When all you can do is wait

Chapter 10: This Can't Be the End

Meanwhile, Brenda's son Knox was having a heart-to-heart with his fiancée, Brittney.
"Honey, there's something on my mind I really want to talk about," Brittney said as she brought him snacks and juice.

Knox picked up the remote, but before he could turn the TV on, Brittney said, "I figured you'd do that—pretend to listen while watching TV. So I took the batteries out. You've got no choice but to listen."

Knox chuckled and set the remote down. "I'm all ears, babe."
Brittney sat beside him. "Knox, I love you. You make me happy. But I can tell you're holding on to hurt—and it's not good for you. You need to let it go. Talk to your brother and fix things. We all make mistakes, and we have to forgive, especially when it's family. Be the bigger person. Remember what the preacher spoke on last Sunday, Matthew 18:21–22—how Jesus told Peter to forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times? You have to do the same."

Knox sighed. "Britt, I've tried. But it's hard to forgive Kai. That pain runs deep. I love my brother, but every time I see him, I remember what he did. I want to let it go—I just don't know how."

Brittney held his hands. "You can do it—with God's help. The devil wants to plant hatred, pride, and envy in you, but you can't let that happen. Life's too short. We're getting married in a few weeks, and I want your whole family there. Can you do that for me?"

Knox felt something stir inside him—a whisper saying, "Listen to her."
"I don't know, Brittney," he said. "What if I try and nothing changes?"

"It's about faith," she said, standing up. "If you believe it won't work, it won't. But God can fix your relationship. Now stand up—we're going to pray."
Knox stood. Brittney took his hands.

"Oh gracious Father God," she prayed, "we come to You today asking that You touch my fiancé Knox. Remove the envy, pride, and unforgiveness he has toward his brother. Teach him to love as You love. Place in him a clean heart and a sound mind. Show him that You're working everything for his good. Thank You, Lord, for destroying what the devil thought he'd win. In Jesus' name we pray, amen."

Brittney came from a praying family, and she was determined that the family she was building with Knox would have the same foundation. She wasn't going to let pride destroy the bond between brothers.

But the devil was busy elsewhere—inside the prison.
Joe,had two young goons escort him to down to the new guy cell. He wanted a word with the him.

The new guy's cellmate creaked open the heavy metal door, he tried to be aggressive. "What y'all want?"

One of the bulky goons leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his posture radiating intimidation. "OG wants to talk to your bunkie. So I suggest you step out right now. We can do this the easy way or the hard way it doesn't make us any different.

The man hesitated but quickly stepped aside, not wanting to provoke any conflict. As he made way out the cell, Joe slipped through the door and shut it with a soft click behind him.

Inside the cramped cell, the new guy lounged on the top bunk, glued to a magazine covered with girls on the front cover, seemingly uninterested to Joe's arrival.

Joe cleared his throat, taking on a casual tone. "Ahh, young buck—you know who I am?"

Without lifting his eyes, the new guy replied, "No. Why should I? Your crew tried to press me yesterday. Im going to give you the the same message I gave them—I'm a boss myself. I don't fear no man."

Joe took a purposeful step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You don't know me, but I know you. Anthony Patrick—Fat Jack's protégé. You shot a cop, took out two rivals. You from the Douglas Street Mob. That little country prison you came from ain't got nothing on this jungle. Here, you either get down or you get found. So I'll say it again—put that magazine down, or you'll end up cold in this place."