Chapter 30
Months earlier . . .
Lehi was bone tired when the prophet requested a meeting. He’d been on several job sites, supervising young idiots who were too weak to carry a two-by-four, and too stupid to know it. His job was an exhausting one, but it allowed him to support his large family. He owed his position of prominence in the company to the prophet, and so he had learned that when the prophet requested a meeting with you, you didn’t say no. You accepted, you obeyed, and you fulfilled your duty to the one and only voice of the Lord.
“Come, sit,” the prophet had said. His hair was silver like Lehi’s, but it was shorter, more polished, as was his appearance as a whole. Lehi spent his days on construction sites; his hands were calloused, his skin rough and dry. The skin beneath the prophet’s eyes didn’t sink or hang like Lehi’s. Even though the prophet was balancing over thirty wives, he never looked exhausted.
Lehi wondered how the prophet was able to accomplish that. Lehi could barely handle the eight wives he’d been given; he couldn’t imagine having dozens and dozens of women demanding his time and energy.
“Two of your wives visited me yesterday, and I must say that I’m quite concerned, Elder Cluff. Quite concerned, indeed.”
Lehi had expected this topic of discussion. Both Leandra and Rebecca had informed him of their meeting with the prophet. He knew of Burt’s contact with his youngest wife, and he also possessed the letter in which Burt had begged Rebecca to leave with him.
Lehi was indifferent toward his newest wife, Rebecca. He knew her heart was unavailable, but it didn’t bother him in the slightest. He had made peace with the fact that he would never be involved in a love affair with any of his wives. Instead, he chose to appreciate them for their best qualities.
Leandra was a force to be reckoned with; she was strong and she kept the house running in an impressive manner, which reduced his stress. In the bedroom, he secretly called her “Captain,” referring to the tight ship she ran in the Cluff household. But Leandra was also domineering and demanding, and she exhausted him with her constant demands and complaints.
He remembered the day when he’d truly started to love Leandra, back when they’d been married for three years and shared only two children. Since then there were moments—small ones—where he felt complete, as if they could be content with just the two of them. But Leandra’s constant focus on their status as a family was exhausting and drained his heart of any true romantic feelings.
Her determination for the Cluff family to be held in the highest regard was difficult for Lehi during those days, but that was no longer the case. He’d witnessed firsthand how much more comfortable, how much easier life in the compound could be if your family was in good standing with the prophet. And Lehi had no intention of losing the status he and his family had attained. They’d worked for decades to achieve it, and he would fight with everything he had to maintain it.
And so, his indifference toward his eighth wife was not the issue. She was his now, and he was responsible for her actions, good or bad. Burt wouldn’t let go, and in addition to that, he was attempting to coerce Rebecca to leave their community. The shame that action would bring upon both families would be catastrophic.
“Yes, they informed me,” Lehi responded, referring to his meeting with his first and last wives. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a tattered envelope. “Rebecca said you requested this letter.”
“Yes.” The prophet’s face was devoid of emotion. He extended his hand over his desk, retrieving the letter from Lehi’s hand. He studied the simple piece of paper before returning it to its envelope and handing it back to Lehi. “You may keep that.”
Lehi was puzzled. He didn’t feel a need to keep the letter. To him it was a stab at his masculinity, at his standing in the church. That this man would attempt to steal his newest wife was insulting, to say the least. Nevertheless, he stuffed the envelope back into his pocket, vowing not to return it to Rebecca. She needed to forget Elder Jameson, and the sooner the better.
“I’d suggest that you keep an eye on this situation. Make sure that Rebecca is not coerced into acting on such devilish behavior.”
“Rebecca has been nothing but gracious and willing to adapt to her life with us.”
“I’m pleased to hear that.” The prophet leaned back in his armchair, folding his hands together over his midsection. Relaxed, yet stiff. “The Cluff family has always been a model for the community. I’d hate to see that change.”
“I agree. Please be assured that I’ll do everything that I can to maintain that.”
