Mary Magdalene A Novel Read online

  Mary hung her head but not before he saw the light in her eyes. “He is glad, Abba, that I am not going to marry Asa.”

  “And why is he glad?” Jared reached out with one finger and tipped her face up so she must look at him.

  “He cares for me, Abba.” Her eyes searched his face for his reaction.

  Jared’s eyebrows went up. Why had he not seen this? Had he been so distraught with his own affairs and feelings that this had been going on under his nose?

  “I see,” was all he said, but a plan came to mind. He contemplated his daughter, his eyes narrowed. “Thank you for telling me, daughter, I shall think on this.”

  Mary looked at him strangely, but when he said nothing more, she reluctantly returned to sweeping the courtyard.

  Jared hurried from the house to the shipyard. There was something he must know and right away.

  He found Nathan using a plane on the side of one of their fishing boats to smooth the wood. He wore no shirt and sweat beaded on his bare back. Jared noted the muscles in his arms and smiled to himself. A strong man, a healthy man; how had he not seen what a worthy young man this was?

  Nathan became aware of Jared’s presence and seemed surprised to find his employer studying him. “Is there something I can do for you, sir?”

  “I wish to talk with you, Nathan. Come, sit under that tree with me.” Jared gestured with one arm.

  As they sat in the shade, Jared thought about how he might approach the matter on his heart. Finally, he decided to just speak the truth. “When you were last at our home, I observed you speaking with my daughter. There is something between you?”

  Nathan’s face was guarded. “I confess that I was not unhappy that she is not to marry the cousin from Hebron.”

  Jared leaned forward and repeated the question he’d asked his daughter. “And why is that?”

  Nathan hesitated but evidently decided that he would also be honest. “Because I have always loved Mary.”

  “And why did you not speak to me of this?”

  Nathan waved a hand. “I was about to have my father approach you for Mary’s hand when I received news of her imminent betrothal. It was too late.”

  There was one more thing Jared had to know. “You are not put off by her illness?”

  “I understand Mary. I could live with that. I would do everything in my power to see her healed.”

  Jared could scarcely believe his ears. Was there hope for Mary after all? “And now that the cousin has departed?”

  The young man’s face was earnest now. “I still wish to make her my wife. That is, if you would agree.”

  Jared stroked his beard. “And Mary’s feelings for you?”

  “I believe they are returned.”

  Joy leaped in Jared’s heart. Mary would at last have a husband who loved her and would take care of her. The Holy One had answered his prayers.

  He smiled and clapped Nathan on the shoulder. “You have answered my concerns, Nathan, and considering what you have told me, I will agree to the marriage.”

  Now it was Nathan’s face that lit up with joy. “You will agree?”

  “Yes.”

  Nathan jumped up and raised both arms to heaven. “Thanks be to HaShem! Thank you!”

  Jared smiled to himself and rose slowly. “I will return home and approach my daughter. It is her decision to make. If she says yes, we will arrange the betrothal ceremony.”

  Nathan’s eyes shone with joy. “I will look forward to it.”

  When Jared reached his home, he nodded to Mary and went into the house to speak with Rachel. He glanced outside to make sure Mary was occupied and spoke in low tones. “Wife, there is a solution to our problem with Mary.”

  “A solution? To what problem, her illness?”

  He put up a hand for her to lower her voice. “The problem of marriage. I have a husband for her.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Now, who have you sent for? It will end the same as the matter with your cousin.”

  Jared allowed himself a pleased smile as he delivered his momentous news. “It is Nathan. He loves our daughter and now that the other betrothal is off, he wants to marry her.” He ended the last words on a triumphant note.

  Rachel stared at him. “So it has taken you this long to see what anyone with eyes can see for themselves?”

  “You knew? Why did you not say anything?”

  She put a hand on his arm and looked up at him fondly. “You had already sent for your cousin. What good would it do?”

  He sighed and sank down on a cushion. “Is the father always the last to know what is going on under his very nose?”

