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...That's My Testimony

by Annetta Swift

186 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0632; ISBN 1-4120-0263-X; US$19.00, C$26.00, EUR16.90, £11.80

...That's My Testimony will grip your soul as the author reveals secrets of the heart and matters that are real. Get lost in time as this page turner touches all of your emotions...

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about the book      about the author      excerpts      catalogue info

About the Book That's My Testimony is a collaboration of inspirational short stories. Women have many issues that they deal with in life. Some they share and a lot they don't. There are experiences they are too ashamed to mention. That's My Testimony removes the mask and unveils topics that are taboo. These stories will intrigue the reader and grip their soul through its intimate details. They share the abuse, heartache, and infidelity that women tend to hide or block out of their memory. Although these characters are fictional, their stories are real. They are compilations of different people's lives. Not only do these characters expose their skeletons, they also reveal how these traumatic episodes wooed them to a tender-loving God. These women are survivors and have purposed to fulfill their destiny at any cost.

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About the Author Annetta Swift is a phenomenal author interested in giving the readers a refreshing look at writing from a realistic point of view. In 1997, Annetta accepted her call to the ministry as a Prophetess and through this office has had glory revealed to her that she may minister to the lost as well as the found in a prophetic manner. Through dreams and visions God has given her deep insight. Thus, she is able to share life's experiences using fictional characters taking the reader to places beyond their imagination. Her writings are thought provoking, humorous, and bring hope to her readers. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she presently resides in Morrow, Georgia with her husband Rodney and seven-year-old daughter. To contact the author, send an email to netteswift@aol.com .

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Excerpts

As the plane landed nausea overcame me. Fear of the drama that would possibly be awaiting me made me sick. My dad was not at the gate to greet me as I expected. He was usually late. I went on to the baggage claim area, and I heard my name being hollered.

"Angel! Angel!" My dad shouted.

I turned around and ran to hug him. He looked as if he had seen a ghost. He has never seen me in pants, or make up, and I had two holes in each of my ears. Of course my hair was laid, and I had a honey blonde rinse in it. "Hey daddy! I am so glad to see you. You really look good."

"I wish I could say the same. How can you come here looking like a Jezebel?"

"What! I mean can't I get off of the plane good before you start preaching to me. We haven't seen each other in almost a year, and you couldn't say anything nice to me."

"We'll talk in the car."

Man, I didn't come home for this. I thought, "Why can't I live my own life? They chose to be holier than thou, not me. I guess they're going to have a complete cardiac arrest when I tell them I am going to beauty school. They just may drop dead when I tell them I am living with my man. I may have to keep that bit of information to myself. Seeing how whenever I call I am at Keesha's dorm room. Maybe I can tell them that Keesha and I have an apartment. How would I explain paying rent with no job? I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

"Girl, what have you been doing out there? You done forgot everything we taught you about holiness." He said. I just continued to stare out of the window.

"Don't you hear me talking to you?" He said.

"Yes."

"We're going to the house first, so that you can change before your mom sees you like that."

"Like what?"

"You know. Face all painted up, hair all colored up, holes all in your ears. What's wrong with you? You done lost your mind or what?"

"No sir. I actually thought that it wouldn't matter. I just thought that you would be happy to see me. I am sorry I am such a disappointment to you," I stated.

"Well, I am very disappointed, and we ain't gone disappoint your mother. So when we get to the house I expect you to change into a dress, and wash that paint off of your face. Your mom is sick enough. She don't need this."

"Yes sir."

The rest of the ride was silent. When we got home I did as he ordered. I put on my jean skirt, a tee shirt, sox and tennis shoes, and I washed my face. I looked a hot mess. Mom looked bad. She was happy to see me, but she was really sick. She had breast cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy, and all her hair is gone. If they are so religious, why won't God heal mom? I didn't understand. I did eventually tell dad that I dropped out of college to go to cosmetology school. He actually took that well. IŒve always been an honest person, so I even told him about Metchie and me. Dad blew up. He sentenced me to hell, and told me until I got my life right that I couldn't bring damnation on his house. So my two-week trip turned into three days of hell. Metchie picked me up from the airport. I thought we would spend all night making love, but I ended up crying the whole night.

