Page 1 of Tempting God

1

THEN

Greer

Age 8

“Greer Arwen Blanc! Put that fork down this instant!” Momma hisses at me.

When I look up, she’s scowling at me, making her pretty face wrinkly.

“Nanny said I could have a piece before the party.”

As soon as the words leave my lips, I know it’s a mistake. I flinch, knowing what’s coming, but it’s too late.

She strikes faster than I expect, slapping me across the cheek with a flat palm. My skin stings and hot tears fill my eyes.

It takes everything in my power not to cry.

Crying is never good.

It only makes everything worse.

“I’m…” I have to clear my throat before I can speak. “I’m sorry, Momma.” I set the plate on the table, clasping my hands behind my back. “I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

A vein on Momma’s forehead stands out as she looks down at me. “You did make me sad, Greer. You made Momma so sad she needs a drink. Now, get up to your room and don’t come down until I say you can. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I hurry away before she can change her mind and decide that I need to be punished for real. My bottom still has bruises on it from the other day, but at least I can sit without it hurting.

When I reach the safety of my room, I close the door softly behind me so it doesn’t make a sound. Momma doesn’t like sounds, which is why she probably doesn’t like me. I like to sing, and sometimes I get too loud.

My cheek is still stinging as I cross the hardwood floor, going to the pink tent in the corner of my room. It was a birthday gift from Grandfather Blanc. Grandfather Blanc might be my favorite person in the entire world—next to Nanny— but I don’t get to see him much because he’s always busy. He always brings me a present, which is nice.

The flap on the side of the tent is fastened back so I can enter quickly, closing it behind me. Nanny helped me set up my tent, so there’s a blanket to keep me warm and a pillow if I get tired. Nanny says this house is older than all get out, and that’s why we’re always cold in the winter. I shiver, as if I’ve summoned a phantom wind through the hardwood floor. Scooting further into the tent, I straighten my skirt before laying back. The top of the tent has pink stars that almost seem to glow. I like it. It makes me happy.

My cheek throbs, and I touch the skin. Seeing my momma sad doesn’t make me happy, though.

I asked Nanny why Momma’s always sad. Nanny got a funny look on her face, and said I wouldn’t understand. I hate when people say that. I just turned eight. I understand a lot of things. Like, I know Momma wants me to have a baby brother. I heard her telling Aunt Rose that a brother would make Dad happy. It would make me happy, too. It gets lonely being here all by myself. Aunt Rose also said that it would make the Brotherhood happy. Just like they were happy when she had my older cousin, Charles.

Rolling to my side, I trace the design on my fluffy blanket. Dad is in the Brotherhood. So is Grandfather. Aunt Rose and Momma aren’t, but Charles is. I asked Dad why I’m not in the Brotherhood. He laughed and patted my head, saying it was for boys only. So, if Momma does have a baby boy, then he’ll be in the Brotherhood, but I won’t be.

It’s not fair, which is why I’m going to start my own club.

The idea feels like lightning shooting across my brain.

Scurrying from the tent, I go to my desk, pulling open the drawer. I grab a piece of paper and a pink crayon, writing as fast as I can.

Greer’s Fairy Club

Girls Only!!!

NO BOYS!!!

I bite my bottom lip as I look it over. Nope, it needs something else. Something like a fairy. I pick out a few more colors and then get to work. I love fairies so much. I’m certain that there are some here in Texas. The bluebonnets that grow all around our house would be the perfect place for fairies to live, too. See, I’m pretty smart for an eight-year-old.

By the time I’m finished, my stomach is rumbling. I know Momma said she would come and get me, but sometimes she forgets about me after she has a drink, and I really don’t want to go to bed hungry again.

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