Page 42 of Rhodes to Love

“I love you too,” she said and began crying again.

It was like she knew more than what she was told. I stopped and was about to pull out to hold her, but she said, “Please don’t stop, Rhodes. Pleeeeaaasseee… don’t stoooop.”

Right after, she came all over the place, snatching my fucking nut from my loins. I rested my forehead against hers for a moment then pulled out of her as she said, “He’s not going to make it.”

“Karima, we’re praying, remember?”

She shook her head as she stood and went to the bathroom to wash up. I followed behind her and wrapped my arms around her.

“God said it’s time. His soul is right and ready. He loves the Lord, and he’s made all his crookeds straight. There’s nothing more for him to do.”

She lowered her head and took a deep breath then continued cleaning herself as I did the same. I supposed God was preparing her so she could be a comfort to everyone else. As I glanced at her, I could see her mouth moving, but I couldn’t hear a word coming from her. I wanted to believe she was praying.

I quickly washed up and got dressed. Karima didn’t seem to be in a hurry though. “Baby, you okay? You need me to help you do anything?”

“No. He’s not going anywhere until I get there.”

I frowned slightly. I didn’t say another word about it. I had to assume she was operating in her gift. Sitting on the bed, I watched her finish getting ready then grab her phone. She did something on it then said, “Okay. I’m ready now.”

She was eerily calm suddenly, and I didn’t know what to think of it. I felt like I was about to witness something powerful, and I was somewhat anxious about it. After we got to my truck, I opened the door for her and helped her inside. Once I got in, she turned to me and smiled slightly. I grabbed her hand and squeezed it then lifted it to my lips to kiss.

“I’m okay, baby. Thank you for assisting in that,” she said then chuckled.

I chuckled too. “The pleasure was all mine. You sure you good though?”

“Yes. This is what the peace of God looks like. I don’t want you to be worried or scared, okay? There’s nothing to be afraid of or anxious about. This is why I’m a loner mostly. A lot of people wouldn’t understand what’s about to happen, and it would truly scare them. You are my life partner, and I know you will not only understand, but you will help calm everyone else. I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.”

I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about. It seemed she was talking in riddles. Whatever conversation she was having with God was powerful. I didn’t remember it being this way in our early twenties, unless she just chose not to let me see it. It had developed tremendously, and I was in awe of her. For God to use her the way He was, she had to be extremely close to Him. While everything she did wouldn’t be considered holy, her spirit was pure and receptive to His will. She had to be an angel.

CHAPTER17

KARIMA

When we walked into Baptist Hospital, my hands were trembling. I had my instructions from the Lord, but I was so nervous about it. Talking in front of the entire family during this time would prove to be the most difficult thing I’d ever done. I thought the most difficult was telling them I was moving to Nashville. That had nothing on this.

Rhodes grabbed my hand and kissed it. Our ride here had been somewhat quiet. I believed he was trying to wrap his mind around what he thought was about to happen. After going to the second floor, I saw my family all over the place. There was no way we would ever fit into a consultation room. There was way too many of us for that sort of thing. Everyone was here, so they had probably already been told that he didn’t have much longer.

While no one from the family had told me, God had already prepared me. When my daddy saw me, he stood and came to me. “Come on, baby.”

I grabbed his hand and released Rhodes. Glancing back at him, he gave me a tight smile. After walking through the ICU doors, my dad put his arm around me. “It’s not looking good, baby. I don’t think he has much longer. I didn’t want to tell you that by phone.”

I stopped and stared at his red face. Gently caressing his cheek, I said, “I know, Daddy.”

He nodded, then we continued to Grandpa’s room. I walked inside as Daddy remained in the hallway, to see Aunt Tiff and Aunt Jenahra seated on each side of him. Uncle Storm was next to Aunt Jen and Uncle Jasper was next to Aunt Tiff. Uncle WJ and Aunt Chrissy were at the foot of the bed, and Uncle Marcus was in a corner of the room. I could see and feel the despair. Grandpa was really laboring, even with the assistance from the machine.

Aunt Jen and Uncle Storm stepped aside to let me get close to him. Glancing back, I saw my daddy walk inside and close the door. I looked around the room at everyone. Seeing their tears only caused mine to fall. When I looked at Grandpa, he was looking directly at me. I grabbed his hand to feel a slight tremble in it. He was scared. I leaned over and kissed his forehead then closed my eyes.

“God is with you, Grandpa.”

He squeezed my hand for a moment then released it and brought it to my pregnant belly. He stopped laboring so much, like he was having a moment of peace before it was time. I laid my hand on his chest. In my spirit, I said,“Comfort him and give him peace. Let it be well with his soul.”

I opened my eyes, and he gave me a slight smile right before the machine went crazy. Aunt Tiff started screaming and practically pushed me out of the way before Uncle Jasper wrapped his arms around her. The nurses pushed us all out to the hallway. Somehow, they all huddled, and I ended up in the middle of them.

“He taught us what it meant to be Hendersons. His work here was done. He had a full, healthy life that we all got to enjoy. God blessed him, and he used those blessings to bless us. Despite all the wrong he did, he was able to make all of it right before leaving us. I know this is hard, but Grandpa is at peace. He’s with Grandma now. I can hear them arguing now about how to pronounce data.”

My last line produced a slight smile from Uncle Jasper. I continued as Aunt Tiff buried her face in Uncle Storm’s chest. “His spirit is at ease. He’s been in turmoil ever since Grandma left us a few years ago. He’s been longing for this moment. We have to be grateful for the time we had with him. While it hurts, we can’t grieve as if there is no hope. God is able to hold us all and give us all peace.”

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