Page 79 of Praying for Thunder

Thunder stared out a broken window. “He’s right, Rya. Maybe you should stay away from me.”

That felt like Mama dying all over again. “You want me ta die?”

“W-What?” he almost screeched. “No!”

I blew my bangs from my eyes, locked my jaw, and stared up at him. “Then don’t you eva’ stay away from me, Thunder. Always find your way back to me. You hear? I love you.”

Blond hair glistened in a sunray peeking through a window. “I promise, Rya.”

I exhaled the binding around my heart. I knew, right then, this boy would always keep a promise.

“I hope your daddy changes his mind so you can be mine.”

Ten. Only ten years on this earth at that time, yet he knew there’d never be another.

I told him, “God’s my true father. And he blesses us every day, Thunder. Here, in front of him, I will swear to be yours.”

Pure amazement filled his expression. “Everlasting.”

“What does that mean?”

“It is what the voice told me when I saw you for the very first time.”

I set my shoulders back. “See? He knows.”

That tender day, two lost kids, finding salvation in each other, got to our knees and vowed our lives to one another. Young and dumb? Nothing could be further from the truth. We were old souls brave enough to see and believe in the truth.

From that day forward, every time I saw that sweet boy, my heart pounded like Sable’s hooves on the ground when we ran wild and free.

Now, it pounded for a different reason. Instead of bliss, it was fear.

Please, Jesus. Don’t take back your gift.

Leaving Daddy’s property behind, Sable splashed in some water before finding dry land again.

Memories possessed my mind…

“What do ya miss about Ani the most?”

Sitting, I watched his throat bob, like the tall grass and flowers blowing in the summer breeze. He whispered, “Her kisses.”

My bare toes wiggled in the grass. “Mama kissed me, too.”

His own hands rubbed his arms as he looked away to hide forming tears. “Made me feel… warm.”

My head leaned to his shoulder. “I want you to feel warm.”

So young and willing to… live and love.

His head turned to see me, then tilted down.

Without an ounce of desire for anything but the purest love, I kept resting on his shoulder as my head tilted up to him. The sun shined down on our innocence, blessing our merging spirits…

His lips were soft, gentle, and happy with one little touch.

My heart bloomed, once again vowing to always be his. “I love you, Thunder.”

His head rested on top of mine. “You will always be my best friend.”