Jesus Freaks: Sins of the Father

Everyone carries on as though this is a normal conversation.

“I—” I sputter out a few more consonants before settling on, “What?!”

Jonah looks up from his plate. “Huh?”

“She’s volunteering at Planned Parenthood? Isn’t that, like…”

Quick, answer me before I have to finish the sentence.

“Pamphlets,” Silas cuts in. “Bridgette is with her. They found out about it at some student activity meeting.”

I arch my eyebrow, imploring more information.

“Don’t kill your baby pamphlets, Kennedy,” Matt blurts out with a challenging half-grin on this lips.

Despite the crude nature of his reply, I appreciate the direction. “Oh,” I reply. “Got it.”

“You don’t have to be so vulgar, Matty,” Roland says while chewing on some salad.

Vulgar? Matty?

Matt used language that I’ve heard for several weeks at Carter; it came as no surprise to me. That Roland is asking him to tone it down does come as somewhat of a shock, despite his tendency to lean left. But Matty?

Matt chuckles. “Come on, Roland. That’s what they’re down there doing, isn’t it? Shoving those detailed pictures of aborted fetuses into girls’ faces? Even if they’re there getting help because some guy raped them and they don’t have the health insurance necessary to make sure they’re healthy?”

Silence overcomes the table, and within seconds all eyes are on me. Taking a quick lunch table inventory, I see that I’m the only female at the table and—for census’ sake—the only definitive liberal. Before opening my mouth, I’d like to know from which podium they’re expecting me to respond. Because apparently there can be two separate camps here.

“Are they alone? Eden and Bridgette.” It’s the only thing that has immediate urgency, and no one has mentioned it.

Jonah shrugs and looks to Silas, who mirrors the annoying movement.

“Let’s try an easy one,” I spit out. “Have either of them ever protested there before?”

“They’re not protesting,” Silas offers.

“Yes they are,” I snap, standing and grabbing my tray. “I used to work for Planned Parenthood, Silas. And no matter what you people here might call it, that’s not how it’s viewed by the people who work there. Or those who are seeking help.”

Roland wraps his hand around my forearm. “Kennedy,” he pleads. My eyes move from my arm to his eyes. Sensing his potential error, he casually drops his hand. “Where are you going?”

“To make sure they’re okay. What is it with you people?” My breath is short and my words are fast. “Don’t you remember Eden’s story about her brother getting punched while he was evangelizing? Just because they’re together doesn’t mean they’re safe. What—” Shaking my head, I force a deep breath into my chest. I turn for the trashcan, dump the salad I only took one bite from, and race outside.

Heading in the direction of my dorm to give a piece of my mind to Maggie, who undoubtedly approved their “volunteer” activity—and to ask for permission to leave campus—I hear two sets of voices calling my name.

“Kennedy!” they say in unison.

Turning around, I see Roland and Matt—the two most unlikely suspects in this scenario—following me. I stand and wait for them to catch up, given they’re not likely to stop my plan.

“What?” I say when they’re close enough to hear.

“Where are you going?” Roland asks again, Matt’s eyes on him.

“To Planned Parenthood,” I say as if it should be obvious. And it should be.

Matt lifts his chin. Interesting. “I’ll go with her,” he says to Roland.

I drag my fingers through my hair. “Can’t we, like, not go somewhere together alone? Oh! But when we fetch Bridgette and Eden, it’ll be kosher. Well…you know what I mean.” I’m not thrilled about going on this field trip with Matt, but Roland’s concerned look tells me he’s not thrilled with me going alone. And he has the administrative power to stop me from going at all.

Roland looks at Matt much the way he looks at me—and different, slightly, from the way he looks at the other students. It’s a fatherly gaze that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end, and I’m not sure why.

“Go. I’m approving you, right now. Just…watch your tongues.” Roland pats Matt on the shoulder and eyes me carefully. “Watch your tongues,” he emphasizes, but keeps his focus on me.

I mime zipping my lips, which elicits a smile from Roland before he turns back for the dining hall.

“Okay,” Matt says when Roland’s out of earshot. “What’s your plan?”

“Where’s the Planned Parenthood?”

Matt throws his head back and laughs. “Wow, Captain, we’re off to a good start.”

I click my tongue against my teeth. “Matt!”

He throws his hands in his pockets and nudges his head to the side. “Come on. We can walk. It’s just off the edge of campus.”

“You’re kidding.” I fall into step next to him.

Matt grins to the side, and I feel an uninvited warmth through my hands and chest. “Ironic, huh?”