Demetrius Story, Step 3

 Step 3

Demetrius fumed, stoking the fires of his anger. Looking across the purple Judean hills, gentle in the gloaming, time slowed for him as he turned his anger over in his mind, examining it from every angle. No matter the view, no matter angle, life remained a cruel antagonist; one determined to grind him into dust and scatter him across the rocky waste. So intent on his inner turmoil, he did not notice Alter’s approach.

“Here, eat something,” proffered Alter.

Demetrius sighed, “thanks,” and took the crusty piece of bread.

Miles away, in a warmly lit room, Enosh sighed, ruminating over what to eat next. He’d enjoyed the final cucumbers of the season, savoring their crispness seasoned with Dead Sea salt. Reclining on his cushioned couch, he considered the bowl of olives. He loved their saltiness extracted in dribs and drabs as he sucked the meat from the pits. The bowl of lentils beckoned, as did the roasted goat. Grunting as he shifted his bulk forward, he reached for the lentils. Breaking off a piece of bread, he dipped it into the savory mixture of legumes and broth. Ignoring the drips onto his beard he washed it down with a swig of fortified wine from the hills of Galilee. For a few moments he considered reattacking the roast goat, but a rumble from his distended gut stayed his hand. Sated, he leaned back on a cushion reviewing the day in his mind. He managed to sell several bales of wool for a tidy profit. Smiling, he thought of the heavy bags of Aureus and Denarius in his strong-box in his bedroom. It had been a good year with profits in all of his endeavors. So enthralled, he did not notice when Avishag came into the room.

“How are you,” she queried?

“Huh,” Enosh, roused from his internal reverie, responded, “What do you want, woman?”

“Nothing, I just thought you might send the shepherds some of the leftover roast and bread along with a couple of spare cloaks. It’s rather cold outside and we have plenty.”

“Bah, why should I send them extra. I pay their wages don’t I,” he grumbled?

“Oh, I just thought it would be nice. Remember how cold you got when we were first married,” she intoned quietly.

“And look where my hard work got us. Let them work as hard and the Lord will send them success,” he snorted.

“It was just a thought,” she demurred quietly and left the room.