He turned to me. "Are you all right?" His eyes widened. "Asenath!"
"Menah?"
My beloved best friend and I fell into a fierce embrace.
"I can't believe it's you," he said.
"I can't believe it's you. You know, it's funny, I was just thinking about you a while ago."
The server interrupted, "Young man, I would appreciate if you would clean up the mess you made."
He gestured to the lunatic's body lying on the floor.
"Yes. If you would excuse me a moment, Asenath."
Menah lifted the crazy man by the arms and dragged him out of sight. When he returned, he asked, "Mind if I join you?"
"You didn't have to ask. Have you ordered already?"
"Not yet. If you would excuse me again."
"Of course."
As my best friend headed toward the counter, I gazed at him in amazement. Though he still had the same childlike face, he looked very sophisticated. He donned a pleated kilt that I recognised as one of the more expensive kinds, though it could have also been an imitation. He was no longer bald, but wore a wig of the latest men's fashion. His build was lanky. He had grown a bit taller than me. But he was not as tall as Joseph.
Menah returned. "By the way, my name is Khasekhemui now. Or have you forgotten?"
"Perhaps. You weren't writing, after all." I gave him a meaningful look.
He smiled sheepishly. "Ah, well, I actually don't have any excuse. I guess I'm just not as good at corresponding as you are."
"So you are one of those people," I teased.
"But I swear, I won't lose touch this time. Please Asenath? Take me back?"
I pretended to consider this.
He looked worried.
I laughed. "You know I would."
He smiled. "You look good. And beautiful. Even more beautiful than I remember. So what brings you to Thebes?"
For some reason, I felt I could not tell Khasekh about Joseph. Not yet, anyway. Besides, it was not an appropriate topic for a reunion.
"I have some appointments with our family friends," I said. "How about you, how are things in the School of Life?"
"Wonderful. I am already in my final years."
The server appeared with our orders. Appetising aromas wafted from our plates. We had both ordered roast duck.
We began to eat.
"So, have you heard from the twins?" I asked.
His mouth was stuffed. "No. But I do know that Lyla is now handmaiden to the Great Royal Wife."
"Is she? How wonderful. Good for her. Have you been able to talk to them at all?"
"No. I've been really busy. And remember they are in the Palace. It's not exactly accessible. But you're the high priest's daughter. Don't you have connections?"
I never knew my best friend could be so naïve. "My father does. Not me."
"Did you ever write them?" he asked.
"A bit. But I was not expecting much since we were not that close. Not like you." I gave him a mock angry look.
He sighed, smiling. "You will never let me forget this, will you?"
"Probably not."
We then updated each other on our lives. He spoke of classes, friends and wild escapades. Some of his stories made me blush. My best friend had grown worldlier than I imagined.
It seemed we had been talking only a while when we noticed the sky had darkened into a deep night blue.
"My goodness," Khasekh said. "Have we really been talking that long?"
"Apparently."
"Come. I'll walk you home. It's not safe for you to be in this part of the city at this hour."
"Would you really?" I clasped his arm gratefully, remembering the depressing streets I had passed.
"Sure. Come."
We left the diner and made our way back through the maze of cramped, narrow streets. The place looked even more forbidding at night. At least earlier, there had been children and their pets running around. But now they had been replaced with sleazy-looking women donning gaudy dresses and a sickening amount of cosmetics.
The whores called out invitations to Khasekh. I blushed, remembering some of his stories from earlier.
When we were back in the luxurious, more familiar areas, I led him to our house. I asked, "Would you like to come in for dinner?"
"I'd love to, but I can't. I'm meeting some friends tonight. But I would like to see you again. How long will you be here?"
"About a week."
"That's good."
"Don't you have even a moment to spare?" I pleaded.
"I wish, but I'm running a bit late now. I'll send you a message soon. I promise."
I raised my eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes. This time, I mean it," he said.
"We'll just see about that."
We hugged and I saw him off.
The following morning after breakfast, Nafre said, "My lady, you have a visitor. Lady Ahwere."
Lady Ahwere was a good friend of my mother's. Every time the two women met up, they spent hours talking. I imagined she had a message or present she wanted me to pass on to Mother.
"See to her comfort," I said. "Inform her I will be with her shortly."
I changed into something more presentable. Then I went to the loggia to receive her. "Life, health and prosperity to you, Lady Ahwere. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Forgive me if I am interrupting anything," she said. "But I will not keep you long. I just have something to ask of you."
"Not a problem at all. What is it?"
She steepled her jewelled fingers. "I heard from your parents you'd be in Thebes. I have a favour to ask of you—a proposition, rather, which I hope you'll be interested in."
I leaned forward with interest. "What is it, my lady?"
"Surely you remember my children?"
"Yes I do."
Lady Ahwere had five-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. She had brought them with her to our house a few times.
"They were great fun to be with," I said. "How are they?"
"Still the same. Bundles of energy. They remember you, too. They can't stop talking about you, in fact—'that tall nice girl in Heliopolis.'"
I smiled.
