Lost and Found

Lost and Found 

Faith's breathing slowed as she rested in the warmth of her bubble bath. Deep down, she knew where she was going, and she wasn't afraid. If anything, she felt at peace.

She had lived a full and beautiful life, and now it was time to go home to God.

Her daughter, Zora, and her great-granddaughter, Dionee, felt very differently.

When they walked into the bathroom to check on her, their voices pierced the silence as they screamed in despair.

Faith was gone.

Yet there was something undeniably peaceful about the scene before them. She rested in the water with a gentle smile across her face, as though she had simply drifted to sleep. The only thing she wore was the small locket necklace she had cherished for as long as anyone could remember.

In her death, she looked at peace.

1950

75 Years Earlier South Carolina 

Faith 

In the beginning of the universe, during the Big Bang, everything came from the same source. The atoms that make up our bodies were all born from the same cosmic beginning, and over billions of years they became stars, planets, and eventually us. In that way, we're all connected because we are all made from the same higher intelligence. 

Sometimes I wonder if consciousness works the same way. Maybe our minds aren't as separate as we think they are. Maybe they're streams of awareness that occasionally brush against one another.

What if our dreams aren't just random images our brains create? What if they're glimpses into other possibilities—different versions of ourselves, different timelines, or lives unfolding in ways we'll never fully understand?

And if consciousness continues beyond this life, perhaps what many traditions call reincarnation is simply our awareness moving through different cycles of existence, always learning, always growing, and always returning to the same source. 

Faith closed her book and sat quietly, pondering the words of the spiritual scientist she had just been reading.

She had always loved science. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a surgeon—someone who could help people continue living, someone who could delay the inevitability of death, even if only for a little while.

Although Faith had not been given an easy life, she never allowed her suffering to harden her heart. Instead, it deepened her compassion. Because she knew what pain felt like, she longed to ease it for others.

Her father, a light-skinned Black man, had died before she was born. Her mother was a strikingly beautiful light-skinned Black woman who passed as white whenever she could. Faith inherited her mother's beauty and complexion, but, thankfully, she did not inherit her vanity or her shallow ways.

She owed much of that to her grandmother—and to the church.

Faith's mother attended church to protect her reputation and maintain her image within the community. Faith went for an entirely different reason. She was captivated by the unwavering faith of the people in the Bible, inspired by their courage, sacrifice, and resilience. She also found something she had rarely experienced elsewhere: acceptance. The congregation embraced her as one of their own. They reminded her to be proud of her Black heritage, to carry herself with dignity, and to keep her faith in God no matter what life placed before her.

For most of her childhood, Faith was raised by her grandmother.

Her mother spent her days chasing excitement—partying, drinking, and moving from one husband to the next. Whenever the subject came up, her grandmother would simply shake her head, sigh, and say,

"I did right by Mable. I don't know how she lost her way. I just don't know."

Faith's mother was now on her third husband, a ridiculously wealthy white man whose fortune was matched only by his cruelty. He was a gambler, quick to anger, and more concerned with appearances than kindness.

School offered little refuge.

Because Faith was intelligent, curious, and different, she became an easy target for jealousy and cruelty. The whispers followed her through the halls.

"That Negro girl is so strange."

"Her mama's the biggest hussy in town."

"We all know she ain't white. She isn't one of us."

The words stung, but they never changed who Faith was. If anything, they strengthened her resolve to become someone whose character spoke louder than the hatred surrounding her.

Because of the way the other students treated her, Faith found it easier to connect with the teachers who treated her with kindness and respect than with children her own age. Their classrooms became places of refuge where she could simply be herself without fear of ridicule.

But refuge never seemed to last.

Her grandmother passed away not long after she graduated from high school, leaving Faith feeling as though the one person who had truly loved and protected her had been taken away. With her gone, there was no one left to stand between Faith and the life her mother and stepfather had planned for her.

Her stepfather could hardly wait to marry her off.

He insisted she begin courting a new bachelor in town, George Campbell, the wealthy owner of the local bank and one of his regular gambling companions.

Faith wasn't surprised the two men got along so well.

They shared the same arrogance, entitlement, and belief that the world existed for their benefit.

At first, George appeared charming. He was well-spoken, generous with compliments, and carried himself with effortless confidence. But it didn't take long for the charm to crumble. Like brilliant autumn leaves that eventually wither and fall, the illusion faded, revealing the darkness beneath.

When they were alone, George became controlling and violent.

The first time he struck her, Faith stood frozen in disbelief.

The second time, she learned to stay quiet.

She never told anyone about the bruises. She dressed modestly, making them easy to hide beneath long sleeves and high collars. Besides, her mother and stepfather were too consumed by alcohol, parties, and their own selfish desires to notice—or perhaps they simply chose not to.

Without her grandmother, without the teachers who had once encouraged her, and with only the church offering her moments of peace, Faith felt more alone than she ever had before.

She was engaged to a man she did not love, trapped in a future she had never chosen, and expected to endure his cruelty without question.

Some nights she would sit beside her bedroom window and stare into the endless sky.

She imagined a different world.

A world where Black women could choose their own futures.

A world where they could pursue their dreams instead of someone else's expectations.

A world where love was freely given instead of arranged.

A world where they could simply be... free.

She didn't know if such a world would ever exist.

But she prayed that somewhere in the future, another young Black girl would live to see it.

With a sigh, Faith decided to step outside and enjoy the afternoon sun, hoping a walk would quiet the thoughts racing through her mind.

Her family's well-kept home was surrounded by towering South Carolina oaks draped in Spanish moss. She often wandered along a narrow path that wound through the neighborhood, where the shade of the trees offered a brief escape from the summer heat.

Lost in thought, she nearly walked past him.

A handsome Black man stood beneath one of the old oak trees, absentmindedly humming as he leaned against the trunk with a cigarette between his fingers.

When their eyes met, time seemed to stop.

He froze.

His eyes widened, captivated by the young woman standing before him. There was something about her—an elegance that went beyond her striking beauty. She carried herself with a quiet grace that caught him completely off guard.

Faith felt her cheeks grow warm and quickly lowered her eyes.

"I... I didn't mean to disturb you, sir," she said softly, beginning to turn back toward her house.

"Not a disturbance at all," he replied with a warm smile.

He flicked away his cigarette, stepped forward, and extended his hand.

"My name's Richard Williams."

Faith hesitated for only a moment before placing her hand in his.

The instant their hands touched, something neither of them could explain settled quietly between them.

It felt strangely familiar—as though two souls had finally found one another after spending a lifetime apart.

Faith The Second 

2025 Chicago 

Faith awoke to the soft glow of the sunrise spilling through her bedroom window. She had been home from college for a couple of months now, but her body still followed the rhythm of her college routine. She naturally woke up with the sun.

After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

People often told her she was beautiful. She had warm caramel skin, full lips, and large dark brown eyes that seemed to carry emotion and presence. She had never thought much about her appearance. Beauty fades, but character doesn’t. 

As she made her way downstairs, the comforting aroma of her mother's breakfast casserole filled the house. She smiled.

Her mother's Southern cooking had been passed down through generations of women in their family. Every recipe carried a story, every meal a memory.

She found her mother carefully removing the casserole from the oven.

She had been preparing it for nearly an hour. Cooking, to her, was an act of love. Every ingredient had its place, every step had its purpose, and nothing could be rushed.

She often said life was the same way.

"If you rush it," she'd tell Faith, "you'll miss what makes it beautiful."

Faith smiled as she watched her mother set the casserole on the counter.

But beneath her mother's gentle smile was a quiet sadness.

Today marked the sunset anniversary of her great-grandmother Faith—the day she had passed away.

Her mother had loved her grandmother deeply. Their bond had been so strong that when her own daughter was born, she named her Faith in her honor.

It seemed fitting.

From the day she was born, little Faith had carried echoes of her great-grandmother. The same warm caramel complexion. The same soft, gentle features. The same quiet kindness that made people feel at ease.

Sometimes, when she looked into her daughter's eyes, she couldn't help but wonder if a small piece of her grandmother had somehow found its way back home.

