I AM ESTHER
IuttiilsoupontheboilforoureveningmealwhenNesimsaid,“There’savisitoratthedoor.”Ireplied,“Makesurethesoupdoesn’tburn,”handinghimthespoonandgivingitacoupleofturnsiwhileholdinghisagedhand.Ifyoudon’tshowthem,they’llstandthereforhoursidlyholdingthespooni.
WhenIsawBlackatthedoorIfeltnothingbutpityforhim.TherewassuexpressiononhisfaceIwasafraidtoaskwhathadhappened.
“Don’tbothertoeinside,”Isaid,“I’llbeoutassoonasIgeclothes.”
IdohepinkandyellowgarmentsthatIwearwhenI’mioRamadaivities,wealthybasahyweddings,andtookupmyholidaysatchel.“I’llhavemysoupwheback,”IsaidtopoorNesim.
BladIhadcrossedoreetinmylittleJewishneighborhoodwhoseeyslabortoexpeltheirsmoke,thewayourkettlesforceouttheirsteam,andIsaid:“Shekure’sformerhusbandisback.”
Blackfellsilentandstayedthatwayuntilwelefttheneighborhood.Hisfacewasashen,thecolorofthewaningday.
“Wherearethey?”heaskedsometimelater.
FromthisquestionIguessedthatShekureandherchildreathome.“They’reattheirhouse,”Isaid.BecauseImeantShekure’sprevioushome,aothiswouldsingeBlack’sheart,Iopenedadoorofhopeforhimbytagtheword“probably”ontotheendofmystatement.
“Haveyouseenhernewlyreturnedhusband?”heaskedme,lookiomyeyes.
“Ihaven’tseenhim,herdidIseeShekure’sflightfromthehouse.”
“Howdidyouknowthey’dleft?”
“Fromyourface.”
“Tellmeeverything,”hesaiddecisively.
Blackwassotroubledhedidn’tuandthatEsther—hereyeeternallyatthewindow,hereareternallytotheground—couldelleverything”ifshewaotiobetheEstherwhofoundhusbandsforsomanydreamymaidensandkhedoorsofsomanyunhappyhomes.
“WhatI’veheard,”Isaid,“isthatthebrotherofShekure’sformerhusband,Hasan,visitedyourhouse”—itheartenedhimwhenIsaid“yourhouse”—“andtoldShevketthathisfatherwasonhiswayhomefromwar,thathewouldarrivearoundmidafternoon,andthatifhedidn’tfi’smotherandbrotherintheirrightfulhome,he’dbeveryupset.Shevkettoldthistohismother,whoactedcautiously,butcouldn’tetoadecision.TowardmidafternooleftthehousetobewithhisUncleHasanandhisgrandfather.”
“Wheredidyoulearhings?”
“Hasn’tShekuretoldyouaboutHasan’sschemesoverthelasttwetherbacktohishouse?TherewasatimewhenHasaletterstoShekurethroughme.”
“Didsheeverrespondtothem?”
“IknowallthevarietiesofwomeninIstanbul,”Isaidproudly,“there’snoonewho’sasboundtoherhouse,herhusbandandherhonorasShekureis.”
“ButIamherhusbandnow.”
Hisvoiceborethattypicallymaleuaintythatalwaysdepressedme.Amazingly,towhicheversideShekurefled,theothersidewenttopieces.
“HasanwroteanoteandgaveittometodelivertoShekure.ItdescribedhowShevkethadehometoawaitthereturnofhisfather,howShekurehadbeenmarriedinaimateceremony,howShevketwasveryunhappyonatofthefalsehusbandposedtobehisherandhowhewasnevergoingback.”
“HowdidShekurerespond?”
“ShewaitedforyouallthroughthenightwithpoorOrhan.”
“WhataboutHayriye?”
“Hayriye’sbeenwaitingforyearsfortheopportunitytodrownyourbeautifulwifeinaspoonfulofwater.ThiswaswhyshebegansleepingwithyourEnishte,mayherestinpeace.WhenHasansawthatShekureendingthenightaloneinfearofmurderersandghosts,hesentalongaethroughme.”
“Whatdidhewrite?”
ThaoGodthatyourunfortuher’treadorwrite,becausewhenirateEffendisandirritablefathersaskthisquestion,shesay:“Icouldheletter,onlythefaceofthebeautifulmaidenreadier.”
“WhatdidyoureadinShekure’sface?”
“Helplessness.”
Foralongtimewedidn’tspeak.Awaitingnightfall,anoerchedonthedomeofasmallGreekchurch;runny-nosedneighborhoodkidslaughedatmyclothesandbundle,andamangydoghappilyscratghimselflopeddownfromthecemeterylihcypressestogreetthenight.
“Slowdown!”IshoutedatBlacklater,“I’tgetupthesehillsthewayyou.Whereareyoutakihmysatchellikethis?”
“BeforeymetoHasan’shouse,I’mtakingyoutosomegenerousandbraveyoungmensoyouspreadoutyourbundleahemsomefloweryhandkerchiefs,silksashesandpurseswithsilverembroideryfortheirsecretlovers.”
ItwasagoodsignthatBlackcouldstillmakejokesinhispitiablestate,butIcouldfathomtheseriousnessbehindhismirth.“Ifyoingtogatheraposse,I’llakeyoutoHasan’shouse,”Isaid.“I’mfrighteodeathoffightsandbrawls.”
“Ifyoutiobetheintelligeheryou’vealwaysbeen,”hesaid,“there’llbeherfightnorbrawl.”
WepassedthroughAksarayaeredtheroadheadingback,straighttowardtheLangagardens.Ontheupperpartofthemuddyroad,inaneighborhoodthathadseenhappierdays,Blackwalkedintoabarbershopthatwasstillopen.Isawhimtalkingtothemasterbarberbeingshavedbya-lookingboywithlovelyhandsbythelightofanoillamp.Beforelong,thebarber,hishandsomeapprentidlater,twomoreofhismenjoinedupwithusatAksaray.TheycarriedswordsaasidestreetinShehzadebash1,atheologystudent,whomIcouldn’tpictureinvolvedinsuchroughaffairs,joinedusinthedarkness,swordinhand.
“Doyouplanonraidingahouseinthemiddleofthecityinbroaddaylight?”Isaid.
“It’snotday,it’snight,”saidBlaatonemorepleasedthanjoking.
“Don’tbesofidentjustbecauseyou’veputtogetheragang,”Isaid.“Let’shopetheJanissariesdon’tcatchsightofthisfullyequippedlittlearmywanderingaround.”
“Noonewillcatchsightofus.”
“YesterdaytheErzurumisfirstraidedatavernahedervishhouseatSa?1rkap1,beatingupeveryoheyfoundinbothplaces.Anelderlymanwhotookablowtohisheadwithastickdied.Inthispitchblaess,theymightthinkyou’reoftheirlot.”
“IhearyouwenttodearlydepartedElegantEffendi’shouse,sawhiswife,Godblessher,andthehorsesketcheswiththesmearedinkbeforerelayingitalltoShekure.HadElegantEffendibeenspendingalotoftimewiththehehepreacherfromErzurum?”
