Fall Rising: Chapter 3

Today, my baby’s starting school. Never thought this day would come, but he is so proud with his new backpack and new shoes Morgan helped pick out. He looks like such a little man. It’s hard to believe that five years ago, he was inside me.

“Are you gonna be okay, Mom?” Christian asked. His mom had that look she sometimes got when he wanted to play outside at their hotel. Like it was very dangerous, or like she didn’t think this was a good idea.

Jess knelt down and gave him a kiss. “You don’t worry about Mom. You go in there and have a lot of fun today, okay?”

Christian moved his backpack so it was better on his shoulders and nodded seriously.

“I’ll be back to get you this afternoon, okay? I promise,” Jess said, choking on the words. She swore she wasn’t going to cry.

“It’s always hard to leave them,” Christian’s teacher said sympathetically.

Jess pressed her lips together and waved quickly to her son before turning away and starting down the hall to face her own first day of class. When she was a safe distance away, Jess ducked into a nearby bathroom and broke down. She only gave herself a minute or two, and it didn’t really help, but there was no way she was going to be able to study anatomy unless she gave herself a minute to cry and one more to compose herself.

--

“I’m leading an on-campus Bible study today,” Liam told Jonathan and Nathaniel that morning at the breakfast table. “You guys should come if you’re not busy.” He took a big bite of scrambled eggs drenched in ketchup and stabbed a sausage link.

“Is Libby going?” Nate asked, interested.

Liam put his fork down deliberately and gave Nathaniel a measured look. “How do you know my sister?”

Nate fought not to squirm. The way Liam was looking at him was so creepy. As though Nathaniel had just admitted that he hurt puppies or took candy from children on a regular basis.

“She called you a couple days ago. You weren’t getting up so I answered your phone before it woke Jon up, too. She wanted her brush, and you had it. I just took it to her.”

Liam stared at Nathaniel an extra second. “Don’t answer my phone anymore,” he said seriously. “It’s an invasion of privacy. To answer your question, yes, Libby’s going. She’s a committed believer.” He cleared his throat. “So, Nathaniel’s going. What about you, Jonathan?”

Jon grunted, affirming nothing, as he cringed at his roommates’ bad taste. He ate his eggs plain, not covered in ketchup like Liam, or cheese, like Nathaniel. And even when they were plain, they tasted nothing like his mother’s.

“How much salt did you put in here?” Jon grimaced, addressing Nathaniel, who had been the one to cook that morning.

“I didn’t put any on,” Nate looked puzzled. “Some people don’t like seasoning, so I just left it off. I figured if you wanted some you could add it.”

Jon heaved a sigh, and proceeded to empty what Nate guessed to be half the shaker of salt onto his eggs. “When is it?” he asked, soaking up the grease from his sausage with a napkin.

“Ten o’clock,” Liam answered, taking his own plate to the sink and running water over it. Nathaniel cooked, it was only fair that he wash the dishes.

“Guess I’m free,” Jonathan conceded moodily. “We’re not gonna get all spiritual on the first day, are we?”

Liam shook his head. “Nah, it’s safe,” he grinned. The last thing he wanted to do was put somebody like Jonathan off by coming on too strong. “We’ll probably just do some get-to-know-you stuff.”

Jon nodded, throwing his napkin on his empty plate and excusing himself. “Cool, I’ll be there.” If Nate wanted to make crappy breakfast and pass it off as edible, let him clear the table.

Nate sipped his coffee - French vanilla today - as Liam did the dishes. He hoped his mom and Joey got the flowers and card he sent after his mom left. He had tried to find the brightest flowers there were, and decided on some pink and yellow tulips - some were kind of orange, too. Even on the computer screen, he thought they were the most beautiful flowers he had ever seen, and gladly paid the crazy amount of money to have them sent. Nate always considered flowers a worthy investment.

“Hey. Can you bring me Jon’s plate?” Liam asked.

Nate sighed and got up, bringing Liam what he asked for, and left the kitchen to get ready for his first class, as an official Special Education major.

--

“Dude,” Aaron called, to his apartment at large. “Do either of you know how to do laundry?”

“Yes,” Coby and Bryan answered in unison.

Aaron wrinkled his nose, pulling out his last shirt option and discarding it. It was foul. “You wanna help me do it?” he asked hopefully.

