The Lost Cheese 2

An Encounter of the Fortuitous Kind

From his eavesdropping position by the doorway, Aurelius caught a fair bit of what was being said.

At first, it all seemed most peculiar, as those with a proper vernacular would say. Gradually though, he began to tune in and start to follow. It was all about how there was one creator God (Aurelius wondered what Mars, Jupiter and his Greek friends’ favourite deity Zeus would say about that). We human beings, however, have rejected Him to go our own way. Now though, He has made a way to be reconciled to Him through His son and have a restored relationship with Him.

As Aurelius listened, he thought this is quite a comprehensive overview of things. Aurelius was more of a short, sharp to the point sort of person, and a few times he found his thoughts wandering off, particularly in the direction of that lost cheese. Where could it be?

After what seemed like an age (and Romans certainly knew a thing or two about those) the man drew to a close. By now, Aurelius was pretty glad, not just because of the overwhelming detail of the talk, but also it was uncomfortable loitering in the doorway, and he was nervous about being sprung.

Now that it was all over though, Aurelius realised that some decisions needed to be made. Most pressingly and urgently, whether to enter the house and if so, in what manner? Should he go for a swaggering, everything's under control style or should he pretend that he heard nothing, or should he rush in to question his parents, and especially this new guest, on the topics discussed? The same dilemma could be applied to the message he had just heard.

Ever one for indecision, he spent a moment or three reflecting on the choices before him. I suppose it all comes down to what is most important was the most meaningful thought that he finally managed to muster after his deliberating. Well, I'm occupied with the business of selling cheese, and indeed looking for the lost one, concluded Aurelius to himself. Existentialistic decisions will just have to wait till another day.

With this seemingly momentous conclusion, he felt a burden lifted from his shoulders. Why do something today, when you can put it off until tomorrow was Aurelius' dubious philosophy. So, without further ado, he did an about-turn and set off back to the forum. Ave!

Initially, he trudged on with defiant bravado. He didn't need any of this new-fangled religion. Maybe it works for some, including his parents, but it wasn't for Aurelius. He was happy the way he was, and besides, he was young with the whole empire before him. No need to complicate things, when so much opportunity lay ahead. Not to mention that he had pressing business to hand.

So, where could that cheese be? He hadn't seen it anywhere, but not to worry. He still had nine to hand and selling such a quantity was no mean feat. The cheese business was competitive these days, especially with gorgonzolium, the new cheese on the block, causing quite a stir. Aurelius didn't think it was anything to wrote home about. He preferred his parents’ hard cheese. This new stuff had mould in it that supposedly gives it a special taste. Who wants to eat mould thought Aurelius? Surely, it could never do you any good, and besides, that greeny-blue hue is repugnant. Nevertheless, there were those of a different disposition.

As Aurelius pondered the current cheese market, and what he could do to have a bigger impact thereon, he noticed before him a tall figure. A black-haired lady, a little older, but a lot wiser than he had stumbled across his path, slightly faint from a long session of discussion and debate at the Russunium lecture hall.

Aurelius startled in an annoyed fashion as he didn't like being cut up by the traffic as he went about his daily duties. He could understand why cart rage was such a big issue in today’s modern society. He was about to share some choice vernacular with this intruder on his path when he glimpsed a little closer the face of his intended target. It was none other than Lorena, the girl, or should he sat lady, who lived just down the via from him.

‘Salut', he greeted her, ‘anything new and interesting from today’s debates at the lecture house?’

‘No, just the usual fair', she replied, ‘Stavos Gianniaperilos Miterilogu on stoicism. A bit boring really. But tomorrow something special is coming up'.

‘Oh, really. What's that?’, tried Aurelius to ask in an enthusiastic tone.

‘There's a new speaker visiting our little civitas, and he's going to talk about a new religion that's caught on fire, starting from an outer province, where the Hebraicus people live.’

Aurelius was intrigued. Could this newcomer be the same person as he'd seen at his parents' house? He didn't want to let on though.

‚Quid id ad me?’, he said to try and hide the curiosity that was growing in him. ‚I haven't got time for such frivolities. I'm a businessman and I've got Sestratii to earn!’

‚But don't you ever think about the deeper questions of life? Your Sestratii what do you any good when you're walking in the golden fields. Besides, you"re more of a wannabe than anything else. How many cheeses have you sold this week?’, countered Lorena.

Trust Lorena to go for the jugular. She knew right where to strike.

Skillfully, Aurelius sidestepped the question (that lost cheese certainly turned into a good thing now), Well, I would have sold more if I hadn't lost one.’

Deep down inside though, he knew Lorena was right many a time had he thought about what lay beyond this life and simply tried to suppress it with other things because he didn't know and it scared him. Maybe it wasn't just coincidence that they had met like this. Maybe he should go hear in a more proper, fully exposed way what this man had to say.

The Decision