I wanted to tune him out. To cover my ears and not hear this man speak about good news and love when he treated people like this. What a twisted and sick way to use the word unconditional. Like it was fine to act horribly because big old sky daddy was going to forgive you for it anyway.
Only a few more minutes now.
I wiggled my toes and then my fingers, trying to get the blood moving, but that was a mistake. It caught the attention of Pastor John.
“You enjoying yourself down there, Eve?”
Eve.I hated that he called all the girls that. The boys never were called Adam. Or maybe Lucifer would have been fitting, but he never did.
Black polished shoes appeared in front of my face, their shine reflecting a distorted image of myself back to me. I looked fucking pathetic.
Silence was one of my only tools I had in my arsenal, and I knew how to use it well. But unfortunately, Pastor John was in a punishing mood and was looking for any excuse to exercise his inner demons.
Some men just like to break whatever they can get their hands on, thinking that it proved they’re somehow superior. That in doing so made them more of a man. In reality, it only showed how insecure and small they were.
“Eve, you’ll respond to me when I’m talking to you. Do you understand?”
I opened my mouth, but I was too late. He was already moving, pulling the pale-yellow yardstick off his desk and swatting me on my exposed behind.
I ground my teeth together on impact, feeling the sting reverberate into my bones. Tears prickled at the corners of my eyes, and no matter how much I didn’t want to cry in front of him, and the whole class, they fell anyway splashing onto the tile below my face and creating a small puddle against my cheek.
“I asked if you understand. First, you ignore my teachings and now you’re being insubordinate to boot?”
Another smack of the stick landed across my bottom. A chorus of snickers reached my ears.
Just as he was about to land a third blow, the bell rang and I let out a whimper of relief.
“Not so fast, Ms. Booker. I think we need to have a little chat after class about your…behavior.”
The way he said that sent chills down my spine and my heart into overdrive. He’d never had me stay after class before. And today, it wasjust Pastor John. Pastor Big C had called in sick and the thought of being alone with him filled me with so much dread, I feared I would throw up on the spot.
Several more laughs at my expense could be heard as the class filed out of the room. I could scarcely make out who it came from, but one person seemed to linger near the door, though I could only make out from below the knee. I deduced it was a boy from the pleated pants and standard issue dress shoes.
The belt that was wrapped around my wrists was digging painfully into my flesh and the welts on my butt burned. I wouldn’t be able to sit properly for the rest of the day. And by the looks of things, it appeared I was going to be late for my next class.
“Mr. Montgomery, did you need something?” Pastor John asked, sounding irritated to be held up.Montgomery.
Cain was here?
My already erratic heartbeat increased.
“I wanted to talk to you about my grade on the last test… are you just going to leave her like that?” he asked.
My stomach squeezed. Hedidstill care. But now I was worried what Pastor John would do to him. The last time he intervened, he nearly died.
“Are you questioning my teaching methods?” I knew that tone. Every nerve in my body coiled in on itself hearing the cold, detached way he spoke, knowing how volatile Pastor John could turn once he sounded like that.
“She just looks like?—”
“What she looks like is none of your concern. Now get to your next class before I throw you back onto the cross, boy.”
He seemed to stall for a moment, thinking over the consequences.
Please, Cain, I pleaded in my mind feeling a rouge tear slip over my nose,please don’t get hurt again. Not for me.
Then, the door slammed and I was left shivering, alone with Pastor John.
For those who are triggered by on page rape, please skip this next chapter.
