The Debt of Tamar

by Dweck, Nicole

  “All right. But what about—”

  “Do not worry, José. I release her, of course.” He waved his bony hand as he spoke. “I saw it in your eyes when you arrived. You are very much in love.”

  “Thank you, Doctor!” José leapt up from his place.

  “Marry her. You have my blessing.”

  He took the doctor’s hand and kissed the ring on his finger. “What of your son?” He looked up suddenly. “Will he contest it?”

  “He will be angry, of that I am certain, but we are not brutish men. His ego may be wounded, but nothing that won’t heal in time. After all, he’s never even met the girl, and besides, you’ve seen him, a boy like that, he can marry any girl he chooses.”

  “How can I ever thank you?”

  “The price, I’m afraid, you might find a bit steep.”

  José froze in his place and let the doctor’s hand fall from his grasp.

  “Well? What is it you want then?” His face was frozen. His body rigid.

  “I told you.”

  José clenched his fists and tried to quell the mounting rage within him. Whatever the price, he would find a way to pay it.

  “The Nissim vineyards are the stuff of legend. Does a case sound fair?”

  José felt his body go limp as something bright and warm began to rise and shine within him. He kissed the doctor on both cheeks then clapped his hands together. “Good Doctor, you’ll have wine from our vineyards for the rest of your days!”

  That same month, José married Reyna. As a wedding gift, he gave her a gold cuff encrusted with four polished emeralds. She slipped it over her wrist, scraping a bit of skin as she did.

  6

  Four Years Later

  José could hear Doña Antonia moaning in the bedroom. All throughout the night, she lay awake, tossing and turning with a fever that was ravaging her already weakened body. Her cries now reached a stunning crescendo, and it seemed there was nothing anyone in the household could do.

  He peered through a crack in the doorway. Reyna was by her bedside ringing a wet cloth over bowl. Her pregnant belly bloated out from her velvet robe as she patted the damp cloth over her mother’s forehead and eyes.

  “The nurse can do this.” Doña Antonia pushed Reyna’s hand aside.

  “I want to help.”

  “I don’t want you in here.” Her voice was firm.

  “But this is where I belong,” Reyna pressed desperately.

  Doña Antonia rolled over and curled her body in a tight ball. “You have a child to think of.”

  “I am thinking of the child, a child who will need his grandmother.”

  “Two of the servants have already been lost to the fever. How many more people have to get sick while trying to save me?”

  José pressed the door gently and stepped inside. “She’s right. You shouldn’t be in here.” His eyes were on his wife. “Please, go back to bed.”

  Reyna looked up, astonished. “I’m not leaving my mother.”

  José made his way to the bedside and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You heard what the doctor said. You can’t be in here. I should have sent you to the countryside. If you catch the fever…” José’s voice trailed off. “Yes, that’s what I’ll do. First thing in the morning, I’ll have the coach take you to the country, away from all of this sickness.”

  “I won’t leave my mother on her deathbed!”

  He took her by the forearm and pulled her from her chair. “You’re not thinking clearly!”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” She yanked her arm free. “She may not be here in the morning.”

  “Get her out of this room!” Doña Antonia shrieked, “and let me go in peace.”

  “But, Mother—”

  “You have been a good daughter.” Beads of sweat ran down Doña Antonia’s face as she spoke. “Now listen to your husband.”

  José led her from Doña Antonia’s damp chamber. He closed the door behind them, then placed his hand over her bulging stomach. “We have already lost three sons before they ever left your womb.”

  Reyna lowered her head.

  “For every child, I prayed for a safe delivery. I am ashamed that He did not find my prayers worthy.”

  “It isn’t your fault.”

  “But it is.” He stumbled back. “I dared to change our fate and G-d is punishing me.”

  “You didn’t change our fate. No one can alter the course of destiny.”

  “But you were supposed to marry the doctor’s son! And I, so arrogant, rejected G-d’s plan.”

  “You didn’t stand in the way of his plan.” She took José’s hand in her own. “His plan was delivered through you. And this one,”—she placed his hand on her belly—“He is part of the plan.”

  “Please, Reyna.” José’s body ached with the weight of exhaustion. “Go back to your room.” He turned away then descended a flight of stairs to the main floor landing. He found Moise, one of his Spanish servants, at the foot of the stairwell in the grand foyer.

  “Don José, should I call for the Doctor?”

  “Yes and do it quickly.” José paced back and forth as he spoke. “I’m afraid La Señora might not survive the night. Tell me, Moise, have any of the other servants fallen ill?”

  Moise lowered his gaze.

  “That bad?”

  “Among the ladies, Esther and Arabella haven’t been able to hold down any food.”

  “Wake Mehmet. Have him ready the boat. He’ll have to sail downstream towards the palace and fetch Doctor Hamon.”

  “I’m sorry, Effendi, but Mehmet is not well enough to sail.”

  José pressed his temples and squeezed his eyes shut.

  “Effendi, if I may make a suggestion. I have accompanied Mehmet many times to the palace...”

  “Can you man the boat?”

