The Greatest Gift

by Michael John Sullivan

  When there was enough distance between the two ships, Michael shook himself out of his daze. He rushed down the stairs. “Julius, I escaped.”

  “I was a witness. It is time we get you to Rome.”

  “My daughter?”

  “She left a while ago with the prisoner.”

  Michael dropped to his knees. “Thank goodness.”

  Julius bent over. “You must leave this ship once we reach land. They will hunt you down. I hope you made some friends on this boat.”

  Michael nodded.

  Julius walked away and climbed the stairs.

  Michael looked across and saw Alexander glaring at him.

  Chapter 55

  Modern-Day Long Island

  The child was washed and cleaned on a table a few yards away from Virginia. The nurses wrapped him in a long, white baby blanket as Connie filled a plastic cup with ice and water. She gave it to Virginia and wiped her forehead with a towel. A nurse offered her tea or juice and placed some crackers in front of her.

  “You did great,” Connie said, holding her hand.

  “We haven’t known each other long, but I feel there’s a reason why you’re in my life now,” Virginia said.

  Connie smiled. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “Where did your friend go?” Virginia asked, sitting up.

  Connie looked behind her and noticed Hewitt had taken his coat. “Maybe he needs some air. Men aren’t as strong as we are.”

  Virginia laughed. A nurse pushed her forward and removed a pillow, replacing it with a fresh one. Connie helped her adjust. “How are you doing now? I was worried. You sounded worried about everything.”

  “I’m all right now,” Virginia whispered. “Thank you. It’s okay because of you. You’re like the big sister I never had.”

  “Sister?”

  “Yes.”

  Connie let go of Virginia’s hand and moved away from the bed. “I guess I can live with that.”

  The nurse handed Virginia the baby. She smiled. “My God, he does have blue eyes. I wonder if he will keep them.”

  “Like the father?”

  “Yes. He does have the most beautiful eyes.” She paused and looked up at Connie. “When I met you, I was so freaked out about becoming a mother.”

  “You were scared,” said Connie, moving back to the bed. She put her hands on the metal railing. “I could see you had the deer-in-the-headlights look. I’ve seen it a few times when I’ve looked in the mirror.”

  “Really,” said Virginia as she touched the baby’s hands, placing her finger inside.

  “Yeah, on my wedding day.” Connie laughed.

  “You know the night we went out to talk at the diner? First, thank you for answering my call so late at night.” She paused and stroked the baby’s light brown hair. “I wasn’t in a good place.”

  “I didn’t think so. I heard the desperation in your voice.” Connie watched her whisper a few words to the baby, then kiss his rosy pink cheeks. “I’m always here for you. Always. Okay?”

  Virginia put a blue cap on the baby’s head. “Can we continue to talk? About anything?” she asked her.

  “Anything?” Connie hesitated. “Sure. I can handle whatever you need from me.”

  “It was an emotional time for me. I’ve been under a lot of stress.”

  “I know,” Connie said, turning away for a second. Where is Hewitt?

  “I guess it’s true what they say about a mother and her baby,” she said.

  “What’s that?”

  Virginia sighed and rubbed the baby’s back. He cooed a little. “Once you hold your baby, you can’t let them go.”

  Connie nodded and rushed to get her purse. She dropped it back to the seat and put on her coat.

  “Do you want to hold him before you go?”

  She took a few steps toward the door and turned around, noticing Virginia was holding the baby up.

  “Please, Connie, I want you to be his godmother.”

  She nodded. “That would be nice,” she said, wiping away a tear.

  Virginia handed the baby to her, and Connie rocked him back and forth in her arms. “You are so beautiful,” she said. “You have the best looking eyes.”

  “He does,” Virginia agreed.

  “I’m going to sing you a song. I sang this many years ago for my niece. Are you ready, young man?” She glanced at Virginia and saw her eyes were moist. “To market, to market to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jig a jig, jiggety-jig.” Connie steadied her emotions and began the next verse. “ … home again, home again, away from that cranky nurse.”

  Virginia laughed and wiped her eyes with a tissue.

  Connie handed her the baby. “Talk soon,” she said, picking up her purse. She rushed out of the room, down the hallway, and out into the nearly empty parking lot. She sat on the curb and lowered her head.

  “I’m sorry,” said Hewitt. He placed his hand on her head and sat beside her. “Come here.” He gave her a hug.

  She looked up at him. “Did you know she wouldn’t go through with it?”

  “I peeked in and saw her reaction when she held the baby. I’ve seen it a few times. It’s much like when I’ve reunited kids with their parents. That first touch is much like the first touch when reunited.” He handed her a couple of tissues.

  “You’re so prepared about life,” said Connie.

  He gave her a faint smile. “No. I’m lost.”

  “I should have realized this would happen,” she said.

  “How would you know? You opened up your life and offered a wonderful solution to a broken-hearted mother. There’s no greater gift you could give to a mother in need.”

  She wiped her eyes. “Since when have you become so wise about relationships?”

  “I can grow as a person too.”

