Sacred Scrolls; Chapter 49

 

Sacred Scrolls; Chapter 49

© 2021 by Amber Wright

LIKE THE WIND, IT PASSES

“I'm getting huge!” Judith rolled her eyes, clasping her hands over her bulging stomach as she sat with her feet dangling into the stream. “I wonder how much it will weigh.”

“You mean, you wonder how much she'll weigh.” Junia giggled, slashing droplets of water into the air. “As a matter of fact, Judith, babies do have genders.”

“Yes, I know. Rufus always says he so I simply say it—to please you both.”

“How kind.”

“Actually, Rufus is having his doubts about the he part. He says if you have any say about it, it'll be a girl.” Judith gave her a grin.

“He calls me headstrong, right? In so many words...” Junia looked away, pretending to be offended.

“Now, now, Junia. He's only teasing.”

“You can tell him if he has any part in it,” Junia threw off her pretended offended look and smiled widely, “which he has, very much—it's definitely going to be a girl!”

“Why's that?”

“Ask him why he built a rose trellis in your latticed patio if he didn't have a feminine side,” Junia felt her laugh bubble out from her as she crossed her arms. “Wait till I see his face!”

“My rose trellis—don't remind me!” Judith moaned, closing her eyes. “The wind is whispering through the mulberry trees, the roses are in full bloom...”

“The vines are weighed down with juicy grapes,” Junia closed her own eyes to envision their home. Old home, she corrected herself with a little sigh. “We've just drawn our water from the well for the evening. The sun is setting—“

“You're holding Nika in your lap,” Judith broke into her sentence and broke into a giggle as well, “and Demetrius is staring at you with all the galaxies in his drippily sweet eyes.”

“Don't remind me!” Junia groaned, covering her face with her hands. Life could so treacherous sometimes, such as moments as these. Memories! She popped her eyes open, willing herself to the life of the present. “It's bad enough that our homes are burnt to ashes and our beautiful roses and grapes have withered dry—dead. Now, let's fix our mind on other things, if you please.”

“At least it's a little cooler,” Judith glanced up at the forever soaring birds in the blue skies.

“Maybe it's because our feet are in the water.”

“Oh dear! How will I ever get back up again?”

“I'll roll you.” Junia made a face, “If I don't break my back first.”

Judith replied to that comment with a frown; then, she giggled again cheerfully. “What would we do if we didn't have the wit and wisdom of—“

“Junia, Tiria and me!” Tarsus plopped herself down beside them on the little bank and poked her bare feet into the cool water. “Hello, Junia and Judith. How you're glad to see me.”

“We are,” Junia off-kiltered Judith's welcome.

They had not been chatting for over five minutes when Nicolas' voice appeared behind them. “Hello, girls. I hope I'm not intruding.”

“Have a seat.” Judith told him, feet swishing away.

Junia said nothing.

When Nicolas sat beside Tarsus, the girl gave him a frown. “Why did you have to perfectly spoil our conversation? And I only just got here.”

“Because I wanted to perfectly spoil your conversation,” Nicolas did a half-hearted-looking grin. “What were you all talking about?”

“About how I'm in love with Polycarp,” Tarsus smiled sweetly like a little girl. “Isn't that interesting news?”

When Nicolas started to get up, Tarsus pulled his elbow down hard. “No, you don't. Tiria doesn't need to know.”

Nicolas sat down again, silent, staring moodily into the sky. Junia watched his expression grow morbid and she wanted to laugh. But she did not dare. He would get so offended. Her stifled laugh grew into a subdued smile. “So, how are you going to propose, Tarsus?”

“I think I'll have Tiria propose for me,” giggled Tarsus and Nicolas began muttering. She turned to him, “Practicing a speech, Nicolas?”

He gave her a stony expression, then looked away.

“Are you actually in love with Polycarp?” Judith asked Tarsus.

“No, he's too old for me.” Tarsus said chirpily as she plucked what looked like fuzz balls from her robe. “Besides, if I was foolish enough to, Tiria would sell me to the Arabs for sure.”

“How old are you?” Nicolas' face brightened.

“Fourteen. I'll be fifteen sometime soon, but I don't like to think of my birthday.”

“Why?”

“Because my grandmother died on my fifth birthday,” Tarsus glanced away, a troubled frown etching onto her face.

“I'm sorry,” Nicolas actually sounded concerned.

Tarsus gave him a nod, her voice very quiet. “Thank you.”

Wonders never cease, Junia's attention returned to her wonderfully-feeling toes under the cool water as the sun burned down upon her neck. Nicolas was turning nice.

~

“Happy birthday!” Junia, her sisters, Judith, Andronika and the other girls chorused as Tarsus entered their hut.