Metchie and I kicked for the next few years. I got my license and began working at a popular hair salon. I would call home periodically, and my dad was cold and short. Mom had sympathy in her voice but she didn't say much to me about anything. She was doing well and has begun to grow hair again. I was still not allowed in their home. I guess if we ever decided to get married, they would not come. It really hurts, but over the years I had learned to cope with it. LaKeesha was pregnant and expecting a boy. She had some major complications at first, but they progressed well. Keesha's man's name was Phil. She doesn't live with him, though.

She always said, "Girl, I ain't living with no man unless he is my husband. You can do what you like but those are my rules."

I respected her for that and we agreed to disagree on that matter. I didn't see much difference in what either one of us was doing. I was living in the restaurant, and she was going through the pick up window. We both were eating fast food, which isn't healthy either way. Oh, well.

Things started to get a little tense with Metchie and I. He started coming home late, and doing weird stuff like sleeping on the couch. He was getting strange phone calls, and he wasn't trying to be intimate with me at all, not even kissing. When I would get home from work some nights, he wouldn't even be home. I'd ask him what was up, but he would say I wouldn't understand. What I did understand is that this man must have bumped his head. I am not going to sit around and let nobody play me in my face. "Oh, No!" I guess I am going to have to let Romeo go. One night when he came in I went off.

"Where you been?" I yelled.

He just kept on walking with his head down.

"Hey, I know you hear me!"

He went into the bathroom and ran the shower as if I wasn't even there.

"Metchie, you are so low down. How can you do this to me? I have been nothing but good to you."

"Look, let me get a shower and then I'll explain everything. O.k.?"

The thing that made me so mad is that he was so calm. How could someone be so low? After his shower, he took me by the hand and led me to the couch. "Sit down." He said.

I did.

"There has been a lot of things that I have been dealing with lately, and I've been so hesitant to come to you, but I knew that it would have to be soon. I have not been seeing other women. Well, not in the form of cheating. This girl I met named Tracy invited me to go to church with her. I didn't ask you because I already knew how you felt about God and religion. The thing is, I only intended on going once. When I got there it felt so good. The singing was the bomb. The thing that blew my mind was this preacher that I never knew, knew me and read me like a book. Almost like a psychic, but I could feel him and he felt me. It was like metal being drawn to a magnet. I started going every Wednesday night and Friday night. What I am saying in a nutshell is that I gave my life over to Christ. I knew that we couldn't do it no more and eventually either you or me would have to move. Tracy is married, and it was no happenings there. I made a choice to serve God and I can't have peace until one of us moves."

"Wait a minute. You're saved?"

"Girl, yes. Sanctified and Holy Ghost filled." He said, smiling. "Angel, I wish you would come with me. It is nothing like the church you grew up in. This is the best feeling I've ever had. I just can't deal with the guilt of not pleasing God, living with you. Even though ain't nothing happening..."

"You've got that right."

" I know we can't go on like this and not be married"

"I am only 21. I am not ready to be married, Metch."

"We would have to go through counseling any way. So either way it goes, one of us has to move. I've been giving this a lot of thought and I have decided to move. I'll sacrifice and help you financially all I can until you find another place or a roommate." He reached for my hand.

I jerked my hand away. "I don't believe this. Metchie, I would never ask you to give up your place. You have so much invested in it. I know that I could probably stay with Keesha until I got on my feet. I'll just talk to her tomorrow. She felt like I was going to end up staying with her anyway. Only difference is that she thought it would be because of another woman, not God. Maybe my parents cursed me..."

"Un, uh! Don't even go there. My being saved is no curse. This is a blessing."

"For who?"

"For me. It could be for you to if you would except it."

"I don't want it. I want you, Metchie."

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Catalogue Information

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