JABB 627- And More Scenes from "The Shepherd"

"When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go." ~~Carol Burnett

Hi all,

I'm still typing away! "The Shepherd" is actually done... just waiting for me to do a final edit. I was a little reluctant to send these scenes because I've already made changes to scenes I've previously shared. But... I have nothing else so here you go!

I also have an update. With "The Shepherd" finished, I have a clearer idea of what I'm doing. And I just wanted to make it clear that this isn't exactly a "The Carpenter"/"The King" scenario. At least to me, "The Carpenter" felt fairly complete on its own and "The King" just tied up some loose ends. "The Shepherd" is more like Act I in a play. By the time it ends, there's a lot that's still very unsettled. Following that is "The Lost Sheep" which I've kinda jokingly said is the intermission... but like a fun intermission where the cast comes out and does entertaining stuff. I mean it's got a lot of serious issues. But it's a romance so it feels so much lighter even with that. Finally, there's "The Advocate" which makes up Act II and where we get closure on several of the plots from "The Shepherd." After I finish "The Lost Sheep," I will probably take a break for a bit before moving onto "The Advocate."

Anyway... onward and upward!

God bless,
Jenni

And more scenes from "The Shepherd"...

As the evening progressed, the rest of the chorus filled out. At Joshua's request, Jeff, Tyson, and Tim were leaving the next day to establish their emergency infant care project in Poland. Their roles were taken up by Takoda, Behnam, and Christopher. Excited by the prospect of spending more time with her boyfriend, the latter casting decision prompted Amala to volunteer to help Monica with costumes. Cira and Crystal decided they were too busy with their work at the Phoenix to participate full-time and opted to help out backstage as needed. Thus, Joccy took over the role of Abigail while Salma was cast as Adah. When Kemara opted out over concerns about risking COVID exposure for her little ones, Ana-Maria and Shelby agreed to split the role of Joanna. The rest of the cast, crew, and orchestra reclaimed their roles.

Andrew exhaled deeply.

"We did it!" he cheered.

The crowd clapped and cheered along with him.

"We'll start rehearsals on Wednesday. I'll work on the full schedule tomorrow so be sure to check your emails," Andrew directed. "And now... we're adjourned for the night. Thanks, everyone! So glad to see you all!"

Over the next several minutes, the Friends all said their good byes and headed back to their homes. For Joshua, that meant heading to Willowveil with Andrew and JenniAnn and their household. By the time they arrived, both Belle and Avi were asleep and being carried by Andrew and Joshua.

"Do you want me to get him changed or is he okay to sleep in his clothes?" Joshua asked as he headed towards the stairs with Avi.

"His clothes are comfy enough," JenniAnn replied before kissing the boy's hair. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"I'll get Belle tucked in, too." Andrew carefully shifted her in his arms then followed Joshua.

JenniAnn let out a contented sigh.

"It really was so good to see everyone. Oh, thank you." She smiled at Marty who took her coat.

"My pleasure."

"I'm so excited to be part of it this year!" Joccy gushed.

"Me too," Shelby agreed. "Although very relieved I don't have to be fake-married to Adam."

JenniAnn laughed and hugged the girl.

"Sweetie, that was never gonna happen. Emma just wasn't thinking straight. I feel for her. I was never even pregnant but just all the prep and planning that comes with babies can make a person a little frazzled without even figuring in hormonal changes. I remember once, shortly after we adopted Belle, I signed something and misspelled my own name."

"And that's just one reason I am perfectly happy to only ever be an aunt!" Shelby asserted.

"Will you be going to all of the rehearsals, JenniAnn?" Marty asked.

"Oh... I dunno. Definitely as we get closer to opening night. But, yeah, maybe all of them depending on what's going on with the kids. My parents, Vincent and Catherine, and Raquel and Nico are all hoping Andrew and I make ourselves scarce, I think, so they can babysit. Why?"

"Just for planning purposes."

"Oh."

Joccy, Takoda, Violeta, and Shelby all exchanged awkward, hesitant looks. Sandy let out a soft sigh.

"Hey, so, I think Joc and I are gonna head to bed." Takoda announced.

Joccy yawned.

"Yeah... so tired suddenly."

"And Shel and I are gonna head to our room," Violeta added. "Joshua said he'll help us hang shelves and stuff while he's here!"

