by Caryl McAdoo
His wife stepped to the bed then eased herself down beside him. She covered her face with her hands and wept softly. He wrapped his arm around her. At first, she resisted, then finally let him pull her in close. The tears ended abruptly, like perhaps she’d cried too many already before he descended from the mountain.
She sniffed, wiped her cheeks, then faced him. “But why? Has Abba told you why? He’s always so full of love and peace and kindness. I can’t imagine what….”
“No, dearest. He has not spoken of it. But the only explanation my logic can offer…” He leaned in close. “Promise me. Once we leave this room, we will never speak of that day again, agreed?”
“Yes, I do promise. So what is it you think can be the reason for cursing our dear Canaan?”
“I believe it goes all the way back to Eden.”
“The Garden? How so? How could it play any part? So long ago and who knows where, now?”
Remember what the Lord told the serpent after he deceived Mother Eve?
She nodded, then quoted the words exactly like their father and father’s father had repeated them.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE THIS YOU ARE CURSED MORE THAN ALL THE CATTLE AND MORE THAN EVERY BEAST IN THE FIELD
ON YOUR BELLY YOU SHALL GO AND YOU SHALL EAT DUST ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE AND I WILL PUT ENMITY BETWEEN YOU AND THE WOMAN AND BETWEEN YOUR SEED AND HER SEED
HE SHALL BRUISE YOUR HEAD AND YOU SHALL BRUISE HIS HEEL
Chapter Twelve
“Father, the Hamites took more than half of the grain.”
Shem looked around the barn then held his hands up. “Bless them, Son.”
His firstborn shook his head. “But they were only due a third. We won’t have enough now, will we?”
His twin stepped forward. “We should pursue them and take back what’s ours.”
Lud and Aram echoed their big brothers’ call for vengeance. Shem turned to Arphaxad. “What do you think?”
The eighteen-year-old held his words as the others clamored for a fight. Finally, he lifted his hands, and his brothers quieted. “The wheat came through the winter in great shape and promises a good harvest. We’ll have their part of that.”
“Hadn’t thought of such.” The younger twin toed the dirt, head hanging.
“Our brothers only took a third of the animals, that’s what’s more important. And they didn’t take near a third of the tools. I noticed four of the five plows you and Uncle Japheth forged. I stand with you, Father. Bless them, and bless God they’re gone.”
Aram started to protest, but Shem silenced him with a look. What boy didn’t want to embark on an adventure, nevermind the costs? “Well said, except them being gone. I’d have preferred they stay. Cush will be missed, but….” He caught that thought before it became a word that he wouldn’t want repeated in his mother’s ear.
Bless her heart, but she had a way of priming her babies’ tongues.
“But what, Father?”
“Nothing important. See to the animals, especially the horses. He scanned the boys, all fast growing into men. “No doubt your mother needs me now.”
As expected, his parents communed behind closed doors. Oh, to be a gecko on their wall. Perhaps Father would take him or Japheth into his confidence.
Once behind his own closed door, Jemri threw herself at him. He caught her, twirled her around, then scooped her up and headed toward their bed. She kissed his neck then leaned out.
“First, I want to know what happened, other than our father getting drunk.”
He set her down. “I don’t know.”
“Was he really naked in his tent?”
“Yes. Well, that’s what Ham said. Brother and I took one of the new robes you made me. We walked in backwards and covered him up. I never saw myself.”
“That’s good. But is it true that he cursed Canaan? Why would he do such a thing?”
“I don’t know.”
“Was he drunk when he did it?”
“No, not at all. Red-eyed, but it was the next morning. Right after he did, Ham got so angry, I thought he might take a swing at Father. I was ready to stop him physically if necessary, then all he did was tell us they were leaving, and taking a third of everything with them.”
She shook her head. “You should have seen Myelin. She took all the favorite pots and utensils, glaring at everyone, daring anyone to say anything or try to stop her. Mother was livid at first, then went to begging Ham not to go, crying and carrying on. I, for one, am not sad they’re gone.”
