“I want to show you something, come,” Andrea said as she got out of the car. Andrea had been coming here for years. The church had no pastor or congregation, but she had visited here because the place gave her peace. As Ana followed her mother, she walked softly on the grass, and her feet slightly sunk with each step. Moss covered the huge trees in the front of the church, and squirrels scattered as they walked, trespassing on their territory. They walked around to the back of the church, where an ancient-looking rock fence bordered the cemetery. A large, wooded gate hung in the center of the front wall, hinged with an iron latch, not locked. Andrea walked slowly through the churchyard to the gate of the cemetery, her shoes wet from the grass. Andrea opened the heavy gate and walked in. The grass inside the walls was extremely soft and green. The grass had been mowed, and around the stones, no weeds were present. The stones were all different; in the middle of the cemetery stood a very tall etched stone that pointed sharply to the sky. It appeared its occupant was a decorated colonel in the Royal Military. There were multiple gravestones of lesser height, each intricately etched in beautiful white stone. Various families were harbored in small groups throughout the cemetery. In the back of the cemetery were five small stones for children’s graves, it was difficult to make out the names, but they were all under seven years old. A statue of a lamb lay near a bench facing these stones.

  “What is this place?” Ana asked as they slowly walked along the edge of the cemetery.

  “I’ve come here for years. I visited here once as a child with my grandmother when it was occupied by a congregation. Then, as a teenager, I came here with some friends because it was said to be haunted, but I never believed that. After I was married, I would come here to think and to pray when I felt like I needed peace in my life. This place has always brought me comfort.” Ana didn’t say anything; she just walked beside her mother. Near the left corner of the cemetery, Andrea pointed over the wall. “Look.”

  Ana leaned over, and right up against the wall on the other side were two small graves. “What are these?” Ana asked, looking hard. She jumped over the wall and dusted off the graves. Wet leaves laid heavy on them. Not being able to see much and getting chill bumps coming up her arms, Ana looked up at Andrea and grinned. She jumped back across the fence, feeling safer on the other side.

  “They say the graves outside are those who are unconsecrated,” her mother said.

  “Oh, but mom, one was a child's grave.”

  “I know,” her mother said. They walked around the cemetery and up to the front of the church. The door was unlocked. They walked into the church, Ana walking slowly behind her mother. The church was walled with off-white paneling and had deep oak pews. The floors were shiny and cracked easily. The rafters gleamed overhead, and the air smelled old like they had walked into a dust-covered book. In the front of the church was a hexagon-shaped area with wood-framed stained-glass windows displaying a lamb, a cross, and a bible. The pulpit was simply a wooden stand. Andrea sat on the back pew with ease, like she had sat there many times before. Ana stood for a few seconds watching her, then entered the pew and sat on the other side of Andrea, not wanting to interrupt her. Silence fell on them, followed by a breeze that came in as the door slowly opened a few inches. Andrea smiled, then looked at Ana, who had an expression of fear on her face, like she had heard a ghost. “Come on. We'll go,” Andrea said.

  “Ok,” Ana replied as she walked quickly out of the church in front of Andrea. It was around 2 p.m., Andrea knew Phillip was due home around three, and she didn’t want to be home when he arrived. Phillip had been more than upset when she spoke to him earlier on the phone, and he didn’t even know the details, but he was informed about Scott Trammel hearing the rumor about Anastasia and Travis. Scott Trammel was the son of a business associate that Phillip, unfortunately, had the pleasure of dealing with on his current project. Andrea had tried to calm Phillip down, but he wouldn’t listen to her. She was anxious just thinking about speaking to Phillip later. He didn’t understand how it was to be a teenage girl, and he had forgotten how he felt when he was a hormone-driven teenager. Andrea remembered how it felt to be a young teenage girl, although she had not sympathized with Ana. Phillip was not at all sympathetic and had accused Andrea of taking Ana’s side when they had spoken earlier. “Mom, do we have to go home now?” Ana asked. Her tone really said, Mom, keep me safe a little bit longer.

