“Okay.” Smiling and feeling shy, I got up off his lap and straightened my habit. He handed me my veil and helped me look presentable, then kissed me on the forehead.
“I’ll see you soon, my Beloved.”
Chapter Six
I had maybefifteen minutes before I had to be in the kitchens to help with lunch. My mind was still lost in a swirl of disbelief, excitement, and lust as I quickly avoided the main room were the Sisters gathered and made my way to my room to change. When I got to the end of the hall, though, someone was standing by my door.
Sister Diane was a pretty woman, probably around twenty-nine, thirty. But right now hate and disgust made her ugly.
I sighed, knowing exactly how this would play out. She wasn’t going to leave and let me pass until she’d said her piece, so I might as well get it over with.
“What can I do for you, Sister?” I asked patiently.
She looked me up and down, then met my eyes with a sneer. “Slut,” she hissed, spit practically flying out to hit my face. “Whore! We don’t want you here, so you will leave tonight.”
I straightened, standing tall. I was impressed. Right to the point, she went. I appreciated that. Made my job easier.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Sister, but I’m not going anywhere. Now please move.”
She blinked. “Isaidwe don’t—”
I put out a hand, stopping her. “I heard what you said, but it’s not up to you to kick me out. If this is what Sister Abigail has decided, surely she will come to me about it. Now, again, please move.” I scooted past her, hoping she’d get the damn point, but instead, she grabbed me by my shoulders and pushed me further out into the hall.
Fuck that.
Her veil was in my hands in seconds, ripping it off. I grabbed her by the hair and pushed her down to the floor to kneel at my feet. Yelping and snarling like a dog, her hands reached up, clawing at my grip on her hair.
I leaned down and got in her face. “Silence.”
She stilled, mouth shut, eyes wide on me.
I nodded. “Better. Now, this is how this is going to go, Sister Diane.” My grip loosened, and once I was sure she’d remain still and kneeling at my feet, I released her. “Since you’ve demonstrated that you can obey, I will give you a gift, not a punishment. It’s been a good day, Sister, and I’m feeling… benevolent, you could say. Would you like a gift, you selfish little creature?”
She nodded. Her eyes had already begun to soften, even growing heavy with a twinge of desire. Interesting.
My hand caressed her soft cheek. “Good. Come to the dining hall ten minutes-to-six. There I will have your gift waiting.”
“Yes… Sister Constance.” So meek.
“Now leave me.” I left her there on the floor and went into my room to change.
* * *
The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur of activity. There were boxes everywhere in the main room, filled with pamphlets, gift bags, bibles, baked goods and more. At around five o’clock we called it a day and spent the rest of the next hour in prayer and reflection.
This time yesterday I was ready to get this stupid event prep over and done with. I wanted to go home, had had enough of this mission crap. It was boring and, strangely enough, lonely. Not that I had anyone other than Solomon to talk to, and he had disappeared by then. I’d even missed the Reverend Mother.
Now, though, hope burned. The world had changed, something miraculous had occurred. I wasn’t alone in the world, and my only true friend wasreal. More than that, he was like an angel straight from Heaven. Kind, strong. Tangible. And he was all mine.
Oh, I still wrestled with the improbability of it. But in the end, I always came back to who I was, the gifts I possessed that not another among me wielded. I knew I was different, odd and “not right in the head.” I’d seen and done many things that shouldn’t have been possible. But I never in a million years thought I’d have this. Intimacy. The love and touch that a woman and a man experience together.
I shook myself from my thoughts and dropped the act of praying. I had things to do and a gift to give.
Sneaking out into the kitchen and to the dining hall, I waited for Sister Diane by the exit door. I knew the homeless started arriving and camping out around five, even though they had to wait an hour or so before we opened our doors. So it was only the work of a moment when Diane showed up—looking curious but much more chastised—that I opened the door to the outside and pulled her along with me.
The evening sun greeted us in the west, outlining three men who leaned against the building. When they saw us, they straightened, hunger and wariness painting their haggard faces. And very surprised at our sudden appearance. Not stopping, I crooked a finger for them to follow, pulling Diane in the direction of the woods behind the church. They followed.
When we were far enough away from any prying eyes, I released the Sister’s arm. She fell at my feet and looked up at me, waiting. Anticipating.