The natives were dark, making me stick out like a white marshmallow. Most of the men had thick beards and long hair. The women were more olive toned, reminding me of Rachel.
I purchased some fresh fruit and sweet bread.
We came to a blind beggar holding out a small box, “Have mercy on me, have mercy on the blind man,” he cried.
Most of the people skirted to the other side in ambivalence. My heart prompted me to stop.
“Wait, Baruch,” I whispered. “Let’s go back.”
I slid off the donkey and placed a silver coin in his box.
He grabbed my hand, squeezed it, and then let go. “Thank you. May you receive a blessing.”
I whispered, “Okay.” I climbed back on Baruch’s back and coaxed him to keep moving.
“Ca-ca, Baruch, good to see you.”
“Worldly Crow!” Baruch whinnied happy to see his old friend.
The talking crow lighted on a discarded jug a few feet in front of us. “Ca-ca. I knew you were making a terrible mistake leaving, but you didn't listen to me, the stubborn donkey that you are. So you’re back, uh? Where have you been?”
“I’ve been living in the king’s garden a long ways from here.”
“Ca-ca. You haven’t been gone long enough to travel far.”
Baruch’s eyes opened wide. “I’ve been gone for months.”
“No, you haven’t, my friend.” Worldly Crow flew closer, landing on top of a wooden post.
“That’s the same crow that watched me count the coins, Baruch.”
“He’s my stable buddy, Worldly Crow.”
“Ca-ca. And who is the speaking human?” the crow asked.
“I’m Shale Snyder.”
“And you talk to animals?” He cackled. “Did they teach you that in the garden?”
“Yes—well, no. I mean, I don’t know.” I noticed some onlookers staring at me. Cherios poked her head out from underneath the blanket. I quickly covered her, but Worldly Crow saw the rabbit and cackled again.
I remembered why I never liked crows at our backyard feeder. They were too annoying. “We’ll stay here in town tonight and catch up with you tomorrow.” I hoped he got the hint.
Worldly Crow took off, but not before stealing a fish from a nearby table. The merchant waved his hands to shoo him away as the stolen fish dangled from his beak.
“Good riddance,” the merchant complained. “Don’t come back here no more.”
I followed Martha’s directions and we found Jacob’s Inn up the road. After tethering Baruch, I walked to the front portico. Three men lay stretched out on rolled-up mats. The sickest one groaned in a monotone voice. He stopped when I approached. Another man had painful-looking sores on his arms and legs. Bugs circled about his wounds as he swatted at them. I didn’t realize I was staring until one of them returned my gaze. His vacant eyes haunted me. I turned away. A doctor walked over to tend to him, blocking the sick man from my view.
I entered the inn where an attendant greeted me warmly.
“Are you Jacob?” I asked.
“No, but I know where he is.” He called across the marbled portico. “Jacob, a young lady is here to see you.”
Jacob stopped sweeping the floor and came over. “You need a place to stay tonight?”
I explained how his sister had sent me. Soon, another man strolled over and offered to take Baruch to the stable.
“I’ll take good care of your donkey, ma’am,” he offered.
“Thank you, sir. Can you tell me where I can get some carrots?”
“Carrots?” he repeated.
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll see to it you receive fresh fruit and vegetables, ma’am.”
The man spoke to another helper, “The young lady wants carrots.”
A while later, a servant woman brought me a large bowl of fresh fruit and vegetables. I handed her a silver coin and she thanked me, beaming from ear to ear.
When no one was looking, I wrapped Cherios up in the folds of my dress and took her with me into my private room. The accommodations were modest and sparkling clean. Freshly-cut flowers adorned the wooden table and I even had a chair. Three colorful, thick blankets draped the simple bed. Cherios curled up on the end. After setting a bowl of fresh carrots in front of her, she took each one and nibbled gingerly.
“I could get used to this place,” she exclaimed between bites.
I was surprised at how quickly she’d adjusted after being so panicked in the garden.
“You might need to—I have a feeling we’ll be here for a while.”
Later I slipped out to check on Baruch. The evening air was cool and the setting sun dimmed my inn room to shades of gray. I’d have to get used to not having electricity. I welcomed the nippiness after being so hot earlier. Baruch was already asleep in his stall, opening one dopey eye wide enough to acknowledge me before dozing off again. I patted him between his ears and headed back to my lodging.
As I padded across the shortcut between the stable and the inn, a rustling noise betrayed movement in the tall grass. The blades of grass shimmied like a stadium of fans jumping up and down. I was too tired to inspect it now, but my memory would recall it later.
Later, in my room, after eating bread and grapes, I poured some wine into a mug. Everyone drank here, so why not? I had never tasted it before. I took a couple of sips and gagged. Yuck. I stared into my cup debating whether I wanted any more.
“Do you not like your drink?” Cherios asked.
“Not so much.” I discarded the wine and gulped some water to get rid of the aftertaste. Soon my eyes became heavy, even though I didn’t want to fall asleep. I had too many things to think about, but I succumbed to the thick blankets draped over me and fell into a deep sleep.
