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There’s Only Supposed To Be Three Wise Men
1/6/2025
Sanctus bells jingled. “Joseph, are you available to receive a call from your father?”
Joe put his glasses on and picked up his tablet. “Yes, thank you.”
“Hi, Joe. How are you feeling today?”
“Fairly tired, but I’m glad to be back in my room.” He squinted at the screen. “Are you wearing a crown?”
“Yes, we’re gathering to surprise Sarah before she and Elka go to her first OCIA class.”
“Who’s ‘we’?”
“Staś, Josh and Ronny came over. Your brothers and I will be joining them in a caravan of gifts for Sarah.” He held the camera away to show the others wearing their crowns.
“There’s only supposed to be three wise men.” Joe laughed. “What gifts are you talking about? Christmas is over.”
“Correct, as usual.” His dad turned the camera to a stack of packages wrapped in shiny gold paper. “Today is Epiphany, so we’re forming this caravan to bring Sarah the inspirational gifts that Mom and Elka picked out for her. We called you so you could join the caravan.”
“But I can’t carry a present.” Joe grinned.
“True. Josh is carrying an extra package in your honor.”
“Very nice. When do we process?”
“We’re ready, now that you’re here. Isidore, please apply the Wise Man filter for Joe.”
Sanctus bells jingled. “Do you have a preference of turban, fez or ghutrah?”
“Can we do a nice mücevveze in green and gold silk with a goatee that matches his hair color?”
“Working.”
“Dad, what are you doing?”
“Turning you into a Wise Man for the procession. I can’t very well put a crown on you, so I’m having Isidore do it digitally.”
“Well, be sure to send me a screenshot. I don’t want to be the only one who misses out on it.”
“This is marvelous. Isidore, please capture Joe’s image and send him a copy.”
Joe clicked the notification and laughed. “That’s incredible. Are we going now?”
“Staś is leading the way. Follow, gentlemen, take a package and follow King Staś.”
Joe watched as the men crossed the circle from his house to the Chmielewskis’. The parade of crowned men entered the house and one by one, they placed their glistening gold packages on a card table that was standing next to the wingback chair she was sitting in.
Once all the presents were deposited, the kings bowed and everyone clapped for Sarah. She sat there in wonder, cheeks blazing. “What are you doing?”
“They wanted to bring you these things that Mary and I got for you to help you out with your OCIA classes.” Elka told her.
Joe watched as his future sister-in-law opened the gifts, wondering over each one. A study bible, a guide to catechism, a red and green rosary with a St. Nicolas medal attached were among the devotional gifts.
“I don’t know what to say.” Sarah bit her lip. “Thank you. Thank you, everyone.”
His dad appeared on camera. “Okay, just wanted to include you on that, Joe. I’ll let you get your rest. Talk to you later.”
“Thanks, Dad. Talk to you later.” Joe ended the call and set his tablet aside. He took a deep breath and settled onto his pillow.
“Hi, Joe. How are you feeling?”
He smiled. “Better, now that you’re here.”
She giggled. “You’re so sweet. Seriously, though. Is there anything that you should be telling the nurses?”
“No, I promise. I am telling the nurses about every single itch, ache or pain.”
“Good. Are you tired? Should I come back?”
“Please stay.” He opened his eyes and reached out to her. “You’re wearing a crown, too?”
“No, silly, it’s a tiara.”
“It’s a bold fashion statement for a chilly Monday in January. Want to see my turban?”
She sucked a sharp breath. “Is that some kind of euphemism?”
“What? Dad called me to participate in Sarah’s personal caravan of Wise Men.” He reached out for his tablet and brought up the picture of himself with his filter applied.
She laughed and shook her head. “Very regal. What were they doing for Sarah?”
“She starts OCIA tonight, so Mom and Elka got her some stuff from the Catholic shop. My dad and brothers and the guys across the street all got together with crowns on and brought her the gifts.”
“Oh, that’s too cute.”
“What’s the story with your tiara?”
“Oh, you missed it. Jenn decided that I look like Wonder Woman.”
“I can see it. Especially with the tiara. Are you going to take your coat off? Stay a while.”
Whitney got up and strode to the door. She looked up and down the hall before closing the door. She pulled her phone out and pressed the music app.
Joe sat in confusion, listening to the pounding drums. When the guitar sounded in the Phrygian dominant scale, he had an idea of what was coming next.
She tossed off her long overcoat to reveal a movie-accurate Wonder Woman costume.
“Oh, my stars and garters.” He gasped.
She took off her Lasso of Truth and looped around his arm. To his surprise, it lit up.
“Fiber optics?”
“No, silly. It’s magic and you can’t tell a lie. So, speak up.”
“I am telling the nurses about all my symptoms.”
“Good. More.”
“We are so going to Comic Con.”
“That’s negotiable. More.”
“Your bento skills are exquisite.”
“Thanks. More.”
“You are the most beautiful woman in the universe, inside and out. Mom told me how you came with her to pray for me. Thank you.”
“Naturally. More.”
“Whitney, I am going to love you for the rest of my life, and I think Whitney Murray sounds even more magical than your lasso.”
“Wait, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“I’m sorry that I can’t get down on one knee, but…” He reached under his blanket and pulled out a little velvet box.
“And here I thought I brought the big surprise today.”
“It’s impressive. That’s for sure.” He offered her the box. “It’s not a bento, but I hope you find the contents acceptable.”
She took the box and looked at him. “Are you serious?”
“Your lasso is still lit. You tell me.”
She opened the box and gasped.
The door opened, and a nurse stepped in. Finding Wonder Woman sitting beside Joe, she backed out slowly. “I’ll be back in a few.” She gritted her teeth as she pulled the door closed.
