had been replaced with joyful shrills. When Natalie finally got herself together, she let go of Lisa. âThank you,â she said after finding her voice.
âDo you want to talk?â Lisa wasnât oblivious to the broken glass. She may have even seen the pictures as well, but at that point, Natalie didnât care.
âNo.â Had Lisa asked if she needed to talk, Natalieâs answer should have been different. Talking might have done her good, at least thatâs what the therapist sheâd seen as a teen after having Corrine would have suggested. Natalie had been used to isolating herself during the most tumultuous times in her life and old habits were hard to break, so even if Lisa had said the magic word, Natalie would have likely responded the same. She wanted to be alone even if she didnât need to be. âYou taking them for a few hours while I get my head on straight is more help than you will ever know.â
Lisa didnât press the issue of talking. She simply helped get the twins situated and in the car and gave Natalie a long hug. âAbout what time will Aneetra be coming?â
Shoot! Natalie had forgotten to call her. âI donât know. Iâm sure it wonât be until after she gets off of work around four or four-thirty. If thatâs too long, please let me know.â
âOh, thatâs not why I was asking. I only wanted to make sure I would be there. She doesnât have to come at all if she doesnât want to. Iâm willing to keep them for as long as you need me to do so. What about Nate? I take it heâs at school?â
âYes. Aneetra will get him, too,â Natalie said by faith.
âOkay. Well, donât hesitate to call me if anything changes. Iâm here for you.â
âThank you so much.â
She gave Natalie a long hug. âNo thanks needed.â
As soon as they drove away, Natalie sent Aneetra a text.
âSumthn has come up. Can u get Nate from school & the twins from Lisaâs when u get off?â
âSure. No prob. Is everything ok?â
âThings r crazy. Plz pray for me.â
Instead of responding, Aneetra called. Natalie didnât answer. As much as Natalie trusted Aneetra and cherished their friendship, she wasnât ready to talk. But, Aneetra called again.
âI canât talk right now, Nee.â She tried hard to fight back the tears that forced their way out anyhow.
âOh, honey.â Unlike Lisa, Aneetra was a little more persistent in her pursuit to know the matter. âPlease tell me whatâs wrong?â
Natalie responded with more tears.
âDo you need me to come be with you?â
âNo. Iâm okay,â she lied. Maybe Natalie did need her best friend; she felt like she was on the verge of insanity. Those images were branded in her mind. Aneetra would understand how she felt after all Aneetraâs marriage had been through. Lisa would have, too, but Natalie couldnât get a grasp on her own feelings well enough to share them with anyone else.
âYou are not okay. Say the word and Iâm there.â
Natalie was silent as moments passed.
âOkay. I get that you need to be alone right now. Before we hang up, I want to pray with you.â Natalie closed her eyes and listened to the heartfelt words that Aneetra sent to Heaven on her behalf. In the midst of her pain, it temporarily brought joy to Natalieâs heart to hear Aneetra pray so fervently for her. Aneetra asked for comfort, wisdom, and peace. The woman prayed so hard that she had to be calling down fire and brimstone from the sky. Natalie could have sworn she heard lightning. âIn the mighty and most precious Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.â
Natalie thanked Aneetra for everything. Like Lisa had done, Aneetra responded that no thanks was needed. She also offered to do whatever she could to help Natalie, including taking off of work tomorrow to keep the kids.