“Not really,” Bryan answered, sitting down at the kitchen table Coby and little Riley had built together. It was nice. Sturdy. He took a bite of his toast.

Cheez Whiz had to be the best thing ever invented for college students. He could remember eating it on his toast as a kid, too, though, on the rare mornings his mom wasn’t home to make her kids a good breakfast. Back then, he had looked forward to toast days. Now, he wondered what he’d been thinking. One day on a meal plan, and he was already dying for something home-cooked.

“Why would you bring dirty clothes to school?” Coby asked from the bathroom, a toothbrush protruding from his mouth. “Most people wash their clothes before they come, where it’s free.”

“Aw, man! You mean we gotta pay?” Aaron was incredulous.

“Dollar to wash and a dollar to dry’s what I heard,” Coby maintained, spitting toothpaste in the sink. “Thievery is what it is…”

“The bastards,” Bryan commented, smiling.

“Uh, guys? Could I borrow, like, four bucks?” Aaron wondered.

“Sure,” Bryan agreed, handing him four crumpled bills.

“It only takes quarters,” Coby called, smirking, as Aaron left for the laundry room on the lowest floor.

“Oh! Are you kidding me?” From the hall, Aaron sounded pained, as the door closed behind him.

--

It was a quarter to ten, and Liam had permission to use an empty classroom to hold Bible study. It was going to be a great turnout, because he had made sure to ask Libby to have Morgan and their other roommates come, too. Liam knew they were Christians - he wouldn’t have let Libby move in with them otherwise, and neither would her parents. His two roommates were coming, plus, this guy Bryan had ended up being in the Introduction to Communication Studies class he shared with Nathaniel. Liam had invited him, too, and his roommates. All this was not counting the flyers he put up around campus, and the couple dozen random people he’d struck up conversation with since being here, just to invite them to come.

“This BS?” a voice asked.

Aaron walked in the room, and stared at the only guy there expectantly. He looked both confused and offended, so Aaron clarified, “My roommate, Bryan left me a message about a Bible study at ten, this room.”

“Right,” Liam answered, understanding. “I’m Liam.”

“Aaron.”

Over the next few minutes, Jon and Coby - his almost roommate - showed up, as well as Bryan, all the girls including Morgan and his sister, and Nathaniel. One of the girls looked really beat up, he noted. He’d have to remember to get the story on her later from Libby. Liam nodded approvingly as the room filled.

Coby caught sight of her the minute she came in the room. It was her hair - awesome and brown and curly - that caught his attention first. Then it was her bruises. It looked like somebody had tried to squeeze the life out of her. When she caught his eye, the look took his breath. It was wary, and it was fiercely strong, daring him to mess with her. It made his heart stutter in his chest full of admiration and approval.

“Bry. Who is that woman?” Coby whispered, clearly into her.

When he shrugged, his eyes darkening a little as he saw who Coby indicated, some of the wind left Coby’s sails.

Bryan stood up and walked across the room to the battered woman Coby had indicated. “Are you all right, ma’am? Who did this to you?” he asked quietly, crouching down in front of her.

His stomach constricted at the sight of her, remembering how the gang he used to run with would do this kind of thing, and worse, just for a laugh. He felt sick with guilt, though he never laid a hand on this woman, and it had been years since he’d been jumped out of the gang. His entire family had relocated afterward, to give him a better chance at a fresh start.

Jess blinked, laughing nervously. “Please don’t call me ma’am. It makes me feel old. I’m Jess, and I’m okay. Thank you, though.”

“I’m Bryan. If you ever need anything, just holler.”

Jess could see pain reflected in his eyes. Somehow, she believed him.

“Hey, Lib!” Emily called cheerfully. “Like my new shirt?” She spun around, so she could see how it caught the light, and how the cut of it showed off her abs.

“Ooh, I love it,” Libby approved, grunting as Emily sat on her lap and ate a Funyun.

Legend squinted. The shirt Em was wearing looked too small for her. It was pink, and said the word FIERCE across the front. “Where’d you get that?”

“I borrowed it. Off your floor. It was just sitting there. I didn’t think you’d mind,” Emily maintained, making Libby gag with her onion breath.

