“Oh, Agnes. Praise be—that would be so wonderful,” Becka said in a small voice. “For both of you,” she added.
“I’m truly grateful to you, Aunt Lydia,” I said. “I have prayed so long for such an outcome.”
“I said if you’re successful. It’s a big if,” said Aunt Lydia. “Success is not a foregone conclusion. Excuse me.” She looked around, then sat down heavily on the sofa. “I will trouble you for that glass of water now.” Becka went to get it.
“Are you all right, Aunt Lydia?” I asked.
“The minor infirmities of age,” she said. “I hope you will live long enough to experience them. One more thing. Aunt Vidala is in the habit of taking an early-morning walk in the vicinity of my statue. If she sees you—dressed as Pearl Girls, as you will be—she will attempt to stop you. You must act quickly, before she can create a disturbance.”
“But what should we do?” I asked.
“You are strong,” said Aunt Lydia, looking at Nicole. “Strength is a gift. Gifts should be employed.”
“You mean I should hit her?” said Nicole.
“That is a very direct way of putting it,” said Aunt Lydia.
* * *
—
After Aunt Lydia had gone, we opened the black cloth bag. There were the two dresses, the two sets of pearls, the two white hats, the two silver backpacks. There was a packet of brochures and an envelope with some Gilead food tokens, a bundle of Canadian paper money, and two credit cards. There were two passes to get us through the gates and checkpoints. There were also two bus tickets.
“Guess I’ll write that note and go to bed,” said Nicole. “See you in the a.m.” She was acting brave and unconcerned, but I could see she was nervous.
Once she was out of the room, Becka said, “I really wish I was going with you.”
“I really wish you were coming too,” I said. “But you’ll be helping us. You’ll be protecting us. And I’ll find a way to get you out later, I promise.”
“I don’t think there is a way,” said Becka. “But I pray you are right.”
“Aunt Lydia said forty-eight hours. That means only two days. If you can hide that long…”
“I know where,” said Becka. “On the roof. In the water cistern.”
“No, Becka! That’s too dangerous!”
“Oh, I’ll let all the water out first,” she said. “I’ll run it through the Doorway C bathtub.”
“They’ll notice, Becka,” I said. “In the A and B Doorways. If there isn’t any water. They share our cistern.”
“They won’t notice at first. We’re not supposed to take baths or showers that early in the day.”
“Don’t do it,” I said. “Why don’t I just not go?”
“You don’t have a choice. If you stay here, what will happen to Nicole? And Aunt Lydia wouldn’t want them interrogating you, and making you tell about what she’s planned. Or else Aunt Vidala would want to question you, and that would be the end.”
“Are you saying she’d kill me?”
“Eventually. Or someone would,” said Becka. “It’s what they do.”
“There must be a way we can take you,” I said. “We can hide you in the car, or…”
“Pearl Girls only ever travel in twos,” she said. “We wouldn’t get far. I’ll be with you in spirit.”
“Thank you, Becka,” I said. “You are a sister to me.”
“I’ll think of you as birds, flying away,” she said. “A bird of the air will carry the voice.”
“I will pray for you,” I said. It did not seem adequate.
“And I for you.” She smiled slightly. “I’ve never loved anyone but you.”
“I love you too,” I said. Then we hugged each other and cried a little.
“Get some sleep,” Becka said. “You will need your strength for tomorrow.”
“You too,” I said.
“I will stay up,” she said. “I’ll do a vigil for you.” She went into her room, closing the door softly.
61
The next morning, Nicole and I slipped quietly out of Doorway C. The clouds in the east were pink and gold, the birds were chirping, the early-morning air was still fresh. There was no one else about. We walked quickly and quietly along the pathway in front of Ardua Hall, towards the statue of Aunt Lydia. Just as we got to it, Aunt Vidala came around the corner of the adjacent building, walking resolutely.
“Aunt Victoria!” she said. “Why are you wearing that dress? The next Thanks Giving isn’t until Sunday!” She peered at Nicole. “And who is that with you? That’s the new girl! Jade! She isn’t supposed to—” She