ng to be

s feeling settling inside of me. I'm in the closet of my parents' bedroom, a p

g my diary closed and engaging the lock. "Mom," I say, looking up

, her expression inscrutable. "Can you c

g clothes and stand, letting her guide me to the

there was any other option. But...time is going to run out." Her voice starts t

eeze her forearm. "What

und climbing trees, getting filthy. But you're not a child anymore and...a lot of men in th

jaw is in m

it's the way things are." She shakes her head to clear it. "My point is, you're incredibly beautiful, Grace. Appealing in w

utiful. I don't even brush my hair most days. And my feet are usually dirty from forgetting to wear shoes. Don't w

God, I can't believe I'm saying this. But some men, Grace, will fo

tation, nothing is. I should be horrified by what my mother is asking me to do. Inste

and their girlfriends. Two people in the dark, jerking around and making weird sounds in

ng. I'm asking you to trade the pleasure of your body, your...virginity...to st

'm being asked to offer myself to the Lord so my family won't be thrown out o

dirty knees. The way my breasts jut out, pointy and small. Unlike the wo

y about that." She points to the door of the bed