Binky's Protectors: Bk II REVELATIONS

By Shonette Small

Uncertainty and surprises were like a hand in glove for Bianca, as she carefully braved the future between two worlds. Her relationships were tried and tested, with confessions, adulations and revelations. Drama was always near... but has it pushed her too far this time? Far away from the one she holds dear to her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shonette Small
• Release date: Aug 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781916696846

Book preview

Binky’s Protectors

Bk II

REVELATIONS

By

Shonette Small

Copyright © 2023 Shonette Small

ISBN: 9781916696846

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored, in any form or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the author.

Inspiration Page

To the Most Sovereign High God, Abba Father, I give all Thanks, Glory and Honour, through Christ Jesus my Lord and Saviour, for allowing me to be a vessel to spread and teach in the knowledge of Him in love and truth of the Gospel.

‘Do not forget hospitality, for by this, some unknowingly hosted angels.’  Hebrews 13:2 (The Holy Bible)

Angels are the Sovereign God’s ministering spiritual beings to offer help and guidance to mankind, who are also a part of His beautiful creation as we are.  They are never to be worshipped or idolised above the Creator or His Son Christ Jesus.

May all our lights shine brightly as the stars in reverence to God Almighty.

To my mother Beverley Harry, who has the kindest heart, love you.

To my second mother, Jennifer Levy, aunty Jen Jen; your love has no limits and your caring soul is magnetic.

To Milan Hylton, my daughter, my biggest critic, inspiration and supporter.  A love I have never known. Shine bright.

To everyone else, you know who you are, may you all be blessed.  Enjoy.

Contents

CHAPTER 1

AMBIVALENCE

CHAPTER 2

CLOSED HEARTS

CHAPTER 3

REPERCUSSIONS

CHAPTER 4

INTO THE DEEP

CHAPTER 5

DARK CLOUDS

CHAPTER 6

LUKE AND LUKE

CHAPTER 7

TRUTH UNTOLD

CHAPTER 8

WHEREABOUTS

CHAPTER 9

SAVE ME

CHAPTER 10

SINK OR SWIM

CHAPTER 11

FOR ME

CHAPTER 12

IN THE SHADOWS

CHAPTER 13

WHO ARE YOU?

CHAPTER 14

UNDESERVED

CHAPTER 15

LIGHT OF THE WORLD

CHAPTER 16

SEEING DOUBLES

CHAPTER 17

TELL ME THE TRUTH

CHAPTER 18

DON’T DO IT

CHAPTER 19

WE FOUND HER, I LOST HIM

Chapter 20

IS THIS IT?

CHAPTER 21

NEW HORIZONS

CHAPTER 1

AMBIVALENCE

Silhouettes.  Shadows moving about; in and out of consciousness and reality.  Empty eyes searched for answers that disconnected with the sanity of life.  Letting everything go was easier than clinging on to a bad memory. 

Forceful forgetfulness.

For Bianca, the present was her new focus.  The door of her past was shut with everyone behind it, those who opposed to her new journey.  Unrepentant; almost.

She stood at the far end of the courtyard in a military stance and eagle-eyed everyone within view, as she rocked gently.  Bianca searched through the sea of blues for Shanice’s face but instead locked eyes with Mishka.  He made his way over to her.

Face beaming, Mishka greeted her with a hug.  Hey.

What have you done to yourself?  You’re looking great, Bianca complimented.

Gym, all summer.

Well, it paid off.

Thanks, he answered shyly.  How was your holiday?

Could have been better, but I guess it’s just one of many.  She stared ahead stone-faced.  "Have you seen

Shanice?"

I saw her once but have no idea where she went.

The bell sounded; Mishka walked off.  He beckoned at her when he realized she was not with him but she ushered him on.  As the queues filled up, she made her way to the back of her line.  Shanice was ahead, closer to the front.  Eyes stabbed at her and reluctantly she was drawn to the face of Luke.