“Why do you feel that way?”
“Crystalline.”
“What about her?” Why was she not just spitting it out?
“Oh…it’s just...I’ve distrusted that girl from almost the beginning. I hated the way she teased and flirted with the twins, playing one against the other. Too much of my days were spent watching her whenever my boys were around. Way more time than I wanted.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because nothing happened, and the girl can be sweet. But....”
“Are you sure nothing happened?”
“I’m not, But I don’t think so. Lud would have told me or Mother. That child can’t wait to bear tales.”
“Still, that’s something I would have liked to know. What about the other boys? Any of them take our mother into their confidence?”
“Yes, all at one time or another, except Arphaxad.”
“Good. It is good that he’s always been slow to speak about anything. Once he does, what’s on his heart is heard. He’s very wise for his age. Even Father seeks the boy’s counsel at times.”
“You still…” She hiked her shoulders and pouted her lips into her little give-it-up pucker.
“No. I have not made up my mind, but if the Lord told me that this night he would require my soul, then yes. I’d name our third son my successor.”
“And of our daughters?”
“Hold on, no match making right now, my beautiful wife. We have unfinished business.” He held out his arms.
She walked into his hug. “I like Diana for.…”
He kissed her quiet. In that heartbeat, he didn’t want to think about anything but his love for her. Paring up his sons and daughters fell at the end of his list of things he needed to do.
Who knew what the future held, save God?
After two months and a week of torturous travel, with her belly expanding daily, always going west and south from Noah’s Valley, the fullness of Myelin’s days came upon her. She awoke before the cock’s crow to a flood of waters. She grabbed Ham’s shoulder and shook him awake. “The baby comes today.”
The pains remained bearable through the morning, but she became increasingly irritable as the afternoon wore on. Everyone prepared, following the orders Myelin barked. Why hadn’t she insisted Ham wait to leave? Could she do this by herself? With only her daughters? What if something went wrong?
No one would know what to do.
By even, she took to her pallet. Wailing with the waves of contractions, and begging her girls to get it out. She’d been wrong. The baby hadn’t come that day but waited until the late afternoon of the next, just before the new day, and Myelin, drained of every ounce of strength and energy, giving up.
Another daughter, but she looked just like her, and caused her to smile as the child suckled. Her husband had only taken a quick look then left the tent without one kind word. He’d changed since leaving the family. Her finger traced her baby’s face. A tinge of regret swept over her that Mother would never see her.
But all the blame fell to Noah. Cursing her favorite son. How dare the oaf!
To stop her anger from rising, she gazed again at the precious new daughter. Who would be the child’s husband? She should have delivered a boy. Ham expected another son. Well…her father had three wives. Perhaps Cush or even Canaan would wed her as a second wife. Really didn’t matter. Time would tell.
All she wanted to do was rest. She snuggled into the sheepskins with her n
ewborn.
Stretching her recovery as far as Ham allowed, at his insistence, she accompanied him to the edge of the camp. He spread his arms at the vista before him. “The boys and I have been discussing something. Why search for the Garden of Eden? What more could we want than these valleys? Our plow will bite deep into this rich and fertile soil. We should settle here.”
“What, so close to Noah’s Valley? What if they come?”
“They will not. You know how far the cowards have traveled in twenty years! They will not come here.” The harshness of his tone…worse than ever before. Then he smiled. “Canaan has named it Shinar. What do you think, Wife?”
“That wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Will you build me a house? A real home?”
“We’ve talked about that as well. You shall have a home big enough for many more sons! And daughters. We will build it strong.”
“Shinar, it’s a good name. Our son is creative. I like it.” She slipped her foot out of her sandal and dug her toe into the dirt then bent over and picked up a bit. “With the wheat stubble from next year’s crop, we could make bricks.”
“Ah…there is a slime pit. Phut found it. We could build a city.”
