Mary Magdalene: A Novel by Diana Wallis Taylor Page B

bolted the door behind him. After her mother’s death, he’d had to resort to locking Mary in her room for her own safety. In spite of Eliab’s watchful eyes, she had craftily escaped a couple of times, wandering through the marketplace and tearing at her hair. If it were not for the faithful Eliab bringing her back home, he didn’t know how she would end up.
    Nathan moved slowly down the stairs. How long would they have Eliab? Keturah could not handle her alone anymore and even young Mishma cowered away from Mary now.
    Nathan passed Eliab, who sat as he did these days, his back to the wall in the sun, staring off into the distance. He was getting older and his hair was nearly white. As Nathan observed him, he wondered if the former gladiator was thinking of his home far away across the great desert. Eliab had remained with them after Jared’s death, for he had promised Jared on his deathbed that he would watch over Rachel now that she was alone.
    When Nathan moved Mary back to her mother’s home, Nathan wondered how long Eliab would stay. When Rachel had died, he wondered if Eliab felt he had repaid his debt to the family. He was sure Eliab would leave them now, and in his heart Nathan felt it would be soon. Eliab seemed to be waiting for something but kept his thoughts to himself.
    Nathan had noted Mishma’s behavior in the last few months. This was no atmosphere for a young boy. The boy’s natural sympathy for Mary had turned to fear. He would not come near her and then seemed relieved when Nathan finally had to lock her in her room.
    Nathan turned toward Keturah, whose eyes seemed guarded as she watched him approach.
    “How is she?”
    He shook his head slowly. “I had to bar the door again. The evil one takes more and more of her. I don’t know how much longer I can endure this.”
    “You have borne more than most men would have, Nathan.”
    He raised his eyebrows. The comment was unlike her. He thought for a moment. How long had she been with them? Too many years. She had not sought marriage again, devoting herself to her son and Mary. One evening Mary had shared with him the circumstances of Keturah’s first marriage and how she had lived with an abusive husband. She told him Keturah had nearly lost her son to one of his rages when she was pregnant. It had almost been a blessing when he died suddenly in an accident.
    Nathan thought on all these things and knew he must make a decision in some way. What was he to do?
    “I must leave for Capernaum. I need to deliver the boat to Zebedee and his sons. When I return, I must decide what to do about Mary.”
    “Will Zerah go with you?”
    “No, I promised the next trip to young Daniel. He’s been a big help in the boatyard and has been begging to go along on one of my delivery trips.”
    She nodded, and Nathan noted that the same lines of fatigue he had seen on Rachel’s face now touched Keturah’s. He watched her knead the bread dough. She should have a life of her own, a husband and father for Mishma. Yet she stayed.
    The soft folds of her shift moved with her and Nathan felt an emotion suddenly constrict his heart that he hadn’t felt in a long time—the longing for a woman. Keturah was comely, a good mother and an able homemaker. On more than one occasion, he’d struggled with the temptation she presented living with them. When Rachel was there, it had been acceptable, but now Rachel was gone and he knew he must either send Keturah away or find a husband for her. He cringed inwardly, thinking of the words of their rabbi the previous Sabbath.
    “It has come to my attention that after the death of your mother-in-law a young woman remains in your home.”
    “She cares for my wife, who is ill.”
    “It is not a good situation. We know of your wife’s illness. It has continued for many years. This young woman must not remain unprotected in your home.”
    Nathan nodded. “I understand.”
    Now, as he thought back on the rabbi’s words, he stopped at