The Prescience Read online

  “She is?” How was it I was the last to know?” And then I put it together. She was his half-sister who was adopted by Theophilus.

  Mari stood. “Please wait here, and I’ll make us some tea.”

  As she hurried off to the kitchen, I edged closer to my betrothed. I needed a reassuring hug. I didn’t expect so many buried memories to be stirred by coming here. Until I had walked into the house, my thoughts had been focused on Baruch and Lowly.

  Shira wanted to sit in my lap, perhaps also feeling insecure, but I knew she would quickly warm up to Mari once she got to know her.

  I clarified. “Mari is your half-sister?”

  Daniel nodded.

  I would have to ask Daniel more about it later. He couldn’t have known that when he was Nathan’s teacher—or did he?

  Mari returned with a brew of tea and herbs, rattling the hot teacups as she set them down. Also on the serving plate were bread, figs, and dates. Shira wasted no time reaching for the fruit.

  I spoke to Shira. “I think Aunt Mari made you a very special tea, but let’s let it cool.”

  She nodded.

  Daniel spoke first. “We saw the sold sign out front. Has somebody bought the farm?”

  Mari nodded. “Yes. We have to have everything out of the house in the next few days.”

  “That soon?” I asked.

  “It’s what Mr. Snyder ordered. After the Romans came, everything changed.”

  “What are you going to do?” Daniel asked.

  Mari’s eyes danced. “First, I have some news to share with you.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “Judd and I are betrothed.”

  “Congratulations!” I exclaimed. That meant the prenuptial contract was void. I would never have to marry Judd, and I was free to marry Daniel. That must have been why God brought us to Galilee. I tried to imagine Judd and Mari getting married. Judd wasn’t nearly good enough for her.

  Mari laughed. “Yes, it came on rather suddenly. We realized we were in love with each other.”

  “When is the wedding?” Daniel asked.

  Mari’s eyes glowed as she rattled on about their wedding plans.

  The Opobalsamum perfume lingered in my mind. Was I jealous that she was getting married and I wasn’t? I said a silent prayer for God to help me to be happy for Mari’s good fortune. As she discussed their immediate plans, I tried to share her excitement.

  “We’re going to get married and live in Caesarea.” Mari glanced in my direction. “Your father said we could keep anything we wanted. The rest he would give to the poor. He just asked us to bring his scrolls to him in Caesarea.”

  Daniel grimaced. “Why does he want the scrolls? I never saw him read them.”

  Mari smiled. “I think he wanted to read them. He never had time.”

  I admired Mari. She always thought the best of people, even when they didn’t deserve it. Sadly, though, Daniel had mentioned he’d love to keep a couple of them. Apparently, that wouldn’t happen now.

  I was almost too afraid to ask, but I couldn’t wait any longer. “Are Lowly and Baruch still here?”

  Mari laughed. “Of course. As I said, we hid them in the cave when the Romans came. And my father has agreed to take them as well as the horses. The rest of the animals, Mr. Snyder said he’d give to the needy.”

  “I can’t wait to see Baruch and Lowly again,” I replied.

  “They will be so excited to see you and meet Shira.”

  I took a sip of tea reflecting on the drama that lay in Mari’s future.

  “Is Much-Afraid with you?” Daniel’s half-sister asked. “I thought she went with you when you went back home.”

  I smiled. “Oh, she’s fine. She stayed with my mother this time.”

  Shira was getting antsy sitting through the small talk. I took another sip. “Can I take Shira out back to meet Lowly and Baruch?”

  Mira stood. “Sure. They should be in the pasture since it’s a sunny day. Judd is cleaning up the cave before we move.”

  We followed Mari around to the back portico.

  “Does Scylla still live here?” Daniel asked, following us.

  I had conveniently forgotten about her.

  “She moved out a couple of weeks ago. I heard she went back to practicing her old profession.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “She was a fortune teller. She found a place to live,” Mari added.

  I wanted to say something unsavory, but God spoke to me so sternly I stopped. “You need to forgive her,” the Lord admonished me.

  After my mistake with the scrolls and the sheep and the goats, I knew I had to deal with my hard heart.

