One.

CHAPTER TWO

The fallout of the church unfolded almost immediately after that evening. One month later an investigation had begun on Mr. Lason apparently, Zari wasn't the first person he had assaulted. We later found out that he was originally from Maryville, Tennessee but after the church, he was formerly with found out he exploited multiple girls they filed a statement to the authorities. The investigation started but he left before they could officially charge him.

Meanwhile, me, my mom, Zari, and her parents were cast out of the church a few days after Mr. Lason got charged with sexual assault. One woman whom I've known for years told my mother that was I a " Disgrace for saying all those untrue things about a good man. " Also following it with a statement about Zari. " She was always a fast little girl & she's the reason all of this is happening. " Some wondered how I knew about the incident in the first place. Including Zari.

We didn't talk much after that night. Her parents didn't want her being around a girl who could " Get inside people's heads. " They saw me as an evil soul and they didn't want their daughter around it either.

When word got around everyone became that way. No one wanted to play with the girl who "saw things". Some called it a blessing while others called it demonic. They didn't like that I could see what others couldn't that only God was supposed to have that type of ability and for the most part, I actually agreed with them. I didn't like getting into people's heads. I felt like it was in some way an invasion of privacy. I didn't like the feeling of being scared to give someone a simple handshake in fear I might see something I shouldn't have. I didn't like not being normal anymore.

My mother being pushed out of the only church she'd ever known because of her strange daughter. She treated me differently as the months went by she didn't want to touch me. I recalled a time when she would hug me every chance she got but now she won't even look at me too long in fear of what I might see. I know she never said it but I knew she blamed me for what happened.

My eleventh birthday was around the corner and my mom was planning on inviting the whole family over for a meal. Most of my family lives in Jacksonville, Florida but my mom decided to move just before she had me. I hardly ever saw them and the last time I did was last year's Christmas. So it would've been nice to see all fifty-six of my cousins in one place again.

I was sitting at the kitchen table writing down all the things I could do once my family came when my mom walked in pulling up a seat sitting across from me. I was extremely stunned considering she hasn't even glanced at me since the incident but I will admit it was nice to see her face again and not just her backside.  

" So... Are you excited for Grandma & your cousins to come? " She asked.

I smiled. " Yes, mama. "

She smiled back.

This time she was actually looking at me without fear or shame. Oh, how I missed her smile. The smile that reminded me of sunshine. The same one that used to sing me to sleep every night. My mothers smile. The smile that made me realize everything was gonna be okay.

" You do understand once they come you can't do that... thing that you do. Do you understand? "

I put my head down guilt filling my mind. " I'm- I'm sorry. It's not like I can help it, mama. "

" I understand. But I do need to ask you some questions so everything can go smoothly okay baby? " She said.

I nodded. " Okay, mama. "

" Okay. " She said. " What exactly... Do you think this is? "

I shrugged. " I don't know. I told you all I saw. I just touched my hand with Mr. Lason's I started to feel strange then I saw Zari & Mr. Lason. But the weird thing is I saw Zari cry while I was there but there were no tears. When I opened my eyes I was crying instead. "