In Times of Trouble by Yolonda Tonette Sanders Read Free Book Online Page B

there. . .for the most part. I wish I could get a little glimpse of Lisa showing interest.”
    â€œFaith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You have to believe before you see; otherwise it’s not faith.”
    â€œYeah, I know. . .Listen, man, thanks for calling, but I’m going to get off this phone and call it a night.”
    â€œYeah, I better get going as well. I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon to go preach a three-day revival in Missouri and I still have some things to get together.”
    â€œAll right. Take it easy and have a safe trip.”

CHAPTER 7
A Whole ’Nother Story
    B y Thursday morning, Callie had finally worked up the nerve to do it. She was going to take Bryan’s advice and tell Lisa all that had recently come to light. The turning point came yesterday during her weekly session with Dr. Samuels, her therapist, who had suggested that she still attend Chanelle’s graduation party next month. Dr. Samuels encouraged her to continue moving forward with life rather than allowing her circumstances to become an automatic death sentence. Unlike Bryan, Dr. Samuels didn’t think full disclosure was necessary, but he said if Callie was ready, it wouldn’t hurt to have the support of additional loved ones. Callie didn’t know if she’d necessarily use the word “ready,” but with such a heavy burden on her heart she had to do something.
    Callie had yet to return any calls she’d received from church members concerned that they hadn’t seen or heard from her in a while. Though she appreciated their sentiments, she wasn’t ready to face them. No Bible-reading, tongue-speaking, Holy Ghost-filled, running-all-around-the-church, fire-baptized Christian was going to get her out of this one, so she didn’t see a need to get her church family involved. No matter how many times she andLisa bumped heads, they were sisters—by blood. That had to count for something.
    Callie decided to call her sister immediately instead of waiting until the evening as she had originally planned. With so much anxiety building up inside of her, she didn’t think there’d be any peace until she got this over with. Plus, given any extra amount of time, she was sure to find a way to talk herself out of it. Though it was only a little after four in the morning California time, Ohio’s time was three hours ahead and Callie knew her sister would be up. Ready or not, she was going to make the call.
    â€œYou’re up awfully early!” Lisa wasted no time answering her cell.
    â€œYeah. . .I couldn’t sleep much. Do you have a minute? I’d like to talk to you about something.”
    â€œYeah, go ahead. I’m just on my way to work. I hope you’re not calling about the graduation party. I know by now I should have all the details together, but I don’t.”
    â€œThat wasn’t exactly the reason why I was calling.”
    â€œGood, because I still have so much to do. I haven’t been motivated lately. Both Chanelle and Mama are driving me crazy. Chanelle is on lockdown until graduation because she was brought home drunk by the police Saturday night. Then, earlier this week, Mama and I got into it because she doesn’t agree with the way I handled the situation. Now she’s mad at me, too.”
    â€œI’m sorry you’re having such a hard time. What I—”
    â€œGirl, I feel like I’m about to lose my mind. Mama always has something to say every time I discipline Chanelle. It gets on my nerves. Neither of them has said more than three words to me since Monday night.”
    â€œWell, Mama’s moving out soon. I’m sure things will get a lot easier for you then.”
    â€œI hope so. . .Even then that will only solve one of my problems. Chanelle is a whole ’nother story. No matter what I do, her behavior doesn’t seem to be