Deliverance (Fem x Stem)

5

Lilliana Morst

Teyanne offered to drive me back to my dorm, instead of me squeezing out some money for an Uber. Being the person that I was, I offered to pay for gas and let me tell you- that was a mistake. Ain't no reason gas prices should be looking like the time on a clock. I felt like I was spending fifty dollars to make a piece of junk move, and if you really thought about it all for a minute it was dumb as hell.

"What type of gas does this thing take?" I asked Teyanne as I got ready to pump. "Lemme do it. I'm a gentlewoman," she smirked. "And that one," she pointed. I sat in the driver's seat watching her pump. "What are you doing before your class starts?" I asked her.

"Probably gonna go to the church then chill afterwards if I have some time," she told me nonchalantly. "What are you gonna be doing?" I asked her curiously.

"Cleaning up with some other church members. Interacting with some people who'll help patch it back up and who donate generously to keep it running."

"I can help," I offered, watching her put the pump back. "Hmm, well don't reveal too much while we're there around my people," she told me. "The church is pretty...conversative." She looked at the time. "Ight, it's 12, it should be enough time to get you back for 3 for your class," she told me.

Once we were back on the road, Teyanne put the directions into her car to go to her church. I was kind of at peace to be driving near lights and to also be seeing more parts of Christiano. I had sort of toured what was necessary considering the campus and my dorm. The town was really beautiful and small. It was pretty church oriented, with a lot of things mentioning the church in town, the church Teyanne attended.

I could even tell that the people walking through town were a bit more covered up, and the town gave off a "we rarely have crime here except for you disgusting college students" vibe. I felt self conscious in my washed clothes from yesterday. "How long have you been going to this church? Are you from around here?" I questioned.

"You'll learn sooner rather than later," Teyanne shrugged. "My mom has a big mouth."

The church was grand and old fashioned built, but clearly new. We were almost tackled by a shorter, older version of Teyanne once we pulled up. She wore expensive perfume and had eyes that seemed pinched in a glare. "Who is this? Teyanne, what did I tell you about bringing ho-

"She's the friend that got injured by the deer. She wanted to come help out to pay back for using the tow truck," Teyanne said smoothly.

Teyanne's mother's smile brightened. "I'm Mrs. Sully. Sorry dear, I've just been stressed about the repairs. The rest of the church members have been going on and on about it. I hope things will be done by Sunday for services."

"I do too. Teyanne told me about the broken window," I stated.

Mrs. Sully nodded, seeming discouraged. She cut a look at her daughter, "And your father is here." An unreadable look crossed Teyanne's face but she smoothed it over. "I'll talk to him later."

Mrs. Sully nodded then turned back to me. "So you're a college student at Christiano right? Do you belong to a church?" she inquired.

"Uhh," I looked at Teyanne for some direction.

"She's kind of in the market," Teyanne said unsurely and her mother's eyes lit up. "Oh! Well I'll just have to show you around once things clean up around here. Perhaps Teyanne could invite you for Sunday," Mrs. Sully clapped her hands together. "C'mon, let's go find Mr. Sully."