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Gravel crunched beneath their tires as they drove gradually up the meandering driveway. The distinctive scent of cows greeted them as soon as Arlana opened the passenger side door. The air was brisk and fresh, the sky started to darken.
David opened the door to her new life with a twist of his wrist. The ancient farmhouse was furnished and welcoming. Overlooking a lake, it radiated tranquillity.
****
SHAUL TURNED AS THE door opened behind them, a short woman stepping into the shadowy interior. She stood shyly for a moment, but a faint smile played on her lips.
"You must be Arlana," her voice was soothing as she held out a wicker basket covered with a checkered cloth, "I've heard so much about you!" Lifting a corner of the fabric to reveal bottles of preserves she resumed, "It isn't much, but I wanted to bring you a welcome basket. I'm Rivkah."
"Hello Rivkah, this is so sweet of you! Thank you very much!"
Rivkah nodded, "I'm your nearest neighbour," she pointed in the direction of her home, "Just past the railway tracks. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
Aziel returned from investigating the upstairs, "Hi! I'm Aziel!" he jutted out his hand.
Rivkah opened her arms instead, embracing the small boy, "It is very nice to meet you. I'm Rivkah, but you can call me Savta," using the Hebrew word for grandmother.
She and Shaul exchanged a fleeting expression.
Aziel looked up into hazel eyes, laughter lines framing her warm gaze and his face erupted into a dimpled smile.
"You must join us for dinner," David invited the newcomer.
Rivkah accepted the invitation with a smile, following the others out to the waiting vehicles, tucking a stray wisp of silvery hair beneath her tichel.
****
THEY TOOK TWO VEHICLES, driving over two hours before they reached David and Rose's home. Arlana hadn't realized just how far away they lived until now. Helping her move had been a big sacrifice and Arlana was determined she would find a way to repay them.
Rivkah and Arlana helped Rose pass out tall glasses of iced lemonade before joining the others in the living room, the aromas wafting from the kitchen simply mouthwatering.
Rose reached for Arlana's hand, "We will keep in contact for sure, but if you need anything, Rivkah is closest..."
Arlana couldn't have asked for a greater gift than a home for her and her son. "You've given me more than I could have ever asked for," she expressed the truth.
Surrounded by loving relatives and new friends who genuinely cared, Arlana wondered if maybe God hadn't forsaken her after all.
****
THE SKY WAS YET A DUSKY blue-grey when there was an insistent rapping on her front door. Aziel was an early bird so they'd been up for two hours. Boxes lay scattered around her, partially unpacked, a stack of collapsed cardboard boxes on the veranda, moist with dew. Whisking her hair away from her flushed face, Arlana opened the door.
"Hi," Arlana was surprised Shaul had kept his word...and so early in the morning. Rivkah was by his side wearing a long denim skirt.
"Good morning," she smiled, "how was your first night?"
Arlana returned her smile, "I slept like a log. Must be this fresh air. Thank you for asking."
Smiling, Rivkah placed a basket on the table, "I hope I haven't inconvenienced you but I just wanted to drop off a few things to help you settle in."
"Oh no, not at all! It is really nice of you to visit - and thank you - you didn't have to..." Arlana motioned to the couch, "Would you like some tea or coffee? I don't drink it myself but I found some when I was unpacking...." An explanation really wasn't necessary. Why did she feel the need to prattle on? Nerves - had to be.
Shaul stuffed his hands into his pockets, suddenly shy, "I wasn't sure if you'd be awake yet, but an early start is best." He smiled as Aziel's impish face appeared behind his mother's skirt. "Do you have mucking boots? I bought you a pair just in case."
"Thank you..." Aziel examined the pair of boots Shaul held out to him, eyes wide, "Are they for splashing in puddles?"
"Sure you can splash with these, but you need them especially for when you are working in the barn."
Aziel tugged on the boots. They were slightly large but could accommodate two pairs of socks and he could always grow into them.
"Thank you," Arlana smiled, grateful for his kindness toward her child.
Shaul returned her smile before holding out his hand. Aziel didn't hesitate to slip his small hand in the tall man's. Together they walked behind the house toward the barns, Arlana and Rivkah following. Soft, pink noses poked out of stalls, watching the strangers with large brown eyes.
"Cows!" Aziel squealed in childish delight.
Arlana grinned, "These are Holsteins - milk cows. They're my favourite." This much she did know - their breed - but other than that, she had no idea how to take care of them correctly.
"Can I pet him?" Aziel was already reaching his hand into the pen.
"Sure, just move slowly. He doesn't know you just yet. We'll need to feed them, then I'll show you how to let them out to pasture."
"What do they eat?" Aziel bounced up and down in a happy jig.
Locating a container of oats, Shaul taught Aziel how to fill the scoop with feed, then dump it in a trough.
