by Tannika Nikeya

Preparing Your Child For College

As we approach August, many families are getting ready to take road trips with necessities, fears, hopes, excitement, anxiety, goals and dreams to many college campuses. Your child survived and accomplished high school and is now about to step foot on a college campus as well as develop more independence. So, how do you prepare your child for his/her big day? Here are ten ways to prepare your child for his/her move in day at college:

Have all of their financial aid for school worked out. I always tell my students the first stop you make when you get on campus is the financial aid office (well if it is open). You want to know if everything is clear, what monies are coming in and going out or how much money you have to pay out of pocket regarding your tuition and fees. Have someone, if you have not, go over your child’s financial aid award letter to make sure you and your child understand it. If you and/or your child are pulling any loans, make sure you have completed the Loan Entrance Counseling (studentloans.gov) as well as understand loans and how they work. You don’t want any financial stress added to his/her first year of college.
Make sure your child actually applied to the school and has gotten accepted. I know this is a no-brainer; however, you be surprised how students say they are going somewhere only to not have applied or read through all of their college mail.
Attend orientation. If orientation is scheduled prior to move-in, please try your best to take advantage of this and go with your child. This is not only a very crucial informational session but a chance to settle any matters prior to move-in. It is also may be a chance to get a tour, get met with a warm welcome and greeted with kick off celebrations just for incoming freshmen and their families.
Have a heart-to-heart, transparent talk about some issues that can arise at school and how to use effective problem solving. Give scenarios and talk about any mistakes you have made in college or during your teen and young adult years. Discuss your expectations, their expectations, their fears, etc.
Teach him/her to not be afraid to ask for help. Also teach him/her how to be resourceful if he/she isn’t. A lot of students do not know how to navigate the campus for help and resources. Students can go to their school’s wellness center for counseling, advisement and dean’s office for issues with classes, their Dorm’s R.A. (Resident Assistant) for roommate issues, the financial aid office to sign up for work study and to inquire about scholarships and financial aid.
Pay the housing fee. And make sure he/she get to know his/her roommate via phone and/or social media. The schools have things set in place for your child to contact and get an overall sense of who his/her roommate may be. Your child also may have the opportunity to suggest or pick his/her roommate if a student he/she knows will be attending the same school and wants to roommate with that particular person.
Make a list of items needed to move in, for the first year of school. Have important documents pertaining to your child’s school in a special folder and handy. Obtain proper ID and parking passes if apply. Get and request gift cards if you prefer to buy necessities at a Walmart near or in the town of your child’s school campus when your child moves in and to have on hand when settled. Some times this is a less of a hassle than having to rent a truck or load lots of luggage in the back.
According to society19.com, you should also review school policy and guidelines with your child. See this site for an example of a college packing list. https://www.society19.com/10-things-to-do-before-college-move-in-day/
Make a list of things you need to do before you all leave. And spend quality time with each other. Your child would want to spend time with friends too so make room for that.
Pray with and over your child. Cover them with the blood of Jesus. Your child will be miles away from home but God is omnipresent and omniscient. He can be with you and your child at the same time. Trust in Him to never leave nor forsake your child.

Lastly, congratulations to all the 2018 GRADUATES (high school, college, kindergarten, apprenticeship programs)!!!!!!! Celebrate your accomplishments and thank God for giving you the grace to press through. I am so proud of you all. May God guide you, protect you, and may you trust and abide in the One who created us with love and purpose.

06.07.18

by Tannika Nikeya

Life and Life More Abundantly

Hey ya’ll! Here is a Late Post for a Throwback Thursday.

Have you received what God has already made available through His Son, Jesus? Are you living or just existing?

