Chapter 3
“Rachael, what have we done? All his life, have we not given him everything? Have we not provided him a life that the vast majority of the kids out there only dream of? Have I ever turned him away, ever treated him as David treated Absalom? I raised him to love God, and to love Torah. Oh God!!! Why have You driven my son from me?? What have I done??!! I have been strict, but loving; always following the examples set forth in Your scriptures. How could this be? Please bring my Elijah back to me!” His heart-wrenching sobs force his prayer to end, albeit momentarily. He continued to replay the argument they had after synagogue today about Elijah’s future. It was what Sarah told him that confirmed all that he feared, and all he could hear were Elijah’s final words to him ...
“I’m free!!!” With that, he bolted into the tree line towards nothing in particular, just knowing that he was now responsible for gathering all his own food, locating water, building shelter, and surviving the elements. Sure, he had been on several hikes through these woods, but he had to admit that he really didn’t know the rules of survival in this very hostile and unforgiving environment. Nor did he have the proper clothing or equipment, but none of this occurred to him as he ran aimlessly yet purposefully farther and farther away from the suffocating expectations of his previous life, and deeper and deeper into the grips of death.
“Yoni, have you seen or heard from Elijah?”
“No, what’s the matter?”
“Oy vey! He’s left home! He told me that I would never...” Zvi's words were drowned out by the sobs welling up from a place he had not previously known existed. “He said I would never see or talk to him again. I have no idea where he is. I’ve called all his friends and talked to their parents. How do you think that makes me look? The Rabbi can’t even control his own family! What the people must be saying right now!”
“Zvi, the last thing you need to be worrying about is what your congregants are thinking about you. Let’s worry about finding Eli. Have you contacted the police yet?”
“Not yet. I wanted to make sure he wasn’t at one of his friends’ house or with you before calling them. Oh Yoni, what have I done?” Zvi couldn't restrain the trainwreck of emotion overtaking him. “Eli, Eli, come back! God, please...if only You’ll bring back my Elijah, I promise not to pressure him to do things he doesn’t want to do. He can do whatever he wants, and regardless of what that is...even if he runs off and becomes a...a......Christian, perish the thought! I’ll be proud of him and love him unconditionally. Just like how You love me. Please God, bring back my son.”
Mike stopped and looked to see which mountain Eric was referring to.
“Yeah, really! Why do they call it that?”
Mike had no idea, but the need in him to always have the answer for his kids compelled him to spin one of the most creative stories he had ever told.
“Well kids, it’s a tragic story, really. I’m not sure you’d want to hear it.” It was bait, and they were biting.
“Yeah, Dad! I want to know, too!” Micah was so cute, pleading with her big brown eyes, her mother’s eyes.
“Ok guys. Here’s the story of Three-Finger Jack.” At that very moment, the most blood-chilling sound, a shriek, sounded out across the valley. No doubt it was heard for miles; and there’s no doubt that it was recognized immediately by all who heard it as a very large, very angry mountain lion. Especially Elijah, who was nearly close enough to reach out and feel the massive, powerful muscles rippling under his fur in anticipation of the savage mauling he was about to impart.
No man has existed since the likes of Samson and David that could stand face to face with such an animal, the ultimate predator, and not be reduced to a mass of Jell-O. Elijah was in no way as courageous as Samson or David, though he was no sissy. Nevertheless, looking face to face with one of the most fearsome animals on earth broke Elijah down. He was paralyzed with sheer terror...his mouth was dry as chalk...his skin felt as though it slid off and pooled in his shoes. A fraction of a second felt like an eternity as both of them pondered their options. Now, Elijah wasn’t sure what the huge cat was thinking, but if decided to attack, he was hoping it would be quick and painless. The idea of being batted and shredded like a toy rubbed in cat nip didn’t appeal to him, nor did images of this cougar pulling his half-eaten body up into a tree. As quickly as those thoughts slipped through his mind, he saw the muscles in the lion’s huge shoulders twitch...Elijah flinched and the cougar leapt right at his head, and as he did so, Elijah reacted and ducked just in time to save his life, but the massive right paw caromed across the right side of his face, leaving a mangled, shredded, bloody mess of skin. He turned to see the cougar disappear into the tree line and out of sight.
“That was a mountain lion, sweetheart. Don’t be afraid. They go out of their way to avoid people.”
“But Dad...” Eric was visibly shaken also... “that sounded really close. What if it’s still in the area...or...or heading toward us?”
“Everything is fine, kids!” He was probably just letting us know that he’s here...maybe as a courtesy. He’s probably long gone by now. C’mon you two, I can see the ridge from here.”
Eric and Micah exchanged nervous glances, but trusted their father to protect them and not lead them into a dangerous situation. Mike prayed silently that the huge cat went in the opposite direction as well.
