Mary Magdalene: A Novel (8 page)

Keturah helped Mary up and, with a hand on her elbow, led her into the house.

Mary fell on her knees by her father’s bed. “Abba! Abba!” It was the cry of a lost child, and Mary realized it was her own voice.

Rachel looked down at her husband and struggled to hold back tears. “So it has returned, and with a vengeance. I was afraid it was only a matter of time before the blood came again.” She turned to Keturah. “Get a basin of water and cloths.”

Nathan put a hand on Mary’s shoulder briefly, in comfort, and then turned toward the door. “I will call Merab.”

Mary’s mind clouded over again and she sat watching the drama in front of her with almost a detached air.

Zerah stood nearby and took a step forward, looking down at his brother. “He collapsed in the boatyard, spitting up blood.”

Keturah returned with the basin. Rachel dipped a cloth in the water and wrung it out, then gently washed the blood from her husband’s face and beard.

Mary looked up at her father-in-law and recognized sadness. Why was he sad? She mentally shook her head and for a moment the shadows abated. Beriah’s gaze went from Jared to Mary. He slowly shook his head and then motioned to Amos to follow him outside.

Pray.
Mary remained on her knees and the words formed in her mind. She needed the strength of HaShem to be of help to her mother. She prayed with all her strength as her father’s face went in and out of focus.

Rachel looked up at Mary’s uncle. “He has been more weary lately, Zerah.” She sighed. “I didn’t want to think he was ill again, just tired. He kept telling me he was well.”

Zerah’s gaze rested on Nathan, who had returned with Merab. “We have work to do. Rachel will let us know if we are needed. Jared must rest.” His tone of voice was that of one talking to someone inferior, and Mary looked at her husband, waiting for his response.

He ignored Zerah and turned to Mary’s mother. “Mother Rachel, is there anything further we can do for you?”

She shook her head. “I will watch over him. If there is a change, we will let you know. Thank you, Nathan.”

Nathan touched Mary on her arm and she looked up. “Stay here with your mother. She needs you right now.” He walked past Zerah, ignoring the man’s dark countenance.

Mary watched her uncle storm out of the house, muttering curses.

Her prayers were heard as HaShem granted Mary a miraculous reprieve from her drugged state. Her father lived for three days, with Mary, Rachel, and Merab taking turns watching over him and ministering to his needs. Nathan and Zerah came and went as often as they could, and when Rachel realized the end was near, she sent Eliab to bring them right away. The other men from the boatyard came also, and Mary heard the murmur of their voices as they waited in the courtyard.

Zerah’s haughty attitude for once was not in evidence. He stood near his brother and Mary saw tears gathering in his eyes.

Jared looked up at him and spoke haltingly. “I pray you will find peace, my brother. Let the Most High, blessed be his name, heal the wounds you bear. I trust my family into your care.”

Zerah nodded, and it was a moment before he could speak. “You have dealt well with me, brother. I will care for your family.”

A slight smile appeared on Jared’s face. “And Nathan . . . ?”

A heavy sigh. “I will deal fairly with him. You have my word.”

Mary held her father’s hand as he turned his head toward her. “My little flower, I go to my fathers and to our Most High God, blessed be his name. I can go in peace, for you and your mother are in good hands.”

“Abba, I cannot bear it. Don’t leave us.” Large tears spilled from her eyes and ran unchecked down her cheeks.

Jared then spoke to her mother. “Rachel, my heart, you have been a good wife to me, and beloved. Be strong now, for Mary’s sake and your own.”

Mary’s mother wept quietly, bowing her head.

Mary gazed down at her father’s face. He closed his eyes and a soft rattle sounded in his chest. Then there was silence. When they realized he was gone, the anguished cries from Mary, her mother, and the other women echoed from the house as they poured out their grief. The sound rose over the wall and carried to the surrounding neighborhood, as everyone within hearing knew Jared, the boatbuilder, the beloved husband and father, was dead.

M
ary struggled through the hazy, disjointed days in a stupor. At times it was as though she was outside of her body looking in. She studied her hands as though they didn’t belong to her. Who was she? What was she doing in this room? Was it day or night? It all seemed the same. When she felt herself rational for a short while, the realization of the death of her father sat like a stone on her chest and she cried out in grief. Why couldn’t she herself have been the one who died? She was useless to everyone, especially Nathan. The forces that drove her caused her to shrink back from him when he tried to touch her. The sadness in his eyes haunted her.

This morning Nathan had railed at her. “No more! I don’t know what Merab gives you, but no more! I’d rather have you as you were before than this ghost of a woman who spends her days like this.”

He’d stormed out and slammed the gate behind him. Merab had not come again to her, and now, as the effects of the potion were beginning to wear off, she felt her skin crawl. The walls seemed to move like shadows and the voices in her head taunted her, and she fell to her knees rocking back and forth. Would no one help her?

Suddenly Eliab, Nathan, and her mother were beside her. Eliab held a clay bowl, and as Mary wretched, Nathan spoke in soothing tones.

“I’m here, beloved. I am with you.”

To her surprise the voices were silent. This time she did not push Nathan away. He wrapped his arms around her and rocked her as one would a small child.

Eliab’s deep voice whispered in her ear. “It will pass, mistress. It will pass. This is the beginning, but you will be well soon.”

