Hounds of Rome

  “Great,” Steve replied as he went out back to the bike and was surprised to find Alice seated on it. “Are we going to Bethlehem together?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Haven’t you been there yet?”

  “Yes, I’ve been there.”

  “Then why do you want to go again?”

  “Simply because I get the feeling you’re going to need me. No matter what Lou told you about getting through the checkpoints, it’ll be a lot faster with a blonde on the back giving the military guys a big toothy smile. You drive and I’ll just hang on the back and show you the best way to get there. Okay?”

  “Yes, I suppose so, but I didn’t expect to have any company,” Steve replied with a shrug as he mounted the bike and felt Alice’s arms wind tightly around his waist.

  After driving about half an hour, they fairly breezed through the checkpoint. “Do you believe me now?” Alice asked as she gripped Steve even tighter around the waist.

  “I believe. I believe.”

  “Okay, now pull up here. This is the Church of the Nativity. Let‘s go inside. When we enter the cave where tradition says the Christ child lay in the manger, you’ll have to stoop down because the opening was made intentionally small so no one could go in on horseback. I believe this was an idea dreamed up by the Crusaders about one thousand A.D. Much of the constuction you’ll see in Israel was done by the Crusaders who were trying to rebuild the holy sites. The silver star on the floor in the cave presumably marks the exact spot where Jesus was born. And if you believe all this, you are standing in one of the holiest places in Christendom.”

  “Alice, you don’t sound as if you believe all this.”

  “Maybe yes, maybe no. The basic church is 1700 years old. It’s interesting that this site was picked almost three hundred years after Christ died. And don’t forget that it was picked by Emperor Constantine’s mother who was about as qualified an archeologist as the man in the moon. And this should give you a laugh, although you may know about it already—the cathedral in Cologne in Germany has three golden boxes that are supposed to contain the bodies… I should say the bones… of the Three Wise Men.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard that,” Steve said with a smirk.

  “How do you think the Three Wise Men were found?”

  “Constantine’s mother?”

  “Now you’re catching on. She was poking around Jerusalem, remember in three hundred A.D., and found three bodies and God told her they were the bodies of the Three Wise Men. On January sixth every year—I believe it’s called the Feast of the Epiphany—pilgrims come from all over Europe to Cologne to view the remains of the Three Wise Men, and, of course, they very likely make sizeable donations to the church.”

  “Alice, stop,” Steve said, as he looked her in the eye and lightly laid a hand on each of her shoulders. “You’re undoing things the nuns taught me as unwavering truth in third grade,” he said with a wide smile.

  *****

  Later, as Steve and Alice were standing in the church proper admiring the wall frescos, Steve was suddenly floored by a rock that hit him squarely in the back between his shoulder blades. Then, as he lay face down, Alice quickly scooped up two rocks that were the size of oranges and, swinging around, threw them at the two clerics who were standing on the far side of the church. She expertly aimed to whizz the stones close to the heads of the clergy who had assaulted Steve—intending to miss them by inches. The clergymen drew back when they realized that the young woman had a skill that reminded them of David coming up against Goliath. They quickly realized that the two additional stones that she had picked up and was aiming, could put them in the hospital or worse. In a flash, they were gone.

  When Alice helped Steve to his feet, he was groggy. His back ached. Alice lifted his shirt and said although he was bruised, the skin hadn’t been broken. She then went on to explain: “The Church of the Nativity had been fought over for many years with each of three religions—Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic claiming jurisdiction over the place where Christ was born. The church was divided into three parts and on more than one occasion when the clergy of one sect thought the other two were intruding on their turf, fights would break out. In fact, it’s hard to believe but each group has piled up stones to use as weapons against the others.”

  “Yes, I am finding it hard to believe,” Steve said, “but my sore back proves your point. What do they do when groups of tourists come?”

  “Oh, then they’re on their good behavior. When tourist groups arrive, it all looks like one happy family. Hell breaks out later.”

  “But why did they pick on me?” Steve asked wondering.

  “I think when the Greeks and Armenians saw you genuflect and cross yourself, they assumed they were in the presence of a Catholic… perhaps even a Catholic priest. And, you were in the Armenian section of the church, where Catholics are not allowed, so they let you have it.”

  “While I was flat out on the ground, what did you do to stop them?”

  “I just let them have a couple of well-placed stones. I wasn’t trying to hurt them, just give them a warning to knock it off.”

  “Good grief,” Steve said in wonder. “And all of this on hallowed ground.”

  “Father Steve,” now you know why I wanted to tag along on your visit. One other thing, I overheard Lou and Barbara say that two guys were after you and one actually attacked you with a stilleto. I don’t particularly like the idea of two against one. So I thought you might need some help.”

  “Alice, let’s stop someplace for lunch. It seems as though I owe you one.”

  *****

  “Do you mind my asking where you’re off to tomorrow?” Alice asked as she sipped a tall cool glass of beer at a small table they had taken in a side street.

  “I was thinking of heading to the river Jordan, possibly to the place where they say Jesus was baptized by John The Baptist,” Steve replied as he sipped his espresso.

