The Little Black Book

It was a cold, dark night in the Bay and I was home in bed. Nothing or no one could ever prepare me for today's event. I can't believe I got a message from God. Oh, wait you don’t believe me?

Let me take you back to the beginning...

¨Good morning, this is Samantha, can I speak to Jessy? ¨ said the familiar voice on the other end of the phone. ¨Yes, this is she. ¨

¨Hi Jessy, I was calling to confirm your resignation and to see if you have a chance to stop by HR today to pick up your last check? Or would you prefer it to be mailed to you? ¨

It took me a second to realize that this was happening. I worked for this company for three plus years, but I was forced to resign to homeschool my kids. You see we are in a pandemic because there's a deadly disease going around that has us all on a nationwide lock down. I´ve been home with my kids for a year now because their school was closed until further notice. My job couldn't find a way to keep me on, so I had to make the hard decision to leave. I was a little sad, but I know in my heart that things will get better for me and my family.

¨Well I was heading that way to shop, so I'll pick it up. ¨ Damn my final check. Just thinking about it gives me chills.

¨Okay, I´ll have it ready for you when you get here. See you soon. ¨

¨Okay, thanks. Bye¨

As I hung up the phone and got dressed, I couldn't help but think about where I go from here. I have four small children who is depending on me to meet their needs. Unemployment is temporary and I do not plan to stay down too long. I want to cry, but I fear getting caught by my kids, who doesn't know that mommies cry too.

I took my time getting ready, though I was not mentally ready. I try to think about the reason behind my departure, since that's the only thing keeping me sane. With thoughts of not being able to provide lingering in the dark side of my brain.

¨Let's go! ¨

My mom drove, as I sat quietly, staring into outer space, as she would say. Though, I am daydreaming, it felt so real. I can feel the sting of hot tears threatening to fall from my eyes as I give into the darkness of my mind.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

I was sitting on the side of the highway near tent city. My family was in the tent sleeping while I sat patiently waiting for someone to notice me here.

There was a shootout near tent city, and I was hit in the head. I can feel the burn of the bullet that´s still there, threatening to take my life. I can't see, nor can I speak, but I can hear the cries of my family begging me not to leave and the voice of the paramedic telling me to hold on. Before I knew it, my world went black.

It felt like eternity before I saw my first flicker of light. My sanative eyes burned from the rays of the sun beaming in my face. Is this it Lord? Am I in Heaven? When I didn't get an answer, a hand grabs mine. When I saw my husband staring at me, I instantly felt relief and then fear.

¨Where...... where are the kids? ¨

¨Safe with mom¨

¨What happen? ¨

¨Some guys were running from each other and shooting when we were sleep in the tent. I covered the kids until the shooting stopped and immediately noticed you were missing. I heard a lot of screaming and feet shuffling outside the tent, so I went to look for you. I saw you laying on the ground and froze. My heart hit the floor and I couldn't breathe. I ran to you as fast as I could even though it felt like I was running slow. When I saw the blood coming from your head, I panicked. Luckily, the paramedics were nearby so I flagged them down. The kids came out the tent and I tried to hide what was happening, but they already saw you getting put on the stretcher. I couldn´t ride with you so I called an Uber to take me and the kids to the hospital. I was terrified of losing you, so I just sat in the waiting room and prayed. You've been in a coma for 6 months. I´m just so happy you´re back. ¨

¨Oh, wow that is a lot. ¨

As I took in everything my husband just said, I can't help but think about my babies and how confused and scared they must have been. The pain in my head was just starting to resurface when suddenly the world around me started shaking. Everything got dark around me and I'm now alone, back in the darkness I just came from. I am trying to call for help but my voice is caught in the back of my scratchy throat. So, I just closed my eyes and started praying. Just then I heard my mom´s voice.

¨Girl we here. Snap out of it! ¨ My mom was shaking me, trying to get my attention.

As I took my next breath, I became aware for my surroundings and (as my mom would say) snapped back into reality. I looked around and saw that we were sitting outside my job. I can't began to tell you how relieved I was to see my babies sleeping in the back seat of the car, clean and not looking as if they haven't eaten in days. I never really thought about the outcome of me resigning from my job. Just the very thought of putting my family that much closer to poverty, is giving me chills.

I stepped out the car with my heart on the ground and a frog in my throat. Each step I took was like having thick chains wrapped around my ankles, while standing on a landmine. It took everything in me not to just turn around and walk away, but I know that I must do what's best for my babies, so they don´t be held back.

