From Pieces to Peace: A Chance to Begin Again

By Elaine Davis

Cynthia and Camille feel lost and scattered in a whirlwind world of jealousy, betrayal, and doubtexternal and internal pieces with sharp edges that cut to their very soul and spirit.

But they soon learn that if they take the time to repair the fragmented relationships from the past and renew their hearts with family and friends of the present, they can go from pieces to peace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503525580

Elaine Davis

What She has been Through a lot of Teens and Adults Can Relate. Your Past Can be Your Success Or can be your Failure. Every Decision you make in life will have a impact on your Future. Everyone is not always feed with a Gold Handel spoon, She Had to Get it out the mud, the best way she knew how without breaking and having to be Strong for her younger siblings. hiding all the pain inside. her strength showed Courage. life can throw some mean strikes at you, with her being able to get back up from where she came from and still hold her head high is a testimony. life is only what you make it and she made the best of it. she didn’t continue to suffer from her past. she turn the negative into positive and wants to share her journey to show others that anything is possible, she wants to let her readers know to not let their past define their future. I always hear you are a Product of your community, no one directly said it to me but I am African American and the Majority of us was raised in a place known as the Hood and people in the Hood will get it the best way they know how by any means necessary, most not caring about the consequences for their actions. but there is Good that comes out the Hood and I am A Product of my community.

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Copyright © 2015 by Elaine Davis.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014921927

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-5035-2557-3

                Softcover      978-1-5035-2559-7

                eBook            978-1-5035-2558-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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.

Rev. date: 01/06/2014

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Table of Contents

One In A Million

Divine Intervention

Perfect Image

A Chance To Begin Again

Illusions

Loose Ends

This book is

dedicated to my mother and father for loving me as a child, my family and friends for all of their encouragement, and to Arthur, my one and only true love that makes this life worth living now.

Acknowledgement

God, The Father

The Son

And the Holy Spirit

One In A Million

Sunday

Cynthia was in the bathroom looking in the mirror. She was one very tired 35 years old. It seemed as if it was just yesterday that she was prancing and dancing on the dance floor with her friends… not a care in this world. But now 20 years later, she is a mother, a wife, and career woman… Yippee.

Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach. Downstairs she could hear the television playing and her husband Bryant making breakfast for their three-year-old son Terrence. She really did not think she could make it to service this morning, but being the pastor’s wife, she did not have much of a choice. What she wanted was to crawl back in the bed and sleep until tomorrow when she would be back at work, attending to the futures of teenagers. Who do not have a clue as to what the real world is like and in no hurry to find out. So why was she trying to get her Phd. In Psychology?…INSANITY, at a higher level?

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Cynthia! Cynthia! You need to hurry up it’s almost time for us to leave. Bryant yelled from downstairs. Bryant was making pancakes for his 3-year-old son, Terrence. Jennifer his 15-year-old daughter came into the kitchen. She frowned and wondered what had happen to her mother’s usually emasculated kitchen.

Good morning, Daddy, What are you doing?

Good morning honey, making breakfast, have some.

No thanks, I think I’ll just have some juice.

Well suit yourself. Could you help your mother and get your brother dressed?

Jennifer placed her little brother on her hip and started upstairs. And check on your mother.

Bryant goes into the den, to watch the news. He is watching a clip of himself discussing his views on the new upcoming lottery.

"Today, we have Rev. Bryant Jackson with us to discuss his views on the upcoming lottery. As we know, the lottery passed in November and is scheduled to begin this coming week. While many are very excited about this Rev. Jackson has been a vocal opponent of this new gambling process.

Rev. Jackson is there anything more you like to say about the games that are due to start this week? Has your position changed since the referendum?"

Well, I would like to say once again that the lottery is not good for the community. It is one more manner of reverse Robin Hood where you have the extremely poor supporting the extremely rich. Families will suffer. It is not good when people with little hope try to find it in a rigged system that is stacked against them. I would encourage the community to think before laying down their hard-earned money to play the lottery. I accept that the community voted for the lottery and I respect the process. However, I wonder who will be there to pick up the pieces, the shattered lives that the lottery will create? Put your faith in God, not in a lottery ticket.

Thank you Rev. Jackson, as always it is good to have your passionate views on this issue.

Back upstairs Cynthia is looking at the calendar, when Jenifer and Terrence knock on her door. Mom, Mom, are you alright? Dad said you should hurry up we have to be going soon. I will get Terrence ready for you."

Cynthia replied. Yes baby, I’m okay, and thank you for getting your brother dress for me. Jennifer starts to leave, then turns around slowly.

Mama, can I ask you something?

Of course, what do you need? Well, I was wondering if I could go to the mall after church today with Mariah and Keisha?

Baby, you know how your daddy feels about that sort of thing. If he says it’s okay, it is okay with me.

Mommm, you know he will never let me go, couldn’t you just talk to him for me?