“IfIsouElegantEffendi’swife,itwasbecauseIthoughtitmightultimatelyhelpmypoorShekure,”Isaid.“Anyway,I’dgooshowherthelatestclothwhichhadeofftheFlemishship,nottoinvolvemyselfinyalandpoliticalaffairs—whichmypoorbraincouldn’tfathomanyway.”
Asweehestreet,whibehindCharsh1kap1,myheartquiedwithfear.Thebare,wet
brahechestnutandmulberrytreesglimmeredinthepalelightofthehalf-moon.Abreezekickedupbyjinnsandthelivingdeadrippledthelacededgingofmysatchel,whistledthroughthetreesandcarriedthestrouptoneighborhooddogslyinginwait.Astheybegantobarkonebyone,IpoithehousetoBlack.Westaredquietlyatitsdarkroofandshutters.Blackhadthementakepositionsaroundthehouse:iygardehersideofthecourtyardgateandbehireesinback.
“InthatentrywayoverthereisavileTatarbeggar,”Isaid.“He’sblind,buthe’llknowwho’seandgonealongthisstreetbetterthantheneighborhoodheadmandoes.HetinuallyplayswithhimselfasifhewereoheSultan’svulgarmonkeys.Withoutlettingyourhandtouchhis,givehimeightortensilverpiedhe’lltellyoueverythingheknows.”
Fromadistance,IwatchedBladoverthes,thenlayhisswainstthethroatofthebeggaraopressurehimwithquestio,I’mnotsurehoehebarber’sapprentice,whoIthoughtwassimplywatgthehouse,begaheTatarwiththebuttofhisaxe.Iwatchedforawhile,thinkingitwouldn’tlast,buttheTatarwaswailing.Iranoverandpulledthebeggarawaybeforetheykilledhim.
“Hecursedmymother,”saidtheapprentice.
“HesaysthatHasanisn’thome,”Blacksaid.“wetrustwhatthisblindmansays?”Hehandedmeahe’dquicklywritten.“Takethis,bringittothehouse,giveittoHasan,andifhe’snotthere,giveittohisfather,”hesaid.
“Haven’tyouwrittenanythingforShekure?”IaskedasItookthenote.
“IfIsendheraseparate’llihemenofthehouseevenmore,”Blacksaid.“TellherI’vefouher’svilemurderer.”
“Isthistrue?”
“Justtellher.”
Chastisiar,whowasstillgandplaining,Iquietedhimdown.“Don’tfetwhatI’vedoneforyou,”Isaid,ingtotherealizationthatI’ddrawnouttheisoIwouldn’thavetoleave.
WhyhadIstuoseintothisaffair?TwointheEdireneighborhoodthey’dkilledaclothespeddlar—aftercuttingoffherears—becausethemaidenshe’dpromisedtoonemanmarriedanrandmotherusedtotellmethatTurkswouldoftenkillamanfornoreason.IloobewithmydearestNesim,athomehaviilsoup.Eventhoughmyfeetresisted,IthoughtabouthowShekurewouldbethere,andwalkedtothehouse.Curiositywaseatingatme.
“Clothierrr!Ihavenewesesilksforholidayoutfits.”
Iseheishlightfilteringoutbetweetersmove.Thedooropened.Hasan’spolitefatherinvitedmeihehousewaswarm,likethehousesoftherich.WhenShekure,whowasseatedatalowdiningtablewithherboyssawme,sherosetoherfeet.
“Shekure,”Isaid,“yourhusband’shere.”
“Whie?”
“Thenewer,”Isaid.“He’ssurrouhehousewithhisbandofarmedmen.They’repreparedtofightHasan.”
“Hasanisn’there,”saidthepolitefather-in-law.
“Howfortuakealookatthis,”Isaid,givinghimBlaotelikeaproudambassadoroftheSultaingHismercilesswill.
Asthegentlemanlyfather-in-lawreadthenote,Shekuresaid,“Esther,eamepouryouabowloflentilsouptowarmyouup.”
“Idon’tlikelentilsoup,”Isaidatfirst.Ididn’tlikethewayshespokeasifsheweremistressofthehouse.ButwhenIuoodthatshewaobealohme,Igrabbedthespoonandrushedafterher.
“TellBlackthatit’sallbecauseofShevket,”shewhispered.“LastnightIwaitedallnightalohOrhahlyafraidofthemurderer.Orhantrembledwithfrightuntilm.Mychildrenhadbeenseparated!Whatkindofmothercouldremainapartfromherchild?WhenBlackfailedtoeback,theytoldmethatOurSultan’storturershadmadehimtalkandthathe’dahandinmyfather’sdeath.”
“Wasn’tBlackwithyouwhenyourfatherwasbeingkilled?”
“Esther,”shesaid,openingherbeautifulblackeyeswide,“Ibegofyou,helpme.”
“Thentellmewhyyou’veebackheresoImightuandandhelp.”
“DoyouthinkIknowwhyI’vereturned?”shesaid.Sheseemedonthevergeoftears.“BlackwasroughwithmypoorShevket,”shesaid.“AndwhenHasansaidthatthechildren’srealfatherhadreturned,Ibelievedhim.”
ButIcouldtellfromhereyesthatshewaslying,andsheknewIcouldtell.“IedbyHasan!”shewhispered,andIsehatshewaoinferfromthisthatshelovedHasan.ButdidShekurerealizethatshewasthinkingmoreandmoreaboutHasanbecauseshehadmarriedBlack?
ThedooropenedandHayriyeenteredcarryingfreshlybakedbreadwhosearomawasirresistible.Whenshecaughtsightofme,IcouldtellfromherexpressionofdispleasurethatafterthedeathofEnishteEffendi,thepoorthing—shecouldn’tbesold,couldn’tbedismissed—hadbeealegaiseryforShekure.Thestoffreshbreadfilledtheroom,andIuoodthetruthofthematterasShekurefacedthechildreheritbetheirrealfather,HasanorBlack,herproblemwasn’tfindingahusbandshecouldlove,herchalleofindafatherwhowouldlovetheseboys,bothofide-eyedwithfear.Shekurewasready,withthebestofiions,toloveanygoodhusband.
“You’reseekingwhatyouwantwithyourheart,”Isaidunthinkingly,“whereasyouobemakingdecisionswithyourmind.”
“I’mpreparedtogobacktoBlackimmediatelywiththechildren,”shesaid,“butIhavecertainditions!”Shefellquiet.“HemusttreatShevketandOrhanwell.Heshan’tinquireaboutmyreasonsforinghere.Aboveall,hemustabidebyinalditionse—he’llknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Heleftmeallaloofendformyselflastnightagainstmurderers,thievesandHasan.”
“Hehasfoundyourfather’smurderer,buthetoldmetotellyouhehas.”
“ShouldIgotohim?”
BeforeIcouldaheformerfather-in-law,who’dlongsinishedreadie,said,“TellBlackEffendiI’ttaketheresponsibilityofhandingovermydaughter-in-lawwithoutmysonbei.”
“Whi?”Isaidforthesakeofbeingshrewish,butsoftly.
“Hasan,”hesaid.Sincehewasamaiquette,heblushed.“MyoldestsonisonhiswaybaPersia;therearewitnesses.”