I was lying on the beach listening to the ocean when I looked up into the sky. A hole formed in the middle of the clouds. The clouds surrounding the hole floated into magical shapes. The first one was a rabbit. The second one was an angel. The third appeared to be a donkey. They slid across the sky and faded, and the hole gradually disappeared.
Then a woman appeared who had severe features—a pointed nose, long face, high cheekbones and a crooked neck. Unlike the others, she glared at me from the clouds. She knew me but I didn’t know her. I wanted her to fade away, but she wouldn’t. Feeling trapped in my dream, I awoke.
I sat up, disturbed. The light from the moon filtered in through the window and cast shadows over the bed. Cherios was sound asleep. Shadowy cartoon characters scaled the walls. I couldn’t get the cloud-shaped woman out of my mind. Who was she?
Chapter Nine
Woman in the Clouds
The next morning an annoying rooster awoke me. How many times did he need to say “cockle doodle do”? I put the strange dream behind me, not wanting to let fear overshadow my already anxious thoughts. I slipped on my new dress, washed my face, and combed my hair as best I could. Water does miracles when you have no brush. A delicious assortment of fresh fruit and bread filled my stomach.
I wanted to leave before the sun became unbearable and I had too much time to think. When I entered the stable, Worldly Crow sat on a wooden beam in the rafters. Groomed and fed, Baruch looked handsome, a good thing since I had no idea how to take care of a donkey. After tipping the man a silver coin, I climbed on Baruch’s back and hid Cherios in the folds of my dress. How comfortable I had become riding on a donkey. Even Cherios was happy after eating two meals of fresh carrots and greens.
The winding road led down a steep mountain into another valley and then up another mountain. At least I wasn’t walking, but my backside was sore from sitting on the donkey. My aches and pains distracted me from worrying so much about where I was or how I’d get home. I could only think about one thing at a time, though I’d always end up thinking about the dog. What happened to her?
My thoughts jumped ahead. What would happen when we arrived? How would I introduce myself?
With lunchtime approaching, Baruch announc
ed, “We’re almost there.” Worldly Crow had flown ahead. A short distance away, a rock-stucco home abutted up against the side of a hill with a cave in the back. The building was three levels high, if you counted the roof as the third floor, with stone stairs on the outside. Surrounding the house was a large open field where sheep and goats were grazing.
I wished I’d never left home. “Baruch, what’s your owner going to say when I show up on his doorstep?”
“Oh, I didn’t think of that. Don’t let on you can talk to me.”
Like I’d tell anyone? I uncovered Cherios, patting her on the head. She snuggled up close to me as she sniffed the air. We entered a courtyard surrounded by early blooming spring flowers. Baruch stopped in front of a grouping of palm trees.
A handsome young man with curly black hair, tanned skin, and broad shoulders approached. His deep-set eyes seemed perceptibly intelligent. “I’ll take your donkey for you,” he offered.
He lifted me off Baruch and set me on the ground. “I hope you enjoyed pleasant travels,” he added.
“Yes.” My legs were wobbly after sitting for so long on the animal.
“Your father has been expecting you.”
“What? What did you say?”
He stopped short. “You’ve traveled a long ways?”
“Yes. But what did you say about my father?”
A thin, long-faced woman interrupted our conversation. Her nose looked like a pencil point. I nearly fainted as the cloud-woman approached, wearing a forced smile.
“How are you, Shale? Your father is expecting you. He’ll soon return from Jerusalem. I’m his wife, Scylla.”
She extended her hand.
I reached out in return. “Nice to meet you,” I stammered. My father? I wasn’t sure if I should ask any questions. Was this some kind of elaborate prank?
She gazed at Baruch. “We missed Baruch. Glad he’s back. You needed transportation, your father said.” Her eyes roamed my body as if I had contraband.
“If you don’t need your bag, my servant can take it for you,” Scylla said.
I glanced at the young man and then back to my supposed stepmother. Why didn’t I ask more questions about my father?
I’d much prefer talking to the good-looking dude. “This is Cherios. Can you take care of her, too, sir?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the servant said. “I’ll take them and give them food and water. Can I take your bag?”
“Bag? Oh, yes. The knapsack—uh, I want to hold on to this. Thank you.”
I patted Baruch on the nose. “See you in a bit, and you, too, Cherios.” I rubbed the top of her head. “Here is her blanket, if you would take that, also.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The young man put Cherios under his arm and guided Baruch around to the back of the home. I watched them until they disappeared behind the house.
Standing before my father’s wife seemed very strange. I’d imagined this day coming—but a long ways into the future. She stood like a statue with her hands stuck in her two front pockets. Her emotionless face made me uneasy.
“Follow me,” she said.
Maybe I could run away in the middle of the night. Sending a donkey to get me? How could that be? I was chasing a dog and happened to meet a donkey along the way.
The door opened to an elaborate earthen house. Rushes woven together covered the flat roof. Off the main room, three small adjoining rooms abutted. Elaborate rugs covered the marble floors and the stone-hewn walls reminded me of fancy fireplaces back home. Wooden beams supported the walls and outside stone stairs led to a second floor.
