Young Writers Society

XXIV

For hours, Asenath alternated between bathing her mother’s body with cold rags and feeding Manasseh. All the while, she sang and made melodies for new harp songs. She didn’t see Amnon or Joseph all day. They were too busy figuring out the future of Potipherah’s estate.

Reziya called a local healer who arrived at the time of the evening meal. He was bent over with age and had a lazy eye. He sent Asenath into the adjoining room where Manasseh slept. She fumed as he closed the door behind her.

Manasseh was awake. He played with the streams of light reflected on the wall from the fading sun. Asenath tustled his black hair, curly like his father’s, soft like his mother’s.

He stared at her with his big eyes and smiled. He seemed to be saying, “What’s wrong, momma? Life is so beautiful. Why are you sad?”

But death is so ugly.

She say against the door, listening. She heard murmurs of the healer’s incantations. “Elohim?” she whispered. “Are you here? I’ve been singing, but my heart is crying. You feel so far away. Back at home, in Joseph’s worship room, it’s easy to feel You. But here, there seems to be a cloud. You let my father die. And my father is sick too. What are you doing? And I have a child on the way. I am overwhelmed.”

The room filled with the bitter smell of incense. The light faded, and Manasseh started screaming.

Just then, Joseph entered from a side door. He held a bright candle. Manasseh stopped crying and clapped his pudgy hands when he saw his father. When he saw his distraught wife, he ran to her side. “What is going on? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, but Mother…”

“Reziya told me when I came out of that stuffy office. But, don’t worry. Oni found someone to watch her children. Once that healer comes out, she will watch your mother.”

“No, I have to be there for her when she wakes.”

“You will be. I’m just taking you away for an hour or two. We both need a break.”

“But Manasseh…”

“You have taken care of him all day. I’m sure Reziya will watch him for a few hours.”

“What are we doing?”

“My surprise. Meet me in our room when the healer is finished.” Joseph left the room with a sly grin on his face.

Seconds later, Oni flew in and wrapped her arms around Asenath. “I am so sorry for your loss. I’m here to help. I packed your most comfortable outfits and a few nice things for dinners in your chests. They are in your room. And I remembered to grab a few of Manasseh’s toys.”

“Thank you. You always know what I need.”

The healer opened the door. “She should only have broth and coriander honey tea. Keep the cool clothes on and massage her hands and feet every half an hour. If she doesn’t wake in the next twenty-four hours, I will come back.” After leaving some bottles of oils for the massage, he left.

Oni squeezed Asenath’s hand. “I will do all he says. And I will continue to pray. Go ahead.” Oni shooed her out of the room.

Asenath made her way to her room, a little confused.

This wasn’t the original plan.

She opened the door to her room.

Joseph wore a plain white tunic around his waist and bowed. “At your service, my lady. Except you have to do what I say.” He winked.

“What foolish game are you playing? I hope you aren’t going to act like a silly school boy. You are thirty-two!”

“Well, if this is a game, you will have more fun if you play along.”

Asenath crossed her arms.

“Please?”

I can never resist him when he gives me that face.

“OK.”

“Good! Unstrap your sandals, take off that dirty wig, and change into this.” He handed her a plain white tunic embroidered with white roses.

She stripped off her tunic that was soiled with dirt and sweat and slipped on the new one. It felt smooth and cool against her skin. Then, she took off her wig and let her silky tresses loose.

Joseph nodded approvingly. “Better. Now sit.” He pointed to a seat on the balcony. “Let’s get off that dirt.” He dipped a cloth into a silver bowl.

“I can…”

“May I?”

She closed her eyes in consent.

He gently wiped the remaining dirt off her face and neck, then dried them with a towel. “Now I can see your face!”

“Why are you doing this?”

“I just want you to know that even though we are not ‘newlyweds’ and we are both busy, you are still my queen.”

How sweet!

He bathed her feet in the silver bowl.

“I remember the first time you did this.”

“Me too.”

“I thought you were out of your mind.”

“Some say that love is like insanity.”

“Obviously. I had to be crazy to love you,” she teased.

“That’s true.”

“Almost done?”

“No, I have to do your hair.”

“Hair? What do you know about hair?”

“You might be surprised.”