“Where’sHasan?”Iasked.IatetwospoonfulsofthesoupShekurehadofferedme.
“Hewenttogathertheclerks,portersandothermenofthesOffice,”hesaidinthechildishmannerofdetyetdullmenwhootlie.“AfterwhattheErzurumisdidyesterday,theJanissariesarecertaihestreetstonight.”
“Wedidn’tseeanythingofthesort,”IsaidasIwalkedtowardthedoor.“Isthisallyouhavetosay?”
Iaskedthisquestionofthefather-in-lawtointimidatehim,butShekureknewfullwellthatIwasreally
addressingher.Washerheadtrulythisbefuddledorwasshehidingsomething;forexample,wassheawaitiurnofHasanandhismen?Oddly,IsehatIlikedherindecisiveness.
“Wedon’twantBlack,”Shevketsaidfidently.“Andmakethisyourlastvisit,fatlady.”
“Butthenwho’llbringaroundthelacetablecloths,thehandkerchiefsembroideredwithflowersandbirdsthatyourprettymotherlikes,andyourfavoriteredshirtcloth?”Isaid,leavingmybuhemiddleoftheroom.“UntilIreturn,youopenitupandtakealook,tryon,alterandsewwhateveryoulike.”
IwassaddenedasIleft.I’dneverseenShekure’seyessowetwithtears.AssoonasIadjustedtothecoldoutside,Blackstoppedmeonthemuddyroad,swordinhand.
“Hasan’snothome,”Isaid.“Perhapshe’sgohemarkettobuywiocelebrateShekure’sreturn.Perhapshe’llsoonbebackwithhismen.Inthatcaseyou’lletoblows,becausehe’scrazy.Andifhetakesupthatredswordofhis,there’snotellingwhathe’lldo.”
“WhatdidShekuresay?”
“Thefather-in-lawsaidabsolutelynot,Iwon’tgiveupmydaughter-in-law,butifIwereyouIwouldn’tworryabouthim,worryaboutShekure.Yourwifeisfused.Ifyouaskme,sheteheretwodaysafterherfatherperishedforfearofthemurderer,becauseofHasan’sthreatsandyourdisappearahoutaword.Sheknewshecouldn’tspendanhtinthatsamehouseplaguedbythesamefears.Theyalsotoldherthatyouhadahandiher’sdeath.Butherfirsthusbandhasn’tebackoranythinglikethat.Shevket,anditseemsthefather-in-law,believedHasan’slie.Shewantstoreturntoyou,butshehascertainditions.”
StaringdirectlyintoBlack’seyes,Ilistedherditions.Heacceptedatohanofficialairasifhewerespeakingwithagenuineambassador.
“I,too,haveadition,”Isaid.“I’mheadingbatothehouseagain.”Ipoitheshuttersofthewindowbehindwhichthefather-in-lawsat.“Inalittlewhileattathereandthefrontdoor.WhenIscream,that’llbethesignalforyoutostop.IfHasanarrives,doatetoattackhim.”
Mywords,ofcourse,didanambassador,towhomnoharmshoulde,butIletmyselfgetcarriedaway,yousee.Thistime,assoonasIyelled“Clothierrr,”thedooropened.Iwentdirectlytothefather-in-law.
“Theentireneighborhood,andthejudgewhopresidesovertheseparts,thatiseveryone,knowsthatShekurehaslongbeendivordproperlyremarriedinkeepingwiththedictatesoftheKoran,”Isaid.“Evenifyourson,whohaslongsincepassedaway,camebacktolifeauroyoufromHeaveninthepanyoftheProphetMoses,it’dbeofnouseforhe’sdivorcedfromShekure.
You’veabductedamarriedwomanandareholdingherhereagainstherwill.BlackrequestedthatItellyouheandhismenwillseetoyourpunishmentforthiscrimebeforethejudge.”
“Thenhewillhavemadeagravemistake,”saidthefather-in-lawdelicately.“Wedidn’tabductShekureatall!I’mthegrandfatherofthesechildren,praisebetoGod.Hasanistheiruncle.WhenShekurewasleftallalone,whatchoicedidshehavebuttoseekshelterhere?Ifshewants,sheleavenowandtakeherchildrenwithher.Butneverfetthatthisisherfirsthome,whereshegavebirthtoherchildrenandhappilyraisedthem.”
“Shekure,”Isaidunthinkingly,“doyouwanttoreturntoyourfather’shouse?”
She’dbeguntoatofthe“happyhearth”speech.“Ihavenofather,”shesaid,orwasthathowIheardit?Herchildrenfirstembracedherlegs,thensatherdownandhuggedher;thethreeofthemhuggedoherinalargeballa.ButEstherisnoidiot:IknewfullwellthatShekure’stearsweremeanttoappeasebothsideswithoutherhavingtomakeadecision.ButIalsokheyweregeears,becausetheymovedmetocry,too.Awhilelater,InoticedthatHayriye,thatsnake,wasals.
Asiftopaybackthegreeher-in-lawforbeingthesolepersonintheroomwhowasn’tg,Bladhismeheirattathehousethatverymomentbybangingotersandfthedoor.Twomehefrontdoorwithabatteringramwhoseblowssoundedlikeohroughthehouse.
“You’reanexperienddignifiedman,”Isaid,encedbymyowntears,“openthedoorahoserabidmongrelsouttherethatShekureisonherway.”
“Wouldyousendanunprotectedwoman,yhter-in-lawnoless,who’dtakenrefugeinyourhouse,outontothestreetswiththosedogs?”
“Sheherselfwantstogo,”Isaid.WithmypurplehandkerchiefIwipedmynose,whichhadstuffedupfr.
“Inthatcaseshe’sfreetoopenthedoorandleave,”hesaid.
IsatdownbesideShekureandherchildren.Ateaewblow,theterrifyingnoisemadebythemenfthedoorbecameyetanotherexcuseforyetmoretears,thechildreocrylouder,whiturnincreasedShekure’swailingandmineaswell.Still,eventakingintoatthethreateningcriesfromoutsideandtheblowsofthebatteringramthatseemedonthevergeofdestroyingthehouse,bothofuskneeregtogaintime.
“MybeautifulShekure,”Isaid,“yourfather-in-lawhasgivenyoupermissionandyourhusbandBlackhasacceptedallofyourterms,he’swaitingforyoulovingly,younolongerhaveanybusinessinthis
house.Putonyourcloak,donyourveil,takeyourbelongingsandyourchildren,ahedoorsowegoquietlybacktoyourhouse.”
Thisstatementofminemadethechildrenwailevenmore,andcausedShekuretoopenhereyesinshock.
“I’mafraidofHasan,”shesaid,“hisrevengewillbehorrible.He’swild.Remember,Icamehereonmyown.”
“Thisdoesn’tceloutyournewmarriage,”Isaid.“Youwerelefthelpless,ofcourseyoingtotakerefugesomewhere.Yourhusband’sfivenyou,he’spreparedtotakeyouback.AsforHasan,we’lldealwithhimthewaywehaveforyears.”Ismiled.
“ButI’mnotgoingtoopenthedoor,”shesaid,“becausethenI’llhavereturohimofmyownfreewill.”
