Chapter 4

            Three days later . . .

            The Van Dyke sisters went out for a sisters’ day. It was something they did from time to time since before Constance had married Steven McNally. This time they had gone to the spa. They all laid in a room getting massages and then full body mud wraps. They didn’t talk much during that time. It wasn’t until after they had their group pedicure they started chatting. The attendants just left them in the room to let their toenails dry.

            “Chastity, when is your last day at Carlyle?” Catherine asked.

            “Next Friday,” Chastity answered.

            They were all sitting around in thick terry cloth robes. Catherine, Chelsea, and Constance sat across from her. Caitlin was next to her. Their blonde hair was wrapped in white towels.

            “When are you taking your final vows?” Caitlin asked.

            “January fifth. I would love it if all of you were there for the ceremony,” Chastity said, hoping they would agree.

            “Of course, we’ll be there,” Chelsea chirped happily. “It’s not every day when your sister becomes a nun. But I’ve been dying to ask you something.”

            “Yes?” Chastity said.

            “Are you sure? I mean if this is what you really want then, of course, I’ll support you. But . . . I guess I have to be sure that you’re sure,” Chelsea said with concern.

            Before Chastity could answer, Constance spoke up. “I share Chelsea’s concern. Darling, you’re only twenty-three. Maybe you should take more time before taking your final vows. Once it’s done, it’s done.”

            “Why do you think I’m not sure? I’ve thought about this for two and a half years.”

            “We know you don’t make decisions of importance lightly. You analyze things from left to right, front to back,” Catherine said. “But this is different. This is a choice that will affect the rest of your life – and our lives, too.”

            “Yes. The church can send you wherever on a whim,” Caitlin said. “You can miss our kids growing up all because you are off to some far away land the church has sent you to.”

            “I have considered that. But being a servant of the Lord requires sacrifices sometimes,” Chastity explained.

            “Yes, that’s true,” Caitlin eased out.

            “Yes, sacrifices like poverty, obedience, and . . . celibacy,” Chelsea stated delicately. “You are dedicating your life to being poor and horny for the rest of your days.”

            “No, I’m not. Whatever I need God will provide and as far as sex is concerned I can live without it.”

            “Really?” Caitlin said like she didn’t believe her.

            “Of course. What is sex, really? A God created procedure to have children. Personally, I find it rather of a nuisance,” Chastity said.

            “What?” Chelsea stretched out in a high-pitched tone. It’s like she couldn’t believe Chastity said what she said.

            “You get all sweaty and sticky,” Chastity said with a deep frown. “Your hair gets messed up and tangled. And for what? For a few minutes of feeling good. It’s not worth it.”

            A woman who was sitting on the other side of Chastity took the cucumbers off her eyes and looked at her – along with all of her sisters.

            They all stared at her like she had gone insane.

            “I knew it,” Chelsea said with a eureka tone. “You haven’t found the right man.”

            “No,” Chastity denied nonchalantly.

            “Yes. You just broke up with Ernest. It’s obvious he didn’t . . . satisfy your needs,” Chelsea said delicately.

            “Perhaps you should postpone taking your vows for another year or so – to give yourself time to . . . find a nice companion. If you don’t, no big deal. The convent will still be there in a year,” Constance advised.

            “This has nothing to do with finding the right man. This has to do with me. I want and need to be a part of the church. I want a life that has . . . a vision and a purpose that helps others.”

            “That’s very noble, dear,” the stranger on the other side of Chastity said. She was still holding the cucumbers in her hands. “But I agree with them. Take another year to think about it.”

            Caitlin turned her nose up at the woman.

            Chastity stared at the old lady. “You don’t even know us.”

            “Nevertheless, your sisters are right,” the woman placed the cucumbers back over her eyes and leaned her head back.

                                                                                   ****

            It was late evening. Chastity was in the library at the Van Dyke Estate. Dinner had ended thirty minutes ago. And for like it’s been for almost two weeks, her mother wasn’t at the table.

