The Reverend And His Plaything

~Chap

mirror in my room, staring at my re

standards at least. It was soft brown, hugged my waist a bit, stopped

ack lazily, a few strands falling out. I looked... different. Not like the girl who

self, still staring. "It's just a c

n't feel like

rabbed my small bag befor

was already simmering on the stove. Grandma stood w

king?" I asked, leanin

turn. "Food

ttle. "Yeah,

ill focused on her pot. "We always brin

ave cooks? I mean... he's a Reverend. Is

"But some of us... the older women mostly... we take turn

must've betrayed me because she added s

t's just... I didn't know it w

, then faced me properly. Her eyes moved from my hair d

h," I said. "I'm go

urprised. But then she nodded. "Good. You shou

. "That's

nd held it out to me. "Since you're going there, take this w

you take it yourself

shot m

nsive. "I'm just sayi

oice flat. "And I didn't hear you v

ed my

hands. "Go. You're already headin

. The corners of her mouth were tight. Her hands-strong as they were

she wa

d quietly. "I'll

ened a little

fore I stepped out, she c

oked

y man at church stares too lon

lked out-heart already racing fo

~

slow the tri

prayer, and the seat kept digging into my lower back. But I did

like in the city. The only taxi I'd seen since arriving looke

ripping the food container and staring out at

he world had etched itself there. He didn't speak much, which I appreciated.

ot, the more my

s I eve

sion?

id. Dumb. S

t me. Like he already knew I was broken. And for some

le jerked

he driver s

eaper than a cab, but still stung. Everything fe

eathing. The sky was beginning to shift-soft gol

Still too big. Still too calm, like it di

ps and pushed the door op

uiet, shadows dancing against the walls. It smel

r the Reverend's side office. That

round the food contain

ans

cked

e door

ollar tight around his neck. Eyes too steady.

red when they landed

id, voice lo

the container. "Food. From my

y from me, then nodded. "She

idn't know pastor

said. "But I

ep that stirred something i

oat. "Um... is t

uring toward the small couch

felt it-his eyes on my ba

sat opposite me, hands re

ftly, "you said you

unsure whe

rush me. J

y. "And back then, it was more out of fear th

tly. "Most of

to get away from... a lot of things. Bad choices. Peo

. Still didn'

ng I was okay. Of being strong when all

sion shifted-barely. A

don't even know me, and I don't

not trying to fix y

er than I tho

t my mom. Angry at men. Angry at myself. I let som

ched slightl

anyone," I whispere

se settled

e here for peace,

"But I don't thin

Maybe peace isn't about deser

"You speak like

s voice quieter now. "And I've

closely. "Even

waver. "Especial

ke we were both holding different kinds of pain

for listening. I didn't

o. "I'm gla

, hand brushin

d I stopped. "That wasn

ack at him

steady. "You didn't say any Act of Contr

I didn't come for the

isn't just venting. It's surrender.

me to kneel now and list out all my

atening way, but it felt heavie

now. Not judgmental.

," he added, softer. "But

ed in my chest again, and not

me back?" I asked,

you're ready to st

cond, then gave a short breat

ath,"

.. we can do the confe

ked. "

already," he s

mouth go dry. My chest tightened like I was

my arms. "I wasn't really... pl

htly. "Then what wer

like he could read right through m

ed to talk,"

out talking. It's about facing the truth,

my gaze,

ce between us f

haking my head s

rose a litt

. "Let's do the whole thi

. He just nodded, like a man who knew

Wait for me in the

d my eyes

confession like this. There's a way

o I won't be se

not confessing to me. You're confessi

nodded slowly, steppin

my spine-not fear, not entirely. Just something electric. Heavy.

strang

nted