“MydearestShekure,Iotopenthedooreither,”Isaid.“YouknowaswellasIthatthiswouldmeanI’vemeddledinyouraffairs.They’dbitterlyavengesuchmeddling.”
Icouldseefromhereyesthatsheuood.“Thennoonewillopenthedoor,”shesaid.“Let’swaitforthemtobreakitdownandtakeusbyforce.”
IkohiswouldbethebestalternativeforShekureandherchildren,andIwasafraid.“Butthatmeansbloodwillbespilled,”Isaid.“Ifthejudgeisn’tinvolvedinthisaffair,bloodwillflow,andabloodfeudwilllastforyears.Nohonorablemancouldstandbyandwatchashishousewasbrokenintoandraidedtoabduanresidingthere.”
IonceagairetfullyhowdeceptiveandcalculatingthisShekurewasassheembracedhertwoboysandwailedwithallherbeingratherthananswer.Avoicewastellieteverythingandleave,butIcouldnolongerwalkbackthroughthedoor,whichwasbeingbatteredtothebreakingpoint.Actually,Iwasafraidofbothwhatwouldhappeniftheybrokedownthedoorandcamethroughandwhatwouldhappeniftheydidn’t;IkeptthinkingthatBlack’smen,whotrustedinme,wereworriedaboutgoingtoofarandmightretreatatanymoment,whichwould,inturn,emboldeher-in-law.WheoShekure’sside,Iknewhe’dbeguntocryfaketears,butwhat’sworse,hewastremblinginawaythatcouldn’tbefeigned.
Steppingtowardthedoor,Iscreamedwithallmystrength,“Stop,that’senough!”
Theotionoutsideandthewailinginsideendedibeat.
“Mother,haveOrhahedoor,”Isaidinamomentofinspirationandivoice,asifIwerespeakingtotheboy.“Hewantstogohome,noonewilltakeissuewiththat.”
ThewordshadhardlyleftmymouthwhenOrhanfreedhimselffromhismother’slooseningarms,andlikesomebodywho’dlivedhereforyears,slidope,liftedthewoodenbar,thenunfastehelatdmovedbackwardtwosteps.Thecoldfromoutsideehedooryawnedopen.Therewassuchasileallofusheardalazydogbarkoffiance.ShekurekissedOrhan,whowasbahismother’slap,asaid,“I’mgoingtotellUncleHasan.”
IsawShekurestand,takeuphercloakandprepareherbuoleave,andIwassogreatlyrelieved,IwasafraidImightlaugh.Iseatedmyselfandhadtwomorespoonfulsofthelentilsoup.
Blackwasintelligentenoughnottoeanywherehedoorofthehouse.Foratime,Shevketlockedhimselfinhislatefather’sroom,ahoughwecalledforBlack’shelp,herhenorhismeerShekureagreedtoletShevkettakealonghisUncleHasan’sruby-handleddagger,theboywaswillingtoleavethehousewithus.
“BeafraidofHasanandhisredsword,”saidthefather-in-lawwithgenuineworryratherthananairofdefeatandvengeance.Hekissedeachofhisgrandchildren,sniffingtheirheads.HealsowhisperedintoShekure’sear.
WhenIsawShekuregazitimeatthedoor,wallsandstoveofthehouse,Irememberedonceagainhowthiswaswhereshespentthehappiestyearsofherlifewithherfirsthusband.Butcouldshealsotellthatthissamehousewastherefugeoftwomiserableandlonelymen,andthatitborethestenchofdeath?Ididn’twalkwithheronthewaybackforshehadbrokebyingbackhere.
Itwasn’tthecoldandblaessofthenightthatbroughttogetherthetwofatherlesschildrenandthreewomen—oneservant,oneJewessandoneasthestrangeneighborhoods,thenearlyimpassablestreetsandthefearofHasan.OurcrowdedpanywasuheproteofBlack’smen,andjustlikeacaravancarryingtreasure,wewalkedoverout-of-the-wayroads,backstreetsandsolitary,seldom-visitedneighborhoods,soastoavoidrunningintoguards,Janissaries,curiousneighborhoodthugs,thievesorHasan.Attimes,throughblaessinwhichyoucouldn’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface,wegropedourerpetuallybumpingagainsteachotherandthewalls.Wewalkedgingtooher,overebythesensationthatthelivingdead,jinnsanddemonswouldsurelyemergefromundergroundandabductusintothenight.Justbehindthewallsandclosedshutters,whichwefeltblindlywithourhands,weheardthesnandcoughingofpeopleinthenighttimecoldaswellasthelowingofbeastsiables.
Eveher,nertothepoorestandworstdistricts,who’dwalkedallthestreetsofIstanbul—thatisexcludingthoseneighborhoodswhereinmigrantsandthemembersofvariousunfortunateunitiesgregated—occasionallyfeltthatwewouldvanishoreets,whichtwistedandturhoutendthroughanendlessblaess.YetIcouldstillmakeoutcertaiersthatI’dpatientlypassediimetotingmysatchel;forexample,IreizedthewallsofHeadTailor’sStreet,thesharpsmellofmanure—whiereasonremindedmeofamon—ingfromthestableadjattoNurullahHoja’sproperty,thefire-ravagedsitesonAcrobatsStreetandtheFalers
ArcadethatledintothesquarewiththeBlindHajiFountain,andthusIkneeren’theadingtowardthehouseofShekure’slatefatheratall,buttosomeother,mysteriousdestination.
TherewasnotellingwhatHasanwoulddoifangered,andIknewBlackhadfoundanotherplacetohidehisfamilyfromhim—andfromthatdevilofamurderer.IfIcould’vemadeoutwherethatplacewas,Iwouldtellyou,now,andHasantomorr—notoutofspite,butbecauseI’mvihatShekurewillagainwanttohaveHasan’si.ButBlatelligentashewas,nolorustedme.
alkingdownadarkstreetbehindtheslavemarketwhenaotionofcriesandwailseruptedatthefarendofthestreet.Weheardthesoundsofascuffle,andIreizedwithfeartheclamorousstartofafight:theclashofaxes,swordsandstidthebellowofbitterpain.
Bladedhisownlargeswordtooneofhismosttrustedmen,forciblytookthedaggerfromShevket,causiocry,andhadthebarber’sapprewoothermenmoveShekure,Hayriyeandthechildrenasafedistanceaway.Thetheologystudenttoldmehe’dtakemehomebywayofashortcut;thatis,hedidmestaywiththeothers.Wasthisatwistoffateorsomeingattempttokeepsecretthewhereaboutsoftheirhideout?
There,whiderstoodtobeacoffeehouse,attheendofthisnarrowstreetwewerepassingdown.Perhapstheswhtstoppedassoonasit’dbegun.Crowdsofmeingastheyentereda;atfirstIthoughttheywerelooting,butno,theyweredestroyingthecoffeehouse.Theycarefullytookoutalloftheceramiccups,brasspots,glassesandlowtablesuhelightofthetorchesoftheonlookersaroyedthemallasawarning.Theyroughedupamanwhotriedtostopthem,buthewasabletogetaway.inally,Ithoughttheirtargetwasonlycoffee,astheythemselvesclaimed.Theywereningitsilleffects,howitharmedthesightaomach,howitdulledtheintelledcausedmentolosetheirfaith,howitwasthepoisonoftheFranksandhowExaltedMuhammadhadturneddowncoffeeeventhoughitwasofferedto松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
WhenIsawBlackatthedoorIfeltnothingbutpityforhim.TherewassuexpressiononhisfaceIwasafraidtoaskwhathadhappened.
