The 13th Enumeration by William Struse, Rachel Starr Thomson

alternative, he had decided to take them back to the States in hopes he could find out who she was and return them. He was sure the book of Psalms was very special to her.
    Still fidgeting for a comfortable position, Zane picked up a magazine from the pocket of the seat in front of him and started thumbing through it. It was one of those tourism magazines the airline and destination country sometimes put in airplanes to advertise places and events. As he was turning the pages, he did a double take and turned the page back. There she was . . . in an advertisement for an upcoming benefit concert for the grand opening of a new wing of the Jerusalem Antiquities Museum. She was one of the performers, along with a string ensemble from the Israel National Philharmonic Orchestra. The fine print at the bottom of the page read, “Rachael Neumann will be playing Beethoven’s ‘Sonata Pathetique.’”
    So her name was Rachael Neumann. Not only a great, although reckless, climber, but an accomplished pianist. In the picture, she was dressed in a formal white evening gown that left no doubt as to the fact that she was not only quite a woman, but also most definitely a lady. If she played the piano half as well as she climbed, that would be a performance worth seeing. At least now he could Google her and see if she was okay, as well as find a way to get her things back to her. He would take care of that as soon as he got home.
    Many hours later, Zane disembarked, picked up his luggage, and hailed a taxi. The taxi dropped him off at the college dorm where he was staying. Taking out Rachael’s backpack, he set it next to his desk, and when he had finished unpacking, he sat down and Googled her. With a few clicks, he had her address. He sat for a few moments deciding whether or not he should send a note along with her things. He didn’t want to make a big deal about what he had done, but some gesture would be nice, he thought. What should he do?
    Yes, that would do nicely. Taking out his climbing gear, he cut off five inches of his climbing rope and removed the inner core, leaving the soft, colorful casing. After melting both ends of the casing so they wouldn’t fray, he opened her book to Psalm 116 and placed his newly made bookmark there. A psalm of deliverance: “For thou has delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.”
    Both of them had reason to appreciate this psalm. His conscious mind still didn’t know how he been able to make that leap without falling. His spirit told him he’d had help. Reading the psalm one last time, he closed the book and replaced it in her backpack.
     
    I love YHWH, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of YHWH; O YHWH, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is YHWH, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. YHWH preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for YHWH hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before YHWH in the land of the living. I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto YHWH for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of YHWH. I will pay my vows unto YHWH now in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of YHWH is the death of his saints. O YHWH, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of YHWH. I will pay my vows unto YHWH now in the presence of all his people, in the courts of YHWH’S house, in