It wasn’t that I wanted Sara to hate me, I didn’t, but she should.
Backing out of the pole barn, I waited and watched the door fully close. Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, I saw it was almost half past eight on Friday morning and the sky was still dark. There had been a time in my life when that would’ve bothered me, or that it was still twilight at noon, or darkening by four, but right now I had too much happening to give it more than a fleeting thought.
Sara didn’t even realize that this was her Commission-invoked retribution. I needed to inform her before she faced the Assembly, the Commission, or any of the wives—especially before she faced Father Gabriel.
As I drove toward the community, my mind drifted back to the meeting after Wednesday night’s service. Father Gabriel had wasted no time on preliminaries, coming right to the point . . .
“Brothers, have a seat. Before we meet with the Assembly and Commission in the morning, I want to discuss my decree regarding Sara’s retribution for the incident.”
As I sat, I had tried to still the worry that ricocheted through my thoughts like an old-fashioned pinball.
“In similar cases I’ve pronounced an array of decrees. Your wife, as well as followers who’re unaware, believe that Sara was your wife in the dark. While Sara believes she’s lived here, the followers believe she was recently brought here. They all believe she took your truck and in the act of fleeing, she had an accident.”
My back stiffened.
“Brother?”
“Father, I haven’t discussed it with Sara. I told her I’d tell her when the time was right. All she knows is what I was told to say to Brother Timothy, the day she awoke.”
“Which doesn’t match, does it?”
“No. In that scenario, I was told to say that she took my truck for supplies with my permission.”
Have I been set up?
Father Gabriel nodded. “I also believe you said that she remembered, but she doesn’t.”
“Yes.”
“As a member of the Assembly, your word is to be true. What you said wasn’t.”
Well, hell, unless I’d said she didn’t have an accident. Unless I’d said it was all staged with the right amount of drugs in her system and that a psycho Assemblyman beat the shit out of her before my eyes. That he would’ve done more, but I stopped him . . . unless I’d said that even after I stopped the assault, Sara received more injuries after she was given to Dr. Newton . . . unless I’d told Brother Timothy what he already knew—that the entire incident was all a deception—then I would’ve lied.
“Yes, Father.”
“My judgment therefore must rectify both transgressions and placate the followers.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I’ve sought the advice of my Commission. Now that Sara is better, acclimating to the community and staking her claim as an Assemblyman’s wife, her punishment needs to be public.”
My gaze flashed toward Luke’s. Though he didn’t look my way, I saw the shock he was trying to hide. Sure that my heart had stopped beating, I almost doubled over with the pain of his verdict. I was in charge of disputes. I knew the meaning of public correction. Everything in me wanted to question, protest, and offer myself in her stead, but I knew it wouldn’t help her cause. His decision was already made. The entire room stilled as everyone awaited my response.
Swallowing my objections, I said, “I’ll honor your decision.”
Brother Daniel exhaled. “Very good. I knew you had it in you.” His cheeks stretched with the breadth of his smile.
Confused, I looked back to Father Gabriel.
“Brother Jacob, you truly are a man of The Light. I believe that once this is complete we’ll be able to trust you with even more.”
“Thank you . . . ?”
If Sara had used the same inflection, I probably would have reprimanded her. There was obviously a question mark hanging somewhere in the air.
Father Gabriel laughed. “Well, that wasn’t as pronounced as your wife’s question earlier today.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I’m still processing.”
“Temporary banishment,” he decreed.
Temporary?
I gripped the arms of the chair. My knuckles blanching from my hold. Fuck this! Banishment was death. No one could ever be permitted to leave The Light: not after they worked in the processing plant, not after they knew what we did here, especially not me. I knew about the other campuses.
“Brother, your self-control is impressive. Let me explain. Sara has been seen. She’s developed relationships, not only with you, but also with Sisters Elizabeth and Raquel, as well as Sisters Lilith and Ruth. She’s learning my teachings. Our goal is for her to desire our community and her husband. If I’m interpreting your clenched jaw, the heat in your brown eyes, and the grip you have on that chair, you’ve begun to feel protective of her?”