Demetrius' Story Step 4

 Step 4

Avishag slipped out of the house onto the small terrace, sitting down on a small bench. Gazing out across the city, she watched the sun slowly sink into the purple Judean hills. As the stars slowly winked into existence, she sent her mind back in time, back to a much happier time. A time in which the pleasures of life colored her reality with the bright hues of sunrise instead of the melancholy hues of evening she now faced. Though much poorer, she and Enosh fronted life together unified and filled with optimism and joy born out of easy and generous spirits. Together they labored, attempting to build a future. Soon their efforts bore the fruits of success. 

Abundant rain brought rich harvests of barley and wheat to the small fields. Soon they were able to purchase a few head of sheep, adding wool to their income. Slowly, surely, line upon line, success upon success, they built a life together. Eventually, despite occasional setbacks, they hired more hands, acquired more land, purchased this pleasant home in Jerusalem, and even brought slaves into their household. But, despite their accomplishments, they lost something along the way. 

        Consumed by avarice and the satiation of desires, Enosh drifted away. Slowly, almost imperceptibly his joy waned, replaced by a self-centered aloofness. Enosh no longer took joy in the labor of his hands, no longer willingly shared with others, and no longer cared about doing things to please Avishag. He lost himself in the business of trade, management of their properties and flocks, and a desperate pursuit of new pleasures. Success notwithstanding, one pleasure eluded them both, children.

They remained a childless couple and with no progeny, their riches brought scant pleasure to Avishag. As the sky darkened above her, Avishag felt darkness crowd in on her soul. Inside the house, her bloated, inward-turned husband, considered what to eat next, not caring a fig for those of his household. While she sat alone on the roof, surrounded by the meaningless trappings of wealth, her heart filling with darkness. Silently she wept as the cold impassive stars looked on, keeping their watch in places assigned so long ago.