Believe

When Whitney got home, she ran into Mrs Veronica, Natalie's mother. "Good evening, aunty," Whitney greeted her.

When Mrs Veronica saw her, she smiled. Whitney was a child she had watched grow up. "How was school today?" she asked. Mrs Veronica had an idea of what was going on with the children, but she was not capable of helping. Back then, she became close to Mrs Warmer because of the friendship between their children.

"School was fine, you are heading out?" Whitney asked. The woman treated her well whenever she came to visit Natalie, so she had a good impression of her.

"Yes, I am going to church. Would you like to come along?" Mrs Veronica asked. Whitney looked at her. Her mother used to go to church, but she never made it compulsory for them to go with her. She usually followed her at times.

"Okay, let me drop my bag," Whitney had no idea why she decided to follow her. Mrs Veronica also did not know why she decided to invite her. She was a woman of faith and believed that God could help in situations that no man could.

"Alright, I will wait for you," Mrs Veronica said. She watched Whitney go into the house while she went ahead to start the car. Their family had an old car that they had been using for a few years.

When Whitney got into the house, she met Gracey and Kelly doing their schoolwork.

" Big sister," Kelly was delighted to see her. "My boy," Whitney walked over and hugged him. "How was school today?" she asked as she used her hand to ruffle his hair.

"Great," Kelly replied. He was still young, and so he did not understand the seriousness of their family matter.

"Gracey," Whitney called. She could tell that her younger sister was pretending not to see her.

"Welcome, sis," Gracey said and focused on her work. Whitney frowned when she saw her sister like this. A few nights ago, she noticed her change, but she did not say anything.

Whitney walked into their tiny bathroom and washed her face. Her lips felt a little dry, so she applied lips bam and powdered her face a little.

"Where are you going?" seeing Whitney like this, Gracey could not help but ask. Her sister seemed busy with life and forgot the main thing.

"Church," Whitney answered.

"Church!!" Gracey replied. She also remembered that her mother used to attend the Sunday service back then, but they only tagged along if they were willing. She could not understand why her sister would suddenly want to attend church.

Since their mother died, neither of them had bothered to attend church. "yes, I am attending with aunt Veronica," Whitney explained as she walked over to the door. She was afraid that she would keep Mrs Veronica waiting for too long.

"Can I go with you?" Kelly asked. As a child, he did not like been locked up all day after school. He had noticed that since their father died, his sisters did not let him go out to play with the children in the neighbourhood.

Whitney looked at her brother, are you done with your schoolwork? " she asked. She knew it was difficult for the little guy to stay in all day.

" No, but I am almost done. Can I finish it when we return? " Kelly asked. He really wanted to go out. These past few days, he noticed his second sister had changed. She did not play with him the way she used to before. If he had a choice, he would want to stay with Whitney.

" Okay, " Whitney agreed and quickly helped him change her clothes." Do you want to come? " Whitney asked Gracey seeing that she closed her book.

"No," Gracey shook her head. Back then, she had accompanied her mother to church a few times. Her mother was a person that was devoted to God but yet she died. God did not protect such a good person. Why should she bother?

Seeing that she was not interested, Whitney left with her brother.

When they arrived at the church, they were having a worship session. Whitney had not been to church for at least six years, so she felt lost. After the worship, the percher climbed the altar and began to teach from the Bible. Whitney felt like she had gone back in time when she attended a service with her mother.

Her mother would say to pray to God about anything. "God is interested in your business. Tell it's to him in prayer. He said to come unto him all ye that a bounden and heavy, and I will give you rest," Whitney heard the percher. She did not know if she believed a God up there, but looking at the confidence with which the man was speaking, Whitney was tempted to try.

Her life had no direction anyway. Maybe it was better to believe that there was a God who cared. At least this way, she would not feel alone. Even if he did not exist, it would not change anything. Her life was messy and could not become more chaotic because of this step. Anyway, her mother also believes in the existence of God

Soon the percher was done, and they heard a prayer session. Hearing the man standing at the altar telling them to tell their problems to God. Whitney went down on her knees.

This was what everyone else in the church was doing. Moreover, she had seen her mother take this posture a few times. She closed her eyes and joined her hands together. "When you pray, you must believe that your father in heaven hears and answer you," the man said. Whitney choked, although she had gone on her knees, she did not believe anyone could hear her.

"Lord, I pray that you touch" Whitney was about to call Kevin Smart 'the devil' when she thought that it was wrong to call him that. "Mr Smart heart, I know that my dad was wrong, and he would not forgive my family but save my sister so that I would be the one to bear the responsibility."

"In Jesus name, we have prayed," Whitney heard the man on the altar. "Amen," the congregation answered. Whitney did not know why, but she, for the first time, felt relief. She did not know if her prayer would be answered, but she forced herself to believe God would do this for her. As long as she is able to save Gracey and Kelly, she will not care about herself. After all, she had promised her mother that she would take care of them.