Seeking Abigail
Scene Two
And it happened at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. Acts 9:37
Chloe pulled the shutters closed and bowed her head. A tear spilled onto the rugged floor. She was ten years Tabitha’s senior. How quickly the fever ravished her body. She had hoped Peter the Apostle might arrive in Joppa before… She shook her head. Samuel and Jacob were on their way to Lydda to ask the great apostle to come, but what could be done now? She tried to sound hopeful for Abigail’s sake, but surely it was too…
“I am sorry to intrude.” Adina shuffled into the room.
Chloe dried her tears with her apron. “It is alright.” She turned from the window.
“I have the clean cloths and water.”
“Thank you, Adina.” Chloe took the cloths from the aging woman. “I can take care of this. You should go home and rest.”
“I do not require rest.” Adina grabbed one cloth back. “She was my friend too. It is my privilege to assist.”
Chloe watched in awe as the old woman lowered herself beside the lifeless body. She tried to help her but was shooed away.
“You go on the other side.” Adina pointed a crooked finger. “We help each other, no?”
Chloe nodded and feigned a smile. “We help each other.” She moved to the other side and knelt beside her lifeless friend.
“That was our Tabitha.” Adina held the dead woman’s hand. “Always helping. Always with a smile even when she was sick.”
“Yes. She didn’t even confide in me, at first.” Chloe stared at her friends face. “If it was not for the rash giving her away…” A new tear escaped down her cheek.
“You were close to her. I am sorry for your loss.”
“And I your’s.” Chloe wondered if Peter would come.
One Another Living 