I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
                        —Psalm 91:2

You are only putting your family in trouble. 

The words of the nurse floated in Paloma's head. 

Is it true, God?  Am  I playing with fire? 

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of the government causing any harm to her family.  

Oh God, shield my family. She looked heavenward.  However, fear still gnawed at her soul.  

Suddenly, an urge to look at the petition consumed her. She unzipped her satchel and with utmost care pulled out the paper. She stared at the paper with a myriad of emotions. A shaky smile slipped onto her face as her eyes roamed over the signatures.  

Thank you, Lord,  for the women. And thank you for making them put down their signatures. 

Paloma's heart swelled with gratitude. However, her smile fell as the words of the nurse forced their way back. 

"Oh Lord, be a refuge to me and my family." She whispered in the silence of the hallway. 

Her eyes remained glued to the petition as she continued her trek down the hallway of the retirement home. As she drew closer to the exit, her eyes perked up at the sound of the door opening. Out of curiosity, she looked up. A figure was by the door holding it open. Her eyes traveled to the face of the person. A look of recognition flickered in her eyes. 

"Gael!" She produced an excited grin. 

"Paloma!" He sent her a smile of his own. "It's good to see you again." 

Paloma grinned wider.  "It's definitely a pleasure. Thanks for yesterday." 

Gael shook his head. "Don't mention it; I did what I felt was right." Honesty mixed with confidence shimmered in his eyes. And Paloma couldn't have smiled wider. 

However, her expression shifted from a smile of glee to one of amusement as she noticed the door still open with Gael's hand clasped on the doorknob. 

"I believe we should head outside. We don't want a pesky insect to fly in and trouble the women." Laughter shone in her eyes. 

"Oh!" He produced an embarrassed smile. "Please go ahead." He shifted further to the side. 

Paloma smiled and crossed over the threshold. Gael slipped out and the door shut softly behind them.  

The scorching sun beat down on them. Paloma felt beads of sweat form on her forehead.  

"So...how's the petition stuff going?" Gael asked as they began their descent down the stairs. 

Paloma's lips curled into a slight smile. "It's coming along slowly. Today, I  got some signatures from the old ladies living here." Her smile grew at the thought. 

"That's great! Congratulations." His lips lifted in a smile. "I am sure very soon the petition will be so filled up, you will need to add an extra page." 

"Thank you. I sincerely hope that will be the case." She sent him a kind smile. She would never forget that he was the first person who gave her a chance. 

A grimace formed on her face as the words of the nurse nagged at her, fighting for dominance over the joy she felt at the progress of the petition. 

"Are you okay?" Gael reclaimed her attention. "You have a scowl on your face."

She turned to face him and produced a strained smile. "Yeah, I am okay." 

"Okay, if you say so." He gazed at her with a hint of doubt in his eyes.  

Paloma turned away and ducked her head.  She believed he stared at her like he knew what she was thinking.  However, she dismissed the thought, hoping it was only her imagination. 

A comfortable silence followed them until they reached Gael's maroon truck.  

"Well, I guess this is where we part ways." Paloma turned to face him with a bright smile. 

"Hmm, I guess so." She watched as he did a quick scan of the area. "Where is your ride?" His eyes turned back to her. 

"Oh, I walked." She stated with a smile. 

Understanding shimmered in his eyes. "Would you mind if I gave you a ride?"

Paloma smiled wider. "Well, I wouldn't mind. But I believe we are going in opposite directions." 

"Hmm, fair enough. Next time I guess." 

"Maybe." Her eyes sparkled with mirth. There might never be a next time." 

"Hmm, I am not sure about that." A thoughtful look crossed his face.  

Paloma chuckled. "Whatever the case may be, it was nice seeing and talking to you today," she said with all the honesty in her.  

"Yeah, same here.  It was a pleasure." His lips formed into a smile. 

"Bye!" Paloma sent him one more smile and sauntered off. She was oblivious to the fact that he watched her until she faded from sight. 

                       ★★★★

Paloma hummed a hymn all the way home. She breathed a sigh of relief as the white picket fence that surrounded their house came into view. She unlatched the bolt of the gate from outside, slipped in, and latched the bolt back. The grass ruffled beneath her feet as she walked. 

