Based on a true story
LINDA
Linda turned over and stared at the alarm clock. The red numbers looked slightly blurry and she squinted to see if it really said 5:00 a.m. or if she was dreaming. She remembered a time when she would get excited to hear her alarm go off. Today, she wondered if she could squeeze in fifteen more minutes of sleep. Passengers would be waiting as soon as she turned on her app. Let them wait.
Her dog Scotty, however, was in no mood to let her sleep and whimpered at the foot of her bed. When she didn’t move, he took the corner of her duvet into his mouth and dragged a portion of it off her body. Her foot was exposed and hanging off the side of the mattress. He licked the bottom of it.
“I remember when I used to think that was cute,” She said as she swung both legs off the side of the bed and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. “Thank you Jesus for waking me up this morning and starting me on my way,” she mumbled, stretching both her arms high above her head. Scotty bounced around anxiously at her feet. She reached down to give him a scratch behind his pointed ears before grabbing her cell phone from her nightstand and walking into the bathroom.
Her phone screen read 5:15 a.m. which means her day was about to start in 45 minutes. She sat down and started her daily ritual of checking her email hoping to see a note from her lawyer before she aimlessly scrolled through her Instagram feed. There was nothing from her lawyer but she did see that her mom had forwarded her a daily devotional about God’s timing.
“Yeah, it sucks.” She immediately swiped the email to the left and hit the red delete button. The last thing she wanted to read about was the Almighty and His sovereign timing. His timing has not been on time for me, so what’s the point?
Scotty whined and laid down in the doorway of the bathroom. His long, lean body and black hair was in stark contrast to the sand colored hardwood floors.
“I hear you and yes, we’re going out. Just let me wash my face and brush my teeth so I don’t scare the neighbors.” Scotty jumped up and ran in a circle to show his excitement only stopping to lick his front paws and scratch his nose. “I guess its time for you to be groomed.” Like you’ve got money for that.
Linda looked in the mirror at her wild hair and almond-shaped eyes and sighed. This is not how she saw the year panning out. There was a time when there was a light in her eyes and she felt that light vibrating through her entire body. It was driven by a joy that bounced around inside of her and she worked to contain it so people wouldn’t consider her annoying. That light had recently burnt out and here she was with sagging shoulders, dim eyes and dull, fuzzy hair. Oh, how times have changed.
She tied a purple scarf around her hair to help tame it and make it presentable before going outside for Scotty’s walk. Her heart-shaped curly cut was losing its shape and in need of a deep condition treatment. She attempted to rearrange the curls that fell to her eyebrows as a makeshift bang then threw on her favorite workout pants with her old Berkeley t-shirt and an oversized cardigan. As she headed towards the door, Scotty was already waiting with his stump of a tail wagging frantically as he glanced back and forth between her and the door. She grabbed a poop bag and a banana before heading out the door. The morning was still dark except for the street lights that light the sidewalks. She stood on her porch and was about to pull her hoodie up when she realized the weather wasn’t as cool as she expected. Scotty had already ran ahead across the street. It was easier to walk him without a leash in the mornings because no other dogs were out for their morning stroll and he had a free reign of the sidewalks.
After returning from her the walk, the clock read 5:50 a.m. She dumped food into Scotty’s bowl and brought him fresh water. “Be good for mommy today, ok?” She said and rubbed his head. He started chomping on his breakfast and only stopped to look up when he heard the jingle of her keys as she grabbed them. She glanced down at her watch as she locked the door. “5:59 a.m. Not bad Miss Linda.”
She turned on her app as she walked towards the car and immediately received an alert for a passenger pick up in the Oakland.
She curved her Toyota Corolla through the streets and enjoyed the silence of the morning. She wasn’t a morning person but the morning rides were often the best ones for making money. She tried to remain nondescript so her passengers wouldn’t feel obligated to make conversation or concerned about taking calls in front of her. She was the invisible, hired help and that’s how she preferred it.
The sun was just starting to peak above the horizon which made the sky a gorgeous blend of orange, yellows, reds and blues. Her GPS instructed, “In 800 feet, turn left onto Vermont Ave.” As Linda turned left, she immediately saw a young woman standing to her right. “Your destination is on your right.”
