The Twelve

by D A Walmsley

“Hey, look over there,” Thomas points at James and Nathaniel.

  John winds down the window and shouts “Losers, losers.”

  “Quick, quick, do that sign with your fingers, you know.”

  John makes an L sign. He thinks that is so good, especially seeing the look on James’ face.

  The driver doesn’t say much to the lads. After about twenty minutes, Thomas points out that the clock is wrong in this car.

  “Mate, you’re a bit slow. I make it ten fifteen. Yours says nine thirty, nine forty, nine fifty. Hey, I think there’s something wrong with your clock.”

  “That’s not a clock, that’s the fare,” says the driver.

  “What!” They both say.

  “Well, this is a taxi after all.”

  “I thought we’d hitch-hiked,” Thomas says to John.

  “We did, this guy must be trying it on,” John replies. He leans towards the driver and says, “Mate, we don’t have any money.”

  The driver slams on the brakes, stopping in the middle of the road. He starts shouting and swearing and threatening to call the police.

  “Run, run,” John shouts.

  Both lads get out of the car and start running towards a field. They run through several crops until they are both completely exhausted. Checking to make sure the driver isn’t following, they collapse to the ground.

  “You stink at hitch-hiking,” says Thomas in between gasps of air.

  “I got us a free ride didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, but where to?”

  They both look around, all they can see are hills and fields and in the distance is Mount Tabor.

  John looks at his watch, then up at the sun. “I have no idea but I must be able to work it out.”

  He picks the spot he thinks is west and they set off.

  After an hour, most of which is spent arguing as to what they’ll do if they ever get to a town or village, they see in the distance, high on a hill, a town. “Right, now it’s time to put our plan into action.”

  “This will never work,” moans Thomas.

  “Yes, it will.”

  They enter the town and head for the best and biggest houses.

  “All we have to do is be nice and polite and tell them who we are and ask if they know anybody who might be ill or would like to hear about Jesus and that we will be in the town square all day.”

  “Wonder what town this is.”

  John shrugs, “does it matter?”

  They open a gate and walk up the first drive they come to. “Stop,” a voice shouts, “what are you selling?”

  “Nothing, we just want to tell you about…”

  “If you don’t leave I’ll set my dogs on you.”

  “He’s bluffing,” John carries on up the drive. Thomas is a little more hesitant. His caution is justified. Before John can even get to the door dogs start barking and come charging from around the back of the house.

  “Run, run.”

  At the next house they end up having a shotgun pointed at them and at the third, well the lads have never heard such abuse, even compared to that taxi driver.

  They don’t give up. On the twenty-third door, someone is willing to listen. John thinks it’s going really well until Thomas interrupts and talks about the miracles.

  “Well, I missed the storm - I was sick then and the time he healed that blind man I hadn’t got a good place and only saw the top of his head. You know he’s thinning on top, yeah and he’s only in his thirties. Then there was the guy with the broken leg, missed that one too. I see the before and even the after, just never the miracle itself.”

  The woman can’t shut the door fast enough.

  “Oh, that’s just great, well done!” John moans. “Why oh why, did I have to be put with you?”

  “Don’t blame it all on me. Thomas gets defensive. “At least I talked to her face. What about the house when you just talked to that woman’s breasts.”

  “You were the one who asked if they were real…in front of her husband.”

  They decide to leave this town and try somewhere else. On the way out they see a sign with the towns name: Nazareth.

  “Oh great, we’ve just spent two hours in a place that even Jesus once got kicked out of,” says John.

  “Let’s hope the next town is more welcoming or we’re gonna have nowhere to sleep tonight,” Thomas adds.

  * * *

  Andrew and Philip have chosen to go south. They walk down into the centre of Capernaum and discuss the best way to travel. James and Nathaniel both run passed them. James shouts out “have you seen John?”

  “This is not a competition” Philip shouts back. Even so he and Andrew walk a bit faster.

  “So what do you think we should do?” asks Philip.

