"Easter is very important to me. It’s a second chance." ~~Reba McEntire

Hi all,

Happy Easter!

So... slight change of plans for the stories I've slated for this year.  My intention is still to release "The Shepherd" first.  I don't expect it to be nearly as long as "The Carpenter" because I'm not going to spend a lot of time on rehearsals.  If you've read TC, you know how they stage Jesus Christ Superstar and I don't really see a point in going over that all again except where this year's production diverges from the usual.  I then planned to move directly into "The Advocate" which will be pretty thematically heavy.  To be honest, both stories are.  So I've decided to insert another story in between the two as kind of a palate cleanser... because I will likely need it.  That's not to say it won't have some deeply serious moments.  But there will be some comedic moments and some romance and a playlist... and it'll become very obvious, very quickly that yours truly has been absolutely enchanted by Our Flag Means Death.  It's not a crossover, to be clear.  Because as will be revealed in later parts of "The Shepherd," the TV show Our Flag Means Death exists in the Dyeland universe.  But that doesn't mean there aren't individuals... namely ones named Steve and Edgar... who bear uncanny resemblances to certain fictionalized pirates.  Then once I get that out of my system, I'll move onto "The Advocate."  I'm not going to rush myself.  My intention is only to have all three of them done by early December. 

But for now... I hope you enjoy the opening scenes of "The Shepherd."

God bless,
Jenni


The Shepherd, Part I

Circa 2005

"The category is... Femme Queen Academia!"

That was the last thing Loreena heard before she fled from the ballroom in tears.

She was unaware she'd been followed outside until someone sat beside her on the stoop she was occupying.

"Don't listen to them.  Hurt people say hurtful things sometimes."

Loreena raised her head from her hands and looked over at her guest.  She didn't know what to make of him.  She wasn't even sure what he was wearing... some sort of heavily embroidered tunic paired with leather leggings.  And his make-up...  He looked like a daddy who had allowed his pre-schooler to go wild with her dollar store palette.  

It was strangely endearing.

"What's your name?" the man asked.

"Lorenzo."

Loreena stuck her hand out.

The man didn't shake it.

"What's your name?" the man repeated.  "Your real name."

Loreena smiled and tried again.

"Loreena.  My name is Loreena."

The man shook her hand.

"Vero."

"Pleased to meet you, Vero."

"Likewise.  Anyway...  I'm sorry about what the judges said in there.  I thought you looked great."

Loreena said nothing.

"Sometimes in this life, what comes so easy to some people has to be fought for... hard won... by others.  It's not fair.  But I think there can be beauty in the journey.  Don't let other people tarnish that for you," Vero advised.  "God has big plans for you."

Loreena scoffed.

"You really think God loves people like us?"

"No.  I don't think.  I know He does."

"Right..."  

Vero patted Loreena on the back.

"Just don't lose hope."

Loreena smiled, feeling strangely calmed.  

"Get back in there.  Focus on having fun, on being yourself.  Forget what the others say.  You're you and that's beautiful," Vero encouraged.  

Loreena's smile grew.

"Yeah... okay.  You coming back in?"

Vero shook his head.

"Time for me to move on.  But I'll be cheering you on, Loreena."

"Thank you."

In spite of her usual aversion to touch, Loreena hugged the man.

Vero returned her hug and beamed.

"Remember...  He's got big plans for you."

Loreena chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah.  Okay."  

She smiled once more then disappeared back into the ballroom.

Vero remained where he was, smiling at the closed door.

A voice sounded from behind him.

"Explain to me, please, how one paints a sunset with such immense beauty and detail and yet... you do that to your face."

Vero turned around and grinned.

"Cephas..."

Cephas shook his head in disbelief.

"Rabboni...  You look..."  He wrinkled his nose.

"Hey, I dress like I need to dress to fit in for what I need to do, the message I need to convey.  You think it was a treat to go around in sandals all the time with all that sand and dirt?  Did that for you, buddy," Joshua teased.

"But those pants..."