            Chastity was working on a bible study lesson that was required by the convent. She had to complete the twelve required lessons before taking her final vows.

            Someone cleared their throat.

            Chastity looked up to see her mother closing the door. She wore navy slacks and an ivory blouse with large lapels. “I don’t mean to disturb you but . . . I thought it was time we talk.”

            Chastity lowered her pencil and stood. “I welcome that.” She rounded the desk.

            “Good,” her mother replied softly.

            They met in the middle of the room. Then they moved to the Victorian style sofa and sat down a few inches apart from the other.

            “The girls told me about how nice your sisters’ day was today.”

            “It was.”

            “They also told me that you seemed certain about your decision.”

            “I am.”

            Her mother slowly nodded. Sadness shadowed her face. “I see. Chastity, I can’t make any guarantees, but I will try to accept this.”

            “It does pain me that you are taking this harder than I hypothesized. Is there anything I can do to make this . . . easier on you?”

            Her mother tilted her head a little. “It might help if you tell me more about the convent you wish to join. From what I understand, some convents barely let their nuns leave the grounds unless they are sent on a mission trip.”

            “Some communities are like that. Saint Barbara’s is not. I’ll be able to come and go freely unless I am sent on a mission. We don’t dress in formal habits unless it’s a formal occasion. Most holy orders do that now. Any other time you can where a veil if you wish with plain clothes but, of course, nothing flashy or too revealing.”

            Her mother nodded.

            “Nowadays nuns live like regular middle-class people. The only difference is that we are people who try to live by the ordinance of the Catholic Church.” Chastity continued to tell her mother about St. Barbara’s Convent and the friends she has made there. She had even told her mother how they all take turns cooking and cleaning.

            Her mother let out a breath filled with surprise and awe. “I have to say I can’t see you cooking and cleaning.”

            Chastity smiled a little. “It was a bit strange to me at first but now I don’t mind it. And I think I like cooking. I can only do very simple dishes, but the ladies claim my cooking is good.”

            Her mother nodded. “I see. Catherine told me you take your final vows on January fifth.”

            “Yes. I would love it if you can come.”

            Her mother looked at her for what seemed like five minutes. “All right, darling. I’ll come.”

            Chastity couldn’t help the big smile that spread on her face. “I’m so glad.”

            “I apologize for how I’ve been behaving. I was so . . . taken aback by your . . . announcement. It was the last thing I thought you . . . or any of my children would say.”

            “I know. And no apology is necessary.”

            Her mother placed her hand on her back. “I love you, Chastity. I just want you to be happy.”

            “I am happy. You’ll see in time that I’ve done what is best for me and my life. And once you meet Mother Superior and the others, you’ll know I’ll be in good hands.”

            Her mother gave her a faint smile.

                                                                                   ****

            “So, you have finally accepted Chastity becoming a nun – and being Catholic in the first place,” Carlton said as he sat down in a chair in the den.

            “Partially,” Victoria answered. “It’s June. She doesn’t take her final vows until January. A lot can happen between now and then.”

            “Uh huh,” Carlton commented with suspicion. “Such as?”

            “She could meet a man who is crazy about her. She could get bored and want her job back at Carlyle Enterprises. Anything.”

            “Dare I ask if you are plotting something?”

            “You can ask. I just got off the phone with Chelsea. She seems to think Chastity feels out of place in the family now because she’s the only one not married. She believes Chastity wants to feel like she fits in somewhere. Ergo, a convent where other single, smart women are.”

            “Oh, no. Don’t tell me you and Chelsea are going to try to set her up with men,” Carlton nearly groaned.

            “Not necessarily. Chastity will smell a set up in a minute. We’re just going to make sure she attends functions that have . . . eligible men at them. That’s all.”

            Carlton exhaled with annoyance. “Just don’t pressure Chastity to stop this whole thing. I fear if you do, she’ll leave us sooner rather than later.”

            “I know what I’m doing, Carlton. Don’t worry,” Victoria said with confidence.