Home.  Her heart pounded heavily every time she stood at the door.  Swiftly, her eyes roamed around for signs of normality, then exhaled satisfyingly.  Gran, she called out.

Up here.

Bianca made her way upstairs, left her bag in her bedroom then proceeded to her grandmother’s bedroom.

Hi sweetie.  How was school?  Shirley folded laundry. It was ok.  She plopped in the armchair.

Silence.  That happened a lot over the weeks.  Welcomed silences, awkward silences, reflective silences, angry silences and normal ones.

Hungry? Shirley asked.

Yep.  Lunch was a gut cleaner today.  What’s for dinner?

Beef pie with potatoes and steamed veggies.

Sounds good.  Her eyes travelled to the back of the dressing table to a photo frame with Bryce’s picture.  She stared at it longingly, losing herself in the memory of her brother.  The tickles, piggy-back rides, tea parties and the air throws which left her squealing much to the objections of their father, brought a smile to her face.  Cassandra’s pride and joy.  She averted her gaze to Shirley.  She had lost a few pounds and a bit of spark but she soldiered on.  Phillip Kissinger -  Shirley’s friend who seemed to be more than a friend, held on tightly to her even when she was not holding on.  They were all grateful to and for him.  Bianca left the room with a forced smile of appreciation.

Cassandra’s name was hardly mentioned in the house, and when it was, it was with disdain.  Very few times it was out of pity, sorrow or empathy.  Britna was relentless with her condemnation towards her mother whenever she recalled the past events.  Bianca chose silence – forgetful silence.  She would stare blankly at her sister as if she had no idea what she was blabbing about.  Britna would become more infuriated at her for not backing her in chastising their mother.  Fuel to the flame.

Bianca ate alone.  She pushed her food around before deciding to eat.  Mealtimes were not the same.  It felt more like a chore than a need and seldom shared.  Britna came in while Bianca was eating, discarded her belongings, dished her meal and joined her at the table.

Hey, Britna greeted, stuffing her mouth with food. 

So hungry.

No lunch today?

Not really.  Had a full day.

Bianca pushed her empty plate forward, and watched her sister gulped down her meal hungrily.

How was school? Britna asked as she sipped her drink.

Fine.

How’s Luke?

Bianca squinted narrowly.  Good. . . I guess. You haven’t spoken to him yet? Bianca remained silent.

Britna slowed her chewing and scrutinized her.  Why?

Not ready yet?

Why?! Britna asked with much urgency.

Bianca excused herself to the kitchen then went to her bedroom.

It was serene; breathtakingly beautiful.  Bianca refused to see the beauty and just walked around aimlessly.  The forest was alive with vibrant greenery.  Water dripped lazily from the leaves and flower petals.  The atmosphere was in between cool and chilly.  The never-ending heights of the trees always fascinated her, just not today.  She sideglanced Sparkles every now and again – reflective silence.  Does he still love me? He does, Sparkles answered.

Bianca gently massaged the back of her neck.  Why did he let mom spend time in jail?

He didn’t.

But he could have prevented her from going.

That would be imposing on her consequences and free will, but he was with her in that jail cell.

What good was that?  She was already there.

She prayed there.

Bianca stood still.  Mom prayed?

She did, genuinely. You were all in her prayers.

Good for her.  Bianca toyed with tree moss absentmindedly.  This was the first time since her mother’s arrest she had spoken openly to Sparkles.  She was given time and space to nestle in fortitude. How’s she doing?

She’s vulnerable but positive.  Sparkles floated to her side. When will you visit her?

I don’t want to.

She’s ready to see you whenever you are.

Don’t know when that will be.  Bianca climbed on to a moss covered log.

Whenever you want to talk about what happened, I’m here as always, Sparkles confirmed.

Me too, Melody replied.

And me, Softy, Dimples, and Sweets chorused.

They all shone brightly by Sparkles’ side.  Bianca jumped down from the log and walked into an embrace of the protectors.

