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Prologue

"Amen, pastor!" A lady called out as my daddy preached his sermon.

"Take your time, pastor! Speak that word," another called out.

This was an every Sunday thing. It had always been the same women since I was old enough to remember. I never knew who it was because I was not allowed to turn around. But there where a few times I would, like when I wanted to see him. I turned around to see Allan off in another world as usual. I stared at him a little till he finally snapped out and smiled at me. A smile was about to form on my face until a strong pop was felt across my right leg. I looked to see my mama with a fan in her hand and an angry look on her face. She was so... I don't know. Everything daddy said she would run with it. Be your own woman.

"Get ready to sing." Mama whispered in my ear through gritted teeth.

In all honesty, I could not take that woman the least bit serious. I walked up to the alter and grabbed the microphone. I just had to be the only one of my siblings that inherited my daddy's singing.

"The doors of the church are always open." My daddy smiled then looked back at me.

"I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story, because I know 'tis true; it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do." I sang without trying to have giant grin on my face as Allan kept grinning at me.

He did it every Sunday hoping I would crack. One day I probably would.

-

I put on my best fake smile as I gave out hugs and handshakes as my family stood outside of the church. I don't see why we did this. We saw these same people every Sunday. Only person worth seeing was Allan. My brother Isaac and him were close, so I grew a liking to him... More like a giant crush.

"Dad, I'm going over Allan's after church." Isaac told mama and daddy. Daddy made a disgusted face but soon changed it when Ms. Whitney and Allan got near. Nevertheless, a slight smile grew on a my face. If Isaac was going that meant I could go and see Allan.

Daddy never liked Ms. Whitney or Allan. He thought she talked too much for a woman, but I admired it. I wanted to be like her when I grew up. She made it very clear that she didn't need a man to take care of her and Allan. How Mrs. Whitney and my mother became friends I will never understand with them being complete opposites.

"Whitney!" Mama hugged Ms. Whitney. They were the best of friends.

"Shirley! Just look how well Genesis is growing up."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"She is isn't she? Can't believe my baby girl is turning 15 soon." I definitely rolled my eyes in my head as mama said that. She definitely hated me growing up. Soon as I turned 14 and began developing more, she threw away all my shorts and tank tops.

"15 already? I remember when you had her! Issac and Allan were about to turn 2... Boy speak." She hit Allan upside his head. I turned away to laugh a little.

"Ma! Hey." Allan mumbled.

"Nice to see you, Allan." I gave him my best smile.

"Hey, Nessi." My smile probably grew about to 10x's wider than it already was.

My second oldest brother, Josh, nudged me with a smirk on his face. He knew about my crush on Allan. Surprisingly my brothers were cool with me having a crush on Allan except Samuel. He was exactly like my daddy. He did too much. Sam was even current enrolled in seminary school.

-

"You're so annoying!" I laughed at Allan as I bit my cherry popsicle. He snapped a picture me, making me shake my head while smiling. Allan was an amazing photographer no matter how hard he tried to deny and hide it.