So Peter arose and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; Acts 9:39a
Abigail tucked the last batch of cloth into her basket and then closed her booth.
“Why does the afternoon before the Sabbath always go by faster than normal?”
A male voice from behind her answered, “Are you asking me?”
Abigail turned abruptly and knocked down the man.
“Oh, I am so sorry.” She placed her basket on the ground and stepped over to help him. “Are you hurt?”
The man uncurled himself and laughed heartily. “Only my pride.”
“Judah!” Abigail kicked dust at him and retreated to her basket.
“Whoa.” Judah stood dusting off his tunic. “What happened to being sorry?”
“I am sorry, Cousin,” Abigail squared her shoulders, “that you are here at all.”
She saw the pang of hurt in her cousin’s eyes. She should be sorry for that, but all she could think about was the cold shoulder her father continued to give her all week. He was kind enough to Judah and even to the wretched boy who spoiled all her cloth, but he would not even acknowledge her upon arriving home each evening. His duplicity angered her. No, it frustrated her. No. If she were honest, it hurt her…deeply. Her father’s business dealings with his brother, Judah’s father, were more important than mending his relationship with a daughter.
“Abigail.” Judah’s voice was tender. “Can we not be friends?”
“Humph!” She picked up her basket and turned to leave.
“Chloe sent me.” Judah yelled after her. “She wants you to come meet Peter the Apostle.”
Abigail stopped in midstride. So, the great and all powerful Peter has come. She had no inclination to meet someone who turns people from their ancient customs and ways. And certainly not right before Sabbath. How…how…rude to even expect it.
Abigail looked back at her cousin. “I have no desire to meet this blasphemer.”
“But Chloe will be disappointed.” Judah gave a faint smile. “And so will I.”
“You do realize it is almost the Sabbath.” She turned to face him. “Or do all you people ignore that commandment as well.”
“We do not ignore any of the commandments.” Judah took a small hesitant step toward her. “We are now free to fully live within them.”
“That does not even make sense.” She turned and moved toward the bustling crowd also in a hurry to return home.
“Please come.” She heard Judah’s steps follow her. “We will make sure you are home in time to prepare for the Sabbath.” He caught up with her and touched her elbow. “If only to make Chloe happy.”
Abigail stopped and allowed Judah to come along side of her. Just then, a stout woman of middle age bumped into them. Her arms were loaded with goods and youth of varying sizes trailed behind her, all carrying oversized loads of fish and cheese and vegetables. It was Mariah.
“Sorry.” She said. “So sorry.” The woman looked up at who she bumped into. “Abigail?
Abigail nodded and then moved back to let the large brood pass. “You will be late.” Mariah waved her chubby arm directing those behind to keep moving. “You too, Judah. Peter will have come and gone by the time you get there.”
The cousins waved goodbye as the woman maneuvered her line of human chickens through the market crowd.
“She is going to see this apostle of yours?” Abigail’s tone turned trite. “I thought she was rushing to prepare for the Sabbath.”
“I believe she is.” Judah smiled down at her. “She’s already met Peter at the distribution tables. That is where she is coming from.”
“All that food came from your…” She searched her memory for the correct word, but could not remember what they called themselves. “…your group?”
Judah rubbed his beard. “I do not think all of it, but a good deal.”
Abigail asked aloud what she meant to keep to herself. “Why do you do it?”
“Do what?”
She regretted at once where this conversation was probably going. Every time she asked a simple question about the strange changes among her people and within Joppa, the answers always circled back to this Jesus person. And their synagogue had strictly forbidden even the mention of his name. She was in enough distress with her father; she did not need to have God’s wrath come down on her as well.
“Nothing.” She stepped into the crowd. “I must go.”
Judah tugged at her. “But Chloe?”
“She will understand. Just tell her I…” Abigail stared at Judah’s pleading eyes. “I am sorry, Judah. I just cannot come.” She gave a final pull from his grasp and ran through the crowd.
One Another Living 