Daniel:
I'd watched Elizabeth from the time she was thirteen. Okay, that sounds stalker like, but not in that way. Hell, she was an awesome kid, always laughing, climbing trees, singing too loudly. The first to try something new. I figured she'd want to leave the community, and sure enough, when she graduated from high school, she left to go to college. She wanted to go into environmental conservation. Admirable. God knows she was smart enough! Two years she'd been gone, and then came back. I heard her father say she'd done well in school, completed her first degree but missed the people here too much to go back. He shook his head and wondered how this small, strict community could satisfy his girl. She was simply so very curious. She questioned everything, not so much out of disrespect, but out of a need to know. Brad knew she needed a stronger hand than his to keep her in line. Poor Brad had no idea how to handle his daughter. Neither, it seemed did any other man. Besides me, that is. I understood how Elizabeth felt. I love the security, the close bonds, the safety of our community. No one here every has to worry about where their next meal will come from, even if they get laid off work! We take care of our own. But that comes with certain expectations. Men make decisions, based heavily upon consulting with the women. Once those rules are established, rule breakers are punished. Sometimes publically sometimes privately. Poor Elizabeth's nature got the best of her when the last man her father tried to marry her off to turned out to be wimp and her dad finally tied her up to the auction tree. God but I wanted to go up to her the moment I saw her, but that wouldn't have helped. She needs to learn to accept her fate. She also needs to learn the proper way to question without being disrespectful.
Like last night when I told her to polish my shoes. She could have asked why I wanted that done and I'd have answered her. No, she has to fly off the handle and receive another punishment. The ginger had been a bit harsh, but she accepted it well. Her humiliation at having something punishing in her ass may be a key to her discipline.
Maybe I will let her have her parents over for dinner tomorrow night. It would be a little test to see if she's learned our ways of marriage yet.
I handed Elizabeth my list of expectations for her to complete the next night. I also told her of my decision to allow her parents to come for dinner.
"Um," she began.
"Yes?"
"I'll need to wear . . . I mean, will I be able to wear clothing?"
Good, she'd changed her demand into a question. I kissed her forehead. "Of Course. I will give you a dress just before they are to arrive. Thank you for asking so nicely?"
She smiled up at me and I was surprised to see genuine pleasure in my compliment. Still, We have a few hurdles needing to be jumped.
