I had my grandma take our picture.
“You should film them backing the trailer into the barn,” Zoe suggested.
“Why would you do that?” Grandma Dawson asked.
I had to tell her the whole story.
“That makes sense,” Grandma Dawson said. “You’d want to hide it inside so the satellites couldn’t see it.”
My grandma should be in movies. She had them unhook the wagon so I could come speeding up on the tractor, hook up the wagon, and then back it into the barn. It took me three attempts because backing a wagon wasn’t easy.
When I successfully parked the wagon, I acted like I was looking for satellites. As if you could see them.
“Here in the good old US of A, possession is nine-tenths of the law,” I said, and then closed the barn doors.
I sent the pictures and video to Frank. It would be interesting to see what they could do with them.
◊◊◊
Zoe and I rode to where the bluff overlooked the river. Someday I would want to build a house there. The view of the slow-moving river and forest looked like a scene out of a painting. When we came to the top, we startled three deer. The two females looked pregnant.
Zoe and I got off the horses, walked to the edge, and just took in the sights.
“Why did you not show up the other day?” I asked, referring to our appointment in the music room.
She looked away and blushed.
“I was being too brazen. That wasn’t me; I just couldn’t do it again. I came to tell you, and that girl was there, so I asked her to let you know I couldn’t make it.”
“You know that girl tried to take your place,” I teased.
“David,” she complained and then looked at me. “Did she really?”
I just gave her a cryptic look. Zoe looked shocked.
“I let her show me her boobs,” I said.
“You are such a pervert sometimes. I have no idea what I see in you,” she huffed.
I reached out and took her hand. She came into my arms, and we kissed. She laid her head on my chest.
“I’m conflicted. I was raised a certain way and know my parents would disapprove if they knew what we’d done. When I’m with you, all that goes away. But you can’t just pick and choose what you believe,” she said.
“Why not?” I asked.
“That’s not the way it’s done.”
“I think your belief in God is a personal thing. While I agree with you on most of it, I think some teachings are outdated. I believe man, not God, dictates some things. Of course, I could just be interpreting things to suit me. You need to decide what’s right for yourself,” I said.
“Like what?” Zoe asked.
I got a tight smile. This was one of those things that people believed in deeply. They would usually fall on one side or the other.
“Birth control. Some religions are against it. I use it, not only because I want to keep from having a baby, but also for health reasons. I understand the irony in what I’m saying and agree that were I in a monogamous long-term relationship, I wouldn’t have to worry about the health issues.”
“What about abortion?” she asked.
“You’re not going easy on me, are you?” I asked.
“I guess not, but I would like to know.”
“Okay, this is more complicated. I believe that life begins at conception,” I said.
“Is that why Pam’s having your child?”
“Partially,” I admitted. “Pam and I are too young right now. We both have a year left in high school. That doesn’t mean that couples haven’t faced this very issue and survived.”
“Do you believe in abortion?” she asked again.
“There are cases in which the health of the mother should be considered,” I hedged.
“What about rape or incest?”
“That would fall under the health of the mother. The mother’s mental health should be considered.”
“What if something’s wrong with the baby?”
“I believe the parents should be given all the facts and the support to decide. A child with a severe birth defect could mean a tremendous strain on a family, financially, emotionally, and physically, with the time needed to support the child. Something like that shouldn’t be forced on you without your consent.”
I sighed.
“I don’t have all the answers. That’s why I talk to people I trust and pray. Sometimes you have to leave it in God’s hands. I’m smart enough to know that I shouldn’t just blindly decide what’s right in each and every situation. Honestly, I don’t think it’s my place. We each have to face our decisions in the hereafter. At some point, personal responsibility comes into play.”
“With that logic, I could go down and rob a convenience store, if my moral compass said it was okay.”
“Everything you do in life has consequences. If you’re willing to take the risk, there’s nothing I can do to stop you. That’s one of the things I like about our country. You’re free to be an idiot. If you’re a big enough idiot, we can decide not to put up with your shit and put you in jail.”
“You’re a giant contradiction,” Zoe said.
“I guess I am, but that’s life. Nothing’s black or white. We live in the gray areas, and sometimes that isn’t easy.”
“So, what should I do?”
“About having sex with me? I’m all for it,” I said with a big smile.
“You’re not worried about burning in Hell?”
