Necessary Heartbreak (13 page)

Michael shifted uncomfortably and a few hairs on his head were caught by the stucco wall. Startled, he pulled away quickly, heaving himself up onto his knees. Elizabeth was sprawled out on the floor in front of him, her breathing even and her body relaxed. The house was quiet, although he could hear Leah in the kitchen below. After watching Elizabeth for a moment to ensure she was asleep, he stood up, but realized he had no idea where to go.

He made one uncertain step from the small room they were in and took a moment to digest the view of the room before him. Had they really eaten on that mat on the floor, with foods he never considered laid out in grand fashion? He walked over to the window and glanced out into the night sky. When was the last time he had seen a tree like that, if ever? And why did he feel this overwhelming fatigue? Where were they? Before he was aware of it, he had begun to pace silently, his face skewed in concentration.

Leah returned from below, expertly pulling herself up the ladder with a large bundle under her arm. She walked over to him, handed Michael a bedroll, and motioned to the roof. “It is warm out tonight, and the breeze should be pleasant. You will do well to make your sleeping quarters up there.”

“Up there?” Michael said with a pained expression. “Outside?”

“Yes, up there.” Leah looked at him with a sorrowful expression. As Michael turned to start up the ladder, he hesitated, looking back over his shoulder at Leah.

“You said you were concerned about soldiers being everywhere. I'm just really worried about that soldier who took a piece of my daughter's clothing. He said he was going to make my daughter his. Don't tell me that's what I think it means.”

Leah was silent. Then she said, “The soldier is interested in taking her for his wife.”

“What?”

Leah placed her fingers over her lips and pointed toward where Elizabeth lay sleeping.

“Sorry,” Michael muttered.

“The soldier is interested in your daughter. It is customary for women at her age to marry and start families.”

Michael's eyes widened in horror and he pointed roughly at her. “My little girl is not marrying anyone. She's just a kid.”

“She is a grown woman. Enough time has passed for her to now find a husband.”

“What kind of a place is this that encourages fourteen-year-olds to get married?”

Leah, looking confused, shook her head in response.

“I'm sorry, I meant no offense. But this is really surreal.”

“
This
is what is expected,” Leah said, her voice raised. She paused for a moment, collecting herself. “You should know that by now,” she whispered.

Michael glared at her before his features softened. “I don't know anything. Believe me, I don't understand a thing about this place.” He shook his head in resignation before climbing farther up the ladder. “Either way, none of this is expected from me or my daughter. And definitely not . . .
marriage.
” The word tasted awful in his mouth.

Michael paused before looking at Leah curiously. “You know, I've
been wondering something. Why did you take that risk and stand up for us in the courtyard?”

In the awkward silence, Michael readjusted the cumbersome bedroll under his arm as he watched her intently.

Leah took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room. “You are a kind man,” she murmured finally. She leaned over, stood slightly on her toes, and gently touched his right cheek with her lips.

Michael was mystified but decided not to pursue the subject further. He resumed his climb and called back over his shoulder, “What town are we in?”

Over the rooftop he could see the outline of the city, the flowing water moving through the aqueduct, the stars twinkling in the clear, dark sky, and hundreds of rooftops in front of him. Unlike in Northport, he could not find the bay or its boats, and from this high vantage point, nothing looked familiar.

Leah hesitated, looking up at him oddly from the bottom of the ladder. “Jerusalem, of course.”

The wooden ladder shook slightly in the morning light as Michael hit the last rung without a squeak. Growing up in the Richmond Hill house, he had become a master at moving quietly to avoid drawing attention to himself.

He made his way over to Elizabeth and noticed that the top half of her bedroll was pushed up so it would serve as a pillow, and that she was sound asleep.

Not surprising; she could sleep through a hurricane.
He smiled and caressed her head.

Down to the first floor he went, making only a slight creaking sound on one of the middle rungs. In the kitchen, Michael grabbed a cup hanging on the wall and tried to pour some water into it from a large jug. The water splashed out, spilling all over him and the floor.

“Shoot,” he muttered, wondering if he had been too loud.

His sleeve was soaking wet and water was pooling on the stone floor. He was afraid someone would slip in it, so he tried to push the puddle around with his foot, hoping that it would evaporate faster that way. It was futile, for now the entire floor was slippery. He bent over closer to examine it.

“This will help,” Leah said, placing a piece of cloth before him.

He sheepishly straightened up. “I'm so sorry.”

“Why? It's just water.”

Michael nodded. “Thank you.”

“Can I make you some porridge?”

If we are in Jerusalem, how do I even understand what she's saying?
Michael hesitated. “Ah, no, thank you, it's not necessary. I just need some water. I want to get to town and try to see if it's safe to get to the tunnel.”

