The Last Song

mean, Papa?”
    “I heard that Rabbi Seneor was baptized, as was his whole family.”
    “Oh, Papa, no.”
    “Don’t judge him too harshly, son. Seneor is an old man. Rumor has it that he agreed to his baptism in order to save the lives of our people.”
    “What about Isaac Abravanel?” Yonah asked.
    “They tried to force the baptism font upon him by attempting to kidnap his grandson, but Abravanel beat them at their own game. Abravanel is still a Jew and will die a Jew.”
    Abravanel and Seneor – why were these names so familiar to me?
I thought to myself. Then I recalled what I had heard about them. They were the Jewish courtiers who had tried to prevent the expulsion of the Jews from the kingdom. Abravanel even offered the queen and the king thirty thousand gold ducats of his own money if they let the Jews remain in Sefarad. I remembered how Papa had admired their courage.
    Tears filled Master Abenatar’s eyes. “Yonah and I came to the cemetery to say good-bye to my belovedTova and my little Simon.” He drew a finger along the rough edge of the headstone. “I pray that the good Lord guides us to safety and to new lives, just as he led our people out of Egypt.”

C HAPTER 18
 
F RIDAY , J ULY 13, 1492
    T he shed was stifling and airless in the summer heat. It was hard to know if morning had come because a thick mist blanketed the garden. I had perched myself at the small shed window, to watch for any strangers, when I saw the shape of a man. He came closer and stopped in the doorway. I could finally see his face. It was Yonah. He was carrying a parcel in his hand.
    “I have a surprise for you,” he announced after greeting us.
    He stepped aside and motioned behind him with his hand. Out of the shadows came Yussuf and Sofia. Both slaves were dressed like Yonah. They came inside and I closed the door behind them.
    “What are you doing here?” Mama whispered urgently.
    Sofia dropped to her knees. She grabbed Mama’s hand and kissed it. “Forgive me for coming, my lady, but I could not bear being separated from my young mistress.”
    Mama pulled her up from the ground. “Don’t be foolish. Don’t you realize what could happen to you if you stay with us? The Inquisition might capture you. You might go hungry. Return home! It’s not too late. Nobody knows yet that you came to us.”
    Sofia hung her head. I put my arm around her shoulders.
    Mama turned to Yussuf. Gently, she said, “I am disappointed in you. You should have known better.”
    The Moor bowed deeply. “Forgive me, Doña Catarina. Let us come with you. We’ll be of use to you.”
    I couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Please let them stay, Mama. I would miss them more than I can say.”
    “You are being selfish, Isabel. If the Grand Inquisitor’s people capture us, what do you think will happen to Sofia and Yussuf? They are slaves.”
    “They won’t catch us. I am sure of it.” I prayed quickly that I was right. “With us gone, Sofia and Yussuf would get a new master. Who knows how he would treat them? He might be cruel to them.”
    “Isabel is right,” Papa said. “Yussuf and Sofia arehere already, so let them stay for now. We’ll part from them in Cartagena.”
    Mama nodded, but I could see that she wasn’t happy with Papa’s decision.
    “Let’s not worry about what’ll happen in Cartagena until we get there,” I said.
    “Thank you, master, mistress,” Yussuf said, bowing again. “You won’t regret your decision.”
    Sofia was beaming from ear to ear.
    “How did you find us?” Papa asked.
    Sofia glanced at me. “I was certain that Master Yonah would know where my young mistress was. Yussuf and I went to the Juderia to find him. Fortune was on our side. Master Yonah was just leaving his home to come to you when we arrived.”
    “Sofia is more clever than the familiars or the alguazil,” Yussuf said. “They couldn’t find you, Don Enrique, but she did. Santos led Torquemada’s men when they came for you last night. Santos is so full of hate. They tore the house apart looking for you.”
    “They threatened Yussuf with torture if he didn’t tell them where you were,” Sofia said. “They punched him in the stomach many times.” She shook her head. “And to think that only a few months ago I thought that the Inquisition was fair and just!”
    “Are you all right, Yussuf?” Mama cried.
    “I am fine, my lady. I told them over and over again that I didn’t know how to find you. They finally left.