  I scanned the pasture. The tall green grass glistened in the bright sunlight. To my delight, I saw Baruch and Lowly. I took Shira by the hand. “Come with me. I want to introduce you to some old friends.”

  CHAPTER 42

  THE SWEET-SMELLING flowers that covered the patio area brought back memories—and bitter nostalgia. I never dreamed I’d be back—but now redemption seemed so near, I could taste it.

  I remembered Scylla confronting Daniel and me over my ill behavior—which wasn’t true—my half-brother Nathan’s miracle of speech, and Daniel’s sudden departure without saying goodbye. How deeply I had been hurt. Now that was all in the past.

  “This way, Shira.” We hurried through the gate that opened to the pasture. I noticed a grating sound as it swished back and forth. The Romans must have damaged it. My emotions tugged at my heart as we trekked through the knee-high grass.

  “Heehaw!” Baruch brayed. “Miss Shale, is that you?”

  “Yes, Baruch. It’s me.”

  The donkey’s ears quivered at the sound of my voice. “You came back.”

  I picked Shira up in my arms as the gray donkey bolted towards us. Seconds later, Baruch greeted us with happy donkey sounds. I saw a teardrop out of the corner of his eye. I ran my hand along his back and patted him on the head. Shira imitated me, making me smile. “I’m so glad to see you, Baruch.”

  “And you, too, Miss Shale, although you seem to have grown.”

  I laughed. “Maybe a little. I want you to meet Shira.”

  She reached out her hand and touched his ear. “Is this Baruch?”

  I smiled. “Yes.”

  “He came back home?”

  “Yes, he returned from the garden to be with his old friends.”

  After a moment of intense affection between us, Shira pointed across the meadow. “Is that Lowly?”

  “Yes.”

  It took a little longer for Lowly to ramble over. He had put on a few extra pounds. I covered my mouth with my hand, gasping with excitement to meet my favorite pig again. I flung my arms wide open. “Lowly, I’m so glad to see you.”

  “And you, too, Sh-shale. You kept your promise.”

  I winked. If only I could keep all of my promises to everyone. “Let’s go sit under my old tree.”

  We edged over to the grassy knoll that I considered my very own, at least for a little longer. We plopped down in the spot where I used to pray. It hardly seemed like a minute had passed since we had been here, reminding me of the illusion of time.

  Baruch looked like a little old man with hair on his nose and big ears. He started the conversation. “Things haven’t been the same since you left.”

  “I’m so sorry, Baruch. I had to leave in a hurry and didn’t get to say goodbye like I should have.”

  Tears puddled on the dirt under the donkey’s face. I rubbed his head. “I’m glad I could visit, even if it’s only for a short time.”

  “You aren’t staying?” Lowly asked.

  I shook my head. “Neither are you. The farm has been sold.”

  Surprised eyes reflected back at me. Baruch dropped his head. “No one can talk to us except you, Miss Shale. People think we’re stupid animals. We aren’t dumb, you know. We just can’t make people talk.”

  For a moment, a lump of sorrow got stuck in my throat.
I wanted to cheer up my friends. “This should make you happy.”

  “Wha-what’s that?” Lowly asked.

  “Theophilus wants you and Baruch to live at his farm. That’s Mari’s adoptive father. You’ll have a kind owner and all the oats you want. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “That’s more than wonderful,” Baruch piped up. “I was afraid. I knew some mischief was in the air, but I didn’t know how to find out what.”

  We sat on the grass and talked for a long while. Shira picked some flowers and put them in a small vase she had found by the fence. Baruch and Lowly shared about the Romans coming and ransacking the farm, how Scylla had left and not returned, which that part they were quite happy about. And, as they had said about five times, they thought something was up because there had been important people visiting.

  “Do you know who bought the farm?” Baruch asked.

  “No, I don’t.” I glanced around. “It’s kind of sad because it’s such a beautiful place.”

  I lifted up my hair to cool off my neck. It felt like summer had arrived early. A butterfly checked out Shira’s vase of flowers and then moved on.

