“Milk, lemon, sugar?” I ask.
“Oh, I’m fine, thanks,” says Simon Peter. “I like my tea black.”
“I’ll have a little milk,” says Edmund, holding out his cup. “That’s good,” he adds after I splash some in.
I sigh as I seat myself at the table. “I assume you know why I’ve asked you here today,” I say, a little resigned, a little awkwardly. “I wanted to have a traitors’ tea.”
They both look at me, surprised but not offended. The look on their faces is asking a curious, Why us?
Stuttering, I say, “Well, you know, I mean … Peter, you … denied that you even knew him, right? And Edmund, umm, you … sort of betrayed your family and him, didn’t you? I just … I thought maybe the three of us could … I’m sorry. This is uncomfortable.” I stare down at my tea.
But the two of them smile. “No, no, you’re right,” says Peter. “You’re absolutely right.”
“It’s true,” says Edmund. “It’s just been such a long time as I’ve thought of myself that way.”
“Me too,” agrees Simon Peter. “A long time.”
I’m ashamed. I am the only one who truly belongs at this traitors’ tea. I had thought I’d be in good company, but now I realize that I’m on my own.
They know what I’m thinking. Edmund shakes his head, just a little, just enough for me to see that he understands. Peter reaches out and takes my hand. “You do belong here,” he says, giving it a tiny squeeze. “This is a gathering of the redeemed.”
Beautiful imagery.
Thank you!!
Really powerful piece!!
Thank you so much!
A very effective passage, Jackie. It’s short, but packs a punch.
Thanks Tina. These are my two favorite traitors ever, and I think of them a lot, so I finally decided to sit down and visit with them.
Wow. This is truly arresting… SO powerful. Going to be making me think long after this…
“Arresting”! Great word! So glad you liked it!