It was true that so far we’d eaten only already prepared meals. With my lack of sight, my great cooking skills had been limited to warming things and to preparing cereal, toast, coffee, and sandwiches. This morning I’d ventured to eggs and bacon.
After a few minutes the men were gone, and I was putting the contents of Sister Ruth’s bags on the kitchen table. Salmon wrapped in white paper, sweet potatoes, onions, peppers, apples, the ingredients kept coming, and not one of them was from a box or packet.
“Sister,” I sighed as I looked at everything, “Jacob told me that you taught me how to do this once. I admit I don’t remember. I’m excited to receive a refresher course.”
She patted my hand. “We made notes the first time. I believe they’re in the kitchen of your apartment. Hopefully, that can help you, but you know that you can always ask me. With Daniel’s permission, I’d love to spend more time with you.”
I lowered my chin. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed the Assembly and Commission wives.”
She lifted my chin. “Sara, I’d never be ashamed of you. I accept the Commission’s decision and Father Gabriel’s decree, but the strong, intelligent young woman I know would never willfully leave The Light nor her husband. I remember the first time I saw you and Brother Jacob. The love that you two shared hasn’t disappeared. I know that. Brother Daniel and I’ve been married for over thirty years. The way you look at Brother Jacob and the way he looks at you, your love is still there. Isn’t it?”
“It is,” I admitted. “I don’t know if it’s as obvious as what I noticed between you and Brother Daniel, but it’s there. I love my husband.”
Her inviting smile filled me with the sense of a mother or grandmother. “Now,” she said, “let’s get started. You have a lot of cooking to do.”
I bit my lip. “I really don’t . . .”
“Stop. When I first came to your room after your accident, you didn’t remember Father Gabriel. Do you know who he is now?”
I nodded. “I do.”
“If I asked you to recite our declaration of faith, could you?”
I took a breath and stood tall. “I could. ‘We the followers . . .’”
She winked. “I know it; you don’t need to recite it. I’m proud of you. In another week you’ll be making your husband’s meals just like you used to.”
The day flew by as we chopped, sliced, peeled, and created. The entire time we talked like old friends. When I put the apple pie in the oven, I blew out a breath. “If you hadn’t told me otherwise, I’d swear I’d never done that before.”
Sitting at the table with a cup of coffee, Sister Ruth said, “I’m sure you remember that not all meals will be this elaborate. When I was your age and still worked, I used my Crock-Pot much more often.”
I hadn’t thought about my job. Brushing the flour off the counter, I turned, and asked, “What do I do?”
“Oh, Sara, you really don’t remember?”
I moved my head back and forth. “Sister, everything really is gone.”
“You work in the chemistry lab with Brother Benjamin and Brother Raphael.”
I widened my eyes. “I do?” Scrunching my nose, I asked, “You don’t know what I do there, do you?”
“No, my dear, Assembly wives have more distinguished jobs than the average follower. Obviously most of them, men and women, work in the processing plant. It takes a lot of manpower to produce Father Gabriel’s product.”
I nodded. “Does his product have something to do with chemistry?”
“Yes, Brothers Raphael and Benjamin perfect the formulas. To be honest, I don’t know how it all works. You probably know more than I do, since you work with them.”
I moved to the table and sat. “And the followers produce the . . . ?”
She patted my hand. “Medications—pharmaceuticals. Father Gabriel delivers medication to those in need all over the world. It’s a wonderful ministry that spreads The Light to those who can’t afford it or areas where health care is limited.”
“That’s great.”
“It is. We’ve been with Father Gabriel since The Light began. Even early on he knew this vision of his would come to fruition. It’s not up to us to question how it all works. We do our part to make it happen. Truly, we’re blessed to be part of this ministry. Now, of course, in case you’ve forgotten, the particulars of his vision can’t be discussed with all the followers. There’s a reason we’re part of the chosen.”
I nodded, thankful that she’d come and helped me remember so much. My mind wandered to my job, and I worried about Brothers Raphael and Benjamin. I hoped they’d be as patient with me as Raquel, Sister Ruth, and Jacob. “Sister? If I have difficulties at my job, would Brother Raphael or Benjamin . . . correct me?”
“Of course, they’re men—it’s their right.” Losing her grip on the warm mug, she patted my hand. “However, only our husbands have the right to deliver the correction you’re concerned about. But rest assured, if they believe it’s necessary, they’ll tell Brother Jacob.”
I’m sure they will.