Blessings From the Father by Michelle Larks Page A

want to stay that way as long as I can. Now if something changes, then we’ll talk about it at a later date. Can we call a truce?” Rosemary voice was full of trepidation. She clutched the telephone receiver tightly in her hand.
    â€œDo I really have a choice?” Mariah sighed. “I guess so.” She shifted her body on the couch.
    â€œThank you, baby,” Rosemary said, relief evident in her voice. “I want you to enjoy your life and enjoy the new projects you are about to embark on. I know with God’s help, you are going to make a difference in the lives of people in Hammond the way you have in the Garden.”
    â€œI plan to. I know you have to go to work tomorrow. So I’m going to let you go. If I decide to stay here tomorrow I’ll let you know.”
    â€œFair enough. I love you, Mari. I only want the best things in life for you and Cassie. I hope you’ll still consider finding a good rehabilitation facility for her. Don’t let your anger about the things she didn’t do for you while you were growing up cloud your judgment. Praise the Father that you are in a position to help her. Maybe she might turn her life around.”
    â€œWe’ll see. Good night, Granny.”
    â€œGood night, Ms. Mari, sleep tight. I love you.”
    â€œLove you too, Granny, you have a good night.”
    After the call ended, Mariah clicked the phone off and held it next to her chest. Then she put it back inside the base. She got up and turned the light on in the dining room. The light switch had a dimmer. She set the lighting low. Then she returned to the living room, lay on the couch, and turned off the table lamp. Before she fell asleep, she thanked her Heavenly Father for the many blessings He had bestowed on her. She made a mental note to get her old car repaired and donate it to charity. She planned to ask Carson if he could recommend a good mechanic. Mariah had a feeling he could.
    A smile filled Mariah’s face after she fell asleep. A pair of green eyes and the person they belonged to made for a pleasant dream for the young woman. Mariah admitted to herself that she looked forward to talking to Carson Palmer again. She really hoped he used the digits. If he didn’t perhaps she would call him herself. Though the day had been rocky, there had been a light at the end of the rainbow and the rainbow came in the guise of Carson Palmer.

Chapter Ten
    Mariah had been on pins and needles the remaining days leading up to her moving date. By eight o’clock Saturday morning her stress level had rapidly accelerated. The weatherman had predicted rain in Hammond. When Mariah returned home Thursday evening after work, she resumed packing. As the day elapsed and Friday was upon her, Mariah reflected on how drastically her life was about to change and prayed that God would be with her every step of the way. Her mind like a needle on a vinyl record was stuck on the same melody: Granny won’t be living with me anymore . Every time that thought crossed Mariah’s mind, her inhalations seemed to slow down and get stuck in her throat. The thought of not seeing Granny every day caused a sensation to trickle through Mariah’s body. Like a giant finger poked her in the middle of her back, that was sending her reeling into uncharted waters.
    She had just put the last pieces of her clothing inside a box. Mariah left her room and walked into the bathroom. She verified that she’d removed all her personal belongings. She opened the medicine chest, and scanned it quickly. Nothing.
    She had returned to her bedroom when the doorbell rang. When Mariah opened the door, Sonyell and Raquel stood at there with cups of coffee, bagels, croissants, and a fruit tray for breakfast. After they went into the kitchen, Sonyell removed the food from the bags. Rosemary came down the stairs; she was dressed in a blue sweat suit.
    â€œI see you girls brought breakfast. I planned to fix my