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Aziel played in the yard while the women worked together pulling weeds out of the back garden. Rivkah was amazingly easy to speak with. She smiled readily, her hazel eyes friendly. Like the warmth of a blanket on a cold winter's day, she radiated a comforting presence that was difficult for Arlana to put into words.
"I left some cuttings that you may have for your garden and if you are free tomorrow, we can go into town. I believe in the value of being as self-sustaining as possible. If you can live off your land, that is always the best option. Our people have often faced persecution and we know at any time it can begin once again."
Arlana smiled, "You remind me of my sister Jaira. She has been into this preparedness thing for years. Stockpiling and all that stuff," she gestured with her hand as if brushing away a pesky fly. "I get it but haven't done any myself. Jaira has been studying different things..." Arlana wondered how much she should share with the older woman, "like Big Brother, Al Qaeda and now the Syrian migration. I had enough stress dealing with Jorken so I tried to ignore it as much as possible, chalking it up to an overactive imagination and having nothing better to do... "
"Ignoring cannot change the facts. It only leaves people unprepared," Rivkah glanced down at her hands. "Your sister is wise. I hope to meet her someday."
Arlana didn't comment, keeping her thoughts to herself. Rivkah would probably like Adelaide as well. Besides, she appreciated Rivkah's gardening tips. Goodness knows she didn't have a green thumb. If there was such a thing as a black thumb, she had it.
Wiping her brow, Rivkah turned to Arlana, "Tell me more about yourself and Aziel."
Arlana raised an eyebrow. Where was she to begin?
"I was raised, Christian. I know it seems hard to believe seeing how far I have fallen from the grace of God," she sighed straight to her toes. "I was home educated except for my last year which took place at a Christian school. So my entire education was Christian-based. I wasn't the best child - constantly jealous of my younger sister Adelaide..."
Arlana didn't look at Rivkah but concluded that she should know the truth - the whole ugly truth.
"How many siblings do you have?" Rivkah straightened, rubbing her lower back.
"Two younger sisters and two brothers." A pained look swept over Arlana's features for a brief moment. Rivkah was too focused on the stretch of soil she was weeding to notice. "I just graduated from high school when I left home to live in Nova Scotia and work for a Christian radio ministry. It only lasted six months but by the time I was shipped back home, I was very bitter towards Christianity.
I went to church after church trying to find peace - find God, but honestly, I don't even know. I do believe I was saved during that time, but the spiritual attacks were so great and my home life..." her words trailed off.
She didn't know Rivkah's beliefs but she was a listening ear, and right now, that was all she needed. Her words tumbled over each other as a tear slipped unbidden down her cheek then another. She swiped at them with the back of her gardening glove, the streaks of dirt more apparent than before. Frustrated, she hesitated. Arlana needed to get it off her chest - to bare her soul.
Rivkah had suspended working and now sat on the grass, giving Arlana her full attention. She reached out her hand, holding Arlana's as the younger woman poured out her heart. A lost soul seeking peace. Travelling to various cities and still losing her way.
Rivkah empathized.
"I understand, I really do." Rivkah soothed. "My parents perished in Poland. Out of my family, my cousin and I were the only ones who survived. I doubted the existence of Adonai as well. After all, how could a Creator who I had been taught was merciful allow my family to be slaughtered? It is hard to hold onto your faith in times of such great persecution. To find peace again..."
Their stories ran parallel, but only to a point. Arlana hadn't given up her faith under great persecution. In contrast, what she had endured was very mind. How fickle was her heart! She may have not been permitted to see her family for eleven years, yet each lived. She could only imagine what Rivka had survived.
Rivkah's eyes were misty with tears as she remained silent for a moment, reminiscing, "Yes, I know what it is to question God."
What affliction she had experienced yet she exuded sweetness!
"How did you find your way back to Adonai?" Rivkah brought the conversation back full circle.
In contrast to Rivkah's story, Arlana's appeared rather insignificant.
"I have continued to stumble in my search. I gave up for quite some time, truly depressed. It was at that time that I conceived Aziel. His father didn't want the child and demanded I abort the baby. There was no changing his mind. I should have stayed single and raised Aziel on my own."