October Experience
I am so excited to even type this. Last Monday, stage lights of orange, red, purple and blue took their turns illuminating the musicians and artists as they sang and led us into prayer, praise and worship. It was amazing; I got to check “attend Worship/Christian concert” off of my bucket list that I had written solely in my head. Oh, I also met a new friend who too came alone to the Kim Walker-Smith (w/Chris Quilala and Urban Rescue) concert. She shared with me her testimony about beginning her healing journey after losing her husband a year ago. Her quest to do something new or something she hasn’t done in awhile each month was amazing to hear.
And before the concert, I had just attended a Christian Educators’ retreat that weekend. Although I incurred an injury to my face while attempting to play baseball during free time, I still had an amazing time there too with the worship services and sessions on restorative practices, trauma care, ACES Study, and rights as a Christian in the education field. There were loads of knowledge.
Attending both the retreat and concert gave me the opportunity to not only invest in the kingdom of God and support my siblings in Christ but to also challenge my comfort zone, gain knowledge about restoration, and learn more vulnerability. Moreover, I was blessed with the opportunity to experience God’s love.

After the retreat and concert, I was off with my sisters-in-Christ to experience New York and have a little faithcation full of opportunities to elevate my faith and learn to trust God. It sounds like I have been having a great time, doesn’t it?! Yes I have, but before these awesome experiences, I faced some challenges I didn’t think I would survive. Moreover, I have been dealing with something that can rob you of the experiences and joy I was experiencing this month. Had it not been for God showing me the power of His Word, I don’t think I would have had this testimony.

Fear
Fear had been rising in me lately like yeast in bread and I had been dealing with it over the years. I thought I had overcome it but now realize it has been gripping me like never before. I didn’t realize fear can manifest in many ways and in different stages, and build in different areas of your life. God delivered me from depression but now fear was back and in the form of anxiety and panic attacks. It also appeared in the form of people-pleasing, lack of confidence, and lack of trust in God.

The mind wars, emotional drainage, the worrying, the trying to keep life perfect as well as busyness were other symptoms of fear. Literally, things would trigger my past fears or create new ones. On the outside, I am looking like I am holding it all together and all is well and behind the scenes I am, on some days, waking up crying and feeling hopeless. But I am a believer of Jesus, a joint heir, a sibling of Jesus, and God is my Father and the Holy Spirit dwells in me. So, why am I walking timidly through life and not fully walking in the freedom of Christ Jesus?

John 10:10
This summer I came across the scripture through my daily devotional reading. I had read it numerous times but this time I heard it! John 10:10

Jesus came that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly. Now life here isn’t just any old life but the life that only Jesus can bring. It is NOT a life which Jesus becomes a genie in the bottle and wealth is hoarded. It is true life that is equipped with eternal treasures that the world cannot provide. When we accepted Jesus as our savior, it came with His life and a covenant between us and Him. It came with unfailing love, grace, joy, and freedom.

So why haven’t I walked in this fact consistently and received fully what GOD gave me through His Son?
Here are some reasons why:

I am listening to what others and the thief says. The devil is the father of lies and I keep listening to what he says about me instead of what God says about me.
I am not walking in the authority of Jesus.
I didn’t realize how valuable I am to God.
I had to begin to develop a grateful attitude.
I had to begin living my life in pursuit of God.
I have to surrender and come to the end of myself. Every area of my life belongs to Jesus.
I had to begin to make God my first priority.
I had to begin growing in my love walk.
I had to start to intentionally invest in God’s kingdom.
It is easy to go hibernate or hide under a rock when wounded, drained, or just need thinking and alone time. I had to remember that life is about relationship and discipleship and I can’t always isolate myself.
I had to learn to receive and not just give. I had to even learn to receive from God for myself.
I had to learn that life is a process, becoming spiritually mature is a process, and my faith walk is a process.

I want to experience as well as walk in the freedom and life Jesus came to give me so that I can fulfill my destiny here on this earth.

Now I am on a mission, to live simply, fruitfully, and purposefully. I want to experience as well as walk in the freedom and life Jesus came to give me so that I can fulfill my destiny here on this earth. That life He was talking about was already provided for and given to me so now it is up to me to claim what became mine through my covenantal relationship with Jesus.