Linda stopped abruptly so she wouldn’t pass the passenger. She learned the hard way that passing the customer and making them walk a few steps made them irritable and affected her rating. She put the car in park, popped the trunk and immediately jumped out to help the woman load her luggage into the car.
“Good morning! Abigail?” Linda said as came around the back of the car. Before she could reach down to grab the woman’s luggage, it was already hauled into the trunk. “I’m Linda.
“Yep, that’s me. G’morning Linda,” she said with a soft smile on her face. “I hope you don’t mind me coming out to the street to wait on you. I didn’t want you to have to drive up that steep driveway.”
“Oh, I don’t mind,” Linda replied. She eyed the woman’s black four-inch heels and Louis Vuitton bag as she turned to go open the backseat door. How did she get down that driveway with those heels and these bags?
“Are you headed to the airport. Traveling for work this morning?” Linda was not sure why she asked considering all she cared about was the fact that this trip was going to be an expensive ride and she could probably pick up another passenger to head back this way which would be the equivalent to two hours worth of rides on a normal day. Jackpot! She got int the car and checked the airport destination on her GPS.
“Something like that,” Abigail answered. Linda watched her buckle herself in and situate her purse and travel bag on the seat next to her. She had perfectly manicured nails and a curly, light brown mane of hair that sat right about her shoulders. Each curl was perfectly shaped and fell in it’s proper place. She wore a black cardigan with cropped jeans that had a slight tear in one of the knees. A large, silver necklace decorated her collarbone and complimented her simple, diamond stud earrings. She had a creamy, smooth complexion that reminded Linda of hot cocoa. Her dark eyes had short, thick eyelashes and she had a sheer gloss on her lips. For some reason Linda felt herself smiling at Abigail with a tinge of envy. She looked so well put-together for it to be so early in the day.
“Your purse is beautiful,” Linda said. And expensive.
“Oh, thank you.” Linda picked up on a slight accent.
“Where are you traveling to?”
“Back home,” she replied. “I’ve been here long enough.” She turned to her right to look out the window.
“Where’s home?”
“Nashville.” That’s where that accent came from.
As Linda pulled onto the I-80, she noticed traffic was heavier than normal this early in the morning. A sea of red lights filled the streets as far as the eye could see. “Looks like this may take a bit longer than I thought. I hope you aren’t in a rush.” She snuck a glimpse at Abigail in her rearview mirror.
“Oh, that’s fine. I don’t mind using this time to think.”
Silence fell over the car so Linda turned on her radio. Gospel music from last night’s drive home picked up where it had left off. “Oh, sorry.” She fumbled to change the station.
“I don’t mind that staying on if you don’t.” Linda raised her eyebrows in surprise. She wasn’t used to having passengers who actually wanted to listen to the music she played. Most requested no music. If she was playing gospel, they would ask if she could change the channel. No one wanted to hear about God these days.
“I’ve been needing a little encouragement lately so I had this on last night during my drive home.” Linda wasn’t sure why she shared that info with the passenger. She snuck another glance at Abigail who was still staring out the window. They rode in the stop-n-go traffic while Fred Hammond sang about how no weapon formed shall prosper.
“How long have you been driving?” Abigail asked.
Linda was surprised to have her ask a question. She got the impression that she wasn’t in the mood for small talk and wanted to get lost in thought instead. “Uh, not too long. Maybe a couple of months now.”
“What made you want to become a driver? I’ve heard so many different reasons, I just like to hear all the different inspirations.”
“Not sure inspiration is the word I would use. More like obligation,” Linda responded eyeing Abigail in her rearview mirror. Abigail stared back, waiting to hear more. Linda wondered if she should tell the whole truth around why she started driving and how she needed to supplement her income once she was arrested and denied her right to teach. How could she explain how she was wrongly accused of spitting in a child’s face while working as a fourth grade teacher for the Oakland Unified School District? The very thought of it made her sick. She felt herself getting hot so she cracked the window slightly to let in some air. She wasn’t sure if she would be judged or if Abigail would see her point of view.
“Unfortunately, I was wrongly accused of spitting in a child’s face when I worked as an elementary school teacher in Oakland.” She glanced at Abigail’s reflection again to gauge her reaction. Her face did not changed as she stared back.
