Talia blushed scarlet. She peeked at Keith but his eyes were already focused on his sister, his hands reaching for the bowl in front of her. “Here comes the airplane, Joana,” he grinned. She worked her mouth open and took the spoonful of grayish paste like it was ambrosia, her eyes shining and as fixed on her brother as his were on her. Mr. Bradley started the other food moving – turkey slices, a wonderful-looking multi-grain rice dish, green beans, and rolls.
“Mr. Bradley, you’re a wonderful cook,” Talia exclaimed.
“I was Sergeant Major of the mess hall in the army. I learned that I could keep almost everyone from complaining about the food if I tried. And here at home, please call me Joshua.”
Talia lowered her eyes and concentrated on her food, unable to watch the slow, messy process of feeding Joana her pureed dinner. Both men took turns and kept up a playful banter which Talia could not even attempt to join in on. Finally dinner was over.
“Can I help with the dishes?” Talia jumped up with her plate when Keith rose to clear the table. She followed him into the kitchen.
“It’s okay, if you need to get home.” Keith set the dishes down and started to rub the back of his neck. Talia thought something else was on his mind, and she definitely wanted to encourage him if it meant she could have more time to talk to him.
“I have no plans.”
“You know what … Talia … man … I hate to ask you this … But I guess you heard my dad say that Joana’s caregiver had an emergency and had to leave early. Joana needs a lot of help to get ready for bed.”
“What?” Talia hadn’t heard that at all, having tried to block out a lot of the intensely personal family interchange. They all dealt with Joana’s disability so naturally, with so much grace and humor, but she kept feeling like she was going to throw up, and couldn’t stop herself. “Oh, wow, that’s too bad.”
“Yeah … ummm … Do you think … could you maybe help me do it? Joana rags on Dad and me about our scratchy guy paws. She’s got such a great attitude, but we are kinda klutzes about taking care of her. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I totally understand.”
“I … I don’t know anything about … I’ve never … I’m afraid I’d hurt her … ”
“You won’t hurt me.” Joana rolled into the kitchen with dishes stacked in her lap. “I’m not as brittle as I look. I know you’re scared and kind of grossed out, Talia, but I’d love it if you’d stay and help. I want to get to know you better.”
Talia took the dishes from Joana’s lap and forced her lips not to quiver when they spread out into a big smile. “How can I refuse, when you pay me such a great compliment?”
Chapter Eight – Girls’ Night In
What Talia had dreaded as a horror story turned out to be a laughfest. Laughing was one of the few sounds Joana could still make. “That, and some next level awesome burps,” the voice synthesizer confided. They got into a bubble fight as Talia gave Joana a chair bath. Joshua Bradley knocked on the bathroom door when the giggling and screaming got especially loud, to ask if everything was okay. Joana’s computer voice called out, “Go away, Dad! It’s girls’ night in!”
Talia almost cried at how light Joana was, so easy to maneuver in the wheelchair as she washed her. “What happened to you? I mean, what makes you like this?”
“I got some kind of virus,” Joana replied. “It was like a cold or the flu at first, but I was sick a long time, and ended up kinda here-and-there paralyzed. I lost my voice when they had to operate last year because I couldn’t breathe. I once tried to type out the proper scientific name when I used a stylus attached to my head. Thank the Lord for programmable keys.”
Talia started spluttering again. “You are so funny! How old are you?”
“Thirty-five. Keith is the baby of the family. We have another brother who is in between, Daniel, career Army. He’ll be home for Christmas, I think.”
Talia wheeled Joana to her room and started getting her ready for bed.
“Hey, what is this archaeology trip dad and Keith said you are planning in the spring? Keith wasn't making any sense when he tried to tell me about it.”
“I probably confused him. I wish I could erase this whole week.” Talia sighed. “I meant to explain about what we're looking for in today's class, but I lost control and ran out of time. I was so nervous, and I made so many mistakes. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, so the golden testaments just became part of the craziness.”
“I don't think you're crazy,” Joana's synthesizer voice said. “You'll have another chance to explain in the class on Monday. Maybe you could practice your presentation about these testaments on me. I know people have found old scrolls and copies of parts the Scriptures, like at Qumran. But those were found by accident. How do you know these manuscripts exist without knowing where they are?”
“My aunt and uncle, the Doctors Ramin, who both have PhDs in archaeology, have dedicated their lives to studying findings related to the Holy Scriptures. They learned through ancient documents and artifacts about a group called the guardians of the testaments. They began their work at a time just after the New Testament was completed, and people had begun to collect the best manuscripts and make copies and translations, both of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. These guardians protected the scribes and translators and looked after the copies of the manuscripts for a long time.”
“I never heard of them,” Joana said.
“It wasn't an organized group. We've found bits and pieces about them in different histories. Some of them were converted soldiers. Some were mercenaries who were hired as guards but who came to believe. Some were craftsmen. Others were merchants, nomads, or others who had freedom to travel. They helped take care of the Scriptures and transport the copies to house churches or schools where they were studied and taught. They were people who had different skills and wanted to help protect and spread the Word.”
“What a wonderful thing,” Joana said.