Tarsus gaped in shock as Junia thrust into her hands the honey cake baked with large soft nuts and glazed in sweet icing. “Thank you—thank you all, girls.”

Junia was certain she saw Tarsus' eyes grow tearful so she gave the girl a cheerful hug. “We thought a little girls' party would help us to—celebrate. I wish you a happy, happy day!”

Tarsus sat on a reed-woven chair, the cake in her lap, staring wonderingly at it. “What am I supposed to do with this—eat this whole thing?” She giggled, “I feel like it. It looks so good. I can guess who made it. Junia.”

“Tiria.” Junia felt her smile stretch from veil pin to veil pin. She bent over to whisper in Tarsus' ear, “I believe she's thanking you for not falling in love with Polycarp.”

Tarsus giggled again, nodding her head in different directions. “Have a seat, my fair ladies. I bid you welcome. Let the cake begin!”

Mary brought the tray of plates and spoons to Tarsus and her cake. “Do you want to cut it, or—”

“You, please?”

Mary took the cake and Rhoda poured the pitcher of milk into cups.

Junia sat down next to Tarsus. “I remember being fifteen,” she took a sip of milk. “It was the year I grew up.”

“You mean, the year you met Demetrius.” Tiria plopped down next to her with a huge smile. “That year, I envied you—to be my perfectly blunt self.”

“Then did you powder your skin to cover up the green?”

“No, I had the Roman on my mind—such as he was.” Tiria frowned, “He dumped me after two months—just like a man!”

“I'm glad he did.”

Tiria shot her a questioningly glance.

“I mean, then you would never have met Polycarp, properly.”

“Oh,” Tiria wiped the glare off her face.

“I don't plan to fall in love,” Tarsus said importantly and spooned a bite of sweet honey cake into her mouth. She made a dreamy face. “Tiria, this is sublime! You and Polycarp should go into eatery business.”

“Thank you. But you don't plan on falling in love. It just happens,” Tiria's voice ended in a growl, and she took a gulp of milk.

“If it makes me growl like that,” Tarsus smirked sideways at her, “I'll start digging my grave. I'd prefer to end on a happy note.”

“It's not that bad.” Tiria tapped her feet, suddenly looking around at all the silent faces. “Why is everyone staring at us? Talk!” She dug her spoon into her cake, the fierce one once again.

Junia took the scene in mentally, adding to herself, Tiria is like the wind—that blows north, south, east and west. But then, what would we do without the wind? Go stale. She stifled a laugh. With Tiria around, life would never be stale. Ever.

~

After they had eaten cake, they took a walk outside to the stream and sat along the bank, dipping their feet into the cool water. The intense heat was hotter than ever.

“When I was fifteen,” Mary's head was tilted to the sun. To her, the giant rays of heat always refreshed her skin, she said, even on the hottest of hot days. “Rhoda was twelve.”

“And I was seven,” Junia smiled mischievously. “That's when Epaphras showed up with his winning smile.”

“Yes,” Mary gave her little sister a twinkling smile. “We were in Ephesus and I believe that's when Linus first showed up as well.”

“With his brazen armor and razor-sharp sword!” Junia wore a dramatized voice, splashing her feet for emphasis. “And Rhoda has never been the same since.”

“Let's not exaggerate, Ad'herfi.” Rhoda rolled her eyes but with a smile. “We've completely lost you to sensible conversation ever since you met Demetrius.”

“Uh-uhm?” Junia cleared her throat, frowning her brows deep.

“Well, almost.”

“When I was fifteen, Paul was born.” Claudia glanced around expectantly. “By the way, where is he?”

“Linus promised to keep him put,” Rhoda answered with a little chuckle. “This is a girls party. We wanted it nice and relaxing.”

“Well, he can be relaxing sometimes,” Junia put in for her little cute nephew who only had to smile his cute little smile and she gave him his way. Well, not always—entirely, she smiled and frowned together. Paul just never takes 'no' for an answer. I must keep my sanity somehow! The thought made her giggle and she saw the girls shooting her puzzled looks. “Nothing, just a funny thought.”

“Share it,” Tarsus' eyes begged her. “Please, it's my birthday?”

“I just thought why I give in to Paul all the time. Guess why?”

“Because he's your pet?” Mary shook her head but with a smirk.

“Because he tells you to?” Rhoda had that look that she knew she was right. She had been around Linus too long.

Junia shook her head. “No, not entirely.”

“Because he's adorable!” Julia leaned up, her eyes hoping she had been right.

“Because his black curly hair is hard to resist?” Tiria grinned a Tiria grin.

“No,” Junia shot Tiria a dancing expression. “Sounds like Polycarp. As much as you pretend to hate taking orders, you'll be spoon-feeding him—again.” She watched Tiria's smile fade as she looked away, actually speechless. “Guess again, girls.” She slapped her toes against the surface of the water. Little bubbles formed, then flattened.