Joshua looked down at them and laughed.

"Yeah...  They are uniquely awful.  Not.  Comfy.  At.  All."

Cephas' reserve faltered.  He laughed loudly as Joshua squirmed.

"Let's go Home, hmm?  And promise me something?" the erstwhile fisherman asked.

"Yes.  Let's do that.  And what's that?"

"If you ever do this again... let Mary or Yemimah do your make-up.  This is embarrassing."

Joshua laughed loudly.

"Promise."

"Thank You.  So... what is the story with the girl?"  Cephas waved to the stoop where Loreena and Joshua had been sitting.

"You'll see."

Joshua looked back once more at the door Loreena had disappeared through, smiled, and walked off into the city with his right hand man.
*~*~*
Saturday, January 29th, 2022

Loreena walked into the laundry room of her apartment building to find Roger pinning something to the community bulletin board.

"Ooh, you got news, Roger?" she asked as she set her basket down.

Beaming, the man nodded.

"Sure do!  We've got lots of details to iron out but St. Genesius' production of Jesus Christ Superstar is back on!  Live and with an audience!"

Loreena returned Roger's smile and patted his arm.

"That's great news!  Are you going to be in it?"

Roger laughed and shook his head.

"Definitely not.  No singing talent, no dancing talent, big case of stage fright.  But... I do plan to help out backstage.  Maybe with the PR a little."

Loreena eyed the poster. 

"Do you know if Joshua is performing?" she asked quietly.

"As it happens... that's one of the few pieces we do know.  And yes!  He's performing as Jesus at all performances."

Loreena let out a happy little shriek.

"That's awesome!  I've been wanting to see him perform live and, frankly, just hoping he'd come back into town."

"He'll be there tonight.  We're having a meeting to sort things out.  Dates, casting, rehearsal schedule."  Roger studied Loreena.  She looked wistful.  "Would you like to come?"

Loreena stepped back and shook her head.

"No... no.  Thank you, though.  I'm not part of the cast or crew."

Roger shrugged.

"Neither is Tony but I'm still bringing him along."

Loreena shook her head.

"I'm not even Catholic but it still seems so weird to me when you refer to him that way.  No offense."

Roger laughed.

"None taken.  But it's what he prefers.  Archbishop Merriman is who the world sees.  But Tony... that's who he really is.  And he likes having someone around who remembers that.  He's just a man."

Loreena hummed.

"'He's a man... he's just a man...'" she sang.

Roger grinned.

"That's it!  You're coming tonight!  That sounded great!  Maybe you could be in the show!"

Loreena chuckled and shook her head.

"Roger...  You and I both know that's not how that song is supposed to sound." 

"It sounds different every time a different person sings it!  Everyone has their own spin.  And, besides, it's not like St. G's stands on tradition.  They gave an entire song to a character they inserted.  There's no Claudia Pilate in the OG show."

"True..."

Roger clasped Loreena's hand.

"Just come.  Please.  No commitment.  I mean, yeah, we'll get into logistics tonight but really it's more of a celebratory pizza party reunion thing."

"I do want to see Joshua...  And it'd be nice to see Andrew and JenniAnn.  It's been a few weeks since I've seen them.  I still worry about them.  Did they ever find the guys who attacked them?"

Roger stared down at his hands for a moment, searching for words.  He sometimes forgot how much Loreena didn't know about their group.

"No... no, they didn't," he replied.  "But Andrew and JenniAnn are doing well.  And, yeah, you should come see them!  And Mason and Renee are coming, too!"

Loreena smiled at his eagerness.

"All right.  Sure.  I'd love to tag along.  Should I bring anything?"

"Just yourself!  We're meeting at 6:00 but I'm leaving here about 5:15 so I have time to swing by and get Tony.  I could come to your apartment around 5:00?" Roger suggested.

"It's a plan!" Loreena agreed, beaming.

Roger returned her smile.

"Then I'll leave you to your laundry.  See you at 5:00!"

