Essence: The Woman God Uses

By Robin Walton

In 2018, Essence has just been crowned Miss Azusa and is now living in the governor’s mansion. She is immediately catapulted into making the hardest decision of her life as she discovers a plot to destroy those she loves. She enjoys the pageantry of winning the title, but fears that it will be taken away if she speaks up. She clings to Mort who helps her navigate the providential timing of where destiny and decision meet at such a time as this.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781973647317

Robin Walton

Mrs. Walton (M. Ed), born 1964, grew up in Philadelphia. She has been married for 27 years and has two adult sons. She is number seven of nine siblings. She has written and produced plays at her church for adults and children. She has birthed a creative-arts healing ministry, Redeeming Us Through Healing (RUTH), to serve women who have suffered serious scars in their past. She is currently developing a podcast to give voice to those who have suffered trauma.

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Copyright © 2018 Robin Walton (M. Ed).

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-4730-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-4731-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018914269

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/10/2018

For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

—Esther 4:14 (NIV)

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A fter entering the activities office, Essence sees Amina’s baby bump squeezed in a tight Azusa spirit T-shirt. Her belly looks bigger than a month ago. Amina, a sophomore in Essence’s Family and Consumer Science class, suddenly puts her hand against the wall and breaks out into a sweat.

Mrs. Monnelle, the secretary, notices it and calls her to the front of the line. Static sounds are heard as Principal Adams announces the last day to get prom tickets. His voice trembles as he speaks, reminding you of the scene from The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy speaks to the Wizard when he’s behind the curtain. Francine’s bright-red freckles seem to dance on her face as she and Peaches burst out into laughter upon hearing the principal.

Mrs. Monnelle, wearing her old gray wig, is barely seen behind the counter as she slowly hands out receipts and prom tickets. Meesha’s braces sparkle as she grabs a prom bulletin from the counter and walks to the end of the line. Essence overhears several girls boast a landslide prom-queen victory due to their own popularity. Essence wonders if any of them know what it means to be prom queen.

As the long line moves up, she accidentally catches a glimpse of herself