Chapter 17: Found Out

August 7, 1983, McKinley, Ohio

The phone in my room rang late Sunday afternoon while Milena and I were relaxing and listening to music.

"Hi, Mikey!"

"Hi, Liz! What's up?"

"Guess whose parents came home WAY earlier than expected? Three guesses and the first two don't count!"

"«Говно» (gavno)! Maggie's." ("shit")

"Right the first time."

"And?"

"Grounded for two centuries, I think."

"Wonderful," I sighed.

"It's worse, Mikey."

"How could it be worse?"

"Her dad found the books you gave her and the prayer rope."

"«На пиздец» (nam pizdets)," I sighed. ("We're fucked")

Milena shook her head, obviously understanding what I'd said.

"I don't speak Russian, Mikey," Liz said.

"We're screwed, though a word which would cause Mom to blow a gasket."

"Fucked," Liz confirmed.

"Yeah. So?"

"She was supposed to meet with her pastor today. I don't know what happened."

"How did you find this out?"

"My friend Hannah goes to the same church. Maggie asked her to call me."

"Wonderful. Well, I don't think there is anything I can do at this point. If you can get a message to Maggie through Hannah, let her know I know."

"I will. How are things otherwise?"

"Until you called, they were almost perfect!"

"Sorry!"

"It's not your fault," I replied. "How are things at home?"

"Pretty good, actually. Are you coming home anytime soon?"

"I'm going to dinner at Tasha's for her birthday, but I'm not staying."

"Is it OK if we come to see you?"

"Next Sunday just opened up, I guess."

"OK. Let me talk to Mindy and Emmy."

"Just let me know."

"I will."

We said 'goodbye', and I hung up, then slumped down on the couch next to Milena.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Maggie got caught yesterday, and her dad found the two books about the Orthodox Church, the prayer book, and the prayer rope I gave her. I guess she's going before the Inquisition at her church today."

"Do fundies do auto-da-fé?" Milena asked.

I shrugged, "I have no idea. I've stayed as far away from those kinds of churches as humanly possible. I went to Jocelyn's Lutheran church a few times, but I don't think it's anything like where Maggie goes."

"Trust me, it isn't. And let's hope they stop short of burning her at the stake."

"So, how do I help her?"

"I'm not sure you can, Mike. She's seventeen, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, at least her dad can't have you arrested for sleeping with her."

"I didn't!"

"Think that would stop him from calling the cops if she was fifteen?"

"I wouldn't have been dating her if she was fifteen!" I protested.

"Sorry, no, you wouldn't. But you get the point, right?"

"Unfortunately," I sighed. "From what happened with Liz."

"Well, at least you won't be in any legal trouble. But seriously, so long as she's under eighteen, he may as well be God. She can't marry without his permission before she turns eighteen, and I know full well you aren't ready for that."

"No, I'm not."

"Which means she has to live at home until she finishes High School, at least."

"That was the plan, obviously," I replied. "But this kind of throws a monkey wrench into trying to get to know her better. I just wish there was something I could do."

"I wouldn't advise confronting her dad if you're actually contemplating that course of action."

"I'm not. I could do that with Tasha's dad because there were special circumstances."

"Then all you can do is wait. It's only ten months."

"Which puts my chance to get to know her on hold until the time when Tasha is expecting to have a conversation about our future."

"Why the deadline?"

"At some point, Tasha isn't going to wait. She's wanted a very specific question from me for the past three years. I've put her off, but at some point, I have to decide one way or the other."

"You'll be twenty-one, and she'll be eighteen, for Pete's sake! What's the rush?"

"I think your world and Tasha's world are so far apart you might need to resurrect the Apollo program to get there from where you are!"

"But eighteen?"

"I'll wager Maggie has the same idea, though in her case, she's supposed to go to a college in Michigan to meet a husband and learn to be a pastor's wife."

"Do you know how crazy that sounds?"