  “You were doing what you thought best, dear husband. I understood that. Mary loves you and didn’t want to disappoint you.”

  He thought a moment and then rose slowly. “I have been remiss. I shall speak to Mary immediately.” His eyes twinkled. “It appears you will have a betrothal feast to prepare for after all.”

  As her father approached her with purpose in his step, Mary looked up. Now what did he have in mind?

  “It seems a matter has come to my attention that needs to be resolved immediately.”

  Mary regarded him warily and waited.

  “It seems a certain young man feels very strongly about my daughter and wants to marry her. Would you be agreeable?”

  A slow warmth radiated in her heart. “A certain young man—?” As he stood there beaming at her, the truth began to dawn. She knew. “Nathan? Oh Abba, is it Nathan?”

  He nodded, smiling, and was almost bowled over as she threw herself at him in an exuberant embrace.

  When Mary and Nathan agreed, her father set the wedding for the fall, in the month of Sivan when the boatbuilding began to slow down for the winter. Nathan’s position in the shipyard would be changed. He would be family and needed to learn the business side of building the boats.

  Mary knew Nathan was well-liked among the men and they respected his father, Beriah, who took care of the accounting. Nathan confessed to her that some were apprehensive about the marriage, aware of the problems the family had with her illness, but they all knew it was a love match. In spite of whatever apprehensions they felt about his bride-to-be, they boisterously congratulated him.

  10

  Zerah stood with his arms folded, his face a mask when Jared announced the betrothal.

  “What foolishness is this, brother? How can you be so sure this will work?”

  Jared shrugged. “He loves her, and though he knows of Mary’s illness, he is willing to marry her.”

  A slight sneer crossed Zerah’s face. “Are you sure it is your daughter and not the boatbuilding business he is marrying?”

  “Do you underestimate my ability to judge in this situation, Zerah?”

  His brother put up both hands in protest. “Surely not, Jared, I merely hope that you have looked at all sides of this matter.”

  “The betrothal documents are signed and it is arranged. I do not think I have made a mistake. He is a fine young man and an honorable son-in-law.”

  Zerah started to speak but seemed to think better of it and closed his mouth.

  “He already knows much of the financial part of the business through Beriah. I would have you teach him the process of ordering the materials for the ships. Since he has worked here, he already knows how we build the boats.”

  Zerah sighed heavily. “Very well, brother. I shall accept your decision. It will be as you wish. We will start tomorrow.”

  Jared was pleased. He had anticipated an argument from Zerah over Nathan’s new status. It would be hard for his brother to treat Nathan differently, having been his employer for several years. Instead Zerah had agreed. He agreed with most things these days, especially since Mary’s kidnapping ordeal. Thoughts crossed Jared’s mind from time to time in regard to the kidnapping, but he dismissed them. Zerah would not have done such a thing. They were family.

  With a sense of well-being, he went out to watch their latest fishing boat under
construction.

  Like expert cabinetwork, the hull of the fishing boat was a tightly joined shell of cedar. The workers carefully carved the opening in the mortise and fitted the tenon joint in the opening. He watched them fit these joints that became the ribs of the ship and pound in the dowels that held them in place.

  It always pleased him to watch his men build a boat. His craftsmen carefully formed and fitted each hull. Since this was a fishing boat, it was only twenty-seven feet long and seven and a half feet wide, big enough for at least fifteen men. The sides were almost four and a half feet high, enough to protect the fishermen in a rough sea. He’d only lost two boats on the water over the years, a record for fishing boats in the area. He looked out toward the Sea of Galilee and sighed. Those who built the boats and those who went out on the waters of the sea were both aware of the unpredictable winds that swept down from the mountains. The winds caused sudden fierce storms that could catch fishermen unawares.

  Another fishing boat was in its final stages, and he went over to inspect as the men smeared the outside of the hull with pitch to preserve the wood. Next they would cover the hull up to the waterline with a layer of tar-impregnated fabric, and finally nail a thin sheathing of lead over it all. Jared watched them work and smiled with pleasure.

