3. Chapter 3
Chapter three
T he rest of the morning passed as any other first day would. Judas was shown around the office, introduced to all the key figures in the firm, and left to fill out piles of HR paperwork in a small, but nicely decorated office just off what would be the security office. Once finished with the monotony of tax forms and emergency contact number, something he had to make up since he had no one, Judas set to work pulling resumes to build a full security detail for Paul. Just before noon, the kind receptionist stuck her head just inside the door to alert Judas to a lunch meeting with Paul, Eliza, and Chet Branson, Paul’s business partner. He was eager to arrive first and waited for the arrival of the woman behind those complicated blue eyes that had completely captivated him so quickly.
Judas stood in the lobby of the Dallas Ritz-Carlton waiting for the rest of his party to arrive. Being on time was something Judas was exceptionally good at, but it always felt like the rest of the world struggled. He’d always considered ten minutes early to be almost late while most seemed to think ten minutes late was right on time. He added this to the list of things he would just never understand about the human race.
All his years of waiting for everyone else made him an expert at occupying his own time though. Judas found a quiet spot just outside of the hustle and bustle of the busy hotel lobby to play one of his favorite games: Fact or Bullshit. Hotels were truly the best venue for this sport because there was always a bible lying around somewhere. He’d appreciated Gideons International for their exhaustive efforts in making sure every room where the weary laid their heads there was a copy of King James’ version.
Leaning against the hard stone wall, Judas slid the bible off the small lobby table and flipped to a random page. The book of Matthew, chapter eight, verse thirty.
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
This one was technically bullshit, but with a tiny grain of truth and Judas smiled recalling that night. There had been no demons. It had simply been a juvenile prank gone wrong. Just he and Yesh walking the rural paths and drinking a little too much wine. Stupidly, they decided it would be a good idea to let the shepherd’s pigs loose. What they envisioned was a glorious scene of chaos as the farmer attempted to corral his herd, but the pigs had gone straight to the water and were washed away by the rapid current. Judas and his friend exchanged a look of wide-eyed horror and quietly slipped away into the night. They would recall the story some nights and laugh with each other as the others were apparently building their own version of the story in their heads.
Shaking off the soured memory, Judas flipped back to another random page. Leviticus 15: 16 to 18
If a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and be unclean until the evening. And every garment and every skin on which the semen comes shall be washed with water and be unclean until the evening. If a man lies with a woman and has an emission of semen, both of them shall bathe themselves in water and be unclean until the evening.
Judas laughed out loud at this one and a woman nearby cut her eyes at him. Even though this was a law of his own people, he had to call absolute bullshit. Sexual piety was a modern concept. Especially for men. They spread their seed wherever they pleased with little regard for hygiene or cleanliness. Not that much had changed in that regard over the centuries.
Book of Romans.
Judas rolled his eyes refusing to even read on. If it was written by Paul, he knew it was garbage because Paul was so completely full of shit and himself. Seemed to be a theme with the name.
As if right on cue, the small hairs on the back of his neck rose as Judas felt the eyes of an onlooker. Glancing up from the book full of lies and half-truths all written by men, Judas met Eliza’s gaze watching him.
“Are you reading the bible right now?” she chuckled, a little stupefied.
He smiled at her and closed the book, returning it to the table, “Just fact-checking.” He grinned wider.
Eliza’s eyebrows furrowed and she stared at him in a way that made him think she was trying to figure him out.
'Good luck with that, dear Eliza' , his internal monologue chimed in, still amused by her confusion.
Eliza shook her head, walking toward the entrance of the restaurant.
Following her into the hotel’s premier restaurant, Fearing's, Judas watched her body move confidently through the crowd. He would've given anything to know what was going through her head at any given moment. The way she so quickly had taken over his frequent thoughts intrigued him in ways he couldn’t explain. But it also frightened him a little.
If he could’ve seen inside her head, he would’ve known that she was just as consumed with thoughts of him. He seemed so wonderfully strange and different from what Eliza was used to finding around her. It was refreshing like white wine on a hot night.
After a quick few moments of conversation with the ma?tre D', Eliza motioned to Judas to follow the restaurant staff to their waiting table. Judas watched the older, well-dressed seated man rise with a smile as they approached.
Meeting Paul’s business partner, Chet Branson, was everything Judas had expected it to be. Here was a good ole boy clearly born and raised in the heart of Texas. His charm was much more genuine than Paul’s, however, it was clear they shared the same kind of upbringing. Chet had logged a few more hours of manual labor than Paul, though. Judas could feel the calluses on his hands as they greeted one another for the first time.
“Welcome to the team, Mr. Christian,” Chet smiled as he shook hands with Judas.
Judas felt Chet’s genuine enthusiasm, “Happy to be of service, sir.”
