The Prescience by Lorilyn Roberts

Author:Lorilyn Roberts [Roberts, Lorilyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996532273
Publisher: Create Space
Published: 2017-11-23T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

AS WE ENTERED through the city gates, the temple environs appeared less crowded. The Roman guards were more visible with the throng of visitors dissipating. The baptismal lines at the mikvehs were shorter, and the grain offering stations inside the temple were closed. An exquisite aroma filled the streets. “What is that smell?”

“Frankincense,” Daniel replied. “The priests add it to the grain.”

I inhaled deeply having never smelled it before. Signs displayed at nearby inns read “no vacancy.” Even with the grain shared at the temple and the fruit brought into the city, beggars still begged. I wished we had time to linger, but Daniel seemed hurried to check on his mother. I hoped Kitty was doing better.

We passed through the wealthy Upper City. As we neared the dwelling, I noticed many people gathered outside. Bouquets of black flowers were displayed prominently on the porch.

I saw her and shook Daniel’s arm. “Look!”

Daniel started running, and I followed on his heels. As we approached the house, the demon started towards us. What few whiffs of white hair she had on her head blew wildly in the breeze. She smiled, revealing several missing teeth. Then she extended her hand, offering us black flowers. Daniel pushed her arm out of his way. The flowers fell on the ground and immediately wilted.

“She’s mine,” the ventriloquist announced.

“Shira!” I cried.

We raced up the porch steps, sidestepping mourners dressed in black. Daniel pushed the door open. It took a moment for our eyes to adjust. A multitude of people filled the small room. I searched for her.

“She died,” I heard someone say. “She’s gone.”

Who died? Who…surely they didn’t mean…my God! I searched frantically for someone I recognized amongst all the strangers. When I saw Daniel’s sister, I rushed to her. “Where’s Shira?”

Martha pointed. “She’s playing over there.”

I ran over and scooped her up in my arms.

“Auntie,” she said excitedly. “Look what I made.”

I saw a white rock in her hand, but could make out the faint impression of a bird. It was a poor imitation, but I praised her. “It’s beautiful.”

“Do you think it will come alive?” she asked.

I chuckled. “Probably not, but you can always pretend.”

As I held her, in an instant, I realized how much I loved her. She was mine—or rather, God’s. But never would she belong to the ventriloquist. Never!

I realized then that Daniel’s mother was gone. I had mistakenly thought it was Shira. My eyes met Daniel’s. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed.

Daniel sat in a chair overwhelmed with emotion.

The rest of the late afternoon and evening was a blur of activity. Kitty’s body was taken to its resting place. Burial couldn’t happen during the festival. I threw out the black flowers.

“You don’t bring flowers to a Jewish funeral,” Daniel had said.

Friends and mourners dropped off plenty of food late into the night. A few dirges were sung that I found mostly unsettling. I tried to comfort Martha and Daniel, but words fell short. How much did this dimension impact the world we left

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