The Choice

As I have been trying to keep up with many things…writing being one of them…I enlisted the help of my Facebook friends and gleaned some great topics. Here is what I came up with. It is unfinished. The reason is because I want to see what type of endings YOU would write. That’s right, I am asking for you to give me your ending to this story. I do have an ending though not written down yet, but I thought it would be great fun to see how creative YOU can be…..So here is the beginning:

 

The wind blew outside. The storm was just beginning. The whistling sound swept across the door. The branches bent under the weight of the unseen wind. Leaves relented their hold on the stems and branches.

This was nothing compared to the storm that raged within Tara’s bosom. Thoughts of the past continued to haunt her. Was there no relief? How had she gotten here? How did everything get so out of control? Her thoughts drifted back to that time….

What was she thinking? If her parents found out, her boyfriend, neighbors, co-workers, grandparents, on and on it went, the list was endless of who would be hurt, devastated with what had happened. “Where was God in all of this?” Where had that thought come in. She hadn’t thought of God. Didn’t even believe He existed. As she sat huddled in the corner with her arms wrapped around her legs, she rocked. Tears streamed down her face. Stupid! That’s what she was! How could she have been so stupid! Her hand shook as she tried to wipe the tears. “What will I do now?” she thought. “I can’t disgrace my family. I can’t tell anyone. Who would believe me?” As the turmoil continued, a slow hatred began to snake its way into her heart. “Where was her father? Wasn’t he supposed to protect her? How could he, he didn’t even know where I was?” A shame and guilt mingled with a resolve to hide this away. Tara knew she would have to act as though nothing happened. She couldn’t let anyone in. Everything was gone. Innocence would no longer have a part of her. 

Now here she was living her life. Then Peter came into her life. He was different. He wasn’t like the others. His parents were a bit weird. They were “Jesus” people. Only they didn’t say the name like it was a cuss word. It was like they were best friends with him, but that wasn’t possible, was it? 

“Tara?” Peter whispered. Tara looked up. Peter knelt in front of her ready to gather her to him. “Sweet heart, will you tell me what has gotten you so upset?” Tara was tired. Tired of trying to control everything, tired of holding every dark hound at bay. He deserved her heart. But what would he think? She looked up into his handsome face. His eyes always held something she couldn’t quite put her finger on but it was comforting. He searched her eyes with his. How could she not tell her secret?
She was so tired of being the only one held captive. With a deep sigh, she looked at him and began to tell her story. When she was done she held her breath, she dared not breath because she was afraid he would walk away. He said nothing for what seemed an eternity. Did she dare speak his name? Would he… “I’m sorry” Peter whispered. Was that tears in his eyes? Had he felt her pain? “Tara? Would you mind if I pray for you, for us?” Tara looked at him. She didn’t know what to say. Was this a lifeline he was throwing to her? He saw the slightest nod of her head. Not knowing really how to begin Peter prayed, “Father, help Tara and I to forgive this man. Forgive us for not trusting you. Jesus, Tara needs to know of your love. I ask you to comfort her heart. Restore what’s been lost. Be her comfort, Holy Spirit and help me love her. Thank you for hearing and answering, in Jesus’ name. Amen.” 

For the first time, Tara felt light. As she looked at Peter, a dawning was forming in her heart. Love was replacing the bitterness that had taken residence there. Was it possible that God’s love was real for someone to take?