24/12/2020
A modern take on an old story.
THE NON-INTERVENTIONISTS
A Christmas Story
by
Elizabeth Housden
THE NON- INTERVENTIONISTS
1
"Have you seen what it's like in the town? It's heaving!" Gabriel walked into the room and stood looking down at his brother, checking musical scores for later.
"I know. Where are our travellers?"
"Nearly there. Michael, they're going to need help, you know."
"They should have arrived earlier, really."
"She couldn't travel quicker, not this late."
"No..." He frowned, thinking. "So... you're suggesting... what?"
"We go down and sort something. She can't have this baby in a ditch."
"But our assistance is very limited. We're not allowed..."
"I know... but we might... er... encourage... others, in some way."
"Point them in the right direction? Stimulate their imaginations?"
"You've got it."
"Let's go, then.” He stood up. “And bring the long cloaks."
"Oh, right. Of course. Yes..."
2
The innkeeper's children and their small cousin sat on the back doorstep playing Fivestones, a present from Corporal Julius - a guardsman with the occupying forces. He missed his own children and these three were engaging youngsters, mischiefs all. It was freezing but muffled into coats outside was preferable to the heaving bar. They could hear their mother raging at their father.
"Wine, Ruben! Red! NOW, not next week, for the love of God!"
He said something unrepeatable.
"Just bloody get it!"
The youngest giggled. He liked hearing grown-ups saying words they knew they weren’t supposed to.
“Come on, Ben, your go!” Rachel was impatient and he threw the polished stones into the air. He missed them all and they fell on the hard ground.
“Bummer...”
“Ben!”
He grinned, unrepentant.
"Children..."
They looked up. Before them stood an exhausted man, supporting his sweet-faced, drooping wife.
"Are there rooms available here?" He sounded despairing.
"Dunno. Don't think so." Sarah, the eldest, shrugged, indicating the bell-pull. "You could ask my dad, if you like."
He tugged.
The door was flung open. "Right! Ben? Was that you again?"
This child had the face of an angel. "No, uncle! Course not!" His outraged innocence was utterly unbelievable.
"I'll take my slipper to you if..."
"Sir, it wasn't the boy. It was I who rang. Have you a room for my wife..."
The landlord gave a short, incredulous laugh. “Not a cat in hell's chance, mate!"
"But she's pregnant. The baby's coming now..."
"Not my problem, son."
"Please, sir..."
"Are you sure?" Two hugely tall strangers in cloaks had appeared from nowhere.
Ruben ignored this question, his back firmly turned towards them. It was as if he hadn't heard them. The children stared, puzzled by his total indifference. He wasn't usually that rude to customers, not to their faces, anyway. At least, they assumed they were customers but they weren't addressing the landlord. They were gazing fixedly at... them.
"No room in this inn, mate, so shove off, right?" Ruben addressed the distraught husband and went inside, slamming the door. He still ignored the tall men completely.
The lady dropped onto the doorstep, groaning. The children regarded her anxiously.
"Can you kids think of anywhere?" One of the strangers squatted beside them. "Where would you think it fun to sleep?"
"Wow! You're very tall. What's your names?" Benjamin's bright brown eyes regarded them curiously.
"Michael. You can call me Mike, though. This is Gabriel."
"Gabe, if you prefer. Now, where would you sleep, if you could choose?"
Rachel answered slowly, watching the lady. "Well... there's the stable..."
"Cool!" The other two leapt up, thrilled. To sleep in a stable in all that straw! Wow!
The husband leaned against the wall. "Oh, thank God!"
"Brilliant." Mike held out his hand. "Come, Mary. The children have found you somewhere."
She allowed him to help her to her feet. "You... know my name?"
He nodded. “Mm-hm. You met my brother once, remember?"
"I did?" She searched the other's face. Recognition registered briefly. "Oh... oh, yes. Why are you...?" But what she was going to ask was lost as her face twisted in sudden pain. "Oooooh!"
"Come. Kids, show us. This stable is much needed."
It was warm and dry and the children forked down more straw from the loft, laughing, as it fell onto sleepy animals and the heads of the adults. The lady sank into it thankfully. She caught Rachel's hand. "Thank you, sweetheart. You’ll never realise what you have done for us. No one will ever know."
Michael glanced at his brother, "Oh, I think they will," he said quietly and they shared a look.
Rachel touched the bulge of unborn baby gently. A strange unforgettable, tingling warmth spread through her fingers. "Oh! That's... kind of...!" It was very odd but... special in some way.
The husband looked at Gabriel, tears in his eyes. "All those adults and not one to help. Just children to save us..."
Gabe watched him, his face serious. "This world can always be saved by the children, Joseph, if they are allowed to, that is." He indicated they should leave. "Come, kids. You can meet the new baby later." Obediently they followed but Rachel hung back, unwilling to go. "Rachel, you too. All is well."
"Will I see you again?" Rachel caught the edge of his cloak as he moved outside.
He touched her head gently. "One day, yes. For you, sweetheart, a long, long time from now." He looked grave, suddenly, glancing back at the pair in the stable. "Longer than for this coming child," he added quietly. He smiled at her puzzled face. "But later, too, if you look."
"When? Where?"
"Tonight. When the sky fills with light and voices fill the heavens."
Mike pointed. "Up there, see?"
Their gaze followed his pointing fingers. "Up there? That's impossible! How..?" Rachel turned.
But she was talking to an empty space. The men had vanished.
Benjamin nodded, much less concerned than the other two but then he was younger. "HE could. He had wings."
"Wha'chew you talking about?" Sarah frowned.
"When Rache pulled his cloak. His wings stuck out."
"Wings! You're a liar, Ben Shultz!" Sarah was contemptuous.
Later, when glorious light and sound filled the skies, the children gazed, open-mouthed, entranced. Apart from a handful of shepherds, no one else seemed to notice. Odd.
Benjamin was smug. "Told you! There’s loads of them, look!” He pointed, excited, “There's Gabe. Mike's in the middle. They've BOTH got wings. They ALL have! Wow! That is soooo cool!”
And the children waved and shouted and the two archangels leaned down from the heavens and delivered each an ecstatic high five.
The Beginning
Happy Christmas, everyone! And a much better year in 2021. ###
