Chapter One

Eleanor Bell lounge on the balcony porch overlooking Palestinian slums of the West Bank. While smoking a fresh rolled joint of weed. Even Jews smoke pot; they sell it online through Hebrew forums. Eleanor has a secret stash of Bitcoins on her computer. Her husband thinks here virtual wallet is a math game for the kids. Cause, as the man of the house (according to the Bible) he’s in control of the finances and the family. Which is why Eleanor is in Israel smoking pot. On the other side of the sliding glass door is the famous 1941 painting, "Head of Christ". Little high from the weed Eleanor had a conversation with the picture of Jesus.

"I know it’s not your fault. Because of Andrew parents misuse of your word, he wouldn’t be chasing tail. First from his young sisters when he was a teen. After "so-called" help from the church he’s still chasing tail years later. With a slutty twenty year old with a hidden penis. That ended their careers on TV!" She puff some more pot, blowing the smoke straight up the ceiling. "The conservative bible-belt couple with twenty-five kids; is what I married into. The most controversial family on reality TV. Because of this, the events of the past resurface. But I don’t blame you. You’re not stuck in the Holy land by the in-laws."

Eleanor met her husband Andrew Bell when they were in college. She didn’t know his family claim to fame. Andrew is the oldest of twenty-five children. His mother gave birth to fifteen. Pretended to bore the ten other children through illegal adoption exchanges. The last six kids had their fake births on camera. Since Andrew was home-schooled he had little interaction with girls. Eleanor was the first girl to woo into marriage. Eleanor felt pity on Andrew for not having the opportunity to make friends with the opposite sex.

She had the chance to get up from her chair to lean on the balcony rail. Eleanor spotted a blue compact car making a turn towards her building. "Shit, they’re coming", ducking from street view. She butt out her joint in a plant pot. Sprayed the pot with strong odor eliminator. Walk fast pass the one room living room/kitchen; dinning to a slim hallway. Her and Andrew room is at the end of the hallway. Their oldest and youngest daughter sleep in the left room. Their oldest son, plus the 3 month old baby sleep on the right. Her room is small, but enough room for dresser and drawers. Open the dresser to pull out a square cardboard box. Eleanor dropped her sweatpants, put it in the box. She slide it all the back only to by her when alone. Yanking a long khaki skirt from the hanger. Once Eleanor zipped up the skirt she head out the room. By the time she arrived at the main entrance the door open.

Esther Bell is Andrew mother. You know she an old fashion conservative when her dress is modest and plain. Esther hair bunned up to the crown. For having fifteen kids her weight has some curves, but no amount of fat hanging out. Esther had the grandchildren for the day attending a bible camp outside Tel Aviv. There’s several Christian churches in Israel. They were force to attend a certain church by Andrew parents. Along with all his other decisions.

The children hugged their mother. It was just the three kids, Jonah 6, Mary Esther 4, and Martha May 2. The baby, Jessie is three months and staying with one of Andrew sisters on the second floor. All twenty-four siblings live on the second floor of their shabby apartment building. Andrew father wanted the whole family to on one roof. Even if it’s a lousy building where the majority of the residents is poor Palestinians. Eleanor was glad to see the kids, but not glad Esther sent them to their rooms. Insisting

they pray for their salvation while the adults talk. Esther is creating a sense of control on Andrew and Eleanor lives since the scandal. "Sorry these living spaces are not what you’re use to", Esther sat on the couch. Eleanor sat on a sofa chair slow, pondering how they got to a horrible looking apartment. "All I can do is blame those fake men and fake women for moving us here."

Esther stretched the truth a whole lot. Being an ultra-conservative family, modern day styles never have been their "cup of tea". They support politicians who fight the modern style that plague America. Making speeches, recorded calls, video messages on the subject of transgender rights. Against the right to use the dressing and bath room of the gender they transformed in. Secular crowds hated them for it, tried to get their show canceled. Due to blackmail tactics by the Bells the show stayed on air. The ACLU blackmail the Bells county. Discovering Andrew fondling of his sisters, and a botch "scared straight" with county sheriff. They sold the info to the tabloids.

When word got out about the Bells and Andrew problem the show canceled in a blink. Trying so hard to get their show alive they went into attack mode. First, going after the tabloids for printing the uncomfortable situation. But the tabloids were one step a head of them. Disclosing the recent plays Andrew has made. Having an emotional affair with a transgender hooker. That hooker worked with the tabloid to take the story and haul it to the masses. Once this most recent situation came out to the world Andrew quit his job at the mayor of Charleston office. Andrew went to a faith-based rehab for six months. Once out the entire family relocated to the one place they felt safe; Israel.

"Don’t worry, with Pa and Andrew new jobs we’ll be able to move in to a better home in time for the new baby." That was one subject Eleanor rather not talk, including to the mother-in-law. As soon as Andrew got out of a faith-based sex rehab there was word of wanting another baby from Eleanor. Instead of mentioning the baby idea she ask for a favor.

"Is now a good time to call my parents?" Esther smiled, "now is a excellent time to call your parents". They moved to the kitchen/dinning room, three footstep from the living room. Eleanor grab the cordless phone from the wall. Sat down on a small oval table where Esther in a quiet good mood sat next to her. After dialing the phone Eleanor smiled, indicating someone answered the phone. "Hello mom. We just settled into our new place".

He mother ask what their new home look like. "It’s...?", Eleanor stumbled a little bit as Esther place her hand on her arm. Making sure Eleanor didn’t disclose the true space of their apartment. When they arrived in Israel it felt no one knew who the Bells were or the scandal that lead them to the Holy Land. Unbeknownst to them the average Israeli has access to the internet. The real estate agent in secret knew about them too. Just for laughs the agent located them to the poor, unsecured part of Jerusalem, near the West Bank. A majority of the tenants are either Palestinian or elderly Jews deferred by the state. The Bells are taking the living arrangement serious. Putting into theory, a punishment from God for Andrew various paths to the dark side.

Esther wanted Eleanor to put a positive spin on their new place. "It’s a lovely home outside of Jerusalem." Her mother continued by asking if the area looked safe. The country known for it’s terrorist acts on the news. Just a couple of days ago a sound of gunshots and bomb pops occurred in the middle of the night. Esther knew the question would come up. Putting more pressure on Eleanor arm. Eleanor knew she had to scrabble for a lie quick. "It’s the most safest places you could live in." Esther loosen her hand on Eleanor arm when the conversation took a turn towards the kids. After a few seconds she let go of the arm and waited till the phone call ended. Eleanor is use to the mild abuses in the hands of Esther. The pressing of arm during phone conversation with parents. One time, Esther cut off her phone

when media reported Eleanor was going to move in with her parent. That fact was true, she was going to stay with her parents for only a few weeks for a visit. For the six months Andrew was in rehab Eleanor, their kids stayed in the basement of the in-laws maga house. The accommodations were just like the apartment they’re living in Israel. She trying to make the most of a bad situation for the sake of her children. But, it’s hard to have a clear head with the fog of Andrew parents.