It was the day my grandparents were arriving and I was a nervous wreck.  Nana and Papa were taking the train and then a taxi to our house, but we had to pick up Grandma and Grandpa from the airport.  So, that's where I was- at the airport.  "Oh, I think I see them!" Mom cried, standing up.  Dad was the first one to greet them, after all he was their son.  "Mom, Dad, I missed you!" he said, smiling.

"We missed you too, as well as our granddaughter Paige." Grandma replied, stepping over to face me.  "My, Paigey!  Look how tall you've gotten!"

"Thanks," was all I could say.

"School treating you well?" Grandpa asked as we began to head out of the airport, "Do you have lots of friends?"

"Lots." I answered.  So far so good, I thought.  There was no talk of religion yet.  But I wondered if Mom or Dad told them about Nana and Papa yet.  So, when Grandma asked everyone to stop since she had to use the restroom, I pulled Mom aside and asked in a low voice, "Do they know?"

"Know what?"

"About Nana and Papa!" I exclaimed.  Wasn't it obvious?

"Oh," Mom said, clasping a hand to her forehead.  "I haven't said anything yet," she babbled worriedly, "Thanks so much for reminding me, Paige!"

"Are you going to tell them?" I pressed.  

Mom brushed past me and responded, "Yes.  In the car.  Now c'mon, let's go!"

We hurried along behind the rest of the family towards our car.  Dad slid in the driver's seat, Grandma sat in the passenger's, and I was wedged in the middle of the back-seat in between Mom and Grandpa.  As Dad began to drive, some small-talk began.  I ignored the talk which changed from cooking to cars to kids these days to clothing, wanting Mom to say something about Nana and Papa but at the same time hoping she keeps quiet.  Then, the conversation was directed back to me.  "So, why don't you tell me about some of your friends, Paige?" Grandma asked, turning slightly in her seat so she could see me better.

Grandpa echoed, "I'd like to hear about them too."  He was usually the quieter of the two.  

"Well, I'm friends with a girl named Elaine." I answered, thinking of my best friend.

"Is she nice?" Grandpa inquired.

"Elaine's a lovely girl," Mom piped up, "I've met her a couple of times and she seems really nice." 

"Yeah," I added, as if to enforce the statement.

And that's when Grandma leaned closer to Dad.  I knew what was coming before she even spoke.  The religion talk.  I heard her ask quietly, "What religion is she?"

Dad glanced back at me quickly and then focused on the road.  Mom chewed on her lip.  The car filled with silence.  To be honest, I didn't know Elaine's religion and I didn't care.  Everyone is entitled to their own belief.  Elaine's actions were what made her my friend- not her religion.  It was so frustuating that that was only what my grandparents cared about!  "I don't really know what Elaine's religion is," I said loudly, "And quite frankly, I don't care."

"Why not, Paigey?" Grandma inquired.

"Because it doesn't matter!" I exclaimed, almost yelling.  I've been with them for less than a day, and I am already at my wit's end!  Mom looked at me harshly, signalling that I shouldn't act like this.  Every time I try to express my opinion when they are around, I get Mom's look.  Why are they allowed to express their opinions when I can't express mine?  

Anyway, Grandma thought for a moment after my outburst, and then stated, "Well, God made us a certain way, Paige."

If there is a God, and they made us all a certain way, I wondered, then how come we are all not one religion?  How come if God is so good there is war and little kids dying?  And how come there is so much conflict in one family like mine?