Legend frowned. Now one of her favorite shirts was going to be all stretched out. Plus, it looked so much better on Emily than it ever had on Legend - showing off a little bit of her tummy, but not too much. Legend crossed her arms. It wasn’t fair. The shirt wasn’t even Emily’s.

She glared. “In order to borrow something, you need to ask. Otherwise, it’s called stealing.”

“Duh! I know! This shirt was just calling out to me.” She shifted, causing Libby to lose her breath. Emily shoved a Funyun in her friend’s mouth and Libby choked.

Morgan looked at Emily and shrugged, turning her attention to Jess. “How’s…” she let her question to Jess trail, clearing her throat to indicate Christian. Libby had asked them not to say anything about him in front of Liam. Though it made her heart hurt, Jess played along.

Jess forced herself to break eye contact with the biker guy in all the leather - the one who made her glad she now carried pepper-spray, and answered Morgan.

“Fine.” She made herself smile. Jess didn’t mention that she had felt sick since she left him, praying for his safety and for his little heart while he was away from her.

Morgan saw the stress in her friend’s eyes, and tried to get a smile out of her. “The bag? The shoes?”

“Loved them. Between us, I think he’s taking it better than I am,” she admitted.

Reaching out, Morgan squeezed the hand that Jess had in her hair, twirling it nervously.

“Okay, so everyone!” Liam began too loudly. “My name is Liam Wright. I’ll be leading this Bible study. We’ll meet every Tuesday, this time, this room. First of all, I’d like to welcome everybody. For now, we’ll focus on getting to know each other, but next week, we’re going to get into sharing testimonies, so everybody should have those ready. For now, let’s introduce ourselves. Name, age or what year you are, and what your major is.”

Uncomfortable silence fell for only a second, until Morgan broke it. She stood, wearing what Liam thought was the hottest yellow tank he had ever seen. He forced himself to pay attention to what she was saying.

“I’m Morgan Davis. I’m twenty-one, and I’m majoring in Sociology.” She made eye contact with everyone, while she spoke, offered a smile and took her seat.

For the record, Jon thought this whole thing was lame. But since he was here, he figured he might as well say something.

“Jon Mitchell. Twenty-two. Business.”

“Bryan Torres. Twenty-two. And I’m majoring in Speech Pathology because my grandmother had a stroke before she died, and I always wished I knew how to help her.”

“Coby Walker. Twenty-four. Engineering.”

“Aaron Martinez. Twenty-one. Graphic Design.”

“Emily Stewart. Nineteen. Humanities major.”

“Why are you majoring in that?” Legend questioned.

Emily shrugged. “It looked like fun.”

Legend sighed. “Legend Miller--”

“Is that your real name?” Aaron asked, intrigued.

“Yes,” she answered, feeling proud. “I’m twenty, and I’m a Poly Sci major.”

“My name is Jess Gray.”

Coby snapped to attention. He stared. He couldn’t help it.

“I’m twenty, and I’m a Nursing major.”

“Look at that,” Libby whispered to Nate, giggling. She gestured with her chin to Coby’s open-mouthed stare. “I think he’s in love. It’s like he doesn’t know anyone else exists.”

Nate laughed. Libby was quickly becoming a best friend to him, despite her brother’s judgment and attitude. He knew those weren’t Libby’s fault. She seemed as sick of Liam as Nate himself was.

Liam cleared his throat importantly. “Would either of you two like to join us?”

Libby forced herself not to look at Nate. She would laugh for sure if she did that. “I’m his sister, Libby,“ she jerked a thumb in Liam’s direction. “I’m eighteen, and I’m undeclared,” she finished, blushing.

“What?” Liam looked up, startled. “I thought you were going to declare an Ed major. Libby, we talked about this.”

Libby hid her face in her hands and moaned. An Education major. Like him. Her brother was so embarrassing, bringing this up in front of everyone.

“Uh… Hi, I’m Nathaniel,” Nate offered shyly, wanting to save Libby further humiliation. I’m twenty-one, and I’m a SPED major.”

“Well?” Liam pressed, putting a hand up to let Nathaniel know he didn’t appreciate the interruption.

“I’m undeclared,” Libby repeated, lifting her chin.

“Oh, don’t state the obvious!”

“Hey, so what’s next?” Jonathan asked irritably. “If I wanted to hear this much bickering, I’d go home and listen to the neighbors.”