Whitney laughed and took the ring out of the box. She studied him as she slid it onto her finger.
“Five and a half?”
She looked at the stunning diamond on her finger and held her breath.
“A princess cut for the Princess of Themyscira?”
She swatted at him. “Don’t spoil it.”
“Do I have to put the lasso on you?”
“Yes.” She took his hand. “It’s yes. Yes, yes, yes.”
Sanctus bells jingled. “Are you free to accept a call from Joseph?”
“Of course, Isidore. Put him on.” Mary smiled. “Joseph, darling. I’m glad to hear from you. You looked marvelous in your Wise Man costume.”
“I have Whitney here with me.”
“Good evening, dear. Why are you wearing that garish bathing suit? The hospital doesn’t have a swimming pool that I’m aware of.”
“I was modeling my Wawa costume for Joe.”
“It’s a wonder you didn’t put him in cardiac arrest.”
“Mom, we have news.”
“Did your tests come back alright?”
“I don’t know, Mom. They won’t come back until tomorrow. Now look.”
Mary watched the camera turn to Whitney’s hand. “You didn’t.”
“I did, and she said yes.”
Elka and her mother, Emma, Mandy, Grace, Sarah and Joan jumped up to look at Mary’s phone. Everyone oohed and ahhed at the sight.
“Joseph, you did not get out of that bed to–”
“Certainly not. I would have preferred to, but no.”
“That is marvelous, dear. Congratulations to both of you.” She turned to the others and said, “I knew he was going to do that before long. He sent Christopher to the jeweler’s to pick it up for him on Friday.”
“Mom.”
“Yes, dear. It’s lovely and I’m thrilled for both of you. Now, get some rest and tell her to put some clothes on. It isn’t Halloween.”
“Love you, Mom. Talk to you later.”
She stuck the phone back into her purse. “Can you imagine? Proposing from a hospital bed? What is the world coming to?”
“Now, Mary, have you ever known Joe to be impetuous?” Joan asked.
“No, he’s been a mystery to me his entire life, but I’ve never known him to jump at something like this.”
“He usually obsesses and overanalyzes everything. Doesn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s how he usually handles things.” Mary looked at nothing in particular.
“So, if he made this call, it was probably logical and the product of calculations we can’t even imagine.” Joan said.
“He has nothing but time on his hands. I’m sure he’s been lying there computing all this nonstop.”
“I would say so.” Joan smiled at the others.
Mary gasped. “This is actually happening. I’m getting another daughter.”
“In law.” Joan said.
“Pish, posh. You’re my daughter, Joan. No different than if you’d been born to me. I love you, dear. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Joan blushed and said, “Thank you, Mary.”
“Don’t you two need to get going?” Mary asked Elka.
She checked her phone. “Yes. We should be on our way, Sarah. Thank goodness, Staś and the boys got the stuff put away so we can park in the garage again.”
“That’s good. I’m not looking forward to stepping outside tonight.”
“Well, we can warm up the car in the garage. Come along and bring your rosary.”
“Should I bring any of the books?”
“They’ll have books at the church for classes. You can refer to your books here to reinforce what you learn at class.” She turned to the others. “See you all later. Thank you for coming.”
Sarah climbed into the passenger seat. Elka got in and started the car. They sat in silence, waiting for it to warm up.
The garage door raised. She pulled out to the driveway, and the door lowered behind them.
Sarah looked at the homes on Unity Court. Some still had Christmas decorations to take down.
“Are you still mad at God?”
“Not today. Leo helped.”
“Sometimes, I am.”
Sarah turned to her in surprise.
“I loved my dad.”
“I’m sorry.”
“He went too soon.”
“No doubt.” Sarah tucked her knees up under her chin and hugged her legs. “Mine, too.”
“Definitely. It’s a real shame you had to go through all that, Sarah. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
“Yeah, I have been numb to it from the beginning. It wasn’t until now that I actually got mad about it, but Leo helped.”
“He helped? What does he know?”
“He knows unconditional love. He knows faith in God is armor against suffering.”
“Sounds like half a saint himself.”
“Maybe not a saint, but he’s a blessing from God. He helped me.”
“Good. If you can see that, then maybe you can see that God is good.”
“What happened to your dad?”
“Same old story. Work hard for a long time. Gold watch. Retirement plans. He’s not home a week and he’s gone. Some people can’t see themselves as anything but their work. When the job goes, they just curl up and die.”
“That’s horrible. I’m so sorry.”
“You say Mary has a plan.”
“Definitely.”
“Well, I have a plan, too. I am keeping Staś engaged in the family.”
“Your plan seems to be working.”
“I’ve tried to help him see that the most important part of his life should be his family, not his job. I want him to work hard. Truly, but I want him to work harder at being a dad and a husband. I don’t want him to wither away out of a sense of lost purpose.”
“I’ll have to do that for Leo.”
“Not as much, I think. Leo has always been laid back and fun-loving. Definitely, keep an eye on it for later. Guys can get sour as they age, but I think Leo will be alright.”
“So will Staś. He understands what you’ve taught him. I think he’s a great dad.”
“And you’re a great daughter. I’m proud of you, honey. You’ve come a long way in a short time. We’ll get you confirmed in the church and–”
“Leo and I can live happily ever after.”
“This isn’t an airplane.”
“No, it’s a car.”
“So, it doesn’t necessarily come with sick bags.”
Sarah giggled. “I’m going to give you a bunch of grandkids.”
“After OCIA and after the wedding. Put a pin in that for now, Sarah.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Elka smiled and pulled into the church parking lot.
WONDER WOMAN Theme Music Batman v Superman OST Hans Zimmer & Junkie XL HD