When Everything's Said & Done Read Online Free

from most folks. I think there’s a danger in believing that God, or the forces of God, are only one way. God is in everything because He created everything. If God doesn’t know about it, then who does?”
    “The devil.”
    “But you see, I believe Satan, if you believe in him, is a tool of God’s. How would you know what light is
    without the dark, and how would you know what beauty is without ugliness? You need them both, Cora. And if God is the creator. He created all of it. And how could God create anything wrong?”
    Cora nodded, but her brow furrowed as she thought about Nebia’s words.
    “It’s all about choices, Cora. God has laid out a plan, but it looks like a maze to us. All of us aren’t gon’ make the best choices for our highest good every time, but there’s always another chance. We’re done when we finally make the choices that bring us true happiness, and that prove to us how much we are like our creator, like God.”
    “Is that why we’re here?” Cora hung up the drying towel.
    “I believe that’s the reason. Some of us go about it with more passion than others, but it doesn’t make them better or worse. We are all equal in God’s eyes.”
    Cora nodded again. “Thanks for dinner and for the aloe.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “Good night.” Cora said as she opened the door.
    “’Night, Cora.”
    Cora stepped onto the back porch and looked up at the moon. She stood there for some time wondering about the things Nebia had said.
    “Hey, Cora,” a voice called. “I heard you whipped up on that Mason girl pretty good today.”
    Cora looked over into the empty lot next door and saw Warren coming home through a path lined with weeds.
    “Be quiet, boy. My mama or your mama might hear you.” She walked down the stairs. “And you know if Lucille finds out she’s going to tell Laura.”
    “Boy? Who you calling boy?”
    “I don’t see nobody out here who would fit that description besides you.”
    “I got your boy, all right.” He sat down on the step beside her feet. “I’m going into boot camp in two months. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “No you’re not, Warren,” Cora looked down at the curly head she had known for so long.
    “Yes, I am. It’s all settled.”
    “I don’t know why I’m so shocked. I never thought you would join the service.”
    “What did you think I was going to do? I’m not exactly your best student. And my mama don’t have no money for me to go to college.”
    “I don’t know what I thought,” Cora replied quietly, sitting down beside him. “Things are really changing. Brenda graduates this summer. She’ll be eighteen next month. And in the fall she goes off to Florida A&M. I never thought about a time when Annette, Brenda and me wouldn’t be together. ”
    “Well, what do you plan to do when you graduate next year?” Warren asked.
    Cora looked at the sky. “I’ve got so many things I want to do. I want to see other people and places. I want to paint. Perhaps, I’ll even open up my own flower shop one day.”
    “You’re not going to college like Brenda?” Warren watched a firefly land on the stair rail.
    “No.” Cora rubbed her thigh. “Brenda got a scholarship. Besides, she already knows what she wants to be.” “What’s that?” Warren asked.
    “A sociologist.”
    “That sounds like Brenda.”
    They turned quiet.
    “Why don’t you join the WAC, Cora? That way you’ll get to travel and learn some skills to support yourself.” “I don’t think so.” Cora squinted. “The army is not for me. Now, think about it. Can you see me in one of those uniforms? All crisp and neat and obeying all those rules?” She threw her head back and laughed.
    Warren looked at her, but turned away before Cora saw the admiration in his eyes. “I think you’d look good in a uniform.” He made the words sound casual. “You do?” She scrunched up her nose.
    Warren nodded and kicked a candy wrapper near his foot.
    “Well,