Rebecca was the only woman in that panel. Tabutany had been around, but Pabonya had issued a clear warning against her showing her face in that meeting. "Do the cooking, if you want to make yourself useful," he had told her when they left their house in the morning.
Pabonya would not risk someone adding divergent opinion in the midst of the decision makers. He even wished Rebecca too could be barred from speaking. But unlike with his wife, his powers were inadequate to extend that far.
So far, Rebecca had only sat and listened. But he knew she was about to be invited to speak. And when she stood, Pabonya held his breath.
"First, let me say thank you for coming," Rebecca began. "I am sure you all had other assignments to attend, but you chose to be here. And I know that it was because of the love for the family left in my hands by my late husband. I also know that you do this with goodwill and good intention."
"As to the matter at hand," she continued, her eyelashes lowering as she pondered what she was about to say. "I never imagined we would end up like this." She hardly held back her tears. "I have keenly listened and thoroughly considered all the views of the earlier speakers. And am particularly concerned with the testimonies of those women. Is what they told us the absolute truth? Maybe, maybe not. But whatever the case allow me to disagree with the idea of separation."
Her final statement elicited murmurs from her audience.
"When I first met Becky, I found in her an incredible lady: charming, polite, and hardworking. She was kind and generous to everyone. I loved her. I loved the great spirit in her, but above all, I loved the way they got along so well with my son. I had a feeling that their love was true. And I knew that together they were going to lead a happy life. And so far they have. Nothing pleased me more than the happiness of my children. Little has changed about her dressing, as you heard her say. I don't want to deny it. I overlooked that then. But she can change. Though at times she is wild, she has a good heart. I am sure she has now learned her lesson. At least, for this marriage, we should give her a second chance."
"Do you mean a second, second chance?" Pabonya had to interrupt, hoping to discourage her from speaking too much.
"I believe we all want the same thing," she ignored him and continued. "To take the right course of action. But separation is not the way towards it. It is going overboard. She now understands the cost. About infidelity, I strongly believe that it is a false accusation. I cannot bear any testimony against her on that matter. I was shocked at what the witnesses here said about her. But assuming it is true, we should still be merciful. Everybody makes mistakes. And no sin is too big to be forgiven. You elders should inspire our son to reconcile with his wife. And put their past behind them." Rebecca finished her submission.
Pabonya did not expect her to be so brief. But he knew, in that brief decisive speech, was a great influence that could change everything.
There was a division; a great division. The elders disagreed on what to do with Becky.
"This will be decided by a vote," Kibomwai said. "Every member of the clan in this meeting has to make a choice. The options are two: Becky stay or Becky leaves. If you want her in the clan, come to my left. If you want her gone, come to my right."
Pabonya was the first to move to the left side of Kibomwai – now in charge of the voting exercise. He was joined by Chepchilat and soon their numbers ballooned.
Arap Kurgat stood on the right and was followed by Rebecca. Those who had not made up their minds, upon realizing that many of the clan members had joined Pabonya, not wanting to be left out in the cold, decided to join the winning team. There was no need for counting. Pabonya had carried the day. There were only a handful of them that had joined Kurgat.
Those who had not been part of the voting exercise were called back to hear the verdict. And Becky kept her fingers crossed.
When all had gathered and settled, Kibomwai made the declaration. "The elders have resolved that Becky's case will be a lesson to the other women of the clan. To deter future similar cases, Becky would be freed from her marriage bounds. Given that this is an unprecedented crisis that the clan is facing, we intend to send a clear message that the clan will not be inclined to show mercy where norms and customs are trampled on."
Becky felt her whole body weaken and was afraid she would collapse and faint. None of of what she said did anything to save her impugned name. The Kapsoket clan had been duped to believe a lie and had made a wrong choice.
She got into her father's car and together they drove home.
Later on the crowd dispersed and Pabonya returned to Kures.
His wife was eager to know the outcome . "How did it go?" She asked.
Pabonya resisted the urge to perform a victory dance before his wife. "She is now scurrying back to wherever she came from." He could not keep elation out of his voice.
"That is why you are in such high spirit?"
''This must be what heaven feels like." He said, "It has been a good day. I am so glad I rid the clan of its unwanted nuisance."
"Well, congratulations for a pretty job," she said sarcastically.
"You have no idea how much this Becky free zone feels very nice. She made me sick. I could not afford to let her remain in connection with those who have in their habits been in constant harmony with our norms and customs. Our clan needs to be pure."
"The decision was harsh. You should have been a little more understanding and forgiving."
"There are people who could be forgiven, but that girl was served justice. That is what she gets for defying me. She chose not to follow our rules and met the just recompense of her deeds."
"All along, your goal has been to find a chance to withdraw your sword of vengeance and return the favor. No need to be so proud? You shouldn't be deriving delight from inflicting pain on others."
"Hers was a situation of self-inflicted woe. Had she heeded my warning, none of these would have befallen her."
"What a pity! She is a good woman."
"You really don't know her. I am the savior here."
"Saving who? And from what?"
"The clan. From the deadly poison she was about to spread."
"What kind of savior breaks marriages? What kind of savior interferes with others' private lives?"
"What they had was no marriage."
"What was it?"
"A farce."
"Hmm!"
"An infatuation."
"Which you had to make sure it ceased to exist?"
"I had to make sure she didn't spread the poison."
"I wonder what magic you applied to get Tesot to agree to this."
"It wasn't easy. But I am glad he realized I was right. He had been defending her all along. That girl had surely poisoned his heart. She is the best manipulator."
"It was not poison."
"What was it?"
"It was love."
"Yes! You are right. He is sick. Haven't you heard, love is an illness? It makes human sick. That is exactly what it did to Tesot. But the good news is, like many diseases it can be cured. Am glad to report that I found the medicine and, with the help of our esteemed elders, I have administered it to my patient."
"What you have done, though may deem courageous, is equally unwise. Don't take satisfaction in her grief. I smell mischief. You better watch. You should never be the reason behind someone shedding tears. You are creating enemies beyond this door and some of them may be wrong enemies. A time is coming when any one of them could hurt you."