Yes, God, Yes

In fall 2000, Father Murphy teaches that sex outside procreation within marriage is a sin, with eternal damnation as punishment. Alice feels the clash between rigid rules and her growing curiosity. The lesson plants the seeds of guilt that will haunt her.

The following Monday, the school buzzes with a rumor that Alice engaged in a sexual act at a party. Alice denies knowing the meaning of the phrase, but the rumor sticks and colors how classmates view her. The gossip marks a turning point in how her peers scrutinize her.

The rumor reaches Mrs. Veda, who prevents Alice from serving at Mass, signaling how gossip translates into punishment. Alice feels shamed and policed by adults who control public acts of faith. The episode heightens her sense of isolation within the school community.

During the sacrament of reconciliation, Alice confesses venial sins and receives twenty prayers as penance. She dutifully completes the prayers in the school chapel, the issue of sexuality echoing in her conscience. The moment ties her private guilt to formal religious ritual.

Alice and Laura decide to attend the upcoming Kirkos spiritual retreat, hoping to reorient themselves within their faith. The retreat promises distance from rumors and a chance to examine their beliefs more candidly. The decision signals a break from daily school life to test limits.

On the first day at the Kirkos retreat, Nina is introduced as a retreat leader and Chris becomes a friendly, enthusiastic presence. Alice is assigned to Chris's group, and the two begin to form a bond that feels charged within the retreat's restrictive atmosphere. The setting heightens the tension between rules and desire.

That night, Alice experiences a moment of sexual curiosity while alone in her room, which she instinctively suppresses after thinking about the crucifix. The scene marks a pivotal moment of inner conflict between curiosity and religious propriety. The crucifix imagery deepens her internal struggle.

On the second day, Alice fakes an injury to get closer to Chris and is assigned to cleaning duties. Nina confiscates her phone, and Father Murphy’s office becomes a place for her to search online terms she doesn’t understand; she is interrupted by footsteps. The day intensifies her sense of being watched and judged.

The looming Wade rumor continues to press on Alice, prompting a tense confrontation where he avoids accountability. The rumor compounds the strain between Alice, Wade, and Laura, who remains skeptical of Alice’s claims. The social web of secrecy tightens around them.

On the third day, Father Murphy discovers an explicit online chat on his computer and presses Alice to confess. She insists that nothing happened, while the atmosphere grows louder with accusations and distrust. The revelations push Alice toward drastic actions as she seeks to protect herself.

In a tense sequence, Alice suspects Wade's involvement in a break-in and frames him accordingly, while she also uncovers a troubling secret about Father Murphy. The double-edged discoveries challenge her loyalties and complicate her moral compass. She also shares a moment with Chris, who pulls away afterward.

Escaping the camp, Alice finds a lesbian bar where the owner Gina offers understanding and practical advice. The encounter provides a counterpoint to the retreat’s fear-based logic and helps Alice glimpse possibilities beyond the church’s strict code. Gina encourages Alice to consider colleges on the West and East Coasts.

On the retreat’s last day, Alice befriends a socially awkward classmate and Wade faces the consequences of the explicit chat incident. Laura reconciles with Alice, and in a group sharing session, Alice reminds everyone that people hide things, urging honesty and respect as Jesus wanted. The moment crystallizes her shift toward openness.

Back at school, Alice reaffirms the possibility of friendship with Chris, and returns to reconciliation with Father Murphy. He assigns a heavier penance of one hundred prayers for the retreat confession, highlighting the ongoing power struggle between guilt and tolerance. The day ends with Alice deciding to confront her own sexuality more openly rather than suppress it.