As she drew closer to the house, she heard a repeated scrubbing sound coming from the side of the house. She followed the sound and found her father sitting on a stool, hunched over his wood cutting equipment. His circular saw was dismantled and the blade was soaking in a bowl of cleaning solution while he scrubbed it with a sponge. 

"Afternoon, Papà!" She said to gain his attention. 

He looked up and a grin split on his face. "Cupcakes!" He rose to a sitting position. "How was your day?" 

"It was as best as it could be." She shrugged. "Some of the old ladies at the retirement home signed the petition. So we have made some progress." Her lips lifted in a half-smile.  

"That is lovely!" He produced a toothed grin.  "To God be the glory!" 

"Yeah, it was definitely a miracle from God. I am still amazed how the petition ended up in my bag." She shook her head as she reviewed how the events of the day unfolded.

"Well, God moves in mysterious ways," Timothy stated.  

Paloma hummed in response. "He sure does."

"Let's head inside," Timothy said a few minutes later after rounding up his task.  He rose to his feet and dabbed his face with the towel that hung on his neck.   

The duo silently traversed to the house. Timothy headed to his room to change.  

Paloma's legs suddenly grew heavy with wariness and she sought out the nearest chair. She plopped down onto the couch and heaved a sigh. She rolled her shoulders to ease the tension in them. 

She hung her head back as her shoulders relaxed. However, the incidents of the day flooded her memory. She couldn't stop herself from producing a smile at the conversation she had with Gael. There was something about him that made her comfortable. 

However, like a broken record, the cold eyes of the nurse and her stern declaration filled Paloma's head and caused her to stiffen. 

"Why that face?" Her father's voice broke her reverie. 

Paloma raised her head.  "What face?" She watched him take a seat on the armchair adjacent to her. 

"You are wearing a distressed look. What's up?" 

Paloma ducked her head. "I am not wearing a distressed look." She wrung her fingers. When did she become so easy to read? She wondered. 

Timothy gave an amused laugh. "You can lie to yourself, and you can lie to anyone else. But you cannot lie to me." His eyes bore into her. "So tell me what is bothering you."

Paloma's eyes remained down as she contemplated what to do.  The clock ticked in the background as they sat in silence. She squirmed in her seat as her father's eyes pierced her.  

"Cupcakes, I am waiting."

Paloma swallowed a lump and looked up. 

"Do you think we are in danger?" She asked as their eyes connected.  

Surprise flickered in Timothy's eyes.  "I don't think so. Why do you ask?"

Paloma went silent again as she struggled to find her words.  

"Did someone threaten you?" His voice rose an octave.  

Paloma flung to face him with horror as he shot up with narrowed eyes and clenched fists. "Of course not, Papà! Please calm down." 

Timothy shook his head. "I will not calm down until you tell me what is going on." Although the rage left his eyes, a scowl remained plastered on his face.  Tell me, cupcakes, what has you all  distressed?" 

Paloma's eyes flickered down again and she felt her tension increase. "It's nothing, Papà! I just got a stern warning."  

"Hmmm, really?" Timothy returned to his seat with a more relaxed stance. "What kind of warning?" 

Paloma shook her head and sighed. "Someone believes the government may take severe actions against us for starting an uprising." Her lips formed into a thin line.  "I guess that's why people have been reluctant to support us." 

"Hmm." A thoughtful look marred Timothy's face. "I guess they have a point. The government is despicable and can do the unthinkable. But I don't think we should be worried about them coming after us." 

"Really, Papà?" Her eyes brightened a little.  "How can you be so sure?" She turned to face him fully. 

His lips rose in a small smile. "Well, for one, we are not doing anything wrong. And two, in accordance  with Psalm 9 verse 9, he will be a refuge in our times of trouble." His smile grew wider. "So, cupcakes, we have nothing to fear." He leaned over and patted her hand. 

Paloma cracked her first real smile since the beginning of their conversation. The government can do whatever they want but God will be a refuge for them. 

                            ★★★★

Ayy, there we go! The government can't do what they want but God will shield them.

That's such a comfort😁

Anyway, we have hit 15 chapters. Yipee! Glory be to God💃❤

So with that in mind, what are your thoughts on the story so far. What things do you like or dislike?

Fill up the comments section. We look forward to it.

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Until next time, remain under the shield of God.