"Okay, sounds good. G'night, all!" JenniAnn hugged the four before they headed off, leaving her with Marty and Sandy. She gently squeezed Marty's right hand before speaking. "I'd love for you to be at rehearsals, Marty. And you, too, Sandy. But only if you want to be. Andrew and I... we'll be fine. Crowley and Aziraphale will be there. On the nights the orchestra is around, Gabe and Freya will be, too. And, most importantly, Joshua will be there. Surely no demon would come near us when the Son of God is right there."

"But he's limited in his current state," Marty pressed.

"Yes. Which means he's just not omnipotent. Or... not consciously omnipotent. Still not entirely sure how that works. But..." JenniAnn used her most gentle tone. "Marty, he's still more powerful than you. We'll be fine."

"Like I said..." Sandy murmured.

"Still..." Marty bowed his head.

JenniAnn hugged him.

"I don't think you need to be there to protect us. I really, really don't. But... I think you should be there. I think it would be good for you. A nice distraction, hmm? I mean... I know it'll be heavy at times. Especially for you angels who remember. But it really is fun. And , Sandy, we'd love to have you, too."

"Thank you! I do adore being around all those talented, artsy people."

Marty smiled and nodded. He felt relief that JenniAnn wasn't upset and was encouraging Sandy's presence. He would be good company for the rougher bits.

"Now... I'm going to change into some comfy pajamas but I'm quite wired after tonight so... care to join me for some tea in the ballroom? I'll ask Andrew and Joshua."

"We'd love that. I'll start the pot," Marty offered.

"Thank you!" JenniAnn called back as she headed to the staircase.

Once at the top, she ran into Andrew and Joshua who were exiting Avi's and Belle's rooms.

"Hey! I'm just gonna change but then Marty, Sandy, and I were gonna meet in the ballroom for tea. They're getting it ready. Interested?" she invited.

"Absolutely," Joshua agreed.

"Same." Andrew nodded. "But, yeah, I'd like to change first, too."

"I'll see you both down there. I'll go help the boys." Joshua smiled at the couple then left.

Andrew and JenniAnn entered their room and grabbed their pajamas. They talked as they changed, JenniAnn in the bathroom and Andrew remaining in their bedroom.

"So what do you think about how the casting turned out?" the angel inquired.

"So happy and excited! Especially for Loreena. That meant so much to her! Still a lil concerned about Crowley. And... really concerned about Caleb."

Andrew frowned as he pulled on his flannel pants.

"Me too. You figure it's because of not getting pregnant yet?"

"I do... unfortunately. I mean it would be hard to deal with... especially with Renee and Emma being pregnant. And I have my suspicions about Neela... just something Eric said about being glad to only be part-time so he could help Neela out more around the house given... He cut off then. Not sure, though. Anyway... I mean... I can remember feeling those pangs of longing pre-kids... even when I wasn't trying to conceive."

"And I can remember feeling badly that I... I couldn't give that to you."

Changed, JenniAnn stepped out of the bathroom and hugged Andrew before helping to button up his top.

"But then you did... just not in the most typical way. I keep praying something will work out for Caleb and Lacey." She shook her head. "And I just really hope it doesn't take a toll on their marriage. They're so perfect for each other."

"They are." Andrew's face clouded. He'd seen more than one marriage dissolve under the strain of infertility. And he'd seen others come to the brink.

"Do you think Joshua will go see them?"

Andrew sighed and dragged a hand through his hair.

"I mean... he'd want to. Of course he'd want to. But he couldn't push them. They'd have to want to see him."

"He... he could heal them. He's done it before. I mean... obviously. Lots of healings. But I know it's happened at least twice just in the time he's been in the show. Diana and Zeke. Then that other couple... Remember. Ivy, Kemara, and Violeta met them when they went to Wicked with Joshua."

Andrew nodded.

"Talita and Milo? Does that sound right?"

"Yes! He helped them so..."

"Yes. And maybe he'll do the same for Caleb and Lacey. But maybe... maybe he'll do something like he did for us. Miracles don't always look the same."

"True." JenniAnn leaned up for a kiss. "And ours are perfect."

Andrew smiled and returned her kiss.

"Maybe more perfectly imperfect. Perfect doesn't wake their parents up at 2:30 AM, screaming because she realized she shares a name with a possessed doll and demanding to be called Dora."

JenniAnn giggled, remembering an unfortunate side effect of Belle happening upon her older siblings watching one of The Conjuring movies earlier that week.

