Chapter 16 : 2012

"For where two or three are gathered together in His name, I am there in the midst of them".

Matthew 18 : 20

14 Crescent street.

1pm in the afternoon.

She was almost out of breath as she ran. Taking a quick turn to the right, she fell.

"Ouch - - shit", getting up, she continued in her race.

"Are you alright, kid?", asked an female elderly.

She pushed past him, walking into a cream coloured house. Entering the living room, she panted softly, glaring at her sister.

"I rushed as soon as I got word. You're leaving".

Josie looked at her sister with kind eyes, "Yeah. I'm not leaving forever. I'll still see you all every Sunday".

"My birthday is tomorrow. You promised to leave next month", Erica cries.

Josie motions to her, "But next month's a bit far".

"February is two weeks away, goddammit! you should stay with me. Mom, talk to her", Erica yells at the top of her voice.

Mrs Martindale shakes her head, "I am sorry, love but she's made her decision. The only thing I can do as a mother is to encourage her".

Erica grimaces with disgust, "Encourage? encourage her? Damn you".

Josie hits Erica, "Don't say that to my mother like that".

Mrs Martindale intervenes, "Stop it right now".

Erica holds her cheek, "Your mother? That was more hurtful to my face than this one".

Josie realized her mistake and tried to apologize but Erica ran upstairs.

"You started this mess. You'll end it yourself", Mrs Martindale walked into the kitchen.

Josie sighs and goes to her sister's room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard sniffles. Erica must've been hurt.

"Erica", she placed her on the door knob.

"Go away", Erica screamed.

Josie sat outside the room, putting her knees close to her chest, "I'm sorry".

"Yeah, way to go. Why don't you tell BBC that I'm adopted", Erica spoke in between tears.

"I'm sorry", Josie repeated, "I never meant to say that".

"No one ever means what they say", Erica scoffs.

"I'm sorry that I'll be leaving home. You see I was chosen to serve under an apostle as a God's disciple", Josie began.

Erica claps sarcastically, "Forgive me for not leaping for joy. Adopted kids cannot congratulations biological ones".

"Enough of that", Josie sniffles, "I never wanted to leave. I asked the priest if I could visit from home but he found it absurd. I tried my best. It wasn't easy".

Erica opened the door, "Quit".

Josie stood up, "I'm sorry but I can't do that".

"You love God more than your family", Erica looks away.

"I love you all equally", Josie tries to hug her but she moves backwards.

"God wants more attention. There wouldn't be enough love for both of us", Erica bit her lip it almost bled.

"I'll make this work. I promise", Josie holds her sister's hand, "I promise you".

Holy cross cathedral.

Few minutes past 7am.

"You must miss them", Sister Joan cleans in the garden, "Your family".

"I do", Clutching a pink kerchief in her hand, Josie sits down on a wooden chair. "But they're a distraction. It was the intention of my family that I stayed so I left", Joan looked at the other sisters as they tended to the flower beds.

"But you should care for your family too. I miss mine and want them to come see me. Service is almost starting", Josie replies.

Joan explained, "But Jesus said the family we have are not our mothers, brothers, fathers, sisters nor relatives but those we bring to Him. He also said, we should seek Him first. I'm not doing the scriptures wrong at all. Its just that ----"

"Its natural for the human mind to be conflicted", A masculine voice spoke behind them.

Turning around in shock, both of them saw disciples Meshach, Abednego and Shadrach.

"Disciples", Josie looked away, "Forgive me. I was wrong".

"You weren't. We humans have limits. Abed is right. Its human to be conflicted", Meshach smiles.

Abed clears his throat and announces, "Sisters, please take a breath".

"Thank you so much, Disciple Abednego", They chorused.

Setting aside the flower pots, Meshach approached Josie.

"Disciple Daniel", He said with a smile.

"Disciple Meshach", She replied, "Is anything wrong?".

"Honestly, I don't know how to put it. Its both right and wrong at the same time", He massages the back of his neck with his left hand.

"How do you mean?", she asked.

"Joan was right. Your family is a distraction. I suggest you get rid of any thought of them or I get rid of your discipleship".

* * * * * * * * * * *

"Have you tried calling her?", Mrs Martindale asks Erica.

"Yeah. Its been one week and she still hasn't answered. Is using a cellphone against God's will?", Erica peered at her phone's screen.

"Maybe she's busy with work there", Mrs

Martindale exhales.

"Busy? she's too busy to send a letter or text message or pick up the damn phone", Erica slumps into her couch.

Mrs Martindale looks down, "Its what she wanted. To become a disciple".

"But she wasn't like this before. Is it because today Sia died in that church 20 years ago?", Erica closed her eyes.

"Maybe she still thinks its her fault", Mrs Martindale touches her forehead, "It wasn't Josie's fault. I made the divorce. I left Sia in your late father's custody. If there's anyone to blame. Its me".

"Mom", Erica sits up to embrace her mother, "Its not your fault".

"I'm scared of losing anyone".

"Mom, you haven't lost anyone . We're still here. I'm still here and I'll never leave".

"Can we get Josie back?", asked Mrs Martindale.

"Yes. We can. We just need to go to the church to see if she's okay", Erica pats her mom's head.

"Will they let us in?".

"Yeah. Besides, its a church not a prison. They won't turn us away".

"I got it. Now, stop parring my head".

"No. You're so soft, mom".

"Hey, that's weird".