  He became aware of someone nearby and turned to see Nathan watching the boatbuilding process also.

  “Ah, will you miss working in the yard, my son?”

  “In a way, sir. I liked working outside and seeing the boats come together under our hands.”

  Jared nodded. When he was young and first working with Zerah in the boatyard under their father, he too liked to work on the boats. He remembered the sense of satisfaction that he too felt as each boat was completed.

  A severe coughing spell interrupted his thoughts. He wrapped his arms around his middle, bending over in pain. He quickly pulled out a cloth he kept to cover his mouth. He hoped Nathan did not see the touch of red as he hastily tucked it back in the folds of his clothing.

  “Sir, are you all right?” Nathan helped him over to a bench where Jared eased himself down gingerly.

  “It will pass, my son. It will pass.” Jared took a deep breath as the coughing eased. He ignored the pain as he focused on Nathan’s face. “Zerah will begin tomorrow teaching you about the ordering of materials. It is one of the most important parts of our business. A poorly built boat is a danger to its owner in a storm—that’s why it is worth the expense to use the finest cedar and pine.”

  Nathan shrugged slightly. “That is why you are so successful, sir, you build a good boat and the fishermen know it.”

  Jared studied his future son-in-law and liked what he saw—a handsome young man of integrity and humor, with a good head on his shoulders. He would father sons and make his daughter happy. It was all a father could ask for. Yet there were things Nathan must know, things Jared had known for some time.

  “Come for the evening meal and we will talk.”

  Nathan still watched Jared with concern. “If you will forgive me, sir, my father has invited guests this evening and I promised to be there.”

  One more day wouldn’t matter. “It is well that you join your father. Come tomorrow night.”

  Nathan smiled. “I would be most honored to join you tomorrow. You are sure you are all right?”

  “Yes, yes, be on your way. I will see you tomorrow evening.” He rose and waved a hand at the young man.

  As Jared watched Nathan walk away, he knew Mary would be disappointed that he would not join them for dinner. The two young people could hardly keep their eyes off one another. With all the fussing going on at his home with preparations and sewing, he almost wished he’d made the wedding date earlier. His quiet household was buzzing with small gatherings of women, each with advice on how the wedding should go, what Mary should wear, and what food to be prepared. With a sigh he squared his shoulders and headed home. Tomorrow was soon enough to share with his future son-in-law what he must finally know.

  11

  In the quiet of the night, Rachel held her husband and comforted him. Jared had kept no secrets from her, and he knew she had anxiously watched the coughing spells increase over time. It was not a good sign. Jared dutifully swallowed potions Merab brought to the house to ease the pain, but gradually even the potions gave him no respite.

  “Perhaps we should move up the wedding, Rachel,” he said at last. “Yet I do not wish to alarm Mary. It would cast a shadow on the festivities.”

  Rachel wept. “I have prayed to the Holy One, blessed be his name, day after day. Perhaps he will hear and have mercy on you.”

  He patted her shoulder gently. “Are not all things in his hand? It is his will that must be done.”

  “Oh Jared, what will I do without you? You are my strength.”

  “The Holy One must be your strength, dear wife. He has brought Nathan to care for our Mary and he will be a good son-in-law to you. You will not be left alone.” He gave her a weak smile. “Perhaps soon there will be grandchildren to occupy your time.”

  She looked up at the moonlight sending its silvery light through the window. “That would be more than I could ask for.”

  Jared shifted his position. “Do you think she is better?”

  “The headaches are not as severe and she has only had two seizures this last month.”

  “And the nightmares? Have they abated?”

  She sighed. “They are better, not as frequent.”

  Rachel turned to him, her eyes anxiously searching his face. “Do you think Nathan truly understands what he is going to have to live with?”

  He was quiet a long moment. “I am going to have a long talk with him. I pray that he does. It is all the hope we have.”

