Joy Comes in the Morning by Ashea S. Goldson

calls the end from the beginning, so He sees what that baby will grow up to be. He or she actually already has a destiny, a purpose. You have a purpose.” I stood close to Michelle and stroked her hair.
    â€œI never thought of that.” Michelle’s eyes began to swell with tears.
    â€œI know you didn’t.”
    For a few minutes there was just silence, the sound of broken hearts and remorse.
    â€œI’ll tell you what. You get yourself together so you can go back in before Pastor gives the benediction, and I’ll meet with you later.” I took a piece of paper out of my purse and wrote my number on it. “I’ll help you to tell your family if you want me to.”
    â€œOh please, would you?”
    â€œJust promise me one thing.”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œThat you won’t do anything until you talk to me first. Promise me.” I held both the girl’s sweaty palms.
    â€œI promise.” Michelle wiped away the remaining tears with her sleeve.
    â€œGood.” I gave her one last hug before I turned to go back inside.Before we knew it, the door opened wide. “What in the world are you two doing out here?”

Chapter Fourteen
    As soon as I heard Sister Winifred’s voice, I knew there would be trouble. She had a small garbage bag in her hand, which she dropped into the garbage bin.
    I passed by her, followed by a shaky Michelle. “Excuse me, ma’am. We were just leaving.” I walked into the building through the lobby, into the sanctuary, then quickly down the aisle, thinking I’d die before I could get back to my seat. My breathing was sporadic. I felt Sister Winifred right on my heels. Nervous, I accidentally dropped my purse, and as I squatted down to pick it up, Sister Winifred stood right behind me. I looked up into her eyes, and she frowned up her already wrinkled face. I stood up and found my seat quickly.
    Looking back at Michelle, I could see that she had returned to sit by her siblings, and was looking straight ahead as if she were in a trance. Her stress was obvious, and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to help her, but I was sure that this wasn’t about me. I turned around quickly and sat still in my seat, hoping Sister Winifred wouldn’t question me, or worse yet, put the word out that Michelle and I were having a tearful conversation in the back of the church. Not that it was any of her business anyway, but that had never stopped her before. She was always creeping around the church, giving people a scripture on whatever it was she felt they had done wrong. Somebody needed to give her a scripture on gossiping.I didn’t dare turn my head toward Sister Winifred. Instead, I fumbled around in my purse, indiscriminately flipped the pages of my Bible, and waited for the service to be over. I crossed my legs and focused on what Pastor Martin was saying from the pulpit. My heart was heavy and I needed all the Word I could get.
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    When the service was over, I gathered my things and waited in the lobby for Joshua to complete his deacon duties. Aunt Dorothy came over wearing a big blue feathered hat and matching blue dress. “Alex, will you still be working with us on the anniversary banquet later on in the week?”
    â€œSure, no problem.” Unfortunately, it was a problem. My schedule was getting fuller and fuller as the days went by. I hardly had any time for myself. There was always something to do for somebody. Yet I smiled at Aunt Dorothy and made a mental note to stay on the anniversary banquet committee.
    Aunt Dorothy hugged me, and I caught one of her blue feathers right in my mouth. “I’ll call you then, sweetie.”
    â€œYes ma’am.” Between the anniversary committee, The Elijah Project, and praise team rehearsals, along with the regular twice a week services, I’d be moving into the church soon if I weren’t careful.A few seconds after Aunt Dorothy walked away,