With Shanice, Bianca was herself but felt insecure with others.  Her confidence was knocked.  She had hope for her family but knew much more effort was needed. 

Gran, when will you visit mom? she asked as they sat at breakfast. 

Phillip had paid for six months stay at the Grace and Hope Rehabilitation and Counselling Centre for Cassandra, who had spent two nights in the local police station’s jail cell.  She had not received any visitors since then. Maybe next week.  Shirley sipped her tea.

You’ve been saying that for months now.

I know, she answered.  "I don’t know how I feel about Cassy. I’m longing to see her, but I don’t want to see her. 

Does that make any sense to you?"

It does.  It’s the same thing with me.  The longer I stay away, the more comfortable I feel in not wanting to see her.

Shirley agreed.

She’s the one who left, why should I go and see her?

Because you miss her and she’s your mother.

I know she would like to see me.

Shirley paused and looked intently at Bianca, How do you know that?

Bianca quickly backtracked.  I’m only guessing.

Can’t say that Britna would want to visit anytime soon.

I think she hates mom.

Why do you say that?  Hate is a strong word.

I heard her say it.

I can’t believe this, Shirley said in disbelief, she really said that?

Yes.

Cassandra Brim, what have you done?  Shirley gazed at Bianca questioningly, Do you feel the same?

CHAPTER 2

CLOSED HEARTS

She stared at the pink teddy bear on her night table.  It still looked new.  Bianca hoped it wouldn’t be the only gift from Luke.  She longed for him, but her heart closed him out; for now.

He held on tightly to her for two days after her mother’s arrest and on the third day, she pushed him away; away from her presence, her house – her heart.  She had grown accustomed to bad things in her life and thought Luke was the total opposite.  To her, there was no place for him in her life.

Bianca rolled away from the teddy bear and thought of him.

She gripped her curly shoulder length hair in a pony-tail, smoothed out her edges, grabbed her bag off the floor and raced downstairs.  The car ride with her grandmother was neutral and quick.  Shirley was on her way to see her friend Mamzi.  Bianca kissed her goodbye and left without a backward glance.  Shirley watched her as she disappeared around the corner of a building.  She went to the opposite end of the courtyard and sat on one of the concrete benches.  Students slowly piled in as her eyes roamed.  She made herself comfortable on the bench and looked steadfastly ahead.  A tall silhouette walked into her view and she focused on the frame.

Binky.

Her eyes lingered on the tallness of Luke.  Silence. Binky, he called again, why wont you answer my calls?

She lowered her gaze.  Awkward silence.

He sat beside her, What did I do?

Nothing, nothing Luke.  She edged outwards on the bench.

So why wont you talk to me? he asked pleadingly.

Because!  She stood up, eyes darting across the courtyard.

He reached for her hand.  Feeling the warmth she pulled hers away as he was about to lock fingers.

I have to go.  Bye.  She walked off, forcing herself not to look back.

Luke became less visible at school to Bianca – elusive.  She felt the familiar feeling of abandonment, although it was initiated by her.  She indulged in her studies and Shanice’s friendship. That was all she had.

At her home, three individuals that occasionally resembled a family unit occupied that space.  Steven tried his best at Bianca’s heart but soon realized that she closed him out.  The visits were routine and programmed with little or no emotions.

Bianca was brilliant at school as she over-indulged in her studies       which       sky-rocketed,       but       not       without       its consequences.  She developed frequent headaches and was told by Dr Russell to slow down and take it easy.

You’re over-compensating Bianca.  You need balance in your life, he told her one Saturday after she complained about a lingering headache she had from the day before.

Shirley was not about to risk her health and thought it best for her to have consultation.  Painkillers were prescribed along with rest, which was appropriate for the winter holidays.

Cassandra was not visited in almost five months.  Shirley checked on her progress with frequent calls to her doctor and counsellor.  Progress was being made.  She was set for release in the early weeks of February.  Shirley was pleased.

Will you leave us when mom comes back? Bianca asked timidly.