"As pretty of a name as Dora is, I'm glad we were able to reason with her and get her to see she was named after us, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and Badriya... not a possessed doll." JenniAnn laughed once more then sobered, resting her forehead against Andrew's shoulder. "I want that for Caleb and Lacey..."

Andrew kissed her hair.

"Me too. We'll pray about it, okay?"

JenniAnn nodded and laced her fingers through Andrew's as he spoke.

"Father... Joshua... please extend Your healing grace to our friends, Caleb and Lacey. Give them the support and love they need to help them through this trial. And, if it be Your will, please grant them the desire of their hearts. Amen."

"Amen."

Andrew squeezed JenniAnn's hands before releasing them.

"Ready to go get that tea?"

Struck for a moment by the oddness of knowing the God they'd just prayed to was downstairs waiting for tea, it took a moment for JenniAnn to respond.

"Yeah. Yeah, let's head down."

Andrew smiled, seemingly reading his anam cara's mind.

"The mystery and awe of it never entirely wears off. Not in decades... not in eons."

JenniAnn returned his smile.

"I'm glad."

Hand-in-hand, the two made their way to the ballroom.

*~*~*

Taking Measure

Monday, January 31st, 2022

After finishing up at her office, Loreena made her way to St. Genesius'. Though rehearsals were still two days off, Monica had requested she stop in for costume measurements.

Loreena felt a bit self-conscious. She knew some of the others were sharing costumes. But she was easily a foot taller than Kylie.

When they'd spoken about it on the phone, Kylie had laughed it off.

"Don't worry about it! I'm shorter than most everyone I know... Ethan's been taller than me for as long as I've known him and I know I only have a year or two before Ryan bests me. Besides, Adam's going to be relieved to play against someone he doesn't have to hunch over to make eye contact with."

Her words and general levity had put Loreena at ease... mostly.

Loreena knocked on the door to St. Genesius' office and it was almost instantly thrown open.

"Loreena, welcome!"

"Joshua! I didn't know you'd be here." Loreena smiled at him as he ushered her inside.

"Andrew, Peter, and I decided we'd better inspect the stage. It's been a couple of years since we've done a full-blown production on it so... safety first."

"And how does it look?"

"Great! We sanded down a couple of spots where the floorboards warped a bit but other than that..."

"Oh! Oh! Look at you... Oh, Crowley..."

Joshua and Loreena exchanged curious looks upon hearing Aziraphale's exclamation.

"Let's just go see what that's about, hmm?" Joshua suggested.

Laughing, Loreena followed him and nodded.

Once backstage, the two found Aziraphale in teary rapture as he beheld his anam cara, dressed in an immaculate white robe as JenniAnn fussed with his hair.

Crowley glared into a full-length mirror.

Loreena looked over to Joshua who was misty-eyed.

"Don't know about thisss..."

Aziraphale grabbed Crowley's hand and squeezed it.

JenniAnn looped a metal belt around Crowley's waist.

"Stop holding your breath, Crowley," she directed.

The watcher relaxed.

"There we go..." JenniAnn secured the belt, the end of which hung halfway down Crowley's right thigh, decorated with a collection of golden sun, moon, and star charms.

"This is yours," Crowley murmured.

JenniAnn nodded.

"Yes. But you can use it for the show. It'll look lovely when the light hits it during the show. You look lovely."

"You do, my dear," Aziraphale praised, stroking Crowley's back.

Crowley spotted Joshua in the mirror. His face began to crumble.

"Excuse me for a few moments," Joshua murmured, touching Loreena's shoulder before going to Crowley and pulling him into a hug.

"There now, love... there now," Aziraphale cooed.

JenniAnn, with tears in her own eyes, approached Loreena.

"Best to leave them for a bit. You're here to see Monica and Amala, right?"

Loreena tore her gaze away from the scene in front of her and nodded.

"Yeah... I am."

"They're on the other side. I'll show you."

Loreena followed JenniAnn as she walked onto the stage.

"Is he all right? Crowley, I mean?"

JenniAnn nodded.

"He is. And he'll be even better in time. He and Joshua... they just have a lot of history. This will be emotional for them both but good, I think."

"How long have you known Crowley and Aziraphale?"

"Hmm... We met shortly before the pandemic so... a lil over two years now." JenniAnn smiled fondly.

"And where's that cousin of mine?" a voice sounded from the back of the theatre.

JenniAnn turned away from Loreena then bolted off the stage.

"John!"

