Page 8 of A Lesson In Beginning

“Adah, I know that coming from Zion, we were all taught that there was a right way for a family to look, a right way for a family to behave.” I nodded my head along as he spoke, knowing better than to speak.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

The words of 1 Timothy played through my mind as I steeled myself for Leviticus’ potential impending wrath. Lord knew Josiah Price was not a kind husband on the best of days, but the Temple family had a reputation that spoke of more enmity than most.

“But, if there is one thing we Temples believe in above all else, it is that family is about love and support. Family is there for you. Family shows up. You are our family, and you are welcome in our home for as long as you and your son have need, without payment or service. Just for being family, you are welcome.”

To say that his words of generosity and acceptance were a surprise would have been an enormous understatement. You could have knocked me down with a feather before I would have thought Leviticus Temple would choose compassion over animosity or judgment.

“Levi is right, Adah. You are my sister. Our sister.” She looked around at the other adults in the room, who were nodding agreement. “And you are welcome here. I cannot imagine what you have been through these past two years.” As much as I valued my sisters’ words, there was an edging feeling of indignation that I could not douse. Where had these words, this hospitality, been for the past two years?

“I appreciate your kindness, both of you, but it would not be right for me to accept such charity without recompense. I am only hoping to have a place for Samuel and I to stay while I search for work, and a place to live.” I kept my words curt and precise. Logic prevailed over emotion in every instance; that I knew to be true. It would not do for me to cast my emotions over near strangers in such a moment. It was not their burden to bear, though there were more parts of me than I wanted to admit that believed they had more burden they should bear.

“Well, it sounds like a mighty fine plan to me. How can we help?” Ezekiel smiled at me.

“I suppose the first thing would be to secure a position of employment so that I can afford to care for my son.” I knew that was my first obstacle, though I hadn’t given it much thought. The last few weeks with the trial had zapped every ounce of thought and emotion from me.

“That will be easier said than done. With no resume, no work experience, and such, finding someplace that would hire you is going to be a challenge. I’m sure we can figure something out. But, we don’t need to figure that out today. I think you and Samuel need some time to just rest and acclimate before diving into all of that.” Ruth handed the empty bottle to Leviticus, situating her son upright on her shoulder as she patted his back almost without thought. I remembered those days with fondness, when everything came as second nature — and a good thing, too, as the sleep deprivation made it all the more difficult.

“I do not want to overstay our welcome or your hospitality. We appreciate you letting us stay here for the time being, but I am sure I can find accommodations soon.” The words were nothing but false hope. Ruth’s words were true; I had nothing to stand on, not a dollar to my name, and no experience to show myself worthy in any employer’s eye. Yet, God’s word in the book of Job comforted me.

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

I could not dwell long on the verse, however. Ever since the trials, I had found my faith shaken and my foundation crumbling beneath me. Instead, I focused on the task before me and nothing more.

“I’m sure we could find something for you, Adah. We are all willing to help.” Ezekiel’s kindness echoed Leviticus’ earlier statements. I found myself once again baffled by the thoughtfulness they both exhibited.

“Well, right now, we had better get back home. Ollie and Delilah might actually steal our babies if we leave them too long.” Talia laughed, which was strange at such an atrocious statement. Would their in-laws truly steal their children? I felt the sharp knife of pain twist in my gut at the memory of losing my daughter. It had been fifteen months since the police had come with social workers to take my beautiful Eunice away.

Panic washed over me and I fought to focus through it.

“Are you alright, Adah?” Talia asked, concern etched in her tone. I opened my eyes, lifting them to see all four adults in the room staring at me with concern.

“Quite alright, thank you,” I answered with a contrived smile.

“If you want to give me a few minutes to get Theo settled, we can catch up this morning.” Ruth’s excitement was palpable, and I nodded my head as she walked towards the nursery with Theo nestled into her neck, her hand still patting away at his back.

Talia and Ezekiel bade me farewell, promising to check in and say hello again soon, and bring their girls to come play with Samuel. Apparently, their eldest was only a year or so younger than him. Leviticus excused himself to see his brother out, leaving me to my own devices there at the kitchen table in relative silence, something I hadn’t had in a long while. Deciding to peek my head in on Samuel, I walked down the hall to the living room and saw him giggling away at a vibrantly colored cartoon show on the television. I had just turned to head back to the kitchen when I heard voices.

“You know, Levi, we could always offer her a job.” It was Ezekiel and Leviticus talking.

“Doing what? Cleaning the house? That’s demeaning, and a little too much like Zion for my liking.” Leviticus scoffed with derision, and honestly, I was surprised. Wouldn’t he want me helping to clean their awfully large home? It was women’s work, after all.

“No, I think Zeke is right. She could work at The Temple. I’m sure we could find something for her.” Talia’s voice was nearly imperceptible. Had it not been for my keen sense of hearing, honed after years of listening to adults tittering away when I was a child, I doubt I would have heard her at all.

“The Temple? Are you crazy?! That would be…” Leviticus trailed off, seemingly unable to find the words for just how bad it would be to give me a job at this Temple place.

“It’s the family business, Levi. She’s family.” Zeke persisted, his tone calm and soothing, in stark contrast to Leviticus’ scorn and indignation.

“It may be the family business, Zeke, but she’s Adah. She’s only just left Zion. I don’t think she could handle working at The Temple.” I strained to hear his whispered words from my hidden nook around the corner, but even so, the harsh sting of rejection slid between my ribs like a knife, right to my pride.

“All we’re saying is think about it, okay?” Talia reasoned calmly.

“I’ll think about it, but I can tell you both to not get your hopes up. The Temple is no place for a woman like Adah Price.” With the ache of condemnation and invalidation throbbing inside me, I made my way back to the kitchen with as soft of footfalls as I could to avoid being seen or heard. Just in the nick of time, it would seem, as Ruth rounded the corner only a scant few seconds after I had taken my seat.

“Goodness, he was a tired little tyke.” She shook her head with a smile, rounding the corner to refill her coffee mug.

“Samuel gets the same way when it’s time for his nap.”

---