“Don’tbothertoeinside,”Isaid,“I’llbeoutassoonasIgeclothes.”
IdohepinkandyellowgarmentsthatIwearwhenI’mioRamadaivities,wealthybasahyweddings,andtookupmyholidaysatchel.“I’llhavemysoupwheback,”IsaidtopoorNesim.
BladIhadcrossedoreetinmylittleJewishneighborhoodwhoseeyslabortoexpeltheirsmoke,thewayourkettlesforceouttheirsteam,andIsaid:“Shekure’sformerhusbandisback.”
Blackfellsilentandstayedthatwayuntilwelefttheneighborhood.Hisfacewasashen,thecolorofthewaningday.
“Wherearethey?”heaskedsometimelater.
FromthisquestionIguessedthatShekureandherchildreathome.“They’reattheirhouse,”Isaid.BecauseImeantShekure’sprevioushome,aothiswouldsingeBlack’sheart,Iopenedadoorofhopeforhimbytagtheword“probably”ontotheendofmystatement.
“Haveyouseenhernewlyreturnedhusband?”heaskedme,lookiomyeyes.
“Ihaven’tseenhim,herdidIseeShekure’sflightfromthehouse.”
“Howdidyouknowthey’dleft?”
“Fromyourface.”
“Tellmeeverything,”hesaiddecisively.
Blackwassotroubledhedidn’tuandthatEsther—hereyeeternallyatthewindow,hereareternallytotheground—couldelleverything”ifshewaotiobetheEstherwhofoundhusbandsforsomanydreamymaidensandkhedoorsofsomanyunhappyhomes.
“WhatI’veheard,”Isaid,“isthatthebrotherofShekure’sformerhusband,Hasan,visitedyourhouse”—itheartenedhimwhenIsaid“yourhouse”—“andtoldShevketthathisfatherwasonhiswayhomefromwar,thathewouldarrivearoundmidafternoon,andthatifhedidn’tfi’smotherandbrotherintheirrightfulhome,he’dbeveryupset.Shevkettoldthistohismother,whoactedcautiously,butcouldn’tetoadecision.TowardmidafternooleftthehousetobewithhisUncleHasanandhisgrandfather.”
“Wheredidyoulearhings?”
“Hasn’tShekuretoldyouaboutHasan’sschemesoverthelasttwetherbacktohishouse?TherewasatimewhenHasaletterstoShekurethroughme.”
“Didsheeverrespondtothem?”
“IknowallthevarietiesofwomeninIstanbul,”Isaidproudly,“there’snoonewho’sasboundtoherhouse,herhusbandandherhonorasShekureis.”
“ButIamherhusbandnow.”
Hisvoiceborethattypicallymaleuaintythatalwaysdepressedme.Amazingly,towhicheversideShekurefled,theothersidewenttopieces.
“HasanwroteanoteandgaveittometodelivertoShekure.ItdescribedhowShevkethadehometoawaitthereturnofhisfather,howShekurehadbeenmarriedinaimateceremony,howShevketwasveryunhappyonatofthefalsehusbandposedtobehisherandhowhewasnevergoingback.”
“HowdidShekurerespond?”
“ShewaitedforyouallthroughthenightwithpoorOrhan.”
“WhataboutHayriye?”
“Hayriye’sbeenwaitingforyearsfortheopportunitytodrownyourbeautifulwifeinaspoonfulofwater.ThiswaswhyshebegansleepingwithyourEnishte,mayherestinpeace.WhenHasansawthatShekureendingthenightaloneinfearofmurderersandghosts,hesentalongaethroughme.”
“Whatdidhewrite?”
ThaoGodthatyourunfortuher’treadorwrite,becausewhenirateEffendisandirritablefathersaskthisquestion,shesay:“Icouldheletter,onlythefaceofthebeautifulmaidenreadier.”
“WhatdidyoureadinShekure’sface?”
“Helplessness.”
Foralongtimewedidn’tspeak.Awaitingnightfall,anoerchedonthedomeofasmallGreekchurch;runny-nosedneighborhoodkidslaughedatmyclothesandbundle,andamangydoghappilyscratghimselflopeddownfromthecemeterylihcypressestogreetthenight.
“Slowdown!”IshoutedatBlacklater,“I’tgetupthesehillsthewayyou.Whereareyoutakihmysatchellikethis?”
“BeforeymetoHasan’shouse,I’mtakingyoutosomegenerousandbraveyoungmensoyouspreadoutyourbundleahemsomefloweryhandkerchiefs,silksashesandpurseswithsilverembroideryfortheirsecretlovers.”
ItwasagoodsignthatBlackcouldstillmakejokesinhispitiablestate,butIcouldfathomtheseriousnessbehindhismirth.“Ifyoingtogatheraposse,I’llakeyoutoHasan’shouse,”Isaid.“I’mfrighteodeathoffightsandbrawls.”
“Ifyoutiobetheintelligeheryou’vealwaysbeen,”hesaid,“there’llbeherfightnorbrawl.”
WepassedthroughAksarayaeredtheroadheadingback,straighttowardtheLangagardens.Ontheupperpartofthemuddyroad,inaneighborhoodthathadseenhappierdays,Blackwalkedintoabarbershopthatwasstillopen.Isawhimtalkingtothemasterbarberbeingshavedbya-lookingboywithlovelyhandsbythelightofanoillamp.Beforelong,thebarber,hishandsomeapprentidlater,twomoreofhismenjoinedupwithusatAksaray.TheycarriedswordsaasidestreetinShehzadebash1,atheologystudent,whomIcouldn’tpictureinvolvedinsuchroughaffairs,joinedusinthedarkness,swordinhand.
“Doyouplanonraidingahouseinthemiddleofthecityinbroaddaylight?”Isaid.
“It’snotday,it’snight,”saidBlaatonemorepleasedthanjoking.
“Don’tbesofidentjustbecauseyou’veputtogetheragang,”Isaid.“Let’shopetheJanissariesdon’tcatchsightofthisfullyequippedlittlearmywanderingaround.”
“Noonewillcatchsightofus.”
“YesterdaytheErzurumisfirstraidedatavernahedervishhouseatSa?1rkap1,beatingupeveryoheyfoundinbothplaces.Anelderlymanwhotookablowtohisheadwithastickdied.Inthispitchblaess,theymightthinkyou’reoftheirlot.”
“IhearyouwenttodearlydepartedElegantEffendi’shouse,sawhiswife,Godblessher,andthehorsesketcheswiththesmearedinkbeforerelayingitalltoShekure.HadElegantEffendibeenspendingalotoftimewiththehehepreacherfromErzurum?”
“IfIsouElegantEffendi’swife,itwasbecauseIthoughtitmightultimatelyhelpmypoorShekure,”Isaid.“Anyway,I’dgooshowherthelatestclothwhichhadeofftheFlemishship,nottoinvolvemyselfinyalandpoliticalaffairs—whichmypoorbraincouldn’tfathomanyway.”
