Nobody Knows: Living with Secrets

By Lisa E. Cleveland

What happens when your little secret becomes a big lie and it threatens to destroy everything you worked hard to build? As it has been said, We make decisions but the consequences are not always left up to us. Most people have things in their past they prefer to forget; however, some secrets need to be told so that your spirit can be freed and you can experience greater things. While sitting at the bedside of her coma-induced girlfriend, Sydney begins to reflect back over a lifetime of friendship with Reva. As the circumstances surrounding Revas accident unfold, she discovers things about Reva and herself that could be life changing. Protecting your best friend from scandal is difficult when you realize they have kept secrets even from you. Will Reva awake in time to tell the truth, or will her secret outlive her and destroy her legacy? Nobody knows everything about you, not even your best friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504970068

Lisa E. Cleveland

Lisa Cleveland is a long-time resident of New Jersey. She is married, a mother of four adult children, and a grandmother of seven. She is a licensed NJ Realtor currently working as a Leasing Administrator, an ordained pastor, licensed counselor, and founder of My L.I.S.A. Inc. a business that educates women to advance mentally, physically, and spiritually. Lisa finds joy in motivating others to embrace their uniqueness and to live amazing lives. Having faced many trials throughout her life she is a witness that life will get better if you don’t give up. Lisa has served as host and guest speaker for over twenty years and has conducted and participated in many life-changing workshops. Writing is one of the avenues she expresses life lessons allowing others to self-evaluate and make positive choices. She hopes to die empty having poured herself out to the fullest through seminars, books, plays and songs. Her style of sharing is honest, humorous, free-spirited, and heartfelt. She is that friend that will listen and share your journey of discovery of one’s self, purpose, and passion. Through her business My Life Is So Amazing, Inc. She hopes to help others reach their personal goals while developing a lasting and solid love relationship with God.

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© 2016 Lisa Cleveland. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/12/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7004-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7005-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-7006-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015921354

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Foreword

This book was written out of my passion to see others free from religious bondage and manipulations. As a young woman who served in many leadership roles I witnessed many miracles. However, I also witnessed many misfortunes that were kept secret and the victims were not able to receive healing and restoration. Too many of those victims are still keeping those secrets and telling those lies today. They are unable to establish a real and honest relationship with God. These wounded soldiers are lost and must be found. I want to reach those people and say... I know, I understand, it's ok... God still wants you.

These victims come from all walks of life and you will be amazed who they are. Maybe it's you?

You are not alone in your struggle to live a good life. You are not the only one who has failed or was failed on this journey called life.

God is neither shocked nor amazed by the things we have done. He knew the depths of sin and provided a way for you to be free and whole.

You don't have to fake it! You can make it!

As you journey through this story of Sydney and Reva's lifelong friendship it is my hope that you will begin to question those thoughts and remove those obstacles that keep you from being honest with yourself, others and God.

Don't allow secrets, fear or manipulation to keep you from living your best life. Forgive yourself, trust God, and keep learning and living.

Remember the truth will make you free.

God knows, He sees, and He cares. Breathe... Learn to enjoy your love relationship God. Take it one day at a time. Allow him to show you who you are. He will provide what you need to get to your next stage in life.

Nobody knows how hard is to live with secrets but those that do. Let it go... be free...

Miracles and Blessings,

Lisa Cleveland

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to acknowledge my mother Violet Y. Fisher who sorrowfully left this earth on October 9, 2015. My mother was a loving woman who opened her heart and doors to many people. Through her desire to develop her relationship with God and keep her family and friends close I learned a lot. Her ability to love beyond measure and look beyond faults help me to be a better person. I learned to be understanding and helpful. It is because of her forgiving heart I learned to forgive myself and others often and quickly. Like she said, none of us are perfect, so be sure to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Before she passed I had a chance to read her my book... she smiled and said, You wrote all that? You have a good imagination. I wish she was here to see it published. Mommy, I miss you. I'm so glad I was one of Violets daughters.

I would also like to acknowledge my loving and patient husband Michael who is my number one fan and supporter. I love you honey, thanks for everything you do.

I want to acknowledge my true and best friends Monica, Venus, Katrina, Theresa, Willene, Rakiesia and Donna who listened to me talk about this book and/or read my book in its early stages. Their enthusiasm encouraged me to publish it. Your feedback was helpful and gave me the courage to move forward.

A special thanks to Dr. Ruth Fenton who profoundly told me to finish the book. Her words stayed in my mind and spirit helping me to do just that.

It is my hope that my children and their spouses Akio & September, Mike Jr., Akia & Tremayne, and Reggie as well as my siblings... Rochelle, Evonne, Sonia Herminio, Nicholas and Natalie will be proud of me for completing this book and that they will be inspired as well.

This book is the first of a two part series that I hope will bless you and keep you seeking a real and honest relationship with God and others.

