The smooth hum of the car, sometimes interrupted by a bump or a horn.
The radio blasting holy music.
It's Sunday… which means…
"You ready for Sunday school, honey?"
I am not.
"Yeah."
I sank deeper into the car's seat.
The whole God thing creeps me out. If I can, I'd like to stay as far away from religion as possible.
But of course, my mom is the complete opposite.
I leaned my head against the window as she howled and wailed to the music.
It's gonna be another long day.
**
As I sat down, a pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders.
I sighed. "Would you drop it already?"
"But, but, you weren't here last Sunday! I was so worried!"
"Aren't you too old for this?" I groaned.
I felt a flick on the back of my head.
"Hey, I'm barely a month older than you."
Leaning back, I looked at Aysen. "Yeah, yeah. Sit down already."
This is Aysen. We've been going to the same Sunday school for a while now, but other than that, I don't know the guy too well.
For some reason, he likes to tease me. I don't get it.
He pulled the chair beside mine, sitting down as he rested his cheek in his palm.
"Another Sunday of getting you to be a believer."
Not this again.
Aysen nudged my shoulder. "It's no way you really believe there's nothing out there."
I glanced in his direction. "Hey, I'm not saying there isn't a God or anything."
My gaze dropped back to the table. "It's just that… too many bad things happen for me to put my belief in someone like that."
Aysen closed his eyes with an exhale. "I see where you're coming from."
"People who've experienced evil and trauma have no reason to believe in a God who doesn't save them."
"But you know, Karma, it's our job to seek salvation ourselves."
"God already loves us, we just need to love Him back."
"Okay, okay," I interrupted. "You're creeping me out."
Aysen forced a grin. "You really don't like religion, huh? Why come here so often?"
"You know why… my mom can't get enough of this stuff."
Aysen looked confused. "How did she become so religious and you're… well, you?"
He always pries.
"My father—"
The door swung open as the instructor walked in.
"Okay, everyone, let's get started!"
**
"What an amazing service, as usual. You have fun, K?"
I clicked my teeth. "No matter how many times you drag me here, I want you to know I'll never be like him…"
Not after what happened.
The drive home was a quiet one.
I stared out the window as Mom's eyes stayed locked onto the road.
Looks like I made things awkward again.
Apparently, my father was a priest. He lived for God… and lost his life for Him too.
He died when I was 8 months old.
According to Mom's stories and articles I've found, he was involved in a scandal.
A pastor he had relations with was accused of sexually assaulting children. He threw the blame on my dad and…
The parents of the victims burned his church down mid-service.
Luckily, everyone made it out alive… except for my father.
He sat in that burning church and prayed until the very end.
Stupid.
He gave his life to God…
He never even officially got married to Mom because of his position.
How could God let him die when he gave up so much?
I…
"K?"
"Y-Yeah, Mom?"
"We're home."
**
"Ugh, man, I'm tired."
I reached for my phone.
2:38 PM.
"It's still so early."
A little nap never hurt anyone. I'll set an alarm for 6.
**
I pulled my eyes open, shifting to my side.
I'm sweaty.
It's dark out… what time is it?
The light from my phone blinded me.
I squinted.
10:22 PM.
My body jolted forward.
10:30!?
My alarm?
I stared at the red line on the side of my phone.
My ringer was off…
Of course it was.
I doubt anyone's on on a school night. Plus, I start work tomorrow morning.
I just need to go back to sleep.
Tossing my phone on the bed, I rolled onto my stomach.
. . .
I'm freaking starving.
I pushed myself out of bed, slowly trudging to the door as it creaked open.
Gripping the railing, I pulled myself up the stairs.
I stepped onto the final step, flicking on the living room lights.
Oh, Trinity's here.
Walking through the living room, I entered the kitchen, opening the fridge as its light spilled out.
There's leftover shredded chicken and rice… perfect.
I wonder if Trinity ate here too?
. . .
Wait.
My eyes widened.
TRINITY!?
I stormed into the living room.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE!?"
She groaned in her sleep, turning to her side as she exposed her cleavage.
My body stiffened.
I'm not dealing with this.
I heated up the leftovers and returned to my room.
I don't even wanna know.
**
Knock, knock, knock.
"K?"
I pushed back the right ear of my headset.
"Yeah?"
Mom opened the door, slightly peeking in.
"You're awake… and gaming? How long have you—"
"Didn't sleep last night," I said, cutting her off.
Mom fully stepped inside, hands on her hips.
Great, I got her into full mom mode.
"It's 7 AM… you have work in two hours… and you pulled an all-nighter? Are you absolutely crazy!?"
I took off my headset with a sigh. "I woke up at 10 PM and couldn't get back to sleep, okay? I'll just crash after work."
"You can't!" Mom shouted. "Your sleep schedule will be in shambles!"
I leaned back in my chair. "I'll just tough it out then, alright? It's too early for this."
"And oh yeah, when were you gonna tell me Trinity stayed the night?"
That's 75% of why I couldn't get back to sleep.
Mom rested one hand at her side, using the other to scratch her head.
"You were asleep, so I couldn't run it by you, but I thought you wouldn't mind."
I spun in my chair. "I mean, one night wouldn't hurt anyone."
"One night?" Mom questioned.
My spinning stopped as Mom smiled. "Trinity is living here starting today! She's moving into your father's old office."
What?
"We already started the moving process. She's staying in the living room for now, but in a few days she'll be an official member of this household."
This has to be a joke, right?
I forced a snicker. "Okay, okay, you got me good."
She gave me a confused stare.
No way.
"You've been getting better at this trolling stuff, Mom, but this is just a little too far."
"Karma… I'm not trolling."
She stepped toward the door. "Make sure you make Trin feel at home."
Trin?
And with that, the door slammed behind her.
For some reason, in that moment, I thought back to my conversation with Aysen.
"Is this my heavenly punishment?"
I slid down in my chair until I nearly fell off.
"Why… is God trolling me!?"