The Veil by K. T. Richey

your gift. I’ve been watching and listening to you since you got here. I know you have the gift. You knew about my husband’s promotion among other things you shouldn’t have known. Did God show you something about your boyfriend? You know not everyone can handle being around someone with the gift. They’re afraid their secrets will be revealed.”
    â€œHow did you know?” Misha looked at Judy.
    â€œGod told me. I know people think I’m a heathen. I believe in God and talk to Him every day. I’m a worshipper too. I don’t go around talking like everyone else here trying to prove they’re so holy. He reveals things to me too. I’ve been through what you’re going through now.”
    Misha sat up in her chair. She wanted to talk to Judy more. She wanted to praise God for sending someone she could talk to. “I don’t want to talk about it here.”
    â€œI understand. Here, get yourself together. Let’s go to Roscoe’s. We can talk there.”
    â€œI thought you and your husband have plans. I can’t take you away from your family. I’ll be all right.”
    â€œHe’ll be fine. We’re not leaving until tomorrow anyway. I’ll call him and let him know I’ll be a little late coming home tonight. Right now you need me, and what kind of a friend would I be leaving you like this? Now get yourself together. Let’s walk to my class so I can get my stuff and we’ll walk to the parking lot together.”
    Misha reached into her purse to get out a wet wipe to wipe the now-dried white tearstain from her face, and walked down the quiet hallway with Judy. They quickly walked to the parking lot and on to Roscoe’s. They sat at a table in the back of the restaurant. Misha looked around the almost-empty restaurant. She knew in a couple of hours there would be lines spilling outside the door and onto the sidewalk with people waiting to get in.
    â€œMisha, what happened?”
    Her tears started to flow again as she told Judy about the incident with the bishop and how Roger reacted. She even told her what her grandmother said about her being born with a veil over her face.
    â€œYou were born with a veil?” Judy’s hands flew to her mouth.
    â€œThat’s what Grandma said. I don’t understand it. That’s just what she said. I don’t know if I believe that old wives’ tale.” Misha didn’t fully believe the story her grandmother told her. She felt it might have been just a part of her grandmother’s James Island background—just another Gullah tale.
    â€œWell you better because it’s true. If you were born with a veil, you’re a prophet. There’s nothing you can do about it.”
    â€œI’m not a prophet. Roger seemed to think the gift was manifested because of my trial sermon.”
    â€œTrial sermon? You’re a minister?” Judy sat up with her hands fisted on her waist. “Why didn’t you tell me? How long have you been in the ministry?”
    â€œA few weeks.”
    â€œYou just went in the ministry and you didn’t say anything? I would have come to your trial sermon. I bet you did a good job. What did you preach?”
    â€œI wouldn’t call it preaching.”
    â€œStill, you should have told me. I would have liked to have been there. So how are you getting along? I know you still hurt.”
    â€œIt’s been hard. I don’t know why Roger is treating me like this. We used to talk every day and . . .” Misha tried hard to hold back the tears but they seemed to escape no matter how hard she tried. She could no longer walk around as if she wasn’t in pain and she didn’t care. She had just given this man the last three years of her life.
    Judy reached across the table to grip Misha’s hand. “Hey, girl, it’s going to be all right. Everything works for the good to them who love the Lord and are called for