The Book of Zion
By D.T and Mr Stepford
2 Darlene 7
As soon as she got home, Darlene stripped, showered, pulled on a nightshirt and went to bed. Where did these people get off stealing her and Kate’s clothes? Because that was what had essentially happened. And didn’t they know about all the hazards of wearing high heels. Why did ever consider being apart of that family, was her last conscious thought before she drifted off to sleep.
“We are the family you always wanted” those words sent shivers down Darlene spine awakening her from her deep sleep. It had been a month since her and Kate returned from Covenant. But the dream persisted like a childhood nightmare only her bogeyman was the prophet and his church.When she arrived at the cafe Kate was already there. She was wearing her standard black and white make up tshirt and jeans. But she didn’t carry the look with the confidence that she had before Covenant.
Not that Darlene had any room to criticize. Thankfully the morning sickness had gone away but now she was well into the cravings period. Her baby bump was rather obvious now at 14 weeks and she was wearing a maternity pantsuit. “Here,” Kate said pushing a cup at Darlene full of brown liquid. “Carrot juice and kiwi smoothie, just like you asked.” “Thanks. What is that all about” said Darlene as she pointed to the pile of papers in front of Kate “cell phone towers. There was rumors that the government was trying us them implant subliminal messages in the public. I think that is what happen to us” Darlene took a long swig of her smoothie and then ordered some peanut butter cookies. “You’ve lost me.” “At Covenant! I mean I didn’t drink anything before I meet with the prophet so what else could it be?” Kate replied. According to Darlene count this was the 57th crazy conspiracy theory Kate has told her since they have returned.
“Maybe,” and Darlene almost couldn’t believe she was about to suggest this, “maybe he’s really for real and God has a plan for him. It was something she’d been thinking about more and more lately. Atheism, as Darlene understood it, had more to do with people opposing corrupt churches and the grip those churches had on society than a denial of God. The scientific fanatics kept harping on proof. They also insisted there were no aliens, no angels, no fairies and other such, every time citing lack of proof. Darlene didn’t think that was a very good argument. The legends had to come from somewhere.
“Have you been talking to them? I warned you about that!” Kate said “No! It just you’ve brought up every other reason for what happen. Shouldn’t we at least explore that option” Darlene replied “No! Because it not true! Jesus Darlene you’re buying into their propaganda!! If you think your beloved prophet is so great why don’t you go back there!!!”
Darlene reeled back as if Kate had actually hit her. She’d come here today thinking to ask Kate to be her Lamaze partner, but now she wasn’t so sure. She couldn’t help but contrast the friendly (she didn’t dare call it loving) support she’d received from absolute strangers in Covenant to all the flak she’d been taking from her now supposed “friend”. “Fuck I’m sorry” Kate said " I get where you are coming from I know how that place can mess with you. I’m not mad at you I mad at myself for letting them get to me”
“Have you ever had a, a reaction like that before?” Darlene asked before nibbling on a cookie.“No I mean some of the cult I study were harmless and friendly but it never made me question what I believed....not that the prophet did either....I mean I just didn’t feel like myself” Kate said “Was it a bad feeling?” Darlene asked. “Well...um..it doesn’t matter how it felt...it wasn’t me....it wasn’t real!” Kate said “Look, I know you’re supposed to be the expert, but, and I’m not saying the prophet’s way is ‘the way’,” Darlene made quote signs in the air with her fingers, “what if, just what if there’s more to the universe than random collisions of particles or whatever? What if there is a Higher Power?”
“Fuck Darlene we need more than hopes and wishes we need empirical evidence and there is none that suggests a all powerful being that...“Kate trail off as if she couldn’t find the words. “Loves Us” Darlene interjected “um...yes...I...I mean it silly to believe in a ...a...a loving and Glorious Heavenly Father has called us to a higher purpose if only we...” Kate said trailing off again “Let GO of our DOUBT SURRENDER our pride and SUBMITTED to his will” Darlene added.
A smile begin grow on their faces as they said in unison “Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindred, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures;” The buzz of one of the blenders broke through Darlene’s awareness and she shook her head. “Okay, got a little carried away there.” She took another drink of her smoothie.
“Carried away my ass !” Kate yelled Darlene offered an apologetic smile to the patrons who were looking at them askance. “Take it down a notch, will you?” she said in a rough whisper. “No I will not ! Jesus FUCKING Christ Darlene do you understand what is at stake. Maybe you don’t have a firm grasp on who you are or what you stand for but I do! And I am not about to give that up to become one of the prophet God Dam obedient zombies” Kate yelled and then stormed out of the cafe
Because she was hungry and because she’d had enough of Kate’s negativity, Darlene stayed at the table and finished her cookies and smoothies. She was more than a little tired of catering to Kate’s paranoia. At the same time her words had stung. “Maybe you don’t have a firm grasp on who you are or what you stand for”