Abigails Sin

Faith's Hand

I woke with a sudden start. I was alone in his bedroom. Johns soft sheets twisted around my bare legs and ankles. Morning sun drifted in through the open windows letting in the sounds of birds chirping along the roof into the room. I gazed around looking for John, the only reminder her was ever in the room at all the pair of plaid pants sitting on the floor.

"Good morning" she called into me, throwing the door open wide with her bare feet skipping along the smooth floor. She jumped on the bed neatly folding her legs under her in one graceful movement. Her long brown hair swirled all around me now, her smile beaming down at me.

"Good morning"I pulled myself up into a sitting position placing my back against the thick oak headboard.

"I was thinking today you could come with me to my church" she suggested turning her head to the side to get a better look at me

"I have to go to my brother Faith" I was startled that she would even ask me such a question. "We have to find Peaches. I can't stand the thought of bad things happening to her anymore than what they already have" I stated. I expected her to get upset, run to John and tell him I was never allowed to leave but she didn't. She sat back on her heels comfortably and smiled. Her fingers clasped around mine and yanked me in one solid movement to my feet and across the hall to the guest bedroom. I pulled Johns shirt down trying to hide my legs but she only laughed not caring about any of it. The floor was cold making goosebumps rise on my arms.

"What are you two doing?" he demanded from somewhere downstairs. His voice bouncing off the walls to reach me.

"We're getting ready for church dear brother" she called back down to him. I gave her a look but she only shook her had bringing a slender finger up to her mouth to quiet me. She shut the door behind us. The thick white blankets covering the bed reminded me of my many nights in this bedroom. Old antique dressers and bookshelves, much like Johns room, but now decorated with blooming white flowers atop them. I knew the smell now, recognized it like I recognized the smell of roses or lilacs. Bliss. I had to admit it did look lovelier with a touch of Faith's handiwork inside. White strips of cloth hanging here and there like ribbons of cloud drifting from the ceiling.

"Faith I told you I can't go to church with you today" I started

"I know, I want to help you" she started opening drawers of my clothing and throwing pieces on the bed behind her. "John will never let you go but I want us to be friends" she looked back up at me, a giant smile placed on her plump lips. "I've always wanted a sister" she sighed "men just don't understand" she handed me a pair of my soft denim jeans. I stared down at the material in my hands, unsure of what to say to her.

"Thank you Faith" I tried to return her smile. Without asking she was also pulling a pair of my jeans out for herself. I had never seen her in anything but her assorted dresses with white lace and bows. We were about the same size I realized. I felt in the drawer for two long sleeved over shirts. Thumbing one dark green and blue into my left and a lighter brown and yellow one into my right hand for Faith. She accepted it cheerfully shrugging off the light white material covering her. I swirled myself around and walked into the bathroom to dress myself. When I came out she was standing in the mirror fixing the shirt I had handed her. It suited her, it really showed how deep brown her eyes were, almost like honey mixed with brown sugar. Freckles of gold sparkled throughout them. I knew she wasn't really related to John and his brothers, only adopted but I couldn't help seeing a small resemblance. Maybe it was the way she carried herself or maybe it was the righteousness that radiated off her like God had hand selected her for something.

"I'm coming with you" she proclaimed turning to face me

"I'm happy you're willing to help me but it's dangerous and-" she grabbed my shoulder with a strong hand, fierce even.