Jerusalem, AD 57

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you —

Simon lifted his hand. “Hold up.” He dipped his pen and touched the excess to a scrap of felt. “Lacking . . . in . . . nothing.” He scratched the last letter on the scroll. “Go on.”

“But if any of you —”

“You know, others may be perfectly content not to know what Jesus said to you in Galilee that day. I am curious, James, and it doesn’t make me a sinner.”

James had his back to Simon. His brother could not see the slow grin. James went to the window and placed his hands on the sill. He looked on the commonyard and saw a little boy at play, creating a city with rocks and cast-off pieces of wood.

“There are some who doubt it happened,” Simon added.

“I don’t care.” Then he said, “Paul believes me.”

“Sure. You both have some brotherhood of the appearances going. Why Jesus didn’t appear to me . . .”

James shrugged. “He liked me better. Always did.”

Simon laughed out loud. “Sure, if it makes you feel better. I think he just felt sorry for you, as he did Thomas. The rest of us could believe without an appearance.”

James couldn’t help laughing with him. He put his hands behind his back and turned to stroll back to Simon. “Where were we?”

“‘If any of you . . .’”

“Lacks in wisdom,” James said very pointedly, “let him ask of God.”

“Oh, very good,” Simon muttered. “Charming.” He dipped his pen, touched the excess to the felt, and put the pen to the scroll again.