A Short Visit Home Solo

July 2021

Another year had gone by and all the children were leaving for the summer. Most, however, would be coming back within a month, but it was the time to head back and be with their family. Waving at the children on the train, Maya couldn't help but to think about her family. She hadn't seen them for a couple of years now. There were reasons to this. Her family wasn't that easy to connect with. Perhaps it was where she got it herself-- her inability to fully connect with others off the bat that is.

When the train left, Maya felt it appropriate to pack up her belongings. She was going back to Israel for the month. The best part? Her parents wouldn't even know what to do with her presence. Maya knew what she was going to get herself into: a lot of yelling and stress. But it was well overdue.

-----------------------------------

Luggage in hand, she was in front of her childhood front door. It was a wooden door that had a small window at the top with stain glass, a popular design found in the city of Sefad. Before entering, she looked around and saw the stray cats running around the narrow alley and even people hustle and bustling to get from one place to another. It was like a different world than what she had grown accustomed to.

KNOCK KNOCK

Maya knocked twice on the door. For a second, there was no answer. Perhaps there wasn't anyone home. It was instantly after her thought that the door locks began to turn. Opening the door wasn't her mother though, it was her little sister. She looked tired, bags under her eyes. And it seemed as though the culprit was in her arms. A small little baby who was huffing and puffing.

"Maya..."

Maya heard her whisper her name in shock. Was it ever so shocking that she would one day come home? And Maya couldn't help but to hold her eyes to the little one in her arms. When was she going to tell her that she was a first-time aunt? She missed her little sister's pregnancy and never had the decency of being told that there would be a new addition to the family.

"May I come in?" she asked in her native tongue, wondering how long she was going to be outside the door. Her sister moved to the side and Maya walked in with her luggage in hand. She looked around the home. Everything looked the same, nothing has changed too drastically. There was, however, some baby items that scattered around the living area, but it was to be expected now learning of a babe living in the home.

"Who was at the door?" Another voice called out. This one was more than familiar. It was like nails scratching on the chalk board. Her mother.

Maya saw her mother come out of the kitchen, a ladle in hand. Her face looked like it saw a ghost for a split second. "Maya..." Again, her name was whispered. She knew that she had a falling out years ago and hadn't been back since then, but in a way, Maya was hoping for something a little more warm than shock. It almost felt like she was no allowed in Israel, let alone with family.

"Ima... I-" Maya began to speak to her mother when her mother interrupted her thought.

"You should have told us you were coming. Your father-" There it was. The criticism. There was no warmth at all. And the real culprit was because of her father. The biggest falling out Maya had when she learned she was of magic was with her father. He hadn't accepted her for who she truly was and believed that she was against G-d.

"You are still scared of that man? Who cares what he says. Am I still not your daughter?" she asked, wondering where she lied in their eyes. Was she truly an outcast for something she did not have any control over? But why even ask the question in the first place. She knew. Her father ruled the family. It was a traditional patriarch. Her father called the shots.

The baby began to squirm and cry in her sister's arms. "When was anyone going to tell me that you were pregnant? And from how big he is, it looks like I wasn't told of his bris either. What is his name?" she asked intensely. Her sister answered it being Idan David. It seemed that she and her husband had moved into the home to help take care of their parents and in return, they help her with childcare and raising a family.

Her mother went back into the kitchen to place the ladle down. Maya noticed that she motioned her to follow her. Her mother took her to an open guest room. It was filled with bookshelf after bookshelf of Talmudic books. In the middle was a pull-out-bed couch. Maya thanked her mother and closed the door behind her. She rested up until she heard what was the front door slam shut.

"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?"

Maya's heart was beating. Maya can fight enemies in battle, lead an army and confront others. But when it came to her father, her body and mind shut down. She could hear the footsteps coming closer to the room. The doorknob turning. The door opening.

There he was.

He looked different. He was thinner than usual and his skin looked pale. Something was off. Maya had no guesses as to what it could be. Then again, she had no time to really think now that her father had entered the room and closed the door behind him, shutting away the rest of the family to their conversation.

"You are to be gone by sharcharit."

"Is that really your wish?" she asked, her voice a little shaky. Was he not going to give her a chance?

"You are not welcomed here. Not since you left to be... whatever you are," he said, and Maya noticed him look at her. Did he not think of her as a human anymore? She had magic, she was not a werewolf or some sort of creature. He then began to cough a few times. It did not sound normal to Maya.

"Are you sick?" she ignored his initial statement of not accepting her. She was more curious as to what was bothering him (other than her) and wanted to know more. Was this something else her family decided not to tell her? Granted, she never got along with her father, but he was still that... Her father.

"It is no business of yours. You leave by morning," he said, and opened the door and slammed it shut on his way out.

Maya sat on the couch, not wanting to come out of her room. She should have known what to expect. Welcome with warm arms? What was she thinking.

-----------------------------------

It was the next morning and Maya was woken up by her younger sister who had Idan David in her arms. "Maya, wake up," Maya stirred and quickly got up, shifting her wand that was placed under her pillow in her hand towards her sister. When she saw who it was, she lowered the wand. She could tell that her sister was frightened by having such a powerful unknown weapon pointed directly at her. Maya apologized.

"You need to leave soon. Abba wakes up soon," she said, helping her older sister. Maya nodded and began to back her belongings. As she was packing, she looked at her sister who still looked so tired. She decided to ask her.

"What's wrong with Abba?" she asked her sister who looked away from her.

"You need to leave soon, Maya," was her answer. Maya stood up from packing and looked at her sister, glaring. "What is wrong with Abba?" she asked again sternly.

Her sister took a deep breath in and looked at her baby. It looked as though she was contemplating whether to tell her. When she looked back at Maya, she finally shared.

Maya's heart pounded differently. It wasn't because of anger, but because of sadness. All his work in studying the Torah and Talmud ended him up to where he was now. But why wouldn't he go and get help?

Silence was between them for moments at a time. The only noise was the odd noises coming from little Idan David. He was moving towards her sister's breasts-- probably hungry. But what would Maya know? She had never been married nor has she had any children of her own.

Moments later, footsteps walked down the hallway. Maya looked up at the open door to see her father, who had just finished morning brachot look in. He was angry.

"Get out," he said, glaring down his oldest daughter. Maya could see and feel the glare, but for the first time it didn't affect her.

"Why aren't you getting help?" she asked and his eyes looked straight to his youngest daughter who immediately looked down. It seemed to be a secret that Maya was not allowed to know and Maya couldn't help but the push.

"I can help you," she said, offering magic. Granted, she did not know how much she could help, but she could at least try. His condition could be eliminated in an instant. But no, he would rather suffer and leave the world after his suffering.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP. NOW GET OUT!"

The baby began to cry. The house completely woke up. Maya looked away from her father, her wand still in her hand clenched. She wanted to do whatever she could to help the man who was her father, no matter the circumstance. But he wouldn't take it. He never will.

Maya packed her belongings, said farewell to her mother and sister and left. It seemed her home was not in Israel anymore. It was in an old medieval castle in Scotland.

Maya speaking in Hebrew
Other family members speaking in Hebrew