Temple of the Sphere: Chapter 8

Sonya stopped on the last step that led into the kitchen and held the basket of the dirty dishes. In the sink was a huge pile of the dishes as Mama began to wash. Up above her were the cherry cabinets with the missing doors. The old steel stove was behind her, next to it was a box of firewood. In the middle of the room was an old wooden table, under one of the beaten up legs were a thick piece of paper to keep it from wobbling. The sunlight had turned the cherry red top into a light shade with different types of vegetables. Sonya walked on the clean tile and heard her boots clicking as she went to the counter and set the basket next to Mama.1

“They said that men came from the sky and built these little towns. Can you believe that? To me that's foolish talk.”2

“I don't know about men from the sky. How about I help you with the dishes?”3

Mama pulled back her long silver hair, out of her face. “Sure, you wash and I'll dry.”4

Sonya took the dishes to place them into the sink. She pushed the button to add the hot water and the pipes banged as hot water came from inside of the sink.5

“I think I can fix your hot water problem.”6

“You can? That would be great. I've been asking the men around here. They know nothing; they only know about weapons and what real women want.”7

“I see.”8

“Throne doesn't mind that you're down here with me?”9

“No. I told him that I was coming down here and he knows how to find me.”10

“What's up with you two anyway? Most girls fall for him, and you only let him get so close.”11

Sonya looked at her to hand her another dish to dry. “We have an understanding about where the boundary lines are.”12

“Playing hard to get will keep a man on his toes. Be careful, that might backfire on you, and there a lot of girls who like Throne.”13

“Why doesn't that surprise me?” 14

“You're going to be fun.”15

“Did you see that wagon go by?”16

Mama stood still as her smile disappeared from her face. She put the last plate in the cabinet. “You must stay away from them.” Mama turned, walked to the backdoor, and left.17

Gwen leaned against the wall next to the staircase with her arms folded across her chest. She wore a long tan dress and her blonde hair was pulled back from her face as Sonya turned around.18

“You're going to be trouble. Now listen, Throne is mine!” Gwen walked over to her.19

“Now look, Gwen. What is going on between you and Throne, that's your business.”20

“Good, as long as we are clear.” Gwen reached for a glass. “Never, ask Mama about the wagon.”21

Sonya let out a huge sigh as she drained out the water. “Thanks.” She walked out of the kitchen to sit on the step in the sunshine.22

“What's the deal between you and Throne?” Gwen asked.23

“Why do you sell yourself to him?” Sonya stared right at her.24

“At least, I'm not a slave!” Gwen snapped back at her.25

“When you sell yourself to someone, you're being a slave.”26

Gwen sat down next to her. “I like you. Girl, you got spunk, and I think that you would fight me too.”27

“Now, you want to be friends?”28

“Why not, you can use a friend, Mi' lady.”29

“True, please don't call me mi' lady. It is Sonya.”30

“Sonya, where is your home?”31

“I don't know or I can't remember.”32

“That's a dangerous place to be in for a young woman without a home or a family. A man can take you and make you a slave to anything. For a woman to be free, she has to have power or the money to guarantee her freedom.” Gwen took a sip of her water.33

“Is that why you're working here?”34

“Yes. I'm waiting for a wealthy man to come along and take me out of here.” Gwen leaned back to feel the sunlight to warm her olive skin.35

Sonya heard the tigers roaring as a man ran out of the barn. There was a hidden path between the bar and the barn. Sonya rose from the step and walked over to a tiny path and Gwen followed her.36

“Sonya, where are you going?”37

“For a little walk,” she said.38

“I'm coming with you.”39

“Be my guest.”40

Sonya and Gwen reached the main dirt road as the hot sun beat down on them. The brown cracking buildings line both sides of the road. Men and women walked under the filthy overhangs. Sonya turned to follow the path of the wagon.41

“Where are you going?”42

“I'm following something.”43

“The wagon, just leave it alone. There‘s nothing that you can do,” Gwen whispered.44