Faith smiled as the smell of her mother's breakfast casserole drifted through the house.

"Thank you, Mommy!" she said excitedly.

As an only child, Faith had always been spoiled with love. Dionee cherished every moment she had with her daughter, especially now that she was home from college.

Dionee placed a plate in front of her.

"Wait until it cools down, baby," she said softly.

Faith immediately noticed something was different.

Her mother's eyes were glossy, as though she had been trying not to cry.

"Mom..." Faith asked gently. "What's wrong? Why are you sad?"

A few tears slipped down Dionee's cheeks. She inhaled deeply before answering.

"Today is the anniversary of Grandma Faith's passing."

She paused, collecting herself.

"It was one of the hardest days of my life. She told us she wanted to take a bath, and everything seemed perfectly normal. Then, when grandma Zora and I went to check on her..." Her voice cracked. "She never woke up."

Faith stood from her chair without saying another word and wrapped her mother in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Mom," she whispered. "I know how much you loved her."

Dionee held her daughter tightly.

"I still do," she said with a small smile through her tears. "Some days I just miss her a little more than others."

After a few moments, they returned to the table.

Dionee fixed herself a plate, and the two of them ate quietly. The sadness lingered between them, filling the room with a silence that felt almost tangible, as though grief itself had settled into the empty chair beside them.

Eventually, the heaviness began to lift, and their conversation drifted to lighter things.

After a few minutes, Faith looked up.

"Mom..."

"Hmm?"

"Will you tell me how Grandma Faith met Richard?"

Dionee looked at her curiously.

"You've always said theirs was the greatest love story you ever knew. You promised you'd tell me one day."

A warm smile spread across Dionee's face.

When it came to Richard.

She had never heard anyone speak a harsh word about him. Every story painted him as a gentle man with a generous heart—the love of Faith's life.

After Richard died, Faith never remarried.

Instead, she put herself through nursing school and devoted her life to caring for others. Whenever someone asked why she had never married again, she would simply smile and say,

"I already met the love of my life."

Dionee leaned back in her chair and smiled at her daughter.

"Oh, sweetheart," she said softly. "It really was a beautiful love story."

She looked out the kitchen window for a moment, as if she could still see them.

"Richard was one of the good ones."

Faith laughed.

Her mother, Dionee, was a hopeless romantic—just not in the traditional sense.

She had already been married twice and was currently dating yet another man. A successful fashion designer, Dionee had built a name for herself through talent, determination, and impeccable style. She always said that the spark of new love was like a firework.

"It burns bright," she'd say, "but eventually it disappears into the sky."

Still, she was never without someone waiting in the wings. At the moment, it was a thirty-two-year-old model who, according to her, made her feel "alive."

Faith couldn't help but smile. She loved her mother's vibrant spirit, even if she didn't always understand it.

Her own father had been a serial cheater and musician who cared more about parties and women more than his family. Dionee finally left him, and according to her, he never looked back.

That was fine with Faith.

She had no interest in chasing people who willingly walked away.

She had everything she needed in the little family she and her mother had built together.

Although they were best friends, Faith couldn't have been more different from Dionee.

While her mother adored the glamour of fashion shows, designer labels, and Hollywood events, Faith found little joy in any of it. She cared far more about stories than spotlights.

Journalism fascinated her.

She loved uncovering the lives hidden beneath the surface—the stories that made people who they were. To Faith, every person carried a world within them, and telling those stories allowed others to see themselves in someone else's experience. She believed that stories planted the seeds of empathy and gave a voice to people who had never been heard.

Because of Dionee's success as a fashion designer, Faith had never wanted for anything. Her mother proudly supported every one of her dreams, and together they lived in a beautiful penthouse overlooking the city.

Dionee took another sip of her coffee before smiling.

"So..." she began. "Richard and Faith."

She leaned back in her chair.

"A love story for the ages."

"Your great-grandmother was one of the smartest and most spiritually grounded women I've ever known. But when she was young, she was trapped in an abusive relationship with a wealthy white man who beat her behind closed doors."

Faith's smile faded.

"One afternoon, she decided to go for a walk through her neighborhood."

Dionee's eyes softened as though she were watching the memory unfold.

"And that's when she met Richard."

She smiled.

"He was tall, dark-skinned, broad-shouldered, and so handsome that every woman in town noticed when he walked by. But what made him unforgettable wasn't his looks."

"It was his kindness and charming soul."

Faith grinned.

"I already know you're about to make me cry."

"Oh, just wait," Dionee laughed. "I'm only getting started."

"They introduced themselves, and when Richard reached out to shake her hand..."

She paused.

"...the moment their hands touched, something changed."

"They couldn't explain it then, but somehow they both knew."

"They had finally found the person they belonged to…" 

~

Faith 

Richard and Faith talked for hours.

Before they knew it, they were sitting in the grass beneath the shade of an old oak tree, talking about everything under the sun.

Although they had grown up in the same small South Carolina town, they had somehow never crossed paths. Richard had attended the Colored school on the other side of town and was three years older than Faith.

It felt impossible that two people could have lived so close for so long, yet they were meeting for the first time.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the porch.

"Faith!"

Her heart jumped.

"I'm coming, Mom!" she called back, though every part of her wanted to stay.

She knew if her mother or fiancé saw her talking to another man, especially a Black man, there would be consequences.

Richard saw the panic in her eyes.

"I don't want you to go either," he admitted quietly.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pencil.

"Please... let me give you my number. I'd like to take you on a proper date."

Faith's smile faded.

With trembling hands, she held out her left hand, revealing the engagement ring.

"I'm engaged."

Richard stared at the ring for a long moment before looking back into her eyes.

"I know this is going to sound crazy," he said with an embarrassed laugh, "and I know we just met..."

He paused.

"...but something inside me keeps telling me you're supposed to be my wife."

He shook his head, almost laughing at himself.

"I've never felt anything like this before."

Under any other circumstance, Faith would have thought he was out of his mind.

She had always been practical.

But the truth was...

She felt it too.

There was something about him she couldn't explain, as though her soul had known him long before they had ever met.

Tears welled in her eyes.

"I don't want to marry him," she whispered.

"I'm being forced to."

Richard gently took both of her hands into his.

"Then please... take my number."

"My partner owns a little music club in town."

"I don't care if we only get one evening together."

"I just want to see you again."

"Faith!" her mother shouted.

"I'm coming!"

Faith looked back toward the house before turning to Richard one last time.

"Okay," she whispered.

"I'll take your number."

As Richard reached for her hand, she instinctively pulled it behind her back.

His smile disappeared.

"What's wrong?"

"My arm..." she said quietly.

"It's badly bruised."

Concern washed over his face.

"May I see it?"

She hesitated before giving a small nod.

With careful hands, he rolled back the sleeve of her dress.

Dark purple bruises covered her arm.

His jaw tightened.

"Who did this to you?"

"My fiancé."

She lowered her eyes.

"He's a cruel man."

For a moment Richard couldn't speak.

No one deserved this.

Especially not her.

Faith slowly told him everything—her grandmother's death, the engagement she never wanted, and the fear she carried every day.

When she finished, Richard shared pieces of his own story.

He had grown up in poverty.

His mother struggled with addiction, his father had abandoned the family, and his older brother had become consumed by alcohol.

Richard had been forced to grow up quickly.

Working on cars became his escape, and before long, people all over town sought him out because there wasn't an engine he couldn't fix.

Life had been hard on him.

But somehow, it had never taken away his kindness.

"Faith!"

Her mother's voice was closer now.

"I'm about to go out there!"

Faith's eyes widened.

"No, Mom! I'm coming!"

Richard quickly scribbled his phone number onto a small piece of paper.

Before handing it to her, he gently lifted her bruised hand and pressed the softest kiss against it.

Then, just as carefully, he pulled her sleeve back down to hide the bruises.

Faith looked into his eyes.

For the first time in a very long time...

She felt hope.

She tucked the paper safely into her pocket and hurried back toward the house.

Later that evening, after helping her mother prepare dinner and finally escaping to the privacy of her bedroom, she reached into her pocket.

She unfolded the small piece of paper.

In careful handwriting, it read:

Richard

Beneath his name was a phone number.

Faith traced the letters with her thumb and smiled.

Somehow...

She already knew her life had changed forever.

Faith the Second 

Just as Dionne was about to continue, her phone rang.

Faith sighed dramatically.

"Seriously?"

Dionne looked at the caller ID and groaned.

"It's a client."

She mouthed, This is going to be a while.

Faith already knew. Whenever one of her mother's clients called, they could easily be on the phone for an hour.

She finished the last few bites of her now-cold breakfast. She had been so captivated by the story that she had forgotten to eat.

Feeling inspired, she decided to take a walk to the nearby park.

"I'm heading out for a little while!" she called.

Dionne gave her a thumbs-up before disappearing into her office.

~

The afternoon sun was warm against Faith's skin as she found an empty park bench beneath a large oak tree.

She slipped on her headphones and closed her eyes drowning in Ettta James' beautiful voice.

At Last.

The opening notes washed over her.

There was something about that song that always reached places inside her she couldn't explain. It made her thoughtful. Hopeful. As though it awakened a memory buried somewhere deep within her soul.

She sat there quietly, letting the music carry her away.

"Lost in the music?"

Faith jumped.

She opened her eyes to see a tall man with warm brown skin and a clean buzz cut smiling down at her.

Embarrassed, she pulled one earbud out.

"A little."

He laughed.

"That happens to me all the time."

He gestured toward the empty space beside her.

"Mind if I sit?"

She nodded.

"Go ahead."

He sat beside her.

"I'm Elijah."

"I'm Faith."

He smiled.

"I figured you were listening to something good."

"What makes you say that?"

"You had the face."

She laughed.

"The face?"

"Yeah." He grinned. "The don't bother me unless you're adding to the soundtrack of my life face."

Faith couldn't help laughing again.

"I've never heard that before."

"So..." he asked.

"What are you listening to?"

"At Last."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Etta James?"

She nodded.

"One of my favorites."

"Mine too."

Their conversation unfolded as naturally as breathing.

Music led to favorite artists.

Favorite artists became conversations about childhood.

Childhood became dreams.

Hours seemed to disappear.

Elijah told her he had grown up in foster care after his mother abandoned him and his siblings. It hadn't been easy, but he found stability through therapy, his Christian faith, and the people who refused to give up on him.

Now he worked as a civil engineer and genuinely loved what he did.

Faith found herself smiling.

"I love hearing people's stories."

"What do you do?"

"I just graduated with a journalism degree."

His eyes lit up.

"That makes sense."

"What does?"

"You actually listen."

She tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't wait for your turn to talk."

"You listen."

Faith smiled.

"No one's ever said that to me."

"It should be said more often."

She found herself telling him about her own childhood.

How her mom divorced her decent stepfather (husband number 2) and that she never knew her father.

How she had wrestled with God afterward.

How, over time, her faith became stronger instead of weaker.

How journalism made her feel alive because stories had the power to change hearts.

By the time they finished talking, it felt less like two strangers meeting...

and more like two old friends picking up a conversation they had somehow left unfinished. She was always awkward around guys, and she had only one boyfriend that was her first well… everything. But even though she had been with him for three years, she felt more heard and seen from Elijah in just two hours. 

Silence eventually settled between them.

Surprisingly...

It wasn't awkward.

It was peaceful.

Elijah looked across the park.

"Hey."

Faith followed his gaze.

An elderly woman sat beneath a white tent drawing caricatures.

"You want to get one?"

She smiled.

"Are you serious?"

"I'll pay."

She laughed.

"Okay."

The elderly woman looked up as they approached.

"Seventy dollars each," she said in a thick Romanian accent.

"No payment, no picture."

Elijah smiled and handed her the money.

She nodded and began sketching.

The only sounds were the scratching of her pencil and the laughter of children playing nearby.

Several minutes passed.

Then...

The woman stopped drawing.

She looked at Faith.

Then Elijah.

Then back at the paper.

Her expression changed.

Slowly...

A smile spread across her face.

Tears filled her eyes.

"There is a God," she whispered.

"Praise God."

"You two lovebirds will share long, joyful lives together. You will be blessed with many children, and they will be happy, kind, and sweet."

She said gleefully.

Faith and Elijah exchanged confused glances.

The woman carefully turned the drawing around.

Neither of them spoke.

The caricature looked exactly like them...

Except Faith wore a wedding dress.

Elijah stood in a tuxedo beside her.

For a long moment they simply stared.

Then Elijah laughed.

"Wow."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I got a beautiful wife just from going to the park."

The moment the words left his mouth, he blushed.

"I mean... that's not..."

Faith laughed, her cheeks turning pink.

"It's okay."

The old woman only smiled knowingly.

"God works in mysterious ways."

Before either of them could ask another question, she waved them away.

"I have more customers."

~ 

Faith's phone buzzed.

Mom

Grandma Zora is here for dinner. When will you be home?

Faith smiled.

She adored her grandmother.

Out of everyone in the family, they were probably the most alike.

They both loved quiet mornings, books, church, and simple conversations.

"I should probably go."

Elijah nodded.

"Want me to walk you home?"

"I'd like that."

They walked side by side through the neighborhood, talking and laughing the entire way.

Faith couldn't remember the last time conversation had come this easily.

Halfway home, Elijah reached for her hand.

She looked down at their fingers intertwined.

Instead of nervousness...

She felt safe.

When they arrived at the penthouse, Dionee opened the door.

The enormous smile on her face said everything.

"Well..."

She crossed her arms.

"And who is this?"

Faith shot her mother a warning look that clearly said,

Please don't embarrass me.

"Mom... this is Elijah."

Just then another voice called from inside.

"Who's at the door?"

Zora appeared wearing one of her floral dresses and a wide-brimmed sun hat.

Faith smiled brightly.

"Grandma!"

They embraced.

"My sweet girl," Zora said warmly.

Then...

Her eyes landed on Elijah.

Everything about her expression changed.

She stared.

"Oh..."

Her hand drifted to her chest.

"My goodness."

She looked at him as if she'd seen a ghost.

"You..."

She swallowed.

"You look exactly like my daddy."

The room fell silent.

"My mother kept his photograph inside her locket," she whispered.

"I used to look at it all the time."

She shook her head in disbelief.

"You have his eyes."

Elijah smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

Dionee gently placed a hand on her mother's shoulder.

"Come on, Mama."

"Let's finish dinner."

Even as she walked away, Zora couldn't stop looking back at him.

Faith laughed softly.

"I'm sorry."

"My grandma doesn't really have a filter anymore."

Elijah chuckled.

"It's okay."

"I actually think it's sweet."

He looked toward the family gathered inside.

"You all really love each other."

Faith smiled.

"We do."

"I'm lucky."

For a moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Their eyes met.

And somehow...

It felt like words would have ruined the moment.

Finally, Elijah smiled.

"So..."

"Dinner needs dessert, right?"

She laughed.

"Ice cream?"

"Ice cream."

"I'd love that."

He pulled out his phone.

"Here."

"Put your number in."

After they exchanged numbers, Elijah stepped closer.

"Can I hug you?"

Faith smiled.

"I was hoping you would."

He wrapped his arms around her.

It felt warm.

Comforting.

Like coming home to a place she'd never been before.

"I'll see you later?" he asked.

She smiled.

"Yeah."

"See you later."

He walked away.

Faith leaned against the front door, unable to stop smiling.

Her phone buzzed.

Nice meeting you.

— Elijah

Faith 

Faith slipped into an elegant powder-blue dress and carefully placed a matching hat atop her curls. After touching up her makeup, she took one last look in the mirror.

She couldn't remember the last time she had been this excited.

Her parents were out of town for the weekend, and her fiancé, George, had gone into town for another night of gambling.

Earlier that afternoon, she had told Richard everything over the telephone.

Tonight, for the first time, they could simply enjoy being together.

A few moments later, the doorbell rang.

When Faith opened the door, Richard stood waiting on the porch in a charcoal-gray suit, holding a bouquet of deep red roses.

For a moment...

Neither of them spoke.

"You look beautiful," Richard said softly.

Faith smiled.

Together they made their way to his family's music club.

The little juice joint overflowed with laughter, music, and conversation. Black Couples danced beneath strings of glowing lights while friends crowded around tables sharing drinks and stories.

Richard bought Faith her favorite fruit drink before leading her to a quiet corner of the room.

As always, conversation came effortlessly.

Faith laughed at nearly everything Richard said, entertained by his sense of humor.

Richard found himself forgetting everyone else in the room.

Every time she smiled, it felt as though the entire world became brighter.

Then...

The band began playing "At Last” by Glenn Miller. 

Richard's eyes widened.

He looked at Faith.

"May I have this dance?"

Faith placed her hand in his.

"I'd love to."

As they stepped onto the dance floor, the noise around them slowly faded.

The crowded room disappeared.

The music became the only thing either of them could hear.

Surrounded by neighbors who had come searching for joy in a world that too often denied it to them, Richard and Faith held each other close.

For those few precious minutes...

There was no segregation.

No hatred.

No fear.

Only two souls who somehow felt as though they had already loved one another for a lifetime.

Faith rested her head against Richard's chest.

She could hear his heartbeat.

Steady.

Certain.

Safe.

When the song ended, neither of them let go.

Richard looked into her eyes.

His own shimmered with tears.

"I know how this sounds."

He smiled through a nervous laugh.

"We've only known each other a short while."

He took a slow breath.

"But I've spent my whole life waiting for someone like you"

He gently held both of her hands.

His voice trembled.

"Faith... I don't believe this is chance."

"I believe God brought you to me."

He slowly lowered himself onto one knee.

The room fell silent.

Every conversation stopped.

Every eye turned toward them.

Richard reached into his pocket.

There wasn't a diamond ring.

Only a simple silver band that had belonged to his grandmother.

"It's not much," he admitted.

"But it's all I have."

He looked up at her with tears in his eyes.

"I don't want your money."

"I don't care where you've come from."

"I don't care what tomorrow brings."

"I just know..."

"...that I want to spend the rest of my life loving you."

He smiled.

"Faith..."

"Will you marry me?"

Tears streamed freely down Faith's face.

She looked around the room.

Then down at the engagement ring George had forced onto her finger.

Slowly...

She slipped it off.

The room watched in breathless silence.

Faith looked back at Richard.

"Yes."

A smile spread across her face.

"Yes, Richard."

"I'll marry you."

The club erupted.

People leaped to their feet cheering, clapping, and smiling.

Richard slipped his grandmother's ring onto Faith's finger before lifting her into the air and spinning her around.

Faith laughed through tears she couldn't stop.

Around them, strangers celebrated as though they had witnessed something holy.

And perhaps they had.

For in a world determined to separate them...

Love had found its way.

Faith the Second 

Faith made her way into the kitchen where her mother and grandmother were already waiting.

The table was filled with all of Faith's favorites.

Fried chicken.

Creamy macaroni and cheese.

Collard greens.

Fresh cornbread.

Soul food had always been the family's love language.

Faith happily fixed herself a plate.

The moment she sat down, she could already tell neither of them cared nearly as much about dinner as they did about hearing the story of Elijah.

Faith smiled mischievously.

"What?" she asked innocently before taking a bite.

Dionee laughed.

"What do you mean, what? Girl, spill the tea!"

She leaned across the table.

"That man is fine."

Grandma Zora burst into laughter.

"I still can't get over it," she said, shaking her head.

"He looks so much like my daddy it's almost frightening."

She paused for a moment.

"You know..."

"I've been doing some research."

She looked between them.

"A photographer told me they might be able to restore the picture inside my mama's old locket."

"I still have it."

Dionee gasped, placing a hand over her mouth.

"Mama!"

"Really?"

"I've never even seen what my grandfather looked like."

Faith smiled.

"I'd love to see it too."

Dionee quickly pointed her fork toward her daughter.

"Now don't think you're changing the subject."

She grinned.

"How did you meet that handsome man?"

Faith laughed.

"I was sitting in the park listening to music."

"He just walked over and started talking to me."

"And?"

Grandma Zora leaned in.

"And..."

Faith smiled to herself.

"We talked for hours."

"The conversation just... flowed."

"He's intelligent."

"Funny."

"And..."

She looked down at her plate.

"...he seems really kind."

Grandma Zora nodded thoughtfully.

"But is he a man of God?"

Faith looked up.

"Yes."

"We actually talked about our faith."

"He told me God carried him through some really difficult seasons of his life."

Her voice softened.

"I think he's been through more than he lets people see."

For a moment she quietly pushed her food around her plate, her heart aching for the hurt little boy Elijah once was. 

Dionee noticed.

"I know that look."

"What look?"

"The one where you've already started caring about somebody."

Faith rolled her eyes.

"I have not."

"You have."

"I have empathy."

"Mmm-hmm."

Faith laughed.

"Okay... maybe a little."

She looked at her mother.

"He's actually picking me up later for ice cream."

"Is that okay?"

Dionee smiled.

"Of course."

Grandma Zora nearly dropped her fork.

"Ice cream?"

"At night?"

She looked horrified.

"That young man doesn't need to be keeping you out late."

"You're a young lady."

Dionee sighed with amused frustration.

"Mama..."

"She's twenty-two years old."

"She graduated college."

"She's responsible."

"I think she'll survive one bowl of ice cream."

Grandma Zora folded her arms.

"I still don't like it."

Faith reached across the table and gently squeezed her grandmother's hand.

"I'll be careful."

Zora finally smiled.

"I know you will."

Before the conversation could drift into one of her grandmother's famous lectures, Faith quickly changed the subject.

"Mom..."

She looked at Dionee.

"Can you finish telling me Grandma Faith and Richard's story?"

"I've been thinking about it all day."

The warmth in the room seemed to disappear.

Dionee's smile slowly faded.

So did Zora's.

Faith immediately regretted bringing it up.

"I'm sorry."

"I didn't mean to make y'all sad."

Grandma Zora reached across the table and held her granddaughter's hand.

"It's alright, baby."

Her voice was gentle.

"Your mama told me she's been telling you our family's story."

She smiled sadly.

"It's about time."

"Even if it doesn't have the ending we all wanted."

Faith swallowed.

"I know Great-Grandpa Richard died young..."

She hesitated.

"...but nobody has ever told me how."

Silence settled over the table.

Grandma Zora's eyes drifted somewhere far beyond the dining room.

It was as though she had stepped back into another lifetime.

Dionee looked at her mother with quiet understanding before taking a slow breath.

"After Richard proposed..."

"They started planning their wedding almost immediately."

"They were going to leave South Carolina and come here to Chicago."

"A fresh start."

"A new life."

"One free from abuse."

"Free from hatred."

"Free from the ghosts that had followed them since childhood."

She looked at Faith.

"They believed they were finally going to get their happily ever after."

She paused.

"They had no idea..."

"...how quickly everything was about to change."

Faith 

In the next month, Faith saw Richard every chance she got, telling her parents she was out with George. Together, they planned their wedding and decided to marry in the backyard of his grandmother's old house. Although Richard wasn't close to his immediate family, his uncle still lived there with his wife and children. They were well-respected members of the community and had always treated Richard with kindness.

Faith confided in her pastor about George's abusive behavior and how her parents were trying to force her into marriage. After hearing everything, he agreed to secretly marry Faith and Richard until they could leave for Chicago. Richard had a former coworker who had recently moved there with his family and had offered them a place to stay until they could get on their feet.

Richard was hesitant at first about having the pastor marry them. Although his grandmother, whom he loved dearly, had instilled strong values in him and taught him about the Bible, he still carried deep anger over his father's abandonment and his mother's decision to choose drugs over her sons. Because of that pain, he had drifted away from God.

But falling in love with Faith slowly brought him back. He began reading his Bible again and even met with her pastor several times, seeking guidance and the kind of steady male mentorship he had never truly had.

Richard wanted to go to Chicago with Faith because of the racism they endured in their small South Carolina town. He dreamed of giving his future family a fresh start, far away from the old prejudices that seemed woven into the very soil and from the white families who held power over the town.

The day before their wedding, Faith received a call from George.

"Word's going around town that you're marrying some Negro boy. Is that why you've been avoiding me?" he spat, his voice dripping with rage and disgust.

Faith expected to be terrified when she heard his voice, but instead, she felt an unexpected calm wash over her.

"Yes, I am, George," she replied firmly. "You are a cruel and selfish man. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. Leave me alone. I'm marrying Richard, and I never want to hear from you again."

Without waiting for a response, she slammed the receiver onto the hook. For the first time, she allowed herself to feel every ounce of anger that had been building inside her after months of his abuse, manipulation, and cruelty.

She finished packing the last of her belongings from her parents' house. Before she left, she placed a short note on the kitchen table.

She told them she was marrying Richard and that she no longer wished to have them in her life.

Then, without looking back, Faith walked out the front door.

Then Richard picked her up and took her to his modest home, conveniently located just down the road from her own, but on the Negro side of town. As she climbed into his car, she didn't even glance back at the house she had once called home. Richard drove her down the very same road where they had first met.

The next morning, it was time for their wedding.

Richard's uncle and his family had beautifully decorated the backyard, transforming it into the perfect place for the ceremony. Richard's friends from work came, along with Faith's pastor and her close friends from church. It was a beautiful celebration filled with laughter, dancing, and the joy of true love that lasted until the stars illuminated the night sky.

Later, when they finally had time alone, they consummated their marriage. It was the happiest day of their lives. Little did they know, it would also be the last night Richard and Faith would ever fall asleep in each other's arms, skin to skin, holding one another as though they were one.

After spending the entire next day enjoying each other's company, Faith decided to go into town to buy groceries so she could prepare their first meal together as husband and wife.

Before she left, Richard kissed her gently on the forehead.

"I'll miss you, my sweet."

Faith smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'll be back before you know it."

When she arrived at the grocery store, she carefully picked out the ingredients she needed for supper. She shopped at the white grocery store because the produce was fresher and the selection was better. Growing up, it was also the store she had always been more familiar with.

As she stood in the fruit aisle, she felt someone staring at her with unmistakable jealousy.

It was Linda Sinclair.

Linda was two years older than Faith, but because Faith had skipped ahead academically, they had shared several classes over the years. She was an attractive white woman with a curvy figure and striking blue eyes. However, she wasn't particularly intelligent and had earned a reputation around town for sleeping with married and unmarried men alike.

Faith knew George occasionally spent evenings with Linda. Truthfully, she never minded. Whenever he was with Linda, it meant he was leaving Faith alone.

"Hey, Negro girl," Linda said, her voice dripping with malice.

"My name is Faith," she replied calmly, never taking her eyes off the fruit she was selecting. She refused to let Linda steal her peace, especially now, when she was happier than she had ever been.

"So, you and George called off the wedding, huh?" Linda smirked. "Found yourself a new beau?"

She laughed under her breath.

"It's about time you found someone of your own kind."

Faith looked at her with satisfaction.

"I sure did. Now George is all yours."

Faith knew she probably should have just walked away, but Linda had bullied her for years, and for once, she decided to stand up for herself.

"Or does he just want you for the night?"

Linda's cheeks flushed with anger and, Faith noticed, a hint of embarrassment.

"Be careful, girl. George doesn't like being made a fool of."

"Is everything all right over here?" the grocery attendant asked, walking over.

Linda flashed a hateful smile.

"No, it isn't, sir. This Negro girl started bothering me for no reason. I want her out of here."

The attendant looked flustered.

"We can't have that. You need to leave."

Faith sighed in frustration. She had seen this attendant many times before.

"Sir, she started it—"

He cut her off.

"I said leave, girl."

Faith nodded, disappointed but not surprised by the way she was being treated. She left her basket of groceries in the middle of the aisle and quietly walked out of the store. Instead, she made her way to the Negro grocery store.

~

After Faith finished shopping at the other store, nearly two hours had passed. It had taken her longer to find everything she needed because she wasn't as familiar with the layout. It was now close to eight o'clock, and the sky was beginning to darken.

She knew Richard would probably be a little worried.

When she pulled into the driveway, she saw Richard smoking a cigarette, gazing thoughtfully up at the stars.

The moment he heard her pull in, he looked over and smiled with excitement.

All of the frustration and anger Faith was feeling previously faded the second she saw his handsome face.  

She rushed to his embrace and Richard held her face before saying, “Welcome home my sweetheart.” 

Faith smiled and said, “I’m sorry it took me a little longer than expected." 

Richard held her face tighter his voice lowered, 

“It’s okay I knew you’d come back to me baby.” 

They kissed passionately and then suddenly a loud gunshot flew into Richard's back, he groaned in agony, bleeding profusely. 

Faith in shock, held on to him until he fell to the ground. 

“I’ll see you in hell nigger, it’s a sin to steal someone's wife.”

Faith, staring up in despair and shock, looked into the eyes of her ex fiancé George. 

He smiled looking at her distraught face, and walked back to his car with Linda in the passenger seat. His car was hidden and off the road disguised by the trees. 

Richard moaned from pain and Faith went into “fight” mode remembering what she had learned from her studies of science and medicine, she took off her coat to stop the bleeding. 

Richard gasped for air blood coming out his mouth, 

“Richard baby…. Stay with me.. Stay with me baby please.” Faith cried holding him. 

“Faith.” he groaned. 

Life went out of his eyes, and then they closed. 

Faith felt his pulse there wasn’t one, 

“RICHARD!” she screamed. 

Immediately she did CPR on him over and over, finally an ambulance came and the paramedics pulled her off him. 

“Let us take care of this mam” they told her. They wheeled him away as Faith joined them in the ambulance.

~

Faith sat in the waiting room with blood still staining her clothes. She prayed and prayed for God to save him. Her eyes closed as she rocked back and forth in her chair.

"Mrs. Williams," the doctor said.

Faith snapped out of her trance.

"Yes?" she asked shakily, terrified of what he was about to say.

But the sympathy on his face said it all.

"He didn't make it."

Faith could no longer feel her legs. She collapsed to the floor, closed her eyes, and let out a scream of pure despair.

It felt as though she had broken through the hospital floor and fallen into a dark, endless void. She was beyond heartbroken. Richard had become the other half of her soul. She didn't want to live in a world that no longer had him in it.

But George had murdered him.

Richard was gone.

One Month Later

Faith went through the motions as she planned the funeral alongside Richard's family, her pastor, and their friends. To make matters worse, she felt physically miserable in addition to her heartbreak. Every morning she woke up nauseous, and she was exhausted all the time.

Just before the funeral, she finally went to the doctor to find out what was wrong.

They told her she was with child.

Although Faith found comfort in knowing she would always have a piece of Richard with her, she was devastated by the thought of raising their baby without him.

She went to the police and gave her statement, telling them that Richard had been murdered. But Richard's family and friends knew justice was unlikely to be served. To the authorities, he was just another dead Black man. In their eyes, it was one less "Negro" to worry about in a town where Black people were welcomed only for their labor, just as they always had been.

The police's indifference did not stop those who loved Richard from honoring his life.

Customers from the auto shop, Faith's pastor, Richard's family, coworkers, and friends all came together to celebrate the man he had been. They spoke of his wonderful sense of humor, his love of music, and the compassion he showed everyone around him. They remembered how he was always willing to help someone fix their car, often charging less than he should if he knew they were struggling. Everywhere Richard went, he left people a little better than he found them.

Faith was too overcome with grief to speak. She simply sat in the front pew, one hand resting gently over her stomach, silently wishing Richard could have met the child they had created together.

Her pastor gave an amazing speech at the funeral in which he said

 “That even though we can’t understand the ways of the devil and wicked things he does in the world. We must rely on our faith to carry us through the darkest times so that we can appreciate the light that’s on the other side.” 

After the funeral she confided in him as she had so many times saying how defeated she felt without him, and how she was pregnant. 

He told her to lean not on her own understanding and to trust God’s will.

"There is some sunshine in this storm and it’s that baby, be strong for your child Faith that’s what Richard would want."

Faith knew he was right, the co-worker they were supposed to stay with in Chicago was staying at their place for the funeral. 

She met with him and his family and said that she wanted to take all of the money Richard had saved up, and sell their house, and still move in with them to Chicago and raise her child. 

His wife stayed at home so she could look after the baby, while Faith used the money to put herself in nursing school. 

And then once she was on her feet she would get her own place. 

They agreed, and admired her strength. After she got the house sold, she moved in with them in Chicago and started her new life. 

And even though Richard wasn’t physically here Faith carried him in her heart, and she knew she always would— infinitely. 

Faith the Second 

Zora's eyes filled with tears after hearing the painful ending of the story. She had told it to her daughter so many times over the years, yet every time she reached the end, it still made her cry.

Faith stood up and wrapped her grandmother in a hug.

"It's okay, Grandma. He's in a better place."

"Amen to that, sweetie."

"And then she became a nurse in Chicago, right?"

"Yes," Zora said proudly. "A darn good one too."

"She always used to tell me I was her American Dream because it was through raising me that she found the strength to move forward and build a better life for herself, even through all her grief."

"And she succeeded," Zora added. "I went to a great school, never wanted for anything, and my husband, your grandfather Claude, took good care of us until the day he died. My mother absolutely adored him."

Zora smiled.

"And look at my baby, Dionne. She's a little crazy, but she turned out all right."

The three of them laughed, and for a moment, the heaviness in the room lifted.

Zora reached over and took Faith's hand.

"Your sweet soul reminds me so much of her."

"I tell her that all the time," Dionne said, smiling proudly at her daughter.

Embarrassed by all the attention, Faith felt her cheeks turn pink.

"Thank you for finally telling me about Grandma Faith, Mom."

Zora smiled before letting out a tired yawn.

"Ladies, you both know it's past my bedtime. I think I'm going to head home."

Faith and Dionne hugged Zora goodbye. Before leaving, Faith insisted on cleaning the kitchen while her mother walked Zora to the door.

As she washed the dishes, her favorite playlist hummed softly through the kitchen. Her mind wandered to Elijah.

She replayed the warmth of his hug, the feeling of his hand in hers, and the smile that had been impossible to forget. Just thinking about him made her smile.

Then, almost as if he had heard her thoughts, her phone buzzed.

Elijah

On my way for that ice cream, beautiful. 😀

Faith looked down at the screen and couldn't help but grin.

And for some reason she couldn't shake the feeling that Elijah felt less like a stranger and more like a memory.

Elijah

Elijah paced back and forth through his living room, a nervous habit he had developed to quiet his racing thoughts.

He couldn't stop thinking about Faith—how beautiful she was, how kind she seemed, and how badly he wished he could freeze time just to stay in that park with her forever.

He wanted to preserve the memory exactly as it was: perfect and untainted.

But Elijah's life had taught him that good things never seemed to last for long. No matter how happy he was, he always found himself waiting for the next storm to arrive. A part of him refused to believe this could finally be the peace that came after years of hardship.

Elijah had been in foster care since he was five years old after his mother abandoned him. His three siblings had been scattered across the country. Although they tried to stay in touch over the years, the foster care system had already left its mark on all of them. These days, he only spoke with his older brother who was a couple years older, from time to time, and even they were no longer very close.

School became his escape.

He excelled in mathematics and found comfort in structure, routine, and predictability. At school, he knew what to expect. There was food to eat, teachers who cared, and a brief escape from the chaos that waited for him when the day was over.

Most of his foster families took him in simply for the monthly check. They neglected him more often than not, but in a strange way, he preferred neglect over abuse. The homes where he had been beaten were far worse.

Everything changed in high school when he was accepted into a boarding school for academically gifted students that were disadvantaged.

For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged somewhere.

The staff genuinely cared about the students, and his classmates became like family. The boarding school had more funding than most, giving the students opportunities many foster children never had.

One of those opportunities was attending church.

It was there that Elijah developed a relationship with God for the first time.

On the nights he cried alone in his room, feeling abandoned and unwanted, he began reading the New Testament. As he learned about Jesus and His love, something inside him slowly began to heal.

For the first time in his life, he didn't feel abandoned.

He felt loved.

He realized he didn't need an earthly father to complete him because he had a Heavenly Father who had never left him.

His pastor became the father figure he had always longed for—a wise Black man with a strong moral compass who challenged him to become the man God had created him to be. Even now, Elijah still sought his guidance whenever life became difficult.

Because of his exceptional grades and personal circumstances, Elijah earned a full scholarship to Northwestern University, where he studied civil engineering.

What he loved most about engineering was building homes.

Having never truly had a home of his own, he dreamed of one day building a house for himself and his future family—a place where they would always feel safe, loved, and protected. He wanted to become the kind of husband and father the Bible called him to be: a servant leader who loved his family well.

After graduating, everything finally seemed to fall into place. He landed a great job and had now been working as a civil engineer for two years. He became close friends with several coworkers and occasionally went on dates, though none of the relationships ever lasted or felt "right."

His first serious relationship was with a girl he met at Northwestern.

They planned to marry after graduation.

Then she cheated on him with one of his closest friends.

The betrayal shattered him.

With time, however, Elijah came to realize it had probably been for the best. She came from a wealthy family and cared deeply about appearances, status, and money. She constantly criticized him, made him feel like he was never enough, and rarely appreciated everything he did for her.

Looking back, Elijah realized he hadn't lost the love of his life.

He had simply escaped the wrong one.

Faith seemed nothing like his ex.

Her family had money, and going to their house had made that obvious. Even so, they all seemed incredibly genuine and humble.

But what if, one day, she expected more from him financially?

He made good money, but... would it ever be enough?

He thought he had worked through his abandonment wounds in therapy, but Faith was his dream girl in every way. Strangely enough, he could have sworn he had dreamed about her long before they ever met. During some of the darkest seasons of his life, those dreams had given him hope that one day everything would get better.

That was why he had walked up to her in the park.

She hadn't noticed him at first, but he had definitely noticed her.

She looked remarkably similar to the girl who had appeared in his dreams.

Then their eyes met.

She was even more beautiful than he remembered.

He wanted to know everything about her. It sounded crazy—even to him—but something deep inside whispered that she belonged in his life.

Then his thoughts began to spiral.

What if she doesn't stay?

What if I'm still not healed enough for her?

What if I'm so afraid of being abandoned again that I end up hurting her because I'm afraid to... love again?

Whenever fear, doubt, or uncertainty crept into his mind, Elijah knew exactly what to do.

He prayed.

Closing his eyes, he sat down on the couch and folded his hands.

"God, please guide me through this. If I'm meant to continue getting to know Faith, please give me a sign and fill my heart with peace. In Jesus' name, amen."

Almost instantly, a calm settled over him, as gentle as moonlight reflecting across still ocean water.

He smiled.

That was the reassurance he needed.

He picked up his phone and sent Faith a text saying he was on his way.

Faith

Can't wait. 💗

Her reply came almost immediately.

Elijah couldn't help but smile.

He slipped on his coat and headed for the front door of his cozy, thoughtfully decorated apartment.

His unit was on the first floor, overlooking a grassy courtyard with a small pond nearby.

As he opened the door, he noticed a frog sitting quietly on the welcome mat.

The moment he stepped outside, it hopped away into the grass.

Elijah laughed to himself.

Maybe that was his sign.

Despite all his fear, it was finally time to take a leap of faith.

Faith

A knock came at the door.

Faith was still getting ready, drying her braids after her shower and changing into a fresh outfit.

She heard her mom welcome Elijah inside and lead him to the living room.

When Faith walked out, Elijah froze.

"Wow," he muttered.

Faith blushed at his reaction. He looked incredibly handsome, and suddenly she felt a little shy.

He was holding a bouquet of sunflowers.

So that's why he asked what my favorite flower was, she thought, smiling to herself.

But, as always, her mom was the first to break the silence.

Dionne walked over, wrapped Faith in a hug, and kissed her on the cheek.

"Isn't my baby beautiful?" she beamed, a glass of wine still in her hand.

Faith laughed and shook her head.

"Okay, Mom... we'll be back."

She took the flowers from Elijah, placed them in a vase in the living room, then returned and reached for his hand as they made their way toward the front door.

"It was really nice seeing you again," Elijah said to Dionne.

"Just make sure it isn't the last," Dionne replied with a smile.

"And Faith..." she called after them. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

The two of them laughed as they stepped outside.

~

They stopped at a nearby ice cream shop and, once again, lost themselves in conversation.

They laughed beneath the stars at a small table outside, talking about everything and nothing at all. Somewhere between stories, Elijah reached across the table and gently took Faith's hand.

She smiled and intertwined her fingers with his.

Eventually, a young employee nervously approached them.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, "but we close at ten."

Elijah smiled kindly.

"No worries at all. Thank you."

He gathered their empty cups and threw them away before returning to Faith.

He hesitated.

He wasn't quite ready for the night to end.

Faith felt the same way.

Being with Elijah felt almost dreamlike. Time seemed to slow down and race by all at once, and no matter how many hours they spent together, it never felt like enough.

"If you want..." Faith said, smiling shyly, "we could go back to your place for a while and watch a movie or something."

Elijah's face lit up.

"You sure?"

Faith nodded.

Without saying another word, Elijah reached for her hand. He walked her to the car, opened the passenger door for her, and then drove them back to his apartment.

Elijah and Faith naturally settled into each other's arms as they lay in his bed. The movie played quietly in the background, their conversation had engulfed its sound.

Eventually, a comfortable silence settled between them.

Elijah took a nervous breath.

"Faith... I really, really like you."

Faith smiled warmly.

"I like you too, Elijah."

She shook her head with a small laugh.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you believe in past lives?"

Elijah smiled, amused.

"I guess I haven't really given it much thought."

Faith looked down at their intertwined hands.

"I don't know... My mom told me my great-grandmother's story, and then I met you in almost the exact same way she met Richard. It just feels like it's all connected somehow."

She looked up at him.

"Sometimes I feel like I've known you before... in another life."

Elijah smiled softly.

"I don't know if that's true," he admitted. "But everything with you feels so natural."

His voice grew quieter.

"And if it is true..."

He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I'm just happy I found you again."

Faith smiled and rested her head against his chest.

"Me too."

Feeling completely safe, she slowly drifted to sleep to the sound of Elijah's heartbeat.

Not long afterward, Elijah closed his eyes as well.

For the first time (in this lifetime), they both fell asleep peacefully in each other's arms.

~

Faith opened her eyes.

She was sitting behind the wheel of an old-fashioned car.

She frowned.

She was wearing elegant vintage clothing, complete with white gloves.

Confused, she glanced into the rearview mirror.

Her face looked almost identical to her own, with only subtle differences. Her braids were gone, replaced by beautifully curled natural hair.

She looked exactly like her great-grandmother.

Yet it didn't feel as though she were simply looking at her.

She was her.

Suddenly, Faith found herself floating above the car.

Below, she saw another vehicle hidden in the darkness.

Inside sat George.

Linda was beside him.

They were watching.

Moments later, Faith watched herself—no, Grandma Faith—step out of the car.

Richard was waiting.

Her breath caught.

Grandma Zora had been right.

Richard looked just like Elijah.

The two embraced, exchanged a few quiet words, and then kissed passionately.

Faith turned toward George.

His eyes burned with rage and hatred.

A pistol rested tightly in his hand.

"No!" Faith screamed.

But no sound escaped her lips.

It's the divine plan.

A gentle voice echoed around her.

Without seeing anyone, Faith somehow knew it was God.

Helpless, she watched George raise the gun.

The shot rang out.

Richard collapsed as the bullet struck him in the back.

In an instant, Faith was no longer floating.

She was back inside her great-grandmother's body.

She dropped to her knees, cradling Richard as his blood soaked into her dress.

She held him tighter and tighter as his breathing grew weaker.

Then...

Everything went black.

Faith jolted awake.

Richard

Richard was beginning to grow restless.

Faith had been gone for nearly two hours, even though the grocery store was only a short drive away.

A quiet uneasiness settled over him, one he couldn't explain. Hoping to calm his nerves, he stepped onto the front porch, settled into the porch swing, and lit a cigarette.

As he smoked, his eyes drifted upward to the stars.

His mind wandered back to their wedding night.

He remembered dancing with Faith beneath that same sky, laughing together as though the rest of the world had disappeared.

A smile spread across his face.

There has to be a God if He blessed me with someone like Faith.

She had become a light in every dark corner of his life.

Someone who had shown him love when he had only known abandonment.

He thought about the conversations he had been having with Faith's pastor.

The pastor had once told him, "Faith has grown up in this church. She deserves a husband who is devoted to God."

Richard had smiled and replied, "One day... when I'm ready, I'll give my life to Him."

As he gazed into the night sky, a brilliant light suddenly appeared.

It was far brighter than the moon, illuminating the darkness around him.

Richard sat completely still.

He couldn't move.

He couldn't speak.

Yet instead of fear, he felt an overwhelming peace.

"Trust Me, son."

The voice was deep, authoritative, and filled with perfect love.

Richard knew instantly it was God.

Tears welled in his eyes as he closed them.

"I surrender to you, God," he whispered. "I give you my life."

The moment the words left his lips, he heard a familiar sound.

Faith's car door closing.

He opened his eyes.

A profound peace settled over him.

He couldn't wait to hold his wife again.

As she reached him and they embraced and kissed, Richard felt a sudden, searing pain explode through his back.

His knees began to give way.

Faith caught him before he hit the ground.

As he looked into her eyes, something changed.

She seemed almost radiant.

The brilliant light he had seen moments before now surrounded her, growing brighter and brighter until it wrapped around them both.

His pain slowly faded.

"Faith..." he whispered weakly.

Then everything became still.

Richard felt himself slip free from his body.

In an instant, he found himself standing once again within that brilliant light.

The place around him was more beautiful than anything he had ever imagined.

Rolling fields stretched into the distance. Crystal-clear rivers shimmered beneath the light. Towering trees swayed gently in the breeze, and every flower bloomed with breathtaking color.

Everything was alive.

Everything was whole.

Everything was at peace.

"Welcome back, my son."

Richard recognized the voice immediately.

It was God.

Richard smiled through tears he no longer understood.

He was finally home.

Elijah

Elijah jolted awake.

His heart was pounding.

Beside him, Faith stirred and opened her eyes.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Elijah slowly held his hands out in front of him, staring at them in disbelief.

He looked over at Faith.

"I... I just had the strangest dream."

Faith sat up.

"What happened?"

"It wasn't just a dream." His voice trembled. "It felt real."

He swallowed hard.

"I was someone else... someone named Richard."

Faith's eyes widened.

"We were married," Elijah continued. "I remember loving you more than anything. Then... I was shot. I died in your arms."

His breathing grew shallow.

"And after I died... I found God."

He looked at her, tears beginning to form in his eyes.

"It all felt so real."

Faith's mouth fell open.

Without taking her eyes off him, she slowly began telling him everything.

She told him about her great-grandmother Faith.

She told him the story her Mom had shared.

Then she described the dream she had just experienced—living through her great-grandmother's final moments with Richard and watching George pull the trigger.

When she finished, silence filled the room.

They simply stared at one another.

Neither of them knew how to explain what had happened.

Finally, Elijah spoke.

"Faith..."

His voice cracked.

"You came back to me."

A tear rolled down his cheek.

"We found each other again."

Faith smiled through tears of her own.

"I found you too."

She leaned forward and kissed him.

Long.

Tenderly.

When they pulled apart, Faith wrapped her arms around him, resting her forehead against his.

Elijah held her as though he never wanted to let go.

"I found you again," he whispered.

Faith smiled.

"And God brought us back together."

They embraced once more, holding each other in complete silence, as the morning light slowly poured through the bedroom window.

Neither of them knew what the future held.

But somehow, they both knew they would never truly lose each other again.

Faith The Second

From that day forward, Elijah and Faith became inseparable.

Believing that God had reunited them after a love that had once been cut short, they embraced the second chance they had been given.

Of course, not everything came easily.

Elijah still had to work through the wounds of abandonment that had followed him since childhood, and Faith learned to meet those moments with patience, grace, and understanding. Together, they attended church faithfully and leaned on their pastor and community to help guide them through every season of their relationship.

That Christmas, Elijah proposed to Faith in front of Grandma Zora, Dionne, and their closest friends.

Through tears of joy, she said yes.

Inspired by everything she had learned about her great-grandmother and the extraordinary experiences she and Elijah had shared, Faith wrote their story on her journalism blog.

To her surprise, it spread across the internet.

Thousands of readers shared stories of their own—accounts of miraculous coincidences, answered prayers, supernatural experiences, and enduring love. Many wrote that Elijah and Faith's story gave them hope that they, too, might one day find a love that was genuine, lasting, and guided by God.

The overwhelming response inspired Faith to launch a podcast called Leap of Faith, named after the story Elijah had shared about the frog on his doorstep before their first ice cream date.

Through her podcast, Faith gave people a place to tell their stories. Week after week, she interviewed guests who spoke about surviving hardship, finding purpose, and discovering God's faithfulness in the darkest moments of their lives. Her platform became a source of encouragement for thousands of listeners around the world.

Meanwhile, Elijah continued to thrive in his career.

After earning a promotion, he devoted even more of his time to the nonprofit he had dreamed of creating. Alongside several coworkers who had become close friends, he founded an organization dedicated to helping families living in shelters throughout Chicago.

Together, they began developing affordable neighborhoods in safer parts of the city, giving families the opportunity to experience stable housing, supportive communities, and a place they could truly call home.

It was the dream Elijah had carried with him ever since he was a little boy.

He also designed the home he and Faith would one day share in the suburbs of Chicago.

Construction would be completed in the fall of 2026.

At last, Elijah had something he had never truly known growing up:

A home.

Not just a house, but a place filled with love, safety, and peace—a place he would share with the woman he loved.

That summer, Elijah and Faith were married in a beautiful chapel surrounded by family, friends, and the community that had supported them along the way.

Grandma Zora and Dionne walked Faith down the aisle together.

After the ceremony, Elijah embraced them both, grateful for the family he had always longed for.

When they jumped the broom, the chapel erupted with applause, laughter, and tears of joy.

The moment carried a deeper meaning than anyone could fully express.

After all the racism, hatred, violence, and generational trauma that had separated Richard and Faith decades before, love had finally been given another chance.

This time...

It received its happy ending. For their first dance as husband and wife, Elijah and Faith swayed to "At Last" by Etta James.

It was the same song that had first brought Richard and Faith together so many years before.

Now, across generations, it had found them once again.

As the music filled the chapel, Grandma Zora smiled through tears, watching history rewrite itself with grace instead of tragedy.

Before the reception, Grandma Zora unveiled the restored photograph from her mother's old locket.

The faded image of Richard and Faith had finally been brought back to life.

She placed it on the couple's wedding table, where it quietly overlooked the celebration.

To everyone else, it was simply a treasured family heirloom.

But to those who knew the whole story, it stood as a sacred reminder that love is never truly lost.

And by the grace of God...

love always finds its way back home.

Faith

Faith smiled happily at her daughter and granddaughter.

Zora insisted that Faith move in with her and her husband, because of her elderly age. Faith had argued that she would be perfectly fine staying in the apartment where she had raised Zora, but her daughter refused to hear it.

"We only have each other," Zora had told her. "I'm not leaving you alone just because I have a family of my own."

Faith had smiled through tears.

Her daughter was her favorite person in the world.

Now, in her old age, it was Zora who lovingly cared for her.

Dionne was an absolute joy. She was free-spirited, larger than life, and had recently earned her degree in fashion design. She had already landed her dream job.

Faith couldn't stand the struggling musician Dionne was dating, but her granddaughter had always marched to the beat of her own drum, and Faith loved her too much to interfere.

The three of them were curled up together watching The Wiz, one of their favorite movies to enjoy as a family.

Faith, however, was unusually tired.

"All right, my beloveds," she said with a warm smile. "I'm off to bed."

"Aww, Mom, are you sure?" Zora asked.

Faith chuckled.

"Yes, I'm sure, baby. Goodnight, girls."

She kissed them both on the cheek before walking toward the hallway.

Before turning the corner, she looked back one last time.

The two women she loved most in the world were laughing together over a shared bowl of popcorn, consumed by the movie.

Faith smiled to herself.

She had lived a good life.

She quietly prepared a warm bubble bath.

Although she had lost the love of her life far too soon, God had blessed her with Zora.

Through her daughter, her broken heart had slowly been restored.

Watching Zora fall in love with a good man like Claude and become a mother herself had fulfilled Faith's greatest dream, her daughter's happiness.

As she rested in the warm water, her eyes slowly drifted closed.

She felt more tired than usual.

Then...

A brilliant golden light surrounded her.

Suddenly, she was young again.

She looked down.

She was wearing her wedding dress.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Richard appeared before her.

He looked exactly as she remembered—handsome, radiant, and smiling with the same warmth that had first stolen her heart.

The ache she had carried for decades disappeared the moment she saw him.

"Richard..." she whispered.

She ran into his arms.

"You waited for me."

He held her tightly.

"Always."

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes, a playful smile spreading across his face.

"What took you so long?"

Faith laughed through tears.

"Our daughter... and our granddaughter."

Richard smiled tenderly.

"I can't wait to meet them."

"You will?" Faith asked.

"I've watched over them from here," he said softly. "One day, I'll meet them face to face."

Faith tilted her head in confusion.

"How do you know?"

Without saying a word, Richard gently took her hand.

The world around them shifted.

Suddenly, they were standing inside a small, filthy crack house.

In the corner, a frightened little Black boy—no older than three years old—sat alone in nothing but a diaper, crying as the adults around him ignored him completely.

Faith's heart shattered.

She looked at Richard.

"Is... is that you?"

Richard nodded.

"How are you there... and here?"

He smiled.

"Time doesn't exist here the way it does on Earth."

He looked lovingly at the little boy.

"In my next life, my name will be Elijah."

He smiled.

"It means, 'My God is Yahweh,' or 'The Lord is my God.'"

Faith listened in stunned silence.

"My path will begin with suffering," Richard continued gently, "so that God can shape me into the man He has called me to be. Every hardship will prepare me for the life waiting ahead."

He squeezed her hand.

"And one day... He'll lead me back to you."

Faith stared at him in awe.

"Wow..."

Richard smiled knowingly.

"You'll be returning to Earth soon."

Faith's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he reached for her hand once more and led her toward the beautiful golden light that surrounded them.

As they walked together, he looked at her with the same love that had never faded.

"But until then..."

He smiled.

"...let's make up for lost time."

∞

Dionee

Dionne pushed with everything she had.

Her musician husband was nowhere to be found.

But her mother, Zora, stood faithfully beside her, holding her hand and encouraging her through every contraction.

"You can do this, baby. You're almost there."

One final push.

Then...

The room filled with the sound of a newborn's cry.

The nurse gently placed the baby girl into Dionne's arms.

She looked down at her daughter, overwhelmed by a love so deep, it could shake the earth.

The nurse smiled.

"What's her name?"

Dionne looked lovingly at her daughter before glancing over at Zora.

"I want to name her Faith."

She smiled through tears.

"After my grandmother."

"Her name was Faith."

Zora's eyes immediately filled with tears.

She wrapped an arm around her daughter and gently kissed the top of her head.

The two women smiled down at baby Faith, knowing that some names—and some loves—are meant to live on forever.

∞

Dedicated to my grandparents, James Scrivner and Margaret Scrivner.

Thank you for reading.

—Corrigan <3