Valued. Encouraged. Empowered. Informed. Motivated. Inspired. Defended. Appreciated. Emancipated.
After several failed relationships with men who used and abused me, I decided that I had had enough. I packed up and left my old, sad, unfulfilled life to begin anew.
31 Words
This was written for the Weekend Writing Prompt by Sammi Cox. For instructions, click Here.
I’m sitting in the cafe that I frequently go to because I love their Latte when I can feel that someone is staring at me. I turn my head and my eyes meet those of a very beautiful African American woman. As we lock eyes for what seemed like eternity, I debate whether or not to walk over there or simply walk out. It hasn’t been that long since my marriage ended after I found out that my wife was cheating on me. Her betrayal still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Relationships are the last thing on my mind right now.
The owner of the cafe, a jovial man walks over to her and she looks up at him. He leans over and says something to her. She grabs her handbag and immediately leaves. The owner comes over to me and says in a low voice, “I saw her making eyes at you,” he said. “I don’t want her business in here. I told her that if she came here again, I would call the police.”
I stare at him, confused. “What do you mean? What kind of business is she in?”
He looks around to make sure no one could hear him. “She’s one of them ladies of the night. Seems like she likes to go into reputable businesses and find customers. Well, she’s not use my cafe for her sordid business.”
“But, she didn’t look like a…” I couldn’t even say the word.
“No, I don’t suppose she does but I know her kind. I see her hanging out on the street, trying to solicit and now she has the gall to come into my cafe. I told her not to show her face around her anymore or else I’ll set the police on her. I think I scared her off. I don’t think she will come here anymore.”
I thank him and finish my Latte. I get up from the table and leave. Outside, I stand on the sidewalk and look in both directions. I spot her standing at the corner. I hurry towards her. This is crazy, I think to myself. I shouldn’t get involved. But, I can’t let an opportunity to reach out to someone who needed help pass me by. She turns her head and sees me. I can see the surprise on her face. “Hi,” I say when I reach her. “I was hoping that you hadn’t gone far.”
“Why did you come after me?” she asks.
Up close she is very beautiful. “I wanted to talk to you.”
“You’re not a cop, are you?”
I shake my head. “No. I’m a lawyer.”
“You think I need one? Did the owner press charges against me?”
“No. Why would he press charges against you?”
“Because I’m a hooker and I was on his premises. I thought I was trying to solicit?”
“And were you?”
“No! I was in there like any paying customer when I saw you. I can’t help that you’re a very attractive man. I was just admiring you. I wasn’t going to solicit you or try to pick you up.”
“If he hadn’t told me what you were, I never would have guessed. You don’t look like a…”
“Prostitute? Well, during the day, I’m a regular person, doing regular things but at night I get picked up by all sorts of men.”
“Why do you do it?”
She shrugs. “I got laid off a year ago.”
“So, why can’t you try to find another job or go through a temporary agency?”
“Listen, why should I settle for another nine to five job when I can earn $120. a customer? I make more money having sex with rich, white businessmen?”
“You don’t have to do this. You can make that kind of money without selling yourself.”
She stares at me. “How?”
I think about it for a moment and then I say, “A former client recently told me that if I had any favors to ask of him, don’t hesitate. I can call him and see what he can do for you.”
“Why are you doing this?” she asks.
“I’m a Christian lawyer.”
“Oh. Wouldn’t your church have a problem with you helping me?”
“No. As Christians we are supposed to help others.”
“I used to go to church a long time ago but stopped going because the members were judgmental. I got pregnant out of wedlock when I was 17 and they treated me like I was the devil himself.”
“So, you’re mother?” I can’t believe that as a mother she would sell herself.
She shakes her head. “I was. I lost the baby. It was a stillborn.”
“I’m sorry. What about the father?”
“He was one of the deacons. That’s why I left the church. They were a bunch of hypocrites judging me when the baby’s father was a man they all respected and treated like he was a saint.”
“I’m sorry you had a bad experience and you were judged instead of shown love and mercy but not all churches are like that.”
“I guess not but I’m not interested in going back to church. How do you think they would treat me if they knew that I was hooking?”
“Unless you told them, how would they know?”
“I guess you’re right.”
“Listen, I have to run. I have to meet a client. Is there a number where I can reach you?”
“Sure. Do you have a business card and a pen?”
I fish in my breast pocket and hand her a business card and a pen. She takes them. I watch as she scribbles something at the back of the card before she hands it and the pen back to me.
I look at the card before putting it and the pen back in my pocket. “Thanks for writing your name too, Danica.”
“What’s yours?”
“Claude.”
She holds out her hand. “Well, it was nice meeting you, Claude.”
I shake it. “Likewise.”
She withdraws her hand. “Well, don’t let me keep you from your client.”