  Andrea looked at her and understood what she was really asking. “No, we’ll go into town.” They rode into town and stopped and ate at a little pizza place. It was a small place owned by a family Andrea knew. Andrea and Ana talked of school and tried to stay away from the subject of Travis or the events that had just occurred at home. Ana seemed semi-interested in auditioning for the drama production, and Andrea felt she would greatly benefit from it. Andrea received a call from Nellie and answered quickly. Ana knew her mother was getting a phone call from home informing her that her father was there. It was all too apparent in her mother’s expressions and voice. It was a short conversation between the two, but a lot more was said than was actually spoken.

  Nellie knew Phillip and knew he was upset by his abrupt tone with her. He was never rude to her, but she could always tell when he was angry. He came in, threw his bag down, and went into his study. Only there for a few minutes, he went upstairs looking for Andrea and Ana. When he didn’t find them, he yelled down at Nellie from over the banister, “Where are they?” His tone wasn’t angry, but he was agitated not to find them there.

  “They went into town. They’ll be home soon,” she responded. Nellie was glad they weren’t home, but she did call Andrea because she knew it would only get worse the longer, he had to wait. Nellie went into the living room, and Phillip was there looking at his phone. He still had his jacket on and looked up at her when she entered. “What’s wrong with you? I know you need to at least take off your coat. Maybe you need to take a shower and relax before they get home?” she said, mothering him.

  “You know what’s wrong, Nellie. And, you know as well as I do that Anastasia should not have been involved with a twenty-two-year-old man. Why did her mother not know what was going on?” Phillip said, throwing the blame on Andrea.

  “Now, I think you’re over-exaggerating the situation, and if you're mad at Andrea, you should be mad at me as well. I see Ana just as much as she does, and I had no idea,” Nellie said, trying to diffuse him.

  “I want to talk to both of them soon. Ana should know better than to behave that way. She is only seventeen,” Phillip vented to Nellie.

  “Now Phillip, she might have known better or maybe not, we don’t know, and it doesn’t matter if she did. She’s seventeen. Don’t you remember how you were at that age?” Nellie was trying to make him think. They both got up to leave the room.

  “I’ll go shower,” Phillip said in passing.

  Nellie shook with frustration as she texted Andrea that he was showering. Andrea and Ana finished eating, got in the car, and headed back home. “Are you mad at me?” Ana asked Andrea as they drove.

  “I’m not mad. I am disappointed,” Andrea replied.

  “Dad is mad, isn’t he?” Ana asked, looking down at her hands.

  “Dad is upset, Ana, but it will be ok,” Andrea said, trying to comfort her. Andrea pulled into their drive, and she could see Ana crying silently in the passenger seat. She put the car in park. She dreaded going in. Ana looked at her with big tear-filled eyes for guidance. “Ana, come on, you have to go in.” Andrea patted her thigh. She really wanted to pull her close and hold her, but she knew she couldn’t caudle her now. It would just create a division of authority. Andrea went in first, and Nellie met her in the hall.

  “He’s upstairs in the shower, I assume,” Nellie said. Ana walked in and went straight to her room. Nellie saw her eyes and looked at Andrea.

  “I didn’t do it. She started crying on the way home,” Andrea responded.

  “Oh Lord, I hope he’s calmed down. He was in a mood when he got home,” Nellie said.

  “I’ll go talk to him, might as well get it over with.” Andrea headed up the stairs.

  “Here we go,” Nellie said to herself.

  When Andrea walked into their room, Phillip was standing at the window, his tie loosened and his jacket off. He looked like he was thinking and undressing at the same time. He turned to face Andrea. “Hello, love,” Phillip said and tried to smile. “Where have you two been?”

  “We just went out for a drive, and then we got an early dinner,” she replied. Phillip didn’t seem interested and turned back to face the window. “Phillip, what is it? I mean -- I know you are upset with Ana.”

  “Upset is not the word I would use, but yes, I am. Scott told his dad. He called me on the way home to inform me of my daughter’s new sexual relationship with the stable boy. I’m sorry, did I say boy? I meant a 22-year-old man.” He took a drink from his glass of liquor sitting on the dresser.

