Page 102 of Gideon
“Gideon, she is to wait. She knows her manners,” my father corrected him. I did my best to hold back my smirk as I saw that glimmer in Gideon’s eyes. His fork clambered loudly against his plate.
“Are you telling me that you hold power overmywife?” Gideon argued, narrowing his gaze at my father.
“This ismyhome, might I remind you, Young Temple,” my father’s voice reasoned lowly.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.Genesis chapter two, verse twenty-four,” Gideon spoke firmly. “I am the man she is to serve now, second only to God.”
This tension in the room could have been cut with a knife.
My mother and I dropped our forks, lowering them quietly to our plates as the men in the room stared at one another, engaged in what looked like a silent battle of wills.
Finally, my father spoke.
“Of course, you are right, Gideon. My apologies. I did not realize things were done differently in your home.” It was still a jab, but at least he had conceded.
“I appreciate your apology, Elder Cantor. Naomi is to wait for me to take my first bite, but then is allowed to eat her food. She follows my lead, here as in everything. Now, shall we engage in a more pleasant conversation?” Gideon picked up his fork, continuing his meal with a smile on his face. He had won the battle and was more than a little smug about it.
“So, Naomi, how have you enjoyed running your own home?” Mother asked, working to dissipate the remaining tension by changing the subject.
“It has been lovely, Mother,” I answered quietly.
“Gideon, you have a small home out by the lake, is that correct?” my father asked, as if he didn’t fucking know.
“I do. I enjoy being on the water, and the location provides that for me. I find myself at one with God more there than anywhere, save the church, of course.”
Good save, Gideon,I thought to myself, not trusting myself to give him a look like I wished to.
“Oh, Naomi! I almost forgot. I have wonderful news to share with you,” Mother exclaimed suddenly, dropping her fork loudly as she clapped her hands together.
“What is it, Mother?” I asked, smiling at her.
“Both of your sisters are pregnant! Isn’t that just the most wonderful news?” she asked, nearly giggling with her excitement.
“A wonderful blessing, to be sure,” I answered dutifully.
“You left out the best part, dear,” my father playfully scolded my mother.
“Oh yes! Dear me. They have also decided to carry on the little… family tradition, if you will,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
“Family tradition?” Gideon questioned, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Both your sisters will also be adopting children within the month,” Father announced excitedly.
I could feel my stomach drop. My eyes lowered to my plate, not trusting myself to look at a single soul in the room at that moment.
“Yes! It’s quite an exciting time here in Zion. You see, we held a class just last week — you were on your honeymoon, so of course you could not attend, but we held an adoption class, along with the Parrish’s. We are excited to share that there will be twelve new adoptions taking place over the next few weeks. Twelve! Can you believe it?”
The sound of chatter in the room faded into a gentle buzzing sound as panic filled every space in my body, ringing in my ears as the room seemed to shift around me.
Twelve.
Twelve adoptions.
Twelve kidnapped children.
The buzzing in the room rose to a fever pitch.
“Naomi!”