"It's a different culture. I don't know much about Maggie's situation beyond the bit she's told me, but I do know about Tasha's, which is, to some extent, mine. There's nothing wrong with marrying young in my book."

"Then why haven't you married?" Milena asked with an arched eyebrow.

"The main reason? It's impractical. If I had, for example, joined the military, then I could have easily supported a wife and family pretty much right out of High School. The same goes for the guys I knew who became plumbers or carpenters or went to work for the Sheriff's department. But in my case, because it's impractical, I've only taken baby steps in that direction, knowing it has to be a few years off."

"What about college?"

"Not everyone needs to go to college," I replied. "There's nothing wrong with those careers I mentioned — plumber or carpenter, or military service for those inclined to do that. Or what Tasha and Maggie are considering — pharmacy technician and paralegal, respectively."

"But both of them seem smart enough to go to college. Wouldn't they be better off?"

"Would they? Katy's dad said something Friday night that I think was exactly right — it's better to be happy than to do something that makes you unhappy just to earn more money. Let me ask you something: are you becoming a professor of music to get rich or because you love music and want to teach?"

Milena laughed, "I'm certainly not going to get rich as a college professor!"

"Exactly. You're doing what you love. There are plenty of good jobs that don't require college degrees, and somebody has to do them. And they're just as important as any other job. I don't think either you or I could do the jobs we want to do unless there were plumbers, electricians, carpenters, secretaries, payroll clerks, and so on."

"I suppose I'm biased because I come from an academic family, and most of my friends are academics or students."

"And I come from a rural county where the vast majority of kids don't go to college and yet seem to manage just fine."

"You don't think Maggie and Tasha are simply looking for a way to escape from their parents?"

I shrugged, "Most kids I know are like that, me included. That's what I'm doing here over the Summer. There's another factor, too, which I doubt you've even considered."

"What's that?"

I smirked, "The only legitimate outlet for sexual desire, at least in their minds, is marriage."

"Oh, GIVE ME A BREAK!" Milena growled, shaking her head. "Those outdated ideas are, well, nuts! You don't agree with them!"

"That's true, but THEY do. And if there is one decision which has to be very personal, it's the decision to have sex. In both their cases, their hormones are on overload just as mine were, and given what they believe, marriage is the only solution."

Milena shook her head, "That's something I just can't understand."

"But you do agree it has to be their decision and theirs alone?"

"What do you plan to teach your kids?"

I grinned, "The same thing my mom taught me! And had I not been so socially retarded, I would have understood at an earlier age."

"That should prove to be an interesting conversation with Tasha or Maggie if you marry either of them!"

"I think worrying about my children having sex is more than a bit premature, given I'm not planning on having kids anytime soon!"

"I'm curious, and you obviously don't have to answer, but do Maggie and Tasha know you're not a virgin?"

"Yes. Tasha isn't happy, but she knows my first time was with Jocelyn, and that was before Tasha and I started seeing each other. Maggie is more intrigued than upset."

Milena laughed, "Because one of your mutual friends bragged about you?"

"So it would seem, though you and Deb seemed to think I was a bit on the boring side."

Milena laughed softly, "I have a different perspective now. But we said 'conventional,' not 'boring'."

I grinned, "I think it works out the same in THAT circumstance."

"Does it bother you?"

I shook my head, "No. You know I prefer what we've been doing."

"I do. Are you and Kristin going to pick up where you left off?"

"Possibly. I was going to break it off, but we ended up leaving things open. All the stuff that went down with Angie and Janey last semester kind of muddled my thinking. When she comes back, we'll figure it out. Frankly, I'd have been happier to be with you, but I am in NO WAY unhappy that you and Joel reconnected. That's especially true given you and I agreed we can't agree on religion."

"How about we ask Deb to cover for you? You have dinner at the house and spend the night? Just cuddling."

I grinned, "If you can restrain yourself, sure!"

Milena leaned over and kissed my cheek, "I can."

August 11, 1983, McKinley, Ohio

"So what happened?" I asked when Liz called on Thursday evening.

