Gina was eighteen, but very naive. She and her mother were members of a strict religious organization. They lived alone; Gina didn't know who her father was and that was forbidden conversation.

The two women attended church every night. Women were thought mere accessories to men. They weren't allowed to cut their hair nor wear pants. They had to walk to the right of a man and one step behind. If a man chose a wife, it would be from their church. Gina's mother wore her long hair up in a "bun" style as did most of the "grown women". Gina kept hers tied with a white ribbon.

Amos and Gina glanced at each other every night. They would look away shyly. It was the man's duty to speak to the woman first and Amos was shy. Gina knew nothing of relationships. Her mother would not allow any talk of sex and forbade Gina to attend sex education at school. She threatened to withdraw her if the teachers made her attend.

It was an extremely intense moment at church. The entire congregation was involved with anointment and speaking in tongues. Amos took Gina by the hand and led her outside.

"I've wanted to speak to you for a long while; I just couldn't get my legs or my tongue to move," he laughed.

"I've watched you too, Amos. I'm so very glad you took me by the hand tonight; but, I live in a horrible fear of my mother finding out I've spoken to you."

"Dear Gina. You are a woman of eighteen. In our church, some women get married as young as fourteen with the blessings of the church."

"I know; and one day I will stand up to my mother. But for now, we must be discreet. It's exciting to sneak away anyway; is it not?"

"Indeed it is," said Amos. "Before we go back inside, may I kiss you?" He asked with a bowed head.

"Of course you may," replied Gina as they shared a tender moment.

Time passed and soon Amos and Gina found themselves sneaking into the barn by the church; but, Amos never said anything about marriage to Gina. Amos was quite a bit older than she and she had seen him with other female members of the church. Gina was so naive, she didn't even know they had had sex. She didn't know she was pregnant until she felt the baby move and punch and kick.

Something told her to take her mother's scissors from the sewing basket one night before church. At church, the congregation was involved with the pastor and the meeting. Gina felt her belly cramp, and she felt as though she had wet her underwear.

She went into the barn beside the church, and with much effort, gave birth to a baby girl. She pulled the ribbon from her hair to tie the cord, and used her mother's scissors to cut it. She instinctively wiped the baby down and began to nurse it. She was happy. She named the baby Spring; for she represented a new beginning in her life. Tonight, she would stand up to her mother. From now on, it was Gina and Spring.

Learn more about this author, D. J. Poe.
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