To give Myra the full excitement of a wedding, Rachel had offered to allow her to come to her home to dress for the occasion. This would permit Sallu the pleasure of going for his bride and escorting her to his home. This bridal procession with its singing, joking and revelry was a traditional start to the week-long wedding feast. The wedding benediction would be given after their arrival at our home. Alian had agreed to act as steward and so would give the benediction. I knew he would not disappoint Sallu and Myra. Whether he would stay beyond the seven days of feasting was uncertain, but as steward he was obligated to make sure the wine and food flowed for that week.

After the first night of feasting, the couple would end up alone in the bridal chamber. Myra would be spirited away first and made ready. Eventually Sallu would be escorted to the room by his friends, with plenty of laughter and teasing.

Although feasting lasted only for a week, the couple would be given a month to adjust to their changed status. Neither would be expected to work during that time period. That meant it was possible that Alian would stay for a month and resume his duties while Sallu enjoyed his wedded bliss. However, Naomi was quite capable of managing the business affairs of the house, as she had done before her healing duties allowed them to fall to Alian; and Talmai provided ample protection, so I doubted he would stay.

On the day of the wedding, Naomi and I scurried about making certain everything was ready, if you can call what I was doing scurrying. For a blind woman, I was certainly moving quickly, and quite adeptly, I might add. As hostess, these duties were mine, but the task usually was shared with the wedding steward. Since Alian had not yet answered the summons to come for the feast, Naomi was filling his shoes. Once the feast began, the hostess stayed somewhat in the background, allowing the steward to take the lead. 

When dark had fallen and Alian still had not arrived, Naomi encouraged Sallu to go for his bride. He demurred, saying that part of the anticipation of the night was not knowing when the bridegroom would arrive. He delayed for several hours until a messenger came to tell us that Alian was on his way. Only then did Sallu go for Myra.

We could hear the wedding processional as it wound its way through the streets of Hebron. Instruments blared while the group sang lustily at the top of their lungs. Naomi told me it looked like molten lava streamed toward us, there were so many torches being held aloft by the revelers.

While we awaited the bride and groom, I had kept my ears attuned for Alian's distinctive tread. I had heard nothing by the time the processional was close enough that their noise made it impossible to distinguish individual footsteps; yet, I knew the minute he entered our house. I did not hear him, but suddenly all of my nerve endings seemed to be on fire, and I knew he was there. I strained to hear him greet Naomi, but could not make out a singular voice in the babble of the crowd. Only when rhythmic clapping began, the signal that the steward was ready to offer his benediction, did I finally hear Alian's voice. I sank back against the wall, hopefully outside of his line of vision, so that I could listen unobserved. I did not want him to notice any betraying emotion on my face.

"May Yahweh bless this union with many sons. He has already given Myra the beauty of our ancestor Sarah. May he also grant her the faith of Rebecca and the fertility of Leah. May Sallu show Myra the undying love of Jacob for Rachel, and may he bless his family by demonstrating the faith and leadership of Abraham."

As Alian completed his benediction, I edged my way along the wall to where I knew the servants waited. Using Judith as my eyes, I directed them to begin circulating with food and drink. I was glad to be occupied because my heart ached all over again. As I had listened to Alian's benediction, I realized anew that my future held no marital relationship. The opening line of the benediction stressed the importance of sons, and fertility ranked right up there with faith and beauty as desirable feminine characteristics. I would bear no sons. My beauty was marred. I had only a fledgling faith to offer.

Once the feasting began, I thought to retire to a quiet corner, since as a blind hostess it would be difficult to mingle. During marriages and other important celebrations, men and women were allowed to socialize freely, unlike in everyday life. Thus both the hostess and the steward at a wedding usually made the rounds, welcoming people and encouraging them to enjoy themselves.

As I explained to Judith my plan to find a quiet corner where she could locate me if my help was needed, I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise and my skin began to tingle. The distinctive smell that was Alian filled my nostrils as I heard his familiar voice.

