In the Midst of It All by Tiffany L. Warren

Author:Tiffany L. Warren [Warren, Tiffany L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, General
ISBN: 9780446558488
Google: mxi1Yf0jMcsC
Amazon: B00DVS9WAM
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2010-02-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-one

Zenovia was early for her meeting with Emil. She was glad to have the moment to catch her breath and analyze her conversation with Tristan. Because Tristan was completely out of control.

First of all, what did he mean when he said they were losing her? Perhaps her inner critique of the Brethren was outwardly apparent, although she went through great pains to hide her feelings.

She switched gears for a moment, to what Emil could want to meet her about. What if he had some kind of disease? She could see that dusty Sienna being the carrier of multiple illnesses. What if he had something that a condom couldn’t protect her from? A shiver went up her spine. She hoped that it was anything but that.

Well, almost anything.

She sat at a table in the center of the food court and watched Emil as he walked in the door. He trudged slowly ahead like he was on his way to his execution. Zenovia waved at him and he nodded slightly.

He sat down in front of Zenovia and the first thing she noted was how tired he looked. His eyes were puffy and red and there were huge dark circles under them. Normally, Emil was always on the verge of a smile, even when he was being serious, but his mouth was down-turned and his expression sullen.

“What’s wrong, Emil? And don’t say nothing, because it’s written all over your face.”

Emil sighed. “I don’t even know how to start.”

“That doesn’t sound good Emil.”

Zenovia felt her stomach lurch when Emil’s eyes misted.

He said, “It’s just that this might be our last conversation, so I don’t want to rush into it.”

When the first tear dropped from Emil’s big doe eyes onto the table, Zenovia’s own waterworks started.

“Why would we be having our last conversation right now? Are you breaking up with me?”

Emil nodded. Zenovia shook her head violently, “Why are you breaking up with me? Is it because I gave it up?”

“No! It’s Gladys. She said she saw us go into my father’s house and knew that we didn’t come out for hours. She said that she’d go to the Council of Elders if I didn’t break it off with you.”

“I don’t care about that!”

“I do. I can’t have them cast you out because of me. You don’t know what it’ll be like. None of your friends, not even your mother, will be allowed to talk to you.”

“Nothing will stop my mother from talking to me.”

“But it’s not just that, Zee. I’m corrupting you. You can do better than me.”

Zenovia took a sip of her soda and said, “I don’t believe this. I really don’t believe this.”

How convenient it was that Emil decided to care about corrupting her, after he’d already ultimately corrupted her.

“Plus, my dad . . . I mean, we take care of ours. If Sienna’s baby is mine, I need to handle my business.”

Zenovia laughed, but the sound was more sorrowful than amused. “This is a joke, right?”

“No, Zee. I didn’t lie when I said that I loved you.

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