“I’m certain you will.” The prophet shifted his weight and planted his feet on the floor, standing and placing one hand on his desk while scratching at the stubble on his chin with the other. “Which leads us to your seventh wife.”
“Brinley.” Lehi nodded.
“I must tell you that I’m puzzled as to what to do.”
“I understand.” Lehi was hesitant to make his plea. Instead, he would allow the prophet to steer the conversation and respond accordingly. That was what the prophet preferred. There was no questioning Clarence Black, but over the years Lehi had learned how to make requests without insulting the prophet.
“I’m not sure how involved Brinley is with Elder Jameson,” the prophet said. “She delivered the letter. This much we know.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me your impression of the girl.”
Lehi cleared his throat. This was his opportunity, but he had to be careful. “She’s kind, obedient, and an essential part of our family.”
“If she’s so obedient, then why did she deliver that letter?” the prophet asked, his voice rising. Lehi could feel the bite in that retort.
“Of that I’m not sure. But it is possible that Brinley did not know of the contents of the letter. Perhaps, she thought it was for the boys—”
The prophet waved a dismissive hand. “That doesn’t matter. She should have destroyed the letter. It was insubordination of the highest order.”
“I understand.”
“Listen, all wives are to know their place. Every single one. And every man must be cognizant of that, as well, and must treat them equally. Rebecca was removed from the Jameson household for that reason.”
Lehi nodded. “Yes. I strive to do that in my home.”
The prophet narrowed his eyes, perching himself on the corner of the desk and peering at Lehi. “I’m considering reassigning Brinley. There are several men in the Texas compound who are in need of additional wives. She could be relocated. Perhaps then she’d learn not to be swayed by men such as Burt.”
Disappointment spread through Lehi, and he was no longer sure that a plea would be appropriate. Brinley was the most beautiful of all his wives, the one he enjoyed the most in the bedroom, and so he’d wanted to ask the prophet not to reassign her, to allow her to stay in his home. But he feared the prophet would accuse him of favoritism if he were honest regarding his intention.
“You must do what you see fit, but I would be most appreciative if you’d allow her to remain in our household.” Quickly, Lehi thought of a half truth to sway the prophet without revealing his true motivation. “She’s quite helpful with the children and her sister wives.”
“Interesting,” the prophet responded, and Lehi could feel cynicism in that one word. “Your first wife doesn’t seem to agree with you. Perhaps there is some discrepancy here.”
“I-I don’t understand.”
“She seemed quite eager for Brinley to be removed from your home.”
Lehi’s mouth was agape as he heard this bit of information. He knew that Leandra was frequently annoyed by Brinley, which was to be expected given the large age gap between them. But he never expected that Leandra would want to see her reassigned. He had no idea what to say in response, so said nothing.
The prophet considered for a moment, then said, “I’ll take care of this. She’ll be given an honor, a position assisting my mother in her home. She’ll begin on Monday. I’ll gather information and make a decision posthaste.”
“Thank you.”
Thank God.
Lehi was determined not to lose Brinley. He enjoyed his time with her more than any of his other wives. She was the only wife who had cooperated on their honeymoon. Leandra had slapped him across the face when he’d turned on the TV. Others had cried, one had even choked and then vomited on his penis. But Brinley, she’d cooperated, and Lehi had even managed to convince himself that she’d enjoyed it.
She was the only wife who wore makeup in the bedroom without question, without making Lehi feel guilty about his needs. Furthermore, her movements in the bedroom lately were turning him on. She was coming into her own, becoming more sexual, and that aroused Lehi to no end. When he came with Brinley, he came hard. He looked forward to nights with her more than any of his other seven wives. He couldn’t lose that time. He wouldn’t.
Each wife played a role. Leandra managed the home. Brenda assisted with managing the finances. Aspen had the memory of an elephant and could always assist Lehi in remembering important dates and events for the family. Brinley—well, Brinley was his release. He’d fight to keep her in that role.
No matter what.