Too Anointed To Die

EPISODE 11: MRS. BENNETT'S SON

The long table was cold. 5 board members. Clipboards. Serious faces.

Ana sat in the back. Mrs. Bennett beside her. Holding her hand.

“Item 1,” said Pastor Mike. “Support group led by Ana Reyes. Motion to shut down.”

Ana’s heart pounded.

Mrs. Bennett stood up. Slow. 70 years old. But steady.

“Before you vote,” Mrs. Bennett said. “You should know why I’m here.”

She pulled out the same photo from the car. Young Claire. Holding a baby.

“This is my son, Daniel,” Mrs. Bennett said. Pointed to a man in the corner.

Daniel. 45. Hadn’t spoken all meeting.

“My son,” Mrs. Bennett continued. “He’s been sober 3 years. Because of a group like this. In Des Moines.”

Daniel looked down. Ashamed.

“Claire didn’t have a group,” Mrs. Bennett said. Voice broke. “She had a church that said ‘pray more.’ She had family that said ‘be strong.’ She didn’t have people who stayed.”

The room was silent.

“I lost my daughter because nobody stayed,” Mrs. Bennett whispered. “I will not lose these people too.”

Ana squeezed her hand.

Pastor Mike cleared his throat. “Thank you, Mrs. Bennett.”

Daniel stood up. “I’m with her,” he said. First words. “Don’t shut it down.”

Outside, Cedar Falls snow started falling.

Inside, one vote was about to change.`;