Chapter 50

Wedding preparations…

“Mama, do I have to wear this long robe? I can barely walk!” Sarita tried to walk across the room in the garment traditionally worn by Refugio women for weddings.

“Even in Utopia, women wear skirts for special occasions.” Rita knew most Utopia women rarely wore anything except the one-piece coveralls reminiscent of the uniform worn by spaceship crews. It was a standard item of clothing since everyone was to dress alike.

“Sarita, perhaps these full riding pants might be more comfortable.” Bella had been helping sort the formal clothing for the wedding. It was brought out for each wedding ceremony. Cloth was reused as much as possible because it was so difficult to make. “This is what we wear at the hacienda when we get to ride the animals. They are like pants but look like a skirt” Sarita quickly changed from the formal gown to the softly draped full pants and a long-sleeved shirt.

“This is perfect and just the right color to match my family tabard. What do you think Mama? Sera Marta?” She spun around as if dancing. “We always had a dance on blessing days back in Utopia. Do you think we could do that, or is that just too many changes at once?”

“Most of our dancing is in groups for exercise,” Marta said with a chuckle. “I think it would be best to let that custom be a slow one to adopt. It will be more than enough that we will all be at the ceremony.”

“What was the meeting with the Poh about? That is another new thing.” Marta helped Sarita change back into her house robe and folded the riding pants with the rest of Sarita’s clothes for the ceremony.

“He wanted to explain to us how the ceremony would go. He called it a rehearsal,” Sarita said. She and Megal had met with the Poh the day before. He described the way weddings were held before the migration and even in older days. “Megal says he can tell Ser Garza had really enjoyed the research he had to do for this new liturgy. He and Ser Roblies wanted the students to understand the history of Humanos Verdaderos, so they emphasized it in classes.”

“It has been difficult adjusting to the psy powers for all of us. So many things had to change, but I am not sure they changed for the better.” Sarita added her embroidered tabard to the stack of clothing. “Megal and I have talked about it, how both groups struggled. I did not know about Refugio, and he did not know about Utopia. We are thinking that we need to communicate better between the settlements. What do you think, Sera Marta?”

“Yes, that is needed but we need to get this wedding over with first. The women have some special treatments for you that we always do with brides. You don’t really need the relaxing treatment, but it is nice. Come, let’s go to the baths. Tomorrow is going to be a hectic day.”

****

“I did not think I would be nervous, but I am.” Sarita took a deep breath and centered herself. “A blessing at home is in a group. We will be up in front of all the Council Houses, not just our families like at the betrothal.”

“You did fine then,” Rita said, “and you will be fine today.” She smiled a bit teary eyed as she adjusted the embroidered tabard and helped wrap Sarita’s hair in a braided band around her head. “It is good that your hair grows fast. We were able to braid it and put in the flowers.” They joined Mandy and walked to meet the rest of their party for the short ride to the cathedral. Josie Pesch Morales had asked to be included because she would represent both families.

“I really don’t care that my brother thinks this is not good for Pesch,” she said. “No one raised these objections when I was married off to Paulo. You look so lovely, Sarita. Everyone can see you, no long veil to hide the tears. No tears! Much better, much better.” Rita offered her arm to her older sister as they entered the small woman’s bus. Sarita and Mandy had resisted riding in the closed vehicle at first but realized it was protection from some of the Unspoken who were crowding the city.