assignments and failed quizzes. Debra, however, interpreted this not as a consequence of Molly' s laziness

o ease the rules, but

tion. "Molly, the Lord has shown me another vani

roze, our forks ha

re spending too much time concerned with the flesh. It distracts from God' s plan for you. Fr

d. "But Mama... scho

is world!" Debra snapped. "This is a test of your faith, Molly. A sacrifice

immediate and disastrous. Within a few days, a sour smell clung to her. Her hair grew greasy an

my marked-up practice exams on my desk, a 1550 staring up from

was all she said, her lips thin

ing to help with your stress, my sweet girl." She handed Molly a new leather-bound journal.

the flicker in her eyes. It wouldn' t be filled with prayers. It would be filled with co

tual battle, rewarding her with gifts and praise. The divide between us was no longer just a crack; i