“No man could resist your charms, which, as I could see last night at the embassy garden, you showered on Daniel. No straight man, anyway.” Leslie raised his hands as though cupping clouds and then gently lowered them down to earth.

“He has a secret code I couldn’t begin to crack, even if I wanted to.” She felt a light blush rise in her cheeks. “He’s impervious to looks, fame, or money.”

“He’s smart enough to know that each of your platinum records is equivalent to a Ph.D.”

“He’s smart enough to remember that I’m married.”

“Anyway, he’s flat-footed. You wouldn’t be interested.”

She burst out laughing. “Flat-footed? Otherwise he’s perfect?”

“Oh, yes, that scar of his.” Leslie's eyes took on a dreamy glaze. “Too bad he isn’t gay. I could go for him myself.”

She regarded Leslie. His silhouette was exquisite. Softly, she said, “Must be tough being alone. All this traveling can’t be helping any.”

Leslie's lower jaw, strong and square, slacked in a rare show of emotion. “It’s fun looking for love in all the wrong places.” He touched her arm. “Time to meditate and think positive thoughts.” In imitation of the Tai Chi group, his hands extended outward, the fingers bunched up as though milking life’s potion from the air.

Yoram twirled a straw between his teeth and hummed something foreign. She indicated to him to keep his distance, then turned the stroller with the sleeping baby and followed the gurgling sounds of a small waterfall. It cascaded into a pond tucked behind an imposing jagged rock formation. Pierced with water holes, the rock looked as though it had been dropped there at Creation.

There was symbolism in many things Chinese. That was the mystery, the allure of this hidden pond. Beauty was better enjoyed when stumbled upon. Nola settled down on a flat rock at the edge of the water, curled her legs into a lotus position, and placed her index finger in Lulu’s palm. The little fist closed on her finger, warm, innocent, so flawlessly waiting for life to happen. Even the miniature nails were a miracle of existence. Her baby.

But as in her childhood, there was a trade-off.

The wind rustled through the cluster of cattails. Nola sat still, breathing in the chalky smell of drying stones and the green fragrance of freshly clipped shrubs, and wished she could transport herself into a meditative state like Daniel and Leslie could do. Years before, during the months when she had sought Judaism, the spiritual end wasn’t meditation as it was a connection all the way back to the traditions and history of the Jews.