Into the Light (The Light #1)(68)

Even though I was essentially as trapped in the pole barn as I had been in the clinic, I wasn’t in a hurry to leave. I knew this was punishment, and I shouldn’t like it, but I kind of did. It gave me a chance to stop worrying about a past I couldn’t remember and relearn my role as Jacob’s wife. Things were continuing to improve since the first day when I’d forgotten to greet him at the door. Thankfully our banishment was the only punishment I’d endured since the previous week. My goal was to keep it that way. As long as I kept that eerie calmness out of Jacob’s voice, I was even beginning to enjoy his company.

Sometimes the wind would howl, and I’d think about the polar bears. However, knowing how big the pole barn was eased some of my worry. The living quarters were only a tiny part compared to the building as a whole. After all, the hangar had to be large enough to hold two jets, as well as all sorts of other things, like cool carts that attached to the jets and moved them in and out of the hangar. There was also a whole shop area with tools and an office area with desks and computers. When I thanked Jacob for my tour, he said I’d been out there before. Of course, I didn’t remember.

Just as I finished rewinding Father Gabriel’s lesson, the sound of the rising garage door startled me. After that first day, I’d gotten very good at distinguishing that sound from other clatter. I hurried to the clock, wondering if I’d slept more than I’d realized, but it was only twenty minutes after three. Jacob wasn’t due back for more than three hours.

My pulse raced as I stood in dark silence, waiting for a knock. With each moment my nerves stretched and my palms moistened. With my blood pumping in my ears, I wondered what to do. I hadn’t gone through the door to the garage without Jacob and suddenly wondered if it even had a lock.

The knock never came; instead I held my breath as my fear materialized and the door opened. As soon as the click of high heels upon the wood floor registered, I recognized my guest.

She wasn’t alone. When she entered I’d heard two distinct sets of footsteps. Figuring the other person was either Sister Ruth or Brother Timothy I sighed with relief, knowing that they were people with whom I could speak. I was also glad that I’d restarted the lesson. If they’d entered with the recording near the end, with the way my mind was wandering, I’m sure I would’ve failed their round of twenty questions.

“Sister Sara,” Sister Lilith finally greeted me.

“Sister Lilith,” I replied.

“We heard that Brother Jacob would be gone and decided this was a good opportunity to speak to you.”

“Thank you, that’s very kind of you.”

“Hmmm,” she hummed.

Her strange reply brought the fine hairs on my arms to attention. While the unique scent of her perfume, as well as her steps, let me know she was getting closer, the citrus reminded me that I didn’t smell vanilla. Sister Ruth wasn’t the person still near the door. I took a chance and turned in that direction.

“Brother Timothy, welcome.”

“Sister,” he said.

“I see you’re adapting well without sight,” Sister Lilith said. “I do hope that your eyes will be better soon.”

“Thank you; I’m patient for God’s time.”

As silence filled with the click-clack of her high heels, I envisioned her taking a white glove and evaluating my housecleaning skills. If she was, I wasn’t concerned. I’d dusted, pushed a dust mop back and forth, and even washed and put away my dishes from lunch.

“Sister, we have questions and feel it’s time for your answers,” Brother Timothy said.

This wasn’t right. Jacob had said I didn’t need to go before the Commission. I struggled with my next move. If it had been only Lilith, I could’ve questioned her, but it wasn’t. I knew from experience that I couldn’t question Brother Timothy. Reaching for one of the four chairs at the table, I did my best to weigh each word. “Brother, Sister, if you’d like, we may sit, and I’ll be happy to answer anything that Brother Jacob has given me permission to discuss.”

Chairs moved, the screech of the legs over the floor indicating my guests’ locations. Since the person on my right sat first, that was Brother Timothy. I waited until Sister Lilith was seated before I sat.

“Sara,” Sister Lilith began. “While I’m pleased with your progress, I’m here on behalf of the Commission and Assembly wives.”

I couldn’t believe her. She’d lied about that before. Nevertheless I was careful about what I said. “Thank you for taking the time to come all the way out. I know that I’m only allowed to speak to the Commission and Commission wives. Your visit means a lot.”

“This is more than a visit,” Brother Timothy began. “This is officially part of your correction.”

My stomach twisted.

“Sister, I’m going to get straight to the matter at hand. Do you remember when I came to your room, right after you awoke after your incident?”

I turned toward his voice. “Yes, Brother Timothy, I do.”

“Do you remember me asking you questions about your incident?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember your answers?”

My pulse quickened. “Brother, I must obey my husband. I haven’t received his permission to discuss this with you or anyone.”