"The groom is up there," Anna answered, pointing at Christ on the cross.
"At least his hands are nailed, that's where every man's hands should be," she quipped, biting her fingernails. "Bad joke, sorry."
"He loves us all Sara, he does," said Anna in a consoling voice.
"I've got to get out of here! I feel suffocated."
"If you wish, you may Sara, but I am staying." Anna sat up. "When the Germans come tomorrow ..."
"The Germans? Tomorrow? They are coming here? Oh God, are my ears playing tricks on me? Did I ... Did I hear you correctly? The Germans are invading tomorrow, is that what you say?" asked Sara, jumping to her feet.
"Yes, Sara, you heard me correctly."
Sara threw her arms around Anna and cried out, "I am afraid, Anna. What is going to happen to us? I am scared!"
"There is reason to be, for all of us, Sara," Anna said calmly.
"I am so glad you are here, Anna."
"It's all right, Sara. Let's get some rest now. Close your eyes and hopefully you will get some sleep. It has been a long day for me.
Tomorrow is another day."
"Here I am, Anna. A Jewish girl about to go to sleep in a sanctuary, the Holy of Holiest, with all these strange faces staring at me. A nice-looking man nailed on a cross, another one wearing animal skins holding his cut-off head on a platter. And then there is the sweet face of Mary and her baby." Sara took a deep breath and let out a sigh, "You know, Anna, my mother took me to the Jewish synagogue only once. It felt strange there too. I remember an old man with a long beard reading from a book, and singing funny. But I talk too much, don't I,
Anna?"
"I think we should get some sleep."
The two women snuggled with each other atop a wool blanket on the stone floor and fell asleep.
***
Anna and Sara walked together along the muddy road the next morning. When a heavy truck drove by, it splattered the people and trampled the wild grasses and red poppies on the side of the road. Ikaros, who was walking behind Anna, had managed to find a mule, which he offered to Anna and Sara. The ride was a welcome relief, especially for Anna's injured leg.
Anna smiled at Ikaros and graciously thanked him. He lowered his head and just kicked a stone on the ground.
"Kind of cute, isn't he, Anna?"
"Yes, he is, Sara. He is."
"Too bad he is not Jewish."
"Oh well ..."
"What day is today, Anna?"