He sat at a side table on the terrace. Eyes closed, enjoying the silence. The sun covered him in gold, a silhouette of light pulsing around his body. Behind him Nathan was coming up, calling out in greeting,
"Well brother, you haven't changed at all, though it's been ages," he said, giving him a long bearhug. "I came running as soon as I heard you're back. Never thought I'll see you again."
"Today should be cause to celebrate. Let's be seeing you!" said the man, examining Nathan's face carefully. "I see you've been keeping it positive." He sat back to his table. "How's the old man? Still mad at me, or am I long forgotten?"
"Oh he was seething for a while there, hearing you'd left, but he soon had your position filled."
"That's just as well, nobody's indispensable. We'll be reconciled when I see him. I'm overcome with craving and curiosity, unvirtuous for sure about but not much of a sin either. Not even around these parts."
"They say he's getting you transferred, as far from Earth as can be arranged."
"Wherever, it's not my concern. I'll take up any service he offers me, after what we've been through," said the man with a wink.
"And tell me," said Nathan, drawing closer to his brother, "was it worth it?"
The question failed to surprise. He even seemed to be expecting it.
Heaving a sigh, he asked back,
"Nathan, do you know what faith actually is? What it is to believe in something blindly?"
The boy lowered his fiery gaze, admitting that he did not.
Then they both brooded, thinking.
Living in perfect credence, this term is unknown.
In that silence, a soft breeze fluffed their hair and light clothes. It made them shiver. Then Nathan felt compelled to ask,
"How long was it exactly you were away?"
"Exactly eighty-three Earth years, nine months, seven days and twelve hours. The humans have a point brother, it all flew by like a moment."
         Then a herald flew into the terrace garden, and lifting a bright trumpet high to announce,
"The Almighty summons all the heavenly entourage. Cherubs and Seraphs included,"he nodded suggestively at the two brothers.
 
translated by Dani Dányi

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