Jordan
had never recovered from the loss of Stephen. One
day she was the happiest woman alive, the next she
was consumed by the blackest misery. Joseph's morose
thoughts were interrupted by a loud commotion. His
daughter was shouting at his wife. Rushing back into
the kitchen he saw that Jordan had packed a small
bag. Shocked, he stood and listened when Jordan
defiantly told them, her face twisted in anger and
grief, "I am leaving this country forever! I am
sick of the killing!" She stood and glared for
a few seconds before adding, "And, don't look
for me! And, I mean it!"
The
room shook with Jordan's running steps.
Ester
stared in grim silence.
Joseph
called out, "Jordan! Come back!"
The
front door slammed and then a stillness crept into
the room. Joseph felt his entire body tremble. He
looked at Ester as though he could not understand
what had happened. "How can this be?"
Ester
was amazingly calm. "Don't fret, darling,"
she told her husband. "Actually, I have been
thinking that Jordan needs a complete change."
Aware of Joseph's incredulous look, she added,
"You and I came to Palestine because of a
terrible tragedy. Here, we found a new life."
She paused. "Our daughter must now find her
way." She looked at Joseph and tried to console
him. "Don't worry. Jordan will be back."
Joseph
was not comforted. He could not rid himself of the
terrible thought that of four children, only two had
survived. Now with Jordan's departure, and Michel's
presence in Lebanon, once again, he and Ester were
completely alone.