“Yes.” Her heart swelled. “And a tower that reaches to heaven! A city will keep us all together lest we be scattered abroad.” She turned to him. “Yes, let’s do it! The baby coming…when she did…was a sign.”
He smiled. “Yes, I agree.”
Travelers. Noah rose to his feet and shaded his eyes, but they only played tricks. What at first looked to be a caravan proved only heat waves, the movement that of some wild animal, a hare maybe. He really didn’t expect him to come. Over a month passed since he’d sent word. A sigh escaped, and he sat back down.
The door closest to his that joined his portico opened. “Father, I have Mother’s broth.”
He took one last look then opened the entrance to his rooms for Jemri. The Lord worked in such mysterious ways, but praise Him for sending this true daughter of his heart.
Glancing over at him, she smiled. “You appear tired. I’ve brought you a nice piece of sweetbread and a peach.”
“You spoil me.” He followed the girl through his quarters, except, at almost four hundred, only a few left could call her that.
“I’ll never forget that first sweetbread Grandfather gave us the day Friend brought us to him. Myelin wanted it all to herself.” She set the tray on the table next to his bed, kissed her mother on the forehead. “Her fever is down a little… What are you grinning about?”
“You. Just now I called you a girl in my heart, but…” He nodded. “To most, you’re an old woman.”
“True. I’ll be three hundred seventy-six years soon, but when I’m with you and Mother, I feel a bit childish. Funny how you don’t grow so old in your mind. Do you feel ancient, Father? Or still young?”
“In my mind’s eye, I’m as strong as the day we entered the ark, but my flesh….and… My beloved, she’s so….”
His daughter nodded toward the bed. “Is there anything I can do? To help you or make her more comfortable? Should I try and feed her?” She raised one shoulder and pouted. “Anything?”
“No, I’ll do that. She eats best for me. Later, I’ll carry her to the bath. She seems to enjoy soaking in the even.”
“You sure? Shem and I can come and help.”
“No, if she was to wake up….” He chuckled at the thought. “We’ll be fine.”
Nodding, she raised up on her tiptoes then kissed his cheek as she had a thousand times. “I love you, Father.”
“I love you, too, Jemri. A better, more beloved daughter doesn’t exist.”
His son’s wife exited. He sipped a spoon of broth then cooled another. Once tepid, he teased Hattimas’ mouth with a few spoonfuls, and she took the bites. Then her lips clamped shut, and her eyes opened wide. “Husband, is there no bread? This broth is tasteless. Who prepared this?”
Tears welled, but he blinked them back. “Yes, my precious. Jemri brought a slice of sweetbread and a juicy-looking peach.” He tore off a small piece and put it to her lips. She opened and let him put it in. When she swallowed, he tried another, but she shook her head. “Has Ham come?”
“No. Not a word. But you know the Lord confused their speech. He might not have understood the messenger.”
“That could be.” She seemed to ponder it. “Yes, perhaps you’re right. I would have loved to hear about my babies, what came of Canaan after he and his family moved even further west, and Cush. What’s that boy of his named? The one of such renown.”
“Nimrod. They say he stands head and shoulders taller than any of his brothers. They’ve taken to calling him a mighty hunter before the Lord. He’s the ruler now over all of Babel.”
“Oh, yes, right. I remember now.” She searched his eyes, and he almost witnessed the young and beautiful woman he fell in love with. “There are so very many of them. I do not know how you keep all the names straight.”
“Who? Not me.”
“Bless the Lord, Husband. When Abba said replenish the earth, He meant it, didn’t He? And with His help, I’d say our sons and their sons definitely have. Do you know the number of all our children, Noah? Do you think God will be pleased?”
“No, I do not. How could we know after so many have moved away? Thousands maybe. Tens of thousands. Japheth promised to visit this spring, and if his numbers come close to Shem’s, then we can assume the Hamites are about the same. Will be interesting to hear. I would love to know for sure.”
She nodded and raised her hand to his arm then patted. “I had a dream just now.” Tears filled her eyes to overflowing.
“Tell me.”