  “I know where it is. And maybe you’ll let me come along.”

  “I’d be glad to have you along. Bring stones in case there’s trouble,” he said laughing.

  “I don’t think this place calls for stone throwing. It’s pretty peaceful. Although, if you’re thinking of seeing a river, you’ll be disappointed. What with recent droughts, it’s more like a creek.”

  *****

  Early on the following morning the pair set off again on the motorbike. This time, Alice guided them east out of Old Jerusalem to the Jordan. On arriving, they found a large group of blacks from Chicago who were being baptized one-by-one with total immersion. A line of people clad in long white gowns walked slowly down a curved staircase that wound down from a high landing, where they ended in waist-deep water. Their voices were all raised in a beautiful harmonious chant. A deacon and an assistant, standing in waist-deep water, momentarily submerged each participant. Steve found himself deeply moved by the singular devotion of each baptism candidate.

  The curved staircase facing the river on the right was used for descending to the water, while the one on the left was used for returning to the high ground.

  “Care to join in brother? This is the way to the Lord.” The words were spoken by a black man who appeared to be one of the deacons. He was a giant, almost seven feet tall and dressed in a long flowing multi-colored African robe.

  “Thanks,” Steve replied, “but I’ve already been baptized. However, if it won’t disturb the ceremony, I’ll just slip down the opposite staircase and wade in the shallows.”

  When the deacon gave him an inquiring look, Steve replied, “I just want to be able to tell the folks back home I was wading in the river Jordan.”

  “Amen to that, Brother. Amen to that,” the deacon replied as Steve took off his shoes and socks and slowly walked down the left staircase, passing a line of soaking wet, newly baptized people. As he dipped his feet into the river, Alice leaned on a railing at the top watching him.

  *****

  As Alice stood on th
e top landing, watching Steve and keeping an eye on the motor bike, she suddenly felt a man on each side gabbing her arms. They pulled her arms behind her back and began to drag her back away from the plateau that overlooked the river. She was too surprised to resist or even yell for help. Steve, down below wading in the river, was completely unaware of what was happening. They dragged Alice to a nearby car that had a rear door open and began pushing her inside. The only thing she could think of was that they had decided to take her hostage as a way of forcing Steve to surrender.

  A few minutes later, when Steve came back up the stairs getting ready to put his shoes and socks on, he noticed that Alice’s jeans were torn and her hair was somewhat tousled.

  “What happened to you?” he asked.

  “Those two guys from Rome tried to grab me and stuff me in their car. I guess I was being taken hostage and maybe they planned to release me after you surrendered. Either that… or… ?”

  “But what did you do?” Steve asked. “How did you escape?”

  “Do you really want to know?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, this may sound a bit crude, but if you really want to know, I socked one in the jaw and he collapsed onto the seat of the car. Glass jaw as they say. I kicked the other one in his gonoids and when he bent over I kneed him right under his chin. He then staggered to the car and they drove off. Last I saw them, they were weaving down the road.”

  “But what about the stilletos? Did you get stabbed?”

  “No. It all happened so fast they never had a chance to get their stilletos out.”

  “Alice, tell me, have you ever been referred to as Wonder Woman?”

  “No. But you owe me a dinner in a first class restaurant.”

  *****

  Over dinner that evening Steve asked, “Alice, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

  “Not at all.”

  “I was wondering about the young women you’re staying with at the Lavines.”

  “You seem a bit older than they, more mature.”

  “True. They’re my students. We’ve been on a summer field trip. I’m an Associate Professor of History at the University of Iowa. We’ve been studying the Middle East—Egypt, Jordan, Israel and a few other countries that permit women to visit. Israel has been our last stop. We’ll soon be heading home.”

  *****

  In the days that followed, Alice took Steve to the Dead Sea where they floated in water so salty it was impossible to sink. Their next trip was on the cable car that took them up to Masada—the sad place where the Jews, after holding out for three years against the assaulting Roman army finally committed suicide rather than be captured. Alice also took Steve to David’s tomb and the place in the same building where the Last Supper was held.

  “I’ll say this for you, Alice, you sure know your way around Israel, and you could hire youself out as a bodyguard.”

  “Well my students and I have been here for a few weeks so I’ve seen just about everything. By the way, if you’re agreeable, let’s head up north to Nazareth and Capernaum on the Sea of Gallilee. Capernaum, in particular, is an important stop because it’s believed to be the place where Jesus began his ministry.”

  *****

  At the Lavines at dinner one night, a few eyebrows were raised when Alice announced that she and Father Steve were going to travel north to Nazareth and Capernaum. Since it was a full ninety-seven miles from Jerusalem to Nazareth—a trip that would take them away for several days, Alice’s students couldn’t help wondering what was going on between their professor and the priest.

  When one of the young women confronted her about it, Alice replied, “Please stop the rumor mill. I’m simply showing this guy the sights so he doesn’t get lost.. And no, we’re not falling in love.”

  *****

  In Nazareth, Alice and Steve visited the Church of the Annunciation that was built over Mary’s home, where the angel announced to Mary that she was to be the Mother of God.

