Baara's Dreams

Chapter 17

One morning a month after Naaman had left to seek the Israelite prophet, Maacah told Baara to prepare to accompany her to the market.

"I want to look for a decorative basin suitable for a baby's bath," Maacah told her, grinning from ear to ear. "Shemeath is expecting her first child. I know the baby won't come for a long time, but I must do something to celebrate. I plan to weave some soft cloth and prepare swaddling clothes, unless Shemeath's in-laws want that honor. But that takes time, and I want to get something right away to show her how excited I am to become a grandmother again. I know the stalls in the market display decorative pottery of various sizes. If I get a basin big enough to bathe the child, Shemeath can later use the basin to mix dough, as the family grows larger. Yes," she said, nodding her head. "I'll find a bath basin for my grandchild."

"That is wonderful news," Baara responded. "I'm sure Naaman will be equally excited when he hears the news."

"Perhaps," said Maacah with a smile, "but men do not get as excited over babies as women, unless they are male, of course. If this child is a male, Shemeath's husband and father-in-law will be especially excited. She is married to the only son in a family with six daughters. They want an heir to carry on the family name."

When Baara and Maacah reached the market, they stopped at pottery stall after pottery stall. Maacah examined each piece carefully looking for flaws. Although some seemed suitable, she rejected them because she wanted something both beautiful and functional. As they stood before yet another stall, Maacah asked to see a bowl with an unusual bluish tint.

"This is the last one of these I have," the merchant said. "I bought it from an Israelite potter during my travels. He had been experimenting with various clays and dyes. He made several large bowls from the batch he'd mixed." Turning it over, he pointed to the name carved into the bottom. "See, it's engraved with the potter's symbol, the letter M encased in flame. Someday merchants across the land may seek this potter's work. The quality is excellent, but its beauty draws the eye. It's both practical and aesthetic."

As the merchant talked, Baara had a sense of deja vu. She saw clearly in her mind the dreams where she and Maacah were in the market looking at pottery. The vivid image of smiling eyes came clearly to mind. As though in a trance, Baara turned and searched the marketplace. The image was so clear, she was certain she would find a pair of piercing blue eyes laughing at her above the crowds. Seeing none, she turned back and searched behind the merchant where the eyes had hailed her in the last dream, but again, nothing.

As she swallowed her disappointment, she felt Maacah's hand on her arm, "Baara," her mistress said. "Baara, is everything okay? You look pale and distracted."

Pulling her mind back to the present, Baara replied, "I am fine, mistress. My mind just wandered as you talked to the merchant, that is all."

"Well," Maacah said. "What do you think of my purchase? Won't this basin be a beautiful gift for my new grandchild?"

After Baara had dutifully admired the basin, Maacah put her purchase in a bag and the two turned and started home. As they turned down the winding street that led to their house, they heard a commotion behind them. Turning they saw Maacah's daughter accompanied by a maid hurrying toward them.

Shemeath waved and called, "Mother, it looks like I almost missed you. You must be returning from the market, too."

"What are you doing out in your condition, especially so near the heat of the day?" Maacah asked in reproach.

"Oh, don't fuss, mother," Shemeath said with a smile. "I decided to do some shopping before my condition became apparent, and I'm confined behind walls for the duration. I knew that I could stop here for refreshment and the mid-day rest before returning to the other side of Damascus. I don't get to visit with you very often, and once I begin to show, my excursions will be even more limited."