Unequally Yoked

Chapter 18

Later that night, Oscar and Frida returned from a friend's birthday dinner to find the kids in the living room laughing excitedly.
Abby was twirling in a new dress she'd bought and Anton was playing the fashion police.

"Hey kids. I see our absence wasn't registered. That's a beautiful dress Abby" said Oscar.

"Thanks pops. I ordered it from Vague. Quite fancy, don't you think?" she said.

"Vague? That's very fancy Alberte. How much did it cost?" Frida asked.

"Just Kr500. It's not that expensive mum" said Abby, twirling some more.

"It's givingggg...Belle" said Anton.

"Thank you!"

"It is a beautiful dress no doubt. Where'd you get the money though?" Frida asked. She didn't look pleased.

Abby felt her chest drop a little.

What do I say?

"Some of my savings mom" she said.
Frida shrugged and went upstairs.

"What's with mom today? Is she alright?" Anton asked.
"She's just tired. Do one more spin for me princess" said Oscar.

She did.

"The patterns are beautiful. You should wear this on Sunday" he said.

"Oh I most definitely will"

He joined his wife upstairs a few minutes later. She sat on bed, staring into space with a very concerned expression on her face.
"Is everything okay my love?"
"No...no it isn't" she said.

"What's the matter? Is it about Abby's dress? You don't like it?" he asked. He took his shirt off and sat beside her.

"Abby lied to us babe" she said.
"She did?"

"Yes, she did"

"Well, how are you sure?"

"I handle her savings. She makes me keep tabs on it so she doesn't spend it unnecessarily. Alberte has Kr4000 under lock and not a dime has been taken out. Wherever she got the money to buy that dress from, it's not from her savings"

************

"I'm so proud of you little one. You bring joy to the master's heart with how dedicated you are to your assignments"

Lilith giggled like a little child, enjoying the attention and praise from Asulf and other brethren to the max.

Marah watched from the far end of the temple with a sullen look on her face that she tried to hide.
Her daughter had bagged a Christian girl in a matter of weeks. She should have been proud, she should have joined the brethren to shower her with praises and help her prepare for the ceremony, yet she felt guilty.

She'd seen this Alberte girl, pretty little thing just around Lilith's age. She'd spotted her with her parents when she drove past their church a few Sundays ago. She saw her mother, a lovely looking lady.
This lovely looking lady was about to loose her daughter on account of their family.

She wasn't supposed to care. The master's need was more important.
Yet the more she thought about it, the more guilt she felt.

"Mara? Is there a reason for your sad expression?" asked Lærke, one of the brethren.

"Oh no, I'm just a little tired" she replied with a fake smile.
"Sorry, be sure to get some rest later. I envy you, you know. My son still doesn't have a sacrifice for the harvest and it's in four days. The master will surely smile on your family this year"