A lesson of obedience
~ 1911 Second Salem church ~
Hope was one of the older children, having turned 15 last week. It was breakfast. One of the rare times Credence and the others would get something to eat. They all savoured it. Hope was carrying a carafe of milk when she tripped. The milk went flying, spilling everywhere. The girl froze in terror, but immidietally went about cleaning the whole mess. Credence jumped up as well, even though he knew he wasn't allowed to help the others. He knelt down next to Hope, wiping at the milk with a henkerchief. Mary Lou got up looking down at the pair.
" You freaks ! Look at what you have done Hope! Foolish child. " then she proceeded to take a bag of rice from the pantry. The siblings exchanged confused looks together. What was ma planning to do to them? Why the rice ? Wasn't she going to whip them as she always did?
" Get out all of you. " she says calmly to the other children who obey without protest. Glad it isn't them this time. Credence and Hope get up to leave as well when ma stepps between them and the door. Blocking the only route of escape.
" You stay here " with that she spills the rice on the floor, aranging it into two small piles.
" Kneel on it and pray " is her comand. The children exchange glances but do as they are told.
"Lord, I am a sinner, unworthy of Your love and grace. Cleanse me of my wrongdoing and make me pure in Your sight. Forgive my disobedience, for I am weak and sinful. Teach me to walk the path of righteousness and cast out the darkness from my heart. Amen."
Ma makes them recite the prayer over and over again. Their knees go numb from the long hours spend kneeling in the uncooked rice.
" Only obedience will save you, follow the word of the Lord, only he will show you the way" Mary Lou tells them before finally allowing the children to get up. Their knees are bloodied and swollen from the punishment but neither cries. They both just retire to their rooms, hungry but grateful that they weren't hurt worse.