"See you!  And thanks.  For inviting me."

"Thanks for agreeing to come!"

Roger grinned then went on his way, humming the show's title song to himself.

Loreena shook her head.

"What have I got myself into?" she murmured. 

*~*~*

Shortly after lunch, with their two youngest children under the care of their older ones, Andrew and JenniAnn snuck off for a walk around Dyeland City.

"Are you warm enough?" Andrew asked, moving to take off his coat.

"Don't.  Thank you, though.  Feeling a bit hot around the face, to be honest," JenniAnn replied.

The angel of death smiled.

"Don't suppose it has anything to do with who we'll be seeing tonight... who will also be staying with us for a while."

JenniAnn's cheeks flushed.

"Maybe."

Andrew wrapped an arm around JenniAnn's waist and pulled her close, kissing her hair.

"You're not still worried about Christmas, are you?  You both were on good terms when Joshua left.  And have been since, Laja.  He likely won't even bring your... disagreement up.  Not unless you do."

"I know...  I just still feel bad about it.  It was his birthday."

"I mean he's had two thousand and twenty one of them...  Last year wasn't the only one to get a bit... heated.  I mean, if we're honest, they probably all have.  He's used to it."

"I suppose."

Andrew frowned.  Nothing appeared to be resolved for JenniAnn.  He steered her towards the nearby gazebo.

Once the two were seated, Andrew clasped his anam cara's right hand in both of his.

"Something else is going on.  You've been jumpy ever since you woke up.  Is there anything I can do?"

A tear splashed down JenniAnn's cheek.

"Just...  Had a nightmare is all."

"About the attack?"

"No.  The old one."

"Oh..."  The Crucifixion then, Andrew realized.  He brought her hand to his lips.  "You know, maybe we should rethink you doing all of Joshua's make-up."

JenniAnn jolted and shook her head.

"No!  I mean...  If someone wants to help out...  It probably wouldn't be the worst idea for someone else to learn.  What if I got sick?  But...  I don't want to completely pass it along.  I...  It's good bonding time."

Andrew had to admit this was probably true.  As bizarre as it seemed, JenniAnn and Joshua had turned the flogging and Crucifixion make-up routine into something oddly spa-like.  Any skin that would be touched by that horrid red make-up was first covered in moisturizer which smelled of some mix of rose, lavender, jasmine, patchouli, and sandalwood.  It would be wrong to take that away from them.

"All right."  Andrew nuzzled her hair.  "Just let me know if you do need a break."

"I will."

"And we're definitely not doing anything related to the Crucifixion tonight.  Mostly it's just planning.  At most we'll get everyone singing together.  'Could We Start Again, Please?' or something."

JenniAnn smiled.

"That sounds nice.  Do you think everyone's coming back?"

"I sure hope so!  But I do think we may need to split up some roles.  We'll see."

"We'll see," JenniAnn echoed.

Andrew smiled at her then they resumed their walk.

"Marty's coming with us tonight," he informed her.

"I figured.  Although I wish he didn't feel he had to.  I mean Joshua is going to be there.  Aziraphale and Crowley, too."

"Yeah...  And maybe after tonight he'll begin to... worry less.  Maybe all it'll take is seeing us with all our friends.  Happy.  Safe."

"Maybe."  JenniAnn wasn't so sure.  As much as she loved Marty, she'd begun to feel like a child.  He was always wanting to know where she was going, when she'd be back.  Same with Andrew when he wasn't in angelic mode.  Poor guy couldn't even go to Omaha to deliver his carpentry orders without a security detail.

They reached the beach and Andrew gestured to a form in the mist.

"I think this Spring we should really decide what we're going to do with that."

JenniAnn followed his gaze to the Aurora Mist, their old ship.  She smiled sadly.  They'd loved that ship in the early years.  She and the girls would often take it out... after giggling through seafaring lessons from Andrew and Adam.  But then many of "the girls" had moved on.  Then the years had passed in a flurry of odd jobs, children, housework, and... him.  JenniAnn hugged Andrew's arm.

