The Hathaway

Expulsion

The worship service was short and consisted mostly of silence and a few songs. No one felt like dancing and we were all too wrapped up in our own thoughts about our decision. After about a half an hour the Eldress started the song that usually signaled the end of the service, then after a moment of silence we got up one by one and found some private spot to be alone with our thoughts. I wanted to be outside with the stars. I thought about taking a walk to the water’s edge, so I could consider the vastness of the ocean, but the sky offered the same perspective without the need for a lantern or a trek. There was something calming and soothing about facing the infinite and eternal heavens.

When I finally returned to the meeting house, most of the brothers had already retired. The large communal retiring room was quite dark and the only sounds were the rustling of linens as brothers jostled to get comfortable and the occasional sigh as the men of the community relaxed and settled in. As was common practice within families, we slept three to a bed, for warmth, economy, and comfort. Tonight comfort was going to be paramount, I expected, and as I settled in with my regular sleeping partners, I found them already offering each other a comforting embrace. It wasn’t long before I was offered similar comfort and I gladly accepted it, returning the favor as best I could.

The room remained quiet as the last of the brothers came to bed, but not silent. I could hear that everyone was sharing the comfort of their bodies, even though everyone was doing their best to be quiet so anyone who wanted to might sleep. Elder Jackson’s arrival had disrupted the sharing of this mutual affection, and everyone seemed anxious to resume. It reassured me that we had made the right decision, and I allowed myself to sink into the love of my brothers before fading into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Elder Jackson did not show up for breakfast, so after everyone had eaten and was starting their daily chores, the Eldress and I made our way to the neighboring homestead to seek him out. We found him sitting outside the almost completed shelter, watching the youngest of the children, while her mother and siblings gathered supplies from the rich forest surrounding their home. “Greetings, Brother,” I offered as we approached.

“Elder,” he corrected, with a thinly veiled look of contempt.

Ignoring him, the Eldress continued, “When you did not arrive for the morning meal we worried that some ill may have befallen you. But you look healthy. Have you eaten?”

“I have,” he smiled, “And my hosts have been most gracious. I am providing child care to give them respite.”

“Most commendable,” she offered. “We bring you tidings from the Believers. Last night we conferred as to your standing within the community and reached a unanimous decision that we would be happy to offer you another week’s accommodation, but at the end of that time we would request that you find other arrangements.” She was direct and to the point, and he took her news without any indication of surprise.

“We would also be happy to help you find a new situation or to provide transportation if you decide to move on,” I added, wanting to help keep the peace.

“That’s very generous of you all, but I am in no need of charity.” He patted the little one on the head and smiled. “I anticipated your decision. You must remember that I have much more experience running a community than you do.” He looked at us condescendingly and continued, “I also expected no less from troublemakers and heretics like you. You did not respect the God-given authority of your leaders back in the main colony, and out here in the wilderness, you have had the arrogance to claim authority for yourselves without license or authorization from anyone.”

“Our charter is from God,” the Eldress stated, unfazed by his attack. “Who are you to question the will of God?”

“The will of God?” he laughed. “What did you, have a vision like Mother? The will of God.” He mocked her then turned to me. “And you. You’re no leader. You were not even man enough to tell me yourself, you had a woman do it for you. You don’t deserve...”

“Personal attacks are uncalled for,” the Eldress interrupted. “Do you wish to return with us to the meeting house or would you rather stay here?”

“I will return in time for the mid-day meal, and labor with the brothers for the afternoon, but I will return here to sleep. I do not wish to stay where I am not wanted. But I must be allowed to defend myself to any true believers who might remain.”