He doesn’t want me or you to be paralyzed in fear, unafraid to seize our destinies, and too comfortable to not step out in faith.

I want to live and let Jesus continue on in His work through me. Life can be tough and life is not perfect. We are not perfect. Life can also be scary from time to time but God did not give me or you a spirit of fear, but that of power, love, and a sound mind. He doesn’t want me or you to be paralyzed in fear, unafraid to seize our destinies, and too comfortable to not step out in faith. He doesn’t want us with neither countenances of despair nor visages of defeat. He want us to realize who we are in Christ Jesus and how valuable we are that He would give His only begotten Son to die for us and give us life and life to the full.

05.13.18

by Tannika Nikeya

Nurturer of Life

Through a woman, we enter this world. By a mother’s love (not excluding a father’s love) are we nurtured from the womb to her heart, then her arms and out into the world. Sometimes, we are nurtured straight from her heart to her arms and then to the world. No matter what, there is a revolving door back to her heart and she loves her children unconditionally.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms!!! And I am praying sincerely for those moms who have lost children and children who have lost their mothers. May the Comforter continue to comfort you through this time.

Enjoy this poem God blessed me to write called Nurturer of Life:

From the rib of a man

And the heart of God

Beckoned by a teary eyed child’s demand

With regalness and crown

From the King

Compatible help meet God found

To embrace the head as one

To help him realize layers of dreams untold

To birth heritage of new and old

She is the mere representation of the Many Breasted One

Giving nurture and care to the world

From man to boy and girl

The nurturer of life in so many ways

Gifted to her from the Ancient of Days

Wrapped in unconditional love

Dipped in Fierceness and Resilience

A carrier of life

And a life preserver

A teacher and a server

If God is the tree, mother is the nest

For you and me

Safety is in her arms

As she guides and prepares us to fly

To fulfill destinies assigned by the Most High

To live life from under His wing

To sing when no one else will sing

From her smile comes hope

From her hair comes wisdom and growth

From her womb comes life and pain

From her heart comes trust and belief

Until it is wounded with grief

But a butterfly will once again emerge

From a heart God has purged

Because she is who she is

She will live to forgive

And accept

And love

With every tear, kiss, and hug

The nurturer of life in so many ways

Glorifies and magnifies the Ancient of Days

And she will continue to carry her children, through however God blessed her to conceive,

By birth, by circumstance, by spirit

Through life

Even when they are too heavy too carry

She will lift them in prayers

And surrender them to Unfailing Love

For she knows Love can love them far greater than she can

Yet, mother is a force to be reckoned with

Blessed with super powers from God

Strong and extraordinare

A mother is the nurture of life in so many ways

Gifted to us by the Ancient of Days

Tannika Moore

04.06.18

by Tannika Nikeya

The devil’s Loss

The devil wants me to believe

God’s purpose for me will never be achieved

So he whispers in my ear

he tells me things my flesh wants to hear

his plan is to destroy me

he is at work day in and day out

he walks around and maliciously about

When I was born, he immediately placed a bet

he told Jesus, “I bet I ruin her yet.”

“While she’s young, I’ll make her forget

Why she needed You in the first place.

Her world is perfect and her dreams are ripe;

Jesus, when You’re ready, let me tamper with her life.

I’ll mess it all up, send my demons disguised her way.

She will duck and dodge and forget to pray

And how about her teens?

Let me give her depression

Send her confusion

Fill her with anger

Break her heart and disappoint her too

As she moves one step forward, I’ll push her back two.

I bet You Jesus, she’ll curse Your name

Then run to me and give me Your fame

You protect her too much

and You gave her too many gifts

What will she do then, if she had so much to miss?”

Then the Lord, my God said, “you just wait devil

Stop your ranting

Shut your mouth; you didn’t win with Job

And you won’t win now.

