Shadow of Death by Yolonda Tonette Sanders Page A

had been replaced with joyful shrills. When Natalie finally got herself together, she let go of Lisa. “Thank you,” she said after finding her voice.
    â€œDo you want to talk?” Lisa wasn’t oblivious to the broken glass. She may have even seen the pictures as well, but at that point, Natalie didn’t care.
    â€œNo.” Had Lisa asked if she needed to talk, Natalie’s answer should have been different. Talking might have done her good, at least that’s what the therapist she’d 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 didn’t need to be. “You taking them for a few hours while I get my head on straight is more help than you will ever know.”
    Lisa didn’t press the issue of talking. She simply helped get the twins situated and in the car and gave Natalie a long hug. “About what time will Aneetra be coming?”
    Shoot! Natalie had forgotten to call her. “I don’t know. I’m sure it won’t be until after she gets off of work around four or four-thirty. If that’s too long, please let me know.”
    â€œOh, that’s not why I was asking. I only wanted to make sure I would be there. She doesn’t have to come at all if she doesn’t want to. I’m willing to keep them for as long as you need me to do so. What about Nate? I take it he’s at school?”
    â€œYes. Aneetra will get him, too,” Natalie said by faith.
    â€œOkay. Well, don’t hesitate to call me if anything changes. I’m here for you.”
    â€œThank you so much.”
    She gave Natalie a long hug. “No thanks needed.”
    As soon as they drove away, Natalie sent Aneetra a text.
    â€œSumthn has come up. Can u get Nate from school & the twins from Lisa’s when u get off?”
    â€œSure. No prob. Is everything ok?”
    â€œThings r crazy. Plz pray for me.”
    Instead of responding, Aneetra called. Natalie didn’t answer. As much as Natalie trusted Aneetra and cherished their friendship, she wasn’t ready to talk. But, Aneetra called again.
    â€œI can’t talk right now, Nee.” She tried hard to fight back the tears that forced their way out anyhow.
    â€œOh, honey.” Unlike Lisa, Aneetra was a little more persistent in her pursuit to know the matter. “Please tell me what’s wrong?”
    Natalie responded with more tears.
    â€œDo you need me to come be with you?”
    â€œNo. I’m okay,” 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 Aneetra’s marriage had been through. Lisa would have, too, but Natalie couldn’t get a grasp on her own feelings well enough to share them with anyone else.
    â€œYou are not okay. Say the word and I’m there.”
    Natalie was silent as moments passed.
    â€œOkay. I get that you need to be alone right now. Before we hang up, I want to pray with you.” 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 Natalie’s 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. “In the mighty and most precious Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”
    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.