As days go by, Sarah and Lily made it a usual thing for them to do, their regular meeting with Joshua. It was like a book club but in this state, they were sharing the word of GOD and insights.

Daisy had noticed the change in Lily for the past weeks. She knew that school was taking a lot of their time yet Lily seemed as radiant as ever. She stayed a bit late after school before she came home and when she was asked, she responded with “I’m taking time to myself at the park”

Lily hadn’t told her parents about her regular meetings with Joshua. She has a feeling that her mum might be angry but will still let her go for their usual meetings if she opens up about it to her. But the raging fear of her mum not letting her out of the house scared her.

“You should tell your mum before anyone does or she finds out herself,” Sarah said when they let to go home from school.

They were having a short break from school which starts the next day. So, the school let all the students leave early for the day.

“I don’t want her to st-”

“What if you get a response opposite to what you expect?”

Lily thought for a while and decided that it was a good idea but the thought of her mum stopping her from leaving the house clouded her mind.

“Tell her now,” Sarah said, they were close to the park with a few goodies that they bought “Cory knows already and soon enough, your mum will know too. Tell her now and don’t let her find out from someone else or by herself”

Lily glanced at Sarah and then nodded her head. “I’ve heard you.”

When they arrived at the park, Lily could not believe what her eyes were seeing. There her mum was standing behind the bench Joshua was currently sitting on. Her hands were resting on both hips, glare directed at her.

Lily felt frozen to the ground, not knowing what to do next.

“You have some explaining to do young lady” her mum pointed and walked towards her. She collected the small bag in her hand and gave it to Sarah “You couldn’t even tell me also, why?” She asked Sarah then pulled Lily away from that place.

Lily looked back with sad eyes as her mum took her away from there. This was the end and she didn’t want to know what would come out of this new finding.

She and her mum arrived home in no time and a family meeting was evoked immediately. Her dad was seated on the single sofa, her sister on the floor beside her father who looked like he could be anywhere else. Her mum stood in front of her with a hard glare directed especially at her.

“Do you have anything to say?”

Lily looked up at her mum but had no words so she looked downward again.

Daisy began pacing about “The fact that I had to find out myself is not looking good, young lady. How could you not tell me? Why let me find out myself? You know how I am when it comes to me finding out something you could tell me and easily get away with” There was a hint of hurt in her voice.

“You could have told me first and not let me find out myself”

“I’m sorry mum” Lily pleaded.

“Are you?”

“What are you mad at babe? What did you do to your mother?” Dad asked Mum before directing the other question to me.

I couldn’t even say it.

“She’s been hanging out with Joshua,” her mum said.

Cory didn’t look surprised. Their father had a surprised look on his face instead.

“Joshua, like the homeless dude down the street?” He asked he sounded angry.

Daisy nods and then returns her attention to Lily. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Did he do something bad to you? Is there a reason you’re hanging with him?” Her father asked, already on his feet like he was going to beat someone up.

“No Dad, he’s my friend” Lily defends.

“Then why go meet with him secretly?” Daisy asked.

“He’s a Faith believer and we’ve been having studies about the word of GOD” she explained.

“And we didn’t teach you about faith and the word of GOD?” Her mum shrieked then threw her hands up in the air “Lily, I know people like him. They prey on young girls like you because they see you as weak then try to take advantage of you when they finally win you over and can control you”

“He has never done that and will never do that” she half-yelled.

“Now, you are going against us because of him, what do you know about him aside from being a homeless wanderer?” Her dad asked and it shut her up.

Her dad was right, she knew nothing about Joshua. He might seem nice but that doesn't make them friends or closer.

"Don't you know all the evil stories that have been flying around? Men like him know what he's doing, they just need the right time and boom, they'll get what they want from girls like you. Now, he's improving his tactics by turning you against the people you know and love with the disguise of building your faith. Pathetic," her father spoke in irritation.

"Hank, please calm down, I'll handle this" Daisy tried to coo him but he turned on her immediately.

"If you handled this well, we wouldn't have to deal with this. How come she doesn't have faith? how is she seeking faith from a man she barely knew?"

"He's not the one I seek faith from. He's talking to me about GOD and sharing his experiences with me, that way I can grow in my faith in GOD" Lily jumped in.

"And we didn't teach you rightly about faith?" Daisy asked with eyes that held unshed tears. "I can't believe this is happening"

Lily looked to her sister for help but she was nowhere to be found. she bailed on her again.

"You better fix this" Hank pointed to Lily with eyes glaring at his wife before marching away from the living room.

Lily was shocked to see her parents this way. She had never seen her father talk this way to her mum. Her mum looked hurt by how her dad reacted to her

"Mum, I'm sor-"

"Lily, go up to your room" Dasiy's voice quivered.

"Mum, ple-"

"Your room now!" she yelled at her.

Lily saw a tear escaping her mum's eyes and it broke her to see her mum that way.

"Yes Mum," she said in a whisper then went up the stairs with her head bowed and tears streaming down her cheeks.

Cory was at the head of the staircase.

"Mum's upset," she said but Lily had nothing to say to her so she brushed past her, entered her room, and locked the door.

Lily's back was against the door and she slid down to the floor while sobbing.