“I was dealing with a misbehaving student so I went and asked the teacher next door, Miss Wallace, to witness the conversation. They always train us to involve another faculty member when dealing with escalated conflict in the classroom and she was the closest one to me. We took the student into the hallway to talk. As I was talking to him, I accidentally spit a little and it landed on his face. I apologized and asked him if he wanted to get some tissue. It was only a few dots and he said yes. He went in, grabbed tissue off my desk and we continued the conversation when he came back out. I’m thinking everything is fine but yet, when we go to file the report about the incident and what happened, Miss Wallace says I spit purposefully on the child’s face! I did no such thing. I’m not some monster. I’m a teacher!” Linda could feel her face growing hot and tears burning the corners of her eyes. You cannot cry while you drive. Get a grip!
“Why would I get a witness and follow protocol if I was going to do something like that? The child didn’t even mention the spit in his written document. And then, when he was questioned about it, he said that he thought it was an accident.” Linda’s voice started to raise an octave and gripped the steering wheel tightly while gesturing wildly with her free hand.
“I’m a teacher and have been for the last 12 years. I would never do something as vile as spit in anyone’s face, let alone a student of mine. I just couldn’t understand why she would lie and write a statement in complete contrast to what happened. I was dumb-founded. But get this- I got arrested for it. They called the child’s parents then called the police. The parents said they wanted to press charges, so they put me in handcuffs. I have never been arrested or convicted of anything in my life and yet, they felt the need to put me in handcuffs over this lie. I had to go down to the county jail and they took all my possessions, including my new handbag which somehow disappeared before I was released.” Tears began to stream down Linda’s cheeks. She could remember the shame and embarrassment she felt as the other teachers watched as they walked her out the front doors of the school to the police car. It was an especially hot day and the sun felt like it was burning a hole in her back. The officer who held her right arm just kept looking forward and never made eye contact with her. She remembers seeing his cheeks turn crimson when she asked if handcuffs were necessary. His blue eyes had looked as if they were apologizing as he pulled out the handcuffs and asked her to put her arms out in front of her.
She wasn’t sure why she was freely sharing this story and reacting as if it just happened yesterday. Abigail reached over the seat offering two tissue.
“Why do you think she lied on you?”
“I keep asking myself that over and over again.” Linda grabbed the tissue and began wiping her face. “I still haven’t come up with an answer. I wonder why everyone trusted her word over mine and the student’s. I wonder why they think I would even be capable of doing such a thing. Silly me. I should have seen it coming. I noticed that the other fourth grader teachers weren’t inviting me to dinner on Friday nights anymore. Earlier that particular week, we were supposed to change our boards outside of our classrooms. I missed the morning meeting due to a doctor’s appointment but nobody told me about the switch. I was on my way out when I saw several of the teachers working on their boards after school. I asked Miss Wallace about what we needed to do and she responded with a snide remark about how ‘all of us can’t miss important meetings and still be in good graces’. I wasn’t sure where it came from but I went to the main office to find out what I needed to do.”
“Hmm, interesting.” Is that all she has to say?
“So now, I am working with a lawyer to clear my name so I can teach again.”
“I’m sorry that you had to go through this. I’ll be praying for you because I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.” Abigail handed her another tissue.
Linda wasn’t sure prayer was what she needed right now. She had prayed and still ended up in this situation. A lot of good that did.
“Thanks,” she sniffed and wiped her nose. “I just keep asking God, where was He in all of this? Why hasn’t He fixed this yet? I’m a Christian. I go to church. I pay tithes. Why me?”
“I’m not sure this is what you prefer to hear right now but, why not you?” she quickly side-eyed Abigail in the rearview. “Hear me out. God never said that we wouldn’t face calamity in this world. He promised us that He would send a Helper and that we wouldn’t have to do it alone. His word says that ‘all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.’ I know you may be wondering how this could possibly work to your good but He knows. You have to trust Him.”
“How do I trust Him during something like this? Where was He when I was being lied on and handcuffed?” she balled up the tissue and threw it in the empty passenger seat on top of all the other items she had been meaning to take out of her car. The seat held her bible, an old church bulletin, lip gloss and a hair brush and her phone ear buds. She hadn’t replaced her handbag since the incident and was letting things accumulate wherever they landed these days.