I know my Father’s children, Their weaknesses and strengths

They are not like you

And this one here will remain true.

This faithful soldier of mine I trust her so

More than you will ever know.

I see her faith in Me and attentiveness to My Word

In addition to the prayers I’ve heard

you can take from her But I’ll give

you can try to kill her But I’ll let her live.”

The devil wants to destroy me And take my life

But the devil has already lost the fight

It is God’s strength, grace and mercy

That sustains me

When I am weak

In God’s love, I will suffer no defeat.

Written by: Tannika Moore

03.26.18

by Tannika Nikeya

Dreams

Last night I had a dream that felt and seemed as if I was still awake. An evil spirit came towards me and simultaneously the face of a person flashed in my mind. I felt like also the spirit was the jezebel spirit. It frightened me. I awoke and prayed against any attacks.

I was able to go back to sleep and when I woke up again I graciously thanked God for the second dream I had. This one wasn’t from the enemy but from God. In my dream, I was floating in space. I felt like I was past the realm where Earth, Mars, and Venus dwelt. And there were no planets in sight to be seen.

Instead blackness with billions of stars and their light were all around me. I am afraid of heights and initially for a second I felt that fear. However, I began to feel like I was okay and I sung a beautiful song to God and about God. For the life of me, I can’t recall it but it was words I had not heard or written before. I was at peace and thrilled to be in this space (no pun intended). I felt like I was being drawn closer to God.

Then my dream ended with me singing another worship song, this one familiar and I was still floating in space, being drawn closer to God.

Psalm 100:2-4 Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing.

This season of my life has been once again stressful to the point I have cried out to God “I am tired.” One thing after the other. Even this weekend, due to certain circumstances, my emotions have been flaring like those flare up lights and I realize that much more prayer with strategies, fasting, and Godly wisdom are needed. The world needs us believers as well as our own spirits need us to be on our A game because there are angry, hurting people out here. There are children who need us. There are evil spirits out here that don’t take breaks. There are believers who went out to help save people but are out here drowning in the sea from our own issues. The devil is working overtime trying to distract us, overwhelm us, make us too busy, and steal our impacts and our joy. Some of us are just as distraught and frustrated as someone who is unsaved. So what needs to be done.

Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

Get back up and surrender to God. Surrender to God. Love God and obey God, and receive His love back. Receive His love back. God sees our pain and knows we need help. Time to be drawn closer to God.

Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Time to be drawn closer to God. Draw us closer, God. Purify our hearts and renew our minds. When we are ready to give up, like I have been. Remind us, Lord, You are still there. And You will never leave us, nor forsake us. Let us not get weary in well doing.

Coloring Therapy for me!

03.19.18

by Tannika Nikeya

Not From A Distance

If I can be honest, this verse and circumstance of Moses have always been frightening to me. How could Moses do all of those great things in the Lord, meet God face to face, have such awesome faith and still not make it into the promised land? His anger and his unholy act towards God cost him the promised land. He could only view it from a distance.

That same day the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Moab, to the mountains east of the river, and climb Mount Nebo, which is across from Jericho. Look out across the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the people of Israel as their own special possession. Then you will die there on the mountain. You will join your ancestors, just as Aaron, your brother, died on Mount Hor and joined his ancestors. For both of you betrayed me with the Israelites at the waters of Meribah at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. You failed to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel there.
Deuteronomy 32:48‭-‬51 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/deu.32.48-51.NLT

According to GotQuestions.org, “first, Moses disobeyed a direct command from God. God had commanded Moses to speak to the rock. Instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff. Second, Moses took the credit for bringing forth the water. Notice how in verse 10 Moses says, “Must we [referring to Moses and Aaron] bring you water out of this rock?” Moses took credit for the miracle himself, instead of attributing it to God. Third, Moses committed this sin in front of all the Israelites. Such a public example of direct disobedience could not go unpunished. Fourth, it seems that God had intended to present a type of Christ in this circumstance. The water-giving rock is used as a symbol of Christ in 1 Corinthians 10:4. The rock was struck once in Exodus 17:6, just like Christ was crucified once (Hebrews 7:27). Moses’ speaking to the rock in Numbers 20 was to be a picture of prayer; instead, Moses angrily struck the rock, in effect, crucifying Christ again.” http://www.gotquestions.org/Moses-promised-land.html

And for that Moses was not allowed to go into the promised land. His resentful anger, pride, and disobedience rerouted him from what God had for him.