  “I hope you haven’t wandered into the wilderness again,” I chided Baruch.

  “No, since I know there aren’t any apples down there.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” I opened my bag. “Look what I brought you.” I showed him a red apple.

  “You’ve been to the garden?” Baruch asked.

  “Yes. We even saw Cherios.”

  “Oh,” Baruch cried.

  I reached over and reassured him. “Baruch, you will always be my favorite donkey.”

  “And you, my favorite human, Miss Shale.”

  Shira whispered in my ear. “I wish I could talk to the animals like you can.”

  “Talk to them in a sweet, tender voice,” I encouraged her. “Animals know what you are saying. They feel your compassion through your gentle words, and they want to be loved and accepted just like people.”

  “Can I give Lowly an apple, too?”

  “Sure.”

  I handed one to Shira, and she put it in Lowly’s mouth. He took the apple like a gentleman and wagged his curlicue tail. Of course Lowly never forgot his manners in matters of extreme importance.

  “Thank you, Shira, you—you are a kind young lady to give me such a big red apple.”

  I told Shira what Lowly had said, and a big grin crossed her face.

  After a while, I saw Daniel approaching. He motioned for me to come over to the fence.

  “Let’s go see what Daniel wants.” I stood and reassured Baruch and Lowly. “We aren’t leaving yet.”

  Baruch heehawed. “Tell Daniel we said hello, Miss Shale.”

  “I will,” I promised.

  As I approached, Daniel smiled. “Reunions with old friends are always sweet.”

  I laughed. He was reading my mind.

  Daniel’s eyes twinkled. “Mari fixed us dinner. Come and eat.”

  “I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

  Daniel touched me on the shoulder. “Are you all right eating with Judd?”

  I cleared my throat. “I’m fine.”

  CHAPTER 43

  FRESH POMEGRANATES, FIGS, dates, olives, and bread filled the serving dishes.

  “May I say the blessing?” Judd asked.

  It would take me a while to get used to the new Judd. The one I knew from my last visit here was a jerk. Of course, I did see him sharing bread at the feeding of the five thousand. But this was all new to me—a redeemed Judd who wasn’t a pervert.

  Daniel bowed his head. “Please.”

  The words flowed easily from Judd’s lips. “Dear Jesus, thank you for bringing our friends safely back to us. Thank you for this food, and thank you for the blessings you give us each day. Help us to place our burdens on you, and give us hearts to reach others for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  I nodded. “Amen.”

  After a bit of small talk, Daniel told me what he and Judd had discussed in the cave. “Judd is planning to take the donkey and the pig to Caesarea. Shira can ride on Baruch with you. I’ll take one of the horses.”

  I was already worried. “That’s a long walk for Lowly. Do we have a cart in which we can transport him?”

  “I can put something together,” Judd said, “and the horse can pull him.”

  Daniel dipped his bread in some olive oil. “Shale, I’m going to take the scrolls to your father. Perhaps he might allow me to keep the Book of Joel and the Book of Daniel if I ask.”

  “You’re still hopeful?”

  Daniel cocked his head. “He might.”

  “Do you know who bought the farm?” I asked Judd.

  “No, we don’t know.”

  I glanced around the room. “I have one bit of unfinished business before we leave.”

  “What’s that?” Daniel asked.

  “I need to see Scylla.”

  “Why?”

  “Closure.”

  Judd shrugged. “I tried talking to her about the King, but she didn’t listen.”

  “She listened to me,” Mari said, “although I don’t think she believed what I said, but she did listen.”

  Judd followed up on Mari’s words. “She knows the truth, but once you’re involved in the occult, the deception can be overwhelming.”

  Mari dropped her eyes. “Sometimes it takes time.”

  The conversation shifted to lighter subjects, but I lingered on what I needed to do. How would I feel when I saw Scylla again?

  CHAPTER 44

  THE NEXT DAY, Daniel and Judd packed up what they needed for the animals. Mari went through Scylla’s stuff—silver cups, golden goblets, fine utensils, clay pots, exquisite dishes, and handmade tablecloths. If anybody deserved beautiful home furnishings to start married life, Mari did.

