Redemption

Chapter Five

The next few days became a blur. A blur of school, work and the incessant chatter of the twins and their goons. Two days passed since I got the phone call from Tom my manager. I thankfully had sold two of my pieces and had potentially more clientele since it was a shopper for some CEO for an investment group and they needed art work for some property they were building. The news left me feeling overwhelmed with excitement for the possibility of something this huge and what that meant for my future.

After an hour of worship, studying and a shower, I fill a small bag with my Bible and a couple snacks and head to the wardrobe. I lift the light purple dress over my head. A sweetheart neckline gathered into an empire waist that flowed loosely until the hem of the dress fell to my knees. It fit my frame perfectly, showcasing my best assets. I quickly rake a comb through my curly hair before the tendrils dry and create a frizzy mane . After some styling, my hair hangs in loose waves just below the curve of my lower back. Looking at my reflection in the mirror I nod in satisfaction  and grab my keys and bag.

The church wasn't too far from the campus and only took a few worship songs to get there by foot. Turning left on hook ave, the church was just in view. Three tall stained glass windows adorned the front chapel with a cross as the focus. Noah's ark, rainbow and a dove flanked one of the two smaller glasses. The scene of Jesus' return covered the other. It was breathtaking and I knew the inside of the chapel would be filled with so many beautiful colors from the sun shining through. My mood was instantly lifted and a weight removed from my shoulders.

I have to be honest and say I wasn't always close to God. I knew he probably existed and had small moments that might make you think, 'ah, there he is' but my relationship came much later after I was free from the reigns. Once I graduated high school my feet landed me on many distant families couches. The freedom felt and acceptance felt amazing but I still felt an emptiness. No job, relationship or drinking could fill the hole I was always trying to escape.

It wasn't until four years later when my soul craved more. I was at my rock bottom. All of the things I tried to hide came to a boil that eventually blew. I just came out of a toxic relationship, constantly craving and looking for love in all the wrong places. Those rose colored glasses were perched high. Eventually they fell and I was left more broken than when I first entered.

His name was Zane King. He was tall, piercing sky blue eyes and fresh out of the military. He played a roll just like the military expected him, except he did it with our relationship. Three and a half months later I was down to nothing. Carrying two jobs while he lost his own job, apartment and friends. With no where to live we chucked it out.

Spending the night searching for cigarettes, eating from trash cans, and physical abuse. I landed in a dark pit all on my own. The last of my dignity vanished when one night turned into a blur of begging 'No' and he continued anyway. The next morning he acted like nothing happened. The soreness violating my thoughts and movements.

It took a week to gather myself enough to walk away. I constantly questioned myself. Maybe it didn't happen the way I thought, my body reminding me otherwise. I had to claw my way out. I didn't think I could, but I did.

My fingers naturally covered the marks on my stomach as a reminder. It seemed like so long ago and such a different girl than who I was today. I was lost but I found Him. All those moments I felt alone and abandoned I had been wrong. In His eyes I was worthy, valuable and loved beyond measure and I felt it. I just had to open that door. To let him inside and talk to him. Thankful and grateful was an understatement.

RING. RING. RING.

Smiling I answer the phone. "Hey Oliver! How are you?"

"Hey Layla! Whatcha up to?" Oliver was a blessing in this moment. I said a silent prayer of thanks for his friendship.