  Several options are analysed. Walking - way too far. Bus - no money. Taxi - same. Hitching a ride - road to Nain is a motorway. Then Philip has some inspiration. “Trucks, they go all the way along the motorway, got to be easier to get a ride on one of those big rigs.”

  Andrew agrees and he knows just the spot where they like to park up and get a cooked breakfast. It does involve a walk, which takes them half an hour, but when they arrive at the truck stop just outside Capernaum, the place is reverberating to the sound of engines. Philip suggests they look for a driver who is limping or has signs of a bad back. After several minutes of wandering around, they see a potential target. He is just roping up some sheets on his empty flat-bed trailer. The sign on the door of his cab says the company is based in Megiddo, which is south. He keeps stopping to rest and rub his back.

  “Perfect candidate,” reckons Philip.

  “Excuse me mate,” says Andrew. “You look like you could do with some help.” The man stops, feeling his back as he stands up straight. He is grateful for any assistance they can give him. Andrew soon has the sheets roped down, it’s not much different from the trawler. While he’s doing it, Philip learns that the man, who is called Ben, has been suffering from back pain ever since he picked up his grandson last Passover.

  “The kid weighs a ton and he’s only eleven.”

  He asks them which truck is theirs and when they said that they didn’t have one, but needed to go south, Ben was only too happy to give them a lift.

  “Have you heard about this ‘Jesus guy’?” Andrew asks as they get into the cab. “Yeah, maybe I could meet him and he could do something about my back.”

  As they travelled the forty odd miles south, Andrew and Philip tell Ben all about their boss and what they have been commissioned to do. They also attempt to release some of the power they have been given. Reading from the piece of paper they ask for healing for Ben’s back. The pain immediately disappears, so much so that Ben pulls up, jumps down and goes round the truck tightening the ropes, bending and stretching. He was healed, no doubt about it!

  “Wait ‘til my wife hears about this, she won’t believe me. In fact why don’t you come and meet her, then she won’t think I’ve gone crackers? And why don’t you stay for dinner, she makes the best dumplings this side of heaven?”

  Before Andrew and Philip can say anything Ben is on his mobile and arranging for an extra two more places at the table.

  “I’ve met some young lads who are from that Miracle Man’s team, no not that weird one,” he turns to Andrew, “It’s not that one from the desert who’s been arrested is it.”

  Andrew shakes his head.

  “No, don’t be silly woman, you know the one who went mad in the Temple,” turning to Andrew again “that’s him right?”

  Andrew nods.

  “How do I know they’re really them? Oh, I think I can show you some proof.”

  Ben drives straight to his house in the outskirts of Megiddo, a small town near the border with Samaria, rather than dropping the truck off at the yard. He is in a hurry to get to his wife. “I’ve been up since four this morning, so the truck can go back later” he tells them. As they turn into the street, to the surprise of all three men there is a crowd of about tw
enty people.

  “Those dumplings must be good,” says Philip.

  Ben pulls up, gets down from the cab and runs up to a portly woman in the middle of the crowd. He puts his arms round her and with all his might lifts the woman in the air and twirls her round. She lets out a scream, “what about your back?”

  Andrew and Philip get out of the truck and make their way over to the crowd. “I guess that’s his wife,” Philip laughs.

  Ben has now put down his lady and waves the lads over. He introduces them to everyone.

  “This is Andrew and Philip, two of the Miracle Man’s actual team.”

  They become surrounded by people wanting to know all about their boss and all that they have seen him do. Ben’s wife has made enough dumplings to feed everyone, so all the neighbours stay to eat with them. It seems that the whole town know about Ben’s bad back, and when news gets around that two young men from Jesus’ team have healed him, everyone wants to see for themselves, including Ben’s boss and some of his co-workers. ‘If you can heal him, what about me?’ came the usual response.

  So the lads begin to heal people, fuelled by the best dumplings this side of heaven.

  Chapter 19

  “I hope that’s for us,” Thaddy says pointing to flags and banners as he and Peter walk up to the Old Fig Tree.

