Page 60 of In Just a Year
Ben jerked back. “I have to go to her.”
“You need to change,” Raphi said.
“And bathe,” Mother added. “Quickly.” She led the way upstairs and drew him a hot bath.
Raphi helped him to shave and brush his hair as quickly as he could. He’d never readied himself with such haste. But when it came to putting on his finest white shirt, the buttons wouldn’t close.
“It doesn’t fit,” Ben called out in alarm.
Raphi chuckled. “You’ve become bulky, little brother. You look rather like a strong man.”
“Raphi, I don’t have time for this.”
Raphi smiled and left. A minute later, he returned with a whole set of clothes. “This is what Caleb wore for the competition for the crown jewels.”
“The black velvet? But it’s so formal—”
“It appropriate, trust me,” Raphi said.
Ben understood. Esther must have prepared an elegant wedding. And she was waiting for him.
In less than an hour, his mother had trimmed his hair and Ben was bathed, shaved, and had used the good old tooth powder he’d missed. There was nothing like smelling clean and not like fishy ocean air. He checked himself in the mirror and his mother came to his side, dressed in the elegant embroidered gown she reserved for special occasions; the last time he’d seen her in it was at Aaron’s wedding.
“You look like yourself again, but you don’t quite feel like it, do you?” She tugged at his cravat. There was nothing to fix but her motherly touch had to ensure it was neatly fastened. And how was it possible that she saw into his heart? Even after so much had happened? A year had passed.
“Mama”—
“Don’t worry,yingale.I know and I’ll always be there.” She pulled him down to place a tender kiss on his forehead. “Mazal tov. Go and get your love. She’s a beautiful bride and she’s waiting for you.”
CHAPTER30
Esther ventured to Greg’s side once the disgruntled Bailiff had left. “W-where’s Ben?” They’d put on a farce to get him to leave. Esther knew the half-truths were only said to cover for them, to protect their existence because the Bailiff wanted nothing more than to see all the Jews extinct.
“I don’t know. After I signed off for his body, they carried him away.” Greg shrugged but then stilled when Esther stopped breathing.
“His body?” she cried in alarm. “Ben’s body?”
The entire room fell silent. Even Fave and Arnold’s faces grew ashen. Gideon gasped and Rosie wrapped herself around his arm. Pavel Klonimus tensed, and Hannah set Izaac down to join Esther’s side.
“There was a problem during the journey. We lost several men, and the whole crew got very sick.” Greg explained. “Ben had barrels of dried berries from Padmavati.”
Caleb came to Pavel’s side and faced Greg. “Who?”
“Vati, the Shah’s bride. It’s a long story.” Greg smiled, but everyone eyed him as if he’d lost his mind.
Esther’s mind went blank. She didn’t know if her ribs were stabbing her heart or if it had stopped beating altogether.
Everyone stared at her, but nobody spoke.
“But Ben…” Esther managed, voice wobbling.
“I’m right here,” Ben said from the doorway at the back of the room.
Fabric rustled as everyone jerked their heads around. Esther still couldn’t breathe. She wasn’t sure if she was seeing a mirage.
Ben stood before them dressed in cream breeches, dark brown boots, and a well-fitting black velvet coat. Yes, it must have been Ben for Chawa and Raphi were by his sides. His hair was a little longer than before and he looked bigger, bulkier … in a pleasing way.
Esther felt as though she’d left her body and stood beside herself until Hannah gave her arm a squeeze. Seeing her big sister smile so brightly somehow brought her back to life.
