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It had only been a month since their fathers tragic death, and their mother already managed to pack up her family's belongings, and move them out of state. Mary Jane took it the hardest, but she understood in the end. But eldest sibling, Julien, wasn't so understanding. He wanted to continue to live on the ranch they grew up in, but their mother insisted otherwise. Sure, he could've easily taken over the ranch. But that meant he wouldn't be able to serve his country. That was more important to him. Especially since it was all he ever used to talk about with their father growing up. Julien knew he would soon be heading off to boot camp in a few weeks time, so he decided to tag along, and spend as much as he could with his family.
"Do we have to go to church, Ma? I mean...we never did before." Mary Jane hesitantly asks her mother while entering the small shop in Knockemstiff. There wasn't much to do in this place, which meant they're would be gossip. Mary Jane absolutely despised gossip.
"Times have changed, darlin'. We anyway should've spent more time prayin'. Hell—maybe your daddy might even been still alive, if we had." Her mother spoke while grabbing a hold of an red shopping basket from the floor.
Mary Jane couldn't help but roll her eyes at her mothers response. Ever since those religious neighbors came over to give their condolences, her mother became more serious with Christianity. Not that there's anything wrong with religion, because there wasn't. She agreed that religion could be beneficial for some people. But what Mary Jane couldn't agree with was the guilt shaming. Especially if someone is doing it in order to gain more religious followers. Because in the end, no matter what god they all could've prayed too—nothing could've changed what happened to her father. not ever.
"Don't talk nonsense mama." Mary Jane says while rolling her eyes as they browed through the cereal section of the store.
"Will you—Mary Jane Adams! Gosh, who knows could be listening!" Judith exclaims to her daughter in whispers, before franticly looking around hoping no one heard.
"Why does it matter? These people don't know us."
"They don't, but they will." Her mother sternly informs the girl, before meeting eyes with the cashier eaves dropping. Quickly her mother smiled his way, before leading Mary Jane towards the freezer sections.
"Im just saying.... Don't be so hard on yourself about dad." Mary Jane whispers to her mother who's was grabbing frozen bag of peas, and tossing them into her basket.
Once Judith heard her daughters comment, she couldn't help but smile at her daughter. Judith then grabbed ahold of her daughters pale face, while her left inner arm gripped onto the grocery basket handle.
