“No,” he said gently. “You fixed it.”

I did nothing. I lay there with my eyes closed. I held my breath. I asked my brother, “How did I fix it?”

He sat and took my head upon his lap. He answered with a smile. “You believed in me,” he said.

The pain in my foot was almost gone, but I could not pull away from my brother's care. I did not want to move. The cave was growing darker, and I needed the comforts my older brother gave so willingly. He moved my hair from my face and ran his hand along the side of my head. In my brother's care, I felt calm and strong. I was not afraid.

I could no longer hear the sound of Yohanan's digging. “Will Yohanan find a way?” I asked.

“Yes,” answered my brother.

He sounded so sure that I was also sure. Yohanan would find a way out of the cave and bring help. All we had to do was wait. If I kept my eyes closed, I would not have to see the cave become so dark. I waited for help to come while I listened to our slow breathing. I could not tell time and did not want to. All I wanted was my brother near me. With my eyes closed and my head in his lap, I felt safe.

“Tell me a story,” I pleaded softly.

When Yeshua told stories from the histories, I was enlarged. With Samson, I saw myself dispatch the Philistines. A fresh jawbone in my hand, I swung left, I swung right, and a thousand men fell at Ramath Lehi. With Moses, I trembled before the fiery presence of the Almighty. With David, I danced before the Ark of the Covenant, and my joy was full. I kneeled before the Priest King and offered a tenth of my spoils. I sat before the baker and watched his eyes grow wide as I told him birds would eat his flesh in three days.

Yeshua took a breath and sighed. “I am Elijah,” said my brother. “Elisha walks behind. I see the river Jordan sparkle in the sun.”

“What do you do?” I asked. I loved the story.

Yeshua answered, “I take my cloak and smite the river Jordan.”

Yeshua pulled me into his arms and held me tight. I could see the river, I could feel the cloak in my hand, heavy with water. “And, you walk across,” I said.

Yeshua answered, “Some of the rocks are slippery. It's hard to stand. I hold Elisha's hand as we step up onto dry ground.”

The air in the cave was cool, but my brother's arms kept me warm. My ankle throbbed, but Yeshua had fixed it. There was no pain. “What do you see?” I asked.

Yeshua answered, “I tell Elisha to look up. We see a bright chariot in the sky. Seven horses stamp and snort. Fire flies from their hooves and smoke blows from their nostrils. They are fearful beasts; we tremble. As the chariot sits before us, I can feel the heat of it on my face.”

I asked, “Who drives the chariot?”

“A mighty angel,” answered Yeshua. “His wings fill the sky. He turns to me and beckons with his hand, and I know I must go with him. I turn and embrace Elisha. I pull my cloak around his shoulders. I kiss his cheek and whisper in his ear, Be true to the Lord. Then, I place my hand upon the chariot. I step up behind the angel. I feel the chariot lift from the ground.”

I flew with Yeshua's words. I saw it all so clearly, and as I lay in my brother's arms, I felt as though I had no weight. I felt his hand stroke my head, and my voice sounded far from me as I asked the final question.

“Where did you go?” I asked after yawning.

Yeshua said to me, “I go to be with God.”

Not knowing how long I slept, I came to with heavy eyes when Yeshua shook me. He gently called my name and pushed me into an upright position. I stretched and yawned as I might when rousing in the morning. I felt relaxed, and I had no thought of my ankle.

“Listen,” said Yeshua.

I listened, and it occurred to me that I was not in my bed. I was in a cold cave. Immediately, I was concerned. I remembered my ankle. I waited for it to throb. I opened my mouth to complain; I was still in the cave, and I didn't like it.

My brother put his hand on my shoulder. “Listen,” he said.

Then I heard voices. They were distant, but they called our names. They came closer. I could hear Yohanan's voice. I could hear my father's voice and that of another man. I turned where I sat and looked into my brother's eyes. His face said everything was alright. His eyes smiled, and I knew we were saved. Yeshua stood and reached down.

“Stand with me,” he said.

I did not think I could. I complained, “I can't. What if it hurts?”

My brother answered, “You fixed it. Remember? Just take my hand and hold on.”

I took my brother's hand, and he lifted me to my feet. I felt neither fear nor pain. We were saved, and the years flew by, but I can not forget that night with Yeshua. As I recall my youth, I can say that Yeshua healed me. It was Yeshua who comforted me. It was Yeshua who took me through my darkness. Then, I stood with the Lord. I have walked with him into my old age, and now, I am ready. I go to be with God.