  “I can. I’ll bring one of the younger boys to help me with the ropes.”

  “All right. Wait just a minute.” José hurried into his study. He fumbled for a few moments for a scroll of parchment, then penned a short note to Doctor Hamon. He did not waste time with formalities. “La Señora in grave danger. Your assistance urgently needed. Yours, Don José Nissim.” He waited a moment for the ink to dry, then rolled the parchment and secured it with his seal.

  As he did, Doña Antonia’s let out a piercing cry, rattling the walls and windows all throughout the grand villa.

  For a long moment, José sat unmoved. He shook his head as though breaking free from that frozen state, then handed the scroll to the young man. “Hurry, Moise.”

  “Yes, Effendi.” He bowed his head and left the room.

  *

  “You?” José asked once Moise had returned, not with Doctor Hamon, but with his son.

  “Yes. My father sent me instead.”

  “But where is he? Didn’t he read my message? This is an urgent matter! I need the best doctor in the city!”

  “I understand your concern. I can assure you that I know what I’m doing. I’ve been practicing medicine for years, working and learning alongside my father. I know it’s a surprise to see me here, when you were expecting my father, but I am qualified. I’ve even treated the Sultan himself, on several different occasions.”

  José examined the young doctor from head to heel. He stood there with his medicine kit hanging by his side, his shoulders squared and his chin elevated. In his house, here then was the man that was to have been Reyna’s husband. He felt as though fate were playing a cruel joke on him.

  “Did your father say why he could not come himself?”

  “He was not permitted to leave the palace. At least three physicians must always be present at Topkapi in the event that their services are needed by the Sultan. Of course he would be here if he could. We both know how deeply he cares for La Señor—”

  “We’re wasting precious time,” José cut in. “Follow me.”

  José led the young doctor up the marble flight of stairs and through to Doña Antonia’s bedchamber. As soon as
he opened the door, they were hit with the stench of sweat and vomit.

  “Tia?” José took a few steps towards her bed. “Tia, the doctor is here to see you.”

  When she did not respond, Doctor Hamon strode swiftly past José and laid the back of his hand on Doña Antonia’s forehead.

  “Is she sleeping?” José asked the young doctor.

  He raised her arm and felt for a pulse, then lowered his ear to her heart and listened for a beat. A long moment passed before the young doctor straightened up and turned to José. “I’m afraid it’s too late. La Señora has passed.”

  “It can’t be.” José charged at the doctor. “She was alive just a moment ago, before you arrived. Check again!”

  The young doctor lowered his voice. “I’m so sorry. There’s nothing that could have been done to save her.”

  “If your father were here—”

  “If my father were here, there would be nothing he could do either. We are doctors of the living. We cannot bring back the dead.”

  José locked eyes with the doctor. The two men stood there, glaring at one another.

  Quite suddenly, a loud cry sounded from down the hall.

  “Reyna!” José sprinted from the room and shot down the hallway towards her chamber. He found her there sitting up in her bed. Her face was twisted in agony. Her hair was matted to her moist forehead.

  “The baby!”

  “But it’s not time yet?”

  “He’s coming!”

  “But the midwives, they’ve all fallen ill with the fever. We don’t have anyone to deliver the baby! It can’t be happening. Not now!”

  Reyna grit her teeth and clenched her lids shut.

  “I can deliver the baby,” the young doctor stepped in.

  “You?” José scoffed at the notion. “No man will deliver my baby.”

  “Don José, if you’ll allow me to be blunt, your wife’s life, and the life of the child are at stake. You’ve already lost one member of the family this evening. Let’s not lose another.”

  “What did he say?” Reyna shouted out. “Who has been lost?”

  “Everything is fine, Reyna.”

  “Who is this man?” Her breathing began to quicken.

  “This is Doctor Hamon’s son. He can deliver the baby.” He took her hands and brought them to his lips. “He has even treated the Sultan,” José forced himself to say the words. “You have the very best doctor in the city.”

  “Doctor Hamon’s son?” Reyna’s voice grew faint. “He’s here?”

  “Yes.” The young doctor cut in. “Don’t worry, Doña Reyna.” He took a few steps forward. “I’ve successfully delivered many babies. You’re going to be fine, and not very long from now, you will hold a baby in your arms.”

  “I will?” Reyna’s eyes welled up.

  He nodded gently, possessing the kind eyes and measured temperament of his father. “Try to steady your breathing.”

  José kissed Reyna on the forehead, then headed towards the door.

  “You’re not staying?” The young doctor turned to José.

  He lowered his voice so Reyna could not hear. “I’ve been through this enough times. Fetch me when it’s done.”

  “Yes, Don José.”

  “Oh—and Doctor?”

  “Yes?”

  “Make sure my boy comes out alive.”

  *

  In the morning, Don José awoke to the sound of birds chirping. The sun outside was bright and the room was covered in the thick glow of red and orange light cast through the stained glass window. He sat with his body slumped over his desk and his face flat against a map of the empire. After straightening himself up, he found the young doctor sitting in a chair by the door. “Is it done?” His voice was hoarse.