"We should...  I've half a mind to tell you to salvage it for the lumber.  But... lots of memories."

"I don't think I could do that."  Andrew nuzzled JenniAnn's hair.  He remembered fancy teas in the "captain's quarters," the princess making eyes at him over the rim of her teacup.  It had been awkward then... JenniAnn had only been a teenager, after all.  But now...

"We should go check it out," the two said in unison before laughing.

They headed towards the ship and Andrew helped JenniAnn to board.

"Oof.  I can tell the birds have spent time here.  The deck needs a good scrubbing," she observed.

"Definitely.  But I think I did a good job of sealing the lower decks up when Max and I checked it over last Spring.  So... hopefully no nasty surprises there.  You wanna see?"

"Sure."

Andrew pulled out the copper mesh he'd stuck beneath the door leading below deck then unlocked it.

"I'll go first... just in case," he offered.

"Sounds good!"

"A little water damage on these first two steps.  Otherwise..."  Andrew made his way to the captain's quarters and peered around.  "Looks good!"

"Ha!  I've been looking for this!"  JenniAnn snatched up a necklace off a side table.  "Y necklace... very early aughts!  Musta been irritating me the last time we were in here.  Loved the colors, though.  Bit youngish for me now.  Maybe one of the girls will...  What are you looking at, love?"

Andrew was standing near a desk, looking down at something.  JenniAnn approached and her cheeks immediately reddened.

"Ooh... boy..."  She studied the half-written love letter... in her own handwriting.  Its subject picked the missive up.

"Can I have this?" Andrew asked quietly.

"Love..."  JenniAnn stretched up to kiss his cheek.  "Of course.  It was meant for you.  I just wish I'd had the guts to finish it and send it at the time."

Andrew pulled her close.

"Everything worked out."

JenniAnn beamed up at him.

"Beautifully so."

Andrew returned her smiled, tucked the letter into his pocket, and then tenderly kissed its author.
*~*~*

"But do you think I should bring scones or... ooh.  This looks yummy.  Marmalade-filled cupcakes.  I could fill some with other jams, of course." 

Crowley set down his watering can and chuckled.

"Bring whatever you'd like, angel.  You weren't actually asked to bring anything."

"I know, I know...  But we've not spent much time around some of these people and I'd like to make a good first impression.  I think I'll go with the cupcakes.  Scones are, perhaps, a little too breakfast-y."

"Sounds delightful... cupcake."

Aziraphale giggled as Crowley moved behind him and wrapped his arms around his middle.

Crowley lingered longer than was his wont.  After a few moments, Aziraphale swiveled and peered into his anam cara's eyes.

"Are you all right, dear boy?" he asked.

Crowley nodded.

Aziraphale snatched off his sunglasses.  Once able to see Crowley's haunted eyes, he grimaced.

"You are not.  Tell me."

Crowley leaned into Aziraphale's hand as it rested on his right cheek.

"'S only...  Spose I'm a little... nervous."

"About the show?"

Crowley nodded.

"Being around all those... humans... and angels."

Aziraphale carded his fingers through Crowley's hair which now ran past his shoulders.

"JenniAnn will be there.  You like her.  Andrew, too.  And Joshua... now that we've made our peace, it'll be pleasant to spend some time with him, hmm?"

"Do... do you think the others will like me?  I'd even take tolerating me."

"Oh, Crowley..."  Aziraphale hugged him.  "They'll adore you.  Just like I do.  Well... not just like I do.  That could be a problem.  But they'll adore you in a completely average way."

The reformed demon chuckled.

"And... is this also maybe a bit about the role Joshua asked you to play?" the angel gently pressed.

Crowley gave a silent nod.

"It'll be difficult.  But just keep reminding yourself... Joshua is safe.  Joshua is unharmed.  You're just recreating something that happened a very long time ago.  And it won't hurt him this time.  In fact, it'll make him feel good.  I'm quite looking forward to seeing him swarmed by adoring fans after the performances."