I finally made it to the back office, where my boss was waiting for me with an envelope in one hand and a pen in the other.

¨Hey Jess, it is good to see you though it's not how we both want it to be. ¨

¨Yeah, I wish there was another way for me to keep my position, but no worries as soon as I can, I will be back. ¨

¨I know you will. In the meantime, stay safe and take care of those babies. ¨

¨I will, thanks. ¨

¨So here's your last pay. I just need you to sign this paper confirming your resignation and that you picked up your final pay. ¨

¨Okay. ¨ I feel like I am signing my life away.

¨Okay, that's it. I guess I´ll just see you around. ¨

¨Yeah, I´ll still come shopping here. Thanks, and see you soon. ¨

¨You´re welcome. Take care. ¨

And with that I bravely walked away, pausing for a second to take it all in one last time before exiting to the car, where my new life begins.

Back in the car, I decided to open the envelope to see what I had to work with. There was a $100 bill and a note.

´We really hope this can help you and your family. Take this key and go to the Glory Bank on Jefferson Ave. When you get there ask for Bryonnah. She knows what to do. Bless you! ´

I didn't notice it at first, but there was a golden key taped inside the envelope.

¨I´ll take over driving. ¨

¨Okay. No problem. My legs hurting anyway. ¨

I swapped seats with my mom and took over driving towards Glory.

I said a quick prayer before walking inside. I immediately spotted Bryonnah and started walking to her. I can feel my legs jiggling like Jello on a massage matt. I was clearly nervous, and it showed because Bryonnah offer me water and a chair.

¨Oh thanks. ¨

¨No problem. You have nothing to worry about. Shall we get straight to it? ¨

¨We shall! ¨

¨ Do you have the key?

¨Yes, I have it right here. ¨ I handed her the key and she walked off to the back. So many things were going through my head at the time I thought I was going to explode. She came back holding a medium size black box. Now I´m curious.

¨Before we open this box, let me share a small story behind it. Okay the day you put in your resignation, a few of your now former team leaders got together to put together a quick fundraiser on your behalf, as a thank you for the work you've done over the years. Now it's not much, but they hope this could give you a fresh start to a new beginning. They also left some parting memoirs for you. ¨

¨Oh wow, I wasn't expecting that. ¨

¨This is exactly why they chose to do this for you. You always did your work with no questions asked and gave it your all, expecting nothing in return. That's why though they are sad to see you leave, they are happy you see you move on. With that said, here you are. ¨

She sat the box in front of me and opened it. I thought I was dreaming because there were nicely made-up bundles of cash inside with a little black book placed in the center.

¨OH MY GOD! That is so nice of them. Bless them! ¨ Tears started flowing and I had no control over them anymore. I am so moved and feel so appreciated.

When I finally looked up from the box, Bryonnah was gone.

¨Wait where did she go? ¨

¨Where did who go? ¨ answered another bank personal.

¨Bryonnah. The lady that just gave me this box. ¨

¨Sorry ma´am, but we don’t have any employees with the name Bryonnah. You mean Branisha. ¨

¨No it was Bryonnah, her name was on her name tag. ¨

¨No sorry ma´am.¨ She gave me one last strange look and walked away. Now I´m confused and dumbfounded. How can I be talking to someone who doesn't work here? She's a witch. Or I must be still daydreaming. ´Snap out of its Jessy. Pull it together, ´ I told myself.

I got back to the car and drove the rest of the way home in silence and puzzled.

In the house I decided to take the box to my room to count the money and see what's inside the little black book.

$20,000 later I was crying again and thanking God for this wonderful blessing.

Taking out the little black book, I instantly felt a sense of power, love, and peace just by touching it. The outside was the purest leather I´ve ever seen. Opening it was like taking my next breath. At that very moment I realized that this wasn't a memoir from my team leaders, but a message from God.

¨My dear sweet daughter. I saw your struggles and knew your fears. You have been so patient and kind no matter what test I put you through. You are a great human being and I'm proud of you and how much faith you continue to keep in me. For this I want to reveal to you that everyone I put and took out of your life was done for this purpose. You´re not crazy my child. Bryonnah was with you as she's always been. She's your guardian angel. Over the years of life, I´ve given you, I laid forth a lot of tools created especially for you. Take the tools and use them the way it's meant for you. I love you, enjoy! ¨

WOW! So powerful. After reading that. I put away everything, dusted off my laptop and started my creative writing journey...