While Aziel watched them eat, Arlana and Shaul counted her cattle. Most were Holsteins. They came with the farm. Fifty in total and some were unmistakably ready to give birth.
Murmuring softly to the gentle-eyed animals, Shaul examined them with skillful hands.
"You got a good deal with this place."
Arlana agreed, "I'm so blessed..."
Dappled horses pawed the stable floor restlessly. Shaul clutched a pitchfork and gave them a fresh supply of hay and oats.
"Now for the manure," he educated the city slickers, "You need to stack it behind the barn. You should leave it there for a minimum of six months before spreading it over the fields. If you allow six months, you'll find your crops will yield greater results as the fertilizer is optimum."
Arlana wished she'd thought to bring a notepad. Barn cats watched from on top haystacks with unblinking, wary green eyes.
"We have so much to learn," Arlana stated the obvious as she swatted away a fly.
Shaul didn't respond as he led the livestock out to pasture, closing the steel gate behind them. The animals didn't need any coaxing as they milled out over the fields. The air was crisp and clean. Fresh. Unpolluted.
Shaul scooped Aziel up and rested him on the top bar, holding him securely. They watched quietly as a heifer chewed her cud close by.
Rivkah broke the silence, "It is so nice to have you for a neighbour. No one has lived in this house for years. Oh, of course, people come and go, keeping up the yard and taking care of the animals...." Rivkah looked away, "Well, it is nice to have a neighbour close by now. I'm sure you and your child will be happy here."
Arlana agreed. It was infinitely better than their cramped townhouse.
"Have you lived in this neighbourhood long?"
"Yes, well, since we arrived in Canada..." Rivkah worried her bottom lip a moment, "It is a great neighbourhood. You will find the neighbours are friendly and helpful, but also keep to themselves."
"That's nice. I haven't seen much of the neighbourhood yet, but I hope to get out soon and do some exploring."
"I am more than willing to watch Aziel for you when you are busy. It wouldn't be a bother at all. I don't have any grandchildren yet so it would be a real joy for me to have a child to care for. It has been a while since I've had one underfoot." Rivkah turned to Aziel, "Would you like to spend some time at my house? I have a herb garden I would love your help with."
"What do you think, Aziel?" Arlana smiled, but she already knew his answer. He ached for a grandmother's love yet his own grandmother lived far away and didn't call very often. This would be a tremendous blessing for her son as well.
"Can I come over today?" Aziel's eyes sparkled.
The elder woman laughed, "You might want to change your clothes first. Gardening will soil these nice trousers."
"C'mon Mummy! I have to get changed right now!!"
"You must come for dinner as well," Rivkah smiled warmly at the younger woman.
"Thank you, that is very kind." Arlana was well aware that she had a lot of work to do before nightfall.
They strolled back to the house together, Aziel racing to his room to get changed.
Shaul walked beside Arlana, "I need to go," he ran his hand through his thick blonde hair, not explaining further. He looked down into Arlana's sapphire blue eyes, "This new life will be hard work, but it will be worth it. You'll see."
"Thank you so much for all your help," Arlana's gratitude was heartfelt.
Shaul nodded an acknowledgement before fastening Aziel into the backseat of his car. Crossing to the driver's side, he waved as he slid behind the steering wheel leaving Arlana entirely alone for the first time in years.
****
MOMENTS AFTER RIVKAH left for home, Arlana grasped the rusty shovel and went to work mucking out the stalls. Truthfully, she couldn't remember the last time she'd worked so hard.
Loading a wheelbarrow with fresh cow patties, she clutched both handles, pushing it out the double doors. With each step, the wheelbarrow staggered, trying to keep its balance under the guidance of inexperienced hands. Concentrating on the stinking mound before her, Arlana didn't see the rock protruding from the long grass until it was too late. With a plop, her cargo tumbled onto the ground, summoning all the flies for miles.
"Oh great!" Arlana groaned in exasperation, scraping the warm mush from the grass.
Who knew using a wheelbarrow was so challenging?
The winter fertilizer eventually piled, her hands were red and tender, water blisters emerging on her palms.
"Hard work never hurt anyone," she spoke aloud with only the barn cats listening.
Plunging a pitchfork into a bale of hay, she shook the handle vigorously, watching the golden strands fall into the trough. The animals would be in for an appetizing treat when they returned to the barn.
Leaving her home behind, Arlana wandered towards her neighbour's house. Sunshine danced between clouds producing rays that beamed down from the heavens. As a child Arlana had been certain it was a sign that Jesus was about to rend the heavens.
Strolling down the gravel road, Arlana glanced up. Superstitious perhaps, but it was as though God was finally saying the heavens were no longer barred. Arlana sighed to her toes. Perhaps there was redemption for her after all. One could hope.