#rescuemiriam

***************************************

Late friday afternoon, at the Uncles'. Zara allows herself in the kitchen door, a basket of tupperware containers balanced against one bony hip.

*The house is quiet.*

Quiet was anticipated - Zara has still been dodging both Hirim and Ratchet since getting back. The chaos is mostly gone, thanks to her efforts. Laundry is clean and folded, furniture is dusted, clutter tucked away. The food is set on the island, and left as Zara goes to retrieve a bottle of wine and the kiddush cups.

*They are where they always are.*

The wine is opened, it, the cups, the challah, all set out on the table. She leaves them while going around to double check the timers on the lights for the weekend.

"You take care of them."

*The voice is an alto, and off over in a darkened corner of the living room.*

Zara freezes, tensing up. Her dark eyes dart over to the shadows, looking for the source.

*Oh my God, she's sitting right there. Downstairs. Out of Bed. In a robe. She's right there. In the dark. What the hell???*

"ah... ah.. ma'am. H-hello. Would... would you care for anything? Tea? I have some time to make tea..."

She rakes back her bangs, runs her pale hands over her hair, her sweater, smoothing everything in a nervous series of gestures.

"I feel like I've drunk an ocean of tea." She sighs. "But... sure. Thank you."

"There's coffee, too. And soda. There's... it's almost shabbos... there's wine."

Mundanely, she's still soft-spoken - not far removed from her mien's whisper.

"Shabbos....." She trails off.

"H-hirim and Rachamin are jewish, ma'am."

"I know. I think." She sighs. "Can you tell me ... what is going on? Why am I here? Why can't I .... remember?"

"You were very sick - did they tell you that? B-bad people had you, had lots of people. Hirim rescued you, but you were hurt."

Zara can see her nod in the dim light. "Hirim came for me. Why?"

"You'll get better, though. Have memories come back." she tangles her hands together, shifting her weight. "You and Hirim were close. You were his apprentice - he's... he makes furniture, upholsters... you, as I understand, wove."

Her breath escapes in a shudder. "Oh. Oh, no. No." She wraps her arms around herself.

She takes an impulsive step forward, reaching out. "No, no - it's okay, you're okay. You are safe here."

She takes in a breath, nods. "Right. I know. Where is here?"

"Scarsdale. You used to live in the city, I know. But it is safer here."

"New York." A soft murmur. "Who are you?"

"Yes, ma'am. New York." She offers a tentative smile. "And me.. I'm nobody important. Zara. I'm... Hirim's sister adopted me..."

She's quiet a long moment. "Sarah?" Checking to make sure she heard correctly.

She shakes her head. "Zara. With a Z. S-sorry. I.. I mumble, a'times."

"Zara. That's a pretty name."

"Thank you. I... wh-when I was adopted... I... it was always mine, yes? Zara Esther."

The other woman is quiet for a long, long moment. Aftera a time, Zara can see slow silver tracks on her cheeks.

Zara crosses over, dropping to a crouch beside the chair. "It's... it's okay?"

"I don't know?" Her voice breaks. "I feel... I feel so sad. Like... Like someone died. But ... I don't know, I can't remember......who."

She reached out, resting a hand, feather-light, on the woman's back. "It has to be hard, with the dark places. But.. but you are safe, and Hirim cares so much about you... Rachamin, too. They'll make sure you get better."

"You... you help too."

"Yes. You aren't alone. Maybe you can stay downstairs, have dinner, celebrate shabbos."

"I'd like that." She scowls suddenly. "They wouldn't let me out of the bedroom. Said I had to rest. Fah!"

"Feh! You want I should fight with them for you?" a little grin.

Almost despite herself she answers with a grin. "I bet we could kick their asses."

She ducks her head, the smile lingering. "Betcha so."

"Do you remember the songs? You could help."

She looks over at the half-set table. "The songs.... I... I don't think so. I remember -about- them."

"Well, memories like that are deep. And music - I read about this, in a book - music helps hold them in. So, I could sing, and you join in, maybe, if it feels right?"

"Ok....." Faintly.

"Traditionally, it... the women, we light the candles and sing the prayers. Hirim and Ratchet, you know, need some help."

"...Rachamin." she flushes pink. "Ah. Tea?"

"Tea.... you help them celebrate Shabbos. You said you were related to Hirim? Adopted? You said his sister....."

"Hannah, yes. She and her husband Aaron took me in. I was just a baby."

Pauses. "Do you want to try a little walk to the kitchen? You could lean on my arm. Sit and talk while I get things ready?"