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 thoughts. We would like to know about some of your plans. Also I imagine that we will all be connected to the academy in the next few years, and that means we have a lot in common.”
“We will be there,” Rachel said. “Sharmila, I want to get to know you, and both you and Naam need to know more about Samuel.”
“I’m glad you stopped by,” said Samuel. “I really did not know just what we should do.”
“We will have a great time,” said Sharmila. “I can see that there will be enough young people there to keep the party lively.”
As we left Sharmila remarked that she was glad we had given them a special invitation. She said, “Your mother has a lot of good ideas.”
“She does, and I think it is because she is always thinking about the well-being of others.”
7
Abdi-anati came back to the house to tell us that he would need to stay at the academy for more interviews. He suggested that Sharmila and I go back without him, saying that he would come with the other men to the party.
Mother packed us a snack for our walk back to Tamar’s, and when we sat down to eat it, I said, “I am wondering if we could get married on the second day of the party. All the Jerusalem folks would be returning on that day, and we could have Tamar’s house for our wedding night.”
Sharmila kissed me saying, “I would like that, and it might be the best time. However, I will have to talk with mother about this. Also could you get word to your mother about our plans? She would want to think about what she would need for a wedding.”
“You are right. Joel and Jacob will probably be going to Jerusalem tomorrow, and I could send a letter with them. If not I will go back tomorrow morning. You need to talk with your mother this evening.”
“I will.”
“And we also need make a few plans. In my mind, our wedding started with your journey the other day. Your journey was the wedding procession. My father always called Rebekah’s journey a wedding procession. Of course, as we know, at the end of your procession you did not veil yourself for your “Isaac.”
“No! I did not, but your arms held me, and your kiss was what I had been waiting for.”
“So since our wedding has already started, we will have to finish it. On the second day of the party, the others can bring you to Tamar’s house.”
“That won’t take long.”
“No, but the women will have to party at Sarah’s and the men will be at Tamar’s. That will take some time.”
As soon as we arrived, Sharmila talked with her mother. Pidray was not surprised, and confided that she had brought some clothes for Sharmila in case there was a wedding. Sharmila said, “How did you know?”
Pidray drew her daughter into her arms and said, “I know my girl. It was written in your eyes and in your smile. Your heart is an open book.”
They both had tears on their cheeks when they came out of the house and told me to start writing
