Forbidden Fruit

I had learned from an early age about what was forbidden and what wasn’t.  My parents practically had the Bible memorized and thought they knew it front to back.  I was expected to obey all rules and not to question authority.  Ever. 

I knew I could never tell them I didn’t believe in God.  I went to church with them twice a week and sometimes went to Youth Group on Sunday nights, but only occasionally.  I usually used school, homework and study groups to get out of youth group.  The times I was supposedly at Bible Study or some other church function, I was often int he basement of the church, mending clothes or running classes. 

I worked with our pastor and adult programs educator to have classes and a space for the unhoused to feel safe.  Luckily the basement had a few windows and as the program began to grow, we were able to move our classes and mending program upstairs.  Though my parents claimed to be Christians (especially my mom), they would never allow me to consort with those they deemed to be ‘unfit’.  She would never understand I met some of the best people in that basement. If she ever did find out, I would never be allowed out of the house again.  I just needed to find out why.