A Time for Love

Day 19

It's scary at first. There's a rumble of booming, but the flight attendants attempt to assure us that there's no real concern we should have as commercial airline passengers. I rest assured thinking this is a mild political conflict that will only be a memory in the overarching story of Israel and Palestine, then sit in doubt. What if it is not? That's just such a dumb consideration for me - there's this world, and the time travel world - maybe possibly otherworldly beings as well? 

Jessica, my teammate, smiles at me. 

"I've been over this pass many times, and there's been plenty of times that the booms were much louder."

"That doesn't reassure me" I say. 

"Just remember - some of these spies have no clue about time travel, communist or not. We tend to keep our own business private from other divisions." 

I pull a photo from my wallet. It's one of those creepy-stalker photos that I keep of Steve that shows of his eyes, and how calm he looks poised next to Amber. This was from on of their vacations to the beach. I look at it when I feel like reminding myself I'l be alone forever. 

"Look. This girl" I say, pointing to Amber. "She has a twin. A time-traveler. Is it possible you know her? Jade Lu?"

Her eyes light up at recognition of her face, but she smiles sadly. 

"No, I do not know her" she says. 

I don't press further as we fly into the holy city of Israel. The Temple of the Rock looms into view before we land. That is the source of the conflict. The reason we are here.

I could launch into a lengthy conversation about the plight of the Palestinians and the need to tear down the border at Gaza, but this is a different time. Israel's very existence is being threatened, and that is the reason Golda Meir has come into power. We are to fight on the lines of Israel while keeping to ourselves our time-travel spying. 

Taxis await along the airport to take us to where we will be staying. The apartment isn't much, but it is beautiful in it's plainness. It will have to do. 

We go out for drinks. It is on our way back, passing a bar with cabanas, that we hear kissing, and "Should we really be doing this David?" 

I open it, to see two teenagers kissing. 

"Creep!" protests the girl. She's 16, obviously Palestinian, and wears a hijab. 

I glare back at her. 

"You wouldn't tell on us, would you? David lives in Israel, while I live in Palestine. We hardly get to see each other, let alone receive letters from each other."

"Perhaps we should talk to your parents" I say. "Young love isn't something to sneak around about."

David looks angry. 

"Excuse me, but have you ever been young and in love? I would never take advantage of Sonia. We knew each other since we were children in school, then we were sent apart by the dissolution of our school and the greed of men. We are the future of a united Israel and Palestine!"

I stare at them. 

Jessica just laughs. 

"Want to stay with us for a while? Annie doesn't get out very much."

"Thank you!" explains Sonia, kissing Jessica's hand. 

We set up beds for them - one on one side and one on the other. Sonia helps us to put on the sheets and pillows. Then she makes herself a coffee, before leaving for the balcony. 

She stands next to David, whom puts his arm around her shoulder. 

"How is your father?" asks David.

"He doesn't like me venturing off with my friends. Says that I am getting the wrong ideas of how the world works. That he wants me married, and wants a grandchild."

"I could give you those things."

She punches his shoulder.

"You're crazy David. We are too young" she says. 

"Crazy is that Yahweh and Allah are the same God. If he's brought us together. There's nothing that will break us apart."

They kiss. 

Jessica and I watch quietly. 

"To be young and in love eh? Reminds me of my good ole days" says Jessica. 

I just stay silent.