Chapter 4

Dallas looked at her funny, and Selena was sure she had heard her bipolar remark, but they both kept silent and were rude enough to snoop on the young nun's conversation.

"Why, I'm so glad u called!" There were brief pauses while she listened to the voice on the other side of the line. "Really? Wow! But, what are you doing there? Oh, that sounds like fun. Why, sure, but… yes I'll hold."

Sister Demi turned around and smiled at them. "She wants me to hold for a while." Selena and Dallas could do nothing but nod at her remarkable ability to state the obvious.

After a few seconds, she returned her attention to the phone. "Yes, I'm still here. Oh, I would love so much to meet you!" She squealed like a little girl. "Sure, I can be there. OK, I'm looking forward to seeing you! Bye!" She hung up the phone and started bouncing off the ceiling, her enthusiasm contagious.

She went over and hugged Dallas. "Hey, can you believe it? Sister Stephanie's coming over!" She said to both of them. Selena, mesmerized by the apparent mood changes the nun was experiencing, wondered if there was something wrong with her CPU.

Dallas just laughed a little and asked. "Who's Sister Stephanie and why are you so happy you're meeting her?"

"She's the only other nun my age at the convent. I don't get to see her that much because her cell is at a different building, just occasionally before Officium Prima. The Reverend Mother has me on kitchen detail, but Sister Renata, who is in charge of the cooking, hates when people intrude on her kitchen, so she usually sends me to walk and pray on the garden."

Selena finally shook her surprise and spoke. "So you met her while walking?"

Sister Demi looked at her like so intently that Selena felt dumb for asking such a question. "Well, yes, I did. She's so funny, and smart, and well, she's my age. We haven't told anyone we've me; because we don't know if the Reverend Mother will appreciate us fraternizing so much, but she's become a great friend to me and I really appreciate her."

Dallas smiled at her sister and Selena. "So you mean to tell me that perfect Sister Demi is keeping secrets from her Mother Superior?" Dallas winked at Selena, who was thinking the nun had more layers that she had at first thought. Maybe there was still hope.

"I'm nowhere near perfect, and I keep lots of secrets from everyone." Sister Demi said sardonically.

Dallas looked taken aback. "Even from me?"

"Of course, now stop being so annoying and help me chose something to wear into town."

The three girls spent the afternoon choosing an appropriate outfit for Sister Demi to wear. Most of Dallas' tops, blouses, and skirts, were rejected; Sister Demi did not favor the 15-dollar hooker look. In the end they decided she would borrow a pair of Selena's jeans, and an old t-shirt Dianna had given to Dallas a few birthdays back. Her crucifix went over the t-shirt, and she completed the ensemble with a dark blue hoodie, also borrowed from Selena.

Selena and Dallas then got ready themselves, and dropped Sister Demi on their way to a BBQ party at an old friend of Dallas'.

Demi sat at an outdoor terrace table at the town's only coffee shop. She ordered a large mocha crappuccino and a cookie, and settled herself comfortably to wait for her friend. She didn't mind the wait; it would serve her to get her thoughts in order. She had been surprised when she first found out that the famous Selena Gomez had been the girl she had met on the flight over. And, even though she was not really an expert, she was sure the Disney superstar had been having 'impure' thoughts about her canonical self.

It was flattering, in a way. Well, actually, she had to admit she had rather enjoyed the attention. If only—

"Sister Demi! How are you?" Her thoughts were interrupted by a tall girl in the same kind of habit she herself had worn earlier in the day. Sister Stephanie crossed the terrace and after kissing Demi affectionately on both cheeks, sat down. She declined the offer of a beverage and made herself comfortable on the chair in front of Demi.

Sister Stephanie was a tallish brunette. She had high cheekbones, fair skin and was beautiful in the classical sense of the word. People stared at them, and with just reason. They were both beautiful girls, and Sister Stephanie had always had an aura of sainthood around her.

They switched to Latin, something they tended to do a lot while alone, so they could practice. "Quam est vos?" Demi asked her friend. "Quam eram vestri iter itineris?"

"Ego sum teres. Quand es vos is nox noctis? Quand es vestri prosapia?"

"Why, my family is quite well, thank you very much." They continued to speak in Latin, but somehow it sounded suspiciously like English to some people. "What are you doing here? I didn't had a chance to say goodbye to you, how did you found out our phone number?"

"Well, I took a little time off and came to run some personal errands in Dallas. Your phone number, well, let's just say I know people." Sister Stephanie answered in a mysterious way.

"OK, I won't ask what personal errands. I'm just glad you're here. How long are you staying?" Demi was a little taken aback when she found out she only had a couple of hours before Sister Stephanie had to catch a bus back to Dallas. She decided to maximize the time with her and proceeded to get her up to speed on her previous days, making an extra effort to describe her interactions with the one and only Selena Gomez.

"She sounds like a very interesting woman." Sister Stephanie's first comment was. "I can understand why you find her so enthralling. I'm guessing your sexual orientation was part of the reason the Reverend Mother decided to let you come back home."

Demetria Devonne Munroe was extremely shocked! She hadn't told anyone that she was gay. She had always known, and she had done her share of experimenting when she was younger, but ever since she had joined the Magdalene Sisters, she had always been careful not to show her preference. She was sure they wouldn't object, nevertheless she liked to keep some part of her life private.

