It was dreary and biting cold. Clouds pouted a pending snowstorm in the upper elevations of Marietta.  The overcast of the sky brought a memory to Roman that he'd rather not remember. Knowing the risk that he could be at that same location by the end of this day left his nerves grated. The pull to re-enter that day hurt, but he was so drained, he couldn't resist it...

***

Black clouds hung over the cemetery as dark and menacing as malevolent angels, stretching as far as you could see. Empty tree limbs bent and howled against the bitter winds and driving pelts of icy rain. The mourners of Calista Gray stood huddled together, black clothes and umbrellas fluttering. The drone of the minister seemed lost to the wind.  His sadness reflected in constant pauses and wiping his eyes. You couldn't tell where the rain fell and the tears streaked. He'd married Calista and Roman only three years prior. 

Zara glanced up at Roman while holding his hand as tightly as possible.  She could feel the weight of his massive frame leaning against her.  Two inches over six feet is what she remembered. Zara balanced her weight to hold him as her heels sank into the mud.  Thick black locks lifted and fell beneath the wool cap that he was wearing.  Grief marred his normally happy, hazel eyes and a deep dimple in his right cheek.  He hadn't shaved in two days.  Though Zara had tried to get him to do so, he couldn't.  So he wrapped a grey scarf around his stubble and told her that he'd deal with it another day.

She felt so helpless, yet in her heart, she knew that being there was enough.  They'd always been together; met on the playground in second grade – twenty-one years later the bond was still there. One of his tears fell against her cheek and had frozen before she could wipe it away. 

He lowered his head towards her ear.  "How in the hell am I a widower at twenty-eight, Zara? How?"

His eyes pulled away from her at the whining of cables as the casket got lowered into the ground.  His hand slipped from hers. Roman forced the tears back, held his head high, and walked a few feet towards the casket holding a single red rose.  He mumbled a few inaudible words then let the rose drift from his fingers, landing on the eternal bronze box.  Roman turned; he leaned over and moaned, but quickly covered his mouth and suppressed what should have been released.

The mere sound ripped Zara from where she stood.  She hobbled over to him and wrapped elbows.  "No more," he choked out.

"Okay."

They walked away from the crowd and headed towards the limousine.  The driver opened the door, warmth blasted from the cabin.  They slid inside.  Roman rested his head on her shoulder.

"You have to leave tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Stay, Zara. Stay for the rest of the week."

***

"God, don't let me bury another wife."

Though that memory was five years in the past it was as vivid at that moment as it had been on that day. He wished that he could blow the clouds away that surrounded Zara's home. Their power to invoke such a dismal memory needed to stop. That day, long ago, Roman lay asleep on Zara's lap, his long legs bunched up on the seat. He needed rest. At that moment he could feel himself waking up like on that day. The softness of Zara's hand threaded through his hair and stroked his shoulders.  It was as if he could feel her hands on him right now. Within seconds, his cell flashed.

He glanced down, hating the name that flashed but merciful that it had slashed him from the dark memory. A knot formed in his throat, wishing that he didn't need to pick up the phone. But it was Calista's sister. 

"Good morning, Ella."

"I'm glad that you answered."

"How can I help you?"

"When are you coming home?"

Roman laughed inwardly; today was not the day to ask that question.  He might not ever come home. Crossroads like this made the work that he did at Gray Enterprise's harrowing.  Yet, he knew this is who he was meant to be.  This was how he served the world – keeping it safe. He didn't respond to her question but made a statement. "The job that I'm on is very important.  I'm not sure when things will be wrapped up. Why not tell what's on your mind, Ella?  You know we haven't communicated in five years so guessing is really bothering me."

A long pause filled the space. Roman desperately wanted to say something but he gave Ella space to speak.  Hoping that she would do it soon.  The hair on the back of his neck stood up and he could feel his skin tingling with negative anticipation.  What can she possibly want?

"I'm sorry that the family has been so distant.  Losing her was a lot for all of us to get through. We will always be here if you need us, Roman."

"I know that, Ella.  How can I help you?

The silence was back and then Roman heard what appeared to be something tapping against a table.  He knew that Ella must have been in deep thought about something.  But there was no way he was going to dig any deeper.  Whatever it was must be rough.  He rubbed his hands over his arms that formed goosebumps at the thought. After another stretch of time Roman reached out to Ella.