"Anyway," she said. "I was wondering if you would teach my children hieroglyphs and literature. I have spoken with your former tutors, as well as the other parents whose children you've looked after. I think you are qualified for the role. What say you? Would you be interested?"
My jaw nearly dropped. "Of course. I mean, yes, my lady. I would be happy to. I would be delighted. I am honoured."
She chuckled. "I am glad to see you are so enthusiastic about this. So when can you start?"
"I have a few appointments to attend to first. Then I will have to notify my parents about this. But I am really interested in this."
A look of concern came over her. "Dear me. I hope I'm not taking you away from Lord Pentephres."
"No. He'll understand." Mother will make him.
I added, "I will keep in touch with you. I really want to start now more than anything. But well, I have these things to attend to first."
"I understand. Do let me know soon, though. And thank you."
"No, thank you, my lady."
And thank you too, God of my dear one.
It was the day of my reunion with Joseph.
I would be going with Lord Potiphar to the prison, as he assumed I did not know the way there. So first, I went to his house.
Coincidentally, the servant who received me was Baktre. Only now, she was no longer the child I remembered her to be.
"Baktre! How you've grown."
She had undergone a remarkable growth spurt and was now nearly as tall as me. She had become quite pretty too. But she looked troubled.
"Life, health and prosperity to you, my lady." Her tone was wooden.
"How have you been?"
"Fine."
"How is Ubastet?"
"Fine."
I began to feel awkward. "You're still working
?"
"Yes."
I sensed she was still uneasy over the incident with Zalikha. So even though I really wanted to talk to her, I decided it best to give her space.
We walked in silence to the loggia. She left me with a platter of dates. I stared after her mournfully.
I absently bit on a date, even though I had little to no appetite. I was in the very same room where I had first met Joseph years ago. A sweet but painful longing filled me.
I pondered on what I could possibly say to him when I saw him later. Did he even still remember me? Would my being there matter to him?
After a while, Potiphar still had not shown up. I caught a passing servant in the hallway.
"Excuse me?" I asked. "Does your master know I am here?"
"Yes, my lady. He will be with you soon."
"All right. Thank you." I did not quite believe her.
Sure enough, it was a long time before Potiphar finally arrived. When he did, I was shocked.
He looked horrendous. His eyes, which were once so alert, were now reddened and haggard. His clothes hung sloppily on him. If it had not been
for his nobleman's attire, he would have easily passed for a beggar on the street. He had also lost a frightening amount of weight.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
I blinked, taken aback by his gruffness. "Yes, my lord."
"Let's go."
In the courtyard, I overheard him giving instructions to his guards and litter bearers. The words coming out of his mouth were slurred. His mind, like his body, was in tatters.
Outside the prison, I disembarked my litter to see one of Lord Potiphar's litter bearers reaching inside his carriage. A very rumpled Captain of the Guard emerged. He yawned and stretched, as if he was alone in his bedroom. Then he saw me and immediately straightened up.
"This way," he said curtly.
I followed him past the guards at the gate. They stepped aside, no questions asked.
We made our way through a sandy yard and into a small grey building. There, a poker-faced man sat at a desk. Potiphar cleared his throat.
The man looked up. He sprang to his feet. "Life, health and prosperity to you, my lord."
He rushed over to us.
"And to you," Potiphar said. "This is the Lady Asenath, daughter of the high priest of Heliopolis."
"Life, health and prosperity to you, my lady." The man, whom I assumed was the warden, gave me a quick bow.
I returned his greeting politely. I supposed he had not been expecting me.
"If you would follow me please, my lord and lady." The warden led us back outside. "Joseph is currently supervising some prisoners at work, my lord. But he has been informed of your visit."
My heart surged.
"Thank you," Potiphar said.
I was walking behind the two men. I could not see Potiphar's face and could only imagine how he felt.
We arrived before another pair of gates. The warden called out to the guards in the watchtowers. The gates swung open to reveal a place I can only describe as pure doom.
Stretched out before us was a flat dusty area that had no shelter from the sun. Several prisoners laboured away in the punishing heat. They dug, chiselled at stone, treaded in mud pits and hauled sacks on their beaten backs. Foremen hovered about, bellowing orders. The harsh light nearly blinded me.
"If you would excuse me, your Graces." The warden walked off. "Joseph, Lord Potiphar awaits."
I nearly bounced on the balls of my feet. I shaded my eyes and scanned around for Joseph.
A thin beaded man appeared before us. "Life, health and prosperity to you, Lord Potiphar and Lady Asenath."
The voice sounded beautifully familiar, but this man could not be Joseph. He did not look anything like him. He was scraggly and filthy. His hair ran in all directions, like a garden that had not been tended to in years.
But then I saw those eyes. Those magical swirling stars of hazel and olive green.
And the smile he was giving me.
I felt warmth I thought I would never feel again.
If Potiphar was as shocked as I had been, he concealed it far better than I. He glanced at the warden, who had wandered a good distance away.
He locked his hands behind his back. "I was informed of your performance here. The warden is very pleased with what you've done. I am happy to hear that."
He turned his back to us.
"Master," Joseph began.