  “Of course,” Alice said, “as you might expect, there are two stories about the Annunciation. I think it is the Greek Orthodox who don’t believe it took place here. They believe the Annunciation took place at Mary’s Well located just a short distance from here down in the town. But as the guides are quick to point out, all these events took place somewhere around these locations, although there is some disagreement as to the exact locations.”

  Later in Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Gallilee, Alice and Steve listened to a lecture by an Israeli guide. They stood among a large group of tourists in front of the few remaining columns of what had once been a synagogue.

  “It was here,” the guide said, “that Jesus began his ministry. Yes, it was right here in this old synagogue. How do I know this is true?” he asked. “Simply because at that time there was only one synagogue in Capernaum. This one. And I would like to remind all of you gentiles, that Jesus was a Jewish boy!”

  Later, after a short boat trip on the lake, Steve and Alice checked at the desk of a small hotel close to the seashore. They tried to book separate rooms as they had done on the previous night while traveling up to Nazareth, but the clerk said there was only one room available.

  “I guess we should try another hotel,” Steve said.

  “You’re welcome to try,” the clerk said, “but this is the height of the tourist season and I doubt you’ll find two rooms anywhere.”

  “Well, why don’t we take it,” Alice said. “Otherwise we might wind up sleeping on the beach.”

  “Does the room have twin beds?” Steve asked hopefully.

  “No, just one queen size bed.”

  “Okay, we’ll take it,” he said, thinking of a solution where he would sleep in a chair or on the floor while Alice took the bed.

  The candlelit dining room overlooking the lake where Jesus had walked on the water, was warm and comfortable as they shared a bottle of wine and a dinner which after a long day sightseeing, they were almost too tired to eat.

  Alice showered and prepared for bed in the room’s private bath while Steve went down the hall to the communal shower room. Alice, exhausted, slipped into the bed.

  When he returned, Steve first tried to make a bed on a chair, then tried to use a pillow and blanket to sleep on the floor.

  Alice sat up. “Steve. What on earth are you doing? This is a big bed. We’re both exhausted. Come to bed. I’ll take this side, you take the other side.” After saying that, Alice rolled away on the other side and was asleep in two minutes.

  Reluctantly, Steve slipped under the light blanket and lay with his arms folded behind his head staring at the ceiling in the dim light that came into the room from the street. He lay there for a long time, musing on the fact that he had grown to like Alice; not love certainly, but a comfortable friendship. With her knowledge of Israel he had seen things he never would have seen on his own. He chuckled when he thought of the way she had handled the clerics who had stoned him in the Church of the Nativity and he visualized what her fight must have been like with the Knights of Carthage at the Jordan River. He remembered he had asked her if she was ever called Wonder Woman.

  He thought of Janet, the woman he still loved—but with whom he had lost contact. Based on her last letter that he had received in Dutch Harbor, she was probably back in her marriage and possibly raising a family. It saddened him to think of it, but considering the impossibility of any future in their relationship, he accepted it as the will of God.

  Then he thought of the church—his church. It had become obvious that he was a problem that church officials would have been happy to be rid of. The shocking story—as a clone, possibly a chimera and not fully human, was he really a priest? Was he really a man? It seemed as if everything was stacked against him. If he got kicked out of the church, what future was there for him?

  Steve fell asleep, thinking of Janet as he had done many nights when he was confined at the Passion Monastery. About three in the morning, still not really awake, he rolled
over close to Alice. He could feel her warm body near his. Was he dreaming or was this real? Partly aroused, Alice reached her hand back and lightly placed it on Steve’s thigh. Then she rolled over and snuggled up to him. He kissed her as she wrapped her arms around him.

  “Relax, Father Steve,” she said softly.

  “But what if… what if you become pregnant?”

  “Fear not—I’ve taken all the necessary precautions.”

  The warmth and the softness aroused him to a point from which there was no turning back, and they made love off and on through the night.

  They slept together on the following two nights as they made their way south back to Jerusalem.

  On the next day, just before departing, Alice gave him a warm smile and a deep blue-eyed stare as she gave him a light peck on the cheek. “Steve, dear,” she said softly, “it was a wonderful brief encounter that I won’t soon forget, but that’s all it was—a brief encounter. You are committed to your church although I know there are problems with that. If you ever want to get in touch with me, just contact the university and ask for Professor Alice Devereau, and if you visit, I’ll give you the fifty-cent tour of Iowa City.”

  Steve and the Lavine’s stood at the door waving goodbye as the four women left in a cab for the airport.

  On the following day, Steve packed his stuff. He knew that if he tried to pay the Lavines for his room and board, they would refuse, so he left a generous payment in an envelope in his room.

  After warm goodbyes, Steve left Jerusalem headed for Lod Airport where he embarked on a flight for Rome.

  *****

  After Steve had gone, Barbara and Lou sat in their living room relaxing and waiting for the next group of tourists to arrive.

  “Did you notice anything unusual going on while Father Murphy was here?” Barbara asked her husband.

  “Unusual? What do you mean? I didn’t notice anything.”

  “Oh you. You never do. Didn’t you notice how those women took a shine to Father Murphy?”