What God Has For Me by Pat Simmons

brother. Amen.” She grinned, then reached for her
slice.
    After a while, the children began to play
with their food, leaving unfinished slices, despite Halcyon’s
warnings to eat. Zachary scooted closer to Halcyon. “So where do we
go from here?”
    “Absolutely nowhere.” Halcyon frowned.
“You’ve bought me enough, don’t you think?”
    “I wasn’t talking about shopping, Bridget, I
mean us.” Zachary rubbed his mustache as he watched her
expressions. She was beautiful without trying.
     
    “Mommy, why does Uncle Zach always call you,
Bridget?” Ashanti asked with food in her mouth.
    “Because she’s special to me,” Zachary cut
in, “just like you and Jonathan. I love you all.”
    Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Ashanti
reached for her kiddie cup of juice.
    Elbowing Zachary in the side, Halcyon mumbled
under her breath, “Stop trying to butter up my children.”
    He grunted. “They know I love them,” then
turned to Jonathan and Ashanti. “Don’t you?” When Zachary got the
response he wanted, he grinned victoriously. “See, told ya.”
    They were in no rush to leave as long as the
children didn’t become antsy. Finally, Halcyon suggested they head
out when Jonathan began to nod.
    Zachary gathered the trash as Halcyon wiped
sticky mouths and hands. She opted to carry Jonathan while Zachary
picked up the shopping bags. When he noticed Ashanti looked like
she was about to fall asleep too in any minute, he lifted her in
one arm.
    Once outside, they strolled down the walkway
that would lead to the parking lot. Suddenly, Ashanti got a second
wind and began chatting away. Zachary listened, but was suddenly
distracted as he zeroed in on one person coming their
way—Scott.
    There was no mistaking the man’s proud walk.
He had a woman beside him and a young boy between them, who looked
to be about six years old. This most likely was his new family. It
might not be official yet, but Zachary had his family right
alongside him too.
    Evidently, Halcyon hadn’t seen Scott as she
shifted Jonathan to her other shoulder. He knew the exact moment
when she spotted them, because she almost stumbled in her steps,
but Zachary’s steady grip saved her and Jonathan from falling.
    Of all the shopping areas in St. Louis, why
this one, this day and this time? Without a test, there is no
testimony , Zachary remembered the phrase from one of Pastor
Reed’s recent sermons.
    He wasn’t anticipating a scene. Scott never
respected Halcyon enough to fight for her. What he was concerned
about was how she felt about seeing her ex. Zachary prayed and
began a countdown of when their paths would cross.
    Jesus, help her, please. Now, Ashanti
was looking straight ahead as well. Ten, nine, eight …
Zachary paused, then resumed… seven, six ….
    The expression on Scott’s face when he
recognized Halcyon was priceless—he was stunned. He appeared unsure
of how to react. His wife, on the other hand appeared clueless
about their identities.
    They were about to intersect… three…
two… Ashanti squirmed in his arms as she pointed to her father.
Zachary braced himself for her to call out, and put them all in an
uncomfortable situation, but the unexpected happened.
    Ashanti simply waved as they passed, then
rested her head on his chest. Zachary snuggled her closer as he
heard Scott’s wife say, “What a pretty little girl.” He nodded at
Scott, while Halcyon looked straight ahead.
    For a tenth of a second, the tension was as
stiff as Jell-O. “Are you okay?” he whispered as they got closer to
his SUV. He could tell the encounter had shaken Halcyon up a bit,
even though she nodded. Zachary wished they were alone, so he could
wrap her in his arms to soothe, pray for or kiss her. Whatever it
took to comfort her, Zachary was willing.
    Once he got behind the wheel and clicked his
seatbelt, Zachary’s heart ached as he watched Halcyon’s head bow.
“Out of sight, out of mind is overrated. I thought I was over him
and I had