Unable to control her fear any longer Cynthia shout at Sam. "You are responsible if anything happens to her.
You should have just told her the truth. So you better have a good answer ready for when Thomas comes home?"
"Why are you blowing this out of proportion Cynthia? The child is somewhere around we will find her before Thomas returns home."
"I hope to God that is true Sam, from what Mrs. Marva was telling me, she does gets sick when Thomas is not with her."
"And you believe that nonsense, Cynthia? The child is pregnant do you think she will do something to put the baby's life at risk?"
"Look, Sam, I am worried because if something happens to her Thomas will blame me. Don't you understand? I have never seen her sick, besides when her hand was damaged.
Other than that she always told me she was fine whenever I ask her. Sam Mrs. Marva is very worried because she hasn't eaten anything for the entire day. And as you can see she is nowhere to be found."
"Look, I am sure she is fine Cynthia, so please stop panicking."
Cynthia closed her eyes trying to blot out Thomas's words. Recalling when he had used threatening words to leave the house if anyone tells her anything.
Leaving her no other choice Cynthia began praying. "Lord, I haven't done anything to her and the way Thomas is angry with me, he might not want to listen to anything I have to say.
Please, Lord, he might just think I told her something to leave the house. Wherever she is, I am asking You to please keep her safe and bring her back safely.
And Lord, if that child she is carrying is my grandchild then keep the baby safe and healthy for us. I ask this in Jesus' name amen."
Sam listens to her praying as fear builds up, knowing it must be more serious than he thinks. Hearing Cynthia praying and the fear in her voice.
"So where could she disappear to? No one has seen her at the pens. And they have searched through the orchard. So tell me Lord where is she?"
****
Taking the taxi recalling that day she had circled the apartment when Thomas's mother had come to the apartment, making so much fuss.
The supermarket wasn't too far but she cannot recall the street name. Christa asked the driver to drop her at the Garden Fresh supermarket.
There she walks briskly to the apartment. Taking out his spear keys and hurried inside locking the door.
Christa recalled how Thomas had lit the wood in the hearth, and it helps to warm up the room.
Knowing now that was the only solution until he returns. Feeling the chilliness deep within her bones, causing weakness and pain that was unexplainable.
Christa hurried and did the same, trying to build the fire in the hearth. Then went and rinse herself with water as hot as she could bear it. Hoping the heat will warm up the entire room and her body.
Going to the kitchen getting a thermos filling it with boiling water and placing some packets of ginger tea and a few teacups and take them to the room.
Returning to the kitchen she boils a pot of fresh ginger tea. Taking it also to the room. Searching to see how many blankets she could get and rest them on the floor.
Then fill a steaming cup of ginger tea and rest the pot near the fire to keep it hot. Christa sits in front of the fire sipping the tea hoping it will keep her.
Allowing the heat to glide down slowly, 'If no one knows where he is, then I must find a way to keep my body warm.'
Closing her eyes, she lies, in front of the hearth. Thinking, 'All the walking today was not radiating sufficient heat to diminish the chilliness that begins.
Feeling such fear in her heart for the baby's life. 'I only hope he gets the note I leave him under the pillow? When he returns he will come straight to me. Oh Lord, what is happening to me? And why am I feeling so cold?"
As her inside trembles, Christa closes her eyes calling the name of the Lord to please help her. And to take away the coldness and help her body to feel warm?
Feeling the hot tears roll down her face as the fear builds up slowly. 'If I don't feel warm soon the baby's life could be at risk.'
Resting her hand on her stomach, Christa speaks to the baby. "Please, be strong for me my son."
Recalling when Thomas was speaking about the baby how happy he was. "If something happens to you now he will be broken."
****
Cynthia and Sam didn't sleep Thursday night pacing around the house. Cynthia checks every empty room having no idea where to look any longer.
While Sam had the men searching every corner in the pens and the pasture for her. The search continue during the day until he had given up.
Slumping down on the sofa unable to think where else to look. 'She was so happy for her birthday, now she must be thinking she has no one.'
Recalling her dad saying her Pastor brother will visit soon. Suppose he comes today or tomorrow what will we tell him?'
"Oh Father, she is your child, she has brought back this family from that road of destruction. Lord wherever she is, keep her safe, she has grown close to my heart. And Lord my son will be broken if something were to happen to her or my grandchild.
Did You bring her into our home to take her away now? No Lord I won't accept that, she loves you, and the work in my house is not complete as yet.
So touch her and strengthen her and wherever she is bring her back home safely and I promise to be faithful to You all the days of my life. I ask all of these mercies in Jesus' mighty name, amen."