Page 28 of Leviticus
“Spying isn’t exactly a proper thing for a wife to do,” he chastised, turning away from me and walking back into the study towards a cabinet on the opposite wall of the bookshelves. He opened the cabinet, revealing beautiful glass or perhaps even crystal that held some dark liquor. He pulled two glasses and set them on a tray as he assembled the drinks. I knew enough about preparing my own father’s drinks to recognize an old-fashioned when I saw one. Not that my father ever had anything quite this exquisite.
“Neither is throwing things,” I murmured under my breath and immediately regretted it. What had come over me?
“What was that?” he asked sharply, turning back towards me.
“Oh, nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me. You said something, what was it?” he pressed with a tired exasperation.
“Why was your father calling during our honeymoon?” I asked, throwing all caution to the wind, apparently. I was shocked at my own forthcoming question.
“Don’t pay him any mind. He wants grandchildren, that is all. I assuaged his fears,” Levi explained, finishing the drinks slowly, taking his time to concoct the elixir with great care. It was obvious it was a soothing act for him, something that gave him peace.
“You mean you lied,” I corrected before I could catch myself. I winced as the words left my mouth. I knew better. He flipped around so quickly I was surprised he didn’t falter with dizziness.
“I told you,” he seethed through clenched teeth. “I do not lie.”
“Yet, you did,” I pushed, my own tiredness, my own frustration rising to the surface unbiddenly.
“I do not lie, Ruth.”
“You did. You told your father that I could very well be pregnant now.” My tone may have been soft and somewhat quiet, but my intent was anything but.
“You don’t know that. You very well could be,” he argued and I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped my lips.
“Ha! That’s impossible,” I corrected.
“No it’s not. You very well could be. It has been known to happen on a person’s first time,” he further explained, and I had to hold myself back from rolling my eyes.
“Yes, I do know how the female body works to at least that extent. I’m saying that it’s impossible as my monthlies just ended yesterday. If there could have been a baby from our consummation, it is not possible now,” I sighed.
“Oh, I … I didn’t know,” he stammered awkwardly.
“No, you didn’t know. Though I suppose you wouldn’t know since you seem downright adamant about not speaking to me,” I cried out, frustrated.
“We talk every single day, Ruth,” he corrected slowly, setting the drinks down on the desk and leaning against the surface while I sat in one of the chairs.
“No, we do not speak or communicate every day, Levi. We say words at each other’s faces. And that is not the same. You are my husband, whether we chose this life of our volition or not, here we are. Can’t we at least try to get to know one another? To try and make this work?” I all but begged.
“You think I’m not trying here?” he pushed right back, taking a long swig of his drink before slamming it down on the table.
“If you are, then I would say we are not trying to do the same thing. I’m trying to make this marriage work, to connect with my husband,” I pressed. I knew I should keep these thoughts to myself, that I should be a good and proper little housewife, but he was driving me mad.
“I am trying to do right by you, Ruth. Can’t you see that?”
“I can see that you keep pushing me away,” I sassed, standing from my seat with my hands on my hips. I had never been this forward with an adult before.
“Watch your tone,” he warned, standing and mirroring my stance. Something within me would not let me back down from this. Something told me to take it just a little further.
“Or what?” I said slowly, crossing my arms over my chest and narrowing my eyes at him.
With a single low growl of warning, he lunged at me.
CHAPTER9
LEVITICUS
“Leviticus, it is important for you to take this time to set the tone for your family. You should be learning your wife’s cycles to ensure the best likely outcome for pregnancy,” my father sighed heavily. He was frustrated with me, which was more than evident by his tone.