"Joseph, I am so sorry," Potiphar said. "I did not want this to happen. I am trying everything I can to orchestrate your release. Don't despair, son."
"I understand," Joseph said.
Potiphar coughed slightly then turned back to us. "I will be coming for inspections more often from now on. In the meantime, continue the good work, Joseph."
He made a move to walk away when he slightly leaned toward us. "I'll leave you two to talk," he said under his breath.
After Potiphar left, I looked up at Joseph. There were so many things I wanted to tell him. But I did not know where to begin.
"How are you, Asenath?" Joseph asked in a tender voice.
"Quite well, thank you. Uh, you will have to forgive me for staring. I did not recognise you at first."
Joseph chuckled. "I did not expect you to. You know, had I still been in Canaan, I probably would have ended up looking like this."
I knew he was trying to lighten the mood. But it was so false. I could stand it no longer.
"Joseph, I hate this," I said. "I hate Zalikha especially. This is so unfair."
A tear trickled down my cheek.
Joseph gently brushed it away. He took my hands into his.
I looked down. Joseph's fair hands were dirtied and calloused with hard labour. My brown hands were soft and smooth, pampered by the finest creams. There was such an enormous gulf between us. Yet miraculously, we had been brought back together.
If only for a moment.
"Actually, Asenath," Joseph said quietly. "I deserve this."
"What? You're mad."
"No. You see when I was a boy, I was very pompous, arrogant and self-centred. Because I was my father's favourite son, I grew up having a very high opinion of myself. I often lorded myself over my brothers, taking pleasure in tattling on them. Needless to say, they hated me. But the real trouble began," Joseph lowered his head in shame, "when I had these dreams. As foolish as this may sound that is what really happened."
"It is not foolish at all." I remembered my recent nightmares. "I understand. Please tell me what happened to you."
"I don't think I should."
"No, please. I insist."
"Very well." He sighed. "In the first dream, my brothers and I were binding sheaves of wheat when their sheaves sprung up and bowed before mine. Then in the second dream, the sun, moon and stars bowed down before me."
I could not help a look of disgust. These dreams were truly egotistical.
Joseph shrugged. "Foolishness, I know. But stupid young thing that I was, I freely shared the dreams with my family. At one point, even my father reprimanded me. Still that did not diminish his favouritism. He even gifted me with that beautiful coat of many colours."
"I remember you mentioning it in the letters. It sounded very princely, from the way you described it."
"That it was." He smiled. "I wore the coat every day, even when merely going out into the fields. One day when I was alone with my brothers, they ganged up on me and sold me to slave traders. And that, Asenath, is how I came to be in Egypt."
"I see." Now, I knew why Joseph never talked about this. It was a heartbreaking story.
"But that was so long ago," I said. "You have changed. You don't deserve this."
Joseph shrugged.
Lord Potiphar reappeared. "Time's up," he said brusquely.
Joseph and I released each other's hands. My heart sank.
Lord Potiphar turned to the warden to give him some last minute instructions.
Joseph touched my cheek for too
brief a moment. "Don't forget me."
His fingers tenderly curled around my face.
"I won't." Tears sprang to my eyes. "Please don't forget me either."
"I never could. Have faith, my love. My God willing, one day, you and I will see each other again."
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The following day, I realised I had forgotten to tell Joseph about my offer from Lady Ahwere. I wanted him to know that I might be living in Thebes. So very close to him.
I sighed. Alas, there was nothing I could do about that now. Lord Potiphar might be willing to pass on a message, but I did not want to impose on him. He had already done enough. Besides, this was too personal.
After breakfast, I threw myself into a whirlwind of activity. First, I rescheduled my return trip to Heliopolis so that I could speak with my parents sooner. Then I sent out messages to Lady Ahwere, Lord Potiphar and Khasekh. I informed them that I would be leaving earlier than expected, but would hopefully be back soon.
The next day, I was in the quay watching the servants load our barque.
"Lady Asenath."
I turned around. "Lord Potiphar! Baktre! What a pleasant surprise."
Potiphar looked considerably refreshed. "We thought we would see you off."
"Why, thank you. That is very kind of you."
Potiphar nodded toward his companion. "Baktre also has something she wishes to say to you."
The young lady bowed. "My lady, please forgive my behaviour the other day. I was so very rude."
I smiled, touched. "That is quite all right, Baktre. I was rather concerned though. I hope everything is well with you."
"Everything is fine, my lady."
"Alas, it is my fault," Potiphar said. "I've been taking out my troubles on everyone lately. I only realised this when Baktre told me of her meeting with you. That said, Asenath, I also wish to apologise for being so gruff and keeping you waiting. Also, I would have let you and Joseph talk longer, but you know how it is in the prison."
I laughed. "Isn't this a lovely lot of apologies. But it's fine, really. I understand. I know things have not been easy lately."
We paused for a moment.
"Baktre," Potiphar said, "did you tell Asenath your news?"
Baktre blushed. "I'm getting married."
"Congratulations." I grinned. "Who is the lucky man?"
"His name is Setna," she said. "He was one of the children who came with Ubastet and I."
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