Chapter 11: God Loves You

The school dance was a week away and Mia was disappointed that she wouldn't be going. She was restricted to the house because she had run away, so she spent most of her time sitting in her room and staring off into space, filled with resentment.

It was early Saturday morning and she listened to her grandpa leave for the hardware store, then she lay in bed awake until her grandma made noises in the kitchen. Mia then got out of bed and crept down the stairs.

"Good morning," Claudia greeted her granddaughter with a squeeze before turning back towards the sink where she was working.

"Morning Gram," Mia managed, "Is Popoff gone?"

"Yes," Claudia said, even though she suspected Mia already knew that.

Mia didn't waste any time, "I want a picture of my mother."

Claudia smiled at her granddaughter, wishing she wouldn't start this before they even had a chance to eat, "I know you do sweetheart, but Popoff said 'no.'"

Mia didn't know if she was getting her point across, she wanted a picture right now, no more waiting, "Well, can you give me one since Popoff isn't here?"

"Mia," Claudia said with sympathy, "Your grandfather knows those pictures backwards and forwards and he could tell if one was missing. I can't just go get one and give it to you and hope he doesn't find out. Besides, he has them put away and I don't know where they are."

Mia felt like strangling someone, "Why does he have to be like this?"

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for you," Claudia explained and she hated always being caught in the middle.

"It's not fair," Mia said, "If I can't have a picture of her then I should at least be able to see her."

"I'm sorry Mia," Claudia sighed, unsure how to comfort her granddaughter.

Mia was no longer in the mood for breakfast. She stormed out of the kitchen and up to her bedroom, slamming the door. Claudia stood at the kitchen sink and the tears began to flow. She had married a domineering man and over the years she had lost count of how many times she had stood at that particular kitchen sink with tears in her eyes.

In Mia's mind no one understood how much she longed to know her mother. She had always wanted a "normal" family with a mother and father like most of her friends had. Her grandparents were wonderful people, but they weren't the same as having her own set of parents. She wanted to experience first hand what it was like to complain to a mother over something silly, or have her mother dote on her. Mia was torn up inside, and afraid to run away again to look for her mother because she was afraid of Popoff's belt. She rested her head on her pillow and continued staring at the wall as her tears continued to fall, leaving tiny traces of salt on her skin.

Father Joseph arrived at the hardware store while Martin was with a customer. Martin excused himself and reassigned the customer to one of his employees. He smiled at Father Joseph with enthusiasm, "Good morning Father," he said shaking his hand.

"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice," Father Joseph said as he followed Martin back to his office.

"Can I offer you some coffee?" Martin asked, pouring himself a cup.

"Thanks," Father Joseph said and watched as Martin poured a cup of fresh coffee and handed it to him. They both sat down in Martin's office across from one another, Martin behind his desk and Father Joseph in a chair in front of the desk.

Martin suspected he knew why Father Joseph was there, but he hoped he was wrong, "What can I do for you Father?"

Father Joseph had dealt with Martin before and he knew how unreasonable he could be. He wasn't sure where to begin, but he felt being open and honest was probably the best approach, "I was talking with Sister Agatha and she said Mia has been rather distracted in school lately," Father Joseph said.

Martin wasn't pleased, "Do I need to take a firmer hand with her?"

"No," Father Joseph assured him, "To be honest Martin, we're worried about how the rumors of Mia's mother's return are affecting her."

Martin bristled, "It shouldn't affect her at all. Mia's mother is not even part of my family anymore."

Father Joseph slowly sipped his coffee, "May I ask why Martin?"

Martin sighed, "She became a prostitute. I no longer want anything more to do with her."

"Prostitution is something God can forgive," Father Joseph said, "Christ can pardon her if she makes a sincere confession and does her penance."

Martin was becoming agitated, "No offense Father, because I am a God fearing man same as the next, but I don't care if Christ or God can forgive her. I know we aren't supposed to judge others, but I can't forgive her."

"You can't or you won't?" Father Joseph asked, "It's not like she's murdered someone Martin," Father Joseph pointed out.

"How do you know?" Martin asked bitterly.

Father Joseph was taken aback, "Well I would certainly hope not."

Martin felt his anger rising, "You don't know how much I loved her and wanted the best for her. You don't know what it's like to work hard all your life and try and bring your children up right. You are a priest and no offense, but you don't have children so it's difficult for you to understand," he said in irritation.

"Martin," Father Joseph said ardently, "I know I don't have any children but it's only because that's God's intent, but it certainly doesn't mean I don't understand. I am God's humble servant and I feel compelled to point out to you that this bitterness you have inside of you towards your daughter is causing stress to your granddaughter."

"I don't see how," Martin said angrily.

"Mia wants to know her mother," Father Joseph said, "It's important to her for her own peace of mind."

"Her mother," Martin spat, "is not the girl she was at fourteen, she's a hardened harlot; a prostitute; a whore, and I don't want my granddaughter around her. All I need is for Mia to follow in her mother's footsteps. I'll see Mia dead before that happens."

Father Joseph looked at Martin with wide eyes.

"Sorry Father," Martin said, realizing his last statement was over the top, "I didn't really mean it that way."

Father Joseph could tell he was getting nowhere with Martin, "I understand your anger Martin, and as a father you have a right to be disappointed, but I urge you to open your heart to your daughter as Christ would want you to do."

Martin wanted to scream "Fuck Christ," but he restrained himself, "I'm sorry for wasting your time Father, but I have no intention of changing my mind. Angelica is not my daughter anymore and it's not in Mia's best interest to see her. If Mia's grades are slipping I can certainly deal with that issue at home, and I fully intend to, but don't come here again asking me to forgive my daughter and let my granddaughter see her."

Father Joseph realized it was time to leave before he made things even worse, "I implore you to reconsider," Father Joseph said softly, "For Mia's sake. Angel is God's child too, just like the rest of us."

Martin stood up and opened the door of his office, "I appreciate you visiting me this morning Father, but I have a lot of work to do."

Father Joseph set his unfinished cup of coffee down and stood up to leave, "I hope to see you at Mass on Sunday."

"Certainly Father," Martin said and he shook Father Joseph's hand and watched him walk out of the store.

Angel rolled over and snuggled up next to Jordan. They were both naked. It was Saturday morning; a full week from the first day Angel had arrived in Argus Falls. In many ways the last seven days seemed like a lifetime to her, considering all that had transpired during that time. She thought of the revelations she and Jordan had shared the previous evening. It was a huge relief for her that Jordan finally knew about Ethan Parks, and not only that, it was a huge relief that he could fully comprehend the dynamics of her life in Reno. Even though their common connection to Ethan made both of them vulnerable, it also gave them a certain amount of strength and comfort.

Angel had been attracted to Jordan from the very beginning. There was something about him that drew her to him, and as each day passed she knew it would be impossible to leave him without a fight. She closed her eyes because she couldn't stand to think about it.

Jordan held her close and caressed her body, "Good morning," he sighed.