Beyond the Pine Read Free Page B

he was able to regenerate our belief that the future of our small home was one that offered blessings as it always had. No matter how much despair had filled our hearts, no matter how helpless we might feel at the beginning of each of our hardest days, his words, his presence alone served as a simple reminder that this community was one that had both seen and overcome the hardest of times.
    If we stuck together, continued to weave the quilt that was our community while maintaining our faith, our light, we would always persevere.
    As he comes to a close, he smiles widely at the people surrounding him, offering all of us a final promise of hope.
    After a moment, he gestures for me to join him, leading me toward the women with a warm smile.
    “Sisters,” he nods in their direction, presenting me to the fairer members of the group. “Sister Riley has come here with me to help offer you her prayer and friendship in these uncertain times,” he continues. “If there’s anything she can do to help ease your minds, please don’t hesitate.”
    “Thank you, Reverend,” they reply in unison, each of them offering me a small smile of appreciation.
    “Shall we pray?” I ask nervously.
    Willing my voice to even out so that I might be able to offer them the guidance they’d been promised, I slowly begin to steady my breaths. It takes a moment, but by the time I find myself hand in hand with my sisters, I grow more confident.
    We bow our heads, eager to soak in the mercy and glory awaiting us. My nerves have me stumbling at first, but after a few moments, the thick air of sadness is replaced with a calming blanket of hope and light.
    I thank each of them for coming, offering my friendship and warm wishes before I make my way back to Reverend Tucker.
    He speaks quietly to the men, his voice so low that I can’t quite make out what he’s saying to the elders, Brothers Abraham and Ephriam.
    I can tell by their mannerisms that prayer isn’t what they’re discussing, but I know enough about the community I’ve called home, my place within it, that I don’t dare ask.
    “Be blessed,” he says quietly a moment later, his voice breaking my thoughts as I glance up to see him making his way back to me. “You did a wonderful job today, Riley,” he offers, his approval making me smile. “Our sisters look much more at ease after having spoken with you. You should feel peaceful about the work you’ve done here to...”
    “Help! Help!”
    His words of praise are cut short by the sound of two of our younger members calling out to us from beyond the trees.
    They race toward us, continuing to call out to us in panic as my heart lurches in my chest.
    I watch with the other women as Reverend Tucker, Abraham and Ephriam race toward them at the edge of the land.
    When three more figures come into view, two I know and one I can’t determine as he’s spread out on the grass, I swallow the nerves bubbling up into my chest.
    The women around me need to remain calm, know that they’re safe. They’ll never be able to do that if I lose my senses.
    Once the small group accompanying the Reverend make their way to the boys, their voices are quieter, shouting no longer needed as they’ve grown closer.
    “What’s happened?” the whispered voices around me ask, but I don’t know, so I can only shake my head in confusion along with them.
    “I’m so sorry, but I’m really not sure,” I admit, reaching to my side to console Abraham’s wife. “I’m not sure, but I have faith that everything will be just fine. The Reverend is here. Whatever it is, I know he’ll keep us safe. Just embrace your light, sisters.”
    The women begin to nod their agreement and in a moment of clarity, I know exactly what will help.
    Softly, I begin to hum the opening chords of ‘Down in the River to Pray’, first to myself and then louder for the women surrounding me.
    When I was a girl, I was afraid of the dark, always wondering what lurked within the shadows.