Three Converts

Part 14

Like every structure in the commune, the council hall was simple, but larger than the average home. It was just one room. Sister Florence met us at the door, not a hint or suggestion on her face. Father spoke loudly, "We'll wait for you to clear things up, Lucy, then we'll walk you home." I knew the interpretation was for Sister Florence's benefit. It was his way of saying, "This is a misunderstanding and I'm going to be right here if she needs me." His care choked me up, but I was fearful tears would make me look guilty. I gave my family the brightest smile I could muster and followed the councilwoman inside.

Sister Florence took her seat beside the other six councilors. There was one basic, wooden chair in front of their intimidating line-up. Brother Augustus motioned to it. "Have a seat, Lucy." I did as I was told.

"I assume you know why you're here."

What was the right thing to say? I was stumped right off the bat. My mom's words rang in my ears. They don't need to know everything. It turned out, I didn't have a chance to answer anyway. Sister Margot, the oldest of the women on the council pounced. "You were seen galivanting with a boy in town today. At the lake, in the water with him." She emphasized "in the water" as though saying "in the nude." I shook my head at her inference.

"Is that not true?" Brother Augustus asked.

"No! Well, not in the way you seem to think."

"My son saw you with his very eyes," Brother Harold spat. Franklin. "He said he happened upon quite an intimate moment."

I didn't know how to answer that. It was intimate, but not inappropriate. Except I knew that wasn't true either. I could still feel Griffin's callouses scratch my palm. In their eyes, my behavior with Griffin was very inappropriate. Without a satisfactory answer, I chose not to say anything.

"You know fraternizing with the townspeople, beyond the genuine attempt to convert them to our holy Diety is prohibited, Lucy." Brother Augustus pointed out.

"And acts of intimacy are absolutely forbidden!" Brother Harold was sweating anger from every pore.

Sister Augustus nodded, "If this goes unpunished, all the young people of our commune will think this is acceptable. If it becomes commonplace it will break down our entire society."

"Not to mention!" yelled Franklin's father, "It is positively despicable in the eyes of our Diety to be consorting with non-believers! You are a disgrace. A disgrace!" His eyes bulged further with every word.

Sister Margot raised a calm hand. "Thank you, Council. Lucy, one moment please." I watched as they whispered back and forth. They weren't exactly quiet, but strain as I might, I couldn't make out their words as they spoke over each other constantly. Brother Harold was most animated, waving his arms and pointing repeatedly at me. This seemed completely surreal. I looked at my hands, unable to believe they were attached to my body. I turned it over to inspect my palm. The very hand Griffin held. I'd reveled in his touch. There was no denying it.

"Lucy." I looked up at six stern faces, and one irate face. Brother Augustus continued, "Lucy, it is our privilege to serve Diety, to correct our commune members so they might grow in their faith of Diety. To keep members, especially our young members, from commiting sins that would distance them from better knowing and serving Diety. To this end, we are sentencing you to one night and one day in the pillory, effective immediately."

My brain wobbled. I felt my chest shrink into the back of the rickety chair. The pillory. I didn't realize they still used the pillory. Once, when I was about seven, a man had been put in it. My parents made sure Sophie and I didn't witness it. I might not have even known about it except for the upset the sentencing caused in our community. My parents themselves debated about whether it was a just means of punishment. I assumed the council got rid of the structure after that because of the division it caused. And now... I began begging.

"Please, please. My family." They'll be so embarrassed. "Please, please. You don't understand." I really was trying to convert Griffin. None of my sentences would finish. I was babbling nonsensically. Words and tears were foaming up and dribbling out. They couldn't do this. They wouldn't do this.

They did.