I grabbed the radish by the stem, tugging it out from the ground. This garden was one of the few things the soldiers let us have, but we still kept it at the back, the look the soldiers were giving us looked, um, not very nice, to say the least.
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“Momma!” I called, “You only need the radish, right?” She walked down the back steps, dress flowing gracefully behind her. “Loycelynne, I’ve already told you this already, carrots, radish, and parsley. It should not be that hard to remember.” “Oh, just forgot, that’s all.” “Just do me a favour and remember next time, the water’s already boiling.” She walked up the stairs and into the kitchen, and I followed after her.
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Momma took the vegetables from me, and proceeded to wash them. She told me she was making something special, but that something special had no name. That didn't matter though, whatever momma made always tasted good.
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We were going to share this at church, having prepared it for the other’s part of the congregation. Everybody loved mom’s cooking, and she was very respected.
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“Loycelynne, do you have your Book of Joy?” She asked, packaging the food. “Mhm, but Noah’s sleeping though, so-” “Wake him up, hun.” “Oh, but he just came back from the factory-” But then she gave me a look.
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The look.
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A look that could stop a madman in their tracks.
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“Okay Mom.” I said, and rushed over to Noah to escape her gaze. I rushed over to where Noah was napping, waking him up. He sat up with a start, something very unusual for him, before realising it was only me. “Loy…?” He said, yawning. “Hi Noah, it’s time for church.” I said, standing up from the side of his mattress. “Oh,” He said, “Okay.” He stood up and put on a white t-shirt and overalls, and followed us out, book of Joy in hand.
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Though everyone in this camp was in here for the same reason, that didn't mean everyone treated everyone right. Or nice, for that matter. “Oh, there goes the big-headed know-it-all and her cow looking brother.” They’d say, laughing at us, but as my mom ignored them, I tried my best to do the same.
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My brother’s vitiligo seemed to be more of a curse than ever. He got longer hours than everyone else, the soldiers took a dislike to him, and as anyone could tell, that was not a good thing.
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We arrived at the church, its seats nearly full. It was rather small to be honest, but we made do with what we had. We weren’t complaining, after all, we could still congregate.
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“Ah, there you are Denitah!” We turned, and it was the leader of our congregation. Momma turned to him, balancing the food carefully in one hand. “Hello Mr. Anderson, how are you doing?” He smiled heartily in return, speaking. “Lovely, thank you! You?” “Good, sir, good.” “That’s lovely to hear! The service has almost started, and I most definitely ought to get to the podium. Splendid chat Denitah!”
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We all entered the church, a few people waiting behind us. We sat down in some empty seats, Noah falling asleep almost immediately into my lap. I fiddled with his curls as the congregation began. Mr Anderson began, today without the music.
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“Thank you all for coming today. Terribly sorry about the lack of music, the Hodisae have forbidden us from proceeding with that… Anyway, please turn to Divinium chapter 16 verses 264-269…”
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The meal, the last we’d have with our church members, was delicious.
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I miss it.
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