My Forever by Jolene Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

Bringing a Book of Mormon into the house is probably on par with my pregnancy. Or worse.
     
    “I have an iPod you can borrow,” Michael offers. “I have the audio Book of Mormon on there. You can listen to it if you like
. I
t won’t help with the scripture chasing
,
but it’ll give you an idea.”
     
    I watch him for a minute to make sure he means it. “Okay.” I say carefully. H ow long have I wanted one of tho se? I don’t even know.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    I walk home that night with Michael’s small blue iPod and the pamphlet crammed into my back pocket. They offered me a ride, but I need time. I listen to
Michael’s
music. I feel kinda bad, but I’m s o curious. I hit shuffle and am surprised to hear a lot of what I listen to. I don’t know what I expected. He obviously wouldn’t listen to church music all the time. I take the headphones out before I reach my house —no need for extra questions.
     
    I eat a little dinner that Mom set out for me, and go to bed early. I pull out my Bible and look up all the scripture references that I can. I think about how many prophets I know of that had seen God or a part of God, the hand of God, heard His voice. There were a lot. It suddenly doesn’t seem so strange that it could happen now. My father looks in on me and I’m on my bunk, scriptures laid out in front of me. He gives me a nod of approval and continues on down the hallway. That couldn’t have worked out better.
     
    Dad must be doing the rounds to have his “connection” time with his kids. I turn out the light on my bunk, put Michael’s headphones in my ears and push play on his scriptures. The names are unfamiliar; the language feels a little different, but better, easier to understand for me. I’m completely wrapped up in the story. How could Laman and Lemuel be so stupid? Who sees angels and then keeps doing idiotic things? How many miracles did one person have to see to understand that there’s a God? I fall asleep with the headphones in my ears.
     
    When I wake up in the morning I’m anxious to get to school so I can throw up without anyone noticing. Well, I’m not anxious for the throwing up part. Just the not being noticed part. Also so I can talk to either Michael or Tracy. I just make it.
     
    Tracy’s alone today. I shouldn’t be disappointed. But I am.
     
    “Where’s your brother-cousin?” I ask, trying to sound cool and like I don’t care.
     
    She rolls her eyes. “We each get a personal day a month, from our mom
. H
e’s taking his today.”
     
    “Oh.” I look down. “I need to return this to him.” I pull out his iPod.
     
    She laughs. “He has like three or four
. H
is dad keeps forgetting he’s already gotten him one and keeps sending them as birthday and Christmas presents. His dad has a bit of money.” She looks at me like it’s a lot more than a bit. “So, was yesterday too strange for you?”
     
    “No, I read last night and listened and I’m trying really hard to just feel .” Why am I so honest with her ? I thought it was just Michael.
     
    “Well, good. I can’t tell you how often I’ve been comforted by what we believe. It works for me you know? Might not for everyone, but it does for me. ”
     
    I nod. But church for me has always felt like a job. A big family job.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    I continue on with Elder Simmons and Elder Night for the next three weeks. The time at the church and with Michael and Tracy becom e something I look forward to. And e ven though Michael is completely out of the realm of possibility , he’s fun to be around.
     
    We burn through the official missionary discussions pretty fast. I’m glad. I’m on a timetable. The baby inside me is going to grow and come out no matter what. I can’t stop it. I can’t slow it down. I’m marching toward one big decision after another. I’m starting to notice my belly. Proof that this is really happening. I can still wear my pants but can’t button them. It doesn’t matter. They