Short Stories

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It’s Monday, I look in my bathroom mirror’s reflection. I see roots informing me I need a touch up job. My roots, once again, showing the world my hair isn’t REALLY the color of Lindsay Lohan’s, more like Katie Holmes’.
Oh, well.
I go to fasten my jeans, and a press-on nail goes flying into the air, some how making to the bathroom sink, and down the drain.
Ah, it’s gonna be on a THOSE days.
I crack off the rest on the fake nails that my cousin had put on my fingers Sunday afternoon, because I can’t take the nine long, one not long look.
I hop in my car and drive to Starbuck’s for breakfast.
As I stand in line, I see a woman from my church.
“Hi, Mrs. Hammond.” I say to the sixty-year-old.
She turns to so see who is calling her, and when she sees it’s me, she looks at me like I’m as ugly as a moldy cucumber, and turns–ignoring I’m there.
Ok.
That’s weird.
I order a Grande Latte and a coffee cake, and find a nice cozy seat to wait. I watch the drifting snow flurries that land on left over snow from a storm we had on Friday.
I take off my jacket and scarf, and happen to see another church go-er.
“Hi, Maxine, how’s your house selling coming?” I smile at the soccer mom.
She looks at me a second, “I don’t know, when did YOU move?” Maxine flounces away.
Seeing her mother’s indignation, twelve-year-old Hannah follows suite.
Is it my scent?
It’s only Vanilla Sugar body spray. . .should be ok. . .right?
“Celest! Hey!” It’s my best friend, Krissy, calling out to me.
She shakes the snow out of her blonde hair and comes over, “What’s up?”
“Latte with extra foam!”
My latte, obviously.
“Not much, you?” I get my drink and cake.
“Oh, nothing, really.”
Krissy orders a Cappuccino, and we sit to talk.
“I had the weirdest thing happen a while ago.” I tell her the incident.
“Oh, gosh, it’s got around. I meant to tell you.” Krissy puts her hand to her mouth.
“What? Tell me what?” I ask.
“Um. . .well. . .”
“Out with it, Kris.” I say.
“Well, it seems there’s rumor that you stayed at you boyfriends apartment a few nights ago.” she says, cringing.
“What? I didn’t stay at Troy’s. . .” I stop, to think, “Wait, yeah, I did. It was the night of that big snow storm. I was stuck there.”
“Well, they said you stayed to, how should I say, get to know him better, if you know what I mean.” Krissy hints.
Oh. My. Gosh.
“What?! I stayed because visibility was down to , like, zero. That’s it–nothing happened.”
“Well, that’s not what’s circulating. It’s said you went in, and didn’t come out till morning. You know someone from singles group lives in the complex, too.” Krissy bites her muffin.
Yeah, but I didn’t think they’d snoop and tell.
“It was SNOWING, Troy didn’t want me to get hurt. I was visiting him and his sister, and it started dumping like a Mack truck. I slept in his sister’s room, and she and I had a mini sleep-over. Troy was in HIS room and slept there. . .ALONE.” I say.
“I believe you, Celest.” Krissy says.
Gossip.
Nothing but gossip.
My rep is in danger because of a misunderstanding. Someone was peaking through their blinds and spread stories, and now I’m being snubbed.
And besides, even if I had done something, I don’t think the Christian thing to do is snub.
I get sick to my stomach.
How am I going to clear my name?!
Oh, Lord!
The way Maxine and Mrs. Hammond acted, I should go in for my red ‘A’ now. Didn’t any of these people read what God says about gossip? Hello, read a Proverb once in a while.
What am I gonna do?!!!!!
At that moment I feel a Peace say, “Honey, don’t worry, I know you’re innocent. If it come up, tell them the truth, and if they don’t believe you that’s their choice. But don’t worry, I believe you. . .I see all.”
Come to think of it Mary, in the Bible, gave birth to Jesus, and at the time no one ever cleared her name with the whole city that it was God’s son and that she gave virgin birth.
Sometimes we need to not worry what people think about us–especially if it’s not true.
But even if it is, just relax, God knows all.
He’ll help you when you fall, and comfort you when you’re innocent, but made to feel guilty.

(c) 2007

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