“Those are good questions. Have you asked Him those questions?”
Is she for real? “Uh, no. I don’t really talk to God like that.”
“You should. He wants to have open, honest communication with us.”
“You say that as if He will respond.” Linda rolled her eyes. I should have kept my mouth shut. This is getting weird.
“I know it sounds weird but He will,” Abigail said.
Can she hear me?
“We can go to God with anything. The response may be whispered in your spirit or it might come through someone else. Or even a dream.”
“If He cares and wants me to talk to Him, why did He allow it to happen?”
“I don’t have all the answers for you and I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy conversation. Sounds like you’re mad at Him. But you have to hand it over to Him. All of it. The school, your future, your hurt, your anger, your resentment, your bitterness. Give it all to Him. Then praise Him.”
“I think you’re asking a lot.” Linda shook her head and looked to the right and left before stealing another glance in the rearview mirror and switching lanes.
“There is a story about how Paul and Silas were badly beaten up then thrown into a prison. Instead of crying and stewing in their anger, they began to pray and sing hymns unto God. An earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and they were freed. The guard who thought they were gone was about to kill himself but they stopped him and he ended up receiving Christ as his savior. Then he went on to help them and feed them. I tell you this story to remind you that there is power in your praise. We serve a prayer answering God. If you could just give him the situation, He’ll not only Fix it but have a table prepared for you in the midst of your enemies.”
Linda could feel her heart melting as something burst inside of her. “I’ve been going through the motions and afraid to really pray and tell God how I feel. I just want to fix it.”
“It’s so hard sometimes, right? We just want it to be better and we forget who we have on our side. He believes in us and has a plan for our lives, no matter who doesn’t believe in them. I’ll be praying for you. Things will get better.”
“I’m sorry,” Linda blew her nose and felt around in her console for additional tissues, “this is just so unprofessional!”
Abigail handed her a pack of tissue. “Actually, do you mind if I pray for you now?”
“Uh, sure. I won’t bow my head to keep my eyes open but I’m in agreement with whatever you have to say.” Linda was flabbergasted. Is this really happening?
“Okay, I’ll bow my head and pray. Dear Father, thank you for this chance encounter between the two of us . . .” Abigail continued to pray over Linda’s situation, her emotions, her job and the other teacher, Miss Wallace. When she finished, she asked Linda, “Do you know why I prayed for Miss Wallace too?”
“I was wondering why but didn’t want to interrupt.”
“God says we are to love our enemies. While you may not love her yet, you have to forgive her. There are two sides to every story and for whatever reason, she felt the need to lie on you. Let’s let God handle that one and you release freedom when you forgive her.”
Linda rolled her eyes. “Now you’re really asking a lot.”
“I know. Believe me, I know. But God loves her too just like He loves you when you are wrong.” Linda watched Abigail shake her head and put her fingers to her temples.
“This is heavy. I wasn’t planning to deal with this today.” She tried to smile to show her appreciation for the guidance and encouragement.
“We only hinder ourselves when we refuse to forgive. It doesn’t mean you can’t still be mad but you can’t hold anything against her in your heart.”
“I need to work on that,” Linda wiped her face one last time. “Which airline?”
“Oh! I didn’t realize we were here so soon. United.” She heard Abigail rip a piece of paper.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” Linda laughed and felt the warmth of the sun on the left side of her face. “I just can’t believe that we met. What’s the chance of this happening? Can I hug you when we get out? I’ve never asked a stranger for a hug but I feel like that’s the only appropriate response.”
“I think we’re past the stranger point. And yes, I would love that.”
Linda guided the car to the drop off area, threw it in park then jumped out to grab Abigail’s luggage from the trunk. As soon the luggage was out, she grabbed Abigail, wrapped her arms around her then swayed back and forth.
“You really blessed me and gave me a new perspective. Thank you!”
“I’m glad God put us together this morning. It helped me just as much as it did you.” Abigail pulled up the handle on her suitcase and turned to enter the airport. She turned back to give Linda a wave before the sliding doors closed behind her.
Linda stood there with one hand raised and the other laying on her heart. As she got in her car, she checked in her backseat per her usual routine to make sure the passengers hadn’t left anything. Abigail’s purse was sitting on the seat.
