The Greatest Gift

by Michael John Sullivan

  “Please, sir,” he said, grabbing the man’s shoulder.

  “Go. Take the small chariot and the last horse.” He led him to the animal.

  Michael dropped the silver in his hands. “You have my gratitude.”

  “I gave you a bargain,” the man said.

  “I know.” He retrieved the horse and after tying it to the small chariot, he climbed in, sat down and maneuvered the horse toward Elizabeth. He stopped beside her saying, “What do you think?”

  “I think you’re nuts,” she said. “It’s so tiny.”

  “Excuse me. I’m sorry it’s not a Porsche. Get in.”

  “Where? There’s no room.”

  He squeezed over. “Now there is. We need to go.”

  “Do you know how to drive one of these?” she asked. Elizabeth went to pick up the box and dropped the watermelon. It rolled over toward the man.

  “Get in,” Michael pleaded.

  “Okay,” said Elizabeth as she quickly climbed in, holding the box.

  “Stop, stop,” yelled the man as he picked up the watermelon and ran after them.

  Michael urged the horse to move faster.

  “Wow, my dad knows how to drive a chariot here,” said Elizabeth.

  “I learned while working in the fields,” he said.

  “Surprise, surprise. Look who is handy around the house now.”

  “Sit down, smart aleck.”

  “I am,” she said, holding her hands up. “I’m afraid to put my hands in because I may not be able to get them out.”

  “Hold on. This can get up to high speeds.”

  “Yeah, you’re like a NASCAR driver.”

  “You’re so skeptical. Hi, yo,” Michael shouted, jostling the ropes attached to the horse. The animal picked up speed, and the chariot bounced up and down a few times.

  “Just like a roller coaster,” Elizabeth said, waving her hands in the air. The chariot squeaked and squealed on the narrow dirt path. “Ouch,” she said. “My butt.”

  Michael stood up and pulled back on the ropes to find a more manageable pace.

  “How long do you think it will take to get to Jerusalem?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said over the noise of the wheels.

  “How about a guess?” Elizabeth asked.

  “After sunset.”

  “Then what?”

  “Then we bury this box with the cloth in a cave or somewhere in the side of a mountain.”

  “Why?”

  “So someone can find it.”

  “Why not bring it back?”

  “We can’t. It’s an old relic. How would it look if two people from Long Island in the Twenty-First Century possessed such a relic?”

  “Oh,” Elizabeth said. “No one would believe us anyway, right?”

  “Yes. They would think we stole it. Someone in the next few centuries needs to find it. No one would ever believe we found it. We would be arrested if we had possession of this.”

  After they had traveled some distance, he slowed down. He opened the box and dumped out the cloth he had cut from around the face. “We don’t need this anymore. We should be there in a few hours.” Michael removed the cloth with the picture from his pocket and placed it inside the box. He closed it up and gave it back to her. “When we find a cave we’ll get some stones and metal and seal it shut.”

  “How will they find it?”

  “Sometime in the future they will dig it out and discover it.”

  “We can do that?”

  “Sure can,” he said as he jostled the ropes more to encourage the horse to pick up the pace.

  “Can this horse make it the whole way?” she asked.

  “We’re about to find out.”

  Several miles later, the sun began its descent. Michael and Elizabeth stopped by a well not too far from Jerusalem. They gave the horse some water. “There you go,” she said, letting the animal slurp the water from her cupped hands. “Drink it all.”

  It was only a short while before they came upon a small neighborhood of identical stone homes. The dwellers were herding their animals to a holding area nearby. “This must be a really poor town,” Michael said. “It can’t be too far from Leah.”

  “Should we stop and see if she’s safe?”

  “I doubt she has gone back home.”

  “We should check, should we not?” Elizabeth asked.

  “We should not. It’s time to move on.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I have never been more sure in my life. In two centuries.” He gave her a wink.

  They glanced at each other for a moment. She gave him an astonished look. “Did I say something stunning?” he asked.