“The soldiers may notice you, dressed as you are. You'll be in danger. Please let me get you some clothing.”

Before he could reply, Leah went upstairs, returning with a long, off-white linen robe. Michael put the garment over his sweatpants and T-shirt. The bottom of the robe touched the top of his feet.

“Better?”

“Not yet.” Leah brought him a simple, woven belt and wrapped it around his waist. “Now you are done.”

Michael watched Leah pour him a cup of water. “Thank you,” he said, accepting it. “Can you please tell Elizabeth that I'm going back to the tunnel to see if there are any soldiers still there?”

Leah paused uncomfortably. “Would it not be better if you told her yourself what you are doing?”

“No. She'll want to come. I can't take her because of that soldier.”

Leah pointed to his empty cup. “She isn't a little girl.”

“No, thank you, that was enough. I know she isn't. But please, will you take care of her for me today? She's all I've got.”

“I will.”

Michael smiled. “I'll try to be back as soon as I can. Please tell Elizabeth I love her.”

With that, he went out into the courtyard and through the gate.

The pain in Elizabeth's hip woke her. She had rolled off the bedroll and the hard, cold floor had taken its toll. She opened her eyes and sat
up quickly, finding it difficult at first to comprehend the room around her. In the morning sun, the yellow stone walls were reflecting golden rays of light.

“Dad?” she called, standing. She could see the dining mat that they had sat around last night was just beyond the alcove where she had slept.

“Daddy!” Elizabeth yelled with urgency, walking out into the main room. The silence left a pit inside her stomach. She leaned over the ladder to see if anyone was visible.

“Dad? Are you down there?”

Hearing no response, Elizabeth climbed the ladder to the roof and poked her head out. She saw the empty bedroll.

“Dad?”

Elizabeth started back down the ladder, jumping off before the bottom rung to the second floor and quickly descended to the first.

Leah had left the porridge to cook over the fire and was in the courtyard praying when she heard Elizabeth on the ladder.

“Dad!”

“I am here,” Leah said.

Elizabeth leaped to the floor from the middle of the ladder and turned to see Leah kneeling by the fig tree in the courtyard. “Do you know where my . . .”

Leah put two fingers over her mouth before quickly finishing her prayers. Standing, she said, “Your father is not here.”

“Where is he?”

“He went to town to look for the place you came from,” said Leah as she walked to the smoldering fire.

“Why didn't he wake me? Why didn't you?”

“Your father asked me not to.”

“What?”

“I made you something to eat.”

“I don't want to eat. I want my father!”

Leah stirred the porridge calmly. “He said he would be back soon.”

“When is
soon
?”

“I don't know.”

You don't know much.
Elizabeth was so angry at her father, wondering how he could leave her here with this strange woman.

“Leah, we have to look for him.”

“That was not what he wanted.”

“Why not?”

“It's not safe.”

“Not
safe
? We have to go look for him if it's not safe.”

“No, it's not safe for you.”

“Why?”

Leah looked at her, bewildered. “Elizabeth, you are a woman. Surely you know that there are men who would think nothing of having their way with you.” Leah's gaze softened. She whispered, “They will hurt you, damage you. They would ruin you and you would never be the same.”

Elizabeth scowled at Leah, her hands flailing in the air. “What are you talking about? I would never let that happen.” She huffed. “My
dad
would never let that happen.”

Leah carefully moved past her, retreating to the kitchen. “Your dad cannot stop them. You are a beautiful woman, Elizabeth. Perhaps you would be safe with a good man and a home.”

Elizabeth reeled around and squared her shoulders. “Are you crazy? I'm just fourteen. I'm not even allowed to date.” She laughed mockingly. “My father won't even allow me to kiss a guy.”

“I know your father would not be happy that I spoke this way, but you must understand this is the way of our town.”

“Not our town,” Elizabeth shot back.

Leah remained silent.

“We still need to find my father. I can't stay here.”

Leah placed her hand on Elizabeth's arm, gently stopping her from leaving through the courtyard. “If you were to go to town for your father, the soldier might remember you.”

“What soldier?”

“The soldier who took the piece of your garment.”

Elizabeth looked at her oversize T-shirt. She now wished she hadn't invaded her father's closet.
I wonder if this is punishment for not asking
, she thought ironically.

Leah could see the determination on Elizabeth's face. “I'll go with you.”

Elizabeth's face lit up.

“But you should never wear that shirt again,” Leah said, handing Elizabeth one of her own robes.

Elizabeth's smile turned to a frown. At first she just stared at it, but then put it on over her shirt.