This is part of a work-in-progress:
historical fiction of the Bible story of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38.
The assignment: introduce and develop a character using physical description,
clothing and person effects, actions, and dialogue.

Childhood chores had been, “do this” or “do that.” Mother’s motto is “Know-how is not enough; a good wife knows when.” Every woman’s goal is to be a wife, but that is not enough for Mother. Tamar was in-training for first-wife, for matriarch of the household. 

“Pay attention to the little things,” was her mother’s favorite refrain. “Small things done well result in excellence in the end.” She applied it to every aspect of running a household: food, material goods, self-care, accounts, and, most importantly, dealing with people.

By the time she was 13, Tamar could prepare the wide variety of beauty potions: kohl for the eyes from tree resin, a perfect balance of fragrance and oils for skin and hair, henna tattoo paste, camel milk and urine for hair washing, labneh for sunburn and moisturizing, and rose water for toning the skin. Using them was another matter.

“It’s such a waste of time,” Tamar protested, but her mother just laughed. “You say that now…”

Even worse was her mother’s insistence that she change the way she walked; “No more running.” A graceful runner, Tamar knew all about efficiency of movement and covering a lot of ground. Wasn’t walking was the same thing, only slower? Her mother disagreed.

“Loosen your hips,” her mother said. “And take smaller steps. You are not a shepherdess.”

Tamar put her hands on her cocked hip and glared over her shoulder at her mother.

“When you walk across a room, you want every set of eyes to follow you,” Mother said. “Now, do it again. Pause in the doorway, then glide across the room.”

Tamar flounced out the door and defiantly exaggerated every movement as she strutted past her mother.

“Tamar, this is important,” Mother scolded. “No proper young man in his right mind would consider a woman who walked like that to be his bride.”

“Pigat already told me he wants to marry me, and he doesn’t care how I walk,” Tamar argued.

“You are not going to marry Pigat!”

“Why not?”

Mother sighed and stood slowly to her feet. “Let’s for a walk.”

It wasn’t a walk that Mother was interested in; it was a talk. And she had something to say about clan alliances, bride prices, status, and bridal covenants. All of which Tamar already knew. But in her imagination and dreams, marriage had never stretched beyond her village and the people she knew.

She would not be marrying Pigat.

A beautiful daughter, well-trained in wifely skills and household management, could bring wealth and status to her father and brothers. A beautiful, well-trained bride who gave birth to strong sons was a treasure beyond measure. This was Tamar’s role in her father’s family, and her purpose for living: to bring honor and prestige to her father and brothers and bear sons for her husband.

“If I’m strict, it’s because I want the best for you,” her mother assured her. “A woman’s strength is realized within her household, and a wealthy husband not only benefits us, but presents an opportunity for you as well.”

Tamar didn’t reply. She was saying goodbye to childhood.