Always With Me

Part 28- Annie Carson

The sound of the movie in the theater was echoing in my ears. David was on one side of me and Natalie was on the other, laughing loudly at all of the parts that she found funny. I giggled in satisfaction as the characters on the screen fell and danced in sync with each other. The kids around us were laughing loudly as well, and the shrill sound was the sweetest thing I had ever heard.

My phone began vibrating in my pants pocket, but I ignored it. The movie was almost over and the credits were about to play. I grabbed David and Natalie's hands beside me and leaned my head back against the seat. I closed my eyes and thanked God for the two people sitting beside me. Natalie pulled my sleeve when the lights came back on in the theater. The families with small children were scurrying around, leaving bags of popcorn everywhere. David led us out of the theater and lifted Natalie up unto his back. He still wore his scrubs from work. I followed the trail of laughter that came from Natalie's lips as we got to the car. David then put her in her seat and buckled her, handing me the keys to start the car. It was chilly tonight, so I pulled my cardigan sleeves over my hands. My hair was blowing in my face. I sat down in my seat and felt my phone in my back pocket. I grabbed it and unlocked it. I had a missed call from an unknown number, so before David came around the car, I called the number back. It took a few rings before the voice on the other end spoke up.

"Hello?" they asked.

"Hey! This is Annie Carson. I got a call from you earlier," I began.

"Yeah, this is Dahlia Parker. What are you doing?" the voice asked. I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"Hey, Dahlia! I am heading back from Tupelo right now. Why?" I asked.

"Oh, nevermind," she said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you at some point," Dahlia said.

"Yeah! I'll be home in about thirty minutes, so just come on by!" I said as we said goodbye.

"What was that?" David asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"Dahlia Parker is coming over when we get home. I think she needs to talk about something," I told him.

"Isn't that what you've been praying for?" David asked.

"Yeah, it's what her friends told me to pray for."

Natalie was asleep when we pulled into the driveway. Dahlia wasn't to my house yet, so David and I put Natalie into bed together. She turned over once before going back to sleep. I didn't bother changing her clothes because she had on a comfortable outfit and she was already asleep. I kissed her on the top of the head before closing the door. David was straightening the pillows on the couch when I walked into the living room. I walked over to help him, and soon we were finished straightening the living room. He pulled me into a kiss before there was a knock on the door.

"I am praying for you," he said as he walked back into our bedroom. I walked over to the front door and Dahlia Parker was standing behind it. She looked horrified, and I quickly invited her in. She followed me into the living room and we took a seat on my couch.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked when she took a seat. "Do you want something to drink or anything?"

"That would be good," she said, obviously attempting to put off what she was about to tell me. "Do you have a water?"

I walked over to the kitchen and grabbed her the water that she requested and then tossed it to her. She took a shaking sip before putting it down into her lap. Her pregnant stomach was sitting over her legs.