“Aw man, she left her purse,” she murmured as she reached back to grab it. When she picked it up, it felt extremely light. She saw that it was unzipped and looked in to see a piece a paper. She took the paper out and on it was a note that read, “This is for you to carry when you go back to teaching. It holds everything!”
Linda sat holding the purse as tears slid down her cheeks.
ABIGAIL
Abigail turned over and stared at the ceiling. She was still on Central time and could not sleep much later than five a.m. when she came out west. She had barely slept the previous night because the room was a bit warmer than what she preferred. She decided to get up to get ready for her flight. She tiptoed down the hallway, trying to be quiet when she came out the bathroom after taking her shower.
“I’m not sure I can continue doing this.” She stopped in her tracks in the hallway on her way back to the other bedroom and saw him sitting on the floor in the doorway of his bedroom.
“Doing what?” she was surprised that he was already awake.
“This. This distance. Your work schedule. You leaving after us only having a few days together. You sleeping in a different room for religious reasons. All of it.” He put up air quotes when he said “religious.”
“We talked about this last time I was here. You left to pursue your career. I agreed to come visit if I could have my own room. You know where I stand on intimacy.” Especially without a ring. “I just got a publishing agent. Now, all of a sudden, you can’t do this?” She put her hands up in air quotes when she said “do this” and went back into the bathroom to do her hair.
“There you go. Making your life seem more important than mine and throwing your success in my face.” He followed behind her and leaned his left shoulder on the door frame as he watched her twirl her curls around her fingers.
“Nobody is making anything more important than anything. You brought this up.” She pushed pass him in the doorway and went back to her room to pull on a cardigan.
He followed behind her. “I just don’t understand why you can’t do your job out here.”
“The same way you couldn’t do what you do back home. You didn’t want to.”
“I thought you supported me. I just haven’t found the right investors yet. Is this about me not making enough money to support us? I bought you this bag!” He picked up the designer handbag he had surprised her with last year on her first visit out west. She had foolishly expected a ring. “You on the other hand, you’re just chasing some dream you think God gave you. Nobody even reads your work.”
His words smacked her across the face and she felt like she had been punched in her stomach. She stopped and stared at him. He needed a haircut and his sweatpants were a bit too short for his long legs. She looked around the room at the bed without a headboard and the floor fan tilted up towards the ceiling making a soft, purring sound. He was into athletic sneakers and his pairs of shoes, some of which she had bought for birthdays or just-because moments, lined the perimeter of the bedroom wall. The bedside lamp sat on the floor with no lampshade.
She looked him in his eyes and shook her head.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just. just-“
“No, I know exactly what you meant.” Abigail zipped up her luggage and looked at her phone. It read 6:00 a.m. She requested a ride to the airport through her transportation app.
“Abby! Is this a time to be on your phone? Don’t do this. I didn’t mean it like that.” He pulled at her arm to try to stop her from grabbing her shoes. “Why are you leaving so early? Your flight is not for another three hours. We need to talk.”
She yanked her arm away. “Don’t touch me. You have said enough.” She grabbed her luggage and walked towards the door.
“I’m just a bit frustrated that you’re leaving. There’s no reason to overreact.” He rolled his eyes and sat on the back of the couch.
Abigail felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She rolled her head around and let her shoulders rise and fall before she bent over to put on her shoes.
“Oh, so you mad? Now you want to act like I’m getting on your nerves?” He got up and walked towards the kitchen. He had put on house slippers that made a constant slapping sound with each step he took across the linoleum flooring.
I’ve got to get out of here now.
“Abby, why are you acting like this?” He stuck his head behind the refrigerator door so all she saw were his legs and bottom sticking out.
She reached for the door knob but before she touched it, she turned around, “My name is Abigail!” She open the door and slammed it as she walked out.
She hurried down the apartment’s drive, which was a bit steeper than she had thought, so she slowed her step and began to inch her way to the bottom. Her ride pulled up just as she got to the street.
It was a black Toyota Corolla that stopped suddenly once the driver saw her. She saw that her driver had a purple scarf tied around her head with big thick curls sticking out the top, giving her a bohemian vibe.
I wish my hair would do that.
She heard the trunk pop and immediately grabbed her suitcase and tossed it in. She was willing to do whatever it took to get in the car and get on the road. She needed to get as far away as possible as quickly as possible.
