She dipped her finger in the lavender oil and delicately dabbed her wrist and neck. She looked in the mirror to add more coal to the corners of her eyes. She was going to see Matthius in the market today and she wanted him to notice that she put effort into her appearance. He had complimented her eyes last time they were together, so she wanted them to stand out even more. She was sure to receive a scolding from the older women, but it was worth it to see his admiration for her.
They were spending more and more time together lately, albeit behind closed doors, but it was precious time nonetheless. They couldn’t be seen in public together without endangering their lives, so their stolen moments were special and absolutely worth the risk. Tonight, they were going to have more time than normal together. She planned to uncover her hair and loosen her braids so that her soft, wavy hair floated all the way to her waistline. She hoped he would coat his fingers with oil and rub them through her hair while he talked about the happenings from the market. In the past, he has even used perfume as long as she promised to thank him properly. She was always more than happy to oblige and play his game. It felt forbidden yet flirtatious, unlike anything she had ever experienced before.
Her first husband was a lover of routine and predictability. He loved her deeply and was an excellent provider but never made her senses soar. He was stuck in his everyday ways and never wanted to try new things or experiences. Her mother tried to make her see that marriage wasn’t about new things but she found it hard to believe that it was meant to be so mundane. Before she could give him children, he passed away from an unknown illness leaving her widowed and resentful towards being left alone so soon.
Matthius was nothing like her husband. He was wise and discerning, always knowing the right time for them to meet or the best topics for them to discuss. He let her speak her mind as long as she didn’t speak against God or his family. He wasn’t as tall as she was but what he lacked in height, he made up for in affection. He had thick, curly hair that would be matted and sweaty when he removed his keffiyeh. She would rinse it out with water if he stayed with her for more than an hour. Otherwise, the sour smell of sweat and aged oils would ruin the mood and reek long after his departure.
They met a few months ago when she made a stop in the market to buy gifts for her nieces and nephews. His stand was placed off to the right of the market entrance with a bright orange canopy helping distinguish it from the others. Even without the canopy, one couldn’t help but see the beautifully woven baskets that were lined up on shelves and the rugs hanging along the perimeter, creating a wall between his booth and the next. There were also ornate tunics woven with rich hues folded on the front tables. Some of the finer options were trimmed in animal skins or fur. He also sold fragrant perfumed oils and incense that you could smell as soon as you walked in. His wife made a variety of dried fruit so sweet, the children would pucker their lips and suck on it longer than necessary to savor the flavor for as long as they could. The fruit was the real attraction of his stand because no matter how much others tried, they could not imitate the flavor of her fruits.
Matthius was known for changing his prices based on how much business he had coming in but since his goods were higher quality, people still came to his stand. Many would complain and he would tell them to go to the other merchants and see if their perfumes were as potent or fruit as sweet. He knew the value of his goods and would do anything to gain extra revenue.
When she had made her first purchase, he complimented how lovely her scent was and even gave her a couple extra pieces of dried fruit. When he handed her purchase to her, his hand lingered on hers a bit longer than was customary. Her face flushed and she saw his wife look at her then quickly look away. She wasn’t sure what to make of his bold gesture but felt flattered by the attention. It had been so long since she had caught the attention of another man.
On her next visit, she bought more fruit and asked about his oils. She did not see his wife with him but there were two young men who looked to be close to marrying age helping him manage the influx of business from the midday crowd. They had the same long nose and as Matthius but deep, wide-set eyes like his wife. She assumed they were his sons helping to close out the week. Market hours always picked up close to the Sabbath. She caught his eye and smiled, but before she could make up a reason as to why she came again, a big commotion stirred behind her.
“Jesus! Jesus! Over here!” She saw another man motioning towards the teacher they called Jesus. He had a throng of followers that were walking on his heels and smiling and talking to one another. He had slightly unruly, curly hair and strong, broad shoulders that fit those of a carpenter. He had dark eyes and skin that was no stranger to the harsh Jerusalem sun. She had heard about this new rabbi and understood that there was some controversy following him.
