And show her exactly what I could do with it.
4
FAITH
Sunday afternoon, I work the lunch shift. It’s busy enough to keep me distracted, but not enough to forget.
By nightfall, I’m in bed—phone to my ear, comforter pulled up, talking to my best friend from college, April.
I give her the rundown on what’s happening with Keith.
Or…whatever it is.
Not a breakup. Just “time apart.”
“Wait,” April says slowly. “How is he going on Rumspringa if he’s not Amish?”
I groan. “It’s just his metaphor.”
“That’s not a metaphor, Faith. That’s astrategy.” Her tone sharpens. “He’s feeding you a charming, pseudo-spiritual line so he can sleep around without feeling like the bad guy.”
“Ithoughtof that,” I mutter. “But I don’t know, maybe he just needs a mental reset. Like some space.”
April sighs—long and loud. I can practically see her rolling her eyes on the other end of the line.
“You’ve been long distance for three years, Faith. You’ve already had space. This whole Rumspringa thing? It’s bullshit.”
I roll onto my side. “I don’t want to think about it like that.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you did.”
She’s quiet for a second, then adds, more gently, “Look. I don’t want to use the wordsheltered?—”
“Yes, you do.”
“Okay, fine. You’re a preacher’s daughter. You’ve been a great girlfriend. You’reamazing. And maybe a little too trusting.” She exhales again. “But hey—if Keith wants a taste of freedom? That just meansyouget to play the Rumspringa game too.”
“No.” I sit up a little. “No, I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not single. I can’t be single. I’ve… neverbeensingle.”
I swing my legs out of bed and walk to the mirror, for no reason other than to avoid her voice.
“I don’t even know what that feels like.”
April’s voice softens. “Yes, you are. And yes, you can. Take off the ring.”
“My dad will kill me if he sees it missing.”
“Okay. Remember my ex Matt?”
I blink. “Of course.”
“Remember howallof you told me he was trash, but I couldn’t see it?”
“Yeah…”
