Liz woke up, feeling anxious from her disturbing dreams. She took a deep breath. Her heart and head were both pounding. This must be her punishment for having accepted Zack's offer of wine, and allowing herself to wallow with those other poor souls. Now she would suffer. She knew better, she thought to herself, but this was all his fault!

"What came over me?" she thought. She had not been herself last evening. "Even if he is a Rabbi, Zack could be such a bad influence. I should have known better than to go along with his advice to enjoy myself. Hopefully, young Mary had gone to bed before things got out of hand; it would be shameful for her to be exposed to such things." Liz could barely remember the evening.

Ugh! Her eyes were glued shut. Opening them was like tearing the bandage off a fresh wound. Perhaps they were sealed shut to punish her for her sinful behavior. Maybe she was blind! She panicked a little at the thought.

When she was finally able to open both eyes, she rolled over in bed, in the direction of Zack's irritating snoring. He was still asleep, of course! He should be awake, suffering with her. Liz nudged her husband with a foot, gently first, then with as much force as she could muster. "Wake up," she hissed.

"Yes, my ... love," Zack exclaimed, wincing from her kick. He rolled over onto his side facing away from her, gathering strength for the anticipated barage.

"Your plan worked," Liz complained. "I enjoyed myself, and now I'm suffering for it! Could you bring me some water? My head is aching and my and eyes feel like I've been hit? I should never have taken the wine you offered. Why do you insist that I share your habit?"

The drinking surely led to her sick dreams about sex, Liz thought. She felt dirty and ugly having such thoughts. Hopefully, she had not talked in her sleep, or cried out. She must pray for forgiveness.

"I had the most disturbing visions," Liz moaned. "So bad that I cannot imagine sharing them."

Zack was listening, but thinking about his own dream instead. It was more puzzling than usual; the angel instructed him to bring Mary along with them on their trip back to Hebron. The angel seemed fixed upon his niece, but would not say why.

If Josh and Ann agreed, it would not be a problem for them to take Mary on the trip, and they would agree. They were always happy for Mary to visit her uncle and aunt. It gave them time to themselves without worrying about their daughter's needs. Zack better understood their willingness to have Mary away after what he had seen on this trip.

For Zack and Liz it was a welcome treat to take Mary on. She was never a burden and it distracted them from focusing on their lack of children, or on their own relationship issues. Liz' mood always improved when Mary was nearby.

Zack had no after effects from the night before, although he could not remember when or how he came to bed. The last thing he remembered clearly, was watching Liz dance by the fire with the other men around her. How at ease she seemed. Did she remember any of that, he wondered, stifling the temptation to laugh out loud remembering it.

Apparently, the positive effects of the brew were only temporary. Liz' dark self was back in full force this morning, made worse by the effects of the wine, and her remorse for having experienced any enjoyment.

Getting out of bed, he made his way to the water jug by the door. He poured a cup of water and brought it back to Liz. She sipped it slowly, keeping her eyes closed and, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Rest my dear," Zack said. "I'll try to find some fruit juice for you in the kitchen. I'll be back soon."

With that he turned, and walked carefully toward the door, yawning and stretching as he stepped outside into the courtyard.

It was another beautiful Spring morning; Zack looked around the courtyard, taking it all in. Today was their last day in Nazareth before departing for Emmaus.

Josh was sitting by himself enjoying the morning Sun.

Zack wondered what kind of condition Josh was in, after last night. Had he ever gone to bed? Although he would rather have avoided Josh, Zack joined him in the courtyard.

"Good morning, Holy One!" Did you and Liz sleep well?" Josh smirked, his brows raised quizzically, and his lips pressed into a tight smile.

"Like a pillar of stone," Zack replied, taking a seat near Josh.

"And is Liz still in a dancing mood?" Joshs wry sense of humor was never far away. They both laughed softly. Zack raised his index finger to his mouth in a shushing gesture, even as they both continued to chuckle.

"She's in a mood this morning, all right!" Zack whispered. "I was just on my way to find some juice for her. She is, well, back to her usual self. I'm just fine. Maybe a little delicate. And you Josh?" Zack asked, hoping to avoid any discussion about what he had witnessed the previous day.

"Well, I'm up early, primarily because I am preoccupied with the coming week's business requirements. We open the new factory this week. I'm hoping that all goes well. it will be a huge amount of work, but with the increased business, I foresee lots of Roman gold flowing in my direction. It will be worth it." Josh smiled, a dreamy look in his eyes at the thought of his growing fortunes.

Whenever Zack compared his own circumstances to Josh's, he had to fight tapping into a deep well of jealousy and resentment. He'd been to that well many times. He decided that this might be a good time to ask if Mary could join them on the trip back.

"Perhaps, I can suggest a plan that would bring some relief." Zack said.

"You're quitting the priesthood to come work for me?" Josh's face brightening several shades at the thought.

"Ha, Ha! Nothing that dramatic, I'm afraid," Zack responded. "I was wondering if you would let us take Mary back to Hebron for a while. I think she might enjoy the trip. It would just be until the Holy Days in June, when we come back to Jerusalem."

"Oh Zack, that would be the greatest!" Josh blurted out. "Ann and I were wondering how the next six weeks would play out. She longs to go back to Jerusalem. She hates it up here, you know. She needs to get back to her friends, her milieu. And I need to stay up here for work. The problem is broken by your generous offer. Of course she can go with you. You two are life-savers! I'll send Eran with you as far as Emmaus for extra protection until you're on the river. Those roads are not always safe nowadays with so many foreigners wandering the countryside. Having extra protection is prudent. Don't you agree?"

Before Zack could respond, Josh continued. "Oh, that will be such a relief. I can't wait to tell Ann," he went on clearly thrilled by Zack's offer.

"Are you sure you can do without Eran for a few days? Zack asked, curious to see how Josh might respond."

Josh looked him squarely in the eyes, studying his face intently, and then without missing a beat said, "Oh certainly, he's protecting our family!"

Just then Mary emerged from the main house, and walked to where they sat talking.

"Come close, little flower," Josh cooed as she approached. "Uncle Zack has a surprise for you."

Mary climbed on her father's lap, her attention focused on Zack. She waited for him to speak.

"How would you like to join us on the trip back to our home?" Zack asked, knowing the answer, but assuring Mary that it was her choice.

Mary's eyes grew wide and she almost burst with enthusiasm at the idea. "Oh yes! With you and Aunt Liz -- on a boat ride, too? That would be so much fun!"

How nice to be a child, especially a child of wealthy parents, Zack thought. No need to think about what the unpleasant necessities of life. Mary was a lucky girl.

Those days were long past for Zack, if they had ever been at all. Soon enough, they would come to an end for young Mary, he thought. Soon her life would change through marriage, and having children of her own. Womanhood was just around the corner for her. Zack hoped that life would continue to be kind to her.

Though for now she was carefree, spending her days with her lessons and playing games.

"Can we play stones now uncle Zack?" Mary pleaded. "Aunt Liz is not awake, so you can play now, right?" Just then Zack remembered Liz, and his promise to bring her some juice. She's probably thinking he forgot about her. It would be another mark against him.

"Honey, I need to run a quick errand to get your aunt some juice first. Then we can play together," Zack said, and he stood up and sprinted toward the house.

In the kitchen, Zack made a mental note to collect more of the purple flowers before they left so that whatever use the angel had in mind, he could at least temporarily improve Liz' mood with help from the wondrous potion.

Zack would miss this place. The comfort of the setting, the relaxed atmosphere, the lack of structure and responsibility were a rare treat indeed.

(End of Chapter 11)