My Father's Gift by Mary M Hall-Rayford Read Free Book Online Page B

the phone, he had a similar conversation with God about D’Cerner and was told the same thing. 
    “Are you sure, she can handle being my wife?”
    “Yes, but she doesn’t think she wants be a wife.”
    “So what am I supposed to do about that?”
    “Exactly what I told you.  You pushed too hard.  It made her nervous.”
    “I know I got carried away with the questions, but I was trying to get an idea as to what she looked like.”
    “Don’t worry about her looks.  You won’t be disappointed.”
    “Well, can I find out what she likes and doesn’t like?
    “You may.”
    “Thank you, Father for your many blessings.  Help me to stay in your will so that I will not displease you.”
    After praying, Cal fell asleep, wondering what was ahead for him and D’Cerner.
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Eight
    The next night, Cal called D’Cerner and again, the word the Lord had spoken to her was confirmed.  She and Cal were discussing a song and ended up singing it together, and later, before they hung up, prayed for each other, just as God said they would.
    Cal and D’Cerner spent the next two months talking on the phone almost every night.  Some nights they talked so long, they fell asleep on the phone and would have to wake each other up the next morning.  They behaved as if they were two teenagers in high school. 
    She would listen to him talking to his children and he would interject when she was talking to hers.  By the time their children were asleep, they would be ready to spend time either asking each other questions or discussing the bible.  They discussed their personal dislikes and preferences.  He discovered she preferred plants to flowers and she discovered he didn’t like dumplings and both liked a quiet day in the park near water when seeking answers.
    One afternoon, Cal invited Carlos to join him and his son, Don, along with some others to play basketball at a community center.  When Carlos got home, D’Cerner was tempted to ask him what Cal looked like, but didn’t.  Later that evening when Cal called, he asked her if she had asked her son about him.  She was glad she had not asked so she could honestly say, no.  When asked if he had asked Carlos what she looked like, Cal admitted he was tempted, but didn’t.  Things would have continued in this vein with just the phone calls, except for the fact that Cal’s church was sponsoring an athletic event. Neither realized that this event would put them on another path.
    “Dad,” D’Cerner heard Kathy say over the phone, one evening while she was talking to Cal.  “Would Sister Everett’s son like to play in the basketball tournament?”
    “Why don’t you ask her?  Just a moment,” he said to D’Cerner and handed the phone to Kathy.
    “Sister Everett, this is Kathy.  Would your son like to play in our basketball tournament?”
    “I’ll have to ask him.  When is it?”
    “It’s coming up in a few weeks, but I have to know now so we can get the money turned in to the center,” Kathy responded.
    “Okay, just a moment.”  D’Cerner went into the family room where Carlos was watching a game.  “Carlos, would you be interested in playing in a basketball tournament with Brother Recinoire?”
    “Yeah, sure.  When is it?” Carlos asked.
    “In a few weeks.”
    “Can I bring some of my friends?
    “I don’t know.  I’ll check with Kathy.”
    D’Cerner went back to her room and picked up the phone.  “Kathy, he wants to play, and he wants to bring some others, is that all right?”
    “Sure.  My dad will give you the information.  Will you be there?” Kathy asked innocently, not knowing anything about the agreement between D’Cerner and her father.
    D’Cerner hesitated.  “I’m not sure sweetheart, ask your dad about that,” she responded.
    “Okay, well, here he is.”
    “So, your son wants to play, does he?” Cal asked, obviously having overheard part of the conversation.
    “Yes, he said he did.  Cal, did you