Sky was sitting at the Anderson family dinner table with her head down, not daring to make eye contact with Mrs. Anderson.
Across from her, Mrs. Anderson ate her plate of pancakes in silence, a sense of heaviness hanging in the air.
"So, even though I'm not your mother, I know you know that for me and members of the church, we believe that even masturbation is a sexual sin. But you didn't grow up raised that way. So, I apologize for forgetting that. I should have knocked. I assumed you were in the shower. Um... Did you say my name when you... well, you know?" Mrs. Anderson spoke in a calm, motherly tone, losing the sly and seductive sound she had earlier. She was trying to fix the playful dynamic that had developed between her and Sky.
Sky looked up, surprised by Mrs. Anderson's unexpected apology. She had expected a stern lecture or questioning, but Mrs. Anderson was genuinely seeking to make amends.
"Sky, I'm sorry if I have made you feel as though I... umm... I'm sorry for acting playfully with you. For calling you sexy earlier. I didn't mean it like that," Mrs. Anderson said, trying to appease Sky.
Sky's eyebrows raised in response. She hadn't anticipated this response from Mrs. Anderson. "You Mormons are honestly weird," Sky finally spoke, a mix of curiosity and bewilderment in her voice.
"What?" Mrs. Anderson was caught off guard by Sky's remark.
"Just most religious people would push their beliefs on me. But you're apologizing for finding me masturbating in your bathroom," Sky explained, her tone tinged with a touch of amusement.
"Sky, I'm not saying it was okay. I just can't expect you to live the way we live simply because we believe these things. I assume that you're into girls?" Mrs. Anderson asked, searching for understanding.
"Yeah," Sky replied after a moment of hesitation.
"Did you... love... my daughter?" Mrs. Anderson inquired, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Yeah, but I'm okay with just being her friend. I understand now that it never will be," Sky answered, looking away as a blush crept up her cheeks.
Mrs. Anderson leaned in, a curious smile playing on her lips, accompanied by a hint of nervousness. She wanted to unravel the complexity of their connection.
Sky met Mrs. Anderson's gaze, seeing the care and emotional weight behind her eyes.
"I want you to know that I've been aware of the connection we share, and I understand if it has caused confusion or mixed emotions for you," Mrs. Anderson began, her voice gentle and reassuring. "You've been like a second daughter to me, and I care about you deeply. But I also want to make sure we have clarity between us."
Sky listened intently, her heart racing. She appreciated Mrs. Anderson's willingness to address the underlying tension and provide a space for open conversation.
"I... I have felt an attraction towards you," Sky admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "Your beauty, your confidence, and the way you've always been there for me have made it difficult for me to ignore my feelings. But I also understand the complexities of our relationship, and I respect the boundaries that exist. And yes, I was thinking of you when I orgasmed earlier. And I truly find you to be one of the most incredible women I have ever met."
Mrs. Anderson nodded, her expression a blend of understanding and concern. She reached out and gently placed her hand on Sky's, offering support and reassurance in this delicate moment.
"Thank you for being honest with me, Sky," Mrs. Anderson said, her voice filled with warmth. "Your feelings are valid, and it's essential that we navigate this situation in a way that respects both ourselves and the people we care about."
Sky sighed, feeling a mix of relief and vulnerability wash over her. She knew that addressing her feelings was necessary for their friendship to continue in a healthy manner.
"I want to be clear that my feelings for you don't undermine my friendship with Emma," Sky added earnestly. "I cherish her friendship deeply, and I don't want anything to jeopardize that. Our bond is irreplaceable."
Mrs. Anderson smiled, her hand still gently resting on Sky's.
"I appreciate your honesty, Sky, and I believe that with open communication and mutual respect, we can navigate this situation without causing harm to anyone involved. Let's continue to prioritize your friendship with my daughter and keep things the way they are."
Sky nodded, feeling a sense of relief and hope. She was grateful for Mrs. Anderson's understanding and the opportunity to address their feelings openly.
"But from now on, I can't see you as my daughter," Mrs. Anderson's words struck Sky like a dagger, causing pain to ripple through her. She looked at Mrs. Anderson, her eyes welling up with tears.
"What? Wait, Mrs. Anderson, I thought you weren't mad. I'm sorry," Sky stammered, her voice filled with distress.
