Forbidden Fruits

Chapter 7: Faith

"Hey, Mama! How are you?" I chirped into the phone, flopping down on my bed to talk to my parents. It'd been a long week, so I was looking forward to having a good conversation with my mom. Last night was the first football game of the season, and I had the greatest time ever. It was nothing like any of my high school football games. We won, which definitely added a nice little cherry on top.

"I'm good, my ladybug. How was your Friday? I know they're always your favorite days of the week," Mom responded, and I smiled hearing her voice.

"It was so great, Mama! I went to the football game and it was so fun! Trixie and I-" I cut myself off, realizing my mistake. Of course, I had gone to the game with Trixie, we had a great time together, and Melanie from my writing class met us there and got us really good spots in the student section. I had a great time with the two of them, but I didn't mean to mention Trixie's involvement in the night to my mom who was still fiercely anti-Trixie.

"Trixie? You mean that no-good Beatrix you were stuck with as a roommate?" I could hear the anger in Mom's voice growing. I didn't respond. "Faith Eden Anderson, you know full well that I don't ask rhetorical questions. You better answer me."

"Yes, Mama," I rush out, hoping to get my point across before she can continue berating me. "But, really, Mama she's not as bad as you think. She's been a really good friend to me and I just-"
"Faith! Shut your mouth! I do not want to hear it!" Mom's raising her voice now, and if I was there in person I know this would be the moment I'd be shrinking away in fear. "You knowingly went against what I told you to do! How long have you been running around with this girl and hiding it from me?!"

I swallow the lump in my throat and will the tears in my eyes to remain at bay. "The- the whole time I've been here..."

Mom's response was to scream my answer back at me in shock. "Faith Anderson! I have never in my life been more disappointed in you! You should be ashamed of yourself! This is not how my daughter acts!"

Something in me boiled over, the upset I felt morphing into anger. "It is how your daughter acts! I'm doing exactly what the Bible tells me to do, lovin' without judgin'! She is my friend, Mom! You do not know her! You are makin' wrongful assumptions about her just because of how she looks and I quite frankly do not enjoy that! She has been my bes' friend for the past three weeks and I'm not gonna cut off that friendship just 'cause you refuse to look past your ignorance to find just a lil' love in your heart!"

After I finish saying my piece, it's quiet. I can hear Mom's angry breathing over the phone and that's it. Finally, after what feels like forever, she speaks. "I don't know who you are anymore, and I don't think I like the person you are right now."

Then she hangs up.

That's all it takes to release the floodgates. I throw my phone down on my bed and bury my hands in my face and sob. I thank the Lord that Trixie isn't here to see this mess. I heave and sob and sniffle for as long as I need until I couldn't cry more if I tried.

When I'm done, I pick myself up and pull myself off my bed. I blow my nose and take a quick trip to the communal bathroom to splash some water on my face. When I'm back, I waste no time throwing on my favorite old bikini and cover-up. It was a Saturday night the day after a big football game, no one was going to be at the pool, and I was glad for it. I shoot a text over to Trixie to let her know where I'll be so she doesn't freak out when she gets back and I'm not there. Then, I'm gone.

I navigate through the halls and the short walk to the recreation center. When I make it to the poolside, I have to stop myself from breathing out a great sigh of relief. I drop all my stuff off, shed my cover-up, and dive right in.