Then Eliab spoke somberly. “I have seen this before. Many at the Hippodrome resorted to this potion. It helped them to overcome their fears. Not every man who fought in the ring was a brave man. Like me, they were slaves, groomed to fight to please the screaming crowds.” There was a bitter note to his voice.

“How long will it take?” Nathan asked.

“It is hard to say, young master, but it will be hard on her.”

Rachel sighed. “Her father only sought to help her. I begged him not to do it, but I did not prevail.”

“I am her husband,” Nathan cried out. “She lives under my roof. He had no right. See how she suffers, even more than she did without it.”

Rachel wiped Mary’s face with a cool cloth. “I’m so sorry, Nathan.”

“I told Merab she is never to give it to her again, or she will be forbidden to enter our home.”

Mary felt her body begin to shake with chills and Nathan wrapped his cloak around her.

She heard the pleading note in her mother’s voice. “Can we bring her outside where it is warm?”

Nathan sighed. “She has escaped before, into the town.”

Eliab stepped forward. “I will watch over her, young master.”

Then her mother’s voice. “Oh Eliab, what would we do without you?”

Nathan slowly stood up, prepared to carry his wife, but Eliab nodded to him and gathered Mary in his great arms, carrying her easily from the room.

When they were in the courtyard, Keturah stood up from stirring the stew and watched her with wary eyes. Mishma also watched her from a distance. His young face held puzzlement and a new emotion, fear.

“Will she run away again?”

Eliab folded his strong arms. “I will watch her.”

Rachel brought a small bunch of grapes and gave one to Mary. She tasted the sweetness and moved it around in her mouth. Rachel gave her another one and she ate that too. Then her sides began to cramp and she bent over, wrapping her arms around her body and moaning.

Nathan knelt before her. “If I could take this from you, I would, beloved.”

She looked up at him, his face blurred by her tears, “I want to die. I want to die. Please, let me die.”

Eliab knelt down so his eyes were level with hers. “You will not die, mistress. You will feel like that, but you will not die. When it has passed through your body, you will be better.”

Then she fainted. She didn’t remember being carried back to their room. She vaguely heard Nathan whisper his love and felt a rug being gently tucked around her. Her mind swirled down into a vortex of darkness and she heard a small child whimpering in fear. Was it Mishma? No, the voice was her own.

Nathan sat on the cushion after the evening meal. Eliab stood outside Mary’s door and Rachel had taken him his dinner. Keturah quietly gathered the platters and began to wipe them with a cloth.

Beriah sat shivah, the week of mourning, with the family upon the death of Jared. Since Jared had no son to mourn him and say
Kaddish
, the prayer for the dead, Nathan had taken the part of a son. Through all this, Beriah said little. During the ordeal with Mary, he’d remained silent. Now, throughout the evening meal he had been thoughtful, and Nathan looked up to find his father studying him from time to time. Beriah waited until Keturah had left them to settle Mishma for the night and Rachel had returned to her home with Eliab.

Then, into the silence, he spoke his heart. “My son, the time has come for you to make a decision. I wish to marry again, and I cannot bring a wife into this situation. You have my heart and I feel deeply for all that your wife is going through, but I am getting older. I desire peace in my household. Mary needs the care of her mother, and Rachel is now alone. You must either send Mary away to the house of Jared, or go with her.”

Nathan hung his head. “It has been difficult for you, I know. You have been patient with Mary, and I understand. You should not have to be without comfort because of my wife. Who is your chosen?”

“A widow by the name of Beulah. She was married to a friend of mine in Capernaum for many years and is lonely, as I am. She has consented to marry me, but cannot bring herself to enter the situation as it stands in my home.”

Nathan knew his father had traveled to Capernaum many times, but felt it was for the boatyard and had not thought to ask the reason for his trips. His father was right. He could not bring a wife into their home with Mary’s condition affecting their lives.

“I will speak to Rachel this day, Father. If she is agreeable, we will return to Jared’s home.” He gave his father a searching look and then smiled. “You have kept your secret well.”

The look of relief on his father’s face touched Nathan’s heart.

Keturah gathered Mary’s clothes and few belongings and bundled them up. She led Mishma and Eliab carried Mary’s things. Nathan gathered Mary up in his arms, and when she whimpered and asked where they were going, Nathan just held her tightly and murmured, “We’re going home, Mary.”

Nathan realized it was a wise decision when he saw how relieved Rachel was to have her daughter near to care for. It would help both of them deal with their grief.

Keturah and Mishma moved with them and Nathan was pleased how quickly they all settled into a routine. Rachel did most of the cooking, with Keturah’s help, sometimes with Mary’s, when she was able. Without grandchildren of her own, Rachel gave her heart to Mishma, who returned the affection.

By now Nathan had taken over Jared’s part of the business, with Zerah’s reluctant agreement. Nathan was now a full partner and refused to be manipulated. Zerah still came to the house to have dinner with them once in a while at Rachel’s insistence, and grudgingly admitted how well Nathan managed at the boatyard.

A few weeks later, in a simple ceremony, Nathan’s father married Beulah, a woman with an ample waist and a gentle nature. He knew his new stepmother would be good for his father as soon as he met her.