“Good morning! Abigail?” her driver came around the back of the car and looked for Abigail’s bag. “I’m Linda.”
“Yep, that’s me. G’morning Linda,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind me coming out to the street to wait on you. I didn’t want you to have to drive up that steep driveway.”
“Oh, I don’t mind. Are you headed to the airport. Traveling for work this morning?”
Is this one of those Chatty Kathy drivers? “Something like that,” Abigail answered getting into the car.
“Your purse is beautiful.” Abigail watched her fasten her seatbelt and put the car in drive.
“Oh, thank you.” Abigail looked at her purse and saw him.
“Where are you traveling to?”
“Back home,” she replied. “I’ve been here long enough.” She looked out the window hoping to signal that she wasn’t interested in keeping conversation.
“Where’s home?”
“Nashville.” Perhaps one-worded answers will give a hint.
Linda came to a stop once she merged onto the freeway. All you could see was a sea of red and orange lights.
“Looks like this may take a bit longer than I thought. I hope you aren’t in a rush.”
Abigail kept looking out the window, “Oh, that’s fine. I don’t mind using this time to think.”
Gospel music filled the car, breaking the silence she expected them to sit in for the rest of the ride.
“Oh, sorry,” Linda reached out as if she was about to change the station.
“I don’t mind that staying on if you don’t.” The song playing was one that her favorites that she used to hear at her childhood church. It reminded her of the dark maroon pews and cathedral-like appearance of the sanctuary. She could hear the crinkling from the peppermint candies being untwisted by one of the church mothers right when the church fell silent for the reading of the scripture. She could smell Sister Johnson’s perfume which always reminded her of vanilla wafers. Sister Johnson would see her family every Sunday and exclaim how excited she was to be in the “house of the Lawd” and then squeeze Abigail into her bust and place a kiss on her forehead. Her kisses were wet but she always slipped Abigail a sweet treat in her hand. Sometimes it was a butterscotch or piece of chocolate mint candy.
Even though she dreaded being suffocated by Sister Johnson’s bear hugs, she looked forward to seeing her each Sunday, receiving her treat and seeing her jolly mood. When she lost her husband, who served as a Police Chief, in the line of duty, she would sometimes hum or smile while rocking back and forth as tears streamed down her face during worship service. When asked how she was doing, she would say, “It’s not a good day but no weapon formed shall prosper!”
Abigail closed her eyes and listened to the words wash over her. Her phone buzzed repeatedly but she ignored it, knowing who it was.
A honk from an angry driver snapped her back to the present as Linda said, “I’ve been needing a little encouragement lately so I had this on last night during my drive home.” A frown flitted across her face.
Don’t we all? “How long have you been driving?” Abigail asked.
“Uh, not too long. Maybe a couple of months now.”
“What made you want to become a driver? I’ve heard so many different reasons, I just like to hear all the different inspirations.” Abigail wanted to keep her talking so she wouldn’t be tempted to look at her phone.
“Not sure inspiration is the word I would use. More like obligation.”
Abigail looked at Linda through the rearview mirror and noticed for the first time the sadness that stared back at her.
“Unfortunately, I was wrongly accused of spitting in a child’s face when I worked as an elementary school teacher in Oakland.” Linda paused and caught her eye. Abigail stared back waiting to hear the rest of the story.
“I was dealing with a misbehaving student so I went and asked the teacher next door, Miss Wallace, to witness the conversation. They always train us to involve another faculty member when dealing with escalated conflict in the classroom and she was the closest one to me. We took the student into the hallway to talk. As I was talking to him, I accidentally spit a little and it landed on his face. I apologized and asked him if he wanted to get some tissue. It was only a few dots and he said yes. He went in, grabbed tissue off my desk and we continued the conversation when he came back out. I’m thinking everything is fine but yet, when we go to file the report about the incident and what happened, Miss Wallace says I spit purposefully on the child’s face! I did no such thing. I’m not some monster. I’m a teacher!”
Abigail saw tears form in the corner of Linda’s eyes and felt her heart soften. She started going through her bag to look for tissue as Linda continued talking.