“You may say what you will. We will not stop you,” she replied stoically. “Come, Brother, let us depart.” We walked in silence for a few moments, until she spoke to me in encouragement. “I hope you did not take his words to heart, Brother. I have no doubt as to you fitness for the leadership role you fill within our family. Mother taught that a true leader never seeks authority, but offers guidance and support to those in his care, and only accepts high office when there is no one else fit for the position.” She stopped and looked at me with compassion. “And Mr. Jackson had proven himself an unfit leader before he even arrived here.” I noticed she did not use his title, and, knowing how formal and proper she was, realized that it was a deliberate sign of disrespect. “He was trying to make you doubt yourself and manipulate you into stepping down so he could fill the void that would create. Do not give him that opportunity.”

I had to admit, he had caused me some self-doubt, but I was also aware of how he had undermined others in the past through constant attacks and conflict. “I will remain vigilant,” I promised, “But I will need the support of my brothers in this. He is cunning and subtle.”

“I would advise that you call an extraordinary meeting of the brothers this morning, before he arrives,” she offered. “Be honest with them about this threat. Voice your concerns. Ask for their assistance. They respect and trust you. They will not let you down.”

The sound of my phone woke me. I was briefly disoriented, reaching for my bedside table, only to find the legs of a patio chair and rough decking. I managed to find my phone and answer it before it went to voicemail. Andi was doing her best to remain calm, but I could hear the agitation in her voice. “Joey? Are you there? Joey, wake up!”

“I’m awake, I’m awake. What’s going on?”

Ben stirred and rolled himself half on top of me, grunting, “What is it?”

“Have you been experiencing that disconnected sexual stuff tonight?” she asked.

“I haven’t, and I don’t think Ben has,” I answered.

“Good, I think the two of you might want to come down here and see this. Meet me in the rec room as soon as you can.” She hung up abruptly and I shook Ben.

“We need to get up,” I said, crawling out from under him.

“Why? What time is it, anyways?”

I looked at the phone, it was about three thirty and I said so. “Come on, put something on, we can’t go down there naked.”

“Why not?” he muttered as he grabbed at my bare legs. “Andi’s seen you naked before. You told me.”

“But has she seen you?” I asked playfully.

“No,” he sighed, then added in an equally playful tone, “But there’s always a first time.”

By now I was pulling on my pants without bothering to put on underwear. “You’re turning into quite the little exhibitionist, aren’t you?”

“Am I?” he chuckled.

“Yeah, you flashed Helmut tonight, and now you want to flash Andi?”

“Well, Helmut had already tasted my dick, so I didn’t see a problem with showing it to him,” he grinned. “And I was just joking about Andi. You know that.”

“Maybe you were, and maybe you weren’t,” I teased.

“Oh, fuck you. Give me my pants.”

When we met Andi in the rec room she was agitated, but not worried. “What’s happened?’ I asked, worried that she had encountered something dark or uncontrollable.

“Don’t get your knickers in a twist…” she began to assure me.

But Ben interjected, “What knickers?” with a smirk.

She stopped, looking at my crotch, and chuckled, “Really? Well I suppose I should be happy that you at least put on pants.”

I slapped Ben on the arm and chided, “Shut up!”

“Anyways,” Andi continued, Everything seems fine with Kevin. I heard the building start to feed on him and poked my head in to check. Sure enough, he was going at it hammer and tongs. I closed the door and used the singing bowl in the hallway and the humming stopped. When I peeked in again, he was sleeping soundly and no monkeys were being spanked.”

“I haven’t heard that one in years!” Ben reminisced. “How about choking the chicken or flogging the log?’

“You’re full of it tonight,” Andi observed with amusement.

“Not yet,” he grinned, “But once we get upstairs…” He actually reached over and grabbed my cock as he said this.

I pushed him away and looked at him with a bit more attention. “What’s gotten into you?” From outside I could hear a faint noise that sounded like singing. But it wasn’t the congregation. Instead, it was a single voice. I looked at Andi and she smiled.

“That’s why I called you,” Andi confirmed. “It’s Helmut.” As she said this, Ben began to join the song, flawlessly matching Helmut’s pitch and rhythm. Without even looking at us, he walked deliberately to the kitchen and headed for the back door.

Andi looked at me in surprise, and said, “I think we should follow, don’t you?”