"I can only tell you what Hannah said because I haven't talked to Maggie. I figured it was a bad idea to try, given I'm pretty sure her parents know we're Orthodox."

"What did Hannah say?"

"That Maggie's dad burned the books and the prayer rope."

I sighed, "Ferdinand and Isabella called; they want their Inquisition back."

"Spain?"

"Yes. But I could point to any number of book burnings by Roman Catholics and Protestants throughout history. What else?"

"Supposedly, her pastor demanded that she recite some list of beliefs, and she refused, so she's been kicked out of the church. Hannah used some other term."

"Disfellowship?"

"Yes."

"It's like excommunication, but given how rarely they have their version of the Eucharist, that wouldn't be a big deal. I suspect it means she can't come to church."

"Yes. The church leaders also told the other kids at church they aren't to associate with her."

"Oh, for Pete's sake," I growled.

"And she's still grounded."

"So, did Hannah talk to her, or is this just from what was said at church?"

"Just from church. Mindy is going to try to call Maggie tomorrow morning. We're not sure how that will go, but Mindy is hoping to at least talk to her."

"Why are parents SO stupid?" I asked.

"Mom and Dad did the same thing!"

"Oh, I know. But at least I could reason with them, and they loosened the reins over time to the point where you're basically free again. Sasha still isn't, and Tasha is only free because it would be tough for Deacon Vasily to defend his position to the bishop if he forbade her from seeing me."

"If Mindy can talk to her, is there anything you want to say?"

"Tell her I'm concerned, obviously, and that I'll do anything I can. I'm not sure what that might be, but if there is anything, I'll do it. I'll also replace her prayer book and prayer rope when the time comes."

"OK. I'll call Mindy as soon as we hang up. See you Sunday after church!"

We said 'goodbye', and I hung up. There really wasn't anything I could do to help Maggie, nor could I even talk with her. All I could do was be thankful he hadn't thrown the blessed prayer rope in the trash and wait to see what happened.

August 14, 1983, McKinley, Ohio

With the Summer session over, Angie had gone home on Saturday morning, and I had packed up my things that afternoon. I couldn't move into my new room until the 20th, and had to be out of my current room by Monday at noon. I could store things in my room on the eighth floor, but the dorms were officially closed, which meant I couldn't sleep there, so I'd accepted Milena's invitation to stay at her house.

At church, I performed my usual duties during Matins and the Divine Liturgy, and once the services ended, I let Father Nicholas know I had plans, received his blessing, and left the nave, heading for the parking lot.

"Hi, Mike!" Yuliana gushed as I walked through the narthex.

"Hi," I grinned. "How are you?"

"Good! Katy and Angie are gone, so you could sit with Angelina and me if you wanted!"

"Thanks, but I'm meeting some friends today, so I need to head back to campus."

"Next week?"

"Ask me then, OK?" I replied politely.

"Sure!" she said, beaming.

She walked away, and I left the church and headed to my car. Yuliana would be starting her Junior year, and Angelina her Senior year, which made them a bit young, but given the way things were going, just about anything was possible. I could be friendly with them without violating Tasha's rule, and given they were still in High School, that was all it was going to be.

I arrived on campus and had just enough time to change into shorts and a T-shirt before Liz, Mindy, and Emmy arrived. I met them in the lobby, and we headed to Milton Lake to have a picnic lunch.

"I talked to Maggie," Mindy said once we were in the car. "But only for like a minute because she didn't want to stay on the phone in case her mom came home early for some reason. She said to say 'Hi' and that she's sorry."

"She didn't do anything wrong," I replied. "It's all her dad."

"She got off the phone quick, like I said, but she said she'll talk to me at school a week from tomorrow."

"And I talked to Hannah yesterday," Liz said. "She said the youth pastor really focused on staying away from 'false churches' and 'false teachers'. And to avoid anything to do with Rome!"

"I avoid anything to do with Rome, so we're in agreement there!" I chuckled. "I guess I'm way more dangerous than I realized!"

