The Peacock 1854

Jesus has just scooped the last of the hummus mixture from the blender.  That will be at least three blenders full. Now he presents me with three lemons and a knife.  "Christopher, could you be so kind as to cut and squeeze the juice from these lemons into the hummus I have just prepared.  I have already added the salt , cumin and cardamom.   The sharp sweet fragrance of the lemons fills me like the sense of the divine presence itself as I cut open each one and dutifully squeeze in the juice.  "I've never made hummus before," say I. "Well, now you have learned how, my friend". says he, handing me a wooden spoon with which I thoroughly mix it all into the savoury mass. "Shall I begin making the blue cheese dip?" says Joseph to his holy stepson. "Please, father, if you could", says Jesus.  Then to me he says, "You know, Christopher, Joseph was always more than a stepdad to me.  He always treated Me as his own natural son, And often told me what a precious gift I Am from God our Father.  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did not have all the inside information about our family.  Plus, he was always incredibly gentle and patient with me.  He never once laid a hand on me that was not gentle or affectionate." To Joseph, who is smiling while chopping blue cheese into a bowl, I say, "So you are the good cop and Mary is bad cop.". "Oh my charming lovely family", she says, rolling her eyes with one of the most ironic smiles I have ever seen.