Mrs. Anderson held up a hand, interrupting Sky's panicked words. "Call me Crissy."
Sky was taken aback, her surprise evident on her face. "Crissy?" she said, uttering the name as if it belonged to a different language.
"Yeah. It's about time you stop being so formal with me. You can call me by my first name from now on," Crissy said, her smile genuine and reassuring.
"Okay. Thanks, Crissy," Sky responded, her voice wavering.
After finishing their breakfast, Crissy and Sky stood side by side at the kitchen sink, silently washing the dishes together. The clinking of plates and utensils echoed in the room, filling the void left by their unspoken thoughts. Sky finally mustered the courage to break the silence.
"So, Crissy," she began tentatively, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
Crissy turned towards her, a playful glimmer in her eyes. "Yes, Sky?" she replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
Sky hesitated for a moment, her mind still consumed by the events that had unfolded earlier. "What happened before?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
"Don't worry," Crissy reassured her, playfully nudging her shoulder with her arm. "I said we can pretend I saw nothing. But hey, don't feel embarrassed, your body is quite sexy." Her playful banter couldn't fully mask the turmoil within her.
"No, not that..." Sky blushed deeply, her cheeks turning a bright shade of crimson. She struggled to find the right words to express her curiosity. "I mean with your husband. You looked really distressed when I got here."
Crissy's expression sank, her playful demeanor fading away. "Oh. We are still fighting," she admitted with a heavy sigh. "I believe Emma told you everything by now."
Sky nodded, remembering the conversation she had with Emma. "Yeah. She said he cheated on you a while back when you were pregnant with Emma. And then recently, the girl he cheated with met you at the mall and told you?"
Crissy chuckled wryly, her eyes glistening with a mix of emotions. "Haha, well, yes, but... no. I found texts from her in his phone. They were old texts buried in his spam folder. So I read them. She didn't seem too happy that he cut her off," she explained, her voice tinged with bitterness. "I texted the girl and met up with her to hear the full story."
As Crissy recounted the painful details, tears began to well up in her eyes. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she collapsed onto the ground, letting her tears flow freely. Sky instinctively knelt down, wrapping her arms around Crissy, offering her shoulder through a tight embrace and gentle back rubs.
"The stupid thing is, I want to forgive him. But I can't," Crissy confessed, her voice choked with sorrow. "I'm filing for divorce, but he doesn't know that. Also, in the church, to no longer be sealed, you need to send a message through your bishop and high stake counselors. They pass it on to the Twelve Apostles, who then pray and decide whether to help you dissolve the sealing or ask you to give it some time and talk."
Sky held Crissy closer, her heart aching for her friend. She listened intently, her presence offering a quiet comfort when words failed.
Once Crissy had poured out her heart, they sat there, entwined in each other's embrace. The weight of their connection felt unbreakable, an intertwining knot of shared pain and support.
"Thank you, Sky," Crissy finally whispered, her voice laced with gratitude. "You truly are a great friend to Emma and me. Thanks for listening. I needed someone to tell."
"Of course," Sky replied softly, cherishing the warmth of their closeness. She tried her best to provide comfort, feeling the tears from Crissy soaking into her shirt, a tangible manifestation of their bond.
Crissy sighed, her voice tinged with resignation. "The worst part is, he doesn't want to live in a motel anymore. He's asking me to please let him live in his own home," Crissy explained, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and exhaustion. "Which is true. This house was his before we got married. So I'm planning to take over my mom's old house in Seattle that my cousin rents to college kids."
As Crissy shared her plans about Seattle, Sky's eyes widened with excitement. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Seattle, the city she had been eagerly anticipating for months, was about to become her new home as well. Her heart fluttered with a surge of anticipation, knowing that her own journey was just around the corner.
Crissy continued, seemingly unaware of the surge of excitement in Sky's chest. "I told her the situation, and she had the kids leave a couple of weeks ago before the new term begins. So I'll be going there next week. I'm sorry to say this, Sky, but I guess this is goodbye for a while."
Sky's excitement bubbled over, and she couldn't contain the grin spreading across her face. "Wait, Crissy, you won't believe it!" she exclaimed, unable to hide her joy. "I'm going to Seattle too! In just two weeks, I'll be starting college there."
"Wait. What!?," exclaimed Crissy, her previous sadness momentarily replaced by surprise.