Liz laughed, "Only to virginity!"

Mindy and Emmy squealed in laughter.

"Liz!" I spat, but I was laughing with the girls.

"You have to admit it was funny," she smirked.

"It was, but totally inappropriate."

"Why?" Mindy asked, still laughing. "You got mine, and you got Emmy's!"

"Which is NOT a topic for discussion in public!"

"What public?" Emmy laughed. "You, me, Mindy, and Liz!"

"Liz!" I said. "That's 'what public'!"

"Right," Mindy laughed, "as if she doesn't know what happened!"

"In NAUSEATING detail," Liz said, making retching sounds.

"How about we change the subject?" I asked.

"GREAT idea!" Liz declared quickly.

We had a nice lunch, then spent some time splashing around in the lake. Afterwards, the girls sunned themselves for a bit before we headed back to campus. I got permission for the girls to help me move my things from the second floor to the eighth, and once we were done, the girls headed home, and I grabbed my bag and headed to Milena's.

August 19, 1983, Sylvania, Ohio

I arrived at Clarissa's house just after 8:00pm on Friday evening, having left McKinley as soon as my last shift of the Summer ended at the Quick Mart. I parked in the driveway, then walked to the front door and rang the bell.

"Petrovich!" Clarissa exclaimed when she opened the door.

"Good evening, Svetlana Yakovovna!" I grinned.

"Oh, stop!" she laughed. "How was your drive?"

"Just fine."

"Did you eat?"

"Yes. I drove through Wendy's at about 5:30pm."

"OK. We have you in the guest room. Mom and Dad are out, but they'll be home in about an hour, so let's get you settled."

I followed Clarissa upstairs to a guest room, where I left my bag, then followed her downstairs, where she got us each a Coke. We went out through a sliding glass door to a patio behind their house.

"Have you heard anything more about Maggie?"

"No. Mindy, Emmy, and Liz will be able to talk to her at school on Monday, so that's when I might know more. I'm assuming I won't be able to see her before graduation."

"That sucks. So I guess no change from when we talked the other night."

"Not really; there isn't much I can do. How about you?"

"No change. I'll tell them tomorrow morning. If things get ugly, we can just leave."

"You'll need to pack your things, though."

"I have most everything still in boxes, so it's just my clothes, bathroom stuff, and a few books."

"Will it all fit in my Mustang?"

"It should."

"What's your take?"

"I have no idea, actually. I haven't hinted at anything because I didn't want a confrontation. I think they half-expected me to ask if you could sleep in my room."

I chuckled, "It wouldn't have surprised me if you did, but that might send the wrong signal."

"I know, which is why I didn't ask. But I get first dibs when I come back to Taft!"

I smiled, "Understood. How's Glenda?"

"Good. I talked to her earlier today. We'll see each other when we get back to school. She had a fantastic time traveling around on the trains."

"Milena suggested that was something I should try to do before medical school, but I don't think I can swing it financially."

"How is she doing?"

"Still scared!" I replied. "She's madly in love with Joel and has been since she was thirteen. But the idea of a lifetime commitment after ten years of basically no-strings-attached sex with no real relationships has her a bit freaked out."

"But she's going to say 'yes', right?"

"Of course she is! But she's not quite used to the idea just yet."

"I bet! So, have you thought more about our situation?"

"I think of you just about every waking moment," I replied.

"And?"

"And I love you."

"But?"

I shook my head, "You sound like my mom! The thing is, in this case, there is no obvious answer."

"You're concerned that at some point, my lesbian desire will overwhelm me."

"The thought had crossed my mind," I replied with a wry smile. "Maybe in some weird alternate universe, we could make that work, you know, a bisexual girl who liked us both or even just a girl you were with sometimes. In this universe, I don't see that working."

"Because of church?"

"Mostly, but society would heavily frown on that. I could see somebody complaining to the State Medical Board that we were of 'low moral character' or guilty of 'moral turpitude' and therefore unfit for medical licenses."