Some were unhappy with his claims around why he was here and who his real father was while others thought of him as a good man who had the best intentions. All agreed that he was educated far beyond his time, but no one knew how.
As he walked through, she saw the Pharisees standing off to his right, watching his every move. Their faces were scrunched up and their brows knitted together causing deep wrinkles to appear across their foreheads. When they weren’t frowning, they whispered to one another every time he made a statement or talked to one of the men following him. Women would stop Jesus in his path and ask for favors. Some would even present their kids to him and ask him to touch them or pray for them. He always obliged. There was a tenderness about him that she couldn’t quite explain. She thought about drawing closer to get a better glimpse of him but never felt that it was the right time.
“Good to see you here again, Beautiful.” She turned around to see Matthius standing there. “I was hoping to see you again. What can I help you with today?” She was flustered because the commotion with Jesus caused her to forget her excuse for coming to his stand.
“I . . . I, uh,” she had nothing. “I don’t know. I just wanted to come by again, I guess.”
His eyes brightened and he grinned from ear to ear. “Well, I am so happy to hear that! Here are a couple pieces of dried fruit. Hopefully, you’ll come by again, so I can see that beautiful smile.” He handed her the fruit and winked.
She blushed and nodded, glancing to the side to see if anyone saw his wink. After that visit, she began making a point to visit his stand every couple of days, making excuses about a new oil or item she needed for the house. With each visit, he was more forward and noticed a different detail about her to compliment.
Eventually, he began to ask her personal questions. First, he made mention of her husband and kids. When she informed him that she was not married and did not have children, his eyebrows raised and he feigned surprise. However, Matthius knew that she did not currently belong to anyone because she always came alone. He actually saw her in the temple weeks before her first visit to his stand. He had noticed how her pointed nose sat perfectly above her thick-lipped pout. Her eyes were dark and she had a crinkle in her forehead as if she was constantly in deep thought.
“It’s a shame that a woman as beautiful as you has no man to appreciate that beauty.”
She looked down while leaving out the fact that her husband had passed early in their marriage before she could give him any children.
“Ah, you blush and make my heart beat even faster.”
“Your words flatter me.”
“Flattery is just my way to win you over and see your smile,” he lowered his voice, “hopefully away from here one day.” He looked side to side to see if anyone was paying them any attention. “I look forward to your visits but would like to see you away from the market.”
Her heart began to beat faster. She had hoped that he felt the same way she did. She wasn’t bold enough to express her feelings but felt excitement at the prospect of having time alone with him.
That moment marked the beginning of their affair. They began stealing moments together in the days that followed. They always met at her house because she lived in the house her husband left her after his passing. It was close to the center of the city and stationed near her sister’s home so she had protection nearby, should she need it.
In the beginning, he would come just for a quick visit where they would sit and talk. Eventually, the talking was reserved for after their intimacy. She learned that he was his mother’s only child because his mother passed during his birth. He was raised by his father’s concubines and grew up with their children. He could sell just about anything and always put work and money before his family.
She knew her actions were unforgivable. Matthius provided what she missed from her marriage. He was unpredictable and a bit irrational but kept her on her toes. She reasoned away any guilt because their time together felt therapeutic. Some days, he would just sit and talk. He would go on and on about how his life is so busy and how he just needed to unwind from time to time. She figured she was helping him more than anything.
On one particular visit to his stand, she saw the same Pharisees that were whispering about Jesus, talking with Matthius. They gave him some coins but she did not see him give them any goods in return. She waited off to the side as to not interrupt.
Once they walked away, she walked up and gave him a bright smile.
“What are you doing here today?” He seemed nervous to see her instead of his normal jovial self.
“I’m sorry. I was just popping by to say hello.” She peered around to see if his wife was at the stand.
“You can’t just come by whenever you want. People may start to talk.”
He was right. She had to be more careful. She walked away quickly, partly to not draw attention to them and partly because his abrupt tone hurt her feelings. This was the first time he ever acted short. She figured he was having a stressful day or maybe his sales were down and made a mental note to ask him how the business was going next time they were together.
