Battles in the shadows

LETTING GO

Brandon obeyed and followed her meekly. He found her seated on a bench outside, taking in the cool night air. She didn't look at him as he sat next to her.

"Mama Joe was right all along, we were all evil and took her mistreated her," Brandon listened to his mother in law silently.

"After the death of Vincent, she didn't even get to mourn as everything shifted, plunging her into deeper waters of pain. She was insulted and rejected by his family and wasn't allowed to come and pay her respect to him. From there she had to worry about her father and brother's fate as far as the law was concerned. She never got a breathing space and we were all lost in our hurts we forgot about her. I didn't know how to approach her after discovering what Phillip did," She busted into tears and shook her head sadly.

"How could he do something so vile to his sister and made her do not one but four abortions! Imagine the pain and emotional trauma she must have endured and I her mother was not even aware!" She wiped her tears and faced Brandon.

"I know your grandfather is the only family you have left in England but Laura is your family now and she needs you more than ever before. The pain was so unbearable that she opted to stay alone and even resigned from her job! I salute that child's bravery and strength against all odds because all her life, she had fought battles and came out of each with scars and wounds and some of which are still fresh in her memory."

"I'm sorry Mum, I really am. I shouldn't have left her for so long by herself. But I'm here now."

Latoya stood up and went back inside, leaving Brandon outside to contemplate how to deal with the aftermath of Phillip's sentence.

When she woke up at midnight, Brandon was seated not far from her bedside. At first she thought it was her imagination but she soon realized he was real. Her body was very weak but she felt alive and pain free. She heard from the conversation at her bedside earlier that she had suffered a heart attack due to extreme high blood pressure caused by the stress she was under. She wasn't surprised but immediately thanked the Lord for rescuing her, she could have died. Right there, she promised to take things slow and not kill herself over what she has no power to change. The past is past and now it was time to focus on the future and live with the present.

"Brandon." She called out. He was sound asleep but shifted a little bit. After calling him three more times he woke up. He rushed to her side quickly and held her hands in his, kissing them and hugging her gently.

"How do you feel now Lauretta? Are you in pain? Where does it hurt?"

"I feel alright. I just need some rest. How is grandpa doing?"

"How can you be asking about Grandpa at this time?"

"He's my family too, silly." She replied with a smile.

"He's alright and I am sorry for staying away for so long. I'm here now and promise not to leave your side. I am truly sorry."

She smiled weakly and said, "Brandon, I'm going to Kasane."

"Kasane?" He asked.

"Dad wanted us to go together before his passing. I don't think I am strong enough to finish the trial with my family. My body has crashed so hard I feel I might break apart, literally."

"That's okay. You already testified and it is only judgment that is left."

"I know Brandon and I don't have the heart to sit there while they sentence him to imprisonment. I know he has changed and I was bitter that change didn't come much earlier. I can't sit and watch Mum fall apart because of me. Besides..." her voice trailed off as she suddenly grabbed her chest and began to breathe with difficulty.

"What's going on? I'm calling the nurses." Brandon was terrified.

"Brandon, wait,"

He was surprised. Why would she stop him? What's going on?

"You know what I have realized? God made our bodies so perfectly. Each time I get worked up like this, I feel a terrible pain inside, my chest constricts and I start to hyperventilate."

"Your point?"

"God doesn't want me to worry and each time I am stressed out, my body reacts negatively and in a way telling me that negativity is not allowed in here." She said and pointed at her heart.

Brandon sighed and said, "What am I to do with you?"

"Thank you for coming back." Laura said and closed her eyes, drifting back to sleep.

Brandon sighed and began to offer a prayer for his wife and the finality of Phillip's trial.