Helen sighed and shook her head.

“It is not OK. But so much about this world we live in is not OK. They still murder forty-thousand babies per year in the American Federation. A hundred thousand in the California Republic. Sodomy and cloning are rampant all across the world. We, the faithful, are surrounded on all sides.”

Sasha recognized that last line. It was the opening sentence of Pastor Mike’s infamous “Sinful Continent in the Hands of an Angry God” column. Sasha couldn’t deny the truth of those words. Everything Helen said was accurate. But–

“But how are we any better than them if we stoop to dishonesty to fill the Heavenly Kingdom?”

Helen stiffened and straightened her back. “We are better than them, dear, because our goals are Godly.” There was a hint of pride in her voice. “We are fighting for the one singular Truth. You must never forget that the men and women fighting for that truth are flawed. We are all fallible. We will fall short of God’s standards. But we are also the only ones trying to meet God’s standards.”

“And that makes what Alexander did OK?”

Helen shook her head. Sasha saw tears in the corners of the older woman’s eyes.

“No, child. Nothing makes it OK. You were wronged. That boy played with your heart. He lied to you about his love. And that’s an unforgivable thing. But you’re here now, aren’t you? And that’s what matters most.”

Helen held her and talked with her for the next few hours. By the time the other girls came back, she felt better. Not good, exactly, but better. Stable enough to not burst into tears during dinner. She kept quiet at mealtime and was glad that the others seemed too exhausted from their day of labor to say much either.

After dinner they had another hour of personal time. Anne and Susannah zeroed in on her with military precision. Sasha’s vaunted poker face hadn’t been enough to hide her sorrow. Her new friends guided her to a corner of the room where they’d have relative privacy.

“What’s wrong?” Anne asked in a low voice. She and Susannah both laid their hands on Sasha’s shoulders. Sasha reached up to grasp both of their hands. It happened automatically, as if by reflex, but it brought her great comfort. She closed her eyes and stood quiet for a moment as her mind and heart calmed down.

“I met Alexander today,” she said.

Anne looked confused. Susannah frowned, then laughed and asked, “What, did he have bad breath? Were his eyes all…” she blew out her cheeks and crossed her eyes. Anne laughed, but Sasha stayed quiet. Susannah’s smile faded.

“Sash’,” she said in a quiet voice, “what happened?”