He's All I Have

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Ever since I can remember, life at home has never been hard. My family is not well off but I guess you couldn't classify us in the 'poor' category either. We were not the most social people around, in fact, we hardly interacted with people. Only when it was absolutely necessary would we talk to the occasional few.

I never asked why, my parents were not the kind of people you could question. I guess it's always been what they called 'tough love' or 'roughing up'. Getting beaten was not uncommon in my family. It was a form of discipline and trust me, it worked because seeing us misbehave was a rare occasion.

Besides that, my family was pretty normal. My parents were blessed with two daughters and a son. My brother, James, being the oldest.

"Looks like its going to rain tonight." Lucy, my sister, exclaimed.

"I love the rain and this place could use some. Its been too hot recently."

It's not that I just loved the rain, it's because I was holding a plastic bag in my hand. I had just bought my first pair of shoes in two years. My parents didn't buy us things like clothes and shoes often because they didn't want to 'spoil us'. 'Life is tough' so you've got to be tougher my father loved to say.

"So cliché. Everyone loves the rain." Lucy said.

"Except you." I said.

"I only don't like it because everyone likes it. I just love being different."

"That you do, Lucy" I said as we laughed.

Lucy would try and talk, dress and even eat differently than everyone else.  She hated being like anyone else.

"Ugh," Lucy grunted.

"What is it?" I asked in worry.

"We forgot to pick up some milk at Uncle Joe's shop"

Dad had told us to pass by his brother's shop on our way back home.

"I'll go and fetch the milk. You go on and head home now. Tell mom and dad where I am.

" Okay. Bring me some sweets. "

"Okay!" I said as I rushed away. For a fifteen year old, Lucy sure did act like a toddler.

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I was rushing home after collecting the milk when I noticed a group of young adults. They were standing outside what I assumed was the building  that was owned by whatever company they were advertising for. They looked very neat in their white shirts and black jeans. Music was playing and they were jumping up and down right there on the sidewalk.

They must get paid a lot of money I thought because the way they were dancing was unbelievable. They seemed to be having a lot of fun. Curiosity got the better of me and I quickly crossed the street to where they were. As I drew closer, a girl about my age approached me.

"Hey!" She greeted in a lovely tone.

"Hi." I mumbled back in awkwardness.

"From where I was standing it seemed like our little stand got your attention so I decided to come introduce myself. I'm Abigail, Abby for short." She chirped as she held out her hand.

"TC," I said shaking her hand. Interactions like these never happened to me. I wasn't good with people. "Uhmmm, I, you, I mean, what are you guys selling?" I managed to let out.

"Don't be silly dear. We're giving out Jesus, for free." She told me.

That was it. I ran from that place as fast as my two legs could carry me. The name Jesus was forbidden from our house. I wasn't about to face my father's belt because of a silly conversation. My father had already made it clear that Jesus was not welcome in our family and I wasn't willing to take him on on that.

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ThatChristianKid

01/01/2018