“Do you have any plans for tonight?”
“Yes, the usual.”
“How about having dinner with me tonight instead of…”
“Is this you being charitable again?”
“No. I just you would spend the evening having dinner with me instead of with a complete stranger who’s only interested in you for one thing. You’re a beautiful and smart woman, Danica. You deserve much more. Stop selling yourself. It wouldn’t bring you any satisfaction or happiness.”
“Okay. You don’t have to argue your case, Counselor. You’ve talked me into having dinner with you.”
“Good. Where do you live?”
She tells me. “What time should I be expecting you?” she asks.
“I’ll be there at seven.”
“Okay, Claude. I’ll see you at seven.”
I smile and then, I walk away. I could feel her watching me. I find myself looking forward to seeing her tonight.
At promptly seven o’ clock I show up at her apartment. She looks amazing in a black dress with a V neckline and three quarter long sleeves. She’s wearing her hair up, giving her an elegant appearance. We go to one of my favorite restaurants where we enjoy a sumptuous meal and a very engaging conversation. When I take her home, I ask her to have dinner with me the following evening. By the end of the month we are seeing each other regularly. She’s no longer soliciting. My friend and former client was able to find her a well paying job at a PR firm.
I’m taking her to church where she feels warmly welcomed. What impresses her is that there’s a ministry for former drug addicts, drug dealers, alcoholics and prostitutes. She sometimes can’t believe that a church is willing to minister to such people. After her baptism and becoming a member of the church, with my encouragement and support, she has become a part of the ministry. And now she’s helping prostitutes to leave the streets and they receive counseling and job training. Many of them have joined the church.
I never imagined that I would get married again but that was before I met Danica. We got married last year and are expecting our first child in the summer. I thank God that I was in the cafe the same day she was. I went there as usual for a Latte and found love.
“So, what are your plans this weekend?” Vihaan asked Leona Friday morning when she was at her desk having a cup of hot chocolate.
His question caught her by surprise. It was the first time since she had been his secretary that he had asked her such a personal question. She pondered it for a moment and then replied, “I’m going to a friend’s bridal shower tomorrow and on Sunday, I’m going to church.”
His eyebrows rose. “You’re a Christian?”
“Yes, I am. Why are you so surprised about that?”
He sat on top of the filing cabinet. “I’ve met Christians before and they’re nothing like you. There are three things I have found about Christians which put me off and I’m not alone in this.”
She put her cup down. He had her full attention. “What are the three things?”
“Well, first, Christians and preachers always tend to condemn and criticize people for their sexual habits and preferences, life-style choices and even political views. Second, they are hypocrites. They oftentimes don’t practice what they preach. Doesn’t the Bible say something about gossip and yet most of the people who are guilty of gossiping are so people who say that they are Christians. And they talk about the sins of others but what about theirs? And third, it’s hard to have friendships or relationships with Christians. The things I like to do they look down on. They try to make me feel bad because I don’t go to church or read the Bible. You, on the other hand are not at all like them. You’re laid back, not uptight, you socialize with non-Christians and you don’t act like you’re better than the rest of us because you go to church every Sunday.”
Leona had heard this before. Sometimes, Christians were their own worst enemies. They were so caught up in not being like the world that they forget that they are supposed to be the lights that would bring non-believers to Christ. They forget that He they were once like those whom they look down on. They forget that Jesus died for everyone and that God doesn’t want anyone to perish. “I know that some Christians are judgmental and critical of those outside of the church and even of other Christians. With regard to sexual immorality, that is addressed in the Bible but sexual sin isn’t the only thing Christians are warned against. We are warned about wild living, worshiping false gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, having envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like this. And you’re right about gossiping and we are told not to associate with a gossip. And some Christians are hypocrites. They are quick to point out someone else’s fault but ignore their own. Jesus talked about that. He called the religious people out a lot and even called them hypocrites.”
“Jesus loved everybody, didn’t He? I mean He didn’t look down on certain people, did He?”
“No. He ate with tax collectors and sinners, society’s undesirables. Today, that would be the homeless, prostitutes, drug addicts, drug dealers, prisoners, anyone who need to know about God and His love and mercy. Jesus likened Himself to a doctor. Doctors are in the business of healing. They would send a sick person away because of who they are. It the same with Jesus. Whoever went to Him, He didn’t reject. He showed them the same love He would show to anyone.”
“So, He was not particular about who His friends were?”
She got up and went over to the filing cabinet to do some filing. He shifted so that he was facing her. “He didn’t turn anyone away because of their lifestyle or situation but He did tell them not to continue sinning. Jesus showed everyone love and compassion but He still wanted them to turn away from a life of sin. It’s like our parents. They love us but when we do wrong, they correct us. They don’t ignore what we are doing because they love us. Only an unloving and uncaring parent would allow his or her child to continue doing what is wrong even if it ruins that child in the end.”