How many times have we come close to our breakthroughs and promised lands only to view it from a distance. It is like chess. We have to be careful how we move.

The sin and ungodliness, the lack of surrender, the diversionary battles, the fear, the doubt can all hinder us or cost us a move or win on our board of life. It could delay us and cost us some time and impact of those around us. It doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us, can’t save us, or that God won’t deliver us. We now have Jesus as our mediator and His blood as the seal of our new covenant. However, there are times God will let us face our consequences like any other parent. He will say “no, you can’t go. Not this time.”

God has kept us and covered us from the perils of life. He has loved and still loves us unfailingly. He desires the best and wants the best for us. He desires relationship and joy between Him and us. He wants us to succeed and to fulfill our destinies. He wants us to enter into our promised lands. Don’t let fear, pride, resentment, anger, lack of surrendering to Him, unforgiveness, disobedience and doubt, sin and lack of holiness keep us out of them.

I dont want to view my promised land from a distance. No way! I am going in in Jesus’ name with Him leading the way. But first, forgive me Lord for my pride, disobedience, fear and sin that have kept me from pursuing you and help me to seek ye first the kingdom of God and Your righteousness.

03.11.18

by Tannika Nikeya

The Feat of the Defeated

This week, a brief conversation with a stranger that began with an inquiry for change inspired this very post. After giving him the change, this conversation subsequently shifted to about God from me singing a praise song. “You are perfect in all of Your ways. You are perfect in all of Your ways, to us. You’re a good, good Father. It’s who You are. It’s who You are. It’s who You are, and I’m loved by You. It’s who I am, It’s who I am. It’s who I am.”

The stranger asked me about what I was singing. “I was praising God,” I said.

“You love God?” the stranger asked.

I told him yes.

Are You Being Consumed By The World Around You?

He replied that he too loved God and used to read the bible, but that he didn’t have time anymore to read the Bible. He basically said he didn’t have time anymore to read the Word because the world had consumed him. In fact, it did look like he was being consumed, but there are many of us being consumed and by different things. I remembered that God warned me not to let the world around me consume me.

Are you being consumed by the world around you? For some it may be drugs. Some it may be seemingly less harmful than that but still hindering our quality of life and relationships. For me it is distractions and busyness. What is consuming you?

Moreover, I told him that the reason he gave for not reading God’s Word and this particular time [we are living in] is all the more reason to press in to reading the Word of God. I also shared that he should still read it no matter if he feels like he didn’t deserve God [God’s love] or not. The fact is Jesus died for us all and He loves us unconditionally.

And remember that yourself.

But God!

We all have fallen short this week, and last week, and the week before last. Trying to get the help my mom needs after being injured had left both of us, mom and me, frustrated and me short of patience. I know I failed quite a few tests this week with two C’s (cussing and complaining). Maybe you too have regrets about how you handled some things this week? Maybe you had a much more difficult test to pass? Maybe you have been feeling unloved or unworthy for awhile because of life circumstances, others, or childhood incidents? And our enemy, the devil, sometimes sends these circumstances and experiences as attacks on our self esteem and souls to hinder us from seeing ourselves the way God does and from moving in our purpose. After all, how can you fulfill what God has called you to do if you do not walk in His authority and identity?

