Chapter 11

Eunice Douglas had never been one to share details about her life with her friends, but after Horace had left she felt she vented with her friends and her family a lot. It felt good to tell everyone what had happened. She never knew her friends cared about her so much. She had been going to church more often as well. Her minister even took the time to listen to her story. Eunice was so glad that so many people were willing to listen to her. It had been a year since Horace had separated and she was now legally divorced. The day was also Cynthia's 16th birthday. Cynthia had just returned from school when she found her mother siting in the living room crying. Oliver was at his friend George Cooper's townhouse studying for his French exam.

"Mother what's wrong? You've been crying", asked Cynthia.

"Oh Cynthia I'll be fine. I probably should get going to Bible Study", said Eunice.

"Mother, are you sure you will be fine?", asked Cynthia.

"Of course dear, the scripture and the fellowship of those women is what I need now. Happy Birthday, dear. I'll see you later", said Eunice before giving Cynthia a hug.

Once Eunice was at church for bible study, her friends noticed her distress.

"Hello Eunice, how are you doing?", asked the minister's wife and bible study leader, Emma.

"I've been better and I hope this study will bring me some comfort", said Eunice.

"I hope so too Eunice. I'm here if you need to talk after the study", said Emma giving Eunice a hug.

"Thank you Emma", said Eunice.

During this session of the study, Mathew chapter 11 was being discussed. As soon as verses 28-30 were read, Eunice felt the words in the verses spoke to her," "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

"Before we start with those study questions, I want you to know that I think those words were just what I needed to hear now. I'm so grateful that I came to study today", said Eunice.

"Yes it is wonderful how God can provide us with the words we need to hear", said Eunice's close friend Harriet.

After the study Emma took time to listen to Eunice vent.

"Oh Emma, I know I should be glad that the divorce is final, but that horrible memory of what happened a year ago keeps on haunting me. Did I ever tell you exactly what happened the night Horace left?"

"Oh Eunice has it been exactly a year now?", asked Emma.

"Yes, it has. It's been a year since I saw him with Balance. Oh Emma I saw how he looked in her eyes when he thought I wasn't looking. It was then that I believed he loved her. Then that night he denied he loved her. He was in such a hurry to go out and drink, I thought he might have plans to go be with her. So I blocked the doorway and he shouted and cursed at me. I refused to move, he yelled and cursed again. Then he hit me. He had never struck me before and I never thought he'd strike me. Oh Emma, I was so afraid. I can't stop thinking about him hitting me and me letting him go, probably to be with his mistress", said Eunice sobbing.

"Oh Eunice anniversaries can be very difficult times. It's all right to cry. Here take my handkerchief", said Emma.

"Today is Cynthia's 16th birthday and I don't feel like celebrating. I suppose I'll feel better when I go home and have some cake. Oliver has been so supportive, though. I'm sure he'll give me some comforting. Even when he was four years old he wanted to make me feel better", said Eunice.

"I'm sure Cynthia will understand how you feel. Oliver is such a nice young man. I will miss seeing him when he goes to Harvard this fall", said Emma.

"I think I will too, although I won't miss him talking about his silly dream he has about becoming a farmer. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me again, said Eunice.

"You're welcome, that's what friends are for. I'll continue to pray for the family, Eunice", said Emma.

Eunice left thankful for how the scriptures gave her comfort and that her church friends cared about her.