He grabbed a bottle of perfume from her vanity, poured some into his hands, and lathered it in her hand. A few times he pulled her hair, but it didn’t hurt too much.

“Will you sing me one of your Hebrew songs?”

Joseph chuckled. “You know I don’t sing well.”

“Please? You said that you were at my service.”

“As you wish, my lady.” Joseph started to sing. His deep voice bellowed out haunting tunes.

Asenath did not know what he was saying, but it always cast a spell over her. She swayed slowly to the music.

While he sang he parted her hair into three sections and wove them together. He finished the song as he finished her hair.

“What does it mean?”

“It is a song one of my great-grandfather’s friends wrote. It means,

‘Where were you when Elohim laid the foundations of the earth? Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? Where is the way where light dwells? Have you entered into the treasures of the snow or seen the treasures of hail? Hath the rain a father? Who begat the drops of dew? I know that Elohim can do anything, for these things are too wonderful for me. I have heard of Elohim by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see Him.’”

He plaited white water lilies in her hair. Taking her by the hand, he led her to a mirror. “What do you think about my hair styling abilities now?”

She ran her fingers over the twisted hair, like smooth rope.

“It’s called a braid. The princesses in Canaan wear their hair like that. I watched my sister Dinah do it many times, I got pretty good at it.”

“It’s amazing! I haven’t felt this beautiful since, well, our wedding day.”

Joseph wrapped his arms around his neck. “You are always beautiful. I just wanted you to remember how beautiful you really are.” Joseph took her hand. “Come on.”

“What now?”

“You’ll see.”

Hand in hand they ran barefoot down the dark passageways.

“Joseph! I feel like a little girl.”

“Loosen up! Sometimes it’s OK to be a little girl.”

Loosen up.

Asenath giggled. “You’re right. Can you go faster?”

“I can run with wings if you want!” Joseph picked up the pace.”

Asenath’s tunic fluttered about her, her braid thumped rhythmically against her back.

Just like old times.

When they reached the end of the corridor, Joseph opened the door to some stairs. A cool breeze drifted down the stairwell. They ascended to the flat roof.

“Will you star gaze with me?” Joseph said as he lay on a blanket.

Asenath glanced out at Egypt, masked in shadowy darkness. Then, she snuggled up against Joseph. The stars sprawled out as far as the eye could see. The moon shined a sliver of light onto the lovers. The sky sparkled with stars like a deep blue garment studded with diamonds.

She breathed deeply of the clean air. “This is perfect. Thank you Joseph.”

“Mmm.” He laced his fingers into hers. They gazed in peaceful silence for a few minutes.

“The stars make me think,” Asenath said.

“About what?”

“Well, Elohim made the stars in one breath so He is so much bigger than them. And I am so small. Does He even care about one little Egyptian woman? Sometimes I doubt that He can even hear me.”

Joseph leaned closer. His loose curly hair brushed up against her skin. “Sometimes I feel the same way.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Then I remind myself that Elohim took so much more time making me than the stars. He cares for us so much more.”

“But why does He not listen to us?”

“What do you mean?”

“When my father was dying, I asked Elohim to save him, but…” Silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

Joseph bathed her face in soft kisses. “I don’t have all the answers for your grief. But I know that Elohim’s plans are always best for us.”

I know, I know.

“It still hurts.”

“Of course it does. But Elohim knows how to change pain into praise.”

“Clever.”

“I try.”

Asenath giggled.

He always does this to me!

“So, what can we praise Elohim for?”

“Our home, loving friends, faithful servants, Manasseh, and…” She hesitated.

Joseph lifted his left eyebrow. “And?”

“And… you are a daddy again!”

Joseph sat up and stared at her. “You’re pregnant?”

Asenath’s face gleamed in the starlight. “Yes.”

“Pregnant! Praise Elohim!” He pulled her up and whirled her around, dancing and laughing. “I’m a daddy again!” Gently, he set her down, squatted, and kissed her belly. “I love you already.” Looking up he said, “Asenath, you have made me a very happy man. See, Elohim does change pain into praise, death into life!”

For the next few hours, they dreamed up baby names and plans. Asenath showed Joseph all the Egyptian constellations, and he taught her the Hebrew names.

All these things are too wonderful for me.