“This is very interesting. I would really like to continue this conversation. How about having lunch with me at one. We can grab some take out at the bistro around the corner and then go to a quiet spot in the park.” 
She smiled. “That sounds good. And if you’re not doing anything on Sunday, maybe you can stop by my church and meet other Christians like me.”
He slid off the cabinet. “I just might do that.”
“Good.” She watched him walk away. I’m glad I had the opportunity to offer him an invitation to come to my church and see that there are Christians out there who have the heart and mind of Christ.
Sources: ; Bible Gateway;
The believer’s walk is not an easy journey. It is fraught with fear, questions, doubts, trials, opposition and distractions. Coming out of spiritual darkness and into God’s light takes faith, courage and determination, especially when it means forsaking old habits, lifestyles and in some cases relationships. One has to consider what they are giving up and if their new found faith is worth the sacrifices. The good thing is that we’re not alone on this journey. The Lord promised that He would never leave nor forsake us. And there is a crown laid up for us at the end of the journey. All we have to do is to press on, one step at a time. We may stumble or even fall along the way but as long as we stick to the path ahead of us and don’t get side tracked, we will reach our destination.
This was written for the #writephoto Prompt – Journey at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo.
This was the tree where David and I met after school. He was the sweetest boy I ever knew and I always imagined that one day we would get married and have lots of children. It never occurred to me that laws would soon be put in place to make relationships such as ours illegal.
As soon as school was let out, I ran to the tree and he would be waiting for me. He was so tall and handsome with thick black hair and gentle brown eyes. We would hold hands and kiss but that was as far as things went. We would sit under the tree and talk for hours. Parting from him was always hard. I always willed the hours because I couldn’t wait to see him again.
Then one day, I showed up and for the first time he wasn’t there. I waited for hours but he never came. I was understandably frantic. After several days went by and still no sign of him, I decided to go by his father’s shop and was appalled to see the word, “Jude” painted across the window and the star of David. The shop was empty. I ran home and asked my father what had happened to David. My father sat me down and explained to me that the Germans had moved the Jews to the Ghetto. I learned that they were banned from from entering certain streets, squares, parks, woods and other public places. That meant that David and I couldn’t meet by the tree anymore. It was in the woods. David couldn’t go to my brother’s school any more.
After my father finished telling me everything he knew, I went to my room where I cried and cried. David who was forced to live like an animal because of deeply rooted hatred. My world had become a dark and ugly place of intolerance and ignorance. I wanted so desperately to see him but it was out of the question. My father told me it was best to forget about David. There was no future for us. He was a Jew.
I knew that I would never forget David. I loved him. He was my first and only love. And I never gave up hope that we would be together again–not even when I learned that the Jews had been deported to concentration camps. No one was willing to take them in and for some Jews, going into hiding would break up their families and that was unthinkable, especially those who with children.
The years went by, the war raged on and I became a nurse. My father died of a heart-attack a couple of days after his fiftieth wedding anniversary. Only my mother and I were left. My brother was killed years ago after he was arrested for being a part of a resistance movement against the Nazi Regime. My parents were devastated but I was proud of him for fighting against evil. I only wish I had the guts to do something too. Instead I prayed that David and his family would somehow survive and that when the war was over I would see him again.
Well, the war is over and I’m the only surviving member of my family. My mother died from a stroke a month ago. I buried her next to my father.
Tomorrow is my birthday but I have no one special to celebrate it with. It’s a nice afternoon so I decided to go for a walk in the park. I head straight for the tree. A man stood there with his back to me. He was wearing a hat and a trench coat. Something about him looked familiar. My heart began to beat faster. I could feel the color drain from my cheeks. “David?” My voice was barely above a whisper and yet he heard me.
He turned around slowly. “Ingrid.” He removed his hat and stepped forward.
“David!” I cried again and then we were in each other’s arms, laughing, crying and kissing. I don’t know how long we did that and I didn’t care. All I knew was that David, my David was alive. He had survived the ghetto, the camp and the war.
This was written for the #writephoto Prompt – Rooted at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo.
Sources: Holocaust Encyclopedia; Oxford Academic; Holocaust
What’s meant to be will always find a way ―
I was attracted to her from the first moment I saw her but she was dating my friend, Martin. I was dating too. But our respective relationships didn’t prevent us from subtle flirting and exchanging glances. There were times when we went on double dates and I would find myself wanting to be alone with her. Yesterday when we went to dinner at a restaurant, she excused herself and left the table.
