Marianne by Elizabeth Hammer (best books to read in life TXT) 📕

want to hurt your feelings again. And he said that if it was clear that you really, really liked him, then he might go out with you.”

Marianne waited for her to continue. “And?”

“And that, if you didn’t really like him, then...” she hesitated again. “Then he’d rather be spared the... effort.”

Marianne held on to her analytic side as hard as she could. “He didn’t use the word effort. What word did he use?”

Danielle spoke very, very quietly. “Torture.”

Marianne waited.

Danielle closed her eyes. “Particular torture. He said, ‘I’d rather be spared that particular torture, thank you.’”

6

Vengeance is Mine

Marianne sat silently in the back seat of the car all the way to church the next morning. She was not in the mood to speak to her parents. Mom had rolled her eyes when she saw that Marianne was going to wear jeans to church. Her dad had scolded her because they’d had to wait for Marianne to finish her makeup before they could leave. If they were any less than fifteen minutes early to church, Dad thought they were late. And they didn’t say anything about her new hair color. She had to bring it up herself and ask them how they liked it. “You always look beautiful, Mary,” was their insipid response.

Dad parked the car, and they walked up to the glass front doors together. The church was a converted office building, located in a strip mall. It wasn’t exactly inspiring to behold, no arches, or stained glass or statues. But, you know, they had a flagpole and stuff, so it was cool. The usher handed them bulletins when they walked in. “Morning James. Missed you at choir practice.”

Dad shook hands with him. “Hi, Sam. Yeah, I had to work.” Sam’s indulgent smile made Marianne want to turn around and leave again. He had that look in his eyes like Dad needed to repent because he’d chosen work over choir practice. Pharisee.

Marianne noticed Mom looking past her at something across the room. She turned her head and saw that Patrick was standing over by the sanctuary doors, speaking to one of the other ushers. Marianne whined internally. She’d forgotten that he’d probably be coming to this church with his sister now. Danielle was near him, pretending to listen, but actually fixing her hair in the reflection from the window.

Mom leaned over to her. “Mary, who’s that boy with Danielle?”

“Who do you think?”

“Oh, her brother. What’s his name again?”

“Patrick.”

“He’s cute.”

“Motherrrrr.”

“I’m serious. He is so handsome.” Mom was openly staring. If Patrick looked over, he’d notice right away, and then Marianne would have to murder her own mother. Marianne opened her bulletin and tried to pretend Mom wasn’t there.

“What, Marianne? Don’t you think he’s cute?”

“Yeah, mom. He’s super cute.” Now would she please shut up? Mom was obsessed with Marianne finding a boyfriend. Marianne had never told her about Dark Lord Alvin, for obvious reasons.

Mom nudged her in the ribs. “You should go talk to him.”

“I have talked to him.”

“I mean right now.”

“No. Stop it.”

Mom raised her eyebrows at her. “Okay fine, I’ll do it for you.”

How dare she dare her like that! “You’re bluffing.”

“Watch me, Marianne.” Mom took a step.

“Don’t you do it. I will kill myself if you go over there.”

Mom shrugged. “Go for it.”

“I will purposely get myself knocked up if you go over there,” said Marianne.

Snorting loudly, Mom held up her hands in surrender. “Fine, if it bothers you so much, I won’t.”

“Really?” Marianne squinted.

“He lives next door,” whispered Mom, smiling hugely. “I’ll have plenty of chances later.”

“I hate you.”

The three of them sat down on a cushioned pew near the back. A bunch of kids that Marianne had gone to Sunday school with played rock-style songs for the service, just not exactly at the same speed. A minute later, Patrick and Danielle came in, but Danielle’s husband wasn’t with them. Mom started waving them over, and even though Marianne kicked her in the shin, she didn’t stop. Marianne and her parents scooted down the bench to make room. Danielle walked right over and sat next to Marianne. Patrick followed and smiled at Marianne before he sat down on the other side of his sister.

Mom noticed it and pinched Marianne in the arm. She was unstoppable. Marianne considered telling Mom about how Patrick had already asked her out twice and how he didn’t really like her, etc. That thought didn’t last long. Yuck. Besides, Marianne was pretty sure that the Dark Lord would agree to get her knocked up if she asked him.

“Where’s Michael?” Marianne asked Danielle. She didn’t have to whisper because of the blaring electric guitars.

“At home, playing sick.” Danielle never believed anything her husband said; especially when he said he was sick. But then, he did kind of lie a lot. Michael was a good guy, though, and his lies were usually rather wimpy crimes. No, I didn’t write any checks—Yes, I changed the baby—I don’t know where those bottles came from. Stuff like that.

After the songs, the pastor had the congregation open up to First Corinthians 13. The Love chapter. Marianne never liked sermons on this passage. Love is patient; love is kind. Love is never jealous or rude. Love never wears dirty underwear or forgets to brush its teeth. Seriously, that had to be the most depressing portion of the whole Bible.

There were lots of scriptures like that one—full of little built-in annoyances. Not that she didn’t love God; she did. Marianne loved God, she just happened to still be human. And a perfect God tends to inspire downright despair in His sin-plagued children. Plus, pastors were always telling everyone to highlight that passage, and Marianne hated marking up her bible. She prepared herself for the onslaught by hiding her pen in the middle of Judges. Sorry, can’t underline it—no pen.

Marianne was surprised when Pastor Jeff started reading right out of the gate. He usually had to squeeze the scriptures in at the end after he’d told all his hilarious stories. Well, he