The only thing she remembered was someone saying, "That's the mother. Someone console the mother."
Lela begged God for mercy. "God…please spare my son! God, please take me instead. Don't take my baby. Lord, please give him a chance to live. Forgive me for my sins. Don't make me pay for them with my son. God… " As she prayed, repented, and asked for mercy, she could feel the holy spirit envelop her.
The lifeguards were able to revive him, and since he was not underwater long he was lucky enough not to have suffered any brain damage or medical complications from loss of oxygen.
Lela thought he would be scared of pools after that, but every chance he got he was swimming. The thought of him being in deep water made Lela nervous to no end. Still, she knew she had to look past her fears and allow him to do what he loved. She was glad she put him in swimming lessons this year. Now, he was swimming like a fish.
Whenever she would give testimony about the grace of God, that day served as her story.
She put her arm on his shoulder, kissed his cheek, and sent up a silent "thank you" to God for giving her precious son to her, not only once, but twice.
She backed out of her driveway and cruised through the neighborhood, which was lined with modest homes. The houses were just big enough for a small family, and most were occupied by bluecollar workers. Lela and Antwan's home was a three-bedroom brick house. Though the houses were far from the five-hundred-thousand plus dollar vintage homes on the ritzy side of town, she was proud to have a place of her own.
She worked from home, and while hers was not a moneyspinning career, she made enough to maintain their cozy lifestyle. It also helped that she managed her money well. Frugality permitted her to keep her mortgage and bills paid, clothe her son, and put food on the table. And for the past six months with no man to interfere, she had been able to see the fruits of her labor. She finally started to build her savings and retirement account. Four thousand dollars saved since I got rid of Tyrese.
After gassing up, she hit the highway to Atlanta on I-85 North.
The family reunion was being hosted at the Hilton Garden Inn in Atlanta, so her savings account would take a slight hit. Antwan always had a ball at the reunions, and this was the only vacation they took every year, so it was worth it. She caught a glimpse of her son in the rearview mirror playing his portable Game Boy Advance, and wished she had grabbed her Mul-Ty CD from her dresser to help pass the time. After primping her silky curly weave that she got retouched yesterday, she fumbled with the radio until she found Hot 105.7, and then set the Jeep on cruise control.