Among the Gods by Lynn Austin Read Free Book Online Page A

customer was gone. “I’m having problems with Nathan, and I need to know how you handle Mattan.”
    Jerimoth pulled up two rush-bottomed stools and motioned for Joshua to sit. “It’s no mystery,” he said. “Whenever I’m stuck, I simply ask myself what Abba would do.”
    His words made Joshua feel worse. Abba wouldn’t have lost his temper. He wouldn’t have slapped Nathan or threatened him. Joshua remembered how he and Manasseh had once skipped classes to go for a walk in the rain. Afterward, he had experienced Abba’s deep disappointment but not his anger. His father had never struck Joshua in his life. He gave a sigh of frustration.
    “I’m not very good at being a father.”
    Jerimoth motioned to the seat a second time. “Sit. Tell me what happened.”
    Joshua didn’t realize how drained he felt until he sank onto the stool. Jerimoth handed him a skin of water, and Joshua took a long drink, wiping his mouth with his fist.
    “The elders called me to the square a while ago,” he began. “They caught Nathan stealing. He’s been skipping classes, too.”
    “What did you do?”
    “I tried to question him, reprimand him…. But he was so rude to me, so disrespectful. And I don’t understand why. After all that I’ve done for that kid! I’ve given him everything—”
    “Except yourself.”
    Joshua felt his temper flare. “I’m a very busy man, Jerimoth. I’m responsible for everyone on this island.”
    “Exactly.”
    “So you’re saying Nathan’s behavior is my fault?”
    “No, I’m saying that because you’ve been too busy to be a father to him, maybe this is his way of getting your attention.”
    “By humiliating me in front of the city elders?”
    “Did it work? Did he get your attention?”
    “Yeah, I guess he did,” he said with a sigh. “But some of the things Nathan said to me … and the way he said them … it was as if he hates me.”
    “Were you loving in return? Remember, ‘Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.’”
    Joshua shook his head dismally. “No, I lost my temper and slapped him.” The memory shamed him, even though Nathan had deserved it. He looked up at his brother again. “Now what? Where do I go from here? To tell you the truth, I’m so disgusted with the kid, I can’t even stand to look at him. There’s nothing worse than a thief and a liar.”
    “What did he lie about?”
    Joshua realized that Nathan hadn’t lied. But if the boy decided to tell everyone the truth about Maki, Joshua would have to accuse him of lying in order to save his own reputation. Then he remembered that Mattan also knew the truth—and Mattan was Jerimoth’s adopted son. Something cold writhed through Joshua’s stomach as he saw the web of lies that threatened to ensnare him.
    “Nathan refused to admit that he stole the silver,” he said at last. “But he didn’t deny it, either. There were too many witnesses. And he wasn’t repentant at all. He wouldn’t offer an excuse or an apology.”
    Jerimoth exhaled. “Look, Josh. Why don’t you try to spend a little more time with him? Take him to work with you. Ask him what he wants to do with his life if he isn’t interested in studying with the Levites.”
    “It’s not that easy! It’s … it’s not! He’s a difficult kid. So insolent and—”
    “You almost sound like you’re afraid of him.”
    Joshua looked away. He was afraid of Nathan—afraid he would expose the truth.
    “He’s a ten-year-old boy,” Jerimoth continued. “He simply needs a little attention, that’s all.”
    “Yeah … I guess you’re right,” Joshua mumbled. “Thanks for your time. I should go.”
    He stopped at Nathan’s school on the way home and learned more bad news. Nathan was insolent toward his instructors, undisciplined in his studies. He seldom completed his work and often skipped class. But Joshua had no idea how to punish Nathan for this behavior without running the risk