Grudgingly, Liam let the subject of Libby’s lack of motivation drop. Instead, he introduced what he liked to call, The Circle Game. Because it was played when all the participants stood in a circle and Liam asked them questions. If the answer was no, they stayed where they were, but if it was yes, they moved to the middle. Liam figured it was a good, fun way to find out about people.

Liam started easy first. “Step inside the circle if you like sports.”

Immediately the circle filled with most of the guys, Morgan and Legend.

Liam observed them carefully, as he adjusted his own newsboy cap and glanced down at his grey tee shirt and black basketball shorts. He noticed Morgan right away. Probably because she was the most beautiful girl in the room, hands down. Aaron was the only one actually wearing a sports jersey of any kind. Thankfully for all of them, he had a shirt on under it. Jonathan was dressed like he always dressed. Really well. Black pants, blue button-down shirt. Nothing was even a little bit wrinkled. Coby was wearing black jeans and a red tee shirt just like he had been wearing when he came by to see if Liam still needed roommates. Legend was a tiny little thing, with a curly afro and a flowered knee-length sundress with white leggings. Bryan wore faded blue jeans and a green polo shirt.

“Step into the circle if you like chocolate.”

Jess and Libby stepped into the center of the circle and exchanged small smiles with one another. They were soon followed by Emily, Jon and Nathaniel.

Liam took a good look at the girls in the circle now. Jess was the beat-up one, he remembered. She was wearing what almost looked like a dark green oversized tee shirt. Liam could see all kinds of bruises and scars on her arms. She was also wearing gauchos. He knew because he recognized them from when Libby was younger. They always hung in the closet and she never wore them. Liam turned his attention to his sister. She was dressed in light blue frayed jeans that she’d owned since she was twelve, and always wore when they cleaned house, and a well-loved dark purple sweatshirt. Liam would think the shirt was ugly if it was on anybody but Libby. It had a hole in the cuff, from where she rubbed it sometimes. Liam didn’t bother asking why she was dressed that way when the high for the day was supposed to near eighty degrees. At least she wasn’t dressing in something that showed too much skin, like most girls on campus.

“Step into the circle if you’re allergic to nuts.”

No one moved.

“Step into the circle if you’ve ever been to Disney World.”

He, Libby, Jon, Emily and Legend moved inside.

By the time Liam asked several more inconsequential questions, and everyone seemed comfortable, only a few minutes remained. Liam knew it was time to switch gears.

“Okay, now, we’re gonna get a little more serious. These probably won’t apply to anybody, but I have to ask. I see it as part of my job as the leader,” Liam explained.

“Come on, Liam! Just do it! You drag everything out…” Libby muttered.

Liam ignored Libby’s outburst. She’d been having them forever, and that was the best thing to do.

“Step inside the circle if you’ve been a Christian for less than five years,” Liam said seriously.

Jess felt Legend’s eyes on her. This was humiliating, but she refused to let it show. Instead, Jess kept her head up, and stepped inside. She saw Liam staring at her arms, so Jess crossed them, and stared at him, waiting to be excused. She fought the urge to twirl her hair, which she’d worn loose. She didn’t want these people knowing they were getting to her.

“Okay,” Liam said, nodding.

Jess stepped out.

“Step inside the circle if you’re Catholic.”

Bryan stepped in quietly. Easily. He gave Jess a small encouraging smile. He wasn’t ashamed, even when Liam gave him a gravely serious look. Bryan was sympathetic to Jess. He knew admitting to faith was different than admitting to having no relationship with God at all until recently.

“Okay, last one. Now, obviously, nobody is, but like I said. Have to ask. Step inside the circle if you’re…not heterosexual.”

There was snickering. Jonathan. There were uncomfortable looks. But before he could talk himself out of it, Nathaniel stepped in the middle. He made himself look at the faces around him, just like Jess and Bryan had done before him.

Liam looked several shades paler, like he might pass out. Jon looked disgusted. None of the guys looked at him, except for Bryan, who nodded respectfully. Some of the girls looked startled. Libby offered him the gift of her smile and nod. Nate knew that somehow, Libby and Bryan had known. And somehow, to them, it hadn’t mattered.

