Scene Five
…and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Tabitha used to make while she was with them. Acts 9:39b
Chloe stood next to Adina who stood next to Esther who stood next to Hannah who stood next to Miriam. She couldn’t see beyond Miriam in the crowded room, but in her heart, Chloe knew most of the women Tabitha had ever touched with her work and with her heart were hovering in this hot, stuffy room waiting for some word. Well, not all of them.
Mariah had to go and prepare for the Sabbath for all her family. There was no one else to do so and not all yet believed. And some of the other women also could not stay or they would bring shame to their unbelieving husbands who expected a hardy meal before Sabbath began. Was this the reason Abigail would not come? Was she being a good and dutiful daughter or was she just avoiding them? She told Judah to make it clear that the girl would be home in time and would not defile the Sabbath. Chloe would never cause another to…she let out a big sigh.
“My feelings exactly.” Judah’s voice preceded his descending the stairs.
Several heavy sets of steps joined his until the men reached the bottom and could move no further in the packed room. He leaned heavy onto the banister near Chloe’s shoulder and sighed.
She teased. “He would not let you stay either?”
He said nothing but she felt his head move back and forth.
“Do you think he can do it?” She needed this leader’s assurance. Such a miracle would surely convince the doubters of Jesus as Messiah.
Judah lightened his voice. “I do not think he would have come if he could not.”
Several of the widows began to cry again at the sight of the men being evacuated from the upstairs. Chloe tried to shush them with a finger to her lips.
“It is okay, Chloe. Soon their weeping will be turned joy.” Judah gently hugged her shoulders. “I am sure of it.”
Adina chimed in. “True. True.” She was clinging to the bright blue tunic Tabitha had made for her daughter just two weeks past. “This will not be the last garment our friend makes.” She held it up. “No?”
Chloe and the other widows answered in unison, “No!”
From the top of the stairs Levi half whispered half hollered, “Shush! Listen…listen.”
The whole room held its collective breath as the strong deep voice of a man in prayer drifted through house. Chloe’s heart sang in silent prayer with him.
One Another Living 