I practically pounced on Cousin Mordecai as he walked through the door.

“Cousin!” I yelled, grabbing his hand and dragging him further inside. “What took you so long?”

“Shalom, Hadassah,” he replied, laughing as I yanked him to his seat at the table and plopped down in front of him. He studied my face for a moment.

“There is something on your mind,” he said slowly, “Let us pray and then you can tell me what it is.”

I smiled. Somehow my cousin always knows what I am thinking. It is like he reads my mind — or am I just transparent?

Bowing my head, I listened to Cousin Mordecai’s prayer as he thanked Adonai for the food, and for his goodness towards us. Somehow, whenever Cousin Mordecai prayed I felt like I could feel Adonai’s very presence. It is as though the Creator comes down just to hear him pray. I wish I knew Him like that. 

 “Amen,” I whispered as he finished. 

“So what is in my little cousin’s mind today?” he looked up and smiled teasingly.

I frowned. He always had to add the ‘little cousin’ part. 

 “Well,” I began eagerly, “I heard that the king banished Queen Vashti!” I was almost shouting and surprised myself with my excitement. Trying to contain myself I took up a spoonful of soup and shoved it into my mouth. 

“And where did you hear such news, dear?” he asked curiously.

“Dita told me.”

“And where did she hear that?” 

“In the market. Meira told her.”

Cousin Mordecai laughed. “How does Meira know so much about the palace?” 

“It’s true then?” I was puzzled. Why would the king banish Queen Vashti? She is not just very pretty, but also kind, honorable, and wise. 

My cousin interrupted my thoughts, answering my unspoken question. 

“She was banished because she chose not to parade herself before a large group of drunken men.” His voice carried a hint of bitterness.

I was just as unsettled as Cousin Mordecai, as he told me the story between bites of soup: The king threw a lavish feast that took place over the last seven days. During this time the king became very drunk and just as foolish. He commanded seven of his chamberlains to bring the queen before him with her royal crown. He wished to show off her beauty as if she were a prized horse or an expensive chariot. 

I scowled. “So the king punished Vashti because she respected herself,” I concluded.  

“Yes, but it is more than that.” Cousin Mordecai said slowly, “I think she was mainly punished because of her disobedience. Vashti was an example to all the women throughout Susa of what will happen if wives disobey their husbands.” 

“Well, that king has lost something very valuable, and when he comes to his senses, if he ever does, he will regret it.”

My cousin nodded in agreement. 

Standing, I began to clear the table. 

“What will the king do for a new queen?” I asked, suddenly stopping and nearly making the bowls crash to the floor.

“I don’t know,” Cousin Mordecai responded playfully, “Maybe he will come and fetch you!”

I laughed.