Asweehestreet,whibehindCharsh1kap1,myheartquiedwithfear.Thebare,wet
brahechestnutandmulberrytreesglimmeredinthepalelightofthehalf-moon.Abreezekickedupbyjinnsandthelivingdeadrippledthelacededgingofmysatchel,whistledthroughthetreesandcarriedthestrouptoneighborhooddogslyinginwait.Astheybegantobarkonebyone,IpoithehousetoBlack.Westaredquietlyatitsdarkroofandshutters.Blackhadthementakepositionsaroundthehouse:iygardehersideofthecourtyardgateandbehireesinback.
“InthatentrywayoverthereisavileTatarbeggar,”Isaid.“He’sblind,buthe’llknowwho’seandgonealongthisstreetbetterthantheneighborhoodheadmandoes.HetinuallyplayswithhimselfasifhewereoheSultan’svulgarmonkeys.Withoutlettingyourhandtouchhis,givehimeightortensilverpiedhe’lltellyoueverythingheknows.”
Fromadistance,IwatchedBladoverthes,thenlayhisswainstthethroatofthebeggaraopressurehimwithquestio,I’mnotsurehoehebarber’sapprentice,whoIthoughtwassimplywatgthehouse,begaheTatarwiththebuttofhisaxe.Iwatchedforawhile,thinkingitwouldn’tlast,buttheTatarwaswailing.Iranoverandpulledthebeggarawaybeforetheykilledhim.
“Hecursedmymother,”saidtheapprentice.
“HesaysthatHasanisn’thome,”Blacksaid.“wetrustwhatthisblindmansays?”Hehandedmeahe’dquicklywritten.“Takethis,bringittothehouse,giveittoHasan,andifhe’snotthere,giveittohisfather,”hesaid.
“Haven’tyouwrittenanythingforShekure?”IaskedasItookthenote.
“IfIsendheraseparate’llihemenofthehouseevenmore,”Blacksaid.“TellherI’vefouher’svilemurderer.”
“Isthistrue?”
“Justtellher.”
Chastisiar,whowasstillgandplaining,Iquietedhimdown.“Don’tfetwhatI’vedoneforyou,”Isaid,ingtotherealizationthatI’ddrawnouttheisoIwouldn’thavetoleave.
WhyhadIstuoseintothisaffair?TwointheEdireneighborhoodthey’dkilledaclothespeddlar—aftercuttingoffherears—becausethemaidenshe’dpromisedtoonemanmarriedanrandmotherusedtotellmethatTurkswouldoftenkillamanfornoreason.IloobewithmydearestNesim,athomehaviilsoup.Eventhoughmyfeetresisted,IthoughtabouthowShekurewouldbethere,andwalkedtothehouse.Curiositywaseatingatme.
“Clothierrr!Ihavenewesesilksforholidayoutfits.”
Iseheishlightfilteringoutbetweetersmove.Thedooropened.Hasan’spolitefatherinvitedmeihehousewaswarm,likethehousesoftherich.WhenShekure,whowasseatedatalowdiningtablewithherboyssawme,sherosetoherfeet.
“Shekure,”Isaid,“yourhusband’shere.”
“Whie?”
“Thenewer,”Isaid.“He’ssurrouhehousewithhisbandofarmedmen.They’repreparedtofightHasan.”
“Hasanisn’there,”saidthepolitefather-in-law.
“Howfortuakealookatthis,”Isaid,givinghimBlaotelikeaproudambassadoroftheSultaingHismercilesswill.
Asthegentlemanlyfather-in-lawreadthenote,Shekuresaid,“Esther,eamepouryouabowloflentilsouptowarmyouup.”
“Idon’tlikelentilsoup,”Isaidatfirst.Ididn’tlikethewayshespokeasifsheweremistressofthehouse.ButwhenIuoodthatshewaobealohme,Igrabbedthespoonandrushedafterher.
“TellBlackthatit’sallbecauseofShevket,”shewhispered.“LastnightIwaitedallnightalohOrhahlyafraidofthemurderer.Orhantrembledwithfrightuntilm.Mychildrenhadbeenseparated!Whatkindofmothercouldremainapartfromherchild?WhenBlackfailedtoeback,theytoldmethatOurSultan’storturershadmadehimtalkandthathe’dahandinmyfather’sdeath.”
“Wasn’tBlackwithyouwhenyourfatherwasbeingkilled?”
“Esther,”shesaid,openingherbeautifulblackeyeswide,“Ibegofyou,helpme.”
“Thentellmewhyyou’veebackheresoImightuandandhelp.”
“DoyouthinkIknowwhyI’vereturned?”shesaid.Sheseemedonthevergeoftears.“BlackwasroughwithmypoorShevket,”shesaid.“AndwhenHasansaidthatthechildren’srealfatherhadreturned,Ibelievedhim.”
ButIcouldtellfromhereyesthatshewaslying,andsheknewIcouldtell.“IedbyHasan!”shewhispered,andIsehatshewaoinferfromthisthatshelovedHasan.ButdidShekurerealizethatshewasthinkingmoreandmoreaboutHasanbecauseshehadmarriedBlack?
ThedooropenedandHayriyeenteredcarryingfreshlybakedbreadwhosearomawasirresistible.Whenshecaughtsightofme,IcouldtellfromherexpressionofdispleasurethatafterthedeathofEnishteEffendi,thepoorthing—shecouldn’tbesold,couldn’tbedismissed—hadbeealegaiseryforShekure.Thestoffreshbreadfilledtheroom,andIuoodthetruthofthematterasShekurefacedthechildreheritbetheirrealfather,HasanorBlack,herproblemwasn’tfindingahusbandshecouldlove,herchalleofindafatherwhowouldlovetheseboys,bothofide-eyedwithfear.Shekurewasready,withthebestofiions,toloveanygoodhusband.
“You’reseekingwhatyouwantwithyourheart,”Isaidunthinkingly,“whereasyouobemakingdecisionswithyourmind.”
“I’mpreparedtogobacktoBlackimmediatelywiththechildren,”shesaid,“butIhavecertainditions!”Shefellquiet.“HemusttreatShevketandOrhanwell.Heshan’tinquireaboutmyreasonsforinghere.Aboveall,hemustabidebyinalditionse—he’llknowwhatI’mtalkingabout.Heleftmeallaloofendformyselflastnightagainstmurderers,thievesandHasan.”
“Hehasfoundyourfather’smurderer,buthetoldmetotellyouhehas.”
“ShouldIgotohim?”
BeforeIcouldaheformerfather-in-law,who’dlongsinishedreadie,said,“TellBlackEffendiI’ttaketheresponsibilityofhandingovermydaughter-in-lawwithoutmysonbei.”
“Whi?”Isaidforthesakeofbeingshrewish,butsoftly.
“Hasan,”hesaid.Sincehewasamaiquette,heblushed.“MyoldestsonisonhiswaybaPersia;therearewitnesses.”
“Where’sHasan?”Iasked.IatetwospoonfulsofthesoupShekurehadofferedme.
“Hewenttogathertheclerks,portersandothermenofthesOffice,”hesaidinthechildishmannerofdetyetdullmenwhootlie.“AfterwhattheErzurumisdidyesterday,theJanissariesarecertaihestreetstonight.”