  “Yes. I never thought I would hear you say you must move on with anything.”

  Michael nodded. “It’s about time I do. I’ve trapped myself in many sad and wonderful memories. What is the point of making a memory when you can’t go forward and make a better one?”

  Elizabeth folded her arms behind her head. “I hope we can make some better ones in Northport,” she said.

  “We will. I know this.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Trust me.”

  “Look,” said Elizabeth, standing up. “There is the aqueduct. We’re near Leah.”

  “We’ve passed her town,” Michael said. “Are you ready to go home?”

  “No.”

  “Why?” he asked in surprise. “Are you going to miss this place?”

  “No, but I will miss Leah.”

  “I will too. But there is so much more for us back home on Long Island. Our friends. Our family. Your classmates. Even Matthew.”

  He looked at her and she nodded. “I wish we could have taken Leah back home with us.”

  “This is where Leah lives. What about her husband? Her friends? Her family?” He slowed the horse down as they came upon a small mountain. “Here,” Michael said, getting out of the chariot. “This should be the place.”

  “Why here?”

  “It’s where the Sermon on the Mount happened. I’m sure of it. I remember the terrain, the trees and bushes.” He took the box from her, saying, “Tie the horse to that tree.”

  She did and raced up the hill to join him. As they ascended several more feet, he could hear voices. “Where is that coming from?” he asked, looking behind him.

  They stopped to listen for a moment as darkness settled. They resumed walking, and the sound of the horse jostling alerted them. Michael put his hand on Elizabeth’s mouth. “Quiet.” He pulled her behind some brush and listened again. Peering around it, he squinted. “My eyes are too blurry.”

  “Let me look,” Elizabeth said, taking a couple of steps out.

  “Can you see anything?” Michael asked.

  “The horse is gone, and I can’t see anyone.”

  “Oh, great.”

  “Do we need to get to the tunnel after this?” Elizabeth asked.

  “Yes, it’s the only way back I know.”

  “Hey Dad, here’s a strange question.”

  “Yes?”

  “Are there lightning bugs during this time?”

  “What do you mean by lightning bugs?”

  “The bugs that fly around and light up.”

  “I know what they are, but why ask about them now?”

  “I thought I saw some down the hill.”

  “What?” Michael froze and turned his head. He saw several bright lights in formation walking up the hill. “Those aren’t bugs. Those are people carrying torches.”

  He grabbed her arm and picked up the pace, climbing as fast as he could. The voices of men drew closer as they moved past some dense brush. The noise of wolves howling filled the mountainside.

  “This is creepy,” Elizab
eth whispered.

  They came upon a dark cave around a sharp bend. There was a faint echo inside it. “Get inside,” he said. “The lights are getting closer.”

  They backed into the cave. Michael leaned down, putting his hands on some boulders. He stumbled and grabbed onto Elizabeth’s arm. “Stay with me. Get down.”

  “I see nothing up here, Alexander,” a man called out.

  “They are here,” Julius said. “He took that chariot, and the tracks lead to this mountain. They are somewhere around here. Keep looking. I will continue walking up. You stay and look around here.”

  Michael took a deep breath as the man staggered inside. He put his fingers up to his mouth and looked at Elizabeth. The man took several steps past them. Michael gripped a rock and flung it at him, striking the man in the head. The man tumbled to the ground. Michael ripped the torch from his hand. “You will be fine. Sleep.” He pushed his eyes closed.

  “Is he dead?” Elizabeth asked, alarmed.

  “No. He will sleep for a while. Hopefully he has some pleasant dreams.” He motioned to her. “Stay behind me. We need to get deeper into the cave.”

  They walked for several minutes, coming upon a steep embankment while the sound of running water filled the area. Michael looked out the opening, his foot striking a rock. It fell, plunging into the water seconds later. He turned around. “That is one long drop.”

