Battles in the shadows

ONE STEP AT A TIME

"It is amazing what can happen when we give God the steering wheel."

- @BananaPieLove

It has been four months since Brandon and Laura became friends. It was awkward at first but things had improved gradually. They had a dinner date and were both preparing for it.

Laura had told her mother about him and how he's persistent about her making peace with the past. This really made Latoya very happy that her daughter was opening up and getting even stronger. Although the latter rarely complain about nightmares as she used to do, she knew there were some things left to fix. She was also aware how for the past four years Laura had kept herself so busy she rarely went to church with them. She volunteered at about three NGOs and studied very hard. It occurred to her that the never ending activities were a cover up for bigger problem that her daughter was struggling with but she didn't pry so as not to anger her or make her feel insecure. And as she does daily, she kept praying for Laura's salvation.

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

Laura ate to her satisfaction and ordered a chocolate sponge cake for dessert. Brandon watched in wonder at how a girl of this century could eat so much without a care in the world about keeping in shape or impressing a guy.

"You shouldn't waste food Brandon. Eat up okay." She said with a smile. Brandon's presence had helped her refocus her attention away from some hurt and she now enjoyed life more. Things happen but they don't have to make her miserable for all eternity. She was even considering going for counseling again.

"Albert came looking for you yesterday. Apparently you missed bible study and he wondered why because you are and I quote, "a strong and committed child of God." Brandon only smiled in response.

She hoped he wasn't missing Bible study just to spend time with his new friend being Laura herself. She sighed and wondered why a great guy with a good family background would want anything to do with her...an orphan...a messed up person...

"I am paying for dinner today and in exchange you will come with me to visit granddad."

"You are corny. That is cheating. I will pay then." She said with a tight smile.

"Okay. I will still pay but visiting granddad is by choice."

They ate silently afterwards. Just as they were about to leave, a slim, tall blonde haired lady walked towards them. Laura noticed her first and frowned in suspicion. As if on cue, the lady glared at her and stood in front of them.

"Hello Brandon."
Brandon looked up and colour drained from his face. Whoever said the past belonged in the last doesn't understand the laws of sowing and harvest.

"Prisca." He said in a soft voice.

Laura looked back and forth at the two especially at the gorgeously dressed damsel in front of them. How did very humble and down to earth Brandon know this fox looking all high and mighty?

"Isn't it amazing that you could have time for other women except me?" Prisca said in a seductive manner.

Brandon got over his shock and stood up. He hugged her and smiled broadly. She sat with them and then held his hands.

"Oh come on Prisc, we are in public."

"PDA has never been an issue between us. If not for grandpapa's stroke, we would be married by now." Prisca said with a bright smile.

Brandon brushed the last part aside and looked at Laura who was obviously at loss.

"Lauretta, meet my long time friend Prisca. Prisca, meet my new found friend Lauretta."

The latter pasted best smile and shook hands with Prisca.

"Mother misses you. She's moving back to London in a month's time so make time to meet up for tea."

Lauretta wanted to laugh...meet for tea? Oh well it's the English culture. If she was a close friend, where had she been hiding all this time?

As if on cue, Prisca said, "We must catch up Brand." She stretched out a well manicured hand, handing a business card to Brandon.

"Now you know where to find me. It has been awesome seeing you again." She said with a bright smile. She stood up and kissed him on both cheeks.

Laura watched them and gave one last smile to Prisca. After she left, Brandon sighed deeply and stood up.

"Let's go for a walk."

The sun was beginning to set by the time Laura and Brandon sat down to relax at a nearby park. A comfortable silence settled between them as each attended to their thoughts.

Laura thought that if Prisca's English accent was deeper she would have found it difficult to understand anything she said. She laughed out loud and when Brandon asked she shared her thoughts.

"Prisca was my girlfriend of six years. We began dating at high school and broke up five years ago after my granddad had a stroke." His face was grim and the ever happy Brandon had disappeared. This worried Laura as she has never seen this side of him.

"I took her love for granted and cheated on her several times. I drank, smoked and womanised, still she stood by me. I didn't understand why she was so faithful and even now I don't know why. She left after I had a breakdown subsequent to the stroke. It felt like scales fell from my heart and eyes. I went into depression and five months down the line I began to retrace my step back to God."

"Why did you leave church in the first place?" Laura asked.

"Mum and Dad were Christians just like granddad. They served God with everything. They donated money to orhanages, visited homeless shelters to serve people there. They prayed with the hurting and wounded...and then" His eyes grew dark as he added,

"a good for nothing rebellious teenager high on some drugs hit their car with a truck he couldn't even drive. Mum and Dad...I didn't even get a chance to say "goodbye." "

"I am so sorry Brandon. I really am." She moved closer to him and embraced him as tears fell from his eyes.

Laura felt a tightness in her chest loose. Her heart beat accelerated and a lone tear fell from her eyes. For the first time in so many years, she felt the pain of another human being.