“Wedidn’tseeanythingofthesort,”IsaidasIwalkedtowardthedoor.“Isthisallyouhavetosay?”
Iaskedthisquestionofthefather-in-lawtointimidatehim,butShekureknewfullwellthatIwasreally
addressingher.Washerheadtrulythisbefuddledorwasshehidingsomething;forexample,wassheawaitiurnofHasanandhismen?Oddly,IsehatIlikedherindecisiveness.
“Wedon’twantBlack,”Shevketsaidfidently.“Andmakethisyourlastvisit,fatlady.”
“Butthenwho’llbringaroundthelacetablecloths,thehandkerchiefsembroideredwithflowersandbirdsthatyourprettymotherlikes,andyourfavoriteredshirtcloth?”Isaid,leavingmybuhemiddleoftheroom.“UntilIreturn,youopenitupandtakealook,tryon,alterandsewwhateveryoulike.”
IwassaddenedasIleft.I’dneverseenShekure’seyessowetwithtears.AssoonasIadjustedtothecoldoutside,Blackstoppedmeonthemuddyroad,swordinhand.
“Hasan’snothome,”Isaid.“Perhapshe’sgohemarkettobuywiocelebrateShekure’sreturn.Perhapshe’llsoonbebackwithhismen.Inthatcaseyou’lletoblows,becausehe’scrazy.Andifhetakesupthatredswordofhis,there’snotellingwhathe’lldo.”
“WhatdidShekuresay?”
“Thefather-in-lawsaidabsolutelynot,Iwon’tgiveupmydaughter-in-law,butifIwereyouIwouldn’tworryabouthim,worryaboutShekure.Yourwifeisfused.Ifyouaskme,sheteheretwodaysafterherfatherperishedforfearofthemurderer,becauseofHasan’sthreatsandyourdisappearahoutaword.Sheknewshecouldn’tspendanhtinthatsamehouseplaguedbythesamefears.Theyalsotoldherthatyouhadahandiher’sdeath.Butherfirsthusbandhasn’tebackoranythinglikethat.Shevket,anditseemsthefather-in-law,believedHasan’slie.Shewantstoreturntoyou,butshehascertainditions.”
StaringdirectlyintoBlack’seyes,Ilistedherditions.Heacceptedatohanofficialairasifhewerespeakingwithagenuineambassador.
“I,too,haveadition,”Isaid.“I’mheadingbatothehouseagain.”Ipoitheshuttersofthewindowbehindwhichthefather-in-lawsat.“Inalittlewhileattathereandthefrontdoor.WhenIscream,that’llbethesignalforyoutostop.IfHasanarrives,doatetoattackhim.”
Mywords,ofcourse,didanambassador,towhomnoharmshoulde,butIletmyselfgetcarriedaway,yousee.Thistime,assoonasIyelled“Clothierrr,”thedooropened.Iwentdirectlytothefather-in-law.
“Theentireneighborhood,andthejudgewhopresidesovertheseparts,thatiseveryone,knowsthatShekurehaslongbeendivordproperlyremarriedinkeepingwiththedictatesoftheKoran,”Isaid.“Evenifyourson,whohaslongsincepassedaway,camebacktolifeauroyoufromHeaveninthepanyoftheProphetMoses,it’dbeofnouseforhe’sdivorcedfromShekure.
You’veabductedamarriedwomanandareholdingherhereagainstherwill.BlackrequestedthatItellyouheandhismenwillseetoyourpunishmentforthiscrimebeforethejudge.”
“Thenhewillhavemadeagravemistake,”saidthefather-in-lawdelicately.“Wedidn’tabductShekureatall!I’mthegrandfatherofthesechildren,praisebetoGod.Hasanistheiruncle.WhenShekurewasleftallalone,whatchoicedidshehavebuttoseekshelterhere?Ifshewants,sheleavenowandtakeherchildrenwithher.Butneverfetthatthisisherfirsthome,whereshegavebirthtoherchildrenandhappilyraisedthem.”
“Shekure,”Isaidunthinkingly,“doyouwanttoreturntoyourfather’shouse?”
She’dbeguntoatofthe“happyhearth”speech.“Ihavenofather,”shesaid,orwasthathowIheardit?Herchildrenfirstembracedherlegs,thensatherdownandhuggedher;thethreeofthemhuggedoherinalargeballa.ButEstherisnoidiot:IknewfullwellthatShekure’stearsweremeanttoappeasebothsideswithoutherhavingtomakeadecision.ButIalsokheyweregeears,becausetheymovedmetocry,too.Awhilelater,InoticedthatHayriye,thatsnake,wasals.
Asiftopaybackthegreeher-in-lawforbeingthesolepersonintheroomwhowasn’tg,Bladhismeheirattathehousethatverymomentbybangingotersandfthedoor.Twomehefrontdoorwithabatteringramwhoseblowssoundedlikeohroughthehouse.
“You’reanexperienddignifiedman,”Isaid,encedbymyowntears,“openthedoorahoserabidmongrelsouttherethatShekureisonherway.”
“Wouldyousendanunprotectedwoman,yhter-in-lawnoless,who’dtakenrefugeinyourhouse,outontothestreetswiththosedogs?”
“Sheherselfwantstogo,”Isaid.WithmypurplehandkerchiefIwipedmynose,whichhadstuffedupfr.
“Inthatcaseshe’sfreetoopenthedoorandleave,”hesaid.
IsatdownbesideShekureandherchildren.Ateaewblow,theterrifyingnoisemadebythemenfthedoorbecameyetanotherexcuseforyetmoretears,thechildreocrylouder,whiturnincreasedShekure’swailingandmineaswell.Still,eventakingintoatthethreateningcriesfromoutsideandtheblowsofthebatteringramthatseemedonthevergeofdestroyingthehouse,bothofuskneeregtogaintime.
“MybeautifulShekure,”Isaid,“yourfather-in-lawhasgivenyoupermissionandyourhusbandBlackhasacceptedallofyourterms,he’swaitingforyoulovingly,younolongerhaveanybusinessinthis
house.Putonyourcloak,donyourveil,takeyourbelongingsandyourchildren,ahedoorsowegoquietlybacktoyourhouse.”
Thisstatementofminemadethechildrenwailevenmore,andcausedShekuretoopenhereyesinshock.
“I’mafraidofHasan,”shesaid,“hisrevengewillbehorrible.He’swild.Remember,Icamehereonmyown.”
“Thisdoesn’tceloutyournewmarriage,”Isaid.“Youwerelefthelpless,ofcourseyoingtotakerefugesomewhere.Yourhusband’sfivenyou,he’spreparedtotakeyouback.AsforHasan,we’lldealwithhimthewaywehaveforyears.”Ismiled.
“ButI’mnotgoingtoopenthedoor,”shesaid,“becausethenI’llhavereturohimofmyownfreewill.”
“MydearestShekure,Iotopenthedooreither,”Isaid.“YouknowaswellasIthatthiswouldmeanI’vemeddledinyouraffairs.They’dbitterlyavengesuchmeddling.”
