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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: KINDNESS (11/04/21)
His Love

Kady made no acknowledgment that I had entered the room. Jessica sat beside her and was not so successful. Her right hand twisted her wedding ring, it was a familiar tell, for twenty years I had known it was the body language of her anxiety. In the instant our eyes met I saw more than my heart was prepared for.

Jake grabbed my elbow and turned toward the charcuterie boards laden with “random” piles of rich and fattening delicacies. Calvert Consultants never scrimped on holiday party luxury. As much as we enjoyed the evening, most of us would like to see some of that splendor redirected to our end of the year bonus.

Dread lay heavier on my stomach than appetite. Two weeks of anticipating a festive date with Jake was suddenly smothered by bitter memories I thought I had learned to tame.

“Deep breaths, squeeze my hand and remember you are a child of the King.” Jake's whispered support did not calm my shaky legs or restore my holiday cheer. What were they doing here? Kady's promotion to Marketing VP should have meant partying with an entirely different team. Jessica, her ever faithful assistant followed her everywhere, I never dreamed they would be here tonight.

“Mia, you look fantastic,” Sue pulled me in for a hug and whispered, “keep that big smile pasted on and remember you are far more professional than some people in the room.”

Why did they all think I was so good? If they could hear my heart pounding and the angry lines I'd love to deliver to Kady Quentin right now they would know I am no professional, obedient child of the King! God knows the anger building in the part of me hidden below the cocktail party mask. She took everything; my promotion, my raise, my pride and Jessica.

Betrayal by my boss, and the company was hard, but nothing stung like losing my best friend. I had worked five years for that position. All the arrangements were made and the office door plaque with my name hung before the shocking eleventh hour announcement that Kady Quentin had been selected by a unanimous vote. Jessica accepted the assistant position and didn't even call to warn me before the announcement!

Leaden steps had taken me through the obligatory congratulations to Kady, and somehow I made it through the week of training her in the preparations I had already finished for the VP role. I still shuddered that they had the gall to make me train her.

“She's here because she said it showed solidarity between the teams. Can you believe that? All it says to me is 'I got your job and your best friend and I want to rub it in Mia.'” Sue was trying hard to be loyal but this only added fuel to my burning resentment.

“I need some fresh air.” I said. As I turned to escape Sue grabbed my arm and said, “You leave now and it's Kady 2, Mia 0. Put on that smile and start working this room my friend.”

Jake drew me into the conversation beside us and managed to entertain with an engaging story about a childhood Christmas fiasco. His story was great for appearances but only served to take me back...

Jessica and I in the first grade nativity playing wayward sheep. Jessica and I in Girl Scouts, my first slumber party at Jessica's. How had I managed to push every memory of her into oblivion for this whole painful year? The 'healing scab' of self-help mantras I had created barely held this gaping wound together.

I had a great new job in HR. I loved my new boss and didn't ever let Kady enter my mind. But my recovery from the trauma completely stalled at Jessica. A friend closer than the sister I had always wanted until she turned away and never looked back. What had I done? Had our bond only been in my imagination? This flood of doubts belied the idea that I had forgiven her, how could seeing her hurt this bad?

Suddenly I felt Jake's arm tighten around my waist as he whispered, “try to be kind.” Looking up I was shocked to meet the pain filled eyes of my lifelong friend. My frantic prayer for help was answered by the Jesus who loved Peter after the cock crowed. It was this love that filled my heart and strengthened my arms to embrace my hurting friend.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Noel Mitaxa 
11/12/21
You have given us a great profile of how God allows us to exhaust our emotions - and sometimes offer him advice on how he could handle things a little better - before he opens up a reminder that he hasn't forgotten us. Well done.
Philippa Geaney
11/14/21
Beautifully written story. I felt everything! 😳 And then His help.
Robert Rutaagi 
11/17/21

What a thrilling thriller!

Probably, I missed seeing the end-note:''Fiction'' or ''Non-fiction?'' If it is the former, then, obviously, it is a captivatingly creative piece of work and, if it is the latter, you are a brave person to bear such a level of emotionally charged situation.
Well done! Keep writing for us.