  “There’s a lot of cars, maybe they do a good lunch menu.”

  Peter pushes open the door and as soon as he steps inside he hears two familiar little voices.

  “Daddy, Daddy.”

  Naomi and Jacob come running over to him and he scoops them up in his big arms and squeezes them tight. Oh, he has missed them.

  “Where’s Mummy? Ah, there she is.” Ruth comes over and he kisses her.

  Both Thaddy’s parents have also turned up. His mother gives her son a hug, and points to his father over by the bar, who smiles and raises his glass.

  “Where’s Jesus?” Peter asks, before spotting him sitting next to two Pharisees.

  What are they doing here, he wonders as he makes his way over, Naomi and Jacob still in his arms.

  “Teacher, it was incredible. I can’t believe all that we did.”

  Thaddy follows. “What are they doing here?” he asks.

  “The High Priest sent them to spy on me while you were away.” Jesus whispers in Thaddys ear.

  “Bet they delighted in telling you about Johnny B.”

  “No Thaddy, they are truly saddened by it.”

  From outside and over the noise of the bar can be heard shouting.

  “Oh yes! Oh yes! we’re back.”

  A woman shrieks, “I know that voice, that’s my James” and rushes to the door. James and Nathaniel enter the bar. James high fives as many people as he can. He sees his mother “Hi Mum, shit, look how many people are here.”

  She is just about to give him a hug but stops, slapping him instead, “watch that language.”

  “Oops, sorry Mum.” He and Nathaniel push through the crowd, shaking as many hands as they can until they get to Jesus.

  “Did you see us on the news? We got on telly,” says James.

  “Boss,” Nathaniel says to Jesus shaking his hand over and over, “it was amazing.”

  “We did things that just blow the mind, things that, well, only you can do,” says James.

  It’s only then that he notices Peter holding Naomi and Jacob. He looks at Jacob. “I was on the telly, did you see me?” Jacob shakes his head. “No, but I saw Daddy.”

  James looks at Peter “What?”

  “Hey, you weren’t the only ones to get noticed, it seems we all were, and yes even John.”

  “Oh great.”

  The next back is Simon, he is alone. He gets a warm welcome from a few friends who have turned up. One asks if he managed to kill that collector? He tells them he didn’t, but adds “he won’t be doing any more collecting.” He then asks if they’ve heard from Flatpack. They warn him to keep his distance, “Flatpack thinks you’re a traitor for even being near the Collector.”

  James sees Simon, “Hey Simon, where’s Matthew? You didn’t kill him did you?” Simon looks over and sticks up his middle finger.

  James turns to the others “I think he has!” He pauses, adding, “Oh crap, now I owe John a tenner.”

  Peter doesn’t believe for a second anything has happened to Matthew so he puts down his kids and goes outside. He sees Matthew leaning against a wall.

  “You going to join us?”

  “Any reason to?”

  “To prove to people you’re not dead, for a start.”

  As he pushes passed people looking for the teacher he forces a smile. People stare at him. Peter can see he’s looking for his friends, maybe Rebecca. He daren’t tell him there is no one here to welcome him back.

  Jesus sees him and leaves Simon and his friends, “Matt.”

  Matthew sees him coming towards him, “Teacher.”

  Jesus shouts,“How’s it feel to be an ex collector?”

  There is a hush!

  “I’m getting used to it.”

  “Well done, you and Simon did good, real good.”

  Matthew, slightly self-conscious, smiles again.

  “Oh, by the way, you need to work on that smile,” says Jesus.

  Next to arrive are Andrew, Philip, Jude and Alphie. They are swamped by the crowd and struggle to push their way in. The volume in the bar increases as the lads exchange stories. They laugh and joke at each others adventures. Peter smiles at Jesus, these last few days have been amazing and by the look of it, for everybody. There is a difference, a confidence that wasn’t there before, an understanding of their boss that the other followers can’t comprehend. Maybe they can be the team the country expects.

