Page 105 of Leviticus
“Getting to know my new daughter, of course,” she explained, as though it were obvious.
“That is kind of you, Mother, but it is proper to at least let us know before you just show up to our home. We are newlyweds, after all,” Levi tried to reason.
“Yes, you are, but I am your mother. And you were not home. It was the perfect timing. Now, what are you doing here? I believe your father wanted to see you at the church,” she nearly scolded him, leveling him with a look.
“Yes, he did, Mother, but something came up with the Reverend. We have rescheduled for Sunday after church.” I watched as Levi and his mother seemed to have a conversation that was unsaid. They both looked at one another, waiting for the other to say something.
“Well, I am sure that Ruth and I would love to host you and Father for dinner very soon. If you don’t mind, however, I would like to spend some time with my new wife. And I’m sure Father would like me to see that you make it home safely.
“Oh, well, of course,” his mother agreed, though her eyes told a different story.
“I will be home soon, Ruth. See to it that dinner is prepared by the time I get home. I plan to retire early this evening,” he spoke harshly, pinning me with a look. I knew it was just for show, but still surprised me.
“Yes, husband,” I responded dutifully, lowering my eyes as a good submissive and godly wife should. I could almost feel the pleased smile on my mother-in-law’s face.
They left as abruptly as they had appeared and I was left standing there, shocked, confused, with a feel of discontent growing within me.
I busied myself with making dinner. Levi had not been serious in his request to have dinner on the table, but it did not matter. I needed something to keep my hands busy. I needed something to keep my mind busy.
But that didn’t happen.
Why had I never seen the way the women of Zion were treated?
Why had I never questioned the things we were taught as girls?
Why had I never questioned the way my father treated my mother? Hell, the way he treated my sisters? The way he treated me?
Why had I just accepted that this was the life that was meant for me?
Why had I never given any weight to thoughts of life outside of Zion?
Why had it taken Levi to open my eyes?
What if Levi didn’t want to stay with me when this was all over? He had asked me what I wanted, but I had never asked him. Yes, based on the conversation we had, he wanted to be with me. He had told me he loved me.
But what if he changed his mind?
What if the woman I became when the teachings of Zion were ripped away was not the woman he wanted for the rest of his life?
What if —
“Ruth!”
Levi’s shouting voice pulled me away from the swirling questions in my head so abruptly that I dropped the pan of food straight onto the floor, sending the saucy contents splattering and sliding over the kitchen floor in a disastrous crash.
I gasped for a solid breath, frantically looking over the mess I had made.
This whole thing was a mess.
“Ruth, what happ—”
“Give me an order,” I demanded, turning to him and seeing him clearly for the first time since he had arrived home.
His jaw opened, balking at my words before he seemed to shake himself from the stupor and that furrow in his brow appeared again and he regained control.
“Ruth, that is not how this works.” His tone left no room to argue. But that didn’t stop me from trying.
“Give me an order,” I spoke the words more slowly this time, needing him to hear me.