Maybe a lot has been going on with your family, like with my family? You have been pressing in prayer and reading God’s word but feel flabbergasted as to why things are not going right and one bad thing after the other is happening to you all. Maybe your dreams are not coming to fruition? Maybe you had to let that dream die to surrender it all to Him and have been getting tired of waiting. Yet, you are watching everyone enjoy their successes. Maybe you are in over your head in debt and are worried you will not be able to pay your bills and debts? Be encouraged though and do not feel defeated. In life there will be trials and tribulations. But God!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

Maybe you have been sick and expecting God to restore your health? Maybe you are struggling to let go of a sin, a habit, or a relationship, etc. and are in desperate need of God’s grace and deliverance? Maybe you are experiencing depression, stress or overwhelming fear but you know God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Maybe your marriage or children are in trouble? You have been praying for help to endure and for you to surrender them in God’s hands but still no change. Do not feel defeated. Trust God.

Maybe you are young and have had an awful start in life? Maybe they said you will never be anything? But you know deep down there is more to you and your life than they can see, even you can see?

Feat of the Defeated

Don’t let the devil make you feel defeated, unloved or even a lost cause. That is his portion, not yours.
Pray some more. Pray in faith and pray God’s Word and strategies. Believe that He can and let no circumstances move you to the realm of doubt. Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus. Fight and fight the good fight of faith. Release every area of your life to the Lord and get God’s perspective, value, and instructions in every area. Go after the Lord and allow Him to feel your heart with substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.

God’s children are not defeated. Jesus won the war for us, and every battle within the war is already provided for and Jesus will also win those. Step out of the way, trust God, and remember You are already on the winning team!

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ²in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Ephesians 2:1-2

We are now new creations in Christ, those who believe and have received the salvation of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. When the devil tries to bring up our past and forecast our future, let us remind him that he has already been defeated and he has no other chance, destination, or opportunity but down. He wants you to feel defeated and take on the position of a defeated being. But you can not believe his lies or try on his deception.

The feat of the defeated is surrender, surrendering every area of our lives to God. It is also responding to as well as accepting the unfailing and unconditional love of God. Be of good cheer and remember that you are not defeated. Even during the storms and rustling winds can you survive with Jesus by your side, the engulfing of His presence, and within the perimeters of His grace.

Trust God and Set The Captive Free,

Tannika Moore

01.03.18

by Tannika Nikeya

When A Still Life Moves

I was an Art & Design major in college before I changed to English. It was during this time I learned about still life. I remember eying a bowl of fruit neatly propped up on its stand trying to capture its essence, simplicity, beauty, and shadows.

A Still Life is a work of art, particularly a painting or drawing, displaying objects such as flowers, fruit, a vase, a skull, etc. These tangible objects are still and lifeless but express liveliness and simplicity in its form of art.

Thinking of ideas for poems, my experience with this work of art would later lead me to the following title, When A Still Life Moves. What happens when a still life moves and what or who gives it the life it needs to no longer be still?

Jesus is our life giver. If the same power that raised Him from death lies within every believer, then we too have been raised and positioned with Him. We are no longer the still lives. We have been enabled to move and fulfill our destinies as one and as individuals.

Read When A Still Life Moves from my first book, Setting The Captive Free.

When a Still Life moves,

God’s work of art no longer stands still

It is revived and alive to the touch

Its spirit, you can feel.

It is lifted and free

Motivated and able to breathe

It is patient and knows when to yield

For it has learned to be still.

When a Still Life moves,

It enters a new season

It has discovered its purpose

And embraced the Creator’s reason.

It changes the nature of the picture

Its colors become richer.

When a Still Life moves,

It gives a new meaning to the space it occupies

It is not limited or bound to one site.

It follows its heart and allows its imaginations to take flight

A Still Life begins to move with time

And can no longer be simply defined.

It moves past the fears and the doubts

It perseveres and knows what it is about

The light doesn’t just shine upon it but through it

And it attracts Life to it.

When a Still Life moves,

Its laughter is like a bouquet of joy

Its smile is like a child who is fixed upon a new toy

It lives each day renewed

When a Still Life moves

True existence and living we choose.

