Joy (46 page)
“Thank you.” The two of them gazed at the baby for a moment. “So … are you back for good?” She searched his face for answers before he spoke.
He nodded. “And I didn't come a moment too soon. I've gotta jump back into things so that you can spend time with this little one.”
Anya squeezed his hands. “I'm so glad. So everything…”
“Is fine,” he said, finishing her sentence. “I'll tell you about it later, but I've been cleared of all charges. I'm officially not a criminal.”
She was surprised when a wave of relief washed through her.
“And for the first time in many years, I feel truly free.”
“So what are your plans?” Her steady voice didn't reveal her anxiety.
His eyes bored into her in a way that she had become accustomed to, but that still left her unsettled. “Do you have to ask? I came back here because of you.”
She wondered why her heart was beating so fast.
“I promised the nurse that I wouldn't stay long.”
He hugged her again.
“I'll come by tomorrow during regular hours.” He kissed her forehead, but as he backed away, she held him close. It only took a moment for him to move his lips to hers. It was a soft kiss that lingered.
When they pulled apart, he was smiling. “Don't do this to me, Anya…”
This time, she kissed him, and allowed their tongues to meet. He drew back only when the nurse came into the room.
“I'm sorry, but—” the nurse began.
“I have to go.” David's voice was husky, but his eyes hadn't left Anya. “What does this mean?” he whispered.
Anya smiled. “I don't know.”
He chuckled. “I know.”
He kissed her cheek, then glanced at the baby before he left the room.
“So that's your man, huh?” The nurse smiled. “Girl, that is one fine man you got.”
Anya's eyes were still glued to the door. “I know. I think I finally know.”
A
nya pulled her leather jacket tighter as she leaned on the rail, looking at the numerous yachts and sailboats that lined the marina. The breeze kicked up the water and Anya stepped back, away from the water's target. She continued her stroll along the dock, but kept her eyes on the shops behind her. The restaurants and shops were overly crowded for a winter afternoon, and she preferred the cool winter air to the stuffy stores.
“Anya.” Her back was to the familiar voice, and she froze for a moment before she involuntarily turned to face the sound.
And there he was.
She put on a smile. “Braxton.” She stated his name as if she'd seen him yesterday.
He walked over and stood close, staring at her, then took her into his arms.
She jammed her hands deeper into her coat pockets. “How are you?”
“Fine.” His eyes roamed her body. “You look terrific. You cut your hair.”
Anya ran her fingers through her shorter curls. “It was time for a change.”
For a few moments, silence hung awkwardly between them. “I can't believe it's you,” he said softly.
She shifted from one foot to the other. “So everything is going well with you?” She tried to hold her voice steadier than the pounding in her chest.
“Yeah, what about you? How's your business?”
“Things are great. I've been blessed.”
His eyes seemed to pierce hers. “You certainly have been.”
Again, silence.
Finally, he said, “Do you still attend Chapel of Hope?”
“Of course, that's my church home. I thought it was yours too. I'm sorry that you felt you had to leave. I hope it wasn't because of me … us.”
“No, that wasn't it.” He paused. “So what have you been up to?”
“Mommy, Mommy!”
Braxton's eyes widened as a young girl with golden curls ran toward them and wrapped her arms around Anya's legs.
“Hey, sweetie.” Anya lifted her daughter and from the corner of her eye watched Braxton.
“Mommy, I thought you got lost.”
“You did?” Anya playfully rubbed her hand through her daughter's Shirley Temple curls. “Where's Daddy?”
“Here I am.” David joined them, and held out his hand to Braxton. “How are you, Braxton?”
Braxton remained still, overwhelmed with the sight in front of him. Finally, he took David's hand. But his eyes were fixed on Anya.
“So who is this pretty little girl?” Braxton asked.
“This is our daughter,” David said.
Braxton reached for her hand. “And what's your name?”
She snatched her hand away and nestled her face inside the crook of Anya's neck.
“She's just tired,” Anya explained to Braxton. “We've been out here all morning.”
