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Draft-Chapter 1, Scene 1

Martha’s “Geeza, geeza” echoes off the slopes around us. The bleating and pushing and shoving of the flocks as they separate has a music of it’s own. One I love to hear. It means I am trusted and needed, by the sheep and goats at least, and it gets me away from the house.

The sheep and goats graze along the hillside. The lambs and kids run and jump, chasing each other around the mothers. Its getting warmer, and I want to get them watered at the small pond by the trees up the valley, then resting for a few hours in the shade.

I see Mama in the distance walking toward me and wave at her. Why is she coming out here?

She’s flushed from the walk.

“You came all the way out here to see me?” I smile at the thought, but I’m also concerned. “Is everything okay at home?”

She looks up at me from watching her steps. A leather bag is hanging over her shoulder. “Everything’s fine. I checked with Chloe’s mother. They’re busy getting everything finished before the wedding tomorrow.”

I want to help with the wedding preparations, but the animals are my responsibility. “Is Jeshimon coming to watch the sheep for me soon?”

She pauses, her brows furrowing. “I’m sorry, but your father is keeping Jeshimon busy. I know you wanted to help them.”

I’m deeply disappointed, but not surprised.

Mama follows along with me as I move the sheep and goats closer toward the trees. She seems hesitant, like she wants to tell me something, but can’t find the words. I’m getting anxious. “Mama, what is it?”

Something like a touch of fear and concern flash across her face. I stop her so I can look directly in her eyes. “What’s happening?” Her countenance is worrying me.

We reach the pond and the livestock surround the water, drinking deeply. It is getting hotter by the moment.

Mama’s voice is tight, and her jawline hardens. “Some merchants came into town this morning. They were visiting with Sidon, then your father invited them over to eat with us this evening.”

“What do they want?” I look over at her. She is watching the sheep, her shoulders tense.

“Your father said he wants to move, so he’s selling all the things he doesn’t want anymore.”

“We’re moving? Where are we going?” I am completely surprised.

Mama continues to watch the sheep. “He wants to go back to Greece where his brothers live.”

I wonder what Greece is like. “Have you ever been there?”

Mama slowly shakes her head. “No, I haven’t. The only other place I’ve lived is Caesarea.” Her eyes soften when she speaks of Caesarea. She told me once that she loved living by the sea, and that when the wind blows the tall grass in the fields it reminds her of the waves.  Maybe Mama and I can go to the sea someday.

We reach the shade, and the flock starts lying down, belching to bring up their cud to chew. Mama and I sit down and lean against a tree.

She pushes the veil off her forehead, draping it onto her back. The breeze plays with tendrils of her deep chestnut colored hair, moving them from side to side.

I push my veil back too. It feels nice to have the breeze through my hair.

She pulls the leather bag off her shoulder and over her head. “Let’s see what we have to eat.” She opens the leather bag and pulls out a small round of barley bread and tears it in two, handing both halves to me. Next, she unwraps two slices of goat cheese and places them on the bread. I get the grapes and nuts out of my bag.

I’m curious about this decision my father made. “How soon does father want to leave?”

Mama’s anxiety peaks again. “As soon as everything is gone. You know he received a letter from his brother in Greece a few days ago. Nicanor said they need carpenters and masons to help with all the building in the city. Your father’s been thinking about it, and now that these merchants have shown up, he’s decided he’s ready to go.”

I look at the flock in front of us. What will I do when they’re gone? And my special little lamb, Honeybee, what will happen to her? “Is he going to sell the sheep and goats to someone in the village?” Perhaps I can give Honeybee to Martha to take care of.

Mama hesitates. “I’m not sure. It will be to whoever has the money, I guess.”

We eat our lunch, and watch the sheep and goats rest.  I don’t like this at all.