  “I am sorry, dear, I’m disappointed as well.” There was a pause, and then Andrea said, “Ana swears she didn’t sleep with him.” She was trying to calm him and put her arms around his back and over his arms.

  He didn’t move, but he said, “And you believe her? She is 17 years old. Of course, she’s going to tell you that you’re her mother.” Andrea pulled away, and Phillip turned around, looking for an answer.

  “I believe her, I really do. Yes, I know she’s a teenager, and they lie. She has lied. I know you think I’m stupid, but I do believe her,” Andrea confessed.

  “Andrea, what if she’s pregnant or has contracted an STD from this guy? I mean, he is twenty-two.”

  “I’ve thought of that, Phillip. Do you think I’ve not thought of that?”

  “So what are we going to do? Just hope she doesn’t have an STD or isn’t pregnant?” Phillip was clearly irritated.

  “I will talk to her. What else can I do?” Andrea responded.

  “Take her to a doctor, get her checked out. Maybe she’ll be more inclined, to be honest with a medical professional. Yes, talk to her. I want to talk to her myself. Where is she?”

  “I think she’s in her room, but don’t you want to wait a while? You seem very angry.” Andrea was trying her best to persuade him to wait.

  “Stop protecting her, Andrea. I’m her father, I want to speak with her, and I will,” he demanded.

  “She’s just a seventeen-year-old, Phillip. She isn’t an adult, don’t be so hard on her,” Andrea pleaded. Philip walked out of their room, leaving her behind and choosing not to acknowledge her comment.

  Ana was in her room playing on her phone when he knocked on the wall before coming through the open door. She immediately sat up, somewhat startled, when he came through the door. Ana stared at him with big eyes, not knowing what to expect. Phillip walked into the room and stared at Ana, seemingly absent for the right words. “You, follow me,” he said to her as he walked out of the room. Holding her phone in her hand, she followed him into the master bedroom where Andrea was sitting by the window in a rocking chair. Andrea was surprised to see them enter the room and didn’t quite know how to react. “Sit down,” he said as he pointed to a stool next to the vanity, across from her mother. “I am very disappointed in you, Anastasia, and I don’t know why you would put yourself and your family at such risk. I was informed by an opposing colleague today that you were having sex with our 22-year-old college guy, who also works for us. I found this very disturbing and realizing I had been left uninformed about the whole situation by your mother made me angry.” He motioned to Andrea.

  Andrea interrupted, “I didn’t not tell you --” Phillip cut her off, pointing at her.

  “I don’t want to hear excuses. I should not have heard this from Trammell Andrea, let me finish,” Phillip said, his tone conveying his anger and annoyance. Andrea shut her mouth but was obviously getting frustrated by his comments. Ana looked to her mother, who turned her head away from her view. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Phillip asked as he looked down on Ana with his hands on his hips.

  Ana just looked at the floor and said, “No, I mean, no, Sir.” Andrea gave Phillip and I told you so look.

  “Ana, you have nothing to say?” Phillip asked, clearly waiting for some sort of response.

  Ana looked up at him, then to Andrea, who sat with her arms crossed, watching her struggle for words. “No, I mean, I am sorry. But Dad, I didn’t do what he supposedly told that guy. I told Mom that already,” Ana said, pleading for assistance. Andrea didn’t offer any words of support.

  “You did not have sex with him. For sure, nothing happened, that is what you're telling me? So, he is lying?” Phillip asked her.

  “I mean, we messed around, but we didn’t have sex, I promise you that. I already told Mom, I’m a virgin,” Ana stated, becoming more embarrassed by the topic.

  “I don’t know what the definition of messing around is, Ana, and I’m not sure you're being honest. And I want you to see a doctor, soon, for a full examination. Your mother will take you,” Phillip said matter of factly.

  Ana’s face turned red. She couldn’t believe the words he was saying. “Dad, are you serious? I told you, I didn’t have sex with him.” Ana was full of frustration. She turned to her mother, “Mom, really? You’re gonna take me to a doctor just because you think I’m lying?”

  “It isn’t a terrible idea for you to be evaluated by a female physician. You need to establish a relationship with a physician anyway. You’ve never been seen here, and you may be more comfortable discussing certain things with a doctor,” Andrea explained.

  Ana stood up, stepped toward her mother, looking at her with disdain. “Why are you doing this to me? Because you don’t believe me? So now you're going to have some doctors examine me to see if I’m lying.” Tears welled up in Ana’s eyes. Andrea stood to respond, but Ana cut her off. “Mom, this is so wrong, and you fucking know it.”

  Immediately Andrea stepped forward, raising her hand. She saw Ana wince and brace herself, closing her eyes while tears streamed down her face. Andrea took a breath and did not strike her but waited. She moved closer, facing Ana. Andrea waited on Ana to open her eyes and said, “Are you finished, young lady?” Ana was immediately embarrassed, she knew she shouldn’t have said what she did, and she was humiliated being responded to like a child. Ana just looked at her mother, silence being her only weapon. “Anastasia, you will respect us. You are acting childish and defensive. Do you have something to hide?” Andrea asked. Ana again chose not to answer. “So, since you do not have anything to divulge, we will make the appointment, and you will go. Do you understand?”

  Ana felt defeated and inferior, and she answered, “Yes, ma’am,” her voice sarcastic. Andrea moved away and walked behind Phillip to their bathroom. Phillip watched as Andrea walked past him. Ana had struck a chord with Andrea, and Phillip hadn’t seen Andrea and Ana interact this way. He was surprised when Andrea didn’t strike Ana, it was warranted, and he was aware of Andrea striking her for a similar act a few weeks before. Ana stood there; her face flushed with anger. She crossed her arms and then sat down on the stool, fuming. Her father came out of the bathroom.

  “Anastasia, I will not allow you to speak to your mother that way. That was very disrespectful, and I am surprised she didn’t slap your face. Apologize to her,” her father demanded. Andrea was out of the bathroom and standing behind Phillip.

  “I’m sorry, Mom,” Ana said at his request.

  “The exam was my idea. It is not an examination of your virtue. It’s so you can be seen by a physician who can be a resource for you,” Phillip said. Ana exhaled, waiting for more words to be said as she tried to ignore her emotions.

  “Ana, you’re on restriction until further notice, and you will be cleaning out the stables daily until your uncle hires someone else to do the job.”

  “Whatever makes you happy, Sir,” Ana said in response, just trying to get out of the room. Ana turned to leave the room.

  Andrea was glad that Phillip was there to see this side of Ana, but she also understood Ana’s frustration, although Ana was taking all her anger out on her. “Go downstairs and help Nellie and hand me your phone. It is mine until further notice. You’re not going to lock yourself in your room on your phone all night,” Andrea ordered as she pointed toward the steps. Ana handed her phone to her mother and walked out. She was pissed off at both of them but especially upset at her mother. She walked heavily down the steps to meet Nellie in the kitchen. Nellie took one glance and knew Ana was angry. She handed Ana a knife, and they peeled potatoes for a while in silence.

  Andrea waited for her to get out of hearing distance. “Really, she thinks we are going to have her violated to prove a point,” Andrea said to Phillip.

  “I am not having her violated. I don’t know what you're talking about,” Phillip said.

  “I mean internally examined. Gosh, Phillip, you don’t know anything about women’s health.”

  “She needs a physician anyway. This is not going to hurt her. It’s just a physical.”

  “Well, she’s going now for sure after that episode of defiance,” Andrea said to herself, but Phillip heard. “Phillip, we can't lock her in this house forever.”

  “We can until we know she isn’t going to run away. I am not losing her over some stupid boy.”

  Andrea agreed and didn’t know what else to say. She was afraid to lose Ana again. She was afraid she would run away and afraid she would ruin their relationship by being too hard on her. As Andrea looked out the window, she began to cry. “I’m sorry, I was worried and was trying to find the right way to tell you.” He nodded in response that he understood, and she walked into the bathroom, closing the door.