Cynthia sighed, Alright, I will talk to him for you, but you still have to ask him.

Jennifer rolled her eyes and leaves the room with Terrence.

Suddenly, Bryant rushed in, Honey, you are not dressed, and it is almost time to go. Are you alright?

I’m just a little tired, and I’m moving a little slow this morning. Why don’t you and Jennifer go on and I will be right behind you. I will be there before you start your sermon.

Well, okay I’ll see you there."

Are you sure you’re okay?

Yes, I’m fine. Bryant starts to leave the room yelling for Jennifer. Come on, your mother and Terrence is coming behind us.

Bryant! Jennifer is going to ask you something and I want you to say yes.

Yes? Bryant replied, How can I say yes to something that I don’t know what it is?

She is going to ask if she can go to the mall with her friends after church today.

Cyn, you know how I feel about young people just walking around in the mall. It’s a recipe for trouble.

Jen will soon be 16 years old, she is a good girl, and we’ve done our job, at some point we’ve got to test the waters. She needs to know we trust her okay.

Bryant gave a big sigh I’ll think about it

No, trust our daughter. It is time to let go some. She will be going off to college soon."

I’ll see you at church. Said Bryant.

Teach a child as you……

"Please don’t throw scripture on me, Jennifer, Let’s go!

Cynthia finished dressing, packed up Terrence and on her way, she passed through her kitchen. She was shocked at its condition. God give me strength. Come on Terrence we’ve got a stop to make. On her way to church, Cynthia makes a stop at the CVS Drugstore to pick up a pregnancy test.

New Jerusalem Baptist Church

The choir is finishing a song as Rev. Jackson stands to dismiss the congregation.

"Before we leave today, I would like to say, I know that some of you will play the new lottery that starts on tomorrow. I encourage you do not look to man to supply your needs, but place your faith in God. He made us a promise and unlike the lottery, He is a sure thing. May God bless and keep you until we meet again.

Rev. Jackson headed to his office while most of the congregation is socializing in the church’s atrium. Cynthia and other women are discussing upcoming church events, when a sassy, shapely somewhat worldly dressed woman approached the group.

Cookie! Your brother will be very happy to know that you came today, said Cynthia. When did you get here?

I snuck in after collection. Ha Ha, I’m just kidding. How are you?" They exchanged kisses on the cheek.

Oh, I’m Okay. Said Cynthia.

Are you sure you’re okay?

I’m okay, just a little tired. What are you doing for dinner?

Well I’m not sure? Replied Cookie.

Bryant has a meeting this afternoon so, maybe you and I could go for a bite to eat.

Maybe not today, but we could meet tomorrow for a few minutes. We haven’t spent any time together lately, and we need to catch up. Hey, is that Michael over there? How has he been doing since Melissa’s death? Asked Cookie.

"He’s doing okay; I think he tries to keep busy. You know it has been a little over a year now. You know he did have a thing for you back in the day. Cynthia gave Cookie an under eye look.

I don’t remember. Cookie said with a sly smile.

He’s a good man; someone is going to snap him up.

"Well, they can just get to snapping, because I am not playing second fiddle to some ghost. "Smirked Cookie.

COOKIE! They both laughed.

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Knock, Knock. Dad, can I come in? Asked Jennifer.

Of course, baby come in. The sermon was very good today Daddy, not that they aren’t always good.

Thanks, and flattery will get you everything. How can I help you?

Well, Daddy, I was wondering if I could go to the mall with Mariah and Keisha…We won’t be long.

Bryant gave a long sigh. "Jennifer" He paused and took a big breathe. "Guard your Life, like your life depends on it. Your life can change in a minute, no seconds; one wrong decision or mishap can set your life on a completely different path. I love you so much; I don’t want anything to ever harm you.

"Daddy, I know you think I don’t hear you, but I do. I value what you say to me more than you could ever know. I know you love me, and I would never do anything to make you a shame of me."

"Shame? Me? Baby, this is not about me. It is about the life that you chose to live, and taking your own path, and not the path that other may set for you." Then he gave his daughter a big smile and hug. Have a good time. Do you need any money?

With a big smile, Jennifer said, I’m a girl, we always need money.

You are your mother’s daughter for sure.

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Rev. Bryant Jackson drove into the gated community of Rev. Derrick Barnes, a prominent minister in the Metro area, and a close friend of Bryant.

Bryant parked his 2001 Lincoln amongst some very expensive and impressive foreign cars. He rang the doorbell and is greeted by the maid in traditional dress. She led him to the library of the house. There at a very long conference table sat some of the metro’s most prominent ministers for some of the largest churches in the country. Some had written books, travelled to all parts the world and are televised in some of the most remote places on earth.

"Bryant, come on in, everyone is here now, so let’s get started."

Well, gentlemen and lady, Take a seat and we can begin our bi-monthly meeting.

"Well are there any new concerns? Sister Hart"

"I feel we should be giving the