Read Online Walking Heartbreak by Sunniva Dee - Free Book Online

marry?”
    She doesn’t answer at first. I let my hair fall over my face to give her a moment. Through my bangs, I observe her while I fiddle out a new string of chords.
    She remains quiet, so I tip my head up to meet her eyes. They shimmer in the semi-dark, but her voice is steady when she eventually replies. “Yes. We were to marry good men selected by the church leaders.”
    She must see my next question coming. “Was your husband one of those good men? Selected by your leaders?”
    She laughs out loud. It surprises me, and I commit a D minor, drawing an accidental cacophony from the guitar. I stop. Give her my undivided attention.
    “Ha, no. Jude was anything but. The church hated him and his parents after the first few months. It didn’t take the Bancroft family long to realize what they’d gotten themselves into at the Heavenly Harbor. With no apology, even withholding most of their tithe, they migrated to a mainstream Lutheran church. Elder Rafael was furious.”
    “But the two of you got to hang out?”
    “God, no.” She grins big, displaying a wicked streak she hasn’t shown before. “Jude and I, we noticed each other the minute he entered the Harbor during their first sermon with us. We kept stealing glances and small smiles throughout.
    “Afterward, we had church coffee with the members and their children, and with Mother and Father being outstanding, long-lasting members of the congregation, they had a job to do, inviting the new family in. Harsh penances and such came later. See, in the beginning it was always about love and inclusion and securing the tithe.”
    “And tithe is…?”
    “It means that people pay ten percent of their earnings to the church.”
    “Jesus. People do that?”
    “Depending on the church, they do. Ours was pretty notorious about guilting people into it. Anyway, after that, Jude and I would be in sermon together, and he’d sit as close to me as he could. He’d always have a million questions for me during church coffee, and during class, he’d be the only student who chitchatted.”
    “You were in the same class?”
    “Yeah, for a little while. Mother taught at our church’s school, and I attended it, so Jude told his parents he wanted to go too.”
    “Ah. Small school?”
    “Very, and Jude stood out.” She squeezes her eyes shut, embarrassed. “After his third day in class, Mother bought me wide sweaters in muddy colors and skirts that reached my calves. She threw away my regular skirts, and when I protested, begging to have my old clothes back, Father…” She swallows, cutting herself off.
    “What,” I say. “Physical punishment?”
    “A little bit. ‘Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right,’ as Father used to quote.” She shrugs and adds, “‘Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.’ Let’s just say, Father was fond of his belt. I had a rough few weeks, but they were tolerable because of Jude.”
    Jesus H.Did she commit to this Jude at thirteen? I guess if you’re raised in Hell and you meet someone who can save you, you’re all for it.
    “How old was Jude?” I ask.
    “A few months older than me.”
    I drop the guitar and haul her into me. Nadia’s story is the saddest thing. I’ve been through shit too, but it’s just regular crap that doesn’t shape your life forever. Nadia slinks into me, almost like a cat, and she seems so fragile, I mold my arm around her to protect her from… what? Her past?
    “I don’t know why I tell you these things, Bo.”
    I kiss her temple—just to comfort her. Then I think about her husband, how she said he’s not waiting up for her.
    If they started dating at thirteen and she’s a few years younger than me, they’ve been together for a decade. As far as I know, she hasn’t texted or called anyone during this whole time, and the husband hasn’t been trying to get a hold of her . If I were him, I would; it’s really late. I mean,