Braxton nodded, then looked from David to Anya. “I understand …”
“Mommy, I wanna get down. I wanna get some ice cream.”
“Okay. David, would you mind?” He hesitated, then smiled and kissed Anya lightly on her lips. She smiled. “I'll be just a few moments, darling.”
David lifted his daughter into his arms, then turned to Braxton.
“Nice to see you again.” He walked away, leaving Anya and Braxton to share more seconds of silence.
“She is really a gorgeous little girl,” Braxton finally said. “How old is she? Almost three?”
She nodded.
Braxton gazed down the boardwalk, following David. “Anya, how could such a beautiful child have come between us?”
Her eyes thinned into slits. “Is that the way you remember it?”
He cleared his throat.
“How is Junior?” she asked, softening her voice.
“Getting grown.” He beamed.
“Is he living with you?”
“Yeah, most of the time. My wife—”
“You got married?” she asked without surprise in her voice.
“Uh, yeah. Her name is Desiree.”
“I didn't know. I don't see anyone in the gang anymore. That's nice. Are you happy?”
He stared into her eyes and seconds fluttered by before he spoke. “Not as happy as I thought I would be, but happier than I probably deserve.” He waited a few beats before he asked, “What about you?”
“I'm very happy. Our family has been blessed.”
His smile didn't conceal the sadness in his eyes. “I always thought you were my soulmate.”
She returned his smile. “I'd better go find David …”
He nodded somberly. “I hope it won't be another three years before we see each other.”
She hugged him. “It was good to see you, Braxton.”
His arms tightened, holding her longer than he knew he should. When they pulled apart, he said, “Maybe one day we could get together.”
She shook her head. “There's no need for that.”
“I'd like to give you a call…”
“I don't think so,” she said, then smiled her good-bye. She could feel Braxton's eyes on her as she walked away and she wondered how many regrets were stabbing at his heart. She smiled, pleased that the only thing in her heart was love.
They were waiting at the corner.
“Are you all right?” David frowned.
“I'm better than that!” She kissed him. “Do you know how much I love you?”
He smiled. “I know.”
“Mommy, who was that man?”
“An old friend, honey.”
“I didn't like him.”
David and Anya exchanged glances, then David lifted her into his arms.
“Did I ever tell you how you got your name?”
“Daddy, you tell me all the time. It came from God's book.”
“And do you remember where it is in God's book?”
She frowned and pursed her lips together deep in thought. “Mommy, do you know?”
Anya smiled. “It's in Psalms.”
“Right! Can we say the words together like we always do?”
“Okay, on a count of three,” Anya said.
“One, two, three:
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
“That's me, Joy!”
Victoria Christopher Murray is a graduate of Hampton Institute and has an MBA from New York University. Originally from New York City, she now lives in Los Angeles, California.
A
NYA
1. David, and others, initially found Anya to be a paradox as she was a successful Christian businesswoman. Why do some people believe that Christianity means a life of mediocrity or even paucity with regard to material successes? Read
Deuteronomy 29:9; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Chronicles 4:9–10.
Think of (you may use your Bibles!) at least three biblical examples of righteous persons who were also rich in earthly things. How can Christians who are successful in temporal endeavors use their achievements as a testimony of what it means to be a Christian?
2. Should Anya's hesitance to set a wedding date have been a clue to her that Braxton—even though he was a Christian—may not have been God's best for her? Read
Psalm 86:11; Proverbs 2:7–8.
Was she ever in danger of compromising her faith in order to stay in a relationship with Braxton? Read
2 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:6.
3. What should have tipped Anya off that she and Braxton might not be equally yoked regarding their spiritual growth in the Lord? What does God's Word say about spiritual compatibility? Read
2 Corinthians 6:14
. How might their relationship have been used for a greater purpose? Read
Genesis 50:20; Judges 14:3—4
.
4. Braxton and Anya had been sexually active earlier in their relationship and in the heat of passion convinced themselves that it was justified because they loved each other. What are some ways that Christians can work to avoid the trap of premarital sex and avoid such deceptive thinking? Read
1 Corinthians 6:9–10; 2 Cor. 7:1
. Discuss what it means to be in a “compromising position” and discuss the wisdom of
Proverbs 6:27
.
