Dark Resurrection

  * * *

  They spent the rest of the day sitting mostly idle in their room, talking of the events of the past few months. Mary mended garments while they conversed, Joseph pointing out that flexibility seemed the best approach for them to take, as many things in their lives had changed. When dusk approached, Joseph and wife headed to Jesus’ room before Euripides did, to inform him of the lies he had told the trader on their way to breakfast. Jesus answered the door, letting them in while his consort lit a lamp. His father sat down in a chair next to a table and related the current situation, his wife taking a seat on the bed.

  “Thanks dad,” said Jesus, taking a seat at the table, “Verily I say, it is good that you lied to him, and I think it would be best to leave tonight to avoid any embarrassing questions.”

  “I agree,” Joseph replied, “That’s all we’d need, for all the rest of the world knows, we've died or disappeared, and we don’t need to screw that up do we?”

  Trader Euripides knocked on the door, accompanied by partner Thales.

  “Come in,” Jesus called.

  The door opened, and Euripides said in passable Latin, “Good evening, James the Samaritan, you look well, this is my partner, Thales of Lydia.”

  Jesus nodded and answered, “You’re looking much better gentlemen, I’m glad to see you’re recovering from your injuries.”

  “We wish to thank you again for what you did for us, how can we repay you?” Thales asked in an uncomfortable but intelligible mumble.

  “Maybe by leaving us alone?” the Magdalene snickered.

  “Mary, watch your mouth!” Jesus exclaimed, glaring at her.

  “That’s what I think, James old boy,” Mary retorted, studying her nails.

  Jesus turned to the traders and said, “There’s no need of payment my friends, simply remember when you see another in trouble, do your very best to help them if you can. In other words, from now on, you should always do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

  “You are a very kind and wise man,” Euripides replied, truly surprised at the generosity of the man he knew as James. Indeed, in this era, not many, if any at all, would have stopped to render assistance to a stranger, as it was usually considered best to care only for one’s own.

  “Thank you,” said Jesus, “Alas, I and my family must be moving on tonight; is there anything else you fellows need before we leave?”

  “Honestly, you’ve done enough for us already, but the robbers took our money and we have no funds available,” a mumbling Thales answered.

  “Hand me my silver satchel woman,” said Jesus, Joseph raising eyebrows.

  The Magdalene handed him the heavy bag of denarii stolen from the robbers, Jesus asking, “How much do you fellows need?”

  “We cannot take charity sir,” said Euripides.

  “It’s not charity to help those truly in need, it is a duty, and I have more money available than I know what to do with. You will need funds to continue in your journey, would a thousand denarii help?”

  “A thousand?” Euripides asked, jaw dropping and voice trailing off.

  “How about two thousand?” Jesus asked, not realizing he was preparing to give them what they considered a fortune.

  “A thousand is more than enough,” a breathless Euripides answered, “Fifty, or even twenty, would suffice.”

  “Consider this your lucky day,” Jesus declared, emptying the bag and dumping a pile of silver coins on a table, “Go ahead and take a couple thousand for your trouble.”

  He pushed two thousand odd coins across the table while Euripides stared at him in awe.

  “Are you sure?” mumbled Thales.

  “I insist,” Jesus answered, folding hands, “You’ll need money to recuperate from your injuries and to continue operating your trading business.”

  “Really, James has more money than even God does,” said Joseph.

  “Take the money and go,” the Magdalene implored, resting her chin on an arm.

  Euripides quickly gathered the silver into a fold in his tunic and prepared to leave, while Jesus rose and asked, “I forgot to ask friends, what exactly are you traders of?”

  “Opium,” said Euripides.

  “Oh yes, opium, I tried that in India,” Jesus replied, fondly recalling the experience.

  “We thank you James the Samaritan,” Thales mumbled with a bow, the pair heading for the door.

  “You’re quite welcome,” said Jesus in the way of a goodbye, closing the door.

  As he turned from the door, Mary asked, “Why did you give them all that money?”

  “I figured it would buy them off. At the rate we’re amassing loot, we’ll soon have enough money to buy Rome, so what does it matter?” said Jesus, leaning against the jamb.

  “I really like your style son,” said Joseph.