John grabbed me by the front of my tunic and pulled me close, staring into my eyes as if he was looking into my head. “You aren’t lying, are you?” He looked at Joshua. “He’s not lying, is he?” Joshua shook his head. “I don’t think so.” John released me, let out a long sigh, then sat back in the dirt. The firelight caught tears sparkling in his eyes as he stared at nothing. “I am so relieved. I didn’t know what I would do. I don’t know how to be the Messiah.” “Neither do I,” said Joshua. “Well, I hope you really can raise the dead,” John said, “because this will kill my mother.”