“That's what is wrong with this place!”45

“Keep your voice down. You're new in the town.”46

Sonya stopped. The children sat in an alley chained to the posts like animals; their cries filled her ears. One of the men passed out food and water to them. Some of the children quickly snatch it, while others were forced to take it. Sonya quickly scanned for the little girl. In the middle of the row was the child. She moved her head; a tall man stood in a doorway, who was watching the children.47

“Would you like to buy a child?”48

Sonya turned as a gray head man appeared next to her. “I'm looking. They seem to be a good crop.”49

“You're a lady of fine taste. They would make a fine servants or slaves for you.”50

Gwen looked at them both. “Your servant doesn't approve.”51

“She is my friend and travels with me. What is your price?”52

“Twelve rubies… for you, it is ten rubies.”53

“I need time to think.”54

“But of course, we'll be here until late morning.”55

“Tomorrow,” Sonya said as she bowed her head.56

“Tomorrow,” the man replied as he bowed his head.57

Sonya touched Gwen's arm as they walked away from the man.58

“Who are you?”59

“That's a long story.”60

“Do you know that were being watched?”61

“Yes, Gwen. I need to return to the bar before Throne knows that I'm gone.”62

Gwen grabbed Sonya's arm; pushed her into the alley. “Look! You're not going to ruin my meal ticket!” Gwen shoved her up against the wall.63

Sonya grabbed her wrist; then twisted Gwen's arm behind her back. “Now look friend. You wanted to come with me. If I didn't know any better that Throne sent you to keep on eye on me.”64

“You think you're so smart.”65

Sonya released her grip from Gwen's arm. “Now let's get back to the bar.”66

~
The last of the sunlight came in from the windows Sonya sat in the room over the bar as Gwen stood on a chair and wore Sonya's green dress. A line of steel pins held together the rip in her dress. She dug for the green thread in the tiny tan basket.67

“This is a sexy dress, Sonya.” Gwen looked down at the dress. “And it shows off your breasts too.”68

Sonya looked up, to give her a dirty look. “Is that all you think about is men?”69

“What else is there? Your problem is you need a good time in bed!”70

“When you play in bed you become a mommy. Has any one told you that?”71

“Can I have a glass of water, mommy?”72

“Ha, ha, ha,” Sonya said.73

Sonya let out a huge sigh and just looked at her. She grabbed a glass for her as she tapped her foot. Gwen yanked the glass and began to drink out of it.74

“You're welcome,” Sonya said as she dug for the thread.75

Throne's bedroom door opened as he stepped out into the room.76

“Hi there, do you like the dress?” Gwen asked as she danced.77

“Loved the style but green is not your color.” He walked over her to place his hand on her face.78

“Sonya, she is supposed to be resting.”79

“Oh Throne… I'm so sorry. Maybe you should…” Sonya put her hand on her forehead.80

“You're too funny, Sonya.” Gwen started to laugh.81

Sonya stood with the needle in her hand as she walked over to Gwen. She gathered the dress in her hand and began to fix the rip in her dress. A knock on the door filled the room. Throne walked over to answer it.82

“Mama, come in,” Throne said as Sonya tried to hear them.83

“Throne, could you come downstairs?”84

“Yes.” He turned his head. “I'm going down stairs. If Gwen is too tired you're taking her place.” He closed the door.85

“Only in your dreams,” she yelled back at him. “I'm all finished.” Sonya took out the pins. She lifted up the dress over Gwen's head. “Do you have anything that needs to be mended?”86

“No. But you owe me one.” Gwen walked to Throne's bedroom to lay down.87

Sonya placed the pins into the tiny box as a golden light filled the room. She froze and held her breath; then she turned around.88

“Sonya, you must go to the children tonight.”89

Radiance stood in the light, Sonya soaked up her beauty as her fears eased. 90

“To save the little girl?” Sonya asked.91

“Yes.”92

“What do I do?”93

“Go tonight, when the moon is high in the sky and you will know what to do.”94

“What about Throne?”95

“Just trust in the Creator and he sees and knows all.”96

Just like that, Radiance vanished from the room. Sonya pulled out her green cape to look for any tears and she began to repair them.