Eliza stepped close, greeting Chet with a huge smile. Chet beamed, immediately wrapping her in a tight hug. First instinct would ordinarily lead Judas to believe these two were involved somehow beyond business, but the embrace looked almost fatherly. Eliza squeezed him back and Judas studied them closely. This man was a person of importance to Eliza and that gave him instant esteem in Judas’ eyes. Already, without understanding why, Judas trusted Eliza’s judgment.
“How are you, Eliza?” Chet released her from their hug.
“Good as ever, Uncle Chet. How’s the family?” she smiled.
“Same ole, same ole,” he replied warmly before turning to Judas to offer a seat at the table.
Commotion from the entrance drew all of their attention. They turned to see the last member of their party arrive with massive fanfare, from other patrons, however self-induced it may have been.
Paul, forgetting all about the morning’s woes, morphed into public servant mode as he greeted everyone willing to acknowledge his presence as he walked across the room toward them. Waving and shaking hands like he was on the actual campaign trail, Judas was surprised Paul didn’t track down a baby or two to kiss. Finally, reaching the table, he took the seat next to Chet.
“Good to see you, old man,” Chet drawled as he shook Paul’s hand.
Paul mocked a scowl at his partner as unfolded the white napkin, placing it in his lap.
“What did I miss, folks?” he asked loudly to their small group.
Eliza did her best to hold in her eye roll at her father’s entrance as Chet gave her a look of amused approval. Judas saw the camaraderie between them and Paul had absolutely no clue. It made him smile.
“We’ve only just exchanged pleasantries, Paul,” Chet explained, clapping Paul on the back, “You haven’t missed anything yet, you old coot.”
Paul scowled for real this time, “Now, I just don’t know why you always have to call me that. I’m only two years your senior, I’ll have you recall.”
Chet laughed as Paul relented, play-punching Chet in the shoulder.
“You met my new security man, I see,” Paul boomed.
“I did. Seems like a strong capable man to keep you safe out there on the campaign,” Chet replied.
Judas smiled in response, nodding in Chet’s direction as a way of thanks for the endorsement and acceptance. He still wasn’t sure at any given moment how Paul actually felt about him, but Eliza’s warm smile in his direction was enough.
“I was just about to tell Eliza Neveah’s exciting news,” Chet said, turning his attention back to her.
“Neveah is Chet’s daughter,” Eliza explained to Judas, “She’s kind of like my little sister.”
The pride in Eliza’s voice when talking about this new name was evident. Judas realized there was a lot of love around the table even if Paul hadn’t.
Chet paused for dramatic effect, “She got her acceptance letter to the University of Texas at Austin!”
Eliza squealed with joy and clapped her hands. Judas was delighted to watch her in a moment of true pure happiness and smiled brightly alongside her.
“Hmph,” Paul grumbled, “We’ll throw the real party when she gets her letter for Texas Christian University.”
Chet shook his head, “No, no. This was her first choice. This was the one we were waiting for.”
“You see, Dad,” Eliza purred. “Some of us want an education, not indoctrination.”
Paul waved off his daughter’s words and seemed entirely uninterested in the current conversation as it didn’t revolve around himself. He pulled a vibrating cell phone from his pocket. Waving everyone off, Paul rose from the table mid-conversation, “Sorry folks, I’ve gotta take this.”
Eliza glared at him as he walked away from the table.
Chet leaned toward Judas meeting his gaze, “I have known that man for most of my life. I know he is rough around the edges and a lot of times an absolute fool, but he does have some good in there. I promise. After all, he raised her.” Chet gestured toward Eliza.
“Yes,” Judas agreed, “I can’t imagine a more poised, intelligent, beautiful testament to that than Miss Eliza.”
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, Judas regretted them. Not their sentiment, just that he’d spoken them out loud. Eliza turned toward him, their gazes locking. The immense tension that passed between them in the moment was so thick you could slice it with the steak knife gripped in her hand.
She was momentarily frozen. She thought she’d been imagining the feeling his eyes gave her every time he looked at her, but right now she thought she'd been right all along. Maybe there really was a spark between them. The idea caused red heat to spread across her features and she wanted to hide under the tablecloth so no one could see it, but it was too late. Both Eliza and Judas felt Chet’s gaze move between them as he laced his fingers on the table and leaned back in his chair.
“Well, isn’t that interesting,” he stated quietly, bringing Eliza and Judas back to reality.
Eliza cleared her throat, “About Austin, yes! So exciting and wonderful!”
Chet gave them both a look that said ‘I saw that’ but allowed them the courtesy of moving on.
“Uh-huh… Anyway, yeah. She’s over the moon excited to follow in your footsteps, Eliza.”
She beamed, before asking about the rest of the kids. The table quickly filled with conversation as they reminisced while Judas took it all in. He was surprised to hear that Chet and his wife, Reba, share five children. All of them boys, except the youngest, Neveah, who was seventeen. Their oldest was the same age as Eliza and had grown up side by side with her. Through listening to their stories it seemed they’d always had a close relationship, Eliza and this oldest son. His name was Davy and Judas had already decided he didn’t like him. He had no reason, he just didn’t.
