GOD'S SHOW WITH ZOE

FOR GOOD

The mall was loud, crowded, and painfully bright for someone who regretted agreeing to a shopping trip.

Which, unfortunately, was me.

“Zoe, if you complain one more time, I’m leaving you here,” Precious threatened as she dragged me toward another clothing rack.

“You say that like it’s a punishment,” I muttered, earning a gasp from her.

Amy laughed softly beside me, shaking her head as she flipped through a row of dresses. “It’s been twenty minutes and you already look exhausted.”

“Because shopping with Precious is an extreme sport.”

“Fashion requires sacrifice,” Precious said seriously. “And today, your sacrifice is patience.”

I snorted, but a smile still tugged at my lips.

A week ago, this would’ve felt impossible.

The three of us together again. Laughing again. Acting like nothing had ever broken between us.

But somehow, after one emotional confrontation, one forced reconciliation plan, and several embarrassing group hugs later, things had slowly started falling back into place.

And honestly?

I missed this.

“Okay, focus everybody,” Precious announced, clapping her hands like a coach preparing her team for war. “The family reunion dinner is in tomorrow, and none of you are about to embarrass me with ugly outfits.”

Amy blinked at her. “Since when was this reunion about you?”

“Since your parents are going to be there,” Precious replied immediately. “Your mum is an absolute goddess, I can't be unprepared”

I burst out laughing because she wasn’t even wrong.

Amy's mum is really one, even a little part of me wants to impress her.

Amy held up a blue dress toward me. “What about this one?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why does it look like something a rich church wife would wear?”

“Because you have no vision,” Precious answered before Amy could.

“I have plenty of vision. Unfortunately, I can see that dress.”

Amy doubled over laughing while Precious looked personally offended on behalf of the clothing industry.

“You’re impossible,” Precious declared, snatching the dress from Amy’s hands. “At this point, we should just dress you in a black hoodie and call it a day.”

“That sounds perfect actually.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

Amy laughed so hard she had to grab my arm for support, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing too.

The sound felt strange at first.
Not bad strange. Just unfamiliar.

Like my life was finally settling back into place after weeks of chaos.

Still smiling, I glanced away from them for a second, my eyes wandering across the busy mall—

And froze.

Near the entrance of a jewelry store stood the old woman.

The same woman I saw in front of the supermart months ago.

But this time she appeared different.  She was dressed in the same flowing patterned gown, her silver jewelry catching under the bright mall lights. People passed around her without paying attention, but her eyes were fixed directly on me.

My breath caught.

For a moment, the noise around me faded.

Then slowly, the woman smiled.

A knowing smile.

And before I could react, she gave me a small wink.

My heart skipped.

I instinctively took a step forward. “Wait—”

But someone walked past me, blocking my view for barely a second.
And when they moved…

She was gone.

Completely gone.

I blinked rapidly, scanning the crowd.

Nothing.

No sign of her anywhere.

“Zoe?” Amy’s voice pulled me back. “You okay?”

I looked at her, then at Precious who was now holding up two dresses and arguing with herself.

My chest suddenly felt warm.

Trust him completely Zoe and watch what He will do

The woman’s words echoed softly in my mind, and for the first time since everything had fallen apart, I finally understood what she meant.

God never left me during the silence. During the hurt. During the loneliness.

He stayed even when others didn't and at last, He made all things good.

A small smile spread across my face as I looked at my best friends.

Maybe the old woman was right after all.

“Zoe!” Precious called dramatically. “Stop daydreaming and help me choose before I lose my mind.”

I laughed softly, walking back toward them.

And this time, I did it feeling lighter than before.