A couple days passed without so much as a word from him. She wanted to go by the stand and see why he had not reached out but did not want to chance him getting upset with her again. Before the sun sat high, she heard a soft rap on her door in the code they had established for his nightly visits.
She opened it to find Matthius standing there glancing side-to-side.
“This is a surprise.” She moved to the side so he could come in. “You never show up during the day.” She went to put the latch back on the door but he turned her around and pulled her into an embrace.
“I wanted to come by and apologize for my behavior. I was having a bad day.” He then began to undress her. “Let me make it up to you.”
She felt relieved that he had admitted his tone was inappropriate. “Well, let me get you some tea first and let’s talk a bit.” She tried to put her robe back on, but he pulled her back and began to kiss on her neck.
“No time for that. I’ve got to get back to work but wanted to show you how much I’ve missed our time together.” He walked her towards her bed while opening his own robe at the same time.
He seemed to be handling her roughly but she figured it was due to his time restraints. Before he had finished, she heard the door slam open and the same Pharisees who were at his booth rushed into her home.
“What do we have here?”
She scrambled to sit upright and close her robe but the tallest of the three snatched her by the arm and sneered at her while looking her up and down.
“Why Matthius, this doesn’t look like your wife?” Matthius just sat with his head in his hands. She wondered why he was just sitting there instead of defending her. She struggled to pull away but the Pharisee was holding on too tight.
“Let’s take this whore to Jesus and see what he has to say about this?” Another one grabbed her other arm and they began to carry, half-drag her out of the house. She kicked and screamed for Matthius but he just sat on the bed with his shoulders hunched over. He never even looked up as the Pharisees dragged her out of the house.
Her vision became blurry from her tears as they dripped down her cheeks onto her bare chest. She stopped fighting knowing what her fate would be. Anyone caught in the act of adultery was to be stoned to death.
She berated herself because she should have been smarter. Adultery is a serious crime. She knew they couldn’t carry this on forever. How did she think it would end?
The Pharisees took her into the corridor outside the temple’s gathering place, pushing her into the center of the crowd. The man named Jesus was talking to the men and women who had gathered around but stopped when they all entered. Collective gasps and murmurings were heard all around her. She tried to cover herself to spare any last moments of dignity she had left.
The tallest of the Pharisees began, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do you say?”
Jesus stooped down and began to write something in the ground with his finger. She looked around and saw some of her neighbors and several of the people from the market. They frowned and looked away to whisper and point towards her. Some began to pick up the stones lined up along the border of the wall. Others were straining to see what Jesus was writing in the dirt.
Another one of the Pharisees persisted. “Teacher, you need to make a decision. This is against our Law. What say you about these matters? Do you not comprehend the severity of this issue?”
Jesus straightened and replied, “He who without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he stooped back down and continued writing in the ground.
She steeled herself for the first rock, hoping it would knock her out so she would not feel the remaining ones. She squeezed her eyes shut and covered her face with her hands, waiting for the pain. She thought she would be sick with guilt and knew she deserved to feel every rock that was thrown her way. She felt dirtier than she looked. The dirt from being dragged into the corridor was caked on her legs and her hair was tangled from the fight she put up leaving the house.
Nothing came. All she heard was the thud of rocks dropping to the ground.
One by one, the Pharisees and those who were ready to stone her dropped their rocks and began to evacuate the temple. Soon, no one was left and she was alone with Jesus.
He stood again and said, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” He looked her straight into her eyes and she felt her soul flutter. Her shaking stopped. A tingling feeling began to spread from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. It was as if a boulder began to lift from her shoulders.
She responded, “No one, Lord.”
“I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” Jesus gave her a tender smile. It was almost as if light shown through his eyes.
Her spirit burst with jubilation. That boulder she felt resting on her lifted completely. She stood taller and felt a renewed sense of joy for life. Tears streamed down her face as she stared at this man who saved her life.
Who are you? She wondered. How did he make her feel so relevant and important without knowing her? The betrayal she had felt from Matthius dissolved immediately. She only felt gratefulness and joy about her second chance at life.
“Thank you, Jesus,” she whispered to herself as she walked back towards home.
