Lessons in Sin

by Pam Godwin

After dinner, I would bring them water and a variety of food. But for now, I lay down on my side, contentedly watching them eat. Until I fell asleep. It was a horrible accident. I hadn’t even meant to close my eyes. But when I woke, I knew an hour or two had passed. I was in deep fucking shit. Within the shelter of tree roots, Jaden and Willow curled up beside the partially eaten bread. Sound asleep. Safe. I left them there and raced back to the main building with dread gnawing the lining of my stomach. By the time I reached his classroom, I felt like I was going to be sick. The door was shut, but according to the clock I’d passed in the hall, I’d missed both of his classes. My heart thundered as I reached for the handle, my hand hovering, trembling over the latch. I couldn’t do it. Not like this. I couldn’t go in there all scared and worn down and guilty. Not to mention, I needed to pee something fierce. My bladder felt like it was going to pop. Curling my fingers, I yanked my hand from the handle and slowly backed away. Two seconds later, the door opened. I held my breath as Carrie swept out. She veered in the opposite direction and slumped against the wall with her eyes closed. Her hands went to her heart, and she sighed with nauseating pleasure. Meanwhile, I stood a few feet away, feeling woefully different about the man in that room. But she wasn’t the one who had destroyed her uniform, violated the fasting rule, fell asleep in church, and missed his two classes. I’m ...