"Oh, she still hates it," I assured him. "She just has someone to stand with her now. She doesn't feel alone, Luke - because you listen to her. I think she's also proud of you."
That seemed to help more than anything. He let out another sigh, but this one sounded more like determination. By the time we pulled into the church parking lot, Luke was back to his normal arrogant self. We found the spot beside Meredith's car and parked. Luke immediately began moving her stuff to the back of his truck.
"How was she?" he asked his ex.
"A brat," Meredith said. "She whined all weekend about being bored, so I reminded her that there's plenty to do. You really need to make her do more chores, Luke."
"She does plenty," I said as I came around the back of his truck. "Faith is in charge of laundry and cleaning the kitchen. She also helps with the bathrooms once a week. We just have a few more hands to share the work. Luke is a great father, though."
"Like you'd know," Meredith grumbled, slamming her trunk closed as soon as the last thing was out of it. "Her underwear is also inappropriate."
"So is the skirt you bought for her last time," Luke shot back. "Glass houses, Meredith. You live in one."
Then he closed up the truck, took my hand, and we headed for the entrance. Berto was already there with Ash and Cy, talking to Pastor David. The man was shaking Berto's hand a little too excitedly and nodding about something. When we got closer, I could hear the words "town hall" from David.
"You just let me know when," Berto assured him. "This is my hometown too, you know. I'm a little partial to the place."
Then David looked over. "Luke! It's nice to have you back." His eyes moved to me next. "Violet. Hopefully things are still good with you both?"
Cy groaned. "It's complicated, David."
"And 'it' has been in everyone's face since," David pointed out. "Look, I've made my stance on homosexuality clear. I have no problem with it. Infidelity, however, I can't support. I'm here to offer counseling if any of you need it, ok?"
"Poly isn't the same as cheating," Ash said. "See, those three are good God-fearing types. Me? I'm a heathen. I love pleasures of the flesh. I don't care if that's good clothing, great food, or a perfect lover. Now, when you can explain to me why God thinks being happy is a sin, I might change my views."
"It's not a sin," David countered. "The excess is."
"So where's the line?" Ash asked him. "I have a very committed and healthy relationship. It just happens to be with multiple people. According to the Bible, there's nothing wrong with that – if I'd bought my women first. I can have a whole slew of wives and be praised for it, right? A camel here, a goat there? Well, I just happen to have two men and a woman instead. I also am in a relationship where we're all treated as equals, I don't abuse my lovers or treat them as property, and I'm not lying to them about where my affection resides or what I'm doing." He lifted a brow, all but daring David to respond.
"I've got nothing," David admitted. "I can honestly say that I have never compared and contrasted a group relationship with the polygamy in the Bible. Icansay that societal views have changed since then, and my concern is that this isn't fair to Violet."
"I'm fine with it," I promised. "David, I have three boyfriends who share without a problem. I have three partners to help me in life. The fact that they're partners to each other might be a sin, but it's one I can live with."
He nodded. "Ok. Well, if things change for any of you, I'm here to listen. My job is not to judge. It's to guide and protect my flock." His eyes met each of us in turn. "And no matter what, you will always be welcome in my church. God loves us. He doesn't expect us to be perfect. He just asks that we try our best, and it sounds like you're doing that - even if it's not the way He might expect."
"You're a good pastor," Ash told him, and then we all headed inside to claim our chair.
At the end of our row, Faith and Zeke were waiting. Behind them, Berto had claimed a seat with Emily, and the pair had their heads pressed together as they talked in low voices. Luke made his way down the long wooden bench, then sat beside his daughter. Faith looked over with a smile, then waved at all of us.
"How was your weekend?" Luke asked her.
Faith groaned in the way that only a teen girl could. "Mom hates you, Dad. All I heard, every day, was how you're going to Hell. She said she can't believe she slept with a gay man, and when I tried to tell her that you're not gay, she threatened to ground me!"
"I see," Luke said, clearly struggling not to laugh. "So maybe you shouldn't talk about me next time, hm?"
This time, Faith grunted. "She's the one who brings you up. Do you expect me to just let her talk trash about you like that?"
"I do," Luke told her. "Faith, who I date and what kind of people I'm attracted to isn't your problem. I'm all grown up and can fight my own battles. You deserve to enjoy your time with your mom, cupcake."
"But she won't let it go," Faith insisted. "She keeps saying that you're going to ruin me and how I'm never going to be popular now. Dad, I don't want to be popular. I want to be me, just like Violet says. Zeke thinks I'm fun the way I am, and why would I want to impress those girls who already say bad things about me?"
So I leaned over, patting Luke's leg to let him know I had this. "Then simply tell her that you don't want to talk about it. Let her know that you only get the weekend to be with her, so you want to spend time with her. If she keeps going, then you're allowed to walk away."
"She'll lose it," Faith mumbled. "Dad, I don't want to go back."
"You do," he assured her. "Well, you will. One day, you'll be glad of the time you got to spend with her. I know you don't think so now, but I promise it's true. Just think about how much everyone misses Gran."
Faith nodded. "Ok. I'll try, but it'sboringwith her. It's like she doesn't know me at all."
