“I do. I love them. They have helped me so much. Especially lately,” I said while rubbing Samuel’s arm.
“I’m a hugger. Can I hug you?” Zanetta asked.
“Sure.”
She stepped closer, and we embraced.
“This is my husband, Roman.”
The pictures I’d seen of Roman did him no justice. His smooth dark skin and brown eyes were magazine cover worthy. Zanetta was beautiful as well. She wore her hair up in a top knot, her dimples appeared even when she wasn’t smiling, but the most beautiful thing about her was her energy. She emanated a calming wave that made her feel like my friend instantly.
“Hi,” Roman said extending his hand.
We shook.
“How is he doing?” Zanetta asked looking past me at Samuel.
“He’s getting better every day,” I smiled.
I looked at Samuel. The bandages had been removed from his head. His skin had changed from the gray, ashen color it was when he first arrived back to the cappuccino color it was before. I made sure his hair was being cut once a week by his barber fromFadebarbershop, Ced. We, Vivian and I decided not to shave him. His beard had started to grow in, full and dark. Ced lined it up and groomed it as well. Samuel was looking more and more like himself, but he still wasn’t awake. We knew from the tests that the doctors had performed recently, that there was a lot of brain activity consistent with dreaming and understanding. There was no known medical reason for him to still be in a coma, but he was.
“I met Samuel for the first time at our wedding. We became friends almost immediately,” Roman said.
“Samuel has been family for a long time, even before Xavier started working for him. But, he almost got disowned when he sent our son an entire Stars wardrobe. I know he’s part owner of the Stars but he is very aware of my Cardinals allegiance. My baby is a Cardinals fan as well,” Zanetta chuckled.
“Or RJ may be a Yankees fan,” Roman amended.
“Babe, not in front of company,” Zanetta said while rubbing Roman’s back.
I laughed because I’d listened to a podcast where she talked about her love of sports. Her family knew how to get under her skin by challenging her on her sports teams.
“Anyway, Averie, we came down to visit with Xavier. You know to check on him again. We came down the day after the shooting and saw Xavier, but we didn’t want to intrude since Samuel was still in critical condition. We’ve been praying for him and getting updated from Zay.”
“Thank you. They took him off the ventilator a while ago, so he is breathing on his own. His wounds are healing, but he just won’t wake up.”
“I hear you are playing music. More specifically songs of healing?” Roman said.
“Yeah, JD told me the story of David and Saul.”
“Music has a healing quality for sure. I went through a time in my life where I didn’t know which way was up. It felt like God had forgotten me and I was just in the middle of life, wading alone. I quit music altogether. I didn’t want to hear any or play any. My healing was delayed because of that decision. One thing I learned in that time is that God never leaves you. He’s always there, so lean on him now. Let him carry you and El through this. He will.”
I wiped my tears while Roman spoke.
“Is it okay if we pray with you?” Zanetta asked.
“Yes, please.”
Roman walked to the opposite side of Samuel’s bed and held Samuel’s hand then reached for Zanetta’s. She held my hand, and I used my other hand to hold Samuel’s hand.
She started speaking in a language that I didn’t understand, but I knew from church that she was praying in the Holy Ghost. I closed my eyes and listened.
“Before I pray, Averie, I hear the Lord saying that he hasn’t forgotten about you.”
My eyes popped open to look at Zanetta. Her eyes were closed, and so were Roman’s. How could she know that I’d just asked God if he’d forgotten about me? I’d just prayed and asked Him if he was at all concerned about the troubles that I was facing.
I knew that my life choices and moves didn’t always line up with what I’d been taught in church but coming to this hospital day after day and seeing Samuel in this condition made me wonder if God wasn’t punishing me. I’d asked him when all of this would be over? How much more could I handle?
“He sees you working daily to be a good person and an asset to your community. He says your love for Him is evident in the way you love His people. Your heart is one that will never be too full to take on another person to love, another person to care for. He said, no, you don’t disappoint me. You make me proud every day. You are special to me, Averie. I have plans for you. Plans to prosper you. Plans to make your name great and expand your borders. This is but a season in your life. A season of growing, learning and understanding. You asked me when. My answer to you is, in due time. You will not walk through this life alone.”