Loreena watched with amusement as the two met halfway down the aisle. They embraced, the big man briefly lifting JenniAnn off the ground.

"I'm so glad you're here!" JenniAnn exclaimed. "I wasn't sure if..."

"Of course I'd be here. Whether I had anything to do or not. But since Kemara is taking a step back, I said I'd help Roger with promotion."

"Aww, good!" JenniAnn looked back to the stage and smiled at Loreena before leading John that way. "John, I want you to meet Loreena. She's splitting the Claudia role with Kylie. Loreena, this is John Aaronson, Joshua's cousin."

Loreena held out her hand which John warmly shook.

"Very glad to meet you, Loreena! I believe you shared an apartment building with my baby cousin at one point?"

JenniAnn laughed.

"John is six months older than Joshua... and very proud of it," she explained.

"As he should be!" Loreena grinned at the new arrival and nodded. "And, yeah, we did. Back when he was living with Mason."

"Right!"

Loreena cocked her head.

"You look so familiar to me..."

"You may have seen John around town. But I also know he was in that photo you asked me about... during the worst of the pandemic. When Joshua was helping out. John was the man with him," JenniAnn related.

"Oh! That must be it. Because that did startle me. I was worried for Joshua. Thank you for what the both of you did. Such a scary time." Loreena shook her head at the memories.

"It was important for us to help out in any way we could." John was quiet for a few moments before brightening. "And now I'm looking forward to helping with something much more heartening. Where is Joshua?"

"Near the office. Crowley had his costume fitting and, well... there were feelings," JenniAnn explained.

"Naturally. I think I'll go check on them." John smiled at the two women. "Loreena, good to meet you. JenniAnn, we'll catch up soon."

"Sounds great!"

Once John was gone, JenniAnn returned her attention to Loreena. "And now to get you to Monica and Amala so they can..."

Loreena reached out and set a hand on JenniAnn's arm.

"Before that... I just... Everyone knows, right? About me being trans?" she checked.

"I'm not actually sure," JenniAnn replied. "But I know everyone was on board with you joining the show so..."

"It's just... Word's going to get out. After my first performance if not before. And given the subject of the show..." Loreena frowned. "Well, there could be backlash. Ugly backlash. And... I'm used to that but the rest of you..."

JenniAnn looked to the woman with sympathy.

"There could be, unfortunately," she acknowledged. "But there was backlash over Joshua. Really ugly backlash. Graffiti. Threatening calls. Some literal cult members showed up. All because Andrew dared to hire a Middle Eastern Jewish man to play a Middle Eastern Jewish man."

"Good Lord..."

"Yeah... But we didn't back down then and, if it happens, we still won't back down. You got the part fair and square. And you'll be great, Loreena! I know it's easy for me to say but... it'll be okay. No matter what, we stick together."

Loreena slowly let out the breath she'd been holding.

"Besides, Jesus hand-picked you so... nobody knows better than him."

Laughing, Loreena nodded.

"That's true!"

JenniAnn wished Loreena could know she wasn't joking. Maybe soon, she prayed.

"So... you ready to go see Monica and Amala?"

"Sure! I'm actually feeling pretty excited now!"

"Yay! I'm so glad. Then right this way!"

JenniAnn led Loreena to a curtained off area on the other side of the stage.

Nearby, Amala was sorting through some fabric.

"Oh good! You're here!" the teenager greeted Loreena with a smile. "Ooh and, JenniAnn, I have a question for you later."

"Cool, come find me after you're done here."

"Hullo, JenniAnn! Hullo, Loreena!" Monica smiled in greeting. "Loreena, if you want to step inside our little makeshift room here..."

Loreena looked back once more at JenniAnn who gave her an encouraging smile and thumbs up.

"Sure," she agreed.

"I'm just gonna go check on Crowley but I'll be around for a bit yet," JenniAnn assured before leaving her friend in Amala's and Monica's capable hands.

"Well, the good thing for you is you get a comfortable costume!" Monica chirped. "The Roman men... not quite so much."

"Kylie told me hers is as comfy as a nightgown," Loreena related.

"Hoping so! Shall we begin?" Monica checked.

"Sounds good."

For a couple of minutes, there was only silence save Monica relaying measurements to Amala who dutifully jotted them down.

Once they were finished, the angel clapped her hands.

"And we're done!" Monica smiled at Loreena. "I think you'll love being part of the show!"

"I think I will, too! You've been working on it for a while haven't you, Monica?"