  The doctor leaned forward. “Several hours ago. She’s sleeping now.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” He squinted to shield his eyes from the light.

  “I won’t mince words with you, José. When the baby finally did arrive, your wife had already lost a lot of blood. She’ll recover though.”

  “Is she in much pain?”

  “Not now. The potion I gave her was very effective. It knocked her out quickly.”

  “So she’ll be all right?”

  “She’ll be fine. We’ll have to just keep an eye on her.”

  “And the baby?”

  “I was a bit concerned, especially since your wife went into labor as early as she did, but the baby came out healthy, a bit small, but healthy.”

  “A healthy boy,” José said to himself.

  “A girl,” the doctor corrected.

  The two men stared at one another. The quiet tick of the grand clock sounded throughout the room. José was the first to look away. He closed his aching eyes.

  “A girl then,” he frowned.

  “A beautiful, healthy girl.”

  “One great lady has left this house.” José lowered his head. “Perhaps another destined for greatness has entered in her stead.” He forced a sad smile. “And Reyna, she doesn’t know about La Señora?”

  “No, I didn’t mention it. It would have been too much for her to handle right now. Though, I think she may have suspected something.”

  José nodded, then came to his feet. “Thank you, Doctor. Perhaps with the next birth, we will have our boy.”

  “Don José,”

  “Doctor?”

  “There is something else you should know.”

  “What is it?”

  The doctor cleared his throat. “The labor was very hard on your wife.”

  “Yes, you mentioned that. But she’ll recover, like you said, and you’ll be here to oversee her recovery?”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be here, and she will make a full recovery , it’s just that—”

  “Come out with it already.”

  “Don José, I’m afraid this will be her only child.”

  José stood unmoved. “But we will have a boy one day.”

  “That won’t be possible.”

  “You said she will make a full recovery?”

  “She will live a long and healthy life. She is a mother, you are a father. José, you have a child now.”

  “But, are you sure? I want a second opinion.”

  “Naturally, and you should seek one out. Though, I’m afraid it will only confirm what I’m telling you here today. I’m sorry.”

  Don José was about to reply when the shrill cry of an infant suddenly sounded.

  “Listen to that.” The young doctor smiled as the wailing echoed throughout the villa. “Hear how strong her lungs are.”

  José stood there, mesmerized by the piercing cries of his infant daughter. Then, he looked over at the doctor. “I’d like to see my wife now.”

  “She’s finally fallen asleep. Let her rest, José.”

  Pushing past the doctor, José headed out from his study and made his way up the stairwell to the second story landing. He stood there, his infant daughter screaming in the room to the right of him, his dead aunt silent in the room to left. He walked straight ahead and entered his wife’s room. He could hear the doctor’s quiet footsteps as he trailed behind.

  Reyna looked angelic—her long, dark hair framing her pale face as she rested peacefully. “How can she sleep through this?” José whispered.

  “She’s heavily medicated,” the doctor explained. “She’ll be out for several hours.”

  José eyed a basket filled with blood-soaked sheets.

  “She really does need to rest now,” the doctor continued.

  “And what of the baby?” José cut in. “Shouldn’t she be fed?”

  “The wet nurse is in with your daughter now.”

  José nodded, then lowered himself into a rocking chair by the bed.

  “Don José, you should also rest. Why not go back to bed? I can call for you if anything comes up.”

  “No. I want to be here when she wakes.” His eyes were on his wife as he rocked back and forth in the chair. “
I don’t want yours to be the face she sees when she rises.”

  “Effendi?”

  “You can go now.”

  “But Don José, don’t you want to meet your daughter?”

  The baby’s cries continued to echo throughout the stone house. He closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the chair. “That will be all for now, Doctor.”

  7

  “I thought I might find you here,” The elder Doctor Hamon said as he approached José in the smoke-filled coffee-shop.

  “What made you so sure I’d be here?” José rolled a pair of dice onto the backgammon board then moved his pieces accordingly. “Your turn.” He nodded to the fat man sitting across the table.

  “Well you haven’t been home in three days. I kept stopping by each day hoping to find you.”

  José took a long drag on his nargileh pipe. “Sit down. Have a drink with us.”

  “How is your wife?”

  “She’s feeling a bit better.”

  “And your daughter? Have you chosen a name?”

  “Tamar.”

  “Tamar,” the doctor repeated.

  “It means date.”

  “The sweetness of dates.”

  “I did not choose the name.” José cut in. “It was Reyna’s idea.”

  “Yes, your daughter must have brought much sweetness into your lives to have been given such a name.” He waved down a young boy and requested a cup of coffee then turned back to José. “You know that I would have been there if I could. I would have given anything for La Señora, for your wife, for you.”

  “You would?”

  “Of course, José. How can you even question it? I have known you since you first stepped foot off that ship—From the moment you and Reyna arrived in Istanbul. Now tell me, why haven’t you been home?”

  José lowered his chin, looked around, then whispered, “I think I am being punished.”

  “How can you think that way? What a ridiculous idea.”

  “I rejected my fate.”

  “You didn’t reject anything, José.”