"Since you can't find words, it's probably not a good time to discuss this."

"You're right, but it is something that I need to bring to your attention in person.  So I will fly to New York in a few days and be waiting for your return."

"Ella – no, we can do this by phone or Skype.  Don't put yourself through the trouble."

"You will understand why, when I come.  Trust me, you will be glad that I came."

His brows arched and the words sizzled into his heart.  He felt the large lump formed in his throat keeping Roman from asking her for more information.  With the stress of what was going on in Treasure's situation, he couldn't bear any additional hardships right now.  He hated when life would compound one thing upon another.  This has got to be bad – so bad.  "Alright, we have some corporate suites at Gray Enterprises.  Call my assistant Vera and she will make the arrangements."

"Thank you for that consideration."

"You're still family, Ella. I will send you a text when we arrive. "

Ella said a few more words hoping to keep him calm, but it didn't work.  Instead, it felt as if she was hanging a ticking bomb over his head.  It baffled him thinking about what could possibly resurrect itself after five difficult years.  Just then Trevor walked through the front door, followed by his team.

"You look like you're having gallstones."

"That was Ella."

"Oh, no – she called again.  I thought she said she would wait until you got back before contacting you again.   Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"You know that I'm here for you. The guys are gathering downstairs to pray for a safe day. Let's go."

***

Zara picked over her food as she sat at breakfast with Ava.  The baby was still sleeping. Ava thought that by fixing her favorite meal that it would cheer her up.  Zara stared out into the distance.  Ava tapped her plate.  "Hey, girl, you know that you can't resist my homemade blueberry waffles and fresh sausage.  I ground that meat and put the seasoning this morning just for you."

Had it been any other time she'd been completely right. She stretched her hand across the table and squeezed Ava's hand.  "I'm sorry. My stomach is so tight, I can't eat."

"You have to eat. You're going to need your strength."

"How do you do it, Ava? How do you handle the risks that Trevor is always in?"

Ava slipped from her chair and moved around the table.  She rubbed Zara's shoulders moving the mountain of tension out and trying to bring in well-needed peace. "I told you already. I spend a lot of time praying. And then I remember who I am and who he is."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I remember that God gave me Trevor, therefore God made me equipped to deal with his life. I'm his keeper."

"Wow," Zara shook her head.  "That's deep."

"You are Roman's keeper. God designed you to handle him. It is God's grace that he is in your life. I believe that you were always supposed to be his keeper."

"What?"

"Look at your life, Zara.  Was there ever a time when Roman was not in it?"

The room sparkled with energy as Zara digested what Ava said. It was incredible wisdom that she would never have expected. Not because Ava wasn't wise - it was that their conversations never ran this deep. Thinking about what she said made a huge shift in her perspective. Perhaps, the deep conversation happened today because so much was at stake. She turned facing Ava with a quizzical look.

"Grace - you're right.  He's always been with me."

"Then he needs you to be strong for him.  You need to be strong for yourself."

"Do you worry?"

"Yes, but I worry with prayer.  That takes the edge off."

"Then let's pray for our men."

"Only if you promise to eat."

Zara smiled up at Ava.  What would she ever do without a friend like this? They'd been through a lot together.  Both of them had their share of secrets and tears. It was this moment that taught her how cherished Ava was to her. The word's spoken put a rod of steel in her back. She and Roman were meant for each other. She was his keeper.

"I will eat every speck of food on my plate and more if you ask me to.  Taking Ava by the hands she said, "Let's pray."

Ava nodded, eyes shining, and then they both closed their eyes. The energy filling the room was charged with hope battling against this dismal day.  Hope was winning.  Zara squeezed Ava's hand tighter, feeling the spiritual jolt pass between them.  The comfort had both of them leaking tears. 

"Dear God, we're afraid.  But you told us in your word – fear not.  So, we come to you today, teach us how not to fear, when so much is at stake. Keep our husband's safe and all that are with them.  Keep Ava and Glory safe.  Give us strength.  Show us your power and deliverance.  Defeat the enemy that has arisen in our lives and the lives of so many women.  Help our husbands to shut this ring down - forever.  We expect victory. In Jesus' name, amen."