The Fate of a Woman

The chapel’s room was dimly lit. There were no windows and the door was locked. The gilded wall sconces all held candles. Half of the candles were unused and half had already been burnt, almost to the base. The light illuminated the brick walls and the white ball gown in the corner sparkled. This room was the only closed-off space in the building and was used for embalming. Someone had moved the equipment out of the room, but the stench was not so easily removed. The child sat on a wooden stool, staring at the white gown. The man stood next to the locked door.

“Why aren’t you dressed? It is time,” said the man.

“This room reeks,” the child stood and walked over to the gown.

“There are certainly worse fates for a woman.”

“I know,” she said.

“He comes from a good family. He has a stable place there.”

“I suppose.”

“That dress cost a fortune. You should be more grateful,” the man said.

“You could probably still sell it or trade it.”

The man scoffed. “He gave very specific instructions on what you should wear.”

“I am sure he won’t mind.”

“I don’t think a girl should be speaking on matters of a man’s mind,” the man replied.

“I apologize.”

“You cannot act like that when you

Dady Burns

are with him. I do not want him or his family thinking that is what I taught you.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Christ! You think someone could at least keep this place clean. Do not let your dress touch this floor,” the man said and kicked at the soiled floor.

“We could wait and do this at the church later.”

“No. The trading season starts tomorrow.”

“Well, then, after the trading season.”

“Do you really want to know the truth?” asked the man.

“I would.”

“After your tantrum in the town, people started trouble and tried to break your agreement.”

“Maybe they were doing the right thing.”

“Do not argue with me over this, child. I know what is best for you.”

The child sat back down. “Where is she?”

“I do not want to discuss your sister with you,” said the man.

“Is she not coming?”

“Why would you expect her to?”

“She is my sister.”

“Your sister is fulfilling a different path.”

“Where is mother?”

“She is in bed. She is unwell again.”

“Who will help me get dressed then?”

“That is a woman’s issue. I know not.”

The child stood again. “Father, please reconsider this.”

“The previous trading season was not kind. I have been left with no other choice. You will be an obedient child.”

The child sat back down. “Yes, Father.”

“You are not yet of age, so you have nothing to fear.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Regardless of what happens. Just remember that there is always a worse fate for a woman.”

“I suppose.”

“Just remember that this room is locked and every tool has been removed. Do not try anything.”

“Can you please bring my mother and sister to me? I just want to hear their voices.”

“That is simply not going to happen.”

The child stood and said, “Liar.”

“Child, you already know the truth.”

“Say it, then.”

“Like I said, there are certainly worse fates for women. You really should be more grateful for this opportunity I have given you.”

“I hope it is worth it. I hope that earning your place in Hell was worth it.”

“I have already gotten rid of two of my problems. You are the last. After this I will not struggle in the next trading season.”

“I will not go willingly.”

“Yes, you will.”

“Why would I? I have nothing important to lose.”

“The location of your mother and sister,” the man said.

“What?”

“If you go through with this and behave for a year, I will give you the location of your mother and sister.”

“What about after the year? What will become of me then?”

“You will not be locked in a room without tools then.”

“What if I come back and find you?”

“If I can be bested by a child, then I truly deserve any fate.”

“I probably will not be a child by then anymore.”

The man laughed. “Probably not, but maybe by then you will have realized your place in the world.”

“Maybe.”

“Well, I will make the choice even easier for you.”

“How?”

“You can willingly leave this room and go through with the agreement, or you can stay in this room.”

“Are those really to be my two choices?”

“I gave a similar choice to your sister. She picked it wrong.”

“What about mother?”

“She was not given a choice at all.”

“A year is all you will get. Then I will come back for you.”

“A wise choice.”

“How will I make sure that I get the location?”

“I will give him the location written in a letter and tell him to open it at your anniversary.”

“That will do, I suppose.”

“He will be arriving any minute now. You must not delay any further.”

“Please leave me,” the child said.

The man dismissively turned and left the room, making sure to lock the door behind himself. The child continued to stare at the white dress in the corner for a few moments. As if her mind was not yet made up. She quickly disrobed and slid into the expensive gown. It was probably the nicest thing she had ever touched. Without another person to help, it was difficult to tie up the back and the bodice, but she managed. She knew she would have to learn how to manage most aspects of her life by herself now. She knocked on the door when she was ready. It seemed that the man had been waiting outside the door as it was immediately opened.

“Glad to see that there is still some of your mother in you,” the man said.

“You forget that I also have plenty of you in me.”w

“I promise you, child. I do not.”

Author’s Note: This short story is modeled after Ernest Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants.”

Yolk

(Reference Study)

Anshul Rastogi