flag

When the kids in my class ask why I am not allowed to pledge to the flag I tell them It's against my religion but don't say, I am in the world but not of the world. This, they would not understand. Even though my mother's not a Jehovah's Witness, she makes us follow their rules and leave the classroom when the pledge is being said. Every morning, I walk out with Gina and Alina the two other Witnesses in my class. Sometimes, Gina says, Maybe we should pray for the kids inside who don't know that God said "No other idols before me." That our God is a jealous God. Gina is a true believer. Her Bible open during reading time. But Alina and I walk through our roles as Witnesses as though this is the part we've been given in a play and once offstage, we run free, sing "America the Beautiful" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" far away from our families —knowing every word. Alina and I want more than anything to walk back into our classroom press our hands against our hearts. Say, "I pledge allegiance . . ." loud without our jealous God looking down on us. Without our parents finding out. Without our mothers' voices in our heads saying,You are different. Chosen. Good. When the pledge is over, we walk single file back into the classroom, take our separate seats Alina and I far away from Gina. But Gina always looks back at us —as if to say, I'm watching you. As if to say, I know.