Free I am Rebecca by Fleur Beale

We served the morning tea. Malachi whispered, ‘Courage, Sister Rebecca. We will be good together, you and I.’
    ‘Thank you, Brother Malachi. I am glad … I mean … Oh! Thank you for choosing me!’
    There was no time to say more, but he winked at me as he turned away. I was more settled as wefinished in the kitchen and joined the rest of the people to listen to Elder Stephen’s sermon.
    He probably spoke about the duties of a husband and wife. His strong voice was comforting, but I couldn’t concentrate. My thoughts were about being Malachi’s wife. I’d have a husband who cared about how I was feeling, who would comfort me and laugh with me. Together we would create a happy home. I prayed for the Lord to bless us with children.
    The sermon finished, and the men began stacking the chairs against the walls. It was time for Kezia and Ira’s wedding. We joined the rest of the people in forming the marriage circle, leaving the gap for the couple to walk through.
    Ira came in first, his father beside him. No wonder Father hadn’t believed our story about him — he appeared to be such a fine, upright and righteous man.
Please Lord, let him be a good husband to Kezia
. I tried to keep my own thankfulness out of my mind.
    Elder Stephen came into the circle next, followed by Kezia and her father. A murmur went round the people — the sound of grass in the wind. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her dress.
    It was modest, as the Rule taught was seemly — plain white with no decoration. But there was nothing in the Rule about how transparent the fabric should be, and nothing about what a petticoat should look like. Kezia’s petticoat was very fancy indeed. We could see the outline of the lace pattern, the shimmer of crystals, and even a slight tinge ofpink from a ribbon threaded through the lace.
    Such defiance! Her mother must have helped her — did her father know? I had to fight not to laugh.
    Kezia conducted herself as the Rule required. She kept her head modestly lowered. Her voice was quiet and respectful as she spoke the vows.
    Elder Stephen didn’t give any sign of displeasure — perhaps he was just pleased to have got Ira married off and so would let her get away with it.
    ‘Brother Ira, Sister Kezia, you are now man and wife,’ he said at last. ‘We will pray to the Lord to bless this union.’
    It was an especially long prayer. I prayed for Kezia’s happiness. Ira probably needed a prayer too, but he could look out for himself.
    ‘Praise the Lord. And now, Brother Ira, you may kiss your wife.’
    Ira bent his head, jabbed a quick kiss on Kezia’s mouth and stepped back. They were both red in the face.
    It was the first time they had touched each other. He held out his arm, she put a hand on it and they went around the circle to receive the good wishes of the community.
    Then it was time for lunch. There would be more dancing while we six girls got the meal ready to serve. Our betrothals would come after we’d cleared up. Talitha took charge, quietly guiding us. We would have made some horrendous mix-ups if she hadn’t been there.
    At last it was done. Talitha handed out the clean aprons, helped us tie them neatly, checked to make sure each of us was tidy, then she broke the Rule by kissing each of us on our forehead as she wished us well.
    With the warmth of her loving kindness supporting us, we walked out into the temple to take our places with our families.
    We had to wait through the community notices but, finally, it was time for the betrothal ceremony. One by one, the fathers of the young men who would become our husbands took the stage. Elder Hosea, second-in-command to Elder Stephen, conducted the first of the betrothals. ‘Elder Stephen,’ he said, ‘your son Laban is of betrothal age. The Elders believe Tirzah Loyal will make him a fitting wife.’
    These were words we’d heard many times before. So too was Elder Stephen’s response. ‘As is the custom, I ask my son Laban to speak his