"There you are, Salome. Accompany me as we make rounds. I am not going to allow you to shirk your duty while I do all the work," he said, as he took my hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm.

"But, that would be unseemly," I began.

"Nonsense," Alian interrupted. "You are hostess. I am steward. We cannot neglect our guests."

And so I plastered a smile on my face and allowed Alian to escort me through the crowd, stopping often to welcome guests. With an effortless courtesy, he introduced me to those I did not know, making me an integral part of the festivity. Soon my natural grace surfaced, a holdover from my years of attending celebrations as a courtesan in search of a lustful man with plenty of money. I played the part of gracious hostess to the hilt, making certain that our guests were unaware of the unspoken tension between Alian and me.

When the guests finally left, Naomi and I retired to my room for the night. She had given hers to Alian for the duration of the wedding feast. I was so tired from the unaccustomed socialization that I fell into bed immediately and slept like a log.

The week of the wedding became a draining cycle. In the morning I would arise to make certain that Matred and Judith had ample provisions for another night of feasting. Servants would clear the party debris from the night before. After the afternoon rest, I would don my wedding garments and join Alian in the courtyard where we would welcome returning guests. Together we would make rounds. My supply of small talk soon ran dry, but the guests did not seem to notice. They were enjoying the good food and tasty wine. Each night the riddles became sillier and the songs rowdier. By the seventh night, I wondered whose idea it was to extend the festivities for so long. I resolved never to accept the invitation to act in any official capacity at a wedding ever again.

The eighth day finally arrived. When the cock crowed, I pulled my cover over my ears and went back to sleep. By the time I finally exited from my bedroom, the sun was high in the sky.

As I entered the courtyard, I heard Alian's familiar drawl, "Pay up, Naomi. I told you that she would get up just in time to eat and lay down for the afternoon rest."

"I thought I had taught you a better work ethic, Salome," Naomi said with a laugh. "Now I have to go make Alian something to satisfy his sweet tooth, as though there wasn't enough food at the feast."

As she spoke, I could tell she was moving away from us toward the back courtyard where the cooking was done. Not caring to be alone with Alian, I tried to think of something to say that would detain her, but I was too late.

An uncomfortable silence descended after Naomi left. To fill the void, I blurted, "I thought you would be gone by now."

"Is that why you slept in?" he asked sardonically.

"No! I was tired. I just meant that I expected you would leave as soon as the feast was over and return to your farm."

"I have business in town," he said.

"Oh. Are you and Magog planning a business venture?"

"No. Magog and I are no longer business partners."

"Why not?"

"He did not like me offering my friendship and support to someone he considered a murderer. Despite the vote of the elders, he considered me a traitor."

"I'm sorry, Alian," I said softly. "I did not intend to deprive you of a lifelong friend."

"I am not sorry, Salome," he countered. "We often disputed the ethics of business. A breach in the alliance was inevitable."

"So, do you have a new business partner?" I asked, trying to direct the conversation into less personal channels.

"Not yet," he said. "I'm working on it."

"So is that your business here? To find a new partner?"

"At some point. For the next few weeks I will be filling my old shoes here, though. I plan to camp out on Naomi's roof. She said she will continue to sleep with you, so her room will be mine when modesty dictates or if inclement weather strikes. I prefer the openness and fresh air of the roof, though. Taking care of matters here will be a breeze after the demanding physical labor required to rebuild my farm," he concluded. "I am looking forward to the rest."

Just that nonchalantly he reentered my life, apparently intending to act like nothing untoward had transpired between us.

I decided that if Alian could pretend nothing had happened, then I would follow his lead. I certainly had no intention of showing him my personal hurt. Taking a page from my past, I buried the love I had for Alian in the depths of my heart, where the child Delilah had once cowered.