Not able to hide his shock, Liam gaped. It was only now that he registered - really registered - what Nathaniel was wearing. At first, he just thought, khaki dress pants, some expensive-looking leather sandals, and a button-down white shirt with some kind of accented design. But now that Liam looked at it, he saw it wasn’t just any design. It was one of those paisley things. The design looked floral, and wasn’t white, but done in pale pink. Liam mentally smacked his forehead. Why hadn’t he been paying attention to these signs?

Slowly, Nate backed out of the circle, and - knowing their time was almost up - out the door.

“Well, that was awkward,” Emily announced brightly.

Liam cleared his throat. “Let’s uh…close in prayer,” he decided, not knowing where to even start. He had thought Bible study would be a place where committed Christians could come and grow in their faith together. Instead, he got a Catholic, a newbie, and Nathaniel.

Finally, he settled on thanking God for bringing everybody together, and asking for guidance and direction in the coming weeks.

When the prayer ended, Morgan spoke up. “Hey, if any of you guys want to join us for a meal sometime, we’d love to have you. It’d be a good chance for everybody to get to know each other.”

“I think we got to know each other just fine when we were stepping into that circle,” Jonathan remarked under his breath. What he needed was a shower. Coby had dirt under his nails and paint on his hands, and Aaron smelled like orange-scented dusting spray and body odor.

“Sure, we’ll be there,” Liam answered, flashing Morgan a bright smile.

“Morgan,” Libby hissed simultaneously. “What are you doing? He doesn’t know yet. Do you want him to make me move out?” she pressed.

“I don’t think Liam’s as bad as you think,” Morgan maintained quietly.

Libby put her hands on her hips. “Nate,” she said plainly, leaving Morgan to draw her own conclusions.

“Excuse me, Morgan,” Liam interrupted. “Libby, I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, shit. Jess, we gotta fly. Work in, like, less time than we have to get there,” Morgan said, hurrying her out the door behind Liam and Libby, and leaving Legend and Emily to talk to the stragglers. She was glad they thought to bring their uniforms. They could change on the way there. Well, Jess could anyway. Morgan might have to do a little creative thinking to drive and be dressed and ready to start her shift on time.

“I wanted to visit CJ before I left,” Jess protested, looking in the direction of the daycare.

“Jess, babe, I know. But you showing up late to your first shift isn’t going to help him. You need this crappy job worse than I do,” she smiled.

Morgan wasn’t looking forward to a twelve-hour shift, but it was a comfort that Jess had also gotten hired there, and would be working alongside her, at least until five.

--

“Libby, you cannot hang out with him. Seriously. Did you not read the section in the Bible about ’expelling the immoral brother’? You can’t yoke yourself with him. It’s not right, as a Christian,” Liam whispered outside the Ed building, where his next class would be held. Libby was around the corner, and God knew what she was doing.

“You’re mixing your scriptures,” Libby pointed out, quickly stripping off her jeans and sweatshirt, in favor of the wind pants and a long underwear shirt she wore underneath. “Here, take these to your apartment. In case I ever want to sleep over and need clothes.“ she demanded, shoving the purple shirt and jeans in her brother’s hands, and stepping out from around the corner.

Blinking, Liam obeyed. “You wonder why you’re always so hot,” he snapped irritably. “Are you even listening to me? It says right in the Bible - expel the immoral brother. You’re, like, doing the complete opposite!” he exclaimed, keeping his voice low, so they didn’t attract attention.

“One has nothing to do with the other, and it’s not like I’m gonna marry him. We’re friends.”

Liam’s eyes blazed. “One has everything to do with the other. You can’t be that immoral, and be a believer, Libby. It’s not possible.” He squeezed her hand for emphasis.

“With God, all things are possible,” Libby said, jerking her hand out of his grip. “I don’t believe in expelling people, I believe in loving them. Everybody sins, Liam,” she narrowed her eyes at him. “Every single person.”

“But not by perverting God’s original design for sex!” Liam exclaimed.

“No. You’re right. Some people go outside God’s original design for how to treat a child. Is that less wrong?” she challenged, a memory sparking at the edge of her mind.

“If a child disobeys, it’s not wrong that they’re disciplined.”

“What if they didn’t do anything wrong?” Libby countered.

“Adults are given authority over children for a reason. And that has nothing to do with the topic we’re discussing.”

