There are things we do for the last time without realizing it. The last time we pick up our kid for a hug. The last time we play in the yard with a childhood friend. The last phone call with someone before we, well, just drift apart. The list is as long as life.
That’s true for Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Mary, and Pops on that final night at Pop’s Pool Hall. None of them know it will be their last evening together, but it is. A couple of them will see each other on and off in the coming months and years, but soon, time and circumstance scatter them.
Mark goes out back to get Mary so everyone can say their goodbyes. By the time the six of them are done, they’re the last ones in the building.
All of this was Mary’s vision, so nobody objects when she asks to say something. “Look,” she begins, “the last few months have been wild. Jesus arriving in Jerusalem. His arrest, crucifixion, and death. Then his resurrection, for crying out loud! And the next forty days with him were an incredible gift.” They all smile at this.
“And this time with all of you,” she continues, “has created even more memories. We’ve had good times and hard times. We’re all still in shock about what Judas did, especially you, Pops. Your music choices have been … wow. You need some therapy. Maybe put on Adele’s version of Dylan every now and then, okay? Mellow out a bit.” Everyone laughs, including Pops, who knows there’s some truth in it.
“But here’s the thing. Jesus didn’t die for us to be angry. He didn’t want us living in fear. Can you remember what he said at that last Passover dinner, John? You were there too, Matthew. He said we’re supposed to be known for our love.”
Mary pauses for effect, but also wipes her cheek with her thumb. “We can’t forget that, boys. Life is complicated, but this isn’t. We’ve got one simple, stupidly hard thing to do: love one another. And with that I want to say I love each of you.”
There’s another pause, and Mary isn’t the only one sniffling. “Alright,” she says, taking a deep breath, “now go finish your books and change this … ”
Then Mary pauses, reconsidering her wording. “Just change this world that needs a whole lot of changing, okay?”
All the guys grin a bit, knowing how Mary almost described the world.
Then, shocking everyone, Matthew uses that moment to grab Pops in a bear hug. Soon everyone is hugging, smiling, laughing, and crying.
And then it’s time to leave.
Matthew has a driver waiting for him, Mark begins the walk to his hostel, and Luke takes a taxi home for a deep sleep before his next shift.
John stands in the doorway of Pop’s Pool Hall, waiting for his UberXL. He turns back and sees Pops and Mary at the bar.
“You know,” he says to them, stepping back inside, “Jesus did so many things. We could never fit them into a thousand books, much less four. But thanks for encouraging us to do this much, at least. I don’t know if anyone else will ever hear about these evenings, but I’ll remember them for the rest of my life.”
Before Pops or Mary can respond, the UberXL driver arrives on the two-humped camel, which lets out a hideous bellow. John smiles, turns, and leaves.
Now it’s just Pops and Mary. He starts to make her a gin and tonic but stops. “Actually,” he says, “let’s drink together … and let’s have the good stuff.” Then he pulls out his favorite wine from somewhere beneath the bar, uncorks it, and pours two glasses.
“To a job well done,” he says.
“May those boys be filled with the Spirit,” Mary agrees.
They clink glasses, and each takes a sip. Mary’s eyes widen. “Where the hell have you been keeping this?” she sputters. “Shame on you, Pops, hiding this from me!”
Pops laughs, then switches to the real topic. “So, do you think they have it in them?”
“To finish the books?” Mary responds. “Yeah, I do. Probably not how anyone thinks it will happen, but they’ll get it done. They clicked together, you know?”
Mary smiles, then takes another sip of her wine. “What’s your prediction?” she asks.
“Since you asked,” Pops grins, setting down his wine and checking off the list on his fingers, “Mark will finish first. Your guy is good. It’ll be a concise, thoughtful, honest account. It’ll even be a bit vulnerable for Peter. Then Matthew will pick up on that and use it to finish something longer for a different audience. Luke will take his time, finishing only when he’s done all the research—and the stories he chooses will be about the hurting, the poor, and the disenfranchised. And John … ”
Pops picks up his glass and takes another sip of wine.
“Honestly, I’m not sure what John is going to write. That kid just sees things differently, you know? But when he finishes, his book is going to stand out for its nuance and subtlety.”
“Kind of like this wine,” Mary says, lifting her glass. “And I hope you’re right. Actually, somehow, I know you’re right. Just make sure you tell me when the first book arrives.”
Until tomorrow, when we find out what happens to all our characters.
Image created by Microsoft Copilot.