“Why would I get a witness and follow protocol if I was going to do something like that? The child didn’t even mention the spit in his written document. And then, when he was questioned about it, he said that he thought it was an accident. I’m a teacher and have been for the last 12 years. I would never do something as vile as spit in anyone’s face, let alone a student of mine. I just couldn’t understand why she would lie and write a statement in complete contrast to what happened. I was dumb-founded. But get this- I got arrested for it. They called the child’s parents then called the police. The parents said they wanted to press charges, so they put me in handcuffs. I have never been arrested or convicted of anything in my life and yet, they felt the need to put me in handcuffs over this lie.”
The tears began to stream down Linda’s cheeks. Abigail reached over the seat with two tissue.
Give her more.
A chill ran down her spine and her heart started to beat a little faster. What did that mean? She didn’t have anything to give this woman. She was just trying to make small talk. She had two tissue left in the pack. She had her own tears to wipe up.
“Why do you think she lied on you?” Abigail asked as she began sifting through her travel bag to see if she had an extra package of tissue.
“I keep asking myself that over and over again. I still haven’t come up with an answer. I wonder why everyone trusted her word over mine and the student’s. I wonder why they think I would even be capable of doing such a thing. Silly me. I should have seen it coming. I noticed that the other fourth grader teachers weren’t inviting me to dinner on Friday nights anymore. Earlier that particular week, we were supposed to change our boards outside of our classrooms. I missed the morning meeting due to a doctor’s appointment but nobody told me about the switch. I was on my way out when I saw several of the teachers working on their boards after school. I asked Miss Wallace about what we needed to do and she responded with a snide remark about how ‘all of us can’t miss important meetings and still be in good graces’. I wasn’t sure where it came from but I went to the main office to find out what I needed to do.”
“Hmm, interesting.” God, how should I respond?
“So now, I am working with a lawyer to clear my name so I can teach again.”
“I’m sorry that you had to go through this. I’ll be praying for you because I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.” Abigail handed Linda the whole pack of tissues.
“Thanks,” sniffed Linda. “I just keep asking God, where was He in all of this? Why hasn’t He fixed this yet? I’m a Christian. I go to church. I pay tithes. Why me?”
A sermon Abigail had listened to during her flight out west came to her mind. The Pastor had discussed the character of Paul and his perspective of the hardships he faced in delivering the Word of God. Paul rejoiced over facing calamity and suffering because in the end, it would be for His benefit. The pastor spoke about how some Christians often feel like it’s supposed to be an easy road all the time and he reminded them that rain produces both mud and roses. “Embrace the rain and wait for your flowers to bloom,” he had said.
“I’m not sure this is what you prefer to hear right now but . . . why not you?” Abigail caught Linda giving her the evil eye in the rearview. “Hear me out. God never said that we wouldn’t face calamity in this world. He promised us that He would send a Helper and that we wouldn’t have to do it alone. His word says that ‘all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.’ I know you may be wondering how this could possibly work to your good but He knows. You have to trust Him.”
“How do I trust Him during something like this? Where was He when I was being lied on and handcuffed?” Abigail watched Linda crush the tissue in her hand and throw it in the seat for emphasis.
“Those are good questions. Have you asked Him those questions?” God help me with this.
“Uh, no. I don’t really talk to God like that.”
“You should. He wants to have open, honest communication with us.”
“You say that as if He will respond.” She saw Linda roll her eyes.
“I know it sounds weird but He will.” I thought it was weird the first time someone said it to me too. Abigail wanted to find the words to explain how God cares about even the smallest details of each of his children’s lives.
“We can go to God with anything. The response may be small whisper in your spirit.”
“If He cares and wants me to talk to Him, why did He allow it to happen?” Linda’s frustration was etched on her forehead and her brows were furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t have all the answers for you and I’m not saying it’s going to be an easy conversation. Sounds like you’re mad at Him. But you have to hand it over to Him. All of it. The school, your future, your hurt, your anger, your resentment, your bitterness. Give it all to Him. Then praise Him.”
“I think you’re asking a lot.”
Abigail knew she was asking a lot and while talking to Linda, she was also talking to herself. She wanted to ask God the same questions. She spent more than a year with a man whom she shared some of her biggest dreams and fear, only to find out that he never believed in them or her. She felt foolish and betrayed.
