Carried by the Beat of Grace
Ten Percent Heart Gave 100 Percent Love
by
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Hannah sat patiently. She was startled by a man sitting behind her. He was sure she would notice him. This made Hannah so uncomfortable that she had to turn around to see who was behind her. Their eyes locked, and he smiled at her. With a quick turn of her head, Hannah looked down. She could still feel his eyes on her. Her hands began to sweat due to her nervousness. She now had another gentleman suitor. He was different, a little older than Ismael, and he seemed very mysterious. Hannah was little scared but remained in her seat.
After the service was over, she knew Ismael would be coming to the house for their visit. She hurried home. I am happy that’s over. I couldn’t stand that strange man staring at me the whole time at church. But Ismael will be here soon, she thought with relief. Then she heard a knock on the door. It was Ismael. She went anxiously to answer it. To her surprise, it was that strange man who had sat behind her.
“Hello, I’m Luiz Antonio Torres. I would like to visit you if you will let me,” he told her.
Hannah wanted to melt at that very moment. “I’m taken, and my godfather is not home.” Then she heard her godfather come in from the kitchen asking who was at the door.
“Hello, I’m Luiz Antonio, and I’m interested in seeing your daughter.”
“My goddaughter is taken,” her godfather replied.
Hannah said, “I told him that, but he is still asking.”
This new strange man had no intention of giving up easily. He looked at Hannah with gentle eyes as if to say, “I do like you. I will be back to change your mind.”
Hannah put her head down. Her godfather asked the gentleman to leave and that he was not welcome anymore. Hannah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m so happy you came in time, Godfather.”
“Yes. I don’t like him,” he said.
Hannah wondered why but didn’t ask. She was just happy he was gone.
The next Sunday, Luiz Antonio came to church to see her. Hannah saw him from the corner of her eye. She turned around to get a better look to make sure it was him. Luiz Antonio saw her. She was wearing her white blouse and red skirt with her hair down. Hannah’s hair came down to her knees. It took Luiz Antonio’s breath away. She was so beautiful that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Not again! He is looking at me,” Hannah moaned. She hurried and took her seat, making sure she sat with family so there would be no way for him to sit next to her. But she still could feel him watching her.
After Mass, he came over again to ask if he could visit Hannah. Her godfather became angry and told him not to come around, but Luiz Antonio was not giving up. Every Sunday after church, he continued to come over. He was so obsessed with Hannah.
Hannah’s godfather was angry. “Next time he comes over I must explain that he can’t come over anymore.” But that talk didn’t work. Luiz Antonio was persistent. He was not taking no for an answer. It came to a point that her godfather decided to move Hannah to her uncle’s house. That way she was closer to Ismael.
Time passed, and Luiz Antonio had not seen Hannah at her godparents’ house for a while. He was getting desperate. He started to ask around for Hannah. Meanwhile, Ismael was so happy to have Hannah living closer to him because they could see each other more often.
Hannah was very much in love and planned to marry Ismael, but she still had to care for her uncle’s children and help with the chores. She was still not allowed to go to school. But her heart was waiting for Ismael. Hannah was a very strong young lady. She did men’s work; manual labor was routine for her. But her day always was elevated by Ismael’s visit. She hadn’t seen that awful strange man, who scared her. She remembered how he looked. He was very handsome with a dark complexion, and he kept himself fit. His thick, black hair was cut the normal length for a man, and she had to admit, he had a very cute smile. But she was relieved from him.
That Sunday Ismael came over, and they talked on the porch about marriage. Hannah was still timid around him. When Ismael would hold her hand, it made her blush, and she would put her head down. He would sometimes kiss her on her cheek, and she could feel her cheeks get red as he said good night to her.
At twenty-one years old, Hannah was a humble young lady, who was ready for marriage with her special man, Ismael. She was happy.
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About the Book
My mother in law Hannah and I, were two people who God carried through difficult times in our lives but had different perspective. Hannah was thankful for her Godparents who gave her a place to stay while her mother was in care of relatives. As for me I was full of anger and hatred for my father leaving me with a strange relative who I never met before. Since my mother had passed this would be my new home. Hannah saw everything in God’s eyes as for I saw everything in man’s eyes. Through her, I became a better person. She taught about giving of yourself freely with nothing in return but love from Jesus.
About the Author
Silvana Torres was born, educated in New Jersey. Graduated with a Degree Early Education at Bucks County Community College In PA. She worked as an educator, caregiver for several years. Her mother in law, “Hannah as she called her Mom, was the inspirational person that lead to the writing of her book, CARRIED BY THE BEAT OF GRACE, about Hannah’s life and of her own life. She hopes to create a future foundation in her name to benefit heart disease and literacy. Silvana is currently writing on several inspirational children’s stories. Silvana and her husband reside in Pennsylvania with their son Jr., grandson.