Free Color Blind (Able to Love) by Michelle Lindo-Rice

arm and raised her eyebrows. “Sorry,” Annie whispered, contrite. She knew better than to be texting in church. She put the device away. Her eyes wandered at will until they rested on Saul. Wistful, she smiled at his presence, until she locked eyes with Cassandra. When the younger woman gave her a small wave, she nodded but turned her attention to the message.
    Pastor Noah Charleston took the pulpit. “Today, I feel led to talk about Esther. Now God isn’t mentioned in the book, but her life depicted an example of Christ that is relevant for us today. Esther was chosen, placed by God, into the king’s house because she had a greater purpose. She was meant to save His people.”
    Annie felt awareness creep up her spine. She felt as if the message was meant for her. It was like God was showing her that she was an Esther placed into Saul’s home—a home without God. She shrugged. Maybe she was reading too much into the sermon.
    The pastor continued. “Now Esther knew her purpose but her task would require that she enter the king’s chamber without permission. To enter without being summoned meant certain death, unless the king raised the scepter offering a pardon—a pardon that wasn’t guaranteed. She called a three-day fast before she put her life on the line.” He was warming up. “But, it wasn’t about her life, it was about the life of God’s people. In the end, God cares about a soul. I’m convinced that even if it were to save one soul, He still would’ve left His throne in heaven for one person. Friends, Jesus left heaven for you. He is standing in the gap, as Esther stood in the gap.”
    She relaxed. Maybe it was a stretch of her imagination that this was for her.
    “How many of us can say we’ve been an ‘Esther’ for someone. How many of us have called a fast for someone? How many of us can say we have stood in the gap for another soul?”
    Annie covered her mouth with her hand. She couldn’t say that she had stood in the gap for Saul and she should have. She bent her head and uttered a prayer to God. Pastor Charleston made an altar call. She craned her neck to see if Saul was coming forward. He remained in his row, but bowed his head in supplication. Cassandra came forward with little Emily clutching her hand.
    What about you?
    Annie jumped to her feet in obeisance to the voice of God. She approached the altar and raised her hands in prayer. As the service concluded, she made her way through the congregation to greet Cassandra.
    “I enjoyed the service so much, I’ll definitely come again.” Her smile was bright and her eyes shone. “I love the way he explained the word so that I could understand.” Annie agreed. “This is how he is every week. Do you want me to introduce you to him?” The longer she could avoid facing Saul the better. She had no idea what she was going to say to him.
    Cassandra shook her head. “Next week. I’ve got to get back to my dad. He looks lost over there.”
    “Not too lost,” Annie returned. The women were flocking to him like vultures. The church sisters—black and white—were surrounding him, circling him. You would think they had never seen a handsome man before. Her stomach clenched. She didn’t like the attention he was receiving. From where she stood, she heard his bellow of laughter and cut her eyes.
    She caught Cassandra’s knowing look but said nothing. Even though jealousy burned a hole in her insides, she would never admit how affected she was.
    “Won’t you come over later? I’m sure he’d love to see you.”
    “That’s the problem. I don’t think he’d love to see me.”
    Cassandra’s face mirrored regret. “I wish I’d never said anything. I’ve never seen my dad so…” Annie looked at Cassandra but she shook her head as if to say, she didn’t have the words.
    Was he as miserable as she was? If so, that was a small measure of comfort, because she’d been miserable this past month. So miserable that she passed on going to see