I slipped my hand back to my side and followed the women out of the room, my ears hot and cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
As I made my way into the kitchen, I made awkward eye contact with several of the women who gave me smiles. I paused near Beth.
“Did I do something wrong?” I asked softly.
She cleared her throat, putting down the plate she had been holding.
“Well, it was my fault. As your host I should have made sure you were aware of our social customs. I forgot that you weren’t familiar, that you aren’t a member of our community. I should’ve instructed you on our ways.”
“What did I do?”
She reached out and squeezed my arm. “It’s not anything really bad. It’s just, when we pray, we don’t typically touch men unless we’re married.”
I swallowed and nodded. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“All is forgiven,” She said with a smile. “This is why you’re here. It’s not your fault you’ve been led astray by the deviance of our sin-filled world. You will learn and you will find joy in obeying God’s commands.”
I nodded, chewing my cheek.
“Let’s eat. I’ll fix your plate,” Cassidy said, coming up to stand beside me.
Once we were all seated at the table, I waited with bated breath before picking up my fork to follow everyone’s lead. I didn’t want to make another mistake.
“Ladies, I think we owe it to Miss Olivia to educate her on God’s role for women. Introduce her to all that she was designed to fulfill.”
They all chimed in with enthusiastic yeses, and I tried to listen as I ate my meal. Submitting to your husband, raising babies, keeping the house tidy, volunteering, hospitality…All completely innocuous albeit uncommon for today’s standards. But all the women seemed genuinely happy and content in their roles. One even mentioned that she felt empowered by their way of living, that it was freeing and fulfilling.
As they spoke, I found myself trying to picture myself as one of them and I honestly couldn’t find fault in the fantasy. It wasn’t what I had necessarily pictured for myself, but it wasmiles better than what Los Siete had to offer me. I could do it. I could learn to be happy here.
When there was a lull in the conversation, I forced myself to ask, “How many of you joined the church as an adult?”
Six of the eight women raised their hands, and I was shocked into silence.It must really not be that bad if so many are leaving everything behind to be here.
The plates were cleared and suddenly the chairs were moved and highchairs set out. A single file line of children, the oldest maybe seven, followed the pregnant girl from earlier into the room, some of them carrying an infant. A couple infants were passed to mothers and immediately latched onto a breast to nurse, while the children who were going to eat were placed into highchairs or took a seat themselves at the table.
I awkwardly stood in the kitchen watching the women and children move in a practiced routine of serving and eating. I helped Beth and Cassidy with clearing the table and washing the dishes, listening to the women carry on various conversations.
There was a sudden knock on the door and Beth pulled it open to reveal Theo. He motioned for me to join him in hall.
“You alright, love?” He asked me with a soft smile, scanning my face.
I easily smiled with a nod despite the fact that my whole body tensed from the term of endearment.Holy shit. Maybe I can actually pull this off. Maybe I can escape Los Siete and live out here in the middle of nowhere.
“Good. I’ve come to collect you. I’ve got to get you back before curfew. I’ll wait by the door and give you a chance to say goodbye to the ladies.”
I nodded and slipped back into the kitchen. I gave Beth a tap on the shoulder, and she rose from her hunched position over one of the children at the table.
“I wanted to thank you for allowing me into your home this evening, and just say I hope that we meet again soon. I’m heading out now.”
She quickly pulled me into an unexpected hug and whispered into my ear.
“Be careful. The devil is near.”
She pulled back, allowing some of the other women to say goodbye and I was pushed towards the door. I looked back over my shoulder, her brown eyes staring deeply into mine.
Was that a social custom or was she trying to warn me not to come back here?
We made it back to the car and I stared out my window into the night sky. The stars were even more visible out here and I found myself replaying all the conversations I’d been privy to this evening.
