Redeeming Love

In California in 1850, Sarah (now living as Angel) lives in Pair-a-Dice in California, surrounded by “desperate men, exiled from home and family” (42). She works as a prostitute for a woman named Duchess, operating out of the Palace (a brothel made of old tents). She escaped to California on a ship, where (as one of three women) she found herself faced with either becoming a prostitute or being raped. While she chose the former, the two other women aboard robbed her, and she arrived in California with nothing. She met Duchess and agreed to pay the madam 80% of her takings, enforced by Magowan, “with his cruel smile and ham-sized hands” (44). Aged 18, Sarah hates her life. Her only friend is a drunk prostitute named Lucky.

Michael Hosea is unloading crates of vegetables in Pair-a-Dice when he sees Sarah. As she passes him, God speaks to Hosea: “This one, beloved” (46). Michael learns that Sarah is a prostitute but is captivated by her “grave, tragic dignity” (47). He respects God’s instruction, despite Sarah’s profession, and resolves to marry her.

Sarah remembers a time when she tried alcohol with Lucky and became too drunk to see clients.