9. Lord, Please Take Me Now #2
“Okay, children,” Richard announces firmly. “Lily, please, no more running, unless you want a lawsuit. And Grace, let’s not air out every embarrassing story.” He shifts to me. “As you were saying, Nik. Tell us about Eleanor.”
I pause, chewing the inside of my cheek. “There’s not much to tell, except she auditioned today and she’s good.”
Evelyn arches her brow. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Nik. I know that look on your face,” she gestures to me with her fork. “Come on, tell us what you’re thinking.”
I shift my weight, debating if I want to say more.
Evelyn is perceptive, which she has to be, given it’s a part of her job.
I just don’t like those tactics being used on me.
“She reminds me of Daria. I can’t explain it, but when I was watching her reels with Kasper, I just felt something… like she was different.”
Mama gives me a subtle side-eye. “She reminded you of Daria? How so?”
“The way she carried herself, and she had that same look in her eye,” I say slowly. “I don’t know how to explain it, but when I was watching her, it just felt like she belonged there.”
Everyone looks at me with different expressions.
Austin seems thoughtful. Grace’s eyes brighten.
A faint smile tugs at Evelyn’s mouth behind her napkin.
Richard grins, dragging a hand through his beard.
Lily pinches her lips together to hide her smile, and I can’t read Mama. I’m officially confused by all of them.
I never speak about Daria, so their reactions throw me off.
“What’s she like?” Evelyn asks, genuinely interested.
Before I can answer, Lily jumps in. “She’s pretty. Blonde hair, brown eyes, and legs for days. Totally Nik’s type.” She winks at me.
Lord, please take me now.
Evelyn’s brows lift toward Lily. “Lillian. I asked Nik what he thought. Not you.” Her gaze shifts back to me. “So tell us, what’s she like, dear?”
Lily rolls her eyes, ignoring her mother. “Oh come on, Nik. Don’t deny that she’s your type.”
Heat rises to my cheeks. “I—I guess?” I choke out.
What is happening right now? I don’t know whether to be irritated or uncomfortable. Maybe both.
Evelyn fixes Lily with a sharp look. “My darling, Lily, if you don’t shut your—”
Before Evelyn can finish, Richard speaks. “Enough of that. Lily, given Nik’s role, it’s inappropriate for him to answer such a question.” His eyes shift to mine. “You can just ignore Lily, Nik.”
“I usually do,” I mumble under my breath.
Reaching behind Mama, Lily smacks my arm. “Rude.”
I rub my arm dramatically. “Ow.” I smirk at her.
“Children,” Mama says between us. “Let Nik tell us about the audition.”
My gaze moves around the table, everyone’s eyes fixed on me. “I mean… I just said she reminded me of my dead sister…” I stop short, not knowing if I should continue, the heat of their stares making my palms sweat.
Grace rests her chin in her hand, grinning at me. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so troubled over a girl, Nik.”
Lily slaps her hands against the table, rattling a few glasses. “That’s what I’m saying!”
My breath catches in my chest. “Wh—what are you going on about? Did you not hear what I just said?”
Evelyn shushes Grace and Lily before turning to me. “Well, Nik, you know what they say…” she trails off.
I gape at her, completely confused. “Who says what?”
“About people who remind us of our loved ones who have passed.” She folds her hands together. “When they appear, it could be because God knows our hearts are finally strong enough to remember without falling apart, and that maybe it’s a reminder that love doesn’t end just because a life does.”
“She’s right, Nikusha,” Mama pipes up.
I whip my head toward her. “I do not love her—I’ve literally said two words to this girl, and that’s it.”
Mama shakes her head. “We’re not saying you love her. It just seems to me like God sent this girl directly into your path. For what reason, I’m not sure—that is for you to figure out.”
If there’s one thing I can always count on, it’s that Mama doesn’t speak unless her words matter. Nothing is said flippantly. She never lies, and she gives us kids the hard truths when we need them. So if she’s saying that God might have His hand in this… she means it.
I rub my hands over my face, ready for this conversation to end. “Well, I haven’t prayed for love, so please don’t get your hopes up.”
Evelyn scoffs lightly. “Well first, God doesn’t always give us what we pray for. He gives us what we need.” She takes a sip of water. “And second, we’re not saying you should love her. But who knows, God may think you need a woman, and boy does He work in mysterious ways.”
Well, I sure hope He doesn’t.
Mama reaches for my hand and folds it into hers. “All we’re saying is to not ignore His voice, Synulya.” She pats my hand gently. “Regardless of whether this girl is set in your path or not, I will pray for whatever God has in store—for both of you.”
“I second that,” Lily says, raising her hand.
“Ooo, I’m third,” Grace adds with a knowing grin.
“Shoot, make me fourth,” Austin chimes in, shoveling another bite of lasagna into his mouth.
“And you already know I’m fifth, darling,” Evelyn says, beaming. She turns to Richard expectantly.
With a sigh, he gives in. “I always pray for you, Nik. That won’t change now.”
Evelyn raises a brow.
“Okay, okay—fine. I’m sixth. Happy, Evelyn?” Richard mutters as he rises from his chair, gathering plates and shaking his head. “You women are crazy, I swear.”
As Richard heads toward the kitchen, Evelyn giggles in his direction before turning back to me.
“In all seriousness, Nik,” she says gently, “we’re not saying you should pursue this girl—we know you can’t—but we are saying to pay attention to the people God places in your life.
It’s not everyday that we get glimpses of our loved ones who are no longer here. ”
I slouch back in my chair, lacing my hands behind my head with a sigh. “Well, I appreciate that. I’ll need all the prayers I can get since you all seem convinced God is placing this girl in my path for love… or something else.”
The table erupts into laughter at that, the conversation quickly veering into my nonexistent love life.
And, truthfully, I like it that way. The only person I have to worry about is myself.
Not only would dating a girl like Eleanor be extremely frowned upon, but I don’t think what Evelyn said is true.
My heart wouldn’t be strong enough to relive that kind of hurt.