Prompt: A New Me
Word Count: 1200 exactly
Title: The Gift
My aunt randomly inviting me to church had been unexpected. In all my eighteen years, my parents didn’t pray or go to church. On my own I leaned toward intelligent design, but we had no rituals at home. Sitting beside my aunt that Sunday, it was surprising to have the pastor’s sermon affect me on such a profound level as he spoke about the life of Jesus and of his ultimate sacrifice.
Goosebumps erupted across my scalp, had traveled down my back, across my arms, down my legs and into my toes, complete with full body tingles. I felt a warmth from inside me and Aunt Linda patted my hand as if she felt it too – or at least understood what I was feeling.
We didn’t speak of this but had lunch afterwards and went shopping. I felt close to my father’s sister even though we rarely spent time together. She was quiet and generous and bought me three new outfits for school. I thanked her when she dropped me off at home and she gave me a brief hug in the car and said, “Good things await.”
A month later it was August and I was excited but nervous about going to college. I called my pals and we agreed to meet at the park. Prepared with our bug spray and water bottles, Gail, Mandy, and I hiked up the forested hillside in ninety-degree weather.
“You’ll have cold winters in Cambridge.”
“I still can’t believe you got into M.I.T.”
Gail kept me humble.
“Guess I’m smarter than I look.”
“Well I’m going to miss you.”
Mandy stopped on the path and her bottom lip quivered when she looked at me.
“I’ll miss you too but we’ll still talk.”
Gail nodded in agreement. Mandy turned her eyes to the treetops.
“You don’t’ understand, guys. My parents are getting divorced. The big D. My dad is moving out and now you’re leaving, too.”
Mandy was my official BFF since third grade. I sprinted over and wrapped my sweaty arms around her shoulders.
“I’m not leaving you. It’s just school, same as you both. We have to get our degrees, get good jobs, and then we can get a really cool apartment together.
“No, you’ll forget all about us little people in Springfield, Missouri.”
Gail drew closer to our huddle and piped in.
“Hey Drama Queen, our group isn’t busting up. We’ll do the state college thing and will call and text Tina just like we do now. It’s fine.”
Looking into Mandy’s eyes it was easy to see anguish. I kissed her on the cheek and that’s when it happened.
A cool wind passed from my lips to her skin and a knowing flitted through my awareness. It lasted but a moment yet it was everything.
“Your father will never abandon you, Mandy. Both your parents love you – they just need to live in separate places. You and your sister will be okay. It will be different but you will still get what you need from your family. You are not losing anyone, I promise.”
A rosy glow had come over Mandy, even before I stopped speaking. Her fingertips traced the spot on her face where I’d given her a smooch.
“I believe you.”
Gail stood with arms crossed watching the scene.
“Good grief.”
For the rest of our hike Mandy giggled and teased Gail.
“Geez, what did you do to her? Switch her back.”
The second time it happened was two weeks later, on my first day at college.
She and Dad deposited my bags and said their goodbyes. Mom was sniffling and Dad put a hundred-dollar bill in my palm. My roommate arrived once I was unpacking, so I had already claimed my side of the room. Diane Walker entered with crazy hair and a booming voice.
“I want that bed.”
She was pointing to mine.
“First come, first serve.”
After watching Orange is the New Black, I knew it was important to assert dominance right away in a prison cell environment. Okay, maybe it wasn’t jail, but I didn’t want to be seen as weak.
An older woman burst through the doorway, tall and equally as loud as Diane.
“Just throw your shit around, like you do at home and nobody will want to live with you.”
Filling the dorm room, this person looked me over and continued.
“See, Nerd Girl won’t put up with your mess. Look at her folded clothes all nice and neat on the bed.”
Not knowing what to say, I kept organizing my clothes.
Next thing I knew, the abrasive lady was at the door to leave. On her way out, she spat, “If you need money, don’t call me, call your father and his new slut.”
“Wow.”
“Wow what?” Your mother is better than mine, right?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Holding up my favorite tank top, I felt a sharp jab in my lower back. The force of it bent me forward causing my face to land on my mattress.
I spun around and pounced on my roomie. Diane was still swinging as I pushed her to the floor, holding her body down with my arms and legs. I was strong for a short gal, and having a younger brother in wrestling, I knew a few moves.
“I’ll report you.”
“No, don’t. Sorry. I’m just… I don’t know.”
Diane was breathing heavily, trying to jerk herself free. Afraid to release her, I lowered my head and let my face rest near hers.
“Don’t fight me. I’m not having it.”
Diane grunted, then yelled into my ear. My lips grazed her cheek, and then the whisper of cool air passed between us, along with impossible knowledge. A grin spread across Diane’s red face.
“What happened? I feel good all of a sudden. What did you do to me?”
I let go of Diane and sat on my knees, just staring at her.
“You’re abused. You can’t go home again.”
I could feel their rage, and I could feel her pain and fear.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I do actually. I can’t explain it but I know that your family is bad and… you don’t deserve how they treat you.”
The facts were delivered in images and emotions. Diane’s family was dangerous. They used drugs and were volatile people. They didn’t love their daughter. Diane was intelligent and was paying her tuition with scholarships and student loans.
Within a few weeks, Diane and I were getting along quite well. We studied together, ate meals and went to the beautiful chapel on campus. I began to pray for Mandy and for Diane and continued to experience goosebumps and tingling. This was a new me.
Engineering no longer seemed a compatible profession and I called Dad about switching majors in hopes of helping people. He was supportive and suggested studying to become a psychologist, a teacher, or a doctor. Dad told me that his sister thought I had something the world needed.
As our conversation ended, Mandy sent me a message to my phone. It was a photo of a butterfly with pretty lettering that said, “When God calls, good things await.”