  “We both have grown, haven’t we?”

  He touched the top of her head. “Yeah, we have. Once you stop your whining and feeling sorry for yourself, you can actually see how wonderful your life really is. Even someone like you can be tolerable.”

  She smacked him on his shoulder. “Tolerable?”

  He laughed.

  She put her wet tissues into her purse.

  “You know you can still adopt,” Hewitt said.

  “Takes time. Takes a lot of money.”

  “Yes, I know. I’ve been doing some research. But it’s worth it.”

  “When have you been researching this?” asked Connie.

  “The past couple of days. I know you would be a great mother. Haven’t I said this already?”

  She nodded. “Can we take a walk down Main Street?”

  “Sure. Let’s enjoy this Christmas.”

  “There’s a novel concept,” Connie said. “Enjoying Christmas.” She took a deep breath and gazed at the evening sky. As they walked through the parking lot, she felt her worry return for just a brief moment.

  Chapter 56

  First-century Jerusalem

  Wooden boxes slid a few feet side to side as a strong wind whistled below deck, catching Michael off guard. He clung to a beam and landed on a pile of carts. He watched Alexander lurking at the far end.

  “Look away,” he said to Michael. “You are no friend of mine.”

  “What you may have heard is not true,” Michael said. “My daughter did not murder the Roman soldier. Our friend did not murder Marcus. They defended themselves, just like you would if another man threatened you.”

  Alexander stood and gave him a menacing stare. “Why would I believe a man who speaks strange words and cannot tell me where he comes from?” He took a couple of steps toward him, spear in hand.

  Michael staggered to his feet as the cart beneath him slid a few feet away. “Whoa, I have got to find a better way to get around.”

 
“There,” Alexander said, holding his spear forward. “You talk not like any man I know.” He pointed it at his face. “Where are you from?”

  “Jerusalem, outside the city wall.”

  Alexander shook his head. “You do not speak like any man from Jerusalem I know.”

  “I live way beyond the city wall.”

  “How far?”

  “Beyond the aqueduct.”

  “Are you like the prisoner? A preacher?”

  “No,” Michael said, putting his hands up. “I am just a man who lives with his daughter on a farm.”

  “Where is your wife?”

  Michael lowered his head. “She died many sunsets ago.”

  Alexander took a couple of steps back and lowered his spear. Michael looked up and saw him sitting on a box. The rocking motion of the boat slowed. Michael peered up through the opening by the small stairway and noticed Julius was talking to Augustus. I wonder what is going on. No one is rowing.

  “Do you know why the ship has stopped?” Michael asked Alexander.

  “I do not know. I do know I get paid whether we sail or not.”

  Michael raced up the steps and to the deck. He waited for the two to finish their conversation. Julius turned toward him and frowned. “We must change our journey.”

  “Augustus, what is going on?” Michael asked.

  “We have a problem with this ship. There is that, too.” He motioned to the horizon.

  “I cannot see anything,” Michael said.

  “Feel the wind,” Augustus said. “Listen.”

  “I am. The wind is brisk. So?”

  “What?”

  “It is strong.”

  “Turn,” Augustus instructed his rowers.

  “This is a bigger ship than the last one. This one should be able to get through a storm.”

  “No, my friend. This ship leaks, and I am wasting men removing the water when they can be pushing it forward.”

  “We are going back to Malta?”

  “No. Back to Caesarea.”

  “Why there?”

  “Because it is the safest place for us.”

  “No, Augustus! Please. My daughter! She is on the other boat, going to Rome. You must keep going to Rome. Please!”

  Augustus shook his head and walked away. “Julius is the man with the silver,” he said. “What he says goes.” His voice became faint.

  Michael raced to Julius and grabbed his arm, struggling with him. “Stop! Release me,” Julius said.

  “No. I am not letting go until you head back to Rome.”

  They jostled for several moments before the altercation alerted a couple of Romans at the far end of the boat. “Sir, is there a problem?” one shouted to them.

  Julius glared at Michael. “Is there, traveler?”

  Michael gripped his arm tighter and twisted it. “Guards!” Julius shouted.

  Michael released his hold and pushed him away. Julius pointed at him. “You take many risks for a man whose head can fetch silver.” Michael stayed on deck, still glaring at Julius walking away.

  “I need to calm down,” he said to no one in particular. He saw the horizon was shining its last light. I am going to have to find a way to turn this ship back. I’ll have to steal a weapon or two. There’s no way this ship can go to Caesarea.

  He pounded the top part of the wooden deck. I never should have let her go. She would have been better staying here with me. He sighed. No, she wouldn’t be safer here. She was protected with Paul. He shouted at the top of his lungs, looking skyward. “I’ve helped Paul. I’ve written what needed to be written.” He took a short, deep breath. “I made the right decision, didn’t I? I’ve risked a lot. Where is my reward?”

  Michael spent the next few minutes trying to convince himself that his only choice was allowing Elizabeth to be free of this boat and Titus’ pursuit.

