AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Remembering her father’s simple trust rolled through Danni like lava, and the tears fell. She stared out into the darkening sky as laughter and muted conversations drifted up from visitors and residents below. A gentle breeze caressed her face and dried the tears. She knew God had the answers for her and all she had to do was ask. Looking down at her phone, she scrolled through her favorite most remembered verses.
“His mercies... are new every morning...”
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you...’”
“Create in me a clean heart, OGod...”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you...”
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation...”
Joy... how she wanted to feel joy again. How she wanted a mind and heart free of chaos and at peace.
“I’m sorry I turned away from you,” she whispered.
A single tear fell down her cheek, dried quickly by the breeze. And the wisp of another verse chimed in her: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Something broke in Danni. She knelt down and the tears fell freely, though she’d thought she’d cried them all out. She realized it was exhausting trying to run and hide from a God who saw everything, who was everywhere. She’d walked away from God when her dad died, but she was in a full-fledged sprint away from him after her divorce. In her heart of hearts, Danni knew Gabe never deserved to be pushed away. Her mom thought Gabe still cared. An overwhelming need to talk to Gabe, to apologize for the heartache she’d caused him, washed through her. He came to the hospital. Even though I drove him away, he still cares.
Danni felt her balance returning. It was as if her vision had cleared, and she could see things now that before had been murky. God is not the author of confusion. Danni knew this was true. What had confused and scared her about Gabe and their relationship was a lie. The only way to overcome the lie was with the truth. The truth was, she needed to apologize to Gabe and pray for a level of restoration in their relationship even though she wasn’t certain what level that might be.
When her mother called her in for dinner, her face was dry and her heart was light.
“Feel better?” Mom asked.
Danni smiled, glad to say yes. For the first time in a long while she did feel better.
“I think I owe Gabe a big apology. I have clarity there.”
“Start there, with what you know. Then pray about what you don’t know, what is confusing and unclear.”
“I don’t think we’ll get back together.”
“The important issue is clearing things up, letting him know what made you push him away. He never wanted a divorce. Repairing your relationship would be a good thing.”
Danni swallowed a lump. Everything in her mind—the job, her future—it was all tangled around Gabe even though he didn’t work for the PD anymore.
“I don’t have a clear idea yet about career plans. I’m still leaning toward escaping here.”
“If it’s what’s meant to be, I’d love to have you.”
Danni nodded. “I do need to go home. Taking one step at a time, I need to apologize to Gabe. And if I am leaving law enforcement, I should tell Gomez in person. I owe him as much.”
“I understand.” Nicole laid out the meal, said grace, and they ate.
Danni felt as if she could finally taste food again. Most of the tangle in her heart and mind had loosened, though snarls remained. It was a start. She would keep moving forward to untangle everything. It would take time, but she would persist.
