I was in a middle of a crazy dream when suddenly I felt the bed shaking, jarring me into a zombie-like state. I rubbed my eyes, briefly forgetting I was half way 'round the world from our home back in Jersey. Then I saw Becky with a big smile plastered all over her face bouncing on the bed.

"Daddy, Daddy," she squealed. "What're we gonna do today? Hurry, get up . . ."

"Wha . . . ?" I grumbled. "Good morning, sunshine," I said finally, trying my best to match her cheery disposition. Would this jet lag ever go away? Sitting up, I made a grab for the bouncing girl, catching her on the second attempt to give her a giant hug.

"Tell ya what, Becky," I said, setting her down on the floor, why don't I have breakfast sent up to the room, then we'll all get dressed and see what exciting adventures we can come up with for today. How does that sound?"

"Yipppeee!" she shouted, scampering into the other room to wake Josh.

By this time, Maggie had wakened. "G'morning, Maggie. Ya know, I've always wanted to be lazy and order room service, what do you think? Shall we be decadent and indulge in that luxury?"

Maggie smiled. "I have a confession to make, Joe . . . I was thinking the very same thing. Pass me the menu from the table."

Room service was splendid, and we all agreed it was worth the extra money. Only twenty minutes after we'd placed our order, the waiter appeared at the door wheeling a rolling table covered with a white linen tablecloth. A sterling silver coffee server filled with steaming coffee and four covered plates of hot food were arranged neatly on the table accompanied by a crystal vase containing fresh red roses. There was even a finger bowl.

While we ate, we discussed plans for our first real day in Israel.

"Nazareth," came that familiar soft voice in my ear. Without question, after the bomb incident, I would have done anything that voice said.

"Why don't we go to Nazareth today?" I suggested.

"Sounds like a terrific idea, Joe. I'd love to see Nazareth."

"Put your camera in your duffel bag and bring it along," the voice said. I dutifully complied.

After we were dressed and ready to go, I handed the car keys to Josh and asked him to get the car, and we'd meet him at the entrance to the garage. I cautioned him not to pull out into the street.

Josh walked through the door in the lobby that led to the garage, while I went to the front desk to buy a newspaper. I was surprised they had the New York Times. The three of us headed out the front door to the garage entrance around the corner and waited for Josh to bring the car up to the curb.

Josh pulled up shortly afterwards. I opened the trunk, placed the duffel bag and the Times inside, then slammed it shut. Walking to the passenger side, I opened the door for Maggie, bowing chivalrously. "Madame . . . ?" I did the same for Becky and she giggled when I called her mademoiselle.

Josh set the emergency brake, got out and jumped in the back seat. "I'll get Becky situated in her car seat, Dad," he volunteered.

Once in the car, I adjusted my seat and fired up the ignition. Maggie was the designated navigator today, and she studied the map intently as I drove.

"Turn right here, Joe," she instructed, "then go to the end of this street and make a left."

We arrived in Nazareth with no problems. My curiosity knew no bounds. I'd only driven a few blocks along the main street in town when the familiar voice came again. "Turn left at the next corner and drive to the end of the road."

Maggie was startled when I turned, and asked if I had some "inside information" on Nazareth.

"No, hon," I replied. "Just a hunch."

The street was short. At the end, I switched off the engine, and before I had a chance to wonder Now what, the voice said, "Take your duffel bag and start walking."

Opening the trunk, I retrieved the bag, feeling rather foolish. Not knowing what else to say, I said, "Maggie, I just want to kinda get the feel of the place. I'm going to wander around for a bit, then I'll meet you back at the car, okay?"

"Go around to that little hill over there, please," the voice instructed. Directly in front of me, there was a small wooded area, then I noticed a small hill off to the right. I headed in that direction, and as I rounded the hill, discovered another wooded area, much denser than the first.

One gentle instruction after another finally led me to a small cave, completely hidden from view by a large bush that covered the entrance. A little babbling brook ran alongside the hill nearby.

It was pitch black inside, but as I stood near the entrance for a few minutes, my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness.

The voice continued, "Turn to your right and go to the large rock. Behind it you will find a small jar. Place the jar in your duffel bag."

The jar was exactly where she'd said it would be. I was dying to look inside, but in this light I wouldn't be able to see anything anyway.

"Thank you very much, Joseph. There is more work ahead, but for now, enjoy the rest of the day."

I removed the camera from the bag. I was worried the jar might be fragile and didn't want it to break. I decided to take a few pictures. I took a shot of the hill and the bush at the cave's entrance. Then I took a shot of the brook and another of the woods.

Back at the car, I placed the bag in the trunk and the camera in the glove compartment. Maggie and the children were waiting for me and asked if I'd found anything interesting. They'd taken a short walk and had just returned.

"Not really," I fibbed, "but I snapped a few pictures."

We spent the rest of the day exploring the countryside and driving through a number of quaint villages. By the time we arrived back at our hotel, it was nearly seven. Since we were all quite tired, we decided to have dinner in the hotel's restaurant and relax in our room for the remainder of the evening. Still recovering from jet lag, all of us were in bed by nine-thirty.

Maggie fell asleep immediately, but my mind was racing over the day's events, and I kept thinking about that mysterious jar in my duffel bag.






Continue to Chapter 28


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