Libby turned abruptly, walking away. She blinked back tears, refusing to let Liam think he’d won.

Liam tried a different approach. “Libby, I forbid it.”

Eyes straight ahead, Libby kept walking.

--

A few days later, after Liam had spent some time in prayer, he knew there was going to have to be some big changes in their household. It was bad enough to have someone like Nathaniel influencing his sister. Liam was going to make sure Nathaniel knew that certain things would not be tolerated.

“I’m going out,” Jon called.

The only reason he moved up here to go to school was because Ashley, his longtime girlfriend, was here. They had been going out since sophomore year in high school, and by now, she was like a member of the family. Jonathan knew a ring wasn’t far off. He had begun saving for one a couple summers ago. It was the only reason Jon tolerated working at all.

“Hold up,” Liam called. “I need you guys for a second. Nathaniel!” he bellowed.

When he appeared, looking warily between Jonathan’s annoyed expression and Liam’s gravely serious one, Nate felt his heart trip in his chest.

“I’ll make this quick. I drew up a few house rules that I need everyone to follow. First, no dates over. I don’t want this place turning into some kind of hotbed for indecency. The next three have to do with clothing. No going around naked--”

Jon snorted.

“--nothing too tight, and no wearing pink,” he cast a meaningful look at Nathaniel. “And the last one is that music and TV must be approved by everybody. That way, we’ll avoid conflict.”

“You’re kidding,” Jon said, incredulous. “Those are ridiculous. I can’t bring Ashley over?”

“These are the rules. Somebody has to be a leader here, and I guess it’s gonna be me. We’re done.” Liam nodded at Jon, who left in a hurry, slamming the door behind him.

Nate turned quickly to go back to his room, or over to Libby’s. He hadn’t decided which yet, he just needed to get away from Liam. He wasn’t stupid. He knew he was the reason for all the new rules.

“Uh, Nathaniel. Listen, man. You think we could maybe talk for a minute?” Liam asked, tucking his hands in his pockets. His hand closed around the Bible he’d put there. Liam prayed for strength. He had no idea how to move forward. How to introduce salvation to someone who was so lost.

Nate swallowed and closed his eyes. He’d almost made it. “What do you wanna talk about?” He could feel sweat rolling down his back. Nate hated being this close to Liam - it made him want to throw up.

“Well, Libby seems to think you’re a Christian.”

Nathaniel turned to face Liam slowly. “I am.”

“No, see I don’t believe that, and you can‘t go convincing people of that. Because you’re still actively living in your sin. You’re not admitting it’s wrong.”

“Everybody sins,” Nate pointed out quietly, not making eye-contact.

“That’s right,” Liam nodded. “But not everybody sins against their own body.”

Before Liam had time to speak another word, Nate retreated to his room and locked the door. He could hear Liam knocking politely when Nate knew he wanted to pound.

“Nathaniel, come on, man. I just wanna talk to you.”

Ignoring him, Nate pulled out his cell phone and called his brother. Joey was always good at cheering him up.

“Dude, the flowers you sent are awesome!”

“Did Mom like them?”

“Are you kidding? She loves them-- Hey, what’s that sound?” Joey asked.

Nate tossed a pillow irritably in the direction of the door. “My roommate, Liam. Knocking to come in.” Nate dropped his voice, “He’s the biggest homophobe ever.”

“Why’s he knocking on your door, then?” Joey asked, confused.

Nate rolled his eyes. “He’s giving me a Come To Jesus talk,” he muttered, pacing the floor.

“Did you tell him you already came?” Joey asked, expectantly.

“Yeah, but he’s all, like, weird. He made up all these rules and crap. You have to come visit me, seriously. Everything sucks without you and Mom.”

Joey was quiet a minute, considering. “Well, I don’t know about Mom, but I’m pretty sure I can sneak away sometime and come up.”

“Come soon, okay?” Nate encouraged.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

By the time Nate got off the phone the whole mood of the apartment had shifted. Liam was in his room having worship. Which apparently required him to have his stereo turned up so that its bass shook the wall. Various praise songs blared out and Liam sang loudly along. To counteract this, Jon, who had returned by this time, played angst-ridden country music that made Nathaniel’s ears bleed. He sang along, too. Badly.