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As always, all characters in this story engaging in sexual acts are over the age of 18.
Ch 6 -- The Happy Fortnight
Sarah stirred slightly when I arose Sunday morning to get ready for church. She didn't complain at the disturbance. She also made no intimation she was getting up herself.
Church went surprisingly well. We did get a few stares -- Jessica, Gabriela, and I seated together, first in bible class, then in the main service. No glares, just gawking. Before and after service a few folks came by to shake hands and introduce themselves. Most were church friends of Jessica's. She seemed quite happy when we first arrived, greeting people, and introducing us. A few songs into the worship service, I noticed her demeanor changing. The smile left her face. She shifted about, aimlessly. Her eyes stayed downcast most of the time. I could tell which songs were new to her by how often she looked up for lyrics. She kept singing, but barely above a mumble.
After the service, pastor asked to meet with me in his office. He settled into his chair gently after ushering me to one opposite.
"So you took Jessica in as a slave?"
"Yes sir. It was the only way possible under the laws." I shifted uncomfortably.
"Yes, I read that. This disturbs you?"
"Well, yeah. Slavery is not something we should be allowing as Christians."
"There are guidelines in the Gospels and the Pentateuch for how to carry on in a Godly manner as either a slave or a master."
"I know. And I know it's not forbidden in the Bible, nor is polygamy." Here the pastor squirmed. "And yet, slave trading is listed among other sins as rather heinous in Paul's letters. Right beside lying, perjury, sexual immorality, and homosexuality."
"Ah, but does that apply to you? Have you given or sold someone as a slave? Are you planning to trade Jessica away, or sell her?"
"Hell no!" I collected myself. "Sorry pastor." I took another breath. "There's just so much wrong here. It's one thing to live in a society that already has slavery. It's entirely another to watch it re-imposed when you know d--darn well it's evil and directly against the will of God. And yes, I even gave a bible lesson on the allowed, but not desirable, nature of all of this as part of my 'jack-of-all-trades' submission. Doesn't mean I have to be comfortable when she calls me master, or offers herself up to be taken like property."
"Let me ask you this -- did you force her to accept a life as a slave?"
"No. The law did. It was the only way she could bring her kids. But I still benefit from that. Not just her body, but her other talents. She's a great cook. She gets along well with the other women, always looking to help out."
"But you did not coerce her into this. You have committed no wrong. Denying her help, her acceptance
is
, however, a harm to her. It pains me to say this, because I adore her like a daughter. She and Darian came here for several years, before they were married, even. You have to accept what she is offering, or you dishonor her. You dishonor the sacrifice she is making for her kids, and for you. As I understand it, you have to take at least one slave?"
"Yes. That and her need to protect her kids is the only reason I went along with this."
"You've taken no one else as a slave?"
"No. A few offered, but I found reasons to accept them as handmaiden instead. Most gave some other reasons beyond their body to choose them, so I took those as reasons they shouldn't have to be a slave."
"Then it sounds like you are doing your best to navigate these troubled waters you find yourself in. The storm is not your responsibility. The rapids are not your fault. Only the way you navigate them is judged. It seems to me, you are rightly dividing The Word and guiding your family as best as possible in these times."
I sucked in labored breath, my eyes watering. "If I fail, there will be a lot of pain."
He fixed me with a sad smile. "You
will
fail. Somehow, sometimes, you will say or do something -- or not say or not do something -- that will hurt Jessica or one of the others. You cannot expect perfection of yourself. If you were capable of
that
, you would have perished on a cross two thousand years ago and risen three days later." He said with a wan smile. "Then you would be speaking words of assurance to me. Daily," he added with a grin and a laughing flash of his eyes.
******
While I had been talking with Jessica's pastor, she had been in conversation with the pastor's wife. They had not finished when the pastor and I concluded, so I waited on a bench in the hallway outside the offices. The door finally opened, Sister Jeanine pulling it back to herself, toughing Jessica gently on the shoulder as she passed. Jessica had clearly been crying. Sister Jeanine brightened when she saw me.
"Ah, and here is the man himself. I haven't seen Jessica this happy since the crash. That tells me something important about you. About what you mean to her. What you have done for her." Her eyes carried a wealth of information, only half of which I picked up on. She was positively disposed towards me, but wary about something. She sent Jessica on to the fountain and bathroom just down the hall.
"You have taken good care with her heart over these past few days. Jessica got swept away in the newness, the delight of having someone, but this morning she had an attack of guilt. The familiar setting, and the joy she had bringing you and your other -- partner -- turned to pain. She began to feel she had betrayed Darian, her late husband. Now, I've spoken with her, assured her that could not be possible. Knowing Darian as I did, I can tell you he would have encouraged her to find someone before now. He would one hundred percent approve of her doing this. All I can tell you is to keep being tender with her as you have been. Love her as best you can, don't hold back on your -- needs -- be they domestic or, um, physical. Just keep showing her she matters to you as a person. Over time, things will work out." She beamed a knowing smile, like a guide giving trail advice to one just starting down the path.
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll keep your advice in mind." I nodded respectfully. Jess came out of the bathroom at that moment, so I met her down the hallway. We left to rejoin Gabby as she watched the kids playing in the grass outside the church.
******
"Oh, thanks Jenn, this looks great." I eyed the array of meats, cheeses, and everything else laid out on the counter. Jenn had arranged sandwich makings and fruit for lunch so we could all get something, but not too much and not too heavy given the level of activity we anticipated. As I headed upstairs to begin packing, Leslie dragged me to her room.
She shut the door behind us. I turned to face her, seeing an impish smile on her face.