  Michael staggered back down the stairs and fumbled with a cart. He managed to open it and pulled out a loaf of bread. He tore off a piece and dropped the loaf. He fell back onto a cart.

  “Alexander, do you know when the next ship leaves Caesarea for Rome again?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  “I need to get to my daughter. She has gone with the prisoner.”

  Alexander walked over to him and put his spear through the loaf of bread lying on the floor. He lifted it up to his mouth and bit into it. He swallowed and shook the remaining bread off his spear.

  “There is much silver at stake for the return of your daughter and friend,” he said, bending over to whisper in his ear. “You would fetch a nice reward.”

  “I understand,” Michael said.

  “You do?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Silver is the only language I understand.”

  Michael nodded as Alexander lifted his head.

  “May you have much silver to give me when we arrive back in Caesarea.”

  “I will get you what you need.”

  “I will help you if you do,” said Alexander.

  “I will give you silver only if my daughter is found,” Michael replied.

  Alexander gave a devious smile. “Your daughter has been found.”

  “What?” said Michael, jumping to his feet. “Where?”

  “She is safe. When Titus said she was wanted for the murder of a decorated Roman soldier, she was taken off the boat. She is worth more to us here on this ship than in Rome.”

  “Tell me where she is,” Michael said, grabbing the spear. He lifted it up and pinned it against Alexander’s chest. “Tell me or I will cut your heart out and feed the sharks.”

  Alexander gripped his hand, twisting it. “Traveler, you are not making many friends on this journey. You hurt me, your daughter will not leave this ship. Put the spear down.”

  Michael lowered it.

  “You need not worry about her safety if the silver fills my hands when we reach land.”

  “I will not give you any silver until you show me she is safe.”

  Alexander shook his head. He grabbed away the spear and swatted Michael with the metal rod. He gripped Michael’s neck with his hand. “Your choices are clear. You can give me the silver I want and your daughter will be freed. Or you can be a problem for the rest of the journey and end up overboard swimming for your life.”

  Alexander shoved him into a stack of carts. Michael groaned as he reached to hold onto one, but he fell back again as the cart toppled off a pile.

  “I will be watching you,” Alexander said. “The murderer of a Roman soldier would fetch any man a big bag full of silver. I hope you have done well.” He turned around and glared. “I hope it is good enough to save your daughter.”

  Michael got up, taking a couple of steps up to the deck. “I would not seek help from Julius or Augustus,” Alexander said. “If they know your daughter is aboard, they will seek the same silver I do.” He walked to Michael, clutching his arm. “I will not lose my chance. If it is taken from me, I will take it from you.”

  Alexander released his grasp and turned away. Michael glared. “I do not believe in killing another man. But if you harm or hurt my daughter in any way, I will give up my life to take yours.”

  Alexander faced Michael.

  “Do you understand me?” Michael asked him.

  “We can agree there is much at stake,” Alexander replied.

  “You’re damn right,” said Michael as he took a step up to the deck.

  “Be careful with your words, my friend,” Alexander shouted. “The wrong word spoken could mean death to your daughter.”

  Michael rushed back down the stairs and tackled Alexander. His spear bounced away. They wrestled and rolled into a pile of carts, the top one falling off and onto their heads. Michael swung and struck Alexander’s nose. A cart opened and two jugs rolled out, stri
king Michael in the back as the water rushed out.

  “Stop,” yelled Augustus. He removed Michael’s grip and picked him up as Julius stepped in front of Alexander.

  “What is your dispute about?” asked Augustus.

  “There is no problem here,” said Alexander as he wiped blood from his nose. “Just a couple of men having fun, discussing a bet.”

  “A bet?” Augustus asked. “What kind of a bet leads men to try and kill each other?”

  “A bet over a woman?” Julius asked.

  “Men, I will say this only one time,” Augustus said. “There is no woman in this world worth killing each other over. No woman.”

  Michael stared at Julius. Should I tell him? Would it put Elizabeth in danger? Can I trust him? Can I trust Augustus?

  “We will reach land in the next few sunsets, maybe sooner. The men are working hard. Rest. Relax. We have plenty of food and drink.” Augustus pointed to the carts. “Put these back in order.”

  “I will rest,” said Alexander. “Let the farmer from Jerusalem work.” He retreated to the far end of the room and retrieved his spear. “I am bound by the rules of the Roman Empire.”

  “I know,” said Augustus, turning to face him. “On this ship, you are now bound by my rules or you can swim with the rest of your friends. We have lost enough men on this journey. Let us make the rest of this trip a safe one.”

  Alexander raised his spear in the air. “I agree. What about you, Michael?”

  Chapter 57

  Modern-Day Long Island

  Hewitt declined an invitation from Connie to spend the rest of Christmas Eve with her. Their walk was brief as he flooded his mind with new theories. “I’m still working this case,” he said.

  “What if you get caught by Kevin or your boss?” she asked.

  “Then I do,” he said. “It’s only a matter of hours before they decide to bury this case in the public’s mind. If they sense there’s a cold trail, they’ll try to divert attention to another case.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Connie said.