Being Magdalene Read Online Free Page A

brother.
    ‘That leaves Jewel and Mercy,’ he said. ‘How about one of them?’
    ‘Not Mercy. She’s Bernice’s best friend and they’re very similar. I like Jewel. She’s nice, but she’s very gentle, Abraham. She got upset whenever anybody else got in trouble. She didn’t cry when she got growled at though.’ I handed him a dripping saucepan. ‘She will probably be best.’
    He tapped the saucepan against my behind. ‘Good info, kid. You’re a star.’
    ‘Abraham — do you want to be married?’ I couldn’t imagine him being a husband and the father of many children.
    ‘Don’t want to live for ever with the parents.’ He clattered the pot into the cupboard. ‘I’ll choose Jewel. She sounds like she’s got a bit of spirit.’
    I grabbed his arm. ‘Abraham, what can we do about Zillah? She cried when Father prayed for her today.’
    He sent another saucepan after the first. ‘Luke and me — we talk about it all the time. Can’t see any way forward yet. Try not to stress, sis. You’re a good kid.’ He bent and whispered in my ear. ‘Old Stephen might turn up his toes, with a bit of luck. That could change everything.’
    I gave a choke of laughter. ‘I told Zillah we’d all pray for that next time Father prayed for her.’
    ‘Awesome.’With a farewell flick of the tea towel, he headed for the door.
    ‘Abraham, wait a second. Neriah was really upset today and they didn’t catch the bus either. Their father took them in the van. Have you heard anything?’
    ‘Not a whisper. I’ll tell you if I do.’

    At prayers that evening, I asked Father, ‘Please will you pray for Neriah and her family? Something is weighing on her heart.’
    ‘Do you know what is troubling her?’
    ‘No, Father. She could not talk about it.’
    ‘I will add your friend and her family to my prayers.’
    Zillah sighed and I felt a flash of guilt for making the prayer time longer. We four children bowed our heads but kept our eyes open. Once, Abraham had caught a mouse, waiting till evening prayers to release it.
    Father was still praying for the salvation of the world when we heard Elder Stephen call, ‘Praise the Lord,’ as he opened the front door.
    We stayed on our knees, gaping at him. As far as I knew, he’d never been in our house before. Mother was the first to recover. She began clambering to her feet. Luke sprang up to help her. Father was the last to rise.
    Elder Stephen said, ‘I apologise, Brother Caleb, for interrupting your time of worship.’
    Mother got all fluttery and busy. ‘Please sit down, Elder Stephen. You do us a great honour. May I make you a cup of tea?’
    He took the chair she pulled out for him and ignored the bit about tea. ‘Brother Caleb, I come on a most serious matter.’
    ‘I will assist in any way I can,’ Father said.
    Mother said, ‘Yes, of course. Children, go to your rooms.’
    Our leader held up a hand. ‘One moment. Brother Caleb, the matter bringing me to your house concerns your daughter Magdalene.’
    Mother clapped her hands to her face. ‘What has she done?’ She whipped round to glare at me. ‘Wicked child! How can you shame us so?’
    ‘I have not done wrong! I have not transgressed. Ihave not.’ I spoke to Father — he might believe me, I prayed he would. Zillah pressed herself against me. Luke took my hand. Abraham stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders.
    Father said, ‘With respect, Elder Stephen, how does the serious matter you speak of concern my daughter?’
    Our leader gave a deep and melancholy sigh. I didn’t believe in the truth of his sorrow, even though I was terrified about what might be coming. ‘Magdalene Pilgrim, Sister Leah says you talked privately with Neriah virtue today.’
    I gulped in a breath. ‘Please, is she all right? She was very distressed.’
    He gazed at me for long, silent moments. Mother plonked on to a chair. ‘Have you brought shame upon us, you wicked girl?’
    Father placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Wife, we