One Thousand Years
Genesage
“Fireside"
(Chp 7:4)
Eben had been looking at him
.
Thomas knew that Eben was waiting for him to answer. Of course if he had an answer that would have helped, but Thomas was still thinking.
Thinking about life, love, eternity.
Thomas looked at Eben. The flames from the fire seemed to be reflected in his eyes. Instead of blue the light danced there with reds and yellows leaping. The light made his face and cheeks seem to glow golden.
In the fire light at night…, like campfires of old…, thoughts tended to wander.
Looking back at Eben Thomas began to think more about him. The similarities, the differences. Night always brought odd thoughts…, darkness had a way of doing that.
It's like he knows what I am going to say
Thought Thomas to himself.
And yet…, not really…, he's probably….,
"A lot like you?"
Thomas had jumped at that.
"No I can't read thoughts.
But you are like an open book
and only you think it's Braille. "
Thomas had jumped at that. He was thinking to deny it. But he settled down as he listened and realized how true that was.
He was acting in a perfectly predictable manner and that wasn't like him. At least, not like he wanted to think he was.
Has he really changed that much over the years?
"I..,
"never loved?"
Cold water could not have had more of an effect.
Introspection was a heavy thing when one had time to really think about it. And there was plenty of time to think in the Kingdom Of God.
It was the Truth flying straight to the heart. It was hard to deny. He almost wished someone had said it to him so he could deny it. Hard to do when it was your won thoughts that haunted you.
Especially since it was true, and not to be denied.
Never mind who said it or why, obvious truth was a welcome relief in some ways. Or it was when finally a person got past all the denials, guilt and accusations, then it was almost a relief to “get it off your chest”.
There was no sleight of conversation in the Kingdom. Not when you talked to the GodKind. People like Eben, Godkin, they were straight shooters.
All the “Godkin” seemed to be pure in intent. While each person or leader in the other communities had their own personality and style, one thing was obvious about them all. They were blunt.
If they said “yes”, they meant “yes” and if they said No they meant no.
It was a little weird to have this seemingly old man, How old was Eben?, answering his sentences as He spoke them. Another thing about the Godkin was what felt like mind reading, but most assumed was simply knowing Human Nature.
Eben said,
“Stupid is as stupid does and we have all been stupid so why bother”
Eben had a way of connecting the dots with humor.
Still Eben did do things that made one wonder. Like answering questions almost before He had a chance to form them.
One minute we are debating the fine points of Old Judaism and the next he is finishing my sentences for me, who is this guy really?
Who is Eben Abram?
Before he could respond to himself and his thoughts Eben stood up and stretched,
"Stay here and continue to “break off” Rose till all that is consumed by the fire."
"Stay three days to watch over and mourn the loss of Rose.”
Fasting is forbidden for in this I will Celebrate her sacrifice for you.
But you must remain here in the place she has prepared. She did so for you. Stay here three days and three nights among the petals."
Eben told Thomas.
"But I don't..,"
Thomas started to tell Eben something but like all other “godkind”, Eben spoke till he was done speaking. Interruptions were ignored.
"It was her only request I have ever heard her speak.
Honor her by staying the three days."
Eben had risen and gathered himself to leave.
"I still don't….
Again Thomas started..,
"You will."
"After the third day you will."
"You shall not see me again till after these days pass away."
Eben left with staff in hand.
His white “robe of righteousness” walking off into the night disappearing slowly away out of the light from the fire. He had seemed to be headed to the "little lake" as he called it.
It never really amounted to more than a pond as Thomas recalled, still it seemed to be place He went often. Lately it had been filling up with water. The last time Tom had been there it was little more than a wading pond.
Still that had been quite a few years ago.
"Maybe He's going to the cave",
thought Thomas.
He was always curious about the cave and why Eben went there.
Not curious enough to ask or go there himself, just a passing thought of what he thought he ought to do. He recalled some of the others in the "class" went to the lake sometimes to swim.
So it must have filled in more than he remembered.
Thomas stirred the fire. He was musing. He had a lot to think about, a lot to consider. Stirring the fire seemed to help. In fact being outdoors sitting next to a fire was calming, therapeutic, relaxing.
He thought,
"All I need now is marshmallows."
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