"Yeah..."

Aziraphale kissed Crowley's brow.

"And you are a beautiful angel."

While Crowley sometimes still bristled at the term, he didn't then.  He only smiled and rested his head on Aziraphale's shoulder.

Whatever else happened, the love of his very long life would be with him.
*~*~*

"They're coming, aren't they?"

"We told them we were leaving at 5:45, right?"

Adam checked his pocket watch.

"Well, technically they have two more minutes."

Kylie frowned and shook her head.

"But Lacey's always so punctual.  If they were going to leave with us, they'd be here by now."

Edward peered around the group waiting in Randall's and Dot's living room.

"Has anyone talked to them today?"

"I saw Caleb around 1:00," Ethan answered.  "He was getting into his car.  We waved and said 'hey.'  He looked okay.  Maybe a little distracted.  Do you think something happened?"

Kylie patted her foster son's back.

"I'm sure Caleb and Lacey are fine.  Edward, why don't you go check on them?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Do you want me to go with you, babe?" Zadie asked as she re-tied Etta's shoes.

"No, I'm fine.  Be right back."

With an encouraging smile, Edward made his way to his twin's cabin.  He'd barely knocked when the door opened and Caleb poked his head out.

"Hey, sorry.  I was just heading out to come see you all.  Lacey's not feeling well so we're staying in.  Please give everyone our best."

Edward glanced past his brother and saw Lacey, huddled on the couch.

"I'm sorry to hear that.  Can I get you anything before..."

"No, no.  You should go."

"Maybe I could ask Joshua to come by and..."

Edward noticed a quick flash of anger on Caleb's face.  Likely anyone else would have missed it... anyone who hadn't known the man since the embryo stage.

"No," Caleb replied flatly.

"Okay...  Caleb, is this about..."

Caleb cut Edward off.

"I really need to focus on Lacey now.  Please go, Edward.  I don't want to make everyone late."

"All right, all right.  But we're going through casting tonight so... are you in for the usual?"

Caleb sighed and dragged a hand through his hair.

"The Friends are a lot more numerous now.  Let someone else..."

Edward fought tears.

"But I like having you there.  Especially during the scourging.  You... you calm me down."

Caleb's own eyes welled.  He turned back to his wife.

"Lacey, love, be right back."

"Okay."

Caleb moved onto the front stoop and closed the door behind him.

"I just can't do it this year, Edward.  Maybe never again.  It... it's not like I hate Joshua.  I... I still believe everything I ever did about him.  But... but I'm angry at him.  And I just... I can't spend multiple nights a week around him.  Not right now.  I don't want to bring down everyone else's mood but... I... Edward..."

Edward wrapped his arms around his twin as he began to cry.

"We... we've prayed so... so much.  But..."  Caleb shook his head.  "He... he made it so Zeke and Diana could... could have a fourth kid, Edward!  And... and we don't begrudge them Manny.  Not... not at all.  But...  He... he won't even give us one!  And I'm so tired of... of seeing the look of devastation on Lacey's face every god damn month!"

Edward said nothing.  He didn't know what to say.  He knew Caleb and Lacey had been struggling to get pregnant.  He also knew that it was just the latest in a string of examples of everything being just a bit harder for Caleb than it was for him.  But this was more than "just a bit harder."

"I'm sorry," he murmured.  "I... I wish I could make it better."

Caleb smiled sadly at his brother and rested his forehead against his.

"I know.  But please go.  I really don't want to make everyone late.  Text when you get back.  So we know you're all home safe.  Please."

Edward nodded.

"I will.  Promise."

"Thank you."

With a final hug, the twins pulled apart and Edward, reluctantly, headed back to the house without his brother and his sister-in-law.
To be continued...



This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for setting me up for another trio of stories that I hope don't drive me too crazy!  :-)
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(Photo Credits: The photographs used on this page are from Touched by an Angel and owned by CBS Productions, Caroline Productions, and Moon Water Productions.  They are not being used to seek profit.)