“Persecution started growing more and more intense from many sources. Governments and priests of other religions accused believers of treason and other horrible crimes. Business owners like Demetrius, that man in Ephesus who made silver idols, or others who sold sacrificial meat, feared losing business because of believers. People had all kinds of excuses for hating the Scriptures and the people who tried to protect and spread them. Scriptures were being confiscated and burned. The people who protected them were being killed and scattered.”
“I've read a lot about martyrs and the terrible things they went through. I hadn't really thought about the Scriptures being destroyed as well as the people's lives.”
“It's a terrible history. It seemed like the only way to preserve the Scriptures was to make a copy that would be almost impossible to destroy. There's a metal that most people have forgotten about called orichalcum. It seems to have been part gold, part bronze, maybe titanium, and some other metals we're not sure about. They used it to make armor and weapons in ancient times.”
“You mean like that armor made for Achilles? Don't they say that they used it to build Atlantis, too? I thought a metal like that was just a myth.”
“Some of the myths are based on truths that have been polluted by unbelievers. We believe orichalcum was a real metal, but like many ancient technologies, the secret of making it has been lost. There were guardians who knew metallurgy, though, and they taught others to help create these tablets in a metal that was both strong and flexible. It had a very high melting point once the forging process was complete, and impressions made in it were almost impossible to wipe out.”
“Sounds like the perfect material for what they needed.”
“They made thin sheets that looked like gold and eventually they had all the Scriptures etched onto them. They could be rolled up like scrolls or stored flat like tablets. The guardians made storage containers from a material they called dragon skin.”
“Dragon skin? Another myth with truth hidden in it?”
“We think it was some kin
d of specially-processed leather but, again, the technology for making it is lost. It was supposed to be nearly fireproof, waterproof, and almost as indestructible as the orichalcum itself. These bags had combination lock seals. The guardians made each one different, but put their symbol on the locks so people could trust that these were safe under the guardians' watchful care.”
“You know from history how intense persecution could be. You also know many false teachers made books they called scriptures. People wanted to destroy or pollute the Word and they also made targets of anybody who protected it. Historians wanted us to forget about the guardians and the testaments along with the rest of the truth of the Scriptures.
“We think maybe there are no more guardians, and the golden testaments are just out there somewhere, lost, waiting to be rediscovered. They are a physical reminder of God's faithfulness to preserve His Word. We could show the students that no matter what happens, God's Word really does last forever.”
Joana was tucked into bed before Talia stopped to realize that she was completely exhausted. Joana seemed to be studying her and shifted against the headrest, which Talia had learned could detach from the wheelchair but still connect wirelessly to the speech synthesizer. “You look worn out. Want to have a sleepover?”
“I don’t know if I should … ”
Keith knocked on the door. “Hey, Jo-Jo the dog-faced sister, you decent?”
“Am I ever?” Joana quipped. “If I’m the dog-face, you’re the stilt-legged man. Hurry up and get in here.”
Keith pushed the door open and kissed Joana on top of the head. He glanced at Talia and she tried to smooth her crazy messy hair and wipe the bubbles off her blouse. “Hey, come on, you wore Talia out with your nonsense!”
“Yeah, I’m trying to talk her into sleeping over. Help me out here.”
“Oh, yeah, please, Talia.” Keith started rubbing his neck again. “Mrs. Adams called and said they took her granddaughter to the ER, and she might not be able to get here first thing in the morning, either. I’m sorry, Talia, you’re a guest, but we keep putting you to work. I tried to call the service, but they had nobody to send. I’ll go crash on the foldout couch at my grandma’s. Let me just go quick and call her to tell her I’m coming.”
“Yes, of course, I’d love to stay over. But only if I can make breakfast.”
“Yay!” A real belly-laugh rumbled out of Joana. “Keith always burns my gruel.”
“The caregivers sometimes stay over,” Keith explained when he came back. “The room is right across the hall from Joana’s. Everything should be clean and set up for you. You shouldn’t have to do anything for the most demanding person in the universe during the night.” Joana made her best attempt to stick out her tongue and Keith wiggled her headrest until her head bobbed. “Dad’s room is right next to hers, and he’ll hear her if she decides to do any calisthenics. Good night, Monkey-Butt.” Keith kissed Joana again.
“Good night, Sasquatch.” Joana retorted. “Good night, Talia. I’m going to program your name into my synthesizer.” She grimaced by way of a smile. Talia embraced her, holding back tears again. She followed Keith out into the hallway.
“She’s so brave. You’re all so brave.” Talia burst into tears.
“Oh, man.” Keith shifted from one foot to the other. “God gives us what we need every day. Every day. It ain’t us, for sure. This is your room, over here.”
Talia halted in the doorway of the large, beautiful bedroom. “Wait, isn’t this the master bedroom?” She stared into the full bath with a whirlpool tub.
“Yeah, dad moved out after mom died. Memories, I guess. It’s our guest room, now, or my brother Dan sleeps there when he comes home. No, make yourself at home. Try the bubble tub. You could probably use it. Long, long day for you.”
“A good day, though.”
