12

She was back home. Nia looked around her room filled with boxes. Summer was over—time to go to college. The thought terrified her but only a little. Mostly she was excited. Even though she’d decided Puzzle House wasn’t in her future, that didn’t mean God didn’t have great plans for her. Just as there was more than one kind of healing, there was more than one way to serve God.

She was only taking her clothes, a few pictures, and of course her Bible journals, but the room was still a mess. She’d called Keisha several times in the past two days and left messages so they could coordinate their trip tomorrow to St. John’s Bible College in Tennessee.

Keisha still hadn’t called back. Nia didn’t know what her problem was but hoped after a few days as roommates, they’d be back to being best buds. The sooner she got Keisha away from Marcus and his friends, the better.

She finished packing and put her room back in order. She walked out with two large suitcases. “All done, Auntie.”

“That’s great, sweetie.”

Nia hadn’t told Aunt Margaretta about her decision not to go back to Puzzle House. After putting the suitcases by the door, she sat down. “Have you talked to Cooper?”

Auntie looked up from her book. “No, should I have?”

“Not really. Just curious.” She’d tell Auntie about her decision another time, maybe when they drove to the school together.

“I’m going over to Keisha’s house now. She hasn’t called me back. What time should I tell her we’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Seven AM sharp. But maybe you should drive my car over. That way you girls can put her things in now. Then you won’t have to do it in the morning.”

“Good idea.”

“The keys are on the counter.”

Nia picked up the keys and headed for the door. “I think I’ll just take one suitcase now and the other in the morning. Can’t believe how heavy they are. I’ll be back later.”

“I’ll be here.”

She drove the three blocks to Keisha’s house. It was hard not to notice the difference between the city and Puzzle House in the country. No wonder there was more crime in big cities. It was too noisy and too crowded. She really was becoming a country girl.

Her heart filled with sadness. She wouldn’t be living at Puzzle House in the future. For so long, she’d believed that was her future but not anymore. God still had plans for her—that she was sure of. Hopefully, she’d discover what at college.

Keisha’s mother answered the door. “Oh, hi, Nia.”

“Hey, Mizz Banks. I’ve been trying to get hold of Keisha, but she’s not answering her phone. Anything wrong?”

Tears filled the older woman’s eyes. “You better come in, sweetheart. Keisha’s up in her room. Go on up.”

Her stomach twisted. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Go on up.”

As Nia walked up the steps a sense of dread overtook her. It reminded her of when she’d walked up the steps at Puzzle House to visit with Rachel the very last time before she died. She was just being melodramatic. Nothing could be that bad. She knocked on the door. “Keish, it’s me.” She opened the door.

Keisha was huddled on her bed.

Nia hurried over to her. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

“Not exactly.” Keisha mumbled as she turned toward Nia.

Nia sat down on the bed. “I’ve been calling you all summer. Why aren’t you answering? Why didn’t you call me back?”

“I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“Oh.” Hurt blossomed, but Nia put it aside. “Why? Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?”

“No.” Keisha sat up. “I didn’t want to talk to you ’cause I’m…I’m so ashamed.” The last word came out as a wail.

“Why?”

“I messed up.”

“That’s OK, Keish. Everybody messes up sometimes.” Keisha must be talking about Marcus and what she’d done over the summer. “God will forgive you. It’s not the end of the world. No big deal.”

“It’s a big deal this time.” Keisha looked down and then up at Nia. “I’m pregnant.”

It was as if someone punched Nia in the stomach. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. Finally, she wrapped her arms around her friend. “I don’t know what to say.”

Keisha leaned against her as big sobs wracked her body.

A moment later, Nia was crying alongside her friend. Finally, the two broke apart.

“I’m so sorry, Keish.”

“No. I’m the one who’s sorry. I messed everything up. You tried to stop me, but I wouldn’t listen. I thought I was so smart. I just wanted to have some fun. Yeah, a lot of fun this is.”

“What will you do? You’re still going to St. John’s tomorrow, right?”

“Of course not.”

“Why not?”

“I’m pregnant.”

“That doesn’t mean your life has to stop.”

“Well, it sorta does. You really think a Bible college will let me go there now? A pregnant, unmarried girl? Get real.”

“I don’t know but I would think they would. It’s a Christian college. That should mean it’s not their place to judge you. Only God’s supposed to do that.”

“Maybe so, but it don’t matter. So I go to college for a few months. Big deal. Once the baby comes, I can’t go. I gotta get a job and take care of it.”

Nia wanted to say a baby wasn’t an it, but Keisha didn’t need to hear that right now. “How long have you known?”

“Just a few days.”

“Have you told Marcus yet?”

Instead of answering, Keisha let loose a fresh round of tears. “Yeah. You know what he said? ‘How do I know it’s mine?’” More tears fell.

“I’m sorry.” Why couldn’t Keisha have seen the guy was a jerk?

“I haven’t been with anyone else. Just him. I promise.”

“I know that. I believe you.”

“I thought I was special to him. Thought he loved me.” She wiped at a few tears. “But he was just using me.”

“I’m sure that’s not true. You are special. How could he not love you? You probably just shocked him. He’ll come around.”

“No, he won’t. He actually broke up with me a few weeks ago. Even before he knew about the baby. Said there was just too many girls out there to get hooked up with only one.” She rolled her eyes. “His actual words were a lot nastier, but I’m not going to repeat them.”

Nia closed her eyes and prayed for guidance—for the right words. She opened them when she finished. Keisha was staring at her. “Don’t bother praying for me. God’s done with me.”

“That’s not true. God still loves you.”

“Yeah, right. After all the stuff I done, I don’t think so.”

“Yeah, it is right. God—”

“Whatever. You should go. I’m sure you got a lot to do before you leave.”

“Keish, we can figure this out together. We both need to go to school tomorrow. Together. Even if it’s only for the fall semester.”

“What’s to figure out? I already called and told them I can’t come. Gave up my scholarship. Just go. Like Mama said, I made my bed. Now I get to lay in it.”

“Don’t be that way.”

Her head drooped.

Nia took hold of her hand but didn’t say anything.

Finally, Keisha looked up. Her voice was soft. “Don’t worry about me, Nia. I’ll be OK. I’m just having a few bad days right now. I don’t know what I’ll do, but I know going to college isn’t one of the options for now. Maybe after the baby.”

“Oh, Keish.” Nia hugged her friend. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure. Now you go and do what you need to do so that God can use you.”

“God can still use you. It’s just like when David messed—”

“I don’t what to hear about David right now.” She laid down on the bed and turned her back to Nia. “See you later.”