Mary was eager to speak to Eran about the boys. She hoped he would continue to look out for them like family. But just as her life had changed radically, she realized that his life had also changed. He was a free man now, no longer a slave. She could not expect to have the same relationship with him. She was not sure what to expect, and their nighttime intimacy only added to her uncertainty. Her world was changing quickly.

In the past, Mary depended on her parents for so many things. They were always eager to advise her. Now that they were gone, she was the single parent of not one, but two, teen-aged boys. She was their only guardian, and she was without home or income, without a husband.

Jesus and John had lived very sheltered lives. They were completely unprepared for living without roots, or means. Their lives up to now worked because of her father's riches. Mary tried to stay positive and strong, as she was torn further away from her own sheltered life.

Then there was Jesus's special circumstance, his difference. Mary had never spoken to Eran about this. She had never spoken of it to anyone other than her parents. She had to deal with it now. Going forward it would be much harder to conceal. She needed to know who she could trust to share in protecting him.

"Eran?" Mary whispered softly. "Are you awake?"

"I am," he yawned. "What's on your mind? I apologize for last night. Are you all right? Did I frighten you?"

Mary smiled. In the dim light she could just make out Eran's face. He looked so innocent and childlike. His gentleness warmed her, making it easier to bring up the subject.

"I was not at all offended by your attention. I couldn't be happier. I welcome your attention in that way," she cooed playfully. "I've desired you for some time."

Eran looked concerned. What subject was so important for Mary that she felt she had to wake him early in the morning to discuss? Did she know about him and Josh? He braced himself for a difficult conversation.

"I want to talk about the boys. Particularly my... Jesus," she said cautiously.

There was a long silence. Eran waited for her to continue. "Yes?" he said.

"You've always been able to see the best in John, despite his rough nature. He must feel close to you. You have taught him many things. He's a smart boy.

"You have been like a father to both of them. I pray that you will continue to look out for them as they become young men. They will soon be on their own.

"But, you are now a free man. No longer my father's property. No longer any man's property. No longer indebted to us... to me. I would understand if you wanted to go your own way," the tone of her voice tightening to a whisper.

Eran sat quietly. He wanted to interrupt, but he could see that Mary was serious. He waited to hear her out before speaking.

"But there is something different about Jesus, something most unusual that I need to share with you" she continued. Something that only my parents and I have known before now. He, uh..."

"Mary," Eran interrupted, "I know about Jesus' difference. He, uh she -- well both, I suppose," muttering to himself. "I have known for a long time. Would you like to know what I think about his condition?

"Egyptian culture is very old, reaching back many aeon's. Our understanding of life, and of man's place in it, is older than Moses or Abraham. To my people, someone like Jesus is looked upon as a sacred messenger. Like an angel perhaps. We would not see Jesus as evil or a freak of nature, but as a gifted teacher, a holy man with a twist."

Mary listened to Eran speak, her face showing no emotion.

"Jesus' embodiment as both male and female, is not something to fear or regret. It is something precious. It is a gift from the gods. Your son has been sent to teach us in ways that we cannot yet know. That he may not even yet know.

"Although young now, in time he may acquire much wisdom to share with us -- if he is so destined. He will face many challenges. It is my privilege and duty to guide and protect him as much as possible."

Mary was transfixed. She had never thought of her son's physical oddity as anything other than unlucky circumstance, or as God's punishment for her lack of faith. Listening to Eran, Mary felt a peculiar mix of excitement and apprehension for her child and for his future.

She had always wondered what would become of Jesus if she were not around to shield him. Likely he would come to harm -- at the hands of men. Men like those who killed her parents, and stole her family's property. Her emotions vacillated from sadness to anger and fear.

Though she had initially intended to discuss Jesus and John, Mary now felt compelled to tell Eran what she'd overheard the Romans say from her rooftop perch the day they fled Nazareth.

"Mary," Eran asked, taking note of her distracted expression. "Does my foreign viewpoint offend you? You seem upset."

Mary trembled slightly. She turned her face away from Eran, taking a moment to collect her thoughts. She was not sure how he would react to her parent's real fate. News that she had not shared with anyone yet -- that she had tried to forget.

"Eran," she sighed, exhaling deeply before continuing, "the Romans... they... took my parents!" Tears streamed down her cheeks and she began to shake even more. "They... killed my parents! And... took everything!" She sighed heavily, wiping her eyes. She looked up at Eran expecting him to be angry, for withholding the truth.

Eran's expression grew dark. He turned away from Mary and stared up at the ceiling of the tent. He punched at the air with clinched fists in an uncharacteristic display of emotion. His body tensed. Not sure what he would do next, Mary readied herself for his anger, or worse punishment for her withholding the truth. She covered her face and cowered.

Eran howled. "The God's curse!" he shouted. "I begged Josh to take me with them on the trip. I should have insisted," he choked. "I failed him... and I failed you!" Eran sobbed, his body curled up like a speared animal.

He reached toward Mary and pulled her close. They held each other for a long while, both lost in their separate grief.

Outside, the day had begun. The sounds of animals and people intruded on their private world. Mary could hear the boys stirring. She got up and readied herself to answer their calls for food and attention that would come soon.

(End of Chapter 26)