"'Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God.
Let it be done according to the Law.
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.'
So Ezra rose up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel under oath to do what had been suggested.
And they took the oath." -Ezra 10:3-5
_
In the darkness of a dream, the silhouette of a little girl holds up a blacked out piece of paper.
Little Girl Voice: "Here Papa, I drew this for you!"
Unseen in the nothingness, the scratchy, drunk slurring voice of a man scares the child enough to make her flinch back.
Grumpy Drunk: "Get outta my sight! You ain't my god damn kid!
You're lucky that penny whore mother of yours was loaded, or I'd sell you off for less profit than you're worth..."