With Love,

Lisa Cleveland

Chapter One

Is there ever a good way to receive or give bad news? It's like an unexpected phone call at two in the morning or an in-law who shows up at your workplace with a solemn look on her face. You know right then and there that this is not going to be good. That's how I felt when I answered my cell phone and heard Charles's voice on the other end. In the thirteen years that Charles and Reva have been married, I'd never received a call from him. I didn't even know he had my number.

He didn't go into details; he just said Reva was at the Abington hospital, and he asked me to meet him at the trauma center---the trauma center, not emergency room or doctor's office. What in the world is going on? I felt my hands shaking as I started the car. I knew I had to calm down and think positively because the last thing I wanted to do was panic or cause an accident. Maybe it's nothing serious, I told myself. Normally, I'm calm under pressure, but this was best friend, Reva. The fact that Charles called me also was alarming. Obviously, she was hurt; otherwise, she would have called me herself. I began rationalizing the phone call. Maybe she called Charles and asked him to phone me. Maybe that was how he got my number.

My heart began to settle, and I was able to see and hear again, but that was short-lived. As I pulled up in the valet parking lane and received my parking ticket from the attendant, I heard my heart pounding in my ears again. Breathe, Sydney. Breathe, I muttered.

I hurried through the sliding doors, anxiously looking for signs directing me to the trauma unit. My mouth was so dry that I could barely speak as I asked the receptionist for directions. As she turned to point down the hall, I saw Charles walking toward me.

I ran to meet him, locking my eyes with his, hoping to understand. I felt as if I was going to pass out. Tell me she's okay, I thought. Just tell me she's okay. As much as I wanted to know about Reva's condition, I didn't want to know. I didn't think I could handle what I was sure was bad news.

Charles must have sensed my fear because he immediately pulled me into his arms and whispered in my ear, She is alive.

Oh, my God. I felt my body fall limp as the tears rolled down my face, and he led me to a seat along the wall.

Can I see her? I asked. I thought if I could just get to Reva and see her for myself, I would be okay. I needed her to know that I was there for her. Charles, I said, I need to see her now. Where is she?

Charles gave me a quick update---nurses were cleaning her up and monitoring her vital signs; then they'd move Reva to a room. He drew a long, slow breath. Sydney, he said, Reva is in a coma.

A coma? I said. How long has she been like this? Did she hit her head? What are they doing for her? I had so many questions.

Before Charles could respond, a nurse approached us and told Charles he could go back and join Reva in the trauma room. I grabbed his hand tightly. Charles knew I wasn't going to stay behind, so he introduced me as Reva's sister and said I would accompany him. It didn't seem like a lie. Truly, no blood sisters could have loved each other more. And now, I knew Charles needed my support as much as I needed his. We both were doing our best to keep it together.

At this point, I was still unaware of what had happened. Am I ready to see her? Can I handle seeing her bruised or broken? Jesus, did she lose a limb? I stopped in my tracks. Charles, I said, what happened?

His lips were a thin line as he swiped at the tears in his eyes. Car accident, he said. She suffered some bruising in her chest and ribs when the car's airbag exploded, and there's some concern about internal bleeding. She was thrown from the car and has cuts and bruises. Nothing is broken, although there's a little swelling in her face.

I took a deep breath and followed Charles into the room.

Upon entering, I stood in shock when I saw my friend. She was so still, and tubes were everywhere.

My legs felt heavy, but I forced myself to move next to Charles alongside the bed. As I reached for Reva's hand, he slid a chair under me, and I sat beside her. Her head was bandaged. I could see a few cuts and scratches on her cheeks and arms, but she looked like an angel, resting. I'm here, Reva, I whispered. Charles and I are right here. Can you hear me, Reva?

I couldn't hold back the tears that streamed down my cheeks, and a large knot formed in my throat, making it impossible for me to say anything else.

Charles leaned in and kissed her forehead. Reva, he said, baby, you must wake up. He choked back tears as he rubbed her cheek. Come on, Reva. Let me know you hear me.

This was the first time I'd even seen Charles vulnerable and broken. He fell to his knees and wept beside his wife.

My heart cried for the both of them.

Charles and Reva shared a deep love and the utmost respect for each other. They had stood together through all the ups and downs of building their dream. It might sound like a cliché, but they truly did complete one another; their lives were so intertwined. It broke my heart to see Charles so helpless.

Still on his knees, Charles gently bowed his head and closed his eyes, clearly seeking the only help he knew. As he prayed, I closed my eyes and thought about what he must be asking God. I wanted to pray too, but I found myself at a loss for words. My heart was praying, but my mind was reflecting on the lifelong friendship Reva and I shared. I guess I thought that my praying would somehow acknowledge that she was in real danger. I was not ready to say, Have your way, God. I wanted Reva to wake up and talk to me. I believed God knew my heart and would know that I wanted healing and nothing less. I hoped Charles didn't see me as rude or faithless. Truthfully, I was just afraid for my friend.

The doctor came in the room and assured us that the bandages made the injuries appear more severe than they were. His concern was the internal bleeding and her loss of consciousness. "We're still awaiting