5. Anya lied to Braxton in order to avoid him. Why do people, even Christians, sometimes lie to avoid unpleasant situations? What does God's Word reveal about truth and honesty? Read
Psalm 15:2; Psalm 43:3; Proverbs 24:26
.
6. Anya's faith remained constant, even after her attack, yet she wondered why God allowed the assault to happen to her. How can believers find consolation through difficult situations and turn it around to help build their faith and trust in God? Read
Exodus 5:22; 1 Kings 17:18–22; Psalm 10; Mark 15:34
.
7. Immediately after her attack, could Anya have been using her faith as a means of avoiding the painful reality of what happened to her? Or was her faith simply so strong that it did not affect her as many would have expected? Read
Genesis 25:22
. Why do some Christians fail to understand that God can use trained professionals to help His people and that counseling is not the antithesis of faith?
Exodus 28:3; 1 Chronicles 25:7; 2 Chronicles 2:7 (NIV); Proverbs 22:29; Isaiah 6:8
.
8. Do you think that most Christian women would have made a similar choice as Anya—even if they risked losing the love of their life? How can God's Word encourage us to make such difficult choices? Read
Psalm 9:10; Psalm 125:1
.
9. By the end of the book, Anya's life had changed drastically, yet her faith in God remained constant. How can we use circumstances, both good and bad, to affect positive change in our lives and help our faith to grow? Read
Genesis 45:4–5; Psalm 34:17; Isaiah 12:2
.
B
RAXTON
1. Despite the fact that Braxton was successful in his own career, he was intimidated by Anya's success. How can godly men be confident with their mate's successes and support their efforts instead of discouraging them? Read 1 Samuel 1:22–23; Ruth 2:10–16; Psalm 40:4.
2. Think about some of Braxton's actions, (some of which on the surface looked good! That boat ride was the bomb!) that demonstrated his desire to manipulate people and circumstances—like when he hired the private yacht to seduce Anya or wanting her to be a stay-at-home mom so he could attempt to win custody of his son. How does such manipulative behavior reveal immature faith and a believer's lack of trust in God? Read
Proverbs 14:8; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 John 1:6
.
3. How did Braxton's actions hint that his love for Anya was conditional, based on her willingness to do what pleased him? Why must Christians be willing to extend unconditional love in their relationships? Read John 13:34–35; Romans 12:10; Romans 13:10.
4. Why did Braxton interpret Anya's choice as wrong? Read
Proverbs 16:3; Proverbs 21:2
.
5. Braxton thought he could find happiness by marrying a woman who would do what he wanted. How do people cut their blessings short by refusing to leave comfort zones and follow God's way rather than their own? Read
Psalm 37:5–6; Proverbs 3:5
.
S
ASHA
1. What might have been some things that contributed to Sasha's worldly attitude toward men and her disinterest in God? Read
John 4:7–19
.
2. How did God use Anya to show Sasha the kind of life that is available to Christians? How can believers remember that our lives are living testimonies to those who do not know Christ? Read
1 Corinthians 10:32; 1 Peter 2:5
.
3. Sasha found Anya refreshingly different from other Christians she had encountered. How can believers strive to be an inspiration rather than a “turn-off” to unbelievers? Read
Matthew 23:23–28
. What can believers do to make sure they live God's Word so that it is understood as more than just a collection of rules that people must follow? Read
John 3:16; John 9:25
.
4. Why did Sasha choose to ignore the warning signs about Hunter Blaine? What are some reasons why people ignore their inner signals and choose to follow their earthly desires? Read
Ecclesiastes 4:13; Isaiah 8:11
.
5. Sasha's attempt at a relationship with God began with her wanting God to get Hunter Blaine to fall in love with her. Were her efforts an attempt to bargain with God? How could her attraction to Hunter have drawn her closer to God? Read
Psalm 51:10; Matthew 6:8–13; Hebrews 5:12
.
