we know, God, that there are so many people who live alone in this world without family to encourage them, listen to them, and support them. We realize that we have you. For that, we just want to say thank you. You have blessed us to be family—not through a blood relationship of a mother or father but by the blood of your only Son, Jesus. For that, we want to say thank you. Now, God, we realize that we all came to Seattle for different reasons. One of us is a scorned child wanting to reconcile with a family that doesn’t know
you. One of us has come to this place looking for self-renewal and your divine will for her life. God, my Father, I realize that you know all about me. My only request is that my daughters and my godchildren be granted their requests. I know you will take care of me and all my needs will be taken care of. In your Son, Jesus’s, name, we all say
amen.”

Each person agreed with her and said, “Amen.” Cynthia and Destiny set about making breakfast while Sara checked the boys’ ears and went through their book bags before they left for school. Today was going to be a great day for all of
them.

Cynthia drove her car into the garage of M and W Enterprises Real Estate Investors, Inc. as Charles Mullins instructed her to do when he called Saturday to confirm their meeting time. Stopping at the gate, she let the automatic window down and looked at the
attendant.

“Hi. I’m Cynthia Mason, and I have a meeting this morning with Charles Mullins.” Cynthia watched as the gentleman checked for her name. Finding it, he leaned out the booth, pointed to the area where she could park her car, and showed her the entrance she would use to enter the
building.

Cynthia drove her car to the K-level where she found a parking space close to the elevators. Gathering her briefcase she headed for the elevator doors. As she boarded, she took a deep calming breath. Others got on the elevator and got off on different floors. Checking herself in the mirror one last time to make sure her braids were still pinned up and her suit was wrinkle free gave her the confidence needed for her appointment. She was determined to get this job, not because of who her parents were but because she was qualified. When the elevator stopped on her floor, she got off and followed the signs M and W Enterprises Real Estate Investors, Inc. She opened the glass doors that led to her new
career.

Chapter 10

Destiny thought about how she had tossed and turned that night, her dreams filled with images of Stanley. Later the dreams changed; she was no longer in Seattle but back in Charleston running through a swamp bare footed with Stanley in fast pursuit. The faster she tried to run, the slower she moved, her feet were growing heavier, weighed down by muddy swamp water. She wanted to escape the swamp, but she couldn’t make her legs turn in the direction of the light she saw. Finally, she found herself on dry land, moving quickly, no mud holding her feet back. But when she looked up to see the source of the light, it was a flashlight being held by her archenemy Stanley. As he moved toward her she was unable to move; all she could do was stand there while he laughed hysterically, holding the flashlight baring down on her. Then she woke with a
start.

“Calm down,” she chided herself firmly, waiting until her breathing had returned to normal before she moved. Sitting up, she shook her head slowly, stealing a look around the room and knowing full well no one was there. The dream had been so real. She wiped the sweat from her brow and stretched; she knew it was time for her to get the day started. But these dreams were giving her pause. There had to be a way to eliminate her uneasiness concerning Stanley, but for now she had something else to
do.