Preparing for Adam

After a few weeks, Cynthia’s welts have healed, and today is my wedding day. It has been clear for a long time that I would marry the A-boy of another family. They live about twenty minutes away from us by car. On the ranch, Adam and his father have already built a house for us—small at first, only four rooms: a living area, kitchen, bedroom, and a nursery, plus a bathroom and a cellar for various things. But behind it, the foundation for a long addition has already been laid; every house here has one, the so-called "Quiver."

The wedding dress here is very traditionally defined. It is a simple white linen dress, reaching roughly to the middle of the thigh, paired with light blue stay-ups and white pumps. On my hair, I wear a wreath of flowers. Otherwise, I must be naked under the dress. Naturally, with Cynthia’s help, I have removed all my body hair except for my head and eyebrows.

My parents are satisfied. Cynthia and my other sisters also wear white, but in a different style.

And so we drive to the church in town. The Reverend is already expecting us, and Adam is standing nervously in front of the door. Somehow, the suit doesn't quite seem to fit him. My family greets the Reverend and takes their seats in the church, while I remain outside for a brief moment with the Reverend and Adam.

"Let’s begin then." Adam takes me by the hand, and we process into the church behind the Reverend.