  Rachel laid her head on his shoulder and he could feel her shudder as she sobbed quietly. He held her close, whispering soft words of comfort in her ear.

  Nathan arrived before the sun had even set, eager to join them. Mary was joyful, her eyes alight with love for him. Soon they would be married and both anxiously awaited their wedding day.

  Mary and her mother made a bitter herb salad with garlic, watercress, fresh mint, grapes, and walnut pieces. Mary carefully tossed the salad with mustard seeds, wine vinegar, and olive oil. A garbanzo bean puree was mixed with cumin, and a lamb and lentil stew with garlic, onions, ground pepper, and fresh coriander simmered in the pot. With almost every meal Rachel seemed to be outdoing herself. Mary’s mother diligently shared the secrets of using her herbs with Mary, in preparation for her becoming the woman of the household in Nathan’s home. Since Nathan’s mother died when he was ten, Beriah hired a woman to come tend his house and cook for them. Now Mary would do the cooking and she wanted to be able to prepare the dishes she’d grown up with.

  She smiled to herself, anticipating having her own home and being a wife to Nathan. The little fears of her illness were brushed away. Surely they would eventually recede. HaShem had given her this wonderful happiness. He would heal her.

  She helped her mother serve the meal, and as their eyes caught, Nathan’s love seemed to flow over her like a warm breeze.

  Jared kept up the conversation with Nathan as they discussed the growth of the boatbuilding yard over the past years.

  Nathan listened attentively, but when Jared paused to dip his bread, he looked his future father-in-law in the eyes. “And Zerah? Will he accept my new role in the business?”

  Jared paused, hand in midair to his mouth. “He has no choice. You are family and it is a family business. Zerah seems gruff, but he was not always that way. He will work with you. It is in his best interests.”

  Mary replenished dishes and moved about the dining area. She saw a brief moment of concern on her mother’s face, but when Mary’s eyebrows lifted in question, Rachel put on a bland look and busied herself with the cooking pot.

  Her father had looked up and given her mother a slight shake of the head. What did it mean? Her mother picked up a platter and, after gathe
ring some of the food on it, went over to take Eliab his dinner.

  When the meal was ended, her father wiped his mouth carefully and looked across at Nathan. “The evening is fair. Let us go into the garden.”

  Mary looked after them as they left and a small sense of unease brushed across her heart.

  Her father seemed to have much on his mind these days. Perhaps it was the responsibility of showing Nathan his new role in the boatyard. That must be it. She picked up a platter and knelt at the table to await her mother’s return and their own dinner.

  Jared strolled quietly in the garden, his hands behind his back as he considered how to approach Nathan with what was on his heart.

  “You are feeling better, sir?”

  “Yes, at the moment. There is something I must tell you, Nathan, for it is time you knew.”

  Nathan frowned and stopped walking. “Is it about the marriage?”

  “No, my son, it is about me and the coughing spells you have observed.”

  “You are ill.” It was not a question.

  “Yes. I have used every means at my disposal, but the potions have not worked. The pain increases and—”

  “You have been spitting up blood.”

  Jared turned sharply to face him. “Yes. I didn’t know you saw.”

  Nathan’s face showed compassion as he spoke. “Do you fear not being here for our wedding?”

  “You are perceptive. I believe I will see you and Mary become husband and wife, but my time is in the hands of the Holy One, blessed be his name. He alone determines the moment I must be gathered to my fathers.”

  “Praise be to God that he has carried you so far.”

  Jared bowed his head to acknowledge Nathan’s words, but he knew he must speak the things that troubled him.

  “Nathan, I am grateful to you for not only loving my Mary but for your understanding of what troubles her. You have glimpsed her seizures and it has not dismayed you nor caused you to turn away. What you must know is that from time to time, the nightmares continue. She awakens, crying out and perspiring. The forces of the evil one plague her. She also suffers from severe headaches, and those you have seldom seen. Is your love for my daughter able to overcome such obstacles to a marriage?”