When the Fairytale Ends by Dwan Abrams Page A

now,” Jonathan relented. He looked at Shania. “I had always heard people talk about the Lord, but I wasn’t a believer. I just thought black people had too much religion. Like it was an excuse for not trying hard. I used to hate when my grandmamma would say, ‘I’ma pray for you.’ I used to be like, ‘Pray for yourself.’ She was poor and seemed to be happy. I couldn’t understand that.” His mouth formed a circle as he wiped the corners of his mouth with his hand. “Now I know better. That’s because of you, Ms. Shania.” He pointed his index finger at her.
    Shania’s eyes misted as she remembered how hard she and Cheyenne had prayed for Jonathan’s recovery while he lay helpless in that hospital bed.
    He continued, “I used to hear people talk about the Lord, but they were doing just as much dirt as me. I wasn’t feelin’ that. But then I met you. You were the first person I ever met who talked the talk and walked the walk. And then when you came to the hospital and prayed for me even though I knew you couldn’t stand me . . .” He snickered. “I knew there was something different about you.”
    Shania let out a slight chuckle.
    He composed himself and said, “Then you took the time to talk to me about my salvation afterward. That changed my life. Maybe if the guys I used to hang with had somebody like you all in their lives, they’d be all right too. You guys are the only family I’ve got.”
    Shania dabbed the corners of her eyes with her napkin. She had no idea that she had made such an impact on Jonathan’s life. The fact that he considered her to be family came as a surprise to her as well, especially since she hadn’t gone out of her way to embrace him as a member of her family. Until now she had considered him to be the bane of her existence. In her mind, he was merely a test that she needed to overcome. Now she realized that she had been way off. The Lord had used her to bring Jonathan to Christ.
    â€œSister, are you crying?” Cheyenne teased.
    Shania’s nostrils flared. “Shut up. I’m not crying. Just trying to make sure my eyeliner’s not smeared.”
    Cheyenne smirked. “Sure you are.”
    The waiter arrived with their food. Shania welcomed the distraction. Although she appreciated the bonding moment that she and Jonathan had shared, she thought he had gone too deep. She wanted to lighten the mood and make the evening more festive. After all, they were celebrating Greg’s birthday. So, she cracked a few jokes, and everyone laughed.
    They finished eating dinner and ordered coffee to go with the birthday cake they planned to eat for dessert. Shania had picked up a caramel cake, Greg’s choice, from her friend who owned a bakery and brought it with them to the restaurant.
    Before slicing the cake, they sang “Happy Birthday,” and Greg opened his gifts. Cheyenne and Jonathan got him a silk tie and expensive cuff links. Shania could tell by the look on his face and the way he kept thanking them that he loved his gift. Then he opened the jewelry box containing the onyx ring Shania had gotten for him. He showed his appreciation by giving her a kiss.
    They enjoyed the buttery caramel cake while making small talk and sipping coffee. When they finished, they all stood and followed each other outside. Although Cheyenne and Jonathan would be spending the night at the house with Shania and Greg, Shania hugged her little sister like she never wanted to let her go. It was still hard for her to accept the fact that as Cheyenne’s husband, Jonathan came before her. After so many years of providing for and protecting her little sister, it was difficult for her to accept that now provisions and security rested solely in Jonathan’s hands. Despite the fact that he now had a GED and had changed his lifestyle, she still felt that God had greater plans for Cheyenne . . .