Journey to the Well: A Novel (30 page)

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Authors: Diana Wallis Taylor

BOOK: Journey to the Well: A Novel
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“God be praised. She is with us again,” Elon murmured.
Hannah patted her shoulder and spoke gently, “Rest, Marah. You have suffered much. Now is the time of rest. I will take care of your household. You must gather your strength. Caleb and Elon need you. Rest, my friend.” Hannah soothed her with words as she lifted Marah’s head with her arm and put a cup of broth to her lips. She could only manage one swallow before putting her head back down. She was so tired.
“You will get better, Mama. You must get better.” Caleb took her hand.
When Marah opened her eyes again, Elon slept nearby. She looked around the room. Her mouth was dry and she could not raise her head. Hannah was sweeping and had her back turned. She moved slowly for it was nearly time for her babe to be born.
Hannah turned and smiled. “You had a good rest?”
“You should not be doing my work and your own as well at this time.”
Caleb came into the house. “I’ve gotten the herbs you asked for, Hannah.” When he saw his mother with her eyes open, he gave a glad cry, which wakened Elon, and knelt by her side, laying his head on her shoulder. “I knew you would be all right, Mama. I knew it.” His eyes pooled with tears.
“Caleb . . . ,” she whispered softly, stroking his hair. She took a deep breath and held her hand out to Caleb with a smile. “Help me rise, my son, there is work to be done.”
He happily took her hand and Elon moved to put an arm behind her shoulders. They helped her up. She stood wavering for only a moment and then moved toward Hannah.
“Let me help you, dear friend, for a change. Your time is soon.”
“Nonsense, I am fine. You should rest longer, until you feel well.”
“I believe I have been ‘resting’ far too long already.” Marah laughed. “I will be all right. Everything just seemed so much to bear, for a time.”
“God will see you through this, Marah, as He always has.”
“Yes, and He gives me strength even now. Return to Simon, Hannah, with my heartfelt thanks. I can manage now.”
“You are sure?”
Marah smiled at Elon and Caleb. “I have two fine men to watch over me. I shall be in good hands.”
Elon and Caleb beamed.
After Hannah had gone, Marah contemplated what she had for supper. There was a knock on the door and a servant of Ahmal waited with a message.
Marah turned to Elon and Caleb. “It seems we are all invited to the home of our friend Ahmal to share the evening meal. What should we do?”
Elon stood. “He is a good man, and does not seek just your company, Daughter. He asks your father and son to come also. I see no harm in responding to his kind offer.”
Marah thought of the meager meal she had begun to prepare. The choice was simple. She nodded to the servant and hurried to refresh herself and put on her best tunic and mantle. Elon and Caleb washed carefully and each combed his hair. Satisfied that they were presentable, they cautiously went through the narrow streets to the home of Ahmal. The servant carried a lamp and a stout staff as did Caleb, in the event they should meet up with one of the gaunt and hungry village dogs who plagued the town in the evening hours.
With a smile, Eliab greeted them at the door, treating them as honored guests. He had purposefully chosen a simple but elegant meal. There must not be a great show of wealth for he had sensed it would offend the woman and make her feel uncomfortable. With a bow he indicated the low table, and they seated themselves, waiting for Ahmal. In a moment he was with them, smiling and acknowledging each of them separately.
“Welcome, my friends, to my home. It is indeed a joy to my heart that you were able to keep company with a lonely man this night.”
Marah smiled and watched Ahmal. He had a purpose in this dinner, for in spite of all his charm and gracious hospitality, he appeared very nervous. She felt slightly alarmed. Did he have bad news for them and had chosen this way to soften the impact? But then, what bad news could he possibly bring them at this point? She waited expectantly, as did Elon and Caleb.
She observed the patient and friendly way Ahmal conversed with Caleb. He didn’t treat him as a mere boy to be ignored and for that she was grateful. Caleb respected him. Elon also was drawn carefully into the conversation, and his comments were met with a serious nod of agreement. She liked Ahmal. She didn’t know what they would have done without his kindnesses. She wondered if he realized how carefully she hoarded and portioned out the gifts of food he brought to add to their simple meals. Letting her mind wander over the hum of the men’s conversation, she thought of what she knew of him. He was a bachelor, and traveled a great deal as a merchant. He was well respected in Shechem by the other merchants. He controlled the men of his caravan with a firm, but honest hand. He and his servant Eliab seemed to genuinely respect and like each other. She suspected that Ahmal was still somewhat of a lonely man. Why didn’t he marry, to have a wife to comfort him at the end of his journeys?
At that moment, Marah looked up from her musings to meet the eyes of Ahmal. There was appreciation and warmth there. Suddenly, she suspected why they had been summoned. Was he no different than the other men of Shechem?
“Perhaps Elon and Caleb would enjoy my small courtyard and the evening sounds,” Ahmal was saying. With the promise of sweets, Caleb followed his grandfather with Eliab into the courtyard, bright with starlight. Marah, realizing that the invitation did not include her, remained where she was sitting. She knew Ahmal had something to say to her.
“Marah, I would speak with you concerning . . . a matter that has come to my mind only recently. I hesitate to even begin . . .”
Poor man, he was certainly not the smooth Haman when it came to speaking to women. She felt compassion for Ahmal. Let him ask her to share his bed, whatever, she would find a way to discourage him gently. He meant well.
“I have been concerned about your family . . . and you. I have heard what the women are saying.”
“And what did you think of their charges, my lord?”
“Foolish and unfounded. You have indeed been through great trials, but I have watched how you have overcome your . . . adversities. I have admired you.”
“You are most kind, my lord.”
“Let me come to the point, if I may. I have admired you greatly since the first time we met in the company of your husband, Jesse. I saw that you were happy with him and wished you many years together. Perhaps I had hoped to have a woman look at me in that way one day, but alas, the years pass quickly and there has been no one.”
“Ahmal . . . ,” she sighed and spoke as kindly as possible. “What is it you would like to say to me?”
He looked at her face and there was no guile in his words. “I would offer you myself and my home, such as it is.”
“In what way, my lord?” She drew herself up and looked back at him without coyness.
He stepped back, startled. “You misunderstand my intentions. I have noted you to be an honorable woman, a woman who looks to her hearth and home. I would ask you to share my home . . . as my wife.”
Marah stood up suddenly. She was without words. Her eyes searched his face. “Marriage?”
“You have a son to raise, a fine boy, growing into manhood. Elon is old and he is concerned with how you will live. He is ready to go as his wife has gone. I would offer you my protection, the security of a home to raise your son, and the means to live comfortably here in Shechem. As my wife, you would not be treated so . . . unkindly. I do not ask you to love me . . . for I believe a woman such as you loves only once. I would hope that in time, you would come to care for me a little, but I am prepared to accept the will of God.” It was a long speech for Ahmal and he stood quietly waiting for her to speak.
“My lord, Ahmal, I am . . . overwhelmed by your offer. I had thought . . . it would be an offer of another kind. There have been many of those, too many. It is difficult to believe that you would give us that much, asking nothing in return.”
He smiled gently. “Your presence in my home would be a gift in itself. After my long journeys, I would have a pleasant companion to return to, instead of empty rooms. Eliab is as a brother to me, but there are many times I have been greatly lonely.” He paused, weighing his next words carefully. “And yes, in a way, there is something I wish in return. I have been well impressed with what I have seen in your son. He is a fine boy, one to be proud of. One day he shall be a man of influence. You have given him an understanding heart and respect for others. One could ask no more of a son than that. I am a bachelor. Not having a wife means I have no heir. Eliab is not a young man, and he does not wish to inherit my worldly goods. If he survives me, he wishes only to return to his own country, and I would leave him more than enough to do that and live there comfortably. I wish to make Caleb . . . my heir.”
“Oh my lord . . .” Marah sat down again suddenly. She searched his face. “I do not know what to say. I must think. Would you be offended if I do not give you an answer just yet? I must speak with Caleb and Elon in this matter.”
Ahmal seemed relieved to have finally said what he wanted to say. “I am honored you wish to consider my offer at all, and I admire the fact that you wish to consider your family. You are most welcome to take your time. I do not leave on another caravan for three weeks. Will you be able to give me your answer by then?”
“Yes, my lord, I will give you my answer by then.” Sensing that there had been enough time for his master to accomplish his purpose, Eliab graciously escorted Elon and Caleb back to the room.
“We must be on our way home, Daughter, the hour grows late.”
“Yes, Father.” She turned to Ahmal and smiled. He nodded slightly and walked with Eliab to his patio where servants were waiting to escort them to their home.
“God be with you.”
“And with you, Ahmal. We thank you for your hospitality . . . and friendship.”
“Until we meet again, my friends.” And with a hopeful glance at Marah, he turned back to the house.
Elon was weary from the long walk, and was soon asleep on his pallet. Caleb helped check the animals.
“He is a good man, Mama.”
“Yes, Caleb. He is a good man. Do you like him?”
“Yes, I do. He treats me as if I were grown, not a boy.”
“He is kind to Elon, is he not?” She tried to appear casual in her questions.
Caleb was too full of good food and excitement to look for anything else in her words. He nodded, then yawned and hastily bid her good night.
Marah sat quietly, looking up at the stars from the roof of the house. How many times had she come here to think about things that needed an answer.
Oh God Who Sees Me
, she prayed,
help me to know what to do
. She looked up at the star-filled sky, and for once felt no unrest in her spirit.
41
 