"Oh, yes. Ever since Joshua started performing. Mainly in costumes. But I was also the Angel of Gethsemane for a while."

"Why did you stop? With being the angel, I mean?"

"A few reasons. One, I think it's important Crowley have a go at it. He was... born for the role," Monica said carefully. "And, more personally, my partner, Arthur, works a lot of hours at True Light, the men's shelter he runs. And we have a twelve-year-old son, Liam. Evenings are often the only time we have together as a family, all three of us, so... I just didn't want to be apart from them on so many evenings."

"Understandable! Amala, this is your first year, right?"

The girl nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! I'm studying fashion design... with a focus on sustainability. So that's why I wanted to work on the show. St. G's is big on reusing materials. We get as much use as we can out of the bits of fabric and then when we're down to barely nothing left, we give that to JenniAnn for her mice to use for bedding."

Loreena laughed.

"JenniAnn has mice? How have I missed this? Somehow they never made an appearance in our many Zoom calls."

"JenniAnn has a mice army! Andrew builds them these adorable little houses so they can stay warm and cozy all winter," Monica relayed.

Loreena smiled and shook her head. Somehow that didn't surprise her. She hadn't spent a great deal of time around Andrew... but enough to know that he was devoted to his "Laja."

"That's too cute! But I better let you ladies go," Loreena said with reluctance. "I'm sure someone else is due in soon."

"Not for another twenty or so minutes!" Amala chirped. "So you're welcome to stay and chat with us. Monica?"

"Absolutely! Although first... I could do with a bit of coffee, anyone else?" the angel checked.

"Sure, why not?" Loreena happily accepted.

The three made their way to the coffee pots and spent an enjoyable few minutes getting to know each other better.

*~*~*

On the other side of the theatre; Joshua, John, JenniAnn, and Aziraphale were all focused on cheering Crowley.

"I could use a drink..." the former demon muttered.

Joshua materialized a steaming mug.

"Here you go."

Crowley accepted it then scrunched his nose.

"No wine?"

"Nope. The spiced milk will serve you better," Joshua insisted.

Crowley took a sip. It did make him feel all warm and calm.

"Just took me back's all."

"Of course it did, dear boy!" Aziraphale cried, fussing with Crowley's hair. "This... Theatre is designed to pull on the heartstrings! Make one's emotions go wild!"

"Just remember: We're here in 2022. We're both doing well. We both have people who love us very, very much," Joshua reminded. "It doesn't take away all the pain of what happened back in Jerusalem... but it helps, Crowley. It really does."

"Least you look better than you did then," Crowley mused, giving Joshua a slight smirk.

Joshua laughed.

"Yeah, well, access to a shower and a good mattress can do a lot for a person... not to mention having a very attentive host and hostess."

JenniAnn squeezed Joshua's hand back when he grasped hers. Then she returned her attention to Crowley.

"You're still talking with Jamie, right?"

Crowley nodded.

"Good. Glad to hear it! And, ya know, you're always welcome at Willowveil. All three of you are. Maybe it would help to just kinda be around Joshua when we're all just hanging out. Speaking of... and not to distract from you, Crowley..."

"Nope. Distract from me. Please!"

JenniAnn patted his shoulder then continued.

"Thank you. Anyway... Loreena. I can tell she's feeling a bit nervous. I mean not terribly much. But she did ask about how we'd handle things if people got out of line. So I told her about that first year... with the graffiti and everything. And about how we didn't back down."

"Good. Because we won't back down this time either," Joshua stressed.

"Which is what I said. But I'm just a little nervous that the more she talks to people, the more she'll realize that Andrew and I have had everyone else over to our place. I don't want her to feel like we're keeping her at a distance. Like our acceptance is only at a surface level. But, well... she doesn't know Andrew's an angel, she doesn't know we live in another world, she still thinks Andrew and I were attacked by random criminals, and she definitely doesn't know who you are." JenniAnn peered at Joshua.

"You're right to be concerned." Joshua smiled gently at JenniAnn. "She did used to read Narnia as a child... even spent a bit of time patting the backs of closets as many children do. So... The portal concept isn't foreign to her. And she's definitely trustworthy. I just don't want to throw too much at her at once and risk overwhelming her. So... let's start with Willowveil. John, you busy tomorrow morning?"

"Not unless you say I am."

Joshua laughed.