Upon further reflection, Judas realized that this unwarranted distaste was the bitter roots of jealousy weaving their way through him. How could he feel jealousy over a man he’d never met and for a woman he barely knew? This was so foreign to him and he wasn’t sure what to do with it, but he couldn't stop its path through him as he watched his blonde-haired, sapphire-eyed lunch companion through the rest of the meal.
She watched him too and she knew she was right.
There was definitely a spark there.
***
Paul wasted no time putting Judas straight to work after their lunch.
“Listen, Jude,” Paul whispered conspiratorially as they walked toward the exit, “When we walk outside, I’m likely to have some fans waiting around to see me. I may need you to help us make it through the crowd, understand?”
Judas nodded in agreement with a blank expression, but inside his head was full of laughter. This man was clearly delusional if he thought that many people truly enjoyed him enough to gather just for a glimpse of him. He was, by no means, a prize to spend any time with, that was for certain. Sure enough, though, walking out into the sunshine revealed a small crowd of about fifteen to twenty people who seemed to be waiting for the hopeful senator.
Like a practiced actor, the old man’s shoulders lifted and he plastered on the politician's smile as he called out to the supporters, “Good to see you, folks!”
His leathery fingers, likely more used to wagging in people’s faces, were spread wide in a frantic, childlike wave as he oozed the smarmy political charm, “Support from regular, working class people like you all's what’s going to help me win that senate seat and start changing this country back to the good old days.”
Judas took position in a protective stance behind Paul as they made their way through the crowd that was now gaining additional attention from strangers on the street, craning their necks to see who might be in the middle of this scene. Paul shook their hands, posed for selfies, and actually found a baby cradled in its mother’s arms to kiss on the forehead for the perfect photo opportunity. He actually did it. He was out here kissing babies. Judas could hardly believe this scene was real life. It all felt so cliche and so scripted.
Scanning their surroundings, Judas caught a glimpse of the blustering old man’s daughter and had to work hard to not react to the look on her face. She rolled her eyes so hard in her father’s direction that Judas had to wonder if the movement was painful.
Her eyes recovered and were now locked with Judas’. She shook her head shrugging her shoulders at his look of bewilderment. Yes, her father was insufferable. No, she didn't know how to explain how anyone might believe a single slimy word from his mouth.
As Paul completed his walk through his fans, he turned to face them all, “Remember folks. Come November, a vote for Paul Arthur is a vote for the Bible. Good to see you all and God bless.” He then ducked into the car waiting for Eliza to join him.
Judas gestured for Eliza to climb into the town car and as she passed him she laid a hand on his arm.
She spoke quietly, “Don’t let the fanfare fool you. That call he took at the beginning of lunch? Yeah, it was to set all this up. These faces are all paid actors so that intern over there could take some promotional videos.” She sighed with another shrug, “All of this is of his own making.”
Judas watched her climb into the car and shut the door behind her. He tapped the top of the car to let the driver know they were safe to depart. Walking slowly back to his own car now, Judas could think of only one thing.
Eliza Arthur.
She was clearly intelligent and composed. She didn’t seem to like anything about her father or working for him, yet she does. The way she interacts with others tells Judas she has a good and kind heart. Everything about her work with Paul felt like a complete contradiction to who she is. Why does she do it?
Judas wanted nothing more than to climb inside her mind and read her every thought. He needed to know who she was under all the layers of herself that she portrayed to the world. He wanted to hold her hand and tell her she didn’t have to work so hard to be someone she wasn’t. That being just her is enough.
He dragged a hand down his face as he climbed into the driver’s seat. He doesn’t even know her. Why does he think he can tell her anything about herself? Why does he want to know her so badly?
He sits behind the wheel for a long moment and stares up at the sky. He speaks aloud to someone he isn’t sure is even listening anymore, “Yesh, why? Why now? Why her? Why am I here? Is this part of the plan? Is there even a plan at all? I have been wandering this planet since you left and never once have I felt this kind of pull to a person. Why?”
There was no answer, but that’s what he expected. No answer had ever come before, why would it now? It’s just that all these centuries of living have always felt like a punishment. His entire existence, just a way of saying he deserved pain and suffering.
Eliza didn’t feel like that to him. She seemed to lift that burden instead. She felt like the gift of light at the end of a too long darkness. He had known her for two days and he already craved her presence. Every second he had spent learning who she was felt like breathing fresh air into dying lungs. She was a reminder of why life was worth living, but her glow could not outshine one glaring truth.
Even if he stuck around and got to have her as his, which had quickly become obvious to him as his only desire, he would lose her. One way or another, she would be gone and he would go on living. Living on eternally in a world without her light just watching as forever became his very own hell.