An Instrument in His Hands

Part 2 Chapter 2

Part 2  

Chapter 2

‘No sister of mine is going to sell corn cakes in a market as long as I am alive,’ Andrew stated.

I retorted, ‘Where were you back when I was scrounging the market dumps for food to give to our parents to keep them alive? Where were you when my dowry was used up and I had no hope of marriage?’

‘That’s all the more reason for me to take care of you now.’

I spread my hands around, gesturing to my humble neighborhood. ‘I’m happy here. I have all I need. Chariott is an excellent landlady and I am close to my work and to those whom I serve. Why should I move? It would be a great inconvenience.’

‘You can’t stay here. It’s an indictment every time I look at you – at your clothes, your worn skin, your thinness. Do you even have enough to eat?’

I gave most of my food to those poorer than I.

‘How can I live with that?’ he protested.

‘I have no plans to travel around the world with you. I am perfectly satisfied with my life here. I’m not changing it unless I am commanded by God.’

‘God? Who is God?’ he declared.

I was shocked by Andrew’s words. He had not repented. Perhaps that was where my mission now lay. Perhaps he had been sent here to Antionum to learn from me about Christ.

After an hour of fruitless argument, and my reminding him that I was a free agent and an adult, and, a year his senior, he gave up and went to find his own accommodations for the night.

At least he was not sleeping drunken in the streets, or worse.

The next morning he came to my booth as I was cooking my second batch of cakes. ‘Put this all away!’ he commanded.

‘And if I do, what will you eat? Do you have a job, Andrew?’

He ate three of my cakes and went off to find work.

Mother would have been pleased. Andrew went straight to the Governor of the Land of Antionum and presented his credentials. They were impressive. He was the son of the Treasurer of the kingdom of Zarahemla and a graduate of the Zarahemla Temple School. He was hired on the spot to oversee the bookkeeping of the city.

‘I think I like this place,’ he said when he returned, triumphant. ‘They don’t care if I drink, or carouse with women. They just want me to get the job done right. Not like the stuck up people in Zarahemla.’

I ignored his comment about the church. ‘It’s a new society, and there is much opportunity here. The soil is excellent for farming in the vast valley,’ I explained. ‘The population is growing quickly and the people are very ambitious to prosper. There are many grand plans in the making.’

‘I know. I’m actually excited to be a part of it.’

I smiled at him, so different from the boy he once was. ‘I’m glad you will be, Andrew. It’s so nice to see you settle down and really take hold of something.’

He preened himself at my compliment. We hadn’t had many compliments at home.

‘So, now you can pack up your stall and come with me.’

I laughed. ‘What would my customers eat for lunch? Wait until you get paid before we discuss this.’

When he got his first pay, he dragged me to the stall that sold fine clothing. ‘I still have a dress with golden threads packed away in my trunk. I do not need fine clothing to do the work that I now do.’

He bought me five robes anyway.

I gave three away to my poor neighbors. What would I do with so many?

His next pay Andrew put into a treasury for me. ‘I’m saving up your dowry so you can get married.’

I laughed at the idea. ‘Who would marry me?’

‘Abigail, you are still of an age to marry.’

‘I’m going on nineteen years old!’ I protested.

‘Then it is time you married.’

‘And will you like the man who would marry the corn cake lady?’ I laughed. Then I thought of Aaron. Would he want to marry a corn cake lady when he returned from the land of the Lamanites? Not likely. As often and as long as I prayed for his safety among the Lamanites, and as much as I confessed to still loving him, it was not likely.

Andrew grumbled and left me.

Three days later he came back saying he had gotten me an interview with the head of a new school for girls that would be willing to hire me as a teacher.

A teacher? Like Miss Deborah? Ugh! Had I sunk to that? Forcing little girls float to like feathers and stand straight as a flame? I would rather teach them to climb trees!

‘I don’t think I’d like that,’ I said. ‘I’d rather do something useful.’

‘Well, you can decide to teach them something useful. This isn’t Zarahemla, you know.’

He was right. Perhaps I could instill good values and common sense into a generation of young women! Could I possibly fulfill the words of the angel when he said I would be mother to hundreds?

Of course I secured the position as teacher. My credentials were every bit as good as Andrew’s. We did not tell them that I sold corn cakes in the market and they took me immediately. Andrew was a proud as a new mother hen!

He rented a home and insisted that I move in to keep house for him and act as his official hostess. I had many misgivings about this arrangement, and reluctantly consented. How would I continue my missionary work for the poor?

Our home was made of rock and stucco and had a small sleeping room for each of us. The kitchen was equipped with a stove and there was an outdoor cook fire in the rear. The front held a room that served as both a receiving and dining room. After living with Chariott, it seemed like a palace!

‘May I feel free to invite my friends here?’ I asked Andrew.

‘Of course you may. And I will invite the friends I make also.’

‘Lady friends?’

He swallowed. ‘Well, only if I consider them good company for my sister.’

‘Thank you,’ I said firmly. I wondered if all my acquaintances would be good company for my brother. In this culture one could not always be particular about who one gave charity to. There were no active members of the Church of Christ. Most people moved here to get away from the church. I would have to be careful.

‘Good!’ said Andrew. ‘Our first guest will arrive the night before the Sabbath. Can you be prepared by then? I want to impress him.’

I thought quickly about my repertoire of cooking skills. It would have to be a simple meal of corn cakes and beans.

I asked Chariott to come and bring me her famous dessert of bananas and honey. Together we worked to prepare a lovely table with flowers in the center. Chariott offered to wait upon us. I so wanted to make a good impression to help Andrew succeed. It was good to see him acting responsibly.

At last the man arrived. I bowed and went to greet him, as a trained hostess should. He took my arm, and instead of holding it, he too bowed and kissed my hand.

He was not a business associate at all, but a suitor!!!