With Your Heart Wide Open

The Big Girl

After asking his nephew to fetch Esther for her, Ma Elsie sat outside. As the morning breeze caress her face, she hummed the melodies that she used to share with Esther. The thought of being with her again felt like an ointment poured and spread over her shriveled heart. When Esther had left, she didn't mourn. She ached.

For seven years, she ached for herself and her young friend. Deep in her bones, she knew that she would come back. She didn't know when, but she sense that it was not a farewell.

Ma Elsie was up on her feet, with her right hand on her cane when she heard the footsteps. It was her footsteps. They sounded heavier and more cautious but it was hers. The old lady inhaled as much air that could be stored inside of her, inviting the familiar smell to penetrate her soul once more. It was a smell reminiscent of the leaves that survived the fall season.

"Child! Come," it sounded like both anger and joy swirled in this single call.

Slowly, Esther came.

"Guide my hands to your face," she ordered.

Once both hands were traveling on her face, Esther noticed how hard and cold they became.

"Not much have changed," Ma Elsie said before sitting down

Esther sat down next to her and said, "I'm sorry, Ma"

She felt some kind of shame in the presence of Ma Elsie. She wondered if seven years had stretched a gap between them.

"What were you thinking? They thought you were dead,"

"I was not,"

Ma Elsie ignored her response, "Where is your kid?"

"She's... home"

"Why not here with you?"

"I don't like... I mean... I don't really go out with her. People are gonna talk,"

Ma Elsie snorted, "Do you know how much people talked about you while you were gone?"

"I can guess,"

"No you can't! At church, whenever they wanted to illustrate how dangerous the sins of the flesh were, your story was told. Your name echoed years after you left. They narrated your story to many young girls the day they reached puberty. As a warning!"

"I wish I hadn't come back then."

"Me too," Ma Elsie replied.

Esther felt her heart squeezed because she half expected Ma Elsie to disagree.
But then, the old lady added, "Anyway, if you didn't, I would have come looking for you."

Then Esther did what came out of a reflex and a will. She sat on the floor and rested her head on Ma Elsie's lap. Just like she used to do when she was a little girl.

...

After the morning service at church, Jeremy was heading out when someone called him out.

It was Stephen Harris, the young pastor.

Jeremy hurried to give him a firm handshake.
"Your sermon was really profound. I felt touched,"

"Brother Jeremy, all the praise belongs to God. He inspired me," Stephen answered as he returned the handshake.

"I hope my fiancée was still in town. I hope she could hear your advices about marriage. She's having second thoughts because we are so far away,"

"Fiancée? Congratulations!! I didn't know you were engaged. I believe that marriage is a divine institution and I'm glad you are taking such a great step,"

Jeremy smiled, "Thank you, Pastor Harris,"

"Come on! You're making me feel old. Please call me Stephen,"

Jeremy took a much closer look at him. He really was young! Yet, his maturity and his eloquence made him sound older. He looked like the kind of man who was fit to lead with the right dose of rigor and a generous amount of gentleness.

"So, did you get a chance to think about my offer?" Stephen asked.

"I really want to be a part of the Health Department, but I'm not sure if I can donate as much time as you required,"

"Hey, you give what you can. We're understaffed and any help would be appreciated,"

"I'm just here for a few months though," Jeremy pointed out.

"You can be a temporary member,"

"I'll see what I can do. I'll give you an answer next Sunday,"

"No pressure,"

"Thank you. It was so nice talking to you. Now, I have to run to the hospital,"

"The pleasure was mine and I also have and important task calling me,"

"Pastoral duty?"

"Not exactly. More like charity work. God did tell us to take care of the widows and the orphans,"

They bid farewell and went their respective ways.

When Jeremy reached the hospital, he felt his phone buzzed in his pocket. He took it out and noticed five missed calls. They were all from Esther.

Following his habits, he started to dial her number. However, he stopped and shoved the phone back. It took all of his might to leave the phone in his pocket without checking it.

After all, Esther wanted him out of her life. What could she possibly want? Did she think that he was her puppet? He would prove her wrong.

As he sat down waiting to meet with his colleagues, he was exploring many possibilities. Did Esther called for assistance with an issue? For more bickering?

His phone vibrated when one of the occupational therapist came into the room. He couldn't stop himself this time. He took a quick peek. It was a text message from Esther. It read, "I know you're mad but it's about Aaliyah."

He gasped when his colleague asked, "Something's wrong, Foster?"