What A Stink | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: What A Stink | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jack Taylor
04/10/25
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The sea breeze brushed her cheek and caressed the tear quivering under the afternoon sun. Her sleeve absorbed the drop with a quick swipe and she pondered the material covering her. It was almost too much to take in. Tabitha had put this garment together less than a week before. There were four still on order. And now, there would be no more. What a stink.

An elderly couple, holding each other for support, hobbled by and squinted into the sun. “Is that you, Lydia?’ the woman called out. “We’re so sorry about your friend. Dorcas did so much to help people like us. She was far too young to die.”

The breeze shifted, and the stench from the tanner’s house near the beach wafted by. She almost gagged. How could anyone with a sense of dignity survive these foul odors?

The old man held a lavender-scented cloth to his nose. “Looks like Simon is steaming up the neighborhood again,” he said. “Best we be getting on home.”

“Did you hear about the fisherman who healed Aeneas at Lydda?” she asked. “I’m expecting him.”

“Do you mean the Aeneas who has been stuck in his bed, paralyzed for eight years?” The man shook his head. “Don’t mean to surprise you, but there’s a big difference between undoing a sickness and reversing a death. If that wonder worker can do anything, see if he can get the stink out of Joppa.”

The fisherman arrived with two escorts shortly after the couple had shuffled out of sight. He was guided toward her and then up the stairs. Lydia joined the trio and knelt, trembling as she viewed her deceased friend. Numerous widows stood around the room crying. The mourning was underway.

“Clear the room,” the man said. He was already on his knees, ready for some ritual.

Lydia ambled down the stairs and wandered toward the seaside. The tanner had his sheep skins hanging off of wooden stands, airing out. The smells of slaked lime, dog dung, and fermenting bran swirled in the air with sumac, vinegar, olive oil, and copper. She stifled the smell by cradling her nose with a scented cloth wrapped around her wrist.

Moments later, the shadow of the tanner settled next to hers. “I hear the fisherman is coming,” the tanner said.

“Yes! Simon,” she replied. “He’s on his knees doing some kind of ritual with Tabitha.”

“I’m glad we Greeks get to call her Dorcas,” he said. “It suited her more.”

“What do you think a simple fisherman can do?” Lydia asked. “People are saying he has the power of the gods in him.”

“I aim to invite him over after,” Simon said. “Fishermen are used to strong odors, and I’m sure he can handle my hospitality for a bit.”

I don’t know how you stay married,” Lydia said. “I can smell your wife coming a stone’s throw away at the market. I can even tell when your kids are nearby. How come you’d pick a trade like this?”

Simon examined one skin after another as they moved toward the water. “I guess my father was raised by his father to cure hides, and the schools didn’t want me near the other students, so I learned this trade early and I guess I learned to be happy on my own most of the day.”

The breeze switched again and eased the putrid stench enough for Lydia to free her nose from the scented rag. “I must admit, Simon, that you’ve been a generous man, from all I hear. I’m sure the fisherman would love to spend a few days with you.”

A shriek sounded behind them. “She’s alive! She’s alive!”

Lydia raced Simon toward Tabitha’s home, where the crowd quickly expanded. Tabitha stood smiling beside the fisherman. Alive as alive can be. Several of the widows were on their knees, reaching out to her. Others were crying tears of joy. The old couple stood off to the side, shaking their heads.

The fisherman saw the tanner and nodded. “Do you have any room at your place for a few days?” he asked.

The tanner nodded. “I’m assuming you and I don’t exactly experience the world like everyone around us. You’re welcome for as long as you need. We’ve got fish broiling for supper. You look like you could use a rest.” He smiled. “There’s a bed up on the roof. You can almost see heaven from up there.”

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