pure, brown skin bride | Suds 3

pure, Suds 3 | Episode 16

{Last time on Suds, Lique and Terrance became a couple... sort of.  Because technically he's still engaged to the Nette, who is low key hung up on the Garrett, who is high key interested in Shantel, who is low key still in love with Sylus, who is Monetta's baby daddy, who is Shantel's college nemesis and the woman who stole her dream.

What a mess! But no worries. We've got the soap. Ready, set... Suds!!}

~

SHANTEL stepped out onto the back patio, welcoming the gentle breeze that fed her parched lungs. She sucked in the fresh air, refusing to attend the pity party for one in her head. Sylus was the past and Monetta was his future.

She pulled the car keys from her designer bag and glimpsed two men dressed in black robes, white gloves and white masks, surrounded by guests. Standing with their heads down, they waited while JD introduced them.

"Friends," JD said. "You know I love being in places where God is welcome. And it brings me special joy to witness the moment when a heart is surrendered to God."

He crossed in front of the two men, speaking into the mic, donning the most carefree smile she'd ever seen. His contagious smile alone invited the corners of her lips to curve.

"People always ask me about the short time I spent in Heaven at the throne of my Father. And my answers never quite portrayed everything I wanted to share. I'd type out 'Jesus is Lord.'"

"Amen," the people responded.

His smile unearthed gems in his eyes. "Because I couldn't talk well back then. A stroke had taken away my ability to communicate. And I'd type out 'God is Love.'"

More praises and applause rose from the crowd.

Shantel watched from the top of the stairs, drawn to his testimony.

"But it never sat well in my soul," he continued, "because I didn't think people could connect with the most awesome part of these truths.

"Then one day, when I was still in my wheelchair." He rubbed his chin. "Y'all know the story. I was shot multiple times when I was just a fifteen year old boy. In a coma for six months. Completely unresponsive. Machines breathing for me. And when I woke up, I was sad because I instantly missed being with God."

He rubbed his heart. "And while I was in that wheelchair, learning to talk and write and just plain function again, my brothers mimed this performance. And that was it. The thing I wanted everyone to know was that simple. And complicated. And unique. And perfect. Simply this. You. Are. Loved."

Shantel clapped along with the shouting crowd.

JD waited for the crowd to quiet before continuing.

"I know my experience is hard to believe," he said. "And a lot of people don't believe. That's cool. That part was for me. But I want to meet you where you are and tell you that no matter who you are or where you've been—You. Are. Loved."

JD stepped away from the makeshift stage and the music played, bringing the still bodies in white masks to life.

With faces hidden and hearts exposed, they mimed. Starting with small gestures that swelled like the rising tide, they acted out a story of God's Love.