Bitter Roots

Chapter 6

I need to do something, Grace thought as she prepared herself to go hanging with Eternity. Standing inside the bathroom, Grace had, what she thought, was the best idea. "Since they ain't divorced yet, I'm going to help get them back together." Lining her eyes with black eyeliner, Grace smiled. Brilliant idea. I'm getting back my family.

"Grace, hurry up!" Jacob called out. He was looking forward to hanging out with Warrior.

"I'm coming," Grace yelled back, fixing her dreadlocks before leaving the bathroom.

They decided to walk to their friends' house. Grace listened to music, thinking hard as to how she would reunite her parents. She slipped on her sunglasses to block the sun from her eyes. Hot as hell out here. God, help me make this work.

Jacob dragged behind his sister. He placed his hands in his jeans pocket. He thought about his dad. And his heart ached because the bucket of respect he had for Michael was slowly leaking out. He exhaled heavily and reminded God of the one prayer he wanted answered. God, get my family back together. His faith in God rested on the pedestal of that one prayer.

Eternity and Warrior were outside when the siblings arrived.

"Hey, Nikki!" Eternity screamed when she saw her friend and ran over to her. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail so Grace saw the joy in her friend's brown eyes. Before going off together, Eternity waved hi to Jacob.

They sat in the driveway catching each other up on the latest gossips. They were both grateful for the shade from the huge oak tree that hung its branches over them.

"I pray summer never ends," Eternity, slipping off one of her flip flops to dust dirty from it.

Pressing random buttons on her phone, Grace replied, "I know. Work, work, work, boring." She was there, but part of her mind was on her brilliant idea.

"Right!" Eternity thought of her last math class and how hard she had to work to understand it all. "I wanna stay free forever," she laughed. Grace joined in and for a moment it felt as though Grace's life was free of stress again. Spending time with her best friend usually did that to her.

Eternity slipped back on her slipper and pulled candy from her pocket and offered some to her friend. The two of them smacked their mouths, enjoying the sweet treat.

Prophetess watched them from the window of her living room. God, help that child, she said to herself. These parents these days just hurt their kids so easily. Jesus, help us.

Then Prophetess turned her attention to Warrior and Jacob who were riding Warrior's skateboards. Once she felt they were alright, she went back to the couch to read the Psalms.

"Let's play Uno," Eternity suggested. Grace agreed.

When they each held their seven cards, Grace exhaled strongly and said, "We gonna visit Daddy this week."

"Will Jezebel be there?"

"I think they live together."

"Pray hard around that woman...Something about her," Eternity warned. Grace knew her friend was deeply devoted to God, so she planned on adding more praying to her daily agenda. She already knew something was off about the woman, but if Eternity said it, she knew something was definitely wrong.

"I want to see my father, but I don't wanna see that ugly woman."

Eternity told her to stay out of her way and to ignore her. "Act like she ain't there." That's exactly what I'm gonna do.

While playing their game, Grace felt her phone vibrate. When she checked it, she saw a text message from LaToya.

Mom: Just wanted to say that I love you

Grace blushed. She responded by texting: I love you too

She continued playing cards until she finally reached her last card. "Uno!"Grace yelled excitedly.

And after Eternity was unable to change the color of the card, Grace shouted, "Uno out!" And I'm gonna get Jezebel out just like that!