Left Handed Lovers

Left Handed Lovers



     "Mr. Kayden, for the crime of Apostasy, for which you have been proven guilty. This court in accordance with the the laws and policies set forth by the Church sentences you to a lifetime of servitude and repentance in the service of the church and the greater good of the land. You are ordered to commence with this sentence immediately."

     The Gavel made a resound clopping sound as it hammered down on the wooden pate.Samuel looked down at his feet, knowing from that moment his hopes and dreams for himself and his family were gone.



Earlier that day-

     Samuel stood near the middle of the his home, it was one room. There was a curtain that split the sleeping area from the rest of the room, a wash basin in the corner filled with dirty water, and a fire pit in the middle the  room. Samuel stood near the fire pit, staring into the flames of the small fire that grasped at the measly pieces of scrap wood at the bottom of the pit while his wife, Andy, patiently sewed the hem of his tunics sleeve. The tunic was decades old, threadbare, and worn, but it was the best he had. When she finished she gave him a kiss and walked with him to the doorway of the home.

     He look into her eyes "I will find work today" He said. "And if I don't I will beg until I have enough to bring home dinner"

     She looked at him and nodded, it had been several days since they had eaten; and while he had brought home food since then it wasn't much, every scrap had been given to their two children Thomas and Cadence.

     He tucked is finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. "Don't worry... today Palor guides me." He said this as he held a small wooden disk that was fastened around his neck with a scrap piece of burlap.

     Andy's eyes darted up as she hastily took the disk out of his hand and tucked it inside his tunic. "Do you have to wear it?" she asked. He had only converted the previous day, baptized in a back alley from a mug of brown water. They both knew the punishment if he was caught practicing an unsanctioned religion.

     "Yes, today our lives change" He whispered to her. She could see the desperation in his eyes, and she could not bring herself to crush small amount of hope he had left. She kissed him good bye and watched him leave down the dilapidated street outside their home. Hoping against hope that he would come home to her.