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As expected, Mom, Joanna and Susanna fawned over Abban from the moment they knew he was here. His father’s men were given sleeping quarters in one of the small buildings we had on the estate for visitors. Abban was installed in the spare room in our house where he had stayed during his convalescence all those years ago. Mom personally prepared food for him, and Susanna brought him wine.
Now it was just the two of us, sitting at the table after the meal and reminiscing.
“Thank you for introducing me to mathematics,” I said, taking a sip from my cup. “I now manage my family’s finances, and your instruction has helped me immensely.”
Abban bowed his head slightly to acknowledge the compliment. “And I thank you for introducing me to your God. My father taught me many disciplines from the lands we have visited, some of which are very similar to yours, I might add. But your faith encompasses not only your attitude on this day you call the Sabbath, but also governs your behavior in all your activities on the other six days of the week. I have tried to incorporate some of your teachings into my daily life.”
“How is your father, by the way? You said he is camped near the road at Capernaum?”
“He is old but in excellent health. It is a complicated affair. We traveled to Damascus, as usual, but learned that our friends there had left to go to the sea west of here, to await some traders returning from Rome. My father sent word ahead to someone he knows to the north, asking him to meet us there as well.”
“And how are things at home?”
“Ah. Home,” Abban sighed. “That word makes it sound like a place where I spent my youth and often return to experience fond memories with old friends, but I have no real home, my friend. My father has hired workers to build a house near Bethsaida. If I ever do become part of a family, that house would be a very nice place to settle down. Perhaps you could come visit me there”
I refilled Abban’s cup.
“Thank you. You know, this really is excellent wine! Where do you get it?”
“My brother makes it in the hills near here.”
“Your brother,” he said, taking another sip. “My father speaks of him as if he were a member of our family!”
My eyelids hung heavy, as I contemplated a nap. “Yes, my parents did well. He gave them enough practice that they finally achieved perfection with their next child.”
We chuckled quietly together. “You have grown, my friend. When we met years ago, I don’t think you would have dared to say anything good about yourself. In fa-fa-fact, yo-yo-you m-m-might n-not have sa-sa-said anythi-thing at all!” Abban imitated my old stutter almost perfectly.
I pointed my forefinger at my old friend. “Be polite, or else I may force you to marry my younger sister after all.”