Here's the latest chapter. From here on out, I will be trying to update once a week, but I have learned to make no promises.
"The answer is no!" Daniel yelled.
"But why?" Kai asked, "Loretta said her parents would love to see you there. They want you to accept Jesus into your hearts like Nya and I have."
"How many times must your mother and I tell you to quit it with this Jesus thing?" If it was at all possible, Daniel's voice became even louder, "Loretta and her family think that the only way to get to Heaven is by accepting Jesus into your heart, but that's not true."
"But the Bible says..."
"I don't care what the Bible says!"
"But..."
"That's enough Kai Grant Smith. Go to your room!" Daniel thundered.
Kai fought back tears, "all I wanted to say was that I was praying for you Daddy."
Nya was barely enjoying her first play date with Loretta in weeks. The pain in her lungs hardly allowed her to sit up straight as the two played with the old, wooden doll house Loretta's grandpa had made.
"Are you okay Nya? We can call your mom if you'd like," Loretta's mother offered.
"I'm fine," Nya shrugged, "I will let you know if I need her later."
"That a girl. Well, I'm going to go take care of laundry."
As Loretta's mother, Mrs Klinsky, exited the room, the two girls picked up their dolls again. Loretta had the parents kiss as the dad got home from work.
"My parents don't kiss anymore," Nya sighed, "when they're together, they always fight."
"Oh," Loretta being the seven year old she was, had no clue what to say.
"Loretta, do you know what a divorce is?" Nya asked suddenly.
"No, but we can look it up," Loretta hopped up and searched for the old, good for nothing dictionary. Both girls couldn't believe what they saw.
Divorce- legal breaking up of a marriage.
"My mommy and daddy want to end their marriage," Nya breathed.
"We can't let that happen!" Loretta stated plain as day, "any ideas how we can stop them?"
"We pray of course!" Nya chimed.
"Of course! We have to put this in God's hands. He'll take care of it," Loretta clapped her hands together and bowed her head, "Dear Jesus, Nya's parents want a divorce, and we can't let that happen. Please don't let that happen. Amen!"
"Amen!" Nya echoed.
Lauren walked into the rustic coffeehouse looking for a break from the stress at home. She ordered her usual, and sat down to wait for her waitress.
Lauren opened the Bible Dr. Andrews had given her. Was it true this book could give her hope?
"Mind if I join you?" A raspy voice asked.
Lauren looked up to see an older woman holding out her hand, "of course not. I'm Lauren Smith. You are?"
"I know who you are. You got married at my church," Lauren furrowed her brow, "New Life Chapel ring a bell? No? Well, I'm Sheryl Brikes, I've been attending since I was young,"
Great! Of all things, Lauren really didn't want a lecturer.
"Well, how are things between you and your husband?"
"They are okay I guess," Lauren shrugged.
"Something's tugging on your heart, what Sweetie?" Sheryl asked.
Should I tell her? Lauren wondered, "it's about my daughter. She was diagnosed with lung cancer a week ago."
"Have you talked to God about it?"
"I tried."
"So the prayers haven't been working now? How would you consider your relationship with God? Hot or cold?"
"More like luke warm," Lauren suggested.
At that moment, the long awaited coffee arrived.
Lauren took a sip and nearly spat it back out, "this is room temperature!"
"Really? Mine's warm."
There's today's chapter. I finally had some character development in Lauren. Until next time, see ya!
#God's Not Dead!