Chapter Eight

Josephine.
She sat on the chair with her black gown that was touching the floor, her hair in an arranged bun with a scarf that covered it, she did a little makeup, powder, mascara and lip-gloss Mondays were the days her mother forced her to church, The other days she will always make up an excuse of a reason not to go. She never liked going to church, She always says "I am not old and dying, I don’t need it right now."
She kept really quite listening to the priest.
"Dobla Las Manos(Fold your hands.), Le agradezco a Dios cada día que me curé !Dios es grande! ( I thank God every day i was healed, God is great.) !Dios es grandioso! confía que responderá a tus oraciones(God is great have faith he answer your prayers.) I cast and bind every spirit of evil that would ruin our happiness, our peace and mind, I pray for protection from the lord."
"Ameen".
She thought a lot about what the priest said. " Don't force it allow it to happen naturally." She has been forcing and focusing on the book to open, She should have allowed it happen naturally.
once first service, She was already ready to leave, she packed her things and proceeded outside, She was met with her father.
" adónde vas(Where are you going)." Her father said.
"Home,it already done." Josephine said while looking down, she always looked down whenever she spoke to her father, she never dared to look up.
"You are not leaving, you will wait till the third service."
"Yes Sir, Lo sieonto papa( I am sorry Dad." She said.
once she saw his feet was not there again, she looked up with annoyance, She hated the fact that her father had so much power over her, he could control her whenever he wants, where ever he wants.
She sat in the church not wanting to talk to anyone.
I am tired her inner voice said.
The priest was already back starting the service, He raised a wine to Jesus before offering it to others, She had to pretend she was paying attention because her father kept looking at her, seeing what she was doing?. She quickly stood up wanting to use the bathroom when a voice stopped her.
"That's good my daughter, Thank you for volunteering to pray for us." The priest said.
she had no idea what he was talking about?, once she saw a smile on her dad's face she knew what was happening?. She stood in front of the church having a good look at it, The church was big the walls were very tall, the ceiling was very high covered with beautiful embroidery designs. There were wooden chairs were kept in each side of the room, with a space between them that led to the front of Christ. She held the mic tightly not knowing what to say?. She had no idea she was quite for long until her mother came close to her.
"what are you doing?, Rezar(pray) people are waiting." Her mother said
She looked at her mother and then back to the people.
"I thank God for family, Life, I pray for all the homeless people out there May they be covered in blood of Jesus, May they be protected and be shield from the evil of the world."
"Ameen." The whole church said.
"Thank you and God bless you my daughter" The priest said.
Once everything was done, she was the first to leave the church She waited in front of the car waiting for her parents. The drive home was boring no one said anything till they arrived.
When she got into her room, she was met by the book, it laid right on her bed, she didn't remember keeping it there, She angrily took the book and walked into the balcony and threw it out.
"Stupid book".

Flash Back.
she prepared to go to school, she was excited to go today She was finally going to ask a boy she likes out. She wrote him a letter.
" Dear Jason,
I really like you, I want to be your girlfriend and I want to sit with you every day.
Yours Josephine.
She folded the letter, she was about to put it in her bag when a hand snatched the letter. Her father's hand. She opened the letter and read it. After he was done he torn the paper.
"What is this." He shouted. Before she could say anything a hand made contact with her cheek. He slapped her not once not twice but multiple of times.
"Never think of doing anything like that or else I will kill you." Her father shouted.
That day she cried, She couldn't go to school because of the marks on her cheek. Her Father insulted her and slapped her. Josephine couldn't believe all that would happen because of a letter, That was the last day she spoke or cared about any boy, that day was a nightmare.