It took her some time before she collected herself enough to speak again. "How—How did you knew I was gay?"

Sister Stephanie laughed. "Oh, it was kinda obvious you know. I noticed it on that first day out on the convent's gardens. You looked at me when you thought I was distracted; I guess you just find me irresistible with this sexy outfit." She said good-naturedly.

Now Demi understood how Selena had felt a few hours back. She forced herself to calm down. "Can I count on you to keep this private? I'm sure the Reverend Mother would understand, and maybe you're right and she already knows, but it would create undue tension with some of the older Sisters."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Now, tell me more about this woman." Sister Stephanie gave Demi's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"She's not like any other girl I've ever met, present company and my sister being excepted. She's the first wholesome person I've known. You can tell just by looking at her; she kind of radiates an aura of goodness, of kindness. I know I'm not making any sense, but I don't know how else to explain it. She's contradictory too, on one hand she seems like a decent, kind human being, and on the other, she's a woman with desires and needs. I promise you she was looking at me as if I was a piece of meat and she just wanted to have her way with me. And, God forgive me, I enjoyed it. I loved the way she looked at me. And well, I'm sure you've seen her picture on the papers; she's extremely beautiful and, well, just plain old hot. I know I'm being vain, and believe me I will pray God to forgive me, but I took pleasure in it so much."

Sister Stephanie laughed a little before answering. "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Sister. You're only human, after all. It's normal to feel like you do. Everyone loves to feel desired; it's part of human nature." She moved closer to Demi. "I would like to be honest with you, but you have to allow me to."

"Of course you can be honest with me, You are my closest friend." Demi answered. And it was true, in a strange way. She reflected that she barely knew anything about the tall, skinny nun. In a way, she was even more private than ever she was. And Demi knew she couldn't go around asking questions about her; as Sister Stephanie's cell was located on a different building, where most of the nuns where old guard. The kind that felt that fraternization between Sisters should not be allowed. Nevertheless, they had been speaking for 10 minutes every day for almost a year now, and Demi knew she could trust her with her life.

"Sister Demi, as I said, I've seen the way you look at me, and I don't mind." Demi's face went beet red again. "I believe that just because we wear the cloth we don't stop being human. It's normal to have feelings and desires. But, from what you have told me on the time that we've known each other, I believe that you are not entirely sure about your vocation."

Demi was astounded for the second time tonight. "How—How can you possibly know that? I never said anything to you!"

"I have eyes, don't I? But please don't worry, Demi. You are my Sister, and I don't mean only of the cloth; you will remain my Sister whatever happens. I don't know why you chose to join our convent, and I don't want to intrude on your privacy, but I can tell you have doubts about your decision. And I'm not the only one, the Reverend Mother also knows this. It's why you were sent here to your family, so you can reflect on your commitment to the Order and God. Not everyone is cut to serve the Lord this way. Maybe your path is different; you just have to discover it. You're a smart, educated woman; there are many diverse ways you can serve God and your fellow men. I'm sure that your time with us has not been a waste at all; you have learned discipline, commitment, and faith. And no, Sister, I don't think that reneging said commitment to the Order would be a blunder. As I said, not everyone is cut for this life. I think you should use this time with your family to consider every alternative you have. Whatever you decide, I'm sure God will be with you always."

Demi's eyes were reddish and she had to fight to keep the tears from flowing. "Thank you, Sister. I'm a really lucky girl to have a friend like you."

Sister Stephanie looked intently at Demi's eyes. "No, Sister, thank you. The past months that you've graced me with your friendship have been some of the happiest in my life. I would surely miss you if you decide that your path lies elsewhere, but I will still be extremely happy for you."

The two young nuns remained silent, enjoying each other's company until Sister Stephanie realized she had to take a cab to the bus depot.

"I'm so sad you have to leave now, Sister. Are you sure you can't stay here, just for the night? I'm sure you would love my family." Demi asked sadly.

"No, I'm sorry Sister. I wish I could, but I have matters that need my attention elsewhere. But don't feel sad, you might not know it, but I'm always with you, I can't ever be far from you. One day you'll understand." Sister Stephanie said as she hugged Demi tightly. It was a bit weird, for she suddenly felt a great sense of peace deep inside her. She reluctantly stepped out of the embrace, and said her goodbyes with kisses to both cheeks.

Demi was at home, wearing shorts and a tank top —a memento of her pre-monastic life— saying her Officium Laudes, which made the time roughly past 3 in the morning, when Selena came stumbling drunkenly into the room, and turned on the lights.

"Sister Demi! How are you doing?" Selena's words were pretty slurred. "Why is everything so dark? You should have come with me and Dallas, the party was awesome, there was so much food and drinks. I'm sure it wouldn't have killed you to come with us, you could have asked your friend to come to." Selena dropped at Demi's bed and passed out almost instantly.

Demi was at a loss of what to do. She briefly entertained the thought of going to Dallas for help, but if she knew her sister, she was probably drunker than Selena. For a few seconds she considered just covering her down and letting her sleep on her jeans and top, but she knew the Disney star would be very uncomfortable.

She rummaged through Selena's side of the closet until she found a pair of flannel pajamas. She was a bit surprised at the choice of sleepwear, but she stopped herself before admitting she was hoping for something a bit sluttier.

She was undressing her when, suddenly, the drunken girl opened her eyes and spoke. "Would you mind terribly if I kissed you?"