Page 85 of Malachi
“Well, if anyone can accomplish such an enormous task, it’s our men,” I added with a smile, realizing I had been quiet for a little too long.
“Right you are, Eden. How is married life treating you? It’s such an exciting thing, being a newlywed,” Mrs. Rivers touted, effectively changing the subject. No matter, we had procured new information, information we could give to the brothers later tonight. I felt a renewed sense of excitement, being able to help in such a way, though Ruth and Delilah had done most of the heavy lifting in the conversation.
“Eden, there you are,” my mother’s voice called from halfway across the room, drawing the looks of half the women in attendance as she interrupted my answer to Mrs. Rivers.
“Hello, Mother,” I greeted as she walked towards me. Her hand wrapped around my upper arm, her fingers digging into my biceps as she pulled me toward her.
“You ladies won’t mind if I steal my daughter away for a moment, will you?” she asked with a fake smile.
“Of course,” Delilah agreed. I shot her a look. I could have punched her for feeding me to the wolves like that. Well, to the one wolf, anyway. Mother pulled me to an empty corner for a moment.
“How are you doing, Mother?” I asked nicely.
“Don’t you be flippant with me, child,” she hissed through clenched teeth, the same fake smile still plastered on her face so as to not give her words away. “How dare you disrespect me like that!” she spat.
“What are you talking about, Mother?” I questioned, confused by her quiet outburst.
“You know what I’m talking about. Don’t play dumb with me, Eden. Denying me entrance into your home like I’m some common stranger? I’m your mother,” she fussed meanly, her eyes narrowed at me like daggers.
“Mother, I understand you’re upset, but —”
“No buts, young lady. I am yourmother,” she seethed.
“Yes,” I hissed right back, pulling my arm out of her grasp, “but Malachi is myhusband.And his word goes inourhome. He would not be happy to hear how you are disrespecting me and our home right now.”
“Oh, you have some gall, child,” she chided.
“I have all the gall required of a Temple wife,” I reminded her, narrowing my own eyes in a death stare.
“Attitude like that will get you nowhere in Zion, young lady,” she chastised.
“My attitude is just fine,Mother. It’s yours that is uncalled for. I’m not your child any longer. I am the wife of Malachi Temple and you would do well to remember that.” Without another word, I put the smile back on my face and walked back to where my new sisters stood.
“Is everything okay, Eden?” Ruth asked quietly. She was observant.
“It is now. Just reminding my mother that she no longer controls me,” I said with a smile.
“That had to feel good! I wish I had balls that big,” Delilah chuckled quietly.
“Eh, they are big enough for the likes of her, anyway,” I shrugged, gesturing toward where my mother still stood fuming in the corner.
“Mothers,” Ruth scoffed, shaking her head. “Between my mother and Adah, I am up to my gills in guilt trips and unsolicited advice.”
“That’s the Zion way,” Talia chuckled.
“No kidding,” I agreed.
“Alright ladies,” Adah announced, drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s time to eat, so please make your way to the tables in the dining room.” Everyone filed into the large dining room. Tables had been placed around the room, spilling out into the living room to fit everyone.
“I’m so glad that you were all able to join me for this luncheon, or rather, brunch, this morning. If we could all take a moment and bow our heads for prayer.” Glancing around the room, we each bowed our heads, folding our hands together dutifully.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together today to share in fellowship with our sisters in Christ. We gather today in accordance with Your word to lift Your name and to draw closer to Your will. Please guide our steps in this life as we prepare for our heavenly home at Your side. Give us the endurance and fortitude to obey Your commandments, shunning the sins of the outside world at any and every turn in order to form a more perfect union with Your Holy Spirit. Draw our hearts to You, oh Lord, as we go about our lives. In Your heavenly name we pray, amen.”
I used to take comfort in prayer, but now, as I sat here surrounded by the women of the church, I found myself recoiling with disgust. The words were false, having nothing to do with any kind of God I wanted to be a part of. This religion was man-made, full of self-serving people who wanted nothing more than to push their own agenda. What kind of God would allow such things to happen, especially in His name? No, there was no God here. There never had been.
That thought had me frozen for a long moment after the prayer had ended. The home I had known had never been much of a happy one. I had been honest with Malachi about that from the get go, but now, with the knowledge of how depraved and sinister this place truly was, I was taken aback. The God I had been raised to love and follow was nothing more than the nefarious desires of man.
Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do with myself. My hands fidgeted in my lap as I felt anxiety creep up inside of me, threatening to spill over.