  The last pair to arrive are Thomas and John. Thomas’ twin brother David has come to meet him. Peter knows the twins through their father, and while the brothers look alike there doesn’t seem to be the same bond that even he and Andrew have or James and John have. Talking of John, the minute he walks through the door his mother is once again shrieking and fussing. She runs over to him and gives him a hug, “You’ve lost weight, look how thin you are.”

  “Mumm,” John is embarrassed.

  “I’ve baked some cookies, I knew you wouldn’t eat properly.”

  “What kind?”

  “What kind you say, your favourite, chocolate chip.”

  She hurries off to fetch him some as he and Thomas make their way to the others.

  “You’re the last,” says James.

  “Who cares, I bet we healed more than you and Nathaniel!”

  “Ha, no chance!”

  His mother is back with the cookies. John takes a couple.

  “Mmm, I’ve missed your baking.”

  Simon’s friends look uncomfortable and keep staring at Matthew. This in turn makes Peter edgy and he’s relieved when they get up and go.

  “Later Thimon,” says one.

  Things have definitely changed these last couple of days. Once they’d gone Simon comes over to join in the banter with the twelve. They are all filled with so much exuberance and passion that they are bursting with joy and happiness. It’s infectious and it’s not long before all the followers are laughing.

  John empties a pocket. Pieces of paper, large and small fall onto the floor. Andrew helps John pick them up.

  “Hey, these are all phone numbers!”

  “Girls’ phone numbers. It was unbelievable, even Thomas has some.”

  Thomas grins.

  Without warning one of John the Baptist’s followers, a young woman, erupts in a fit of emotion, shouting, “You’re all insensitive, how can you laugh and joke.” She starts to cry, and is comforted by an older couple. Through her tears she cries, “they carry on as if nothing has happened.”

  The place quietens down a little, as people think of The Baptist.

  “What’s she on about?” asks Thomas.

  “Didn’t you hear?” says Thaddy.

  “Hear what?�
��

  James butts in, “Johnny B is dead.”

  “How?” Thomas asks.

  James gestures by sliding his hand across his throat.

  “James,” Ruth says sternly.

  Peter shakes his head.

  “That’s what happened. Well, excuse me for telling the truth.”

  Peter, Jude and Simon are standing near to where the Pharisees are sitting. One tries to start a conversation, “we are only here to warn you that Herod has got it into his head that your teacher is the reincarnation of The Baptist.

  “Everything you lot have supposedly been doing has made your teacher a target,” says another.

  “That’s stupid,” says Simon.

  “People are asking who will be next? Your teacher’s name immediately springs to mind.”

  Peter is just about to start arguing when Philip interrupts, handing out the plastic bags containing their possessions. “There’s a de-briefing upstairs in five minutes,” he says.

  One by one the twelve make their way to a small function room on the first floor. Chairs and tables are scattered haphazardly and it looks as though it hasn’t been used for a while. The moment they are alone the adrenalin of the last few days gives way to exhaustion and they slump onto the wooden chairs. When Simon comes in he flops down on the nearest seat to the door and lets out a great big sigh. “Ohhh, I’m knackered.” He doesn’t seem to care that he’s next to Matthew.

  The last of the twelve to come upstairs is James. He comes bouncing into the room. “Oh, look at you lot, you just can’t take the pace any more, eh Pete?”

  “How come you’re not tired?” asks John.

  James laughs and flexes his muscles. Just to prove it, he drops down and does twenty press ups. Jesus is the last in. He closes the door and tells James to sit down.

  “Who wants to start?” Jesus says looking around.

  “I tried to kill the Collector,” says Simon.

  “You, I don’t believe it,” says James. John smirks.

  “But…we were thrown in the cells. I overheard Matthew talking to some fellow collectors. He even healed one of them. My hatred started to dissolve - it’s difficult to want to kill someone when they’re talking about you boss. If any of you say a word about this, I’ll take my knife and cut off your…” he stops, looks Jesus in the eye, “sorry boss, old habits.”