“I give in,” Chloe shrugged, looking more than a little downcast.

Poor girl. I hope she brightens some. Please, God? For a moment, Junia was lost in thought as she tried to think up a way to cheer her.

“Because he's my nephew?” Claudia laughed a Linus laugh.

“No. Anyone else guessing?”

“Because he reminds you of Demetrius?” Judith watched her closely. “Of course. Don't start blushing, Junia. We all know.”

“Know what ?”

“Everything.”

“Not everything.” Junia chirped, feeling her face grow hotter than just from the sun. “You haven't guessed the right answer. One more guess.”

“You give Paul his way all the time because—“ Andronika smiled calmly. “Alright. I made one guess and you fill in the blank.”

“To keep my sanity!”

“Won't Paul love that?” Rhoda laughed.

“And Linus,” Judith elbowed Rhoda. “You know how much the two act alike.”

“Positively!” Rhoda made a crazy expression. “I never had my sanity. That's how I've never lost it.”

“No, you don't, Rhoda.” Junia felt her hiccups penetrate her words with little stops. “You're completely sane—just like me.”

“Consolation!” Rhoda moaned.

“I know. Insanity runs in the genes,” Judith finished smartly, “so if she's insane, Junia, you are too. Right?”

“Right.” Junia prayed she was not, although she'd felt like it occasionally in the past several months. “But I'm not. We're both completely healthy in the minds.”

“Thank you, Junia.” Rhoda leaned up and almost tilted into the stream. She caught the bank with both hands. “That was one piece of sensible conversation there.”

“As always,” Junia made a silly grin, then turned to look around.

Every face looked happy—including Chloe's—and every foot swished around in the stream. The sun was still beating on top of their heads and faces but their chilly toes cooled the rest of themselves off. What a happy day! I wish it would never end. She smiled aimlessly around, up and then down into the bubbling, crisp clear water. She sat there, content, happy when she remembered the good times to help them through the bad times, glad she had found home in the middle of nowhere.

~

Jason's appearance—or, his lack of appearance—made Junia feel uneasy. Had his threat been a spew of words or really a threat? She chewed on her thumbnails night after night, wondering, What will Jason do?

The bad times were upon them again. Chloe was back to doom and gloom, so Junia thought. Judith's stomach grew bigger by the passing days and made her uncomfortable. Andronika fussed over Nika's sprouting teeth. Rhoda complained of a headache, probably from Paul's insistent demands. Everyone tried to stay out of each other's way for they had been stuck in the same cave together for five straight months now. Nerves were nerves, to say the least.

Junia mentally gave herself a shake. No sense worrying yourself, she argued with herself. It doesn't help a bit. She chopped the red vegetables fiercely, barely missing her fingers. But I can't help worrying. It's only natural. Chop, chop. Stop. Save your sanity. Chop, chop, chop. But what if I don't want to save my sanity! A little fly buzzed around her eyes, as if she was the only thing in the entire massive cavern. She gave the fly a knock with her forehead. The fly flew off...for a short while; then, it came back with three other flies. They charged at her like a little troop of soldiers—insect soldiers.

Junia felt herself warring with thoughts. Is it because Matthias said last night that Demetrius and his sister are good friends? Don't be such a cat. One of the flies landed on her nose. She shook it off, batting her eyelashes that were filling with sweat. No, it isn't! I mean...I don't care. Anymore. I'm hot, sweaty, cramped, miserable! She groaned, glancing out of the huge cavern entrance that was flooding with heat and sunshine. But she had to see to chop the vegetables so there she must remain until she finished her cutting.

Outside, even though the green landscape was transforming into golden shades and brilliant reds, the sun was just as hot. Or hotter. She watched Chloe walk past her, looking glum, and she threw an exasperated glance upward. What do we do, Lord? Shrivel up and die to make it easier or just...? She frowned. She should not be questioning the Lord, especially when He had precisely told her that He had a perfect Plan for her. A Plan for Demetrius. A plan them all.

Junia caught herself. Demetrius. Yes, a plan for Demetrius, she began to chop the vegetables fiercely again, which probably doesn't include me. Oh why? She blinked quickly, feeling her eyes fill with sweat. This time, her eyes stung hotly. Thoughts jammed inside her head. August glooms bring September dooms! She felt a growl escape her, and felt a little sharp pain in her left hand. She focused her eyes onto her work.

“Oh!” The slice in her palm was emerging blood—bright red blood. She closed her eyes with a deep gulp as the knife clattered onto the table. “Dear God, what have I done this time to—”

“Are you alright?” came from Julia, cutting celery.

A Few Greek Words:

Fil'os: friend

Meh'tehr: mother

Pah'tehr: father

Adher'fi: sister

Adher'fos: brother