Unholy. {H.S}

Sunday Best.

Dear journal,
I am leave for college tomorrow and dad went and purchased a prayer journal for me. He says I need to write down things I was grateful for that day. But, today is hard. My heart is sad because I leave home, which means my dad will be alone for the first time in 8 years.
So I am grateful for
- going to college only an hour away.
- doing what god has called me to do.
- and finding my way in this world.
Love,
BO.

Bonnie P.O.V.
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I was always excited for this day, but I never thought it was going to be sad. Saying goodbye to the elderly women and men at the church was hard, they've watched me grow, they were the ones helping me get ready for Prom because dad didn't know how to apply makeup or do my hair. Good times.

Even though our church is the tiniest church in town, it's the only church. We have a population of around 30 that attend, but that's family. Oh, and my dad is the preacher. Living in a small town in Tennessee is really hard, especially when everyone knows you by the "Preachers Daughter"- good way to run off boys.

Our town has all eyes on everyones- knows everyone's secrets, income, fears, and family issues. Thats a whole other problem.

I love my town, but I am ready to find my way in the state of Tennessee. I am going to college right outside Nashville, where the world seems to move a lot faster and be a lot louder. My dad doesn't want me living in a dorm so I have gotten a small apartment right off campus- my new home.

    I move in tomorrow morning and then start classes on Tuesday. I have a few friends from home attending this year, so I am not necessarily going in with no one by my side. My best friend June, is going but her family is allowing her to live on campus- my dad is just too protective for that.

Later that day.
    I find my dad in his famous spot- the recliner. Looking down at the small box of things that was moms..
    It's hard seeing him this way because he is scared I am leaving him for good too. I lay the last box by the door and clear my throat to alert him of my presence.
"Dad?" I seem to tip toe to him since the old home has so many squeaks and creeks in the floor board.

"Oh- hey, bug. Just looking at her stuff. I wanted to give you something." I watch my father wipe something from his eye- he claims he never cries. He is a liar I hear him sniffle in the night when he remembers she is no longer here.

"What is it?" I smile down at him- looking over his shoulder, looking into the old wooden box. Her name was engraved at the top- Lily Stone.
Dad pulls out my mother's necklace.

The memories seem to flood in through my brain. When she'd hug me I'd feel the cool metal, when we were at church everyone complemented it. That's her necklace.

My dad places her diamond cross necklace around my neck where it then hung right in the center of my chest. While he was connecting the necklace I noticed notes and pictures in her box he had never shown me before...

My thoughts were cut off when he shut the box to place in on the fireplace mantle where it belonged.
I look down at the beautiful details in the necklace and close my eyes- picturing her giving it to me.

"Bonnie, we need to get going. I want you in your new apartment before dark." And I flinch as the door slams, my dad is not an emotional guy- so he says. But, I hear his soft cries at night when he dreams of my mom.