Rose had shared with her bits and pieces, but the circumstances surrounding Aziel's birth, she hadn't known. Resting back on her hips, Rivkah removed her gloves.
"I believe Adonai has brought you here Arlana. Let your heart rest."
She likely didn't know it, but at that moment, Rivkah's words engulfed Arlana's lungs with oxygen. Sunlight flowed into her soul, chasing the sinister shadows of loneliness and fear away.
Relief in its rawest form.
****
ARLANA WHIRLED AROUND, her heart hammering in her throat as a hand touched her shoulder.
"Josiah!"
The tall man's eyes examined her colourless features, as pale as paper although a moment later, a crimson flush spread instantly across her cheeks under his lingering gaze. She hadn't seen him since her cousin James' celebration.
Arlana wiped dusty hands on her denim skirt, the blisters stinging as they came in contact with the fabric. Rivkah spoke softly, with a thick European accent. She turned to her son bringing him up-to-date on the developments of the past forty-eight hours. Josiah simply nodded, running his fingers over his new 5 o'clock shadow beard.
"If you need anything, be sure to let me know."
****
"LET'S GATHER FOR DINNER," Rivkah rose, inviting everyone to join her in the kitchen.
They sat around the table, Josiah seating his mother then Arlana before standing at the head of the table, speaking the blessing over the meal.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the earth.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, by Whose word all things came to be.
The meal was a modest affair of roasted vegetables. Aziel wrinkled his nose at the vegetarian supper, shifting the vegetables from side to side as though searching for his favourite food - meat. Arlana discreetly nudged her son under the table, a subtle reminder not to be rude. Groaning softly, he nibbled the tip of a carrot, blanching. His primary diet of meat and potatoes had not prepared him for such a healthy fare.
"I need to go into town in the morning," Josiah toyed with a slice of turnip on his plate, flipping it back and forth with his fork, brow furrowed, "Would you like to join me?"
"There are a few supplies I need," Rivkah pursed her lips reviewing her ongoing mental grocery list.
"Arlana?" Josiah's eyes focused on her.
"Thank you. I'd like to see the town."
"There's not much to see when compared to what you are used to," Rivkah grinned, "But it will be so nice to have you come along."
Concluding the remainder of the meal, they joined in as Josiah once again led them in prayer.
Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Creator of numerous living beings and their needs, for all the things You have created with which to sustain the soul of every living being. Blessed is He who is the Life of the worlds."
It had been forever since Arlana had prayed before meals and never after eating. She bowed her head politely, watching Aziel fidget beneath her lowered lashes. She'd tried to raise him right but apparently could have done much better. It wasn't Aziel's fault he wasn't used to so much praying and didn't know how to behave.
****
THE TWO WOMEN WORKED side by side, cleaning the dinner dishes.
Josiah will drive you home." Rivkah spoke as she hung up the towel, "We will talk more tomorrow. It is late and Aziel is barely able to stand, the child is so tired."
Rivkah couldn't help but smile at the young gardener who was laying on the couch, his lolling head revealing he had lost the battle to sleep.
"He is such a sweet boy. You are blessed - we are blessed to have him," she added with emphasis, "Come now."
Josiah stood, lifting a sleeping Aziel into his arms, "Let's get you home."
"Good night, thank you so much for the wonderful afternoon," Arlana called over her shoulder to her hostess as she followed Josiah.
Josiah was quiet on the brief drive home. He pulled into the driveway, turning off the ignition. The moon had peeked out from behind a cloud, dispersing a soft glow onto their world.
"Thank you for the drive," Arlana murmured as Josiah opened her car door before reaching for a sleeping Aziel.
A moment after Arlana unlocked the cottage door, he slipped off his shoes, carrying Aziel to the room Arlana directed him to, draping a blanket over Aziel's shoulders.
"Goodnight," Josiah stood a moment in front of her, "I will see you in the morning. Sweet dreams," then he stepped out into the chilly night air and was gone before Arlana realized her mind had wandered.