When he asked Naomi and me to join him in his newly claimed rooftop quarters for evening devotions, I went. I had missed our lively discussions and did not have to pretend to enjoy the songs, recitations, and searching spiritual deliberations. In this forum, I was able to tell him of my changing relationship with Yahweh, since my cry for help in the street. I told him of Rachel's words and my realization that only Yahweh could have orchestrated our encounter at a time when I desperately needed to hear her words. When he said with a smile, "So you have forgiven Yahweh," I admitted that I had indeed forgiven Him; although shortly thereafter I realized that I was the one who needed forgiveness – for being angry at Yahweh for giving me life, but an imperfect one.

"I deserved death," I concluded. "I told the elders that I was willing to accept death. Then after Yahweh granted life, I got upset with Him because He did not stop the consequences that were a direct result of my betrayal of Samson. I was acting so fickle."

During the days that Alian was there, we both went about our separate duties, just as we had before I was beaten. We often took our midday meal together with Naomi. Although it defied custom for a man to eat with an unrelated woman, the three of us had always ignored this taboo, since I had become like a daughter to Naomi and Alian acted as son. Some days the newly weds would join us, but mostly they ate on their rooftop, enjoying the opportunity to get to know one another.

Even with the division in chores, I was acutely aware of Alian's whereabouts at all times. Although my love was buried, my senses seemed attuned to him. While I could lose Naomi or Myra and Sallu, I could never evade my sensitivity to Alian.

As the third week neared an end, I felt Alian's presence leave our abode. I was glad for a brief respite from my need to focus on keeping my feelings in check. Tired to the bone from the charade I had been playing, I reclined for the afternoon siesta in the shade of the potted plants ringing my roof. I did not intend to sleep, but slumber soon overtook me. When I awakened, my senses were assaulted by the presence of Alian. I could smell the pleasing odor that was his. All of my nerves were singing like stringed instruments being readied for worship. I felt heat begin to suffuse my body.

As I lay struggling to control my reaction to his nearness, he said softly, "I know you are awake, Salome. I can feel your consciousness."

Turning toward his voice, I yawned and said lazily, "I thought my permanently closed eyelids would allow me to camouflage my wakefulness."

"Perhaps from most," he acknowledged.

"Why not from you?" I asked.

"You and I can truly hide very little from one another," he said. "We may bluster and argue, but we are still aware, are we not, Salome?"

I lay in silence, debating whether I wanted to enter the dangerous waters where Alian seemed to be leading. Finally deciding that the only way to free us both from a doomed love was honesty, I answered with a sigh, "I suppose we are, Alian."

"Don't you think it is time we stop this travesty and talk openly about what we have been unable to conceal from each other, or, I suspect, from those that are close to us."

Slowly sitting up, I said, "I'm listening."

Taking an audible breath, I presume for courage, Alian plunged in. "I am lonely without you, Salome. When I found a tiny flower pushing its way through the burned stubble of the pasture, I wanted to take you there and describe its valor for you. When my horse would nuzzle my neck as I saddled him to ride out and view the damage, I would think about riding with you by my side and getting your thoughts on what might be done. When I raised my hands in praise to Yahweh, I missed your sweet voice intertwining with my deeper tones. As I worked, I kept wondering who was living here now. I imagined their souls healing as you and Naomi showed compassion. No matter what I was doing, I could not escape from you. You are my soul mate, Salome. You complete me. Without your love I am only half a man."

As he spoke, tears rolled down my cheeks. When he stopped talking, he reached out and softly dried the tears from my face. "Why can't we walk through life together, Salome? Why have you banished me from your life?"

I dropped my head in defeat. I sat perfectly still for a moment. Finally I began to talk, almost in a whisper.

"You have no idea who it is that you think you love, Alian. You only think I complete you. My soul will never be worthy to mate with yours."

When he started to protest, I raised my head and interrupted fiercely, "Let me finish, Alian. I heard you out. You asked; now show me enough respect to listen to my answer."

A hush fell on the roof.