Joe's POV

I woke and looked through my window. It was about a few minutes to seven o'clock. I saw Dad crying like a child. Sultana was trying to calm him down.

What's my business?

I turned and tried to drift back to sleep. I couldn't sleep. I hissed and went to have my bath. It was a Sunday. I wasn't stepping out of the house. It was my rest day. I had my bath, wore a casual grey top and black trousers. I called Aurora. Now that I'm done with school, I'll plan on getting married to her soon. Not that I have enough money to start a family now, I just want her to be happy. She has been living on her own for such a long time. I just need a job.

I went to the kitchen. I made breakfast for all of us. I ate mine and planned my day. I would watch two of the movies that I downloaded, order pizza and wine, eat and drink,  watch Yoruba drama, sleep, call Aurora, sleep, play games on my phone, make dinner. Paint a picture of Blessing and one of my customers. Painting has been giving me some cash recently.

So, I began my planned day. I started watching the first movie in my room when I heard a shrill scream from Blessing's room.

I ran to her room and saw her crying and screaming in pain.

"Blessing? Blessing? What happened?" I asked carrying her to find a very large scorpion on her bed. I sprayed it with an insecticide, which was thankfully close by, and killed it as fast as I could.

It had stung her.

I shouted to my mother and told her what was happening as I ran, carrying her, outside. I started the car and drove to the hospital as quickly as I could.

She was attended to immediately and treated. I was happy that she was allowed to go home that same day. When we got home, I told Dad that we needed to fumigate our home.

He just nodded and told us to pack some necessary things to carry to a hotel tomorrow as he had already called his friend who could help fumigate our house. I couldn't lose another sister.

I ordered pizza and wine as I was watching the movies. Blessing was too scared to stay in her room and she decided to stay with me. Sultana was in her room for a long time. She only came out to check on Blessing when we came back from the hospital. Anytime I decided to check on her, she was either praying in one language foreign to my brain, or, singing, or praying in English.

Mum was just panicking. Dad looked calm and different.

Sultana's (Grace's) POV

Dad was crying. I didn't know what to do so I asked the Holy Spirit. He told me to pray in the spirit. I did so under my breath. Then, I asked him why he was crying.

He began to shake and speak slowly.

"I-I have been very bad to your mother. We should have never had you. When Joshua was born, I was in Texas. Your mother called me and told me that she had given birth and the boy was not a sickler. I ignored her and hung up on the call. When we had Jazz, I took your mother to the hospital. She was really happy and thought that I was back to my lovely self. Until something came over me and I locked her in a well. Someone brought her out later. She was unconscious. Your mother cried her strength out. Not too long after, your plump mother became very slim."

He looked up and cried. Then he continued; "She always behaved happy to others outside our family. She would tell me that she had forgiven me in advance. I was wondering why. I asked her once and she said she has received Jesus and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. She still loved me. When you were about to be born, I was drunk and told your mother to go to the hospital by herself. Then, a pastor came to my house and told me that I would be punished by God seriously. When he left, Mr Titus told me that you would rise higher than I am and destroy the source of my power. I was angry. I never liked you. I despised you. All the sicknesses you had were my work. I was shocked when you recovered. Then I asked for help to kill you. The truck that hit you was sent to kill you. You didn't die. I was angry. Then, you started talking about Jesus to me. I was beyond angry. I threw a big bag which was filled with stones at you. You fell. I picked you up and told the others that you fainted in my room. I was a bit amused at how easy killing you was."

He brought out a tissue and blew his nose. I had tears of gratitude to God in my eyes. He continued.

"Joanne and I planned your burial because I felt like you could just rise again. You were buried for two years. We even had Blessing. Then, you walked in. I was so shocked that I dropped the phone that I was having a call on. I sat on the floor. I decided to return to God but I didn't know how. I need peace."

I digested all I heard as quick as I could. I led him through the prayer of salvation.

"Lord, I am sorry for my past ways. I want you to accept me as your son. I accept you as my father and I believe that you died for me and rose again to save me. I am a sinner, forgive me Lord. Thank you Jesus for accepting my soul. In Jesus' Precious name we have prayed."

"It can't be that easy. Can it?" He said.

"Actually, you just have to believe it and say it. Romans 10 : 9 says: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from death, then you will be saved."

"I believe."

I was beyond happy when I imagined the celebration going on in heaven.

Then, he cried. It was a really long time. When he stopped, I asked him why he was crying. He said that he felt love and peace. I also felt peace. Then, we went inside. Joe had made breakfast. Dad ate in silence. I decided to fast. Then, I went up to my room. I locked the door and lay on the floor.

I was praying. I just felt the urge to pray. I didn't know what to pray about so, I allowed the Holy Spirit to take over. Soon, I felt out of the world. My senses...well..... felt far away. I was worshipping God.

As the Lord prompted me to, I went to check on Blessing after he told me that something happened to her. I saw her and prayed for her. She had a confused look. I needed to talk about Jesus to her before the devil does his work.

I went back to my room to worship you. I felt suspended in Elohim's presence and at the same time, I felt like I was racing around the world. I felt alive and new. Then, the Lord's burden came. I prayed in songs, in the Spirit and in my understanding.

After, I lay on the floor, silent trying to connect to God.

Jesus, connect my spirit to your spirit.

The silence was not empty. It was filled with love and gratitude from my heart to Jesus.

I am a living sacrifice. Use me as you please Jesus. I will always thank you. You raised me up from death. What can I do? What can I do to repay you in my little way? You gave your life willingly for me.
My heart was filled with emotions.

My face was wet. I didn't know I was pouring out tears. I wiped my face with the edge of my nightdress. I checked the time. It was 2 : 32 pm. I was tired but I paid no attention to my body. I lay quietly in Jehovah's presence. Then, my mother came knocking on my door. I didn't want to leave the connection but the knocks continued. I stood up and opened the door. My mother who had a sleeping Blessing firmly strapped to her back with the aid of her Ankara cloth and a small baby shawl. She looked at me in compassion.

"Why are you smiling?"my mother asked curiously.

I felt my face.

I was smiling? I'm meant to be angry. She's disturbing my alone time.

I didn't know why I was smiling and I couldn't just get angry when love was pouring out of my heart.

"I guess I am happy."

"Pack your things. We are going to a hotel tomorrow. Pack enough of your clothes and others for a week."

A pause,

My mother looked at me with utmost scrutiny. I thought she could see through me.

"Sultana, have you eaten?"

"Umm... I can explain. Oh, and my name is now Grace. Please can you call me that? So, the eating part. I haven't."

My mother was never a fan of fasting since she had ulcer.

"I don't want to eat. I'm fasting."

"I will hear none of that. Go and eat."

"No ma. Please."

She pulled me by my ear downstairs and forced me to eat a heavy lunch she prepared. I was unhappy but I didn't want to disobey my mother.

Jesus, I'm sure you still love me.

Of course I do.