: Bambinella

The Roman soldiers held Paul’s arms.

“What are you doing?” Beth asked.

Luke and Aris stepped closer to Paul.

“Leave him alone,” Patrick said. He reached out a hand toward the soldiers.

“Halt!” Julius said.

Everyone stopped.

“Treat Paul well,” Julius said. “We need his services.”

The Roman soldiers let go of Paul.

The man next to Julius looked upset. His forehead was creased with worry lines.

Beth moved toward Luke and Aris. “Who is that man?” she asked.

“His name is Publius,” Luke whispered. “He’s the governor. This is his home.”

“Publius’s father is dying,” Julius said to Paul. “Your God can heal him.”

Paul looked concerned.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” Paul said. “I would be honored to pray for your father. But that doesn’t mean he will be healed.”

Beth saw a sad look cross Publius’s face.

“It’s up to God,” Paul said. “God may save your father. And He may not.”

Publius looked thoughtful.

“Of course,” Publius said. “I am a governor. People ask me for many things. Some I give. Others I do not. Your God is the one in power now. I will abide by His choice.”

“Good,” Paul said. “Show me to your father.”

Beth and Patrick followed Paul to a small room off the courtyard.

Marcus was there with his box.

“Publius,” he said. “I have brought oil from my grandmother to anoint your father.”

“Thank you,” Publius said. He took the box from Marcus. “But first Paul will pray for him.”

Everyone turned toward Paul.

Will there be another miracle? Beth wondered.

Patrick looked at Publius’s father. The man lay on a bed with beautiful carvings. His face was pale. He was groaning and writhing.

An older woman sat next to him. Tears fell down her cheeks.

Publius stood in the corner. He held Marcus’s box of oil. He looked sad.

Marcus stood near him.

Paul knelt before the bed. He put his hands on the man. He prayed for him silently.

Patrick wasn’t sure what to do.

But then Paul stopped praying.

“It is up to your God now,” Publius said.

The room grew quiet. They all waited to see what would happen.

Patrick watched Publius’s father.

Suddenly the sick man sat up. “Why are you all so sad?” he asked. He smiled.

Patrick couldn’t believe it. A sick man was healed!

The woman next to Publius’s father laughed.

Publius handed the box back to Marcus. “Thank your grandmother,” he said. “But we no longer have any need of your family’s special oils.” Then Publius hurried to his father and helped him stand up.

“Who is your God?” Publius asked Paul.

“He is the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,” Paul said. “His Son’s name is Jesus.” Paul smiled.

Beth smiled too.

“We must know more about your God,” Publius said.

“I can tell you all about Him,” Paul said with a smile. “I have nowhere to go until spring.”

Marcus brought the box of oil to Patrick. “My grandmother makes this from Bambinella pears, apricots, lemons, and oranges. All these fruits grow on this island,” he said.

“The seed oil is a family recipe that only she knows. Please take it. I want to thank you for saving me,” Marcus said.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Patrick said.

“I know,” Marcus said. “But I want to.” Marcus took a vial out of the box. He handed the vial to Patrick.

“Thank you,” Patrick said.

“I’d better go now,” Marcus said. “I have to tell my grandmother what happened. Then I need to learn more about your powerful God.”

Beth waved goodbye to Marcus.

Patrick turned to Beth. “Could this be the liquid we need?” he asked.

They hurried out of the room and into the courtyard.

Patrick took Whit’s gadget out of his pouch. He opened the vial. Then he stuck the wand of his gadget into the liquid. The light on the box turned green.

Patrick heard the hum of the Imagination Station.

“There it is,” Beth said.

It appeared in front of them.

Beth jumped into the driver’s seat.

Patrick hopped into the passenger side.

A small key was in the lock next to an open compartment. Patrick put the vial with the seed oil into it. He turned the key in the lock.

A sliding panel covered the compartment. Then the panel opened. The container full of oil was no longer there. The oil was now inside the Imagination Station.

Patrick left the key in the lock. They had found two of the liquids the Imagination Station needed. Patrick couldn’t wait to tell Whit about this adventure.

“Let’s see if we can make it home this time,” Beth said. She hit the red button in the middle of the steering wheel. Nothing happened.

Then slowly the sunlight dimmed around them.

Has the Imagination Station finally broken? Patrick wondered. It felt like they were stuck in an empty tunnel.

Suddenly the Imagination Station took off at top speed. Lights flashed all around them. A long and slow whistle blew.

The flashing lights began to swirl. Patrick saw an image of Mr. Whittaker tinkering in his workshop.

“We’re almost home!” Patrick cried.

The image grew blurry. Colorful dots swirled around them.

“No!” Beth yelled.

Patrick smelled apricots, lemons, oranges, and Bambinella pears.

Then everything went black.