Wife Number Seven (The Compound, #1)(37)
Lehi cut me off with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She is aging rapidly and is becoming quite senile. She’ll need you to assist her with basic tasks. She sleeps quite a bit, so you can spend time cleaning or running errands for her.”
“Errands?” I asked, seeing the possible silver lining of the situation.
“Yes. The prophet keeps her home well stocked, of course. But occasionally she may run out of toiletries or milk, and you can make a quick trip. Do you feel you can accept this honor?”
“I’m sorry to interject,” Ida interrupted. “But may I ask why Brinley has been chosen for this honor? She has no children, or any background in caregiving—”
Ida was the fourth wife of Lehi. She was in her early thirties and had given up a job in caring for elderly adults in the community when she gave birth to her third child, and Leandra informed her that she was needed at home. The other wives were not willing to care for her children while she worked outside the home. According to Aspen, she’d been bitter ever since.
Ida and Aspen were not at all fond of each other. Their personalities were similar: strong, opinionated, and devout. Ida, like Gloria, was devoted to her quest to please Leandra and Lehi at all times, which Aspen despised. Aspen was devoted to Heavenly Father, but she would not compromise herself for anyone. She refused to brownnose anyone in our household.
“We are not to question the prophet’s will,” Lehi snapped, his eyes boring into Ida’s. “He knows best. He specifically requested Brinley.”
Ida quickly dropped her gaze as her cheeks reddened. Aspen snickered quietly under her breath, and both Ida and Gloria whipped their heads up, glowering at Aspen.
“Besides,” Lehi said, “Brinley does not have children . . . yet. So this makes the most sense for our family.”
“It would be an honor, Lehi,” I said, attempting to calm the energy at the table.
Although I wanted to snicker right along with Aspen, it wouldn’t be smart to ruffle any feathers. Rebecca was already angry with me, and I couldn’t afford to earn any more enemies in the household. Ida and I had always managed to stay friendly despite our separate allegiances in the house.
“Very good,” Lehi said. “The prophet expects you to begin on Wednesday. I’ll have the address for you and will walk you there that morning.”
“Thank you.”
He nodded, and I knew he was relieved that the tension was abating. “Next order of business. Rebecca, dear?”
Rebecca responded with a soft smile aimed at our husband. My stomach climbed into my throat. Would she tell my secrets? Embarrass me in front of Lehi and the sister wives?
“Would you like to tell them, or should I?” Lehi continued. Rebecca shook her head, her smile transforming into a look of discomfort.
What on earth?
“Very well, then.” Lehi sat up straight in his seat. “Rebecca is expecting. We’re having our first child together.”
All of my sister wives, Leandra included, proceeded to celebrate this news. Congratulations were given. Her due date was discussed, and offers of assistance with chores and her children were offered by several of the sister wives.
But me? I cried.
My tears were silent as they slid down my cheeks. As the rest of the family marveled at this news, I was crushed. And I knew Burt would be too. Rebecca had officially moved on, given up on the love she’d shared with her first husband. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and watched her as she gracefully accepted the well wishes and hugs from our sister wives. I wanted to stand up, pound my fist on the table, and shout, “No!” But I couldn’t. Instead, I remained silent, watching . . . just watching.
Aspen glanced my way, giving me a look of pity. She must have assumed my tears were for myself, for my supposed infertility. I glanced away quickly, playing the part, feeling terrible for lying without saying anything at all.
When I turned, Rebecca’s eyes met mine and her smile disappeared, her lips pressing together so tightly the skin above them turned white. The warmth in her eyes froze to form daggers meant only for me.
The woman who had sobbed in my arms was no longer my sister, no longer my friend.
She was my enemy.
And it broke my heart.
? ? ?
After hours of completing my own chores around the house—laundry, yard work, and assisting Clea, Lehi’s fifth wife, in the kitchen for lunch—I was ready to retire to my room to rest when I remembered the list from Brenda. Taking a deep breath, I mentally prepared for a few more chores.
I swept the garage, organized the toys in the common area, and ironed her daughters’ cotton dresses. When I brought them to the girls’ rooms, I sighed. Their normally tidy rooms were destroyed, whether by their own doing or by the hyper boys who were playing hide-and-seek earlier in the house. Whatever the reason, I didn’t want Brenda to come home to this mess. I rolled up my sleeves and made their beds, straightened their desks, and emptied their garbage cans.
Before finishing, I returned to the garage, retrieved a simple glass vase from the shelf, and walked to our backyard where a small patch of flowers grew. I picked several flowers, added water to the vase, and took them to Brenda’s room. The bright flowers brightened the somber air of her bedroom, and I knew they would make her smile. I contemplated leaving a note, but decided against it. It wasn’t important for her to know who left the flowers, only that someone had remembered her.