  I was also thankful to see significant changes in Judd. Had my father changed also? I was glad he was generous enough to give Mari and Judd everything they needed, but I wasn’t sure if he’d let Daniel keep the books of the Bible he wanted.

  Mari entered the bedroom. Teasing me, she asked, “Are you snooping around to see what secrets Scylla left behind?”

  Many of Scylla’s personal items remained—expensive diamond necklaces, golden rings, and pearl earrings. “Why do you think she left this stuff here? You would think she would have taken them.”

  Mari sat on the bed, smoothing out the creases in the blanket. “I think Scylla was depressed.” She leaned over and whispered, “The Romans violated her.”

  As much as I disliked Scylla, I felt sorry for her. No one should be treated that way. Sadly, her occult fascination blinded her to the King. I bit my lip, cringing at how horrible that day must have been.

  Mari straightened back up, as if embarrassed to say it. “Brutus’ position in the Roman government probably prevented the Romans from stealing any personal belongings. They took nothing, except scattered the animals and destroyed some property. Really, all they wanted was Daniel. When the Romans left, Scylla was not the same. I don’t think she cared about any of this stuff anymore. Maybe the memories were too painful.”

  I reflected. Even then the Romans were searching for Daniel. Thank goodness he wasn’t here. I lifted several shawls from a large wooden trunk next to the bed. Colorful robes were stacked neatly at the bottom. “Where did she get these?”

  “Your father brought them to her from Egypt. He loved her in the beginning.”

  I glanced at Shira who was watching. “Do you want to play dress-up?”

  She jumped up and down, pointing to one of the robes. “Can I wear that one?”

  “Sure.”

  I helped Shira slip on a purple robe. She made a valiant effort to model it, but it was too big. I put one of Scylla’s diamond necklaces around her neck and a bracelet on her arm.

  “Do I look like a princess?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes,” I replied.

  Shira’s face glowed.

  I sat
across from Mari on the bed. “I have an idea, but I need your help.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Can you dress me up like an old lady? I want to pay someone a visit.”

  Mari smiled. “Oh, you’re going to visit Scylla?”

  “Something like that.” I turned to Shira. “Do you want to play a game of pretend?”

  “Yes. How do we do that?”

  “We’ll pretend like we’re someone else. I’ll be an old lady. You’ll be my granddaughter. Mari can cut this toga down so you can wear it. Does that sound like fun?”

  Shira nodded. “Yes. Can we do it now?”

  “As soon as Mari can work her magic.”

  “Should I stain the tunic to make it look old?” Mari asked.

  I nodded. “We don’t want Scylla to recognize me too soon. In the grand scheme, the clothes and jewelry have no value.”

  CHAPTER 45

  MARI KNEW SCYLLA’S favorite adornments. She found them and put them in a bag, including a couple of pieces of clothing, an expensive diamond bracelet, and her favorite wine cup.

  Daniel saw us leaving and hurried over to the gate. “I don’t like you going alone.”

  “If you want to follow from a distance, that’s fine, but I must do this.”

  Daniel nodded. “I understand.”

  The small village of Nazareth was an easy hike down the road. I had visited Nazareth several times and knew the area well, although I would have to search among the shops for Scylla’s new hangout.

  The area residents were unrefined—bordering on uncouth, perhaps because there were so many Gentiles. Of course, that meant more worldly passions laced with spiritists, fortune tellers, and psychics. Gentiles living alongside Jews created tension under the best of circumstances.

  Shira wore Scylla’s purple toga and cap, which had been quite abused at the hands of Mari. I was dressed in a brown, stained robe. The edges were shredded, and my hair was packed underneath my worn head covering. I looked like a hobo in any century.

  We came to a line of shops along the busiest road in the village. The marketplace was stuffed with various goods that filled the bazaar. Local farmers, tanners, blacksmiths, artisans, and fishermen had carved out their favorite den. A wide assortment of goods, including fabric, soaps, wine, sandals, tents, and hand-carved tables were available for the right price—just make an offer. When I noticed some unsettling things, I turned Shira around and headed in a different direction.