Ben had yet to meet his father's new girlfriend before the announcement came through. Getting married this quick worried Ben. He had his share of whirlwind romances, but when the dust settled there were often issues. He had been fifteen when his mother died and his father became a widow. It had rocked both their worlds. That was ten years ago, Ben had worried that his father would never find love.
Steve, Ben's dad had been insistent he had to come out to his family's new property. They were ultra-religious and Steve begged that Ben respected that. Ben agreed making the decision there and then that he needed to get to know his Dad's new family, or risk never seeing him again.
The house was palatial all wood the whole place from the barn to the house had an Amish feel. Ben breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the large garage. Several cars all the same make, same model and same colour. Getting closer he could see that everyone was dressed the same. Men in white shirts and black pants. Women white blouse black overdresses or skirts.
"Not culty at all," Ben said in a whisper to himself as he got out of the taxi. He grabbed his suitcases and made his way to the front gate. A gaggle of children played games in the front yard, all dressed the same as their parents. He opened the gate and was met by silence. As he walked up the crushed gravel path through the immaculate yard and garden the children all stood and stared.
Alighting at the top of the stairs, ben looked behind him and noted that the children watched in a crowd from the bottom of the stairs. Turning Ben noted that the door was adorned with warnings on now hawkers, salesmen, preaching and polling. Ben laughed to himself at least there was no beware of the dog. He looked over his shoulder and shuddered at the 20 or so children standing and staring.
Ben reached forward to knock. Just as his fist came into contact with the front door, it suddenly opened with a great deal of force.
"Jesus, shit!" Ben exclaimed in shock.
The crowd behind him gasped in shock and started to repeat the word, blasphemy over and over again.
"Oh, shit, right sorry," Ben Said to the young woman in the doorway. "Oh, sorry said it again, sorry force of habit."
The girl was gorgeous, her countenance, however, like a rough sea in a storm. Striking red hair, freckles and a face that looked like sculpted marble. Her eyes a forest glen green.
"Hi, I am Ben. I am here to see my father," Ben said offering his hand.
"Who is your father?" She said her voice sounded similar to teeth breaking ice.
"Yeah, Stephen Hawkes," Ben paused as he wanted this girl to smile. "Big guy. Tall," Ben indicated his height with his hand several feet above Ben's head. "Big, shiny chrome dome."
The girl impassively watched Ben.
Ben stopped, he was getting nowhere. "Stephen Hawkes? Have I got the wrong address?"
"There is a man here by that name," her voice lessening the cold tone. "Does he know that you are coming?"
"Ah, he paid for my ticket," Ben indicated by pulling the stubs from his top pocket.
"I shall ask my mother," the girl disappeared into the mute, brooding, darkness of the house.
"Not culty at all," Ben whispered to himself.
Suddenly an older clone of the young woman stood at the door.
'Good afternoon Ben," the voice seemed robotic. "I apologise for Maree, she is headstrong."
"Oh no all ok with me, I can understand. Hate when the religious nutjobs bother my afternoon." Ben regretted that as the silence was deafening. "Ah is dad here?"
"Yes," both women said in unison.
"Ah, can I see him?" The door closed after the older one nodded and Ben sat on the stairs his sudden turning scattering the crowd. Everything was neat and tidy, there were kids everywhere, but there was almost no noise. Ben Shuddered.
Soon the formidable front door opened again. It was the young girl this time.
"Please come in Ben," it was like a miracle. Her voice was now that of a lilting bird, musical and sweet like honey.
Ben said it again through a fake smile and gritted teeth. "Not culty at all."
*****
The reunion was sweet and long overdue. Steven, Ben's dad, offered him a beautiful mead and a discussion on how he joined the strange order of "Protectors."
Originally devised to protect other peaceful organisations. The protectors became a pariah after retaliation against racial hate groups and needed them to remain silent and out of the way. Generations had been Protectors, but now the lineage was growing thin and they wanted to marry outsiders to get more "bums on seats."
"So the wedding, that was quick?" Ben said, raising his eyebrows.
"Everything is quick nowadays. At least marriage is not disposable," Steven said to Ben.
"No doubt, but I have yet to meet my new mom," Ben said, taking a sip of the mead and looking around the deserted kitchen.
"You did," Steven said heartily.
"I did, the young one?"
"No, her mother Jacinta." Steven paused to wipe his mouth. Recalling the other woman.
"Fine woman, she looks, ah strong. Oh and beautiful," Steven quickly added.
"Yes, very pretty and strong both in body and spirit." Steven looked at Ben intensely. "I have an important role for you tomorrow."
"Dad, I can't write a speech, I'm terrible, worse than Uncle Phil," Ben said with a laugh, feeling the effects of the mead kick in.
"No, it's a ceremonial role."
"Oh you mean stand there and look pretty," Ben grinned. "Dad, that's a role designed for me, do you need references? Cause half the girls I once went to school with will back me up... on the pretty."
"I think we will have dinner and get ready for the big day tomorrow." Steven paused, thinking "you will have to sleep in Helena's room."
"Who is Helena?" Ben asked.
"The young one your first met. She also is your partner tomorrow, so take this time to get to know her. The ceremony goes for a few hours, so might pay to work out of you can stand her."
Ben sighed, several hour wedding ceremonies, not culty at all was all he could think.