Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(64)

I returned to the main lodge and walked quietly to the small bathroom I'd only glimpsed inside on my way to the laundry room. I closed the door behind me as softly as possible and then looked around. There was no shower in here, just a toilet and a sink. I had never used indoor plumbing before, but it was easy enough to figure out what was what. Plus, I'd heard often enough the things others who had come from the big community missed once they were living in the worker cabins. I could see why. I turned the handle on the sink and water came flowing out. I startled back slightly and then turned the handle up, watching the water flow more quickly. I let it run for a minute, just watching it and marveling at how much easier something like this would make life in general. As I watched the water flow, I thought about that ridiculous irrigation system I had made to water our crops. As much as Hector talked about sacrifice and living off the land, he had probably been laughing inside at the simple stupidity of what I had come up with. Suddenly, that irrigation system seemed utterly ridiculous as I pictured myself down by the river hollowing out logs for months and months, my muscles burning and the sun beating down on my head. I started laughing, as silently as possible, leaning on the sink as I got a hold of my hilarity. I was laughing, but I had to. It was either that or cry in humiliation.
Once I got a hold of myself, I simply watched the water flow for another minute and then quietly shut it off.
The running water made me realize how much I needed to empty my bladder, so I used the toilet and then pushed down on the small silver handle. Water swirled and washed down the drain and then re-filled as I stood there staring down at it like some caveman who was seeing the modern world for the first time. Which, in actuality, was probably pretty accurate. I flushed it again, marveling once more as the water swirled and drained.
As I stood there, it hit me what stepping out into the big community was going to be like for me. If I was rendered incredulous by the workings of a toilet and sink, what was it going to be like for me to take in the many new and overwhelming things all at one time? It wouldn't be the same for Eden—she'd lived with running water and electricity, at the very least, her whole life. And it was going to be my job to take care of her, protect her. I was probably going to look like a bumbling fool. Anger coursed through me when I realized how unprepared Hector had left us to make any choice for our life other than to live here, in Acadia, for the rest of our days.
I leaned against the sink, picturing Eden's trusting eyes. Purpose filled me. It'd be overwhelming, yes, but I wouldn't let Hector decide the course of my life anymore. If the great floods really did come, I'd be washed away, but at least I'd be washed away in possession of my own freedom, and Eden would be washed away with hers, too. And wherever we ended up—in Elysium or in hell—we'd end up together.
I used the soap to wash my hands, rubbing the silky liquid between my palms and watching the bubbles form. The only soap I had ever used was a homemade concoction of herbs and oils, and it never lathered like this. I dried my hands slowly as I studied myself in the mirror. We didn't have mirrors in our home—vanity was sinful—so I had rarely seen my own reflection. I studied myself now, turning my face in different angles, touching the dark stubble on my jaw, and moving closer to examine my teeth. I took good care of my teeth, always cleaning them well with a rough cloth and salt, and chewing on mint leaves. I was lucky they were white and straight like Eden's. Not everyone here in Acadia was as lucky in the teeth department.
I opened the door quietly and then closed it behind me. As I was turning, a male voice said, "Breaking the rules already? How disappointing."
I whirled around and Clive Richter, one of the council members, was standing there, a smug look on his seedy little face. I didn't particularly like any of the council members, although I'd had little personal interaction with any of them, but Clive seemed to be the most unlikable of them all. He sat up in front at Temple week after week, trying to hide his yawns and checking something in his pocket repeatedly, while looking disdainfully at the workers. I didn't know if anyone else noticed, but I did. Clearly Clive Richter had a very high opinion of himself and a pretty low opinion of the rest of us.
I took a deep, calming breath. "It was an emergency."
Clive laughed mockingly. "You can return to your own . . . lodgings and take care of your emergencies there."
"In the future, I will," I said tightly, and went to move around him.
Clive grabbed my arm and I stopped suddenly, moving my head slowly to look at his small hand holding tightly to my forearm. I looked down at him, about six inches shorter than me, and hot anger filled me. This man, who probably in any other arena on the face of the earth would never dare to touch me, thought he could overpower me here.