"All right. You can help tomorrow at the castle. We just need to move and hide anything that looks a little too... worshipful of me. I don't want Loreena thinking I'm a cult leader. We'll leave the angels and demons thing alone for now. And as for who I am... she needs to come to that realization in her own time. The only other thing I'd be concerned about her happening upon is your therapy group, JenniAnn and Aziraphale. But she's usually working when you're doing that."

"And we can also keep the ballroom door closed. In the unlikely event she would stop by then, I know she'd knock before entering and thus not hear anything she shouldn't," JenniAnn pointed out.

"Right," Joshua agreed.

"Don't you think she'll ask about the... how of the portal?" Crowley questioned.

"Yes. But we'll just say God's mysteries never cease to amaze." Joshua smiled at JenniAnn. "I mean you've known about the portals for over half your life. How do they work?"

JenniAnn laughed.

"I dunno! Never really thought about the technical aspects. Just, ya know, God's mysteries never cease to amaze," she quoted.

"Exactly." Joshua hugged her. "So that's the only answer any of you can give. And it's the one I'll give, too. Maybe letting her know I created the blue room one. It'll ease her nerves. No one really wants a long-winded explanation. Maybe physicists. But Loreena is not a physicist."

"The young lady will be far too interested in all there is to see in Dyeland. I mean that library alone... One could wile away hours... days... in there," Aziraphale mused.

"Which he knows from personal experience," Crowley teased.

JenniAnn patted the angel's shoulder.

"And we love having you, Aziraphale!" She smiled at him then returned her attention to Joshua. "So... when do we tell her?"

"How about inviting Loreena for brunch on Sunday?" Joshua suggested. "Before rehearsals. And Roger, too. It'd be good for him to be there. One more comfortable person. Actually, Mason and Renee would be good to add, too. Same reason. We'll ask them to meet us here first so we can show Loreena the way... the way being the blue room."

"I love that idea! And, Crowley and Aziraphale, you should come to. And John you should get to know Roger more since he's helping with PR."

The three happily accepted their invitations then began to plan the menu.

Joshua smiled as he listened, heartened particularly by the change in Crowley's demeanor. His skittishness was gone and replaced by his usual sense of humor.

"When should we start?" he inquired.

"10:00?" JenniAnn suggested.

"That would fall during my afternoon nap but... I could make it work," Crowley agreed with a grin. "Joshua?"

The carpenter nodded.

"Yeah. 10:00 would work. I need to be somewhere at 8:00 but I'll be back by then."

JenniAnn noted a fleeting look of sadness on Joshua's face but didn't comment. He'd tell her later if he wanted to.

"10:00 it is then! Assuming that works for Loreena. I'll ask her before I leave."

"Then it's a plan!" Aziraphale clapped happily.

There was a knock at the office door.

JenniAnn glanced out the window.

"Joccy and Takoda for their measurements... and Marty." She raised an eye brow before letting the trio in.

"Hi!" Joccy greeted, immediately rushing to Joshua and hugging him.

"Crowley... You look awesome," Takoda complimented.

The watcher blushed.

"Thank you."

Marty stared. For just a moment, his lower lip trembled.

Done with indulging his own emotions for the evening, Crowley looked away.

"What brings you here, Scribe?" he asked without meeting Marty's gaze.

Marty startled.

"I... wanted to see how things were going."

Joshua and JenniAnn exchanged a quick look. The former smiled warmly.

"Great! As it happens, I have a job for you, Marty. We need a chronicler. It'd be nice to have a sort of keepsake book for all the cast and crew."

JenniAnn's eyes lit up. Not only did she love the idea... but she welcomed having Marty consumed by something other than babysitting her and Andrew.

"I love that idea!" she gushed. "It'd mean so much after having been apart for two years."

Marty nodded.

"It is a fine idea. Thank you for thinking of me."

Joshua squeezed his hand.

"All the time."

Marty's lip trembled again but he recovered with a smile.

"Well, I'm gonna go check in with Loreena before I head home. Joccy and Takoda, if you wanna follow me, I'll show you where Amala and Monica are holed up," JenniAnn offered.

"Sure!" Joccy smiled at the others and waved before following JenniAnn.

"Don't get into any trouble!" Takoda called with a grin before following the two women.

Once they were gone, the remaining five were silent for a moment, their emotions running high. Then John spoke.

"So the Messiah, the Baptizer, and three watchers walk into a bar..."

The be continued...

This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye who inadvertently pretty much guaranteed I would never be bored. With all the writing I am sooo behind on updating the web site.

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