I
t was nearing the end of the Sabbath and Elon was saying his prayers. Caleb went with him to the
Bit Allah
and Marah went to the Court of the Women to pray earnestly for the right decision. She looked around and did not see Hannah or Simon. She felt a growing sense of urgency and quietly slipped out. It was becoming more difficult to go to any public place now. The women ostracized her or the men openly approached her. She knew she must speak with Elon tonight . . . and Caleb also. She had made a decision.
Hurrying to the house of Simon, she found Dorcas already there. The older woman nodded in greeting, but to Marah’s relief, there was no malice in her glance.
“We have sent for Shelomith. It is her time,” Dorcas said, indicating Hannah, who lay on her pallet. Beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip and forehead. Marah moved quickly to her side. There was a bowl of water and a cloth already wet, and she placed a cool cloth on Hannah’s forehead. She saw fear in Hannah’s eyes as she tried to handle the pains that came and went.
“I am not . . . a young woman,” Hannah gasped between pains. “I pray our child will be born soon . . . and he . . . will be . . . all right.”
“You shall produce a fine babe for Simon, my friend. Here, take my hand and squeeze when the pain comes. We shall face this together.”
“I . . . tried . . . to call . . . for you. Too late . . . you had gone to the synagogue. God in His mercy heard my prayer and sent you.”
“How long have the pains come?”
“Two hours. They are seeking Shelomith now.”
“Did I hear my name spoken?” Shelomith appeared at their side with her bag of herbs. The midwife examined Hannah. “It is close. You will not be long in labor with this one.”
“Where is Simon?” Hannah looked around her.
Shelomith snorted. “Where a husband should be at such a time as this . . . outside!” The women laughed and Hannah managed a smile before the next pain convulsed her.
True to the words of Shelomith, Hannah’s son was born within the hour, just after the ending of the Sabbath. He was lusty, red and alive. Marah breathed a prayer of thanksgiving. Shelomith washed the baby and wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Marah presented Simon his son.

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