Three Converts

Part 67

Dad came back with Gordo, Griffin, and Rocco, looking older than I'd ever seen him, but with a smile on his face. Griffin pecked my cheek and I saw Dad flinch. I was happy to see his smile didn't falter. Mom gave me a wink, which was something I'd never seen before. I was getting a glimpse of my mother, pre-Robe, and she was livelier than I'd ever seen her.

The men announced Brother Augustus was in police custody. It turned out he had a history of violent behavior, but nobody had ever pressed charges. I knew why- he had us convinced Diety would punish us for insolence. He had so many people blinded by fear. Not the least of which was Franklin. Sophie was the first to ask about him. Her capacity for kindness never ceased to amaze me.

"He's all broken," Rocco said cheerily. "Tons of broken bones, concussion, but he'll make it. I'm going to encourage him to make a home somewhere far away from here." I hugged Rocco. Misty found herself a really good one.

"He never really stood a chance with Augustus as his dad," Soph said with a frown.

"Maybe not, but he knew right from wrong. And he chose wrong." I simply could not muster up any sympathy for that monster.

Dad yawned, looking embarrassed. "Excuse me!"

"Let me show you to your room," Griffin said. They looked more than a little relieved. Gordo left as well, promising to be back in the morning. He rubbed Sophie's arm, and slipped out. "Where does that guy go?" Misty wondered. Sophie grinned. "He's pretty elusive, isn't he?" There was an affection her voice that I'm not sure she even noticed, but Misty and I exchanged smiles.

We reclined in the living room, rehashing the day's events. "There were a few stragglers at the commune," Gordo said. "People that didn't have anywhere else to go, or didn't want to leave."

"I don't think there's any harm in letting them stay. It isn't easy to leave your home. They may just need time."

"What about us?" Misty asked. She was talking to all of us, but really it was a question for Rocco.

"I say we stay," he sounded surprised by his answer, then incredibly pleased when Misty threw herself at him, tipping him over.

"Yay!" she whispered something to him that I was thankful I couldn't hear. Rocco turned red as the rising sun.

"I'm going to do whatever mom and dad do," Sophie said firmly. I love it here, but I just need to be with them for a while. If they decide to leave, I'm following." I understood. Mom and Dad's love was a healing power she needed. I hoped they stayed, but even if they didn't, I knew they'd be part of my life.

"What about you?" Griff asked, slipping his fingers deftly through mine like they lived there. His face was almost as red as Rocco's, but with nerves rather than pleasure. It occurred to me he thought I would leave with my parents and Sophie. "I'm staying." I said firmly. I loved my family, but I wanted to pursue my job at the med center, I wanted to be with Griffin. To watch him work, to feel him beside me in bed, to laugh with him, to let him heal me the way my parents would heal Soph. And I hoped I could do the same for him. His head flopped back, and he closed his eyes. I pushed my lips against his. He smelled like oak. I kissed harder, until Rocco and Misty whooped and cheered. I pulled away and laughed when he pulled me back in.

"Okay! That's my cue to go to bed!" Sophie cringed. I wiggled out of Griff's arms to hug my sister. "Night Soph."

When she was safely out of earshot, Griff whistled. "Man, is Gordo going to be torn up if that girl leaves." I was with Gordo. I just got my family back, it would be hard to say good-bye to them again. "Anyway," Griff squeezed my arm, "good work today, guys. With the exception of Franklin, I think things went pretty smoothly."

"I hate to pat us on the back," Misty added, "but I'm going to go ahead and say we saved some lives. The council was dangerous. Nobody can dole out punishment like that on behalf of God." She paused. "In my opinion anyway."

I was too exhausted to think philosophically about anything. At some point I wanted to discover what my faith really meant, but right now my biggest hope was in a good night's sleep. I stretched and hoisted myself out of the couch. "I've got to get some sleep. It's been a day! And I have to work at the med center tomorrow." I purposely averted my eyes from Misty, worried I'd break into an obvious smile if I looked at her. She'd whispered to me earlier that she hoped I'd be delivering her baby seven months from now. The thought still made my eyes dampen.

"I don't have an early morning. I'll sleep on the couch tonight," Griffin said, casting his eyes toward my parents' door. I kissed his shoulder, then the tops of Misty and Rocco's heads. My friends. My little makeshift family. I loved them every bit as much as my biological family. Tonight, we would sleep well. Nobody was after us. We weren't under judgement of the council. We were free.

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The End! Thank you so much for reading my story! It means the world to me! I hope you enjoyed it. <3