Free For the Sake of Love by Dwan Abrams Page B

waiting for Nya and Chance. They arrived ten minutes later, both out of breath. They must’ve speed walked.
    They entered the sanctuary through double doors and took three seats near the front. The services began with prayer, and the congregation stood on their feet. Then the choir gave their rendition of a few selections. The words to the songs appeared on a projector screen, and Bria sang along, raising her hands in praise. By the time the pastor came out to preach his sermon, Bria felt uplifted. When the pastor used the analogy between life and riding an elevator, Bria was not sure where he was going with the message until he broke it down and simplified the meaning.
    He said, “When we ask God for something, it’s like pushing the button on an elevator. You know it’s coming, but you have to wait a moment. And when you’re on an elevator that’s going up, hallelujah! If you stop on different floors and people tell you they want to go down, let them. You stay on the elevator and keep going up.” He used his handkerchief to dab sweat from his brow. “And there will be people who are on the elevator with you who will end up getting off before you reach your destination. Let them. Don’t carry people with you who don’t believe in where God is taking you.”
    The message resonated with Bria. She wondered if it applied to her and Spade. Was he not supposed to be a part of her lifelong journey? Had their season together really come to an end?
    At the end of service they headed back to Bria’s house to talk and watch a movie before it was time to go to her parents’ house for dinner. Imagine Bria’s surprise when she pulled up and noticed her parents’ car parked outside on the left side of the driveway. They never came over unannounced. What are they doing here? she thought as she pressed the button on her remote to open the garage door. She hoped everything was okay. She drove in on the right side while Nya and Chance parked behind her outside. Together, they entered through the garage and Bria pressed the button on the wall to close the garage door.
    Bria’s mom was in the kitchen preparing another one of Bria’s favorite dishes, meat lasagna. Her dad was in the family room half-asleep on the couch with the TV watching him. The gentle breeze from the open kitchen window permeated the smell of freshly cut flowers, which Bria loved, and a combination of meat, cheese, and sauce through the air.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Bria asked.
    Nya and Chance interjected with their greetings and sat on the love seat.
    â€œSince you usually come to our house for Sunday dinner, we decided to bring it to you.”
    â€œThat was sweet. Thanks, Mom.” Bria hugged her. She offered to help, but Mrs. Murray told her that the meal was almost finished, so Bria joined everyone else in the family room.
    â€œHow was church?” her mom hollered from the kitchen.
    Bria told her that it was good, as usual, and gave her an abbreviated version of the sermon. Since Mrs. Murray and her husband attended early morning services at a different church, Mrs. Murray reciprocated by telling them about the message she received regarding not being overwhelmed by your blessings.
    When Bria’s mom announced that dinner was ready, Bria and Nya set the formal dining-room table that seated six and Mr. Murray woke up from his nap. They gathered around as Mr. Murray blessed the food. At the end of the prayer, Chance said, “Eat now,” and everyone laughed.
    â€œEverything looks so good,” Bria said, her mouth watering.
    They each ate a side salad before filling up on thick pieces of lasagna and warm garlic bread, fresh from the oven.
    â€œI’m so glad we finally found the perfect dress for me to wear to the wedding,” Mrs. Murray said to Bria. “I was starting to get worried.”
    Nya choked on her sweet tea, and Bria’s eyes got bigger than the