“Well, I stood in the yard beyond the portico, admiring the garden, the orchards and vineyards. Mother came to me.”
His tears came again, but he let them fall. “Did she say anything?”
“Oh, Noah. We hugged a long time. I’ve missed her so. She told me that our home in Paradise…it’s ready.” She smiled and swiped her face dry. “It’s my time, dear. Mama said I am to come now and help make the preparations for your arrival.”
“But…let me pray. Ask Father God….” Noah wiped his own eyes.
A little giggle escaped. “Oh, you’ll never change. Always thinking a little prayer can change a thing.”
“But it can. You’ve seen it many times. Perhaps…can’t you wait awhile longer?”
She pursed her lips, and shook her head. “My days are fulfilled, and there…” With difficulty, she filled her lungs, sniffed, then exhaled. “She says there, I’ll be young again. And oh, I’ve missed them all so much.”
Her eyes glistened with the tears, but excitement as well. How could he ever let her go? “But I want you to stay, until we can go together as our ancestors once did.”
“But your time to pass over is not yet come. You know how I’ve longed to meet Mother Eve and…oh, Noah, I got to see. She showed it to me, and it’s beautiful. Mother says it’s just like the Garden of Eden.” She laughed. “Best go fetch my babies, so I can tell them all goodbye. I don’t have much longer.”
He didn’t want to leave her, not ever, but did as she requested and ask Shem and Jemri to gather all those nearby. Over forty souls crowded into his room, would have been eight generations—eight, just as Father Adam—except Peleg, and Nahor. Those boys had died so young.
Why, Noah and his bride hadn’t even had sons until his five hundredth year. He’d enjoyed a long life with his wife. Still, tears continued to trickle.
Hattimas blessed them all, then took his hands. “You’ve given me a wonderful life, Husband, and my heart is full.”
She squeezed his fingers gently and closed her eyes for the last time, a contented smile on her lips. He bent and kissed them. The pain in his chest…surely, he would follow.
He did carry her to the bath that even, then the girls came in and anointed her and wrapped her. When they were done, Shem lifted her and carried his mother to her gra
ve. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Noah sprinkled the first shovelful of earth onto her shrouded remains then stepped back and let his sons finish the task.
“Hattimas is my beloved, a good wife and mother to my sons. She lived eight hundred and seventy-nine years on this earth, born eleven hundred twenty-six years from Father Adam’s creation.”
His voiced cracked, but he continued. “She faithfully bore and birthed Shem, Japheth, and Ham and became mother to three daughters the Lord gave her.” He fought back the tears. “Bless His Holy Name. I would have preferred going with her, but....” He looked skyward. “Not my will, but Yours, Abba. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust. We all will see her again in Paradise.”
The days piled on top of themselves, Noah reached the nine hundred fiftieth anniversary of his birth, three hundred fifty years after the flood. Then the Word of the Lord came to him during Japheth’s visit, right in the middle of the grand reunion feast.
God spoke to him again, and peace filled his heart.
Standing, he spread wide his hands high into the air, encompassing all his descendants. The grand room in the stone and brick mansion he and his sons had started so many years before, fell silent.
“The Lord said just now, ‘This night you will be gathered to your fathers.’ ” He laughed. “And so it shall be. Your mother told me the day she passed that she’d gotten a glimpse of Paradise. I have not been so blessed, but He has spoken to me. And this is what I’ve longed for, to hear His voice once more. So tonight, I will see my Hattimas again, and witness at last for myself the place she assured me matched Eden’s beauty.”
After the tears and hugs and kisses, he invited his two sons and their wives to his bed. He charged them to continue seeking the Lord’s face and not His hand, then breathed his last.
His soul slipped from his body so effortlessly. And with no pain.
Two winged men each grabbed an arm and only flapped occasionally, drifting downward. Noah tried to see where and what they floated through, but he could not. Abruptly, his carriers’ wings moved with more vigor, then his feet landed on solid ground. Hundreds of people stood in a semicircle in front of him.