Tannika Moore

_____________________________________

To purchase Setting The Captive Free poetry book visit: https://stcfpoetrybook.com/setting-the-captive-free-poetry-book/

12.10.17

by Tannika Nikeya

My 90’s Faves

🎵🎧🎵I love music and one of my favorite music eras is the 90s, New Jack Swing, real sangin’, the group’s era. So, since it is my birthday tomorrow–well in 33 mins–let me share some of my favorite songs.
1. Never Lie by Immature

2. I Wanna Be Down by Brandy

3. I Like the Way (The Kissing Game) by HiFive

4. Jump by Kris Kross

5. Real Love By Mary J. Blige

6. Gotta Be by Jagged Edge

7. Tribute to a Woman by Ginuwine

8. One In A Million by Aaliyah

9. Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey

10. If I Ever Fall in Love By Shai

11. Don’t Take It Personal by Monica

12. We Can’t Be Friends by Deborah Cox and RL

13. Beauty by Dru Hill

14. Make It Hot by Nicole Wray

15. Unbreak My Heart by Toni Braxton

16. Be Encouraged by William Becton

17. No Weapon by Fred Hammond

18. Keep Ya Head Up by Tupac

19. I Like Your Smile by Shanice

20. Scream by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson

21. Soon As I Get Home by Faith Evans

22. What About Your Friends by TLC

23. His Eye is on The Sparrow by Lauryn Hill and Tanya Blount

24. Addicted Love By BeBe & CeCeWinans

25. Juicy by Notorious B.I.G

26. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion

27. Go Up Yonder by Walter Hawkins and Love Counter

28. Let’s Chill by Guy

29. Tell Me What You Want Me To Do by Tevin Campbell

30. Forever My Lady by Jodeci. JVideo

31. Can You Stand The Rain by New Edition. NEVideo

32. You’re Always On My Mind by SWV. SWVVideo

33. Silver & Gold by Kirk Franklin and The Family. KFVideo

34. Keep On Walking by CeCe Peniston. CPVideo

35. Doo Wop by Lauryn Hill. LHVideo

36. Brenda’s Got A Baby by Tupac. TVideo

37. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston. WHVideo

12.02.17

by Tannika Nikeya

Tannika’s Free Writing & Flash Fiction: Flash From The Past 4

Welcome to my new series where I will be free writing and writing flash fiction to have fun, to regain my discipline as a frequent writer, and to stretch and strengthen my writing skills.

This is an old story I originally wrote during college, years ago, for my creative writing class. It is a fictitious, urban story that came from I don’t remember, but it was fun to write. Editing and few changes were made prior to publishing here.

Jackey and The Stranger at The Bus Stop Pt 4

“My name is Kenneth,” said the stranger as he walked onto the blue and grey bus just as the driver opened the doors. Jackey looked both ways. Desmond’s car was nowhere in sight. So she decided to get on the bus before it took off. Jackey sat at the front of the bus. Kenneth sat across from her.

“What’s up with your ride?” he asked. “You are too pretty to be stood up.”

“You ask so many questions.” Jackey shook her head and laughed.

“Would I freak you out if I ask for your number?”

“Yes stranger.”

“Let me give you mine then. Trust me, I’m no freak, just a fool for letting my supervisor talk me into getting this shift.”

Jackey laughed.

“See I’m making you laugh.”

It had been a week after Jackey had been stood up. She would not talk to Desmond. Jackey ignored his calls and instead she would call Kenneth. Maybe it was because she and Desmond had become just as much as strangers as her and Kenneth was.

Maybe it was because Kenneth made her laugh or because he was different from Desmond, from his looks to personality. Kenneth worked a steady job at a shipping company and didn’t seem to have a problem with it except for sometimes working late at night to the early morning. He wasn’t a thug. He was more open and they would talk for hours on the phone. He had plans, not just goals. He had plans to save enough money to take criminal justice classes at a local college. But so he said.