Icouldseefromhereyesthatsheuood.“Thennoonewillopenthedoor,”shesaid.“Let’swaitforthemtobreakitdownandtakeusbyforce.”
IkohiswouldbethebestalternativeforShekureandherchildren,andIwasafraid.“Butthatmeansbloodwillbespilled,”Isaid.“Ifthejudgeisn’tinvolvedinthisaffair,bloodwillflow,andabloodfeudwilllastforyears.Nohonorablemancouldstandbyandwatchashishousewasbrokenintoandraidedtoabduanresidingthere.”
IonceagairetfullyhowdeceptiveandcalculatingthisShekurewasassheembracedhertwoboysandwailedwithallherbeingratherthananswer.Avoicewastellieteverythingandleave,butIcouldnolongerwalkbackthroughthedoor,whichwasbeingbatteredtothebreakingpoint.Actually,Iwasafraidofbothwhatwouldhappeniftheybrokedownthedoorandcamethroughandwhatwouldhappeniftheydidn’t;IkeptthinkingthatBlack’smen,whotrustedinme,wereworriedaboutgoingtoofarandmightretreatatanymoment,whichwould,inturn,emboldeher-in-law.WheoShekure’sside,Iknewhe’dbeguntocryfaketears,butwhat’sworse,hewastremblinginawaythatcouldn’tbefeigned.
Steppingtowardthedoor,Iscreamedwithallmystrength,“Stop,that’senough!”
Theotionoutsideandthewailinginsideendedibeat.
“Mother,haveOrhahedoor,”Isaidinamomentofinspirationandivoice,asifIwerespeakingtotheboy.“Hewantstogohome,noonewilltakeissuewiththat.”
ThewordshadhardlyleftmymouthwhenOrhanfreedhimselffromhismother’slooseningarms,andlikesomebodywho’dlivedhereforyears,slidope,liftedthewoodenbar,thenunfastehelatdmovedbackwardtwosteps.Thecoldfromoutsideehedooryawnedopen.Therewassuchasileallofusheardalazydogbarkoffiance.ShekurekissedOrhan,whowasbahismother’slap,asaid,“I’mgoingtotellUncleHasan.”
IsawShekurestand,takeuphercloakandprepareherbuoleave,andIwassogreatlyrelieved,IwasafraidImightlaugh.Iseatedmyselfandhadtwomorespoonfulsofthelentilsoup.
Blackwasintelligentenoughnottoeanywherehedoorofthehouse.Foratime,Shevketlockedhimselfinhislatefather’sroom,ahoughwecalledforBlack’shelp,herhenorhismeerShekureagreedtoletShevkettakealonghisUncleHasan’sruby-handleddagger,theboywaswillingtoleavethehousewithus.
“BeafraidofHasanandhisredsword,”saidthefather-in-lawwithgenuineworryratherthananairofdefeatandvengeance.Hekissedeachofhisgrandchildren,sniffingtheirheads.HealsowhisperedintoShekure’sear.
WhenIsawShekuregazitimeatthedoor,wallsandstoveofthehouse,Irememberedonceagainhowthiswaswhereshespentthehappiestyearsofherlifewithherfirsthusband.Butcouldshealsotellthatthissamehousewastherefugeoftwomiserableandlonelymen,andthatitborethestenchofdeath?Ididn’twalkwithheronthewaybackforshehadbrokebyingbackhere.
Itwasn’tthecoldandblaessofthenightthatbroughttogetherthetwofatherlesschildrenandthreewomen—oneservant,oneJewessandoneasthestrangeneighborhoods,thenearlyimpassablestreetsandthefearofHasan.OurcrowdedpanywasuheproteofBlack’smen,andjustlikeacaravancarryingtreasure,wewalkedoverout-of-the-wayroads,backstreetsandsolitary,seldom-visitedneighborhoods,soastoavoidrunningintoguards,Janissaries,curiousneighborhoodthugs,thievesorHasan.Attimes,throughblaessinwhichyoucouldn’tseeyourhandbeforeyourface,wegropedourerpetuallybumpingagainsteachotherandthewalls.Wewalkedgingtooher,overebythesensationthatthelivingdead,jinnsanddemonswouldsurelyemergefromundergroundandabductusintothenight.Justbehindthewallsandclosedshutters,whichwefeltblindlywithourhands,weheardthesnandcoughingofpeopleinthenighttimecoldaswellasthelowingofbeastsiables.
Eveher,nertothepoorestandworstdistricts,who’dwalkedallthestreetsofIstanbul—thatisexcludingthoseneighborhoodswhereinmigrantsandthemembersofvariousunfortunateunitiesgregated—occasionallyfeltthatwewouldvanishoreets,whichtwistedandturhoutendthroughanendlessblaess.YetIcouldstillmakeoutcertaiersthatI’dpatientlypassediimetotingmysatchel;forexample,IreizedthewallsofHeadTailor’sStreet,thesharpsmellofmanure—whiereasonremindedmeofamon—ingfromthestableadjattoNurullahHoja’sproperty,thefire-ravagedsitesonAcrobatsStreetandtheFalers
ArcadethatledintothesquarewiththeBlindHajiFountain,andthusIkneeren’theadingtowardthehouseofShekure’slatefatheratall,buttosomeother,mysteriousdestination.
TherewasnotellingwhatHasanwoulddoifangered,andIknewBlackhadfoundanotherplacetohidehisfamilyfromhim—andfromthatdevilofamurderer.IfIcould’vemadeoutwherethatplacewas,Iwouldtellyou,now,andHasantomorr—notoutofspite,butbecauseI’mvihatShekurewillagainwanttohaveHasan’si.ButBlatelligentashewas,nolorustedme.
alkingdownadarkstreetbehindtheslavemarketwhenaotionofcriesandwailseruptedatthefarendofthestreet.Weheardthesoundsofascuffle,andIreizedwithfeartheclamorousstartofafight:theclashofaxes,swordsandstidthebellowofbitterpain.
Bladedhisownlargeswordtooneofhismosttrustedmen,forciblytookthedaggerfromShevket,causiocry,andhadthebarber’sapprewoothermenmoveShekure,Hayriyeandthechildrenasafedistanceaway.Thetheologystudenttoldmehe’dtakemehomebywayofashortcut;thatis,hedidmestaywiththeothers.Wasthisatwistoffateorsomeingattempttokeepsecretthewhereaboutsoftheirhideout?
There,whiderstoodtobeacoffeehouse,attheendofthisnarrowstreetwewerepassingdown.Perhapstheswhtstoppedassoonasit’dbegun.Crowdsofmeingastheyentereda;atfirstIthoughttheywerelooting,butno,theyweredestroyingthecoffeehouse.Theycarefullytookoutalloftheceramiccups,brasspots,glassesandlowtablesuhelightofthetorchesoftheonlookersaroyedthemallasawarning.Theyroughedupamanwhotriedtostopthem,buthewasabletogetaway.inally,Ithoughttheirtargetwasonlycoffee,astheythemselvesclaimed.Theywereningitsilleffects,howitharmedthesightaomach,howitdulledtheintelledcausedmentolosetheirfaith,howitwasthepoisonoftheFranksandhowExaltedMuhammadhadturneddowncoffeeeventhoughitwasofferedto松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
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