A couple of minutes later, I got up too and went in search of her. She was standing outside of the men’s washroom. The way she looked at me, I knew what she wanted. I wanted it too. I went in first to make sure that the coast was clear and then she sneaked in quickly. We went into one of the stalls and had an explosive quickie. It was the first time in my life I had ever done something like that. I left the washroom, feeling guilty because of Martin but it left me wanting more. As we were all walking to the parking lot, I managed to fall into step beside her and slip her my cell number. She called me the next day and we arranged to meet for drinks after work.
I got there first and found a table by the window. She arrived a couple minutes after. Before sitting down, she leaned over and brushed her lips against my cheek. My skin tingled and my pulse was racing.
“Have you and Martin ever…”
“Had sex in a public washroom? No.”
“So, is it serious between you and him?”
She shrugged. “Maybe. What about you and Lynda?”
“I like her but…”
“But what?”
“She doesn’t excite me.”
“Really?”
“You excite me, Denelle.”
She smiled at me while she traced the rim of the glass with her long, manicured and painted index finger. “You were like a tiger last night,” she teased.
“When can I see you again?”
“You’re seeing me right now.”
“I know but it’s not enough. I know this sounds crazy but I want to see you everyday.”
“We can’t see each other everyday.”
I sighed. I realized that I was being ridiculous but I wanted to spend every waking moment with her. “I want to see you as often as possible.”
“Maybe two or three times a week.”
“Three times a week.” Four or five times would have suited me better but three times would have to suffice.
“Okay.”
“Let’s get out of here and go to my place. It’s closer.”
“All right.” She finished her drink.
I quickly paid the bill and then escorted her to my car. Twenty minutes later, we were inside my flat. As soon as I closed the door, I dragged off my jacket and tossed it on the floor. My shirt followed. I removed her coat and sweater. Then, I pulled her against me and hungrily devoured her mouth. I wanted her so badly. She was all I could think about. As I kissed her, I didn’t think about Martin and how this was going to hurt him. Desire consumed me, making me reckless.
She put her arms around my neck and kissed me back. As we exchanged kisses, my eager hands ran over her bare back to find the clasp on her bra. I unhooked it and it fell at our feet. The feel of her bare skin against mine really got me going. I scooped her up and carried her into the bedroom. I stopped kissing her long enough to strip both of us and then I pushed her down on the bed. We made love right there on top of the comforter.
Afterwards, we took a quick shower and then clad in identical robes, we had dinner while we watched a movie. A couple of hours later, I took her home and we arranged to see each other on Sunday.
Sunday came and I took her for dinner at a swanky restaurant in Soho before we went back to her place. We headed straight for her bedroom and while she lay on her stomach on top of the covers, wearing nothing but a smile, I got undressed. We spent the rest of the night in bed. I went home in the morning after showering and having breakfast. We saw each other regularly after that even while we were still dating Lynda and Martin respectively.
Then, it got to the point where I couldn’t continue seeing Lynda. So this morning, I called her and asked her to meet me in Central Park this afternoon. And there in a secluded wooden area of the park I broke up with her. She was understandably upset and after giving me a piece of her mind, she marched off. After she left, I sat down on the bench and I texted Denelle. The text said, Just broke up with Lynda.
A couple of minutes later, I got a reply. Broke up with Martin this morning.
How did he take it?
Really badly.
Not surprised. Lynda took it badly too.
I feel badly for them.
Me too.
But you can’t fight fate.
I smiled and texted back. Now can we see each other everyday?
Yes.
What about later?
Yes. My place.
I put my cell back in my jeans pocket and jumped to my feet. I took a stroll around the park, pausing at the Bethesda Fountain before heading home. I was looking forward to spending not just everyday with Denelle but the rest of my life.
Fate will find a way – Virgil
Sources: Thought Catalog; Brainy Quotes;
Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! – Psalm 27:14
It takes a lot of courage to wait. When you are waiting for God to answer a prayer or to help you with a situation, you are tempted to jump ahead of Him and try to work things out yourself because you are getting anxious. You find it hard to wait and want to do something. It has been a year since you were laid off. You have been applying for countless job offers and only got a handful of interviews. Each interview seemed promising but in the end you didn’t get the job. You applied to the colleges of your choice and you are waiting to find out if you were accepted in at least one of them.
You prayed to God for a godly man but you are still waiting. It’s hard to be around your friends who are dating or married. Some of them didn’t have to wait long to meet their special someone. You have been waiting for two years now. You are celibate because you want to do what is right and pleasing in God’s sight but it’s hard…
What do you do when you are tempted to act? You pray and ask God to keep you on the path. You think about the friends and the people you know who rushed into relationships because they couldn’t wait and are living in regret. Remind yourself that God’s plans for you are for your good and they will take time. Remind yourself that God’s timing is always perfect. He will provide you with what you need when the time is right and not one moment before.
It takes courage and a lot of willpower to wait on God but in the end, it will be worth it. Hang in there!
