More than Mary

Twelve

His love is like a river that flows through the vein; a chill that could be felt in the depth of the soul. His love has no condemnation. What a pure love we don't deserve!

  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

 
There is a joy and peace that comes with the thought of Christ's love. Those thoughts washed over Mary as she walked out from the convenience store into the dark and warm night.

At that very moment, Cheta was feeling the exact same thing as he studied his Bible. He suddenly shifted his gaze to Red, who was curled up under the table. Having been lost in his own world, he forgot the very friend that stood beside him all this while: Red, the sweetest pet he had. He scooped the cat into his arms, stroking him gently when suddenly their reunion was interrupted by the noises from Nadine's room.

Nadine was facing the wall when Cheta walked in. He stood at the door, watching the little girl ignore Fay and even Kachi, who were begging her to eat her dinner. The only friend she had now was her rag doll, held between her tiny fingers. Cheta hoisted Nadine up onto his shoulder as she struggled to break free. Kachi protested immediately, though he ignored her and walked out of the room with Nadine squirming like a snake on his shoulder. Fay reprimanded Kachi for her unprofessional attitude in front of Cheta, and that only fed Kachi's anger.

“I wonder how you remain like a robot in front of them as though it doesn't hurt, yet cry all night in your room. I don't want that kind of life.”

“It was Mary's lack of self-control that got her out of this house. Mary has a place to go, but you, where will you go if you leave this house?”

“All Mary did was the will of God, ma'am Fay!” Kachi was hurt by that statement. She had seethed for a while now and wasn't sure if she could hold in her anger.

“Where is she now that Nadine needs her?”

“Do you love Mary at all?”

“More than I love anyone.”

“Then why are you like this?”

“I'm just being a mother.”

“You'll never be her mother.” Kachi slammed the door behind her.

Cheta put Nadine down on her feet, and she scrambled away towards the garden. He grabbed her back and pulled her gently to himself. “The last thing I would ever do is hurt you, so calm down and listen to me.” None of what he said mattered to her. Whether she understood or not, she was fed up. Yes, she was!

Finally, she was out of his grip. Grabbing her doll, she attempted another escape, only to end up yet again in his grip. She flinched violently as she felt his strength against her bones. Though he eased his grip, she still trembled. He dropped to his feet and cradled her in his arms. He felt the heat of her breath against his chest. Oh, the pain this little girl feels. His eyes mirrored her pain. “I don't know how you feel. I can't explain what it is you feel. I spent my whole time studying your condition, but I can't grasp anything. So, Nadine, no one can understand what you feel except for you. Forgive me if I didn't do the right thing.” And nothing more was heard, save for their heavy breathing. They remained that way, on the lawn, until every pain she felt was transferred to him. Only after this did she trust him and calm down. He stroked her face gently. He wasn't sure, but it was as if she smiled at him, though he was sure of the look in her eyes and would never trade the love in her eyes for gold. “I am your older brother, your dede, so tell me what you want, and I'll do it for you even if it costs me a lot.” She slowly released her grip on the rag doll and let him have it. It took him a moment to see the word "MARY" scribbled on the doll, and the message was clear. He rocked her back and forth like a baby. “If that's what you want, then it's all I would do."