Read The Sword of Ruth: The Story of Jesus' Little Sister Page 55

The days waxed long after Simon and Thaddeus had gone. Worry clouded Ruth's every task. On a morning bright and clear, women of Capernaum gathered along the shore listening to Ruth as they washed their laundry. Her back to the city, Ruth was about to launch into her latest version of the independence lessons when she heard someone thudding down the beach.

  "Auntie Ruth, Auntie Ruth," a young man called out.

  As he came closer she realized it was Thaddeus' and Melanie's son.

  "What is it, Jude?" Ruth asked. A stone-cold rush swept her heart. She stood tall, to face it.

  "It's Uncle Simon. They took him."

  "Who did?" she said, paralyzing her heart against what was to come.

  "The soldiers."

  Fear caught Ruth by the throat.

  "They crucified him in the square in the center of Rome. There was no warning. They just seized him and dragged him there." He could hardly bear bringing the news to the woman who was a second mother to him. He loved her.

  "How?" Ruth managed.

  "They strung him up upside down. He was dead within hours."

  The sky crushed down on her.

  "And your father? What about your father?" she managed.

  "He got away. That's all I know," Jude said.

  "Who told you?" Ruth asked. "Are you sure?"

  "Men who came in on a boat. One of them just got back from Rome."

  "Is he someone you trust?"

  "Yes, it was Jacob. You remember Jacob, my best friend, when we were growing up?" Jude said.

  "Yes, okay, well, we best tell you mother," Ruth said.

  That which she dreaded most had come upon her. Barely able to breath she followed Jude home.

  The women along the shore watched after her, seeming to wondering how she could be so strong.

  Ruth didn't feel strong. She had a task to do, one lone task before the soldiers came for her. And they would. It meant a trip to Jerusalem to see her brother, James. He was the only siblings she had remaining.

  "I'll go with you," Melanie said, after Ruth told them her plans.

  "You need to continue the work," Ruth said. "There aren't many of us left."

  "I'll go," Jude said.

  "Your mother is going to need you. James will help me. He always has."

  ~~~***~~~