Page 42 of For I Have Sinned

“Yeah, well, some things I can’t talk to you about,” Joanna snaps.

What has her panties in a twist?

I look up at her and see she has pulled her focus from Bekah to Father Keaton, who is sitting at the table across from us. He is talking with Sister Alice, but his eyes move to Joanna.

Looking from him to Joanna, I notice a small smile plays on her lips. It’s faint, but it was enough to slow my chewing. Especially as I notice her cheeks turning pink.

When I glance back at him, he lightly gestures towards the door. Father Keaton’s eyes land on mine, and he offers a warm smile and a dip of his head. I smile back because it is the kind thing to do, and go back to finishing my fruit.

“But—” Bekah begins to say something until Joanna cuts her off.

“Bekah!” She seethes through her teeth.

My eyes widen at the tone of her voice and the annoyance that rolls off her tongue. Not very Godly of her to speak to her friend that way. Without another word, Joanna walks off, and Bekah bows her head. As I swallow the last bit of my food, I stand from my seat and announce that I am going to get some fresh air.

“I’ll come with you,” Esther says, standing from her spot.

“Bekah,” I grab her attention, and when she lifts her head, I can see the tears shining in her eyes. I hate that I am about to ask this because I don’t want to spend any more time with her, but I feel bad. “Would you like to join us?”

Her head shakes. “No, that is okay. I appreciate the offer. I think I’m going to take a nap.”

I flash a sad smile in her direction before leaving the dining hall with Esther by my side. Once we are in the courtyard and no one else is around us, Esther says, “That wasn’t awkward or anything.”

“Who knew Joanna could have a bite to her?”

“She may look like a ray of sunshine, but that girl has a temper,” Esther informs me. “That wasn’t the first time she has snapped at Bekah.”

“Why does Bekah put up with it?”

“Because she is a sheep following the herd.” Esther rolls her eyes. “I swear, she has never had control over her own thoughts or the choices she makes since she has been here. Joanna swooped in and took her in like she was a stray puppy, and ever since, it’s like Bekah is a robot that will do everything and anything Joanna tells her to do. It’s creepy.”

“That is kind of creepy,” I agree.

“Look where we are at.” She gestures to the exterior stone of the church. “This entire place is creepy. Everyone here is strange. It freaks me out.”

“I get weird vibes from here, too.” I sigh, sitting on the stone bench next to us.

“Were the other churches you went to like this?” Esther asks, plopping down beside me.

I shake my head and answer. “My parents only went to one church close to our house, but it was nothing like this. The church they attended was smaller, and the building was old, not like the structure of this one, but in the sense that they never made any renovations. It has remained the same since I was younger. Even has the same owners who are so old you’d think they’d be on their deathbeds.”

Esther chuckles. “The church my dad forced me to go to was older at one point, but they ended up needing to do the renovations because the roof was leaking. I remember sitting in the pew, hating my life as water droplets hit my shoulders. It was terrible.”

“Did you attend that church until you came here?”

“No. I refused to go, which is why I ended up here,” she exhales. “Although I guess it isn’t so bad since my dad rarely ever visits me. The first couple of times, I was furious with him for sending me here, and he got disgusted with my attitude. Said he didn’t want to see me for a while.”

“I guess that is a plus. My mom didn’t even stay long on our first visit, and my dad wasn’t with her. Which again, is a plus, but I do not look forward to seeing her every week.” I run my hand down the silk of my dress. “I wish we could have other visitors. I’d die to be able to talk to my friends.”

Esther hums, making me look her way to see her shove a hand down the front of her dress. I stare at her with utter confusion, wondering what the hell she is doing when she pulls her hand out with a small black device.

A cellphone.

“I had a burner when I was living with my dad because he always wanted to check what I was getting into.” She smirks. “It’s a flip phone, but it does the job. I hid it well from Sister Alice.”

I shake my head and chuckle. “You are trouble.”

She shrugs with a smile. “Do you know their numbers?”