Chapter Four: The Final Hour

After a shower I changed into a white tank top and light blue jeans, I sat at the round table. Eden, Bethel, and Rupert were setting the table, Rosemariee was with Daniel lounging on the couch, Cornelius was on the phone by the kitchen mesh door. Dinner! Eden shouted. Daniel and Rosemariee continued talking as they got their seats next to each other, Eden sat near me on my right, Bethel on my left, and Cornelius next to Bethel, Rupert sat in the middle of Daniel and Cornelius. Time for prayer. Rupert said smiling. It got quiet.
The floor is all yours Princess. Rupert said quietly. All eyes were now on me. Blessed art thou God our Lord, who bringeth forth bread from the Earth. Blessed are we who consume thus bread. Blessed are we who drinketh upon the wine He bringeth forth from grapevines. I sat back down as we said amen and began passing food to eat.
So how was everyone s day? Eden said before a mouthful of broccoli. Good. Rupert said.
Could be better. Bethel said.
Amazing. Daniel said, his blue eyes boring my head trying to get my attention.
I loved it because we are alive. Rosemariee said excitedly.
I hated it. Cornelius said.
Eden head popped up looking at her secret lover. Everyone stopped and slowly turned there face towards Cornelius who continued to eat like he hadn t said anything. Why is that, Cornelius? Bethel asked before Eden could.
He shrugged and looked at me from under his gaze. What game is he playing? Well I hope it s okay now. Eden said looking worried.
What s going on? Daniel voiced the question bouncing in my head.
Nothing. Eden said defensively. :Sure sounds like a lot of something. Daniel said. He stopped eating and his intense, pacific blue eyes, were now on Eden. She looked ready for a fight, she gritted her teeth and let her silverware clatter to her plate. I stopped eating and looked up, Eden was challenging Daniel with her eyes, Cornelius loomed in the back watching the internal struggle between Eden and Daniel, Rosemairee ate happily and Bethel leaned back in her chair looking bored and a bit amused. Enough. I said sternly, they all looked at me shocked.
I stood up and looked at all of them.
I know what the struggle is about, I looked at Eden who clamped her teeth, and I don t need to read your mind for that. I said looking at her.
She looked down ashamed.
Brothers and sisters, is this how we act at the table? Surely I have taught you better. I shook my head. I know the one who sits here who will betray me. I know all three of them, and I ve known from the start, but I didn t say anything because I wanted you to see that even though I know I m willing to die still. Who? Bethel asked leaning forward now.
Take this bowl of grapes, eat one, all of you. This is the marking of the last covenant God will make to his people. Eat it, do it in remembrance of me. That marks my soul I will give for your redemption. I passed the bowl around, first to Bethel, then to Rosemariee, then to Daniel, then to Rupert, then to Cornelius, and when it got to Eden I said, take this wine and drink it. Do this in remembrance of me, this is the blood I will shed marking the last covenant. I passed it around again, the same way the bowl had gone.
When everyone was done, I remained standing. They looked at me expectantly, Rosemariee flipped her hair, Eden folded her arms, Rupert folded his hands, Daniel looked like he was trying to communicate mentally with me, Bethel looked at Cornelius who looked angry. When will they learn I am not the bad guy, but the opposite? I contained the urge to sigh.
The people to betray me are, I broke a piece of bread and gave it to Eden first. Eden, take this and go. This is the symbol of what My Brother did, he died for your sins. And your sin will be betraying the Daughter of Light. Take that bread and go. Daniel, and Rupert jaw dropped; Rosemairee gasped, Cornelius stood up aggravated. If she goes, I do too. I don t even believe you. She is who she says she is! Rupert defended me toppling over his plate as he stood.
Eden looked sad.
How do you know? She s throwing out her advisors as we speak. Cornelius challenged Rupert.
She s the Daughter of God she knows these things, have you forgotten that your great grandfather Judas did the same to her Brother? Rupert threw in his face. Cornelius backed up as if he d been slapped and grabbed the arm of Eden.
You all are sick twisted people. He looked at everyone, and then his fiery hazel eyes landed on me, and you, you re a liar, I know you are. You are not Judith, the Redeemer but someone who wants to be her. Go screw yourself you sinning asshole. He spat in my face.
That s enough! Daniel stood hitting the table sending the cup of wine on the floor, spilling.
Oh! Rosemairee got up to clean it.
Shut up Daniel. Get out Cornelius before you get the kicking of a lifetime. By who? Me! Bethel, Rupert, and Daniel said at once. Cornelius shouted and then turned to leave.
Wait! I called picking up another piece of bread.
I accept Jesus but I rebuke you. he grabbed the bread and marched out grabbing Eden s arm.
Things were quiet, Rosemariee cleaned the spilled wine, Daniel sat rubbing his temple, Rupert looked out the window as Cornelius started his yellow Daytona Charger and took off with Eden.
You said there was three. That was two, who s the next traitor? Bethel asked. Daniel s eyes shot up, Rosemairee looked at me again, Rupert looked at me from under his hooded gaze.
I think that s enough for tonight. I said. I walked towards Daniel and touched his shoulder, he smiled. I hugged Bethel who kissed both cheeks, Rupert shook my hand and Rosemairee offered to spend the night with me.
I agreed.
I went up to my room and sat on the little cot my the window peering out into the window into the sunny day of March. A knock at my door.
Come. I called not moving. I felt a warm pale arm around me, holding me, his breath smelled like warm mashed potatoes. Are you okay? He whispered in my ear.
