A Moment of Knowing

There once was a little girl named Leah and she lived in a town with her family. Her mother was warm and inviting, her dad’s face housed wrinkles from his smiles. Her big brother cared and watched over her and there were times when he would take her to the markets to see all the rich foods and spices her town had to offer. This morning was one of those times as she needed to get a few supplies to help her mother bake some bread for their evening meal. She held her brother’s hand as they weaved through the crowded street. There seemed to be something in the air today. It was almost electric, thick with the energy of a busy holiday weekend. Leah noticed something else though. There seemed to be nervous shifting, wandering eyes, and every once and while she would hear the shout of a crowd in the distance. The further into the city they went the closer her brother would tuck her in, strong and protective over her small frame. They gathered some herbs to add flavor to the baked bread, some honey, and a strong drink for the adults. Leah wrinkled her nose at the smell of it. 

They wandered back home, avoiding the main roads as the crowds were gathering. Her brother dropped her off at the door of their home and said he was going back into town to see what the commotion was about. Leah didn’t think much of it as this holiday weekend always caused a bit of a stir and she had work to do with her mother to prepare supper. She loved the feel of the dough between her fingers so she was quite excited to start the process. She bumbled into the kitchen, said hello to her mother as she dropped the herbs and market findings on the table, rolled up the sleeves of her linen dress, and began to get to work. The morning song of the chirping birds were flittering through the window and Leah began to hum along with them. She thought about how sweet this day was and how excited she was to be with her family tonight around the dinner table. As she finished prepping the dough for the bread her mother asked her to go and gather some flowers for the table. Leah happily agreed as this was one of her favorite chores. 

Gathering up her apron, she walked outside and began to wander to the hills outside her town for the best selection of wildflowers. As she approached the city gates she could hear the sound of the shouting voices. There was a large crowd gathered around something. Curiously, Leah began to walk closer to the crowd knowing her brother was likely there to keep her safe. She used her smallness to weave through the bodies wanting to see what was at the front. As she approached the clearing, a wave of the smell of blood hit her nose. It was a powerful smell that made her eyes water. She gasped at the scene ahead of her. There was a man in the center of the crowd. He didn’t have many clothes on so she could see the strips of flesh that were hanging from his back. Blood was dribbling down his legs, tracing like streams of water the strain of his muscles. The man was groaning from the weight of what he was carrying and she could see the veins of his face bulge and pulse. Leah’s eyes began to search the man, looking for some type of sign to show what he had done to garner such punishment. He seemed like a nice man, his hair coiled from the style of a specific oil. There was something about the way he carried on like he had a purpose, a destiny to fulfill. 

Suddenly, the man looked over to Leah. Her breath caught in her chest as their eyes met and it seemed time stopped. There was an ocean of kindness to get lost in as his eyes searched hers and she let out a sign. Slowly, but all at once, a smile grew on his face and in that moment everything else seemed to fade away. It was just Leah and this man. A blush seemed to form on her cheeks as she swayed her linen skirt. This was a moment of knowing. The air cracked with the sound of a whip and the man grimaced, it was time for him to keep moving. She watched as he kept walking up the hill carrying the wooden object. 

Leah touched her face and smiled back feeling stunned by the moment with the man. She could see the blood staining the dirt in front of her but all she could think of was the look in the eyes of the man that was in front of her moments ago. Leah couldn’t wait to tell the story of this man to her family at the dinner table. 

Much Love,

Lis