should call everyone, and we will eat.”
Before I left the house, I met Sharmila near the door. We looked at each other but did not kiss. She asked me if my throat felt better. I said, “I think it is worse.”
Then I called the others in for breakfast. Abdi-anati, Sharmila, and I finished first. We were ready to go to Jerusalem, so Sharmila and I went out to the road but we had to wait a few moments for Abdi-anati to gather up some documents and put them in his pack. So I confessed to Sharmila, “I really don’t know what to do. You have said that you loved me, and I love you. I want to marry you, but how will it work out? When? Where? And should I keep my feelings for you from your family?”
“My family knows about our feelings for each other. They have known for some time, and their knowledge was confirmed last night by our happy faces. As to your questions, I also want to marry but don’t worry. We will figure it out. We were both fourteen when we met at Beth-shan. That was six years ago. We can take a few more days to make our plans. In the meantime, let’s enjoy our time together on our walk this morning. My father will not object if you hold my hand.”
“And let me add that my family also knows that I am in love with you. It will be great to show our smiling faces to them as well.”
We had a nice walk, and when we arrived in Jerusalem, I took Abdi-anati directly to father’s office. Then Sharmila and I went to the house to see mother.
Mother was home, expecting us, but Elissa and Ruth were disappointed that Huraya was not with us. Mother sighed, “Don’t worry girls. You will get to meet her in two days.”
Mother embraced Sharmila and asked her about her mother and sister. Sharmila said that everyone enjoyed the trip, and they were impressed with the accommodations. Looking at her lovingly, mother said, “I hope that two days will give everyone enough rest, and that you will all be ready for our party.”
“Everyone will be rested, and we will look forward to it,” Sharmila assured her.
Mother continued, “You both look like you are having a good time. You should sit down at the table, and we will try some of Elissa’s raisin cakes.”
“Since we ate early this morning, this is just what I need,” I said. “And mother, you have always had a sharp eye. Sharmila and I are having a great time. In fact, I know that these next few days are going to be precious, but they will be gone faster than the morning dew.”
“True,” said Sharmila. “But remember the morning dew is essential for growth and maturity.”
“Right. That works for the grapes, but for me I don’t know. I’ll try to be positive. Mother, I want to show Sharmila around Jerusalem. We will be back in time for lunch. And Elissa, thanks for the treats.”
“You are welcome, my dear brother, and I am willing to help you show Sharmila around Jerusalem.”
“That will not be necessary, my dear sister.”
Sharmila added her thanks, and we left hand-in-hand. After taking a quick look at David’s palace, Sharmila asked, “Can we climb that hill just to the east? I would like to find a nice place to sit, and we could just view the city from up there.”
I agreed to her plan, and it did not take long. We walked down by the Gihon spring and into the valley. It did not take long to climb to the top of the ridge, and looking west the view was magnificent.
“Good idea,” I said. “I get caught up in the city and in my work. I do not come up here for the overview, as I should. Because of my studies, I know we are surrounded by a big world, but I need to see it. Magon, our teacher from Tyre, says that the world seems bigger when you live by the Great Sea.”
“He is right. I have been to Tyre with my father, and I had a similar experience.”
“So, it is good to be reminded of our world, but right now I would rather look at the most important person in my world. Sharmila, you are not only gorgeous, but you are thoughtful. I don’t know how I have lived without you.”
“And you, my dear Naam, are like your father and my father; you talk too much.”
She came to me, and we enjoyed being close and silent.
On our way back to the academy and to mother’s lunch, I said, “I don’t know if I can take it if you go back to Beth-shan with your family. I would go with you, but I have these two courses to teach at the academy.”
“Perhaps I could stay here. I need to talk to my parents about this. If father finds a scribe or two, I would not be needed.”
“But if you stay here, we should get married. I want you and need you.”
“I know,” and with a smile she said, “And in that order.”
We had a good time at lunch. Elissa and Ruth talked with Sharmila. Magon, Khety, Abdi-anati, and father were all there. I helped mother get things ready.
Abdi-anati was saying, “Jonathan, when you and Khety were in Beth-shan six years ago, I told you that we needed some help from David. I explained that all the Egyptian mercenaries from Caphtor (Crete) and Alashiya (Cyprus)—who had ruled us for ages—had fled before David became king, and they joined with the Philistines. We needed leadership for our city to function, and we needed some protection. You said that you would speak with David, and he sent us some assistance. Things are much better, and I want to thank you.”
“It is good to know that things are better, father said. “But now you need more scribes. I suppose that a closer relationship with Jerusalem has created some of that need.”
“Correct, but in addition you, Magon, and Khety have inspired me to do some other work. I have tried to locate more Egyptian material, and I am gathering some tales about our city. As you well know there are so many things to write about. Sharmila has helped me, but I really need two more scribes.”
We all sat down to eat. Magon remembered Abdi-anati from when Abdi-anati was in school at Tyre. They had a lot to talk about, and Khety, as always was interested in any new Egyptian material. Sharmila and I talked with mother, and I think we were both relieved not to have to think about our own problem for a few moments.
After lunch Abdi-anati left to interview some students, and Khety announced that we would all be together again in just two days at the party. “We have two houses,” he said. “We expect for you to be able to stay over night.”
Mother said to Sharmila and me, “I must speak with Tamar, Naomi, and Sarah about our plans.”
“I’m sorry,” said Sharmila. “I don’t know Naomi.”
“She is one of my best friends; she is Magon’s wife. They have two children, a son Azriel and a daughter Ahinoam. I also think Elishama and Deborah will come to the party. I believe that you have met their daughter Rachel, and they also have Joshua and Dinah.”
“I have met Rachel. This sounds like fun. There will be a lot of people.”
“Right, and I think Naam and you should see Rachel and Samuel before you leave this afternoon. You should give them a special invitation. Naam, would you agree?”
“It is fine with me if Sharmila agrees.”
“I would like that. We should see them here and not wait until the party.”
The girls were busy and the others had left. I took Sharmila’s hand, and said to mother, “We have been in love for a long time, and we can finally say it.”
“I’m happy for you, and it was apparent when you arrived. Now you go along and find Rachel and Samuel.”
This was an easy task. We found them at Rachel’s where they were still having lunch. Things seemed just a little tense at first, but eased when I invited them to the party. I said, “We thought you would be there with the rest of your family, but we just wanted to make sure that you came along. Sharmila and I want to get married soon, and I suppose that the two of you have had some of the same