I wish I could love you, too bad I won t be here much longer. I m fine Daniel. I said looking at his arm.
He removed it and sat on my bed diagonal to the little cot.
That was some revelation at dinner. He smirked.
Daniel was quite a stunning man, broad shouldered, 5 7, always wearing expensive cologne, with navy hair and eyes like the pacific that looked like ice when he was thinking. He wore a grey t-shirt now with dark blue jeans, his dog tags around his neck which basically stated he was a gamer. He smiled at me leaning over.
My heartbeat picked up.
What do you do to me Daniel? I laughed looking at him.
Yeah it was. How are you feeling? I asked. This is the one place where I don t have to talk in parables. My home and with Daniel.
I feel like everything was a lie. How? I actually thought of Eden and Cornelius as family. He laid back on my bed.
They are, we are all family. You know what I mean. You are sons, and daughters of Adam and Eve right? I stood up and walked to the bed where I sat looking down at him.
Yeah, but what I meant was they looked so normal. He seemed lost in thought.
I looked at him, his eyes were focussed on the ceiling above, it seemed like he was lost in thought.
They are normal. I spoke quietly. My voice brought him back to Earth, he smiled.
They are, but they re liars. Who would ve thought that Cornelius would leave with Eden. it was obvious they liked each other but . . . he trailed off as I looked at the poster by my window of Brother on the cross.
Yeah, who would ve thought.
Are you okay? He asked again sitting up looking directly on my face, my eyes returned to him. He is really quite stunning, if I weren t damned I would date him, marry him even, but I can t. I m fine Daniel. I said smiling.
He smiled back.
We had a moment of silence, heated silence. he reached over and touched my hair and pushed it behind my ears, I reached up and grabbed his arm.
Oh no! What am I doing? Daniel. Judith. He moved closer. Daniel I can t do this, you ll become too attached to me, I ll die and you ll be stuck here. Daniel stop, stop yourself, I shouldn t be loved in the way you want. He leaned in and ours lips touched. A spark flew, so this is what it s like to kiss someone? This is the bittersweet feeling I ve grown up hearing about? Of wanting someone and not being able to have them. I sighed and put my arms around him, but pulling away quickly.
That should not have happened. You need to leave Daniel. He looked shocked and heartbroken.
Why Judith? He said quietly. Because I m kissing a traitor, I wanted to say but held my tongue and pointed to the door. I said so. He got up looking discombobulated and walked towards my door, he kissed my cheek and left. What have I done? I should have told him who he was, what he was going to do. And you think that would help? Oh! Brother s voice startled me. I turned around expecting to see him but realizing of course he can t come to Earth, it s in my head. He s communicating through my necklace, it was glowing. I hadn t realized I touched it. I thought it would help. I said back.
Why is that Sister? I can picture him cocking his head to the side.
Because I don t know Brother! He can t love Me! I shouted in my head.
Why is that Sister? He asked again.
I don t know Brother! I yelled.
You do know Sister, you know all. As do I. I know . I said sadly. So? So. I could tell he was waiting.
I sighed. Because I m condemned Brother. My time is nearing. Indeed it is Sister. Thanks for making me feel better. Brother I want to be with him but with everything happening so fast I know I have to stay away, for he is The One who will hurt me the most. Judas betrayed me. His voice was soft and smooth as milk. I know Brother. But did Judas love you? Not in the way Daniel loves you. Exactly. Sister, everything will come in due time. Give it time Sister, it will happen. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day. You and your riddles. I believe they re called parables. He teased. I couldn t help but laugh.
I love you Brother. I love you too Sister. Go in peace. And with that the necklace stopped glowing, a low heat was now on my skin. Now he wants to help me? After all I ve been though, he could ve showed up at supper but noooo now he wants to show up? Wait until I see him again! Judith? Rosemariee peered through the door.
Yes? I looked at her smiling as if nothing happened.
Are you and Daniel okay? She came in looking nervous.
We are fine. Why would we not be? He looked . . . . she trailed off looking outside then back at me. Where shall I sleep? She smiled.
Take my bed. Oh no Princess. Yes. I will have the cot, take the bed. But - It s okay Rosemariee. She smiled at me and left to probably take a bath.
I went back downstairs and saw Bethel standing there on the phone arguing with someone, sounds like Eden. I could hear her motherly voice on the other line.
Eden, how could you? How could I what? You re such a - Bethel saw me and shut her phone closed, Princess. She bowed.
Hello. I came to her as she hugged me. I could tell she was crying.
Sister, why do you weep? Because of the faith of the most trusted people in your life. Bethel, some people can not fight temptation as well as others. I know. She put her head on my shoulders as I held her.
I m okay. I whispered endearingly. And I m ecstatic, really. She looked at me and kissed my cheeks. Go home and relax Bethel. You ve had a hard day. Why is it that you speak in riddles when a large crowd, or all of your advisors are near? The knowledge of Heaven comes easily to few, but to others it comes in the means of riddles and parables. So they may hear but not understand, and seek but not see. She nodded her head as if she understood and walked out the door, she got into Rupert s green jeep wrangler and he drove off. It was just Rosemariee and I left.
I ll always be here for you. I turned around looking into the intense gaze of Daniel.
Daniel. He held up his hands to halt me.
I know Princess, I know why we can t do this. He approached me with his hands in his pockets. But think about it. His breath smelled like cherry. Intoxicating.
There is no thinking because it will never be. He nodded his head and walked out, starting his white R8 Audi and speeding off.