Leave your past, bless her future.
Abigail was surprised at how much of the sermon she remembered and continued to share it with Linda, “There is a story about how Paul and Silas were badly beaten up then thrown into a prison. Instead of crying and stewing in their anger, they began to pray and sing hymns unto God. An earthquake shook the foundations of the prison and they were freed. The guard who thought they were gone was about to kill himself but they stopped him and he ended up receiving Christ as his savior. Then he went on to help them and feed them. I tell you this story to remind you that there is power in your praise. We serve a prayer answering God. If you could just give him the situation, He’ll not only Fix it but have a table prepared for you in the midst of your enemies.”
“I’ve been going through the motions and afraid to really pray and tell God how I feel. I just want to fix it.”
“It’s so hard sometimes, right? We just want it to be better and we forget who we have on our side. I’ll be praying for you. Things will get better.”
Pray now.
“I’m sorry,” Linda blew her nose and began searching in her console for something. “This is just so unprofessional!”
Abigail handed her the rest of her pack of tissue. “Actually, do you mind if I pray for you now?”
“Uh, sure.” She saw Linda’s eyes dart back and forth. “I won’t bow my head to keep my eyes open but I’m in agreement with whatever you have to say.”
“Okay, I’ll bow my head and pray. Dear Father, thank you for this chance encounter between the two of us . . .” She prayed over Linda’s situation, her emotions, her job and her time as a driver. She felt herself get choked up as she spoke against the schemes of the enemy to ruin Linda’s future. She then prayed for the other teach, Miss Wallace. When she finished, she asked Linda, “Do you know why I prayed for Miss Wallace too?”
“I was wondering why but didn’t want to interrupt.”
“God says we are to love our enemies. While you may not love her yet, you have to forgive her. There are two sides to every story and for whatever reason, she felt the need to lie on you. Let’s let God handle that one and you release freedom when you forgive her. Leave her in the past and bless your future.”
Linda rolled her eyes. “Now you’re really asking a lot.”
“I know. But God loves her too just like He loves you when you are wrong.”
“This is heavy. I wasn’t planning to deal with this today.” Linda smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“We only hinder ourselves when we refuse to forgive. It doesn’t mean you can’t still be mad but you can’t hold anything against her in your heart.” Abigail knew she had to practice what she preached.
“I need to work on that,” Linda wiped her face one last time. “Which airline?”
“Oh! I didn’t realize we were here so soon. United.” Abigail pulled out her notebook, ripped out a page and scribbled a quick note.
“I don’t know what to say to you,” Linda laughed and her eyes crinkled as the sun reflected brightly on the left side of her face. “I just can’t believe that we met. What’s the chance of this happening? Can I hug you when we get out? I’ve never asked a stranger for a hug but I feel like that’s the only appropriate response.”
“I think we’re past the stranger point. And yes, I would love that.”
Linda guided the car to the drop off area, squeezing behind a young man who was hugging a woman who looked to be the same age as him. Abigail watched them look into each other’s eyes and smile. She dropped the note in her purse and gathered her travel bag to get out of the car. Linda has already grabbed her luggage out of the trunk. Before she could open her mouth, Linda grabbed her into her bosom, wrapped her arms around her then swayed back and forth. Abigail thought she smelled a hint of vanilla.
“You really blessed me and gave me a new perspective. Thank you!”
“I’m glad God put us together this morning. It helped me just as much as it did you.” Abigail took her suitcase and turned around to head towards the sliding doors. She turned back to give Linda one final wave and saw her standing with a sweet smile over her face.
She walked up to the counter to check her suitcase.
“Welcome to United Airlines,” the customer service representative said, “name and ID please.”
Abigail handed over her info and smoothed on more lip gloss as she waited for her boarding pass to print.
“Miss, you have been upgraded to first class. Here is your boarding pass and your flight is leaving from gate 84.”
“Excuse me?” Abigail said looking at the boarding pass he handed her. Sure enough, it had first class listed with a new seat number. “Um, am I being charged for this?”
“No ma’am. Due to unforeseen booking issues with the flight, you have been selected for an immediate upgrade. The chance of this happening again is extremely unlikely. Is that ok?”
Abigail chuckled to herself and felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. “Yes, yes it is.”