Luxurious accommodations varied widely, but this was quite stark by American standards. Soon a servant brought a bowl of water to me and told me to wash my feet.
Scylla’s icy eyes continued to make me uneasy. I pretended not to notice how much she disliked me.
“Where’d your dress come from?”
“I bought it.”
“Oh, so you have money?”
I nodded.
“Tell me about your journey.”
“What do you want to know?”
“What grade are you in school?”
“Ninth.”
“Can’t get along with your mother and stepfather?”
What business was it of hers? I ignored her question. “When is my father going to be here?”
“Soon.”
Not soon enough. What had my mother told her about me?
Scylla continued. “Your mother didn’t tell us when you’d arrive. Your father is a high-ranking Roman dignitary and had important business that couldn’t wait. Theophilus called him back to Jerusalem for a few days. He’ll be here tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Or the next day.”
After an awkward silence, I asked, “How did you know I was coming?”
“A messenger arrived last week with a letter. It was not my decision to let you stay with us. It was your father’s.” Her tight lips turned into a forced smile.
“I see.”
“You’ve never met your father?”
“No. He left when I was a baby.”
“So your mother says. Do you want to know the story?”
“What?”
“She ran off with you. The law was after her for reasons you wouldn’t understand—serious issues about your future and a pre-arranged marriage she wouldn’t honor.”
I doubted her statement. “Mother never told me anything like that.”
Her demeanor softened and she added lightly, “You must be tired and need to rest.” As she sauntered towards the door, she paused. “Don’t give me any trouble. Your father has put me in charge of you. I’ll trust you until you give me reason to think otherwise.” Then she disappeared into an adjoining room.
What was that supposed to mean? A kinder woman’s voice interrupted my musings.
“Come here,” she said, “and sit at the table.” The young woman brought in a tray of food—fish, olives, pomegranates, and bread. My heart pondered everything as I nibbled. I wasn’t hungry.
“My name is Mari.” She smiled.
“Nice to meet you,” I mumbled. I didn’t feel like being pleasant.
“Can I take you to your room now?”
“Sure.”
She took me back outside and escorted me up the steps. The handsome man who had taken Baruch and Cherios from me when I arrived was in the field. “What’s that man’s name?”
“Daniel. He arrived a few months ago to help with Nathan. Very kind, smart as a wolf, but—I shouldn’t say.”
I glanced back at Mari. “Shouldn’t say what?”
Mari’s eyes looked sad. “I can’t let him get too close to me. He would know too much.” Then she smiled, as if I were supposed to understand what she meant, or she supposed I knew more than I did. I shrugged off her comment and called to Daniel, waving my hand. “Thank you for taking care of my animals.”
He did a slight bow and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
After Mari left, I peered out the tiny window that faced the rolling green hills. Sheep grazed in the pasture. A short distance away, a door opened into the rocky hill where the animals were, a small cave. I’d check on Cherios and Baruch shortly.
I stepped back from the window and observed my new surroundings. A bed was in the corner with a small wooden table beside it, similar to my room at Jacob’s Inn. A wooden vanity was on the opposite wall with some female toiletries—perfume, powder, and make-up of sorts. The floor was wooden with two well-used, multi-colored rugs. There wasn’t much else. I’d at least enjoy trying out the makeup.
I laid down for what I meant to be just a few minutes—I wanted to see how comfortable the bed was—but I drifted off to sleep. A familiar bark woke me a few hours later.
Chapter Ten
The Meeting
Where was I? Groggy and disoriented, I twisted and turned to force myself awake. I slept longer than I meant to. I stood and ran to the window. The sun had dropped in the sky and the shadows
from the trees were long. Nighttime was approaching.
Then I saw her, dreamlike—the white dog. Her eyes danced and her small body sashayed at the hope of seeing me at last.
“Sleepy head, wake up,” she demanded, “and come down here at once. I traveled the universe to bring you here, and I shan’t wait any longer.”
I shoved open the door and ran out. I saw the white dog but then everything turned black. I squinted. Fifi lay motionless at the bottom of the steps. I turned away and gripped the stony wall clasping my stomach, as if I were going to bowl over. When I reopened my eyes, the white dog was prancing like a show specimen on the verge of becoming Best in Show. She bounded up the stairs and I leaned over to embrace her. Can a thousand licks be enough when separated for such a long time?
“You aren’t going to run away this time, are you?” I scratched her ear as she wiggled in my lap. “Can you talk, too, or was that my imagination?”
“All animals talk. Most people don’t have the gift of understanding what we say.”
“How did I receive the gift?”
“The king is the giver.”
“The king?”
“The sheep sent me to you,” the white dog said.
I patted her on the head. “So many unexplained things go back to that children’s story.”
The dog stretched and cocked her head enjoying the rubdown.
I laughed. “Is your name Much-Afraid?”
“I was always afraid until the king healed me.”
We sat on the steps for several minutes. I didn’t want to let her go. She laid her head in my lap and the more I scratched her ear and head, the more her affection warmed my heart.
“Did you know that dog is God spelled backwards?” the white dog asked.
“No. How did you know that?”
“The king told me.”
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