Wheeling Gull Isle Eulogy

Malakai's jaw tenses at Judah's words, his lips pulling back in tight frown of disapproval. He is quiet, as though waiting for Judah to reprimand himself for those words and to his brother! Who always sought to protect him, even if it meant being stern and sharp. Cruel, as their sister might say, whom was always filled with chronic dissatisfaction. 

And there, the apology given and Malakai looks to his twin as he does to him. Time and turmoil had sculpted him into a rangy and wiry figure. Scarred of both body and soul. 

Judah's head falls to his shoulder and Malakai takes a heavy breath and sigh. Now he too stares back out over the salt water. Find your way back through God's word, Judah. He urges though whispered words. Now, with more certainty, he speaks the word of God, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 

Alas, the words of Judah fell after and fell hard. Malakai's body tenses, but he does not move from his brother's side. He had finally, like Lazarus before him, returned to life and returned to Malakai by their island, only for they to be parted yet again.

Judah's silent question lingered, as did Malakai's answer, until finally he spoke, I will be here when you return. For him, it was not an "if", but a "when". When the mainland chewed him up and spit him out. When everything which was good and holy was sucked out from him. When their mother failed him again and again. (When he was sick of Dinah's shit). When he could not longer hear God's voice. 

Malakai would be here, waiting.