“Hey, not to insult you, but we could run down to the mall and get you some clothes – my treat. You’d have some clean stuff to wear, anyway, sans bubbles. Jo-Jo really soaked you. Sorry.”
“No, I always have extra clothes in my duffel. I was so tired I didn’t think about how I must look. I’ll go get it …”
“Oh, yeah, the Doomsday Duffelbag. So if the Men in Black knock the Tesla off a cliff, do you have a parachute in there?”
Talia stared up at him but said nothing.
Keith seemed to realize his joke had fallen flat. “No, please, let me get it. I want you to know, I haven’t heard Joana laugh like that since she got sick. Dad and I didn’t think about how good it would be for her to have a real friend again. People get so creeped out by how she is. We never hear from her old friends anymore, except she chats with them online sometimes. They don’t come to see her.”
Keith took her car keys and bolted away. Talia started crying again, and barely got herself under control by the time Keith knocked and handed her the duffel. She took it from him. “Okay, good night, then. I’m taking off for my grandma’s place,” he stammered, and fled.
The debate within herself didn’t last long. Talia tossed the duffel on the bed and headed into the bathroom, twisting the knobs on the whirlpool. The sound of sweet, tinkling brass camel bells sounded over the rush of water. She hurried back to the bed and dug in the bag for her phone.
“Talia, tchatchki, where are you? The GPS on the Tesla is showing a location I don’t know.” Talia loved hearing that bear-growl voice of her uncle, Dr. Nader Ramin, but his words made her temper spike.
“Uncle Naddy, you set the GPS to spy on me?”
“I have never spied on you, my treasure, just looked out for you the best I could. What are you doing that would make spying necessary?”
Talia flushed. “Nothing! Some kids from school missed the bus and needed a ride home. One of them lives far away. Another teacher came along, and then the principal invited me for dinner. I’m spending the night at his house.”
“You’re spending the night at the principal’s house? Were you that naughty on the first week of school?”
“Uncle Naddy.” Talia started to giggle. “He has a handicapped daughter, and I helped get her ready for bed. It’s late, and I’m pooped, so they offered to let me stay.”
“It is very late there, isn’t it? I’m sorry, tchatchki. I never know what time it is. Any new information about the testaments?”
“I keep finding the same stuff over and over again, Amu,” she said, using the Farsi word for uncle, or technically, “father’s brother.” “It’s like there’s a wall, hiding everything new.”
“That’s good, though. That means something is there that is important enough to hide.”
“That’s what I thought, too. I know they’re there. I know they are. Anyway, how’s the dig going? I didn’t expect you to have satellite there.”
“I have been able to bounce off a news satellite. Not sure whose it is. It won’t be in position long, so I’ll have to wrap this up. Any problems with that Bible course yet?”
“We just had the first class today. I almost messed it up, Amu, but Keith walked in and fixed everything.”
“Who’s Keith?”
“The principal said I had to have a co-teacher. His son, Keith, is the one he picked. It’s good, because he’s strong in the Science areas. And he’s very good at discipline, too, which is how he fixed my mess-up. Two kids got saved, Amu! Right after class!”
“Praise God. Praise God. Hearts are being prepared. People are being readied to serve. I pray that this is not the time of the Great Thirst. But we must prepare as if it is. We must also try very hard not to invite trouble.”
“I understand, Amu. I remember everything we talked about. But, Amu …”
“What is it, tchatchki?”
“Amu, twice now, a black van has tried to run me down.”
“What? You are imagining things, surely. In that tiny town, where no one even knows you are there?”
“Somebody knows, Amu. The first day of school, Keith told me a black van came down the road in front of the schoo
l, right as I was turning into the parking lot. I never saw it, and he made a joke, but I think he thought I might know who they were.”
“How could you possibly know? Why would someone want to harm you?”
“I don’t know. Keith said some reporter was at school the first day, and they’ve never had anything like that happen. Today, the black van came again, when Keith was driving, and the two students were in the car. I was so scared, Amu, and I didn’t know what to say to Keith. I’m sure he thinks I’m hiding something from him. I don’t want him to suspect me of bringing trouble here. Who could those people be? Why would they care about me or this class?”
“This is very serious, my Talia. We must find out what is happening, without stirring up more interest in you or in the school there. I will make discreet inquiries. For now, be at peace; claim God’s perfect peace, Natalia. Get some rest.”
Talia shut off the phone and walked back into the bathroom. The water jets rumbled around her as she sank down and tried to stop the tumbling thoughts that welled up like waterspouts, twisting her head and heart into bad places.
All our lives we’ve had to be so careful around people. Even good people – people we wanted to be friends with. I feel like Esther in Susa. She couldn’t even tell her own husband who she was, for a long time. But God worked that out.
“Oh! Husband!” Talia clapped a hand over her mouth, but realized nobody could hear her over the bubbling water. But the minute that word popped out of her brain Keith’s face appeared before her eyes. “Stop it, stop it, stop it,” she muttered, banging her knees together in front of her face for emphasis. “Stop it. There are ten million reasons why that could never happen, and I can’t think of even one reason why it would.”
Chapter Nine – Prayer and Popcorn
The Great Thirst Boxed Set Page 5