The Bishop's Wife by Mette Ivie Harrison Page B

they chattered about school and Samuel’s upcoming dance, I could not help but think about Carrie and what my obligation to her was. I had felt that immediate protectiveness toward Kelly, in part because she was so young, but did we simply give up on Carrie? Did we turn our backs on those who left the church, even if they remained in need?
    Kurt liked coloring inside the lines. It had worked well for him his whole life. And generally, I’d done the same. But it didn’t feel right in this instance.

CHAPTER 9
    Cheri Tate called me on Wednesday to tell me about her plans for the next weekday Relief Society meeting, which would be in March.
    â€œYou know you don’t need my approval, right?” I asked. Even Kurt’s approval was only a technicality. Woe betide any bishop who told the Relief Society president she couldn’t do a meeting on the theme she had selected. She had been given the right to revelation for her specific needs when Kurt put his hands on her head and set her apart. Women don’t have official authority in the Mormon church, but any man who ignores the real power of women in the church is an idiot. Kurt is not an idiot.
    â€œI wasn’t looking for approval. Just your opinion,” said Cheri. “And maybe any advice you have to offer.”
    â€œWell, what do you want to do?”
    â€œI’d like the topic to be about domestic violence,” she said quietly.
    Ah. Now I understood her concern. That was a difficult topic, not the usual Relief Society meeting about Easter crafts or filling your lantern with the light of service. “It might be wise to wait until the Carrie Helm case has been resolved,” I said.
    â€œYes,” said Cheri. “It might be wiser. But then people would be less interested. We would get fewer women coming out, and the very people we are trying to protect might not hear the message.”
    Also a good point. “How can I help?” I asked. Cheri and I werenot of one mind about many things, but I was impressed with her foresight here. Not to mention her courage.
    â€œI’d like you to come speak, if you would.”
    â€œMe? I don’t know anything about domestic violence.”
    â€œWell, that’s what everyone is going to say, isn’t it? I was hoping you could do some research and talk about some of the warning signs to look for when dating, or early on in marriage. I was going to talk about what to do if you’re sure you are being abused. Hotline numbers to call, people to confide in, the steps to take to protect yourself, and how to make the final moves.”
    She was doing the heavy lifting. I could do a little bit. “All right,” I said.
    â€œYou’ll do it?” she asked.
    â€œI said I would.”
    She let out a long breath of relief. Had she been afraid I would say no?
    â€œThe women listen to you, you know.”
    â€œBecause I’m the bishop’s wife,” I said.
    â€œAnd because you don’t speak often, and when you do, it is with carefully chosen words, meant to move people to action,” said Cheri.
    I was surprised into silence. “Thank you,” I said at last.
    â€œDo you think we need to bring up
Twilight
?” asked Cheri. “Meyer is a Mormon and so many people talk about that book in terms of abusive boyfriends.”
    â€œI think we can safely leave vampires out of this,” I said. “Let’s talk about real-life abuse cases. There are too many of those for us to ignore.”
    â€œThere is one other thing,” said Cheri. “I’d like to float it past you before I make a commitment.”
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œI’d like to have one of our speakers be a woman from one of the shelters in the area. For victims of domestic violence. And I’d like her to come with a list of possible volunteer opportunities that wewould sign people up for.”
    â€œI think that’s a wonderful