Although Jackey liked Kenneth, she still thought about Desmond. A month went by and they hadn’t talked. Desmond had stopped calling after awhile. Jackey was busy with voice and dance practice, classes, and styling hair. She and Kenneth only went out once for pizza. They talked on the phone but not as often as they did after they first met, and sometimes Jackey would ride the bus with him.

One night after cleaning and locking up the salon, Jackey turned down rides from Sandra and Brian. She walked outside to the bus stop at 9:50. Kenneth was not there standing under the dim light. She glanced down the street. The streets were quiet. Pieces of paper were flying back and forth in the Chicago winds. The salon was closed, locked and dark. The store was open but there seemed to be no life near it except for Jackey and the clerk tucked away behind the counter inside the old store. Jackey turned back around facing the streets and flipped open her phone. It read 9:55.

Maybe he’s running late again, she thought.

She heard the old convenient store’s door creak and shut. She saw a shadow appear upon the ground next to her. She turned her head around to see a silhouette of a man in a black leather jacket.

She smiled.

“Kenneth.”

The stranger stepped forward.

To her dismay, Desmond stepped from out of the dim light with both hands in his pants pockets just looking. His head was cocked to the side. His eyebrows raised and his eyes were sharp and penetrating.

“Is that his name?” asked Desmond. He reached into his coat. Startled by Desmond, Jackey looked worried. Desmond was quiet. Jackey took a step backward. Desmond pulled out his cell phone that was vibrating. He looked up at Jackey’s face and scrunched up his eyebrows. “You thought I was gone hurt chu. I just wanted to talk to you. You weren’t answering my calls. I heard you were talking to this other guy. I even saw you out with him at the pizza place.”

Bright lights slowly covered Desmond and Jackey as the bus came rolling and rocking down the street. “Hold that bus,” shouted a man running down the street towards Jackey, Desmond and the bus. It was Kenneth and he noticed Jackey. She stood in shock as he approached her and Desmond.

The bus stopped right in front of them. Kenneth made it to the bus. He stopped alongside Jackey but she said nothing. She was embarrassed for some reason. Desmond watched both with his head still cocked to the side, his cell phone in his hand. He and Kenneth wore the same black leather jacket. Kenneth walked onto the bus, paid his fare, and took a window seat in the rear of the bus. His eyes locked into Desmond’s eyes as the bus took off. Jackey turned and watched the bus go down the street.

She was going to tell Kenneth that she wanted him and her to just be friends.

“Why didn’t you get on the bus with him?” asked Desmond.

“I didn’t want to. Tonight I was gone tell him we should just be friends anyway.”

“And us?” asked Desmond.

“Are you ready to talk? asked Jackey.

“You’re the one who been ignoring my phone calls. Are you?”

“Yes.”

“Can I take you home then?” Jackey looked him up and down. He smiled that same smile that softened his rough features. “Yeah,” she said almost in a whisper. How come you didn’t pick me up that night?” she asked curiously.

“Honestly,” he said. I went into the house round ten to grab my hat and some music I had been working on. I wanted you to hear it. Someone broke into my apartment. They took everything even my music equipment. I was so damn mad that me and Chris were driving round trying to find my stuff and who took it. Then we got pulled over by the po pos who were looking for who robbed the currency exchange. I told them I’m looking for the people who took my stuff. And if it was those same ones, they better find them first.”

“Man, I’m sorry Dez,” said Jackey.

“I’ve been thinking about what you said about my brother and those promises I made.” Desmond said as if those very promises had just rushed back to his mind. She put her left arm around his back and her hand on his chest. He put his arm around her waist and his hand on her hip. She leaned in closer. She knew she had to apologize to Kenneth, but right now she wanted to make things right with Desmond.

Hope you have enjoyed Jackey and The Stranger at The Bus Stop

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