  Michael fell to his knees and grabbed a large rock. He grinded it against the wall, sharpening the edges. He plunged it into the soil and began digging. “Do the same,” he told Elizabeth.

  “I don’t see any more rocks like the one you have,” she said.

  “There are more along the sides a few feet back from where we came.”

  She left and Michael splattered dirt and pieces of rock all around him. “Elizabeth, hurry,” he shouted. When he turned, several men holding torches stood in front of him.

  “Well, how is my friend from our journey doing?” asked Alexander, as he stepped in front of a group of soldiers holding Elizabeth. He pressed his spear against her neck.

  She kicked his feet, and he slid the weapon across the side of her face, creating a small gash.

  Michael stood and two Romans drew their spears to his chest. He kicked away the cloth behind a rock. “What do you have there?” asked Alexander.

  “It is not yours.”

  “It is now,” Alexander said, pushing Elizabeth into a group of soldiers.

  “No!”

  The two soldiers pushed Michael to the ground as Alexander picked up the cloth. “Ah, this is what Julius was hiding. He will not be able to enjoy the riches from this.” He turned to the soldiers. “Kill Julius.”

  He turned back to Michael. “This should fetch me a mountain full of silver.”

  Michael reached up and grabbed the cloth, running to the edge. He held the cloth out as the water’s mist moistened it. “You are a fool,” said Alexander.

  “Let my daughter go or I will drop this.”

  “Throw her over the cliff,” Alexander said, walking away. “I can wait for you to hand it over.”

  “No!” Michael’s cry echoed through the cave as a soldier pushed Elizabeth toward the cliff. He dropped the cloth and tackled the Roman. He struck him in the face. “Leave my daughter alone!”

  Michael smashed him again, bloodying his nose. He gripped the soldier’s neck and pressed hard. “I will take every breath you have.”

  “Stop, Dad!” yelled Elizabeth.

  He watched the Roman’s eyes turn back into his head. Another soldier grabbed Michael, trying to pull him away.

  “Kill him,” shouted Alexander.

  Michael wrestled free of the solider and picked up a large rock. He held it high over his head. “I will take your life like you have taken so many others.” He felt a shiver inside and trembled. A man grabbed his hand and took the rock from him. Michael looked back.

  “Leave your anger here,” Jesus said. “You have done well, my son. Your journey is over.”

  Michael got up off the soldier, still shaking with rage.

  “Leave your hatred behind,” Jesus said. “Their empire will end. My Father’s Kingdom will live.”

  He walked around the cave, staring at the Romans as they drew their spears. “When you leave here to go home, remember these words. Do not be deceived by the treason of those who speak my name to gain personal riches.”

  The spears inflamed, and the soldiers screamed, dropping their weapons. “Those who use swords and spears to defend what cannot be taken from one’s heart only contribute to the evil of the world.”

  Jesus picked up the cloth. “There will be those who say holy words in my name yet will never walk in my shoes.”

  The cave shook. Rocks from above and around them fell and rolled, splitting and splintering into many pieces, sending the soldiers running from the cave.

  “When the ground trembles from doubt, take the step of faith to find your way home.” Jesus stepped aside and motioned toward the waterfall. “Be baptized on this day. The water given to you from my Father is pure and good. Beware of those who stain it and use it for their personal gain.”

  Alexander rushed Jesus and gripped the cloth. “You are a madman, preacher,” he said.

  His hands crumbled, and fire filled his feet. Flames engulfed him, and Alexander screamed in pain as he fell to the ground. He crawled toward Elizabeth. “Murderer,” he said, groaning.

  Michael clamped his foot on Alexander’s arm. “You are going nowhere, Roman.” Jesus took Michael by the arm and guided him to Elizabeth.

  “Where there is man, there are fools,” Jesus said, standing over Alexander. “Where there is man, there is greed. Where there is man, there will be war. Do not be like man, Michael and Elizabeth. Look at the fool beneath you, guided by power and weapons.”

  They watched as Alexander crawled and then slithered like a snake out of the cave. “Where there is oppression, let the angels sing from your heart with tolerance. Where there is poverty, may you spare a meal. Where there is pain, may you share your comfort.” He took a few steps back from the waterfall. Jesus motioned to it. “Let your faith take you home.”

  Jesus smiled and moved his hands forward. A soft, warm wind brushed up against them. “Your world is beautiful. Make it more so.”

  A bright light shone down upon Jesus. His body glowed.

  “Are you ready, Elizabeth?” Michael asked, taking her hand.

  She nodded and closed her eyes. A hot gust of air blew against them, pushing them into the waterfall.

  Chapter 63

  Modern-Day Long Island

  Hewitt sat in the first pew and stared at the beautifully decorated manger. He lowered his head and let his mind take him back to the last Christmas Eve that he and his wife had spent with Hailey. Hewitt had put together her first bike, a pink tricycle with training wheels. A shiny silver horn was attached to one handle while red ribbons hung from the other.

  He could still hear her laughter and see the unobstructed joy on her face when she came downstairs. “Wow, wow, yippee,” she squealed. “Can I ride it, Daddy? Can I?”

  Hewitt grinned. “Just don’t run me over.”

  “I won’t, Daddy.”

  She hopped onto the bike and beeped the horn twice. “Watch out. Here I come. Miss Hailey is coming through. This is her street now. All aboard.”

  “All aboard, what are you riding? A train?” he asked.

  “No, Daaaaaaddy,” she squealed. Hailey rolled forward a few feet and put her hands up in the air. “Just like a roller coaster.”

  Hewitt grasped Veronica’s hand and gave her a kiss.

  “Yucky. Mom and Daddy kissing in a tree, kissing, first comes tub, then comes marriage then comes a puppy in a baby carriage.”

  “A puppy?” Hewitt asked.

  “Yes. A puppy
,” said Hailey. Her voice started to fade as she rode the bike around the living room.

  “Son? Hewitt? Are you feeling okay?” A voice jarred him back to the present.

  Hewitt lifted his head. “Sorry, Pastor. I was lost in thought.”

  “Good ones, I hope?”

  He nodded and sighed.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine, Pastor. I was just reflecting.”

  “Anything I can help you with?”

  Hewitt took a deep breath. “Yes.”

  Pastor Timothy sat next to him. “I’m here to listen.”

  “Why did God take my daughter from me?”

  Pastor Timothy moved closer. “I wish I had the answer to that difficult question. I ask many questions similar to yours every day.”

  “I didn’t think you had an answer.”

  “I’m not sure God wants us to have the answers. He may be asking us to find the answers instead of him sending them to us. What would we learn from life if the answers were always available? I don’t think we would learn much.”

  “That may be true, but all I know is tonight I’m sad. I’m sad for my ex-wife. For what I’ve done to our lives. How I’ve failed in our marriage. I can’t seem to shake my anger. Our joy was taken far too early.” He glanced at him. “She was only five years old.”

  Pastor Timothy turned to face Hewitt. “There’s no rational reason why someone so young and innocent with much to live for is taken from us in such a way.”

  They sat in silence for several minutes until the pastor stood. “I must go pay a visit to a special friend of ours. Do you need to talk more?”

  Hewitt stared straight ahead, mesmerized by the manger scene set up by the podium. That’s where Michael disappeared. It has to be right around the manger. Yeah, we looked at it before and couldn’t find anything.

  “Hewitt?”

  “Huh?” He looked at Pastor Timothy. “I’m fine.”

  Pastor Timothy held out his hand. “Merry Christmas, Hewitt.”

  They shook hands. “You have a great day of celebration.” He remained seated in the front pew and pondered whether he had been attentive enough to the security around his house. I was in the public eye. People knew I was rich, and they knew about my daughter. We should have kept her picture out of the newspapers and off the Internet. We invited every wacko out there to come take her.