Wendy

Chapter 18: Rose's Pain

As Margret stood to her feet, she stared at the shattered chinaware and wiped her tears angrily.

"Great job, Margret. You have ruined the meeting for everyone." She scolded herself as she grabbed a dustpan and broom. When she heard the door creak open, she stiffened.

"Let me help you with that," Rose gently took the broom and dustpan from her hands.

"I'm sorry, Rose. I didn't know what came over me." She watched Rose carefully begin to sweep up the shards and felt even more terrible.

"I didn't mean to speak of your God in such a manner. I swear I do not look down on you because of your belief," she implored as she used the hem of her shirt to wipe her tears.

"Oh, Margret. I didn't take what you said personally. I believe you reacted that way because you felt attacked,"

"I really don't go about breaking things. These angry outburst are strange to me."

"It's not every day a person loses a child. People deal with grief differently, I'm not here to judge you," Rose said sincerely.

Margret blinked rapidly as she dragged in a shaky breath. Why did she always feel this peace and acceptance whenever she was around this woman?

Rose, dropped the cleaning tools and clasped Margret's hand loosely. The look in her eyes was both honest and understanding.

"I feel anger too. I've lost five children. Four unborn and the last snatched by crib death. The rage I felt towards God was so intense when I lost my baby. The pain nearly consumed me. Questions kept popping up in my head like weeds and there were nights I screamed them at Jesus."

Margret withdrew her hand and sat on the kitchen floor. She wasn't really comfortable with physical contact.

"Don't you think the God you worship gets angry when those doubt and anger rises? Doesn't he get upset when you dare get angry at him?" Margret asked, genuinely curious to know Rose's answer.

"Only a belief system based on lies and deceit would be threatened by questions. The Jesus I know loves it when I ask him questions. And my anger is a human response to pain and suffering; I firmly believe God understands my humanity." Rose straightened and walked to the trash can before dumping the broken pieces ceremoniously. Margret could hear Ken's voice in the living area; they must have resumed the meeting.

"There are days I lie awake, riddled with the fear of not being able to bear my own children. My husband tries to ease my worries but he is only human." Rose sat next to her with her legs stretched and crossed at the ankles.

Margret found herself getting a glimpse of how much pain and fear Rose must be going through on a daily basis. How does she manage to still be cheerful and so full of...joy?

"How do you do it?" Margret asked in a small defeated voice.

"How do I do what?"

"How do you smile so easily? How do you manage to find humour in things and just be free despite your tragedies?"

"Oh, you'll probably say my answer is cliché."

Margret knew what her answer would be but she still asked anyway.

"I want to know."

"It's Jesus. I draw strength from my friendship with him. I still feel sad sometimes but I have hope and that makes me secure."

Her words were simple but Margret knew it was deep. She found herself considering this god-bubble these people live in.

"Hang out with me next tomorrow. It's my 33rd birthday." Rose's words cut through her reverie.

"Wow!" Margret's mouth hung open in shock.

"How is that possible? You don't look a day over twenty five!"

Rose laughed softly, "I'll take that as a compliment. Agree to hang out with me and I'll share the secret location of my fountain of youth" Rose wiggled her brows and winked. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Margret found herself chuckling. Whatever negative emotion that clouded her spirit a while ago was long forgotten.

"Of course I will hang out with you. Who would pass off such an opportunity?"

"You pwomise?" Rose scrunched her face like she was about to cry. Now Margret couldn't help laughing.

"Yeah, I promise." she answered with a nod.

Margret had resumed at the hospital a week ago, finding time on Saturday wouldn't be difficult.

"Good," Rose said with a huge smile on her face. She stood to her feet and helped Margret up.

"Come on, let's get back in there. Your mum left when she heard those plates shatter. The coast is clear."

.....................

Depression glowered at the two women seating on the kitchen floor. His hideous, outraged form hovered over them as he sputtered threats and shot arrows of gloom at the woman.

Much to his annoyance and increasing frustration, they bounced off her soul like arrows against a rock.

When he saw that method wasn't working, he ditched the black bow, causing it to sizzle and disappear in a blink. Springing forward, he clutched the woman's head and clawed away.

"Stop listening, Refuse to listen! I command you. Get offended, now!" Depression shouted desperately as other imps watched in distress. They were hanging on the ceiling, paralyzed with fear by the presence of the saint in the kitchen. Her light was so bright and it was drowning out their darkness fast.

Depression's completely black eyes gleamed with hate and fury as he watched the saint lead the woman out of her kitchen. How he hated her. It didn't take much to envision his carefully thought out plan crumble to dust.

Light was winning.

"How did things get this bad? How?!" Depression shrill voice rose as he tore at the few hairs on his bulbous head.

"If we don't act soon, she would cross the point of no return. Can we have that?" The gathering remained silent.

"I said, can we have that?!" Depression shrieked with murder in his eyes.

"No!" the frightened spirits answered in unison.

"I would-" his words were caught short by another voice- a much petrifying voice. It boomed in the spiritual space and every imp present trembled in terror.

"Depression! Come to the Negative Pole, we are gathered at Therribint's leer. I want to know how that soul of mine is faring."

A strangled whimper escaped Depression's lips. Anything but that. How could he explain to his master that his so called assignment was speeding towards light?

Why was his existence so cursed?! He swallowed before stammering a reply,

"Y-Yes, m-master B-Bermuda. I'll be t-there shortly."

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Have a pleasant day.