The Truth About Faking

We’ll discuss it tonight, and it’ll be dealt with.”
    “Ricky has got to go!” I shout. “He’s over here too much, and it’s gone way too far.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Mom’s green eyes flash, and all the honey in her voice is gone.
    I look down not wanting to meet her eyes. I don’t want to be on their side or believe their accusations. I want to believe her. But she’s made it hard.
    “He’s just over here too much,” I say with less fury.
    “Well, I think you’d do best to keep that opinion to yourself this evening,” Mom says.
    Then she spins on her heel and walks back to her room, closing the door. I’m left in the room with Dad staring at me. I feel guilty and small, like I’m the one who’s betrayed the family. How can he not say anything? And if he isn’t worried, is it possible I shouldn’t be either? But he hasn’t heard what I have, and he didn’t see them at the game. And he’s never around when Ricky’s here. Touching my mother or standing around in just a towel.
    “Do I have to talk to the elders?” I ask softly.
    Dad shakes his head. “I doubt it.”
    His expression is closed, but I can sense a slight bit of annoyance with me. I can’t figure out why he’s angry at me and not her.
    “I guess I’ll go to my room, then.” I mumble and walk away.
    This is all Ricky’s fault. Everything is wrong, and it’s all his stupid fault. I know Mom’s way hotter than Trent’s mom, but at least Trent’s mom is available. Why couldn’t he have just tried to not have a misunderstanding with her? Or whatever. Just give her what she wants. This is all just stupid and awful. And Ricky’s fault.
     
    The Session arrives at our house at 7 p.m. Besides my dad, the governing body includes Mr. Bryant, Mr. Bowden, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Perkins, and Dr. Hamilton. The five men have supposedly spent the day meeting and evaluating whether Ms. Jackson’s accusation is something the entire congregation should be aware of, or whether it’s something that can be handled privately.
    Of course, Mr. Perkins had his evil wife talking to him. She already has a big fat problem with someone like my mom being the wife of her pastor. She’s been waiting for something like Ricky to come along. It’s like the answer to her wicked prayers. The fact that Trent corroborated his mother’s story means the elders have to take it seriously. But why would Trent tell his mom Ricky was here? He knows how suspicious she is.
    Mr. Bryant starts the meeting. Mom and Dad are in the living room while I watch through a crack in my door. Dad says I don’t have to be in the room if I don’t want to, and I do not want to. It’s all too medieval for me to believe.
    “Well, Jackie, just for starters, Stuart’s not going to be involved in these proceedings. That would be against the bylaws. He can listen, of course, but he can’t speak for or against you in this matter. Do you understand?”
    “Of course, Paul,” Mom says. I can’t tell if she’s nervous or not. She doesn’t seem to be. She almost seems bored with the whole situation.
    “Are you aware of the accusations made against you by Sandra Jackson?”
    “I guess,” Mom says. “She thinks I’m sleeping with my student?”
    Five throats clear loudly. “Well, I don’t know if she’s come out and said that ,” Mr. Lloyd answers. “I think she’s concerned that you’re headed down a dangerous path with this young man.”
    “Dangerous path,” Mom repeats.
    “Apparently he expressed… feelings for you while he was at her house yesterday.” Mr. Perkins says. “And her son Trent says he saw you in the car with the young man outside your house here last Saturday night around ten?”
    Silence.
    “Do you have anything to say in response?” Mr. Lloyd gently prods.
    I can see Mom’s face in the lamplight. Something’s going on behind her eyes, but I can’t tell what it is. She isn’t looking at any of the men. Dad’s sitting next to her holding her hand, and I see her lips tighten.
    “How old is Trent?” Mom asks.
    “I’m not sure exactly,” Mr. Perkins says. “Sixteen? Seventeen? Old enough to be taken seriously. Are you disputing his claim?”
    “No,” Mom replies.
    Silence. I notice Dad squeeze her hand.
    “Jackie,” he says softly. “Are you going to say anything in your defense?”
    I see her look at Dad in a way I’ve never seen before, as if she’s evaluating him. As if there’s a choice she wants to make, but