But the next day, she sent me a text at lunch like we'd agreed. It was short and sweet, telling me I had five minutes until she was in the cafeteria. I got up, found myself something to eat - because I'd promised - and headed back to my office, but I didn't get a second text. Starting to get worried, I sent her one after fifteen minutes had passed. I got a short reply.
Faith:Talking to a guy. Sorry!
Violet:Then keep talking!
So I ate my pre-made salad alone, but I was still smiling. Half an hour later, my phone went off again, but this time it wasn't a text. Faith was calling me. I didn't even care that my mouth was full. I swiped to answer and lifted it to my ear.
"Mmph," I managed to get out.
Her giggle proved I had nothing to be worried about. "Are you eating, Violet?"
"Mhm," I managed, and then swallowed the mouthful. "So, this guy..."
She groaned. "His name is Zeke, and he told Esther to leave me alone."
"What was Esther picking on you about?" I asked, recognizing the name of one of her bullies.
Faith sighed. "That I live with Ash and Cy. She was talking about fudge packing and butt pirates. I told her she should know all about that since she's saving herself for Jesus."
I damned near choked. "Uh..."
"Sorry," Faith mumbled.
"No, you're fine. I just didn't expect you to even know what those terms meant," I admitted.
"Butt sex, right?" she asked. "Because that's how girls say they can stay virgins."
"No." I was not even going to let that slide. "Not how it works, Faith. Virginity is a concept that is stupid and outdated. It means nothing more than your first sexual encounter, but that is so different for so many people. Oral sex, two men together, two women, a man and a woman, anal sex, or anything else could count, but only ifyoucount it. It also doesn't matter. You don't get brownie points for using a loophole with your own body."
"Oh. But Zeke told her to go away, and then he sat down and ate with me." She'd just changed the subject, and I was more than happy to let her.
"So, is Zeke cute?" I asked.
Faith giggled. "I don't think he likes girls. I mean, he tried to be cool, but he wanted to know if it's true that Ash and Cy are gay, so I told him."
"And what did you say?" I asked her.
"That bisexual is liking the outside, and pansexual is liking the inside, but means the parts don't matter. And that no, Ash and Cy aren't gay, but they are a couple, and they're my friends so if he's got a problem with it, he can go to hell."
"That's my girl," I praised. "And?"
"And he said he thinks it's awesome that I'm standing up for them. He's kinda weird, though, and Dad wouldn't like him."
"Why not?"
"Because Zeke's not like him. He wears black and listens to metal. He vapes, but the kind without nicotine, so it's ok. And, um, he wears eyeliner."
"So did Ash in some of his photo shoots," I pointed out. "Not a thing wrong with that. But does this mean you finally have a friend?"
"I think so," she said, but I could tell she was moving. "I hope so, but Violet, I have to go to my next class."
"Ok, tell me all about him when you get home." Then I ended the call and hugged the phone to my chest.
She finally had a friend. Of course he was the freak at school, but that was fine. I'd felt safest with Cy for the same reason, and Ash had just happened. Plus, the boy was either open-minded or queer himself, if he was that interested in what Ash and Cy were doing. He hadn't wanted to use it against Faith. From what little she'd said, it sounded like he was curious.
So I pushed my chair back, deciding that Luke deserved a little good news. It only took a second to put the last of my lunch away, then I headed straight to Luke's "office." I could hear the clanking from the barn, so when I walked in, I wasn't shocked to find him sorting things out. The new tool cabinets now sat on either side of a very new metal work bench. Then there was the wall of pegboard and hooks. I could identify the weed-eater and chainsaw, but not much else that hung from it.
"You've been busy," I said, letting him know I was here.
