"We won't get much further; let's stop here for the night." Half of the brothers rode back to inform the Egyptians. The others prepared a resting spot for themselves as the caravan came to a ragged halt.

The other nine had already gathered around the fire when Judah joined them. "I sent Benjamin to arrange dinner. We need to talk."

"What is there to talk about?"

"Does anyone want to know how I am?" asked Simeon.

"For one thing, what do we tell Father? Reuben?"

"How should I know? I didn't even know he was still alive!"

"We could just tell the truth."

"I said, does anyone want to know how I am?"

"We sold our brother into slavery. That sounds so flattering."

"Well, what do you suggest?"

"I don't know. I was hoping you had something."

"Isn't anyone interested in how I spent the last month?"

"What are you talking about, Simeon?"

"Well, I only spent the last several weeks in an Egyptian prison. I thought someone might like to know how I was doing. But, I'm fine now. Thanks for your concern."

"How are you?"

"No, no. You've got other things to discuss."

"Simeon, tell us."

"No. Go ahead with your conversation."

"Fine. We were discