The Book of Zion
By D.T and Mr Stepford
2 Darlene 3
They were slightly startled when they heard a knock on Kate’s window. “Do you need any assistance ladies” Randall said as he leaned down in front of the window. Kate rolled down the window and replied “Yes our battery is dead could you give us a jump” almost immediately Kate put her hand on her mouth and Darlene saw Kate do something she didn’t think was possible she blushed. “Well I am afraid we don’t have any cables hear but I can call brother Stu at the garage. Randall open the door and offers his hand to help Kate out and to Darlene shock she accepted. As Randall called the garage Darlene walked over to Kate who still had a tight grasp on the materials the prophet gave her. Concerned Darlene asked “What’s gotten into you?” Darlene was a little relieved we Kate gave her standard what are you fucking crazy expression.” Nothing Darlene! " Kate replied “I’m perfectly fine for heaven sake”
The ringing of the church bell startled Darlene and then she checked her watch. Three o’clock. School was probably out now. Her guess was confirmed as a crowd of young boys in play clothes came tearing into the park chasing after a soccer ball. They were followed by a group of girls walking more slowly and talking among themselves. Darlene recognized some of them and started to turn away, but it was too late. “Darlene!” Emily broke away from the rest of the girls ran over and wrapped her arms around Darlene waist laying her head on the place on her stomach Annkia touched. The warmth she felt earlier returned and grew even more when she felt another little body wrap around her leg. She looked down saw Loren blue eyes. “We missed you” Emily and Loren said in unison “I missed you too little ones” Darlene replied
“Emily and Loren you know you are not suppose to run away like that” Theresa said the little one unlatched from Darlene but here freedom was brief as Theresa embraced her “welcome back sister” Seeing their eyes, his eyes jolted her but she soon recovered. “I’m, I’m not back, not to stay,” Darlene said wanting to make sure there would be no misunderstandings. “Wow, look at all of you. I think you’ve grown some. How’s your new brother or sister?”
“A blessing like all of God’s children” Theresa said “The lord brought her to us earlier then expected but she is in perfect health”. “Another girl” Darlene thinks to herself. " And who is your friend”Jacqueline ask as she approached. All the girl had surround Kate and Darlene “This is Kaitl...Kate” Darlene said Jacqueline approached Kate gently grab her hand and curtse “We are blessed to have you here sister, I pray God has revealed much to you here in Covenant” Jacqueline said. Darlene hope that before her usual sarcastic response Kate would remember that she was a child .“Th..thank you” Kate replied as she seemed to get lost in her deep blue eyes. Just then Randall returned with news
“Ladies, Brother Stu will be here momentarily. Kaitlyn, I hope your time with the prophet was, enlightening.” Oh boy, here it comes, Darlene thought as she braced herself to watch Kate tear Randall a new one. “It was....um....fascinating” Kaitl. ..Kate said “Be blessed my sisters” Brother Randall said he then took hold of Kate hand and gave her a slight bow Kate started to curtse but stopped herself. Kate eyes stayed locked on Randall as he walked to the church only to be pulled away by the sound of Jacqueline voice “You really should read chapter 12” “Excuse me” Kate said as she turned and looked into Jacqueline deep blue eyes “Chapter 12 it is about a women who doubts and mocks God until she is transformed by God love and becomes one his greatest missionaries” Jacqueline said as she puts her hand on Kate shoulder
At that moment a tow truck arrived and Darlene finally saw a man in Covenant who wasn’t wearing a suit. He was wearing the cleanest, neatest coveralls she’d ever seen. He also, she tipped her head slightly as she studied his face. Holy Cow! He was that car thief who’d been all over the news a few years ago. The one who’d led the cops on a high speed chase from Spokane to Seattle. “I understand you’re having car trouble?” he asked. “Battery’s dead,” she told him. “Well, let me take a quick look.”
As he headed over to the car Darlene begin to wonder why the mother weren’t here with the daughter. “While you’re waiting we can sing you song we just learned” Theresa said. The girls lead Darlene and Kate to a bench Theresa and four other stood in front of them while the rest of the girls surrounded them . Loren jump on Darlene lap and Emily snuggle up next to her. Jacqueline stood behind Kate and put her hands on her shoulders. The girls began to sing .Within Darlene a sense of feeling trapped warred with a sense of confusion. She certainly hadn’t expected anyone to be happy to see her after she’d cut and run.
“Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.”
Darlene looked at Kate her expression was going back and forth between bliss and confusion
“Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
Suffer the children to come to me.
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee.”
Trying avoid eye contact with the prophet sirens Darlene looked past them at the church. But it’s what was beyond church high above that caught her eye the mountain.
“Pray, he is there;
Speak, he is list’ning.
You are his child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.”
All the stress of the day, the long trip, the anxiety, and seeing everyone again was starting to get to her and she started to tear up.The tear begin to roll down her cheek but was wiped off by the little hand of Emily. As the song ended Theresa walked up and grab hold of one of Kate and Darlene hands and quoted from the book of Zion
“Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
“And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God”
Jacqueline took hold of Kate free hand and looked deep into her and said
“ They could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence.for they no longer rebel against the Lord. They became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more,
Theresa lock eyes with Darlene and continue the passage
“and they proclaim,The Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually to share the gospel and to dedicated ourselves to the ONE TRUE CHURCH”
Darlene pulled her eyes away from Theresa’s to see how Kate was reacting to all of this. She really hoped Stu would be finished with her car soon. She tried to make herself remember if they’d passed any restaurants or diners on the way here. She was starting to feel a hunger for something. Kate looked like she was almost in a trance like state “What you said where is it in here” Kate said as she held out the Book of Zion “I would like to read it ......for my research. ....of course” Jacqueline sat down beside her and open the book to the passage. Stu walked up with what Darlene hoped was good news
“I’m afraid you’re battery will need to be replaced,” he told her. “How long will that take?” Darlene asked. She was NOT going to spend another night here, not under the prophet’s roof anyway. “These Hybrids can be tricky, the dead battery could be the problem or be the symptom of a bigger problem. I will tow it back to garage and take a look at it. It will be a couple of hour before I know for sure” Stu said
“I see.” She reached into her bag for her cell phone. Time to call the rental agency. Maybe they could get her a replacement car. She flipped open her phone and stared at the little screen. No bars. “Does this mean you’re coming home with us?” Loren asked still perched on Darlene’s lap. “Uh.” Darlene looked at Kate. “Well I would like to see where the prophet live....so...I..could ..observe. .his home life.......for..for my research” Kate replied
Darlene REALLY didn’t want to see him again. At the same time she wasn’t sure of the advisability of leaving Kate alone with him. “I don’t want to impose,” she said trying to think how to lift Loren off her lap. “Nor do I want to disrupt your day any more. I’m sure I can wait at the cafe or something.” “Well we won’t hear of it” Darlene knew that voice she turned and saw Kelsey holding her baby with Annabelle and Samantha by her side. “You are never imposition my dear Darlene our home is your home”Seeing no graceful way to decline Darlene said, “All right. Turning to Stu she told him, “My cell phone doesn’t seem to be getting any reception. How can I get in touch with you?”
“I will come over to the prophet house when it is finished, Blessing” Stu said as he walked away. Loren and Emily took hold of Darlene hand as she got up. Jacqueline locked arms with Kate who did absolutely did nothing to stop it. Samantha walked over to the other side of Kate putting one hand on her shoulder the other on her arm “We are so blessed to have you here” Samantha said “Um...thanks” Kate replied. The girl line creating a wall between Kate and Darlene.
Kelsey lead the brigade as they began to walk. As they got closer to the mansion Darlene couldn’t shake that disturbing feeling the feeling like she was heading home