Later that evening, at mealtime, Scylla introduced me to the rest of the family—Nathan, who was mute, from my father’s second wife (he was on his fourth); Mari, the housekeeper; and a couple of slaves whose names I couldn’t pronounce. The conversation focused on governmental matters for which I had no interest. When they mentioned my father, my ears perked up, but mostly it concerned his work in the province. I still didn’t understand what he did, except he kept the peace.
I caught Nathan staring at me several times during the meal. I looked away feeling awkward. How do you connect with a person who can’t speak? It was hard to believe he was my half-brother.
“Has he ever said anything?” I asked.
Scylla shook her head. “When Nathan gets agitated, we send for Daniel and he calms Nathan down.”
What would it be like not to be able to talk? The poor boy had straight brown hair and green eyes, like me, but was much thicker boned and a little too plump. In contrast, I could barely gain a pound. Nathan was two years younger. A mild disposition gave him a child-like innocence.
Scylla ended the evening by telling me I had to contribute to the running of the household if I planned to stay with them. They would enroll me in school as soon as possible. I should have known I couldn’t escape that.
“You see the well in the distance?”
I nodded.
“You will need to fill the bucket up first thing in the morning.”
“Okay.”
Scylla’s eyes narrowed. “You haven’t done much housework, have you?”
“Why do you say that?”
She grabbed my hand and stroked it. “You have soft hands.”
I jerked it away from her. “I have chores,” I snapped.
“Good. We’ll see what a good worker you are.” Scylla walked over and picked up a cup, poured some wine, and headed to her private quarters, disappearing behind a closed door. It would be my luck to have a father with such poor taste in women. I shook my head in disgust. “Thanks for the delicious meal, Mari.”
She smiled back.
After saying good night to Nathan, I climbed up the stairs on the outside of the house. The stars shone brightly, and I searched for the Big Dipper. Where were those four lights?
A breeze blew that cooled me off, slowing down my gushing thoughts. The gentle air lifted my spirits, whispering sweet lullabies into my racked brain. Did they hold the secret to my future?
An owl sent love notes across the hills. “Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo.”
No iPhones, no computers, no cars, no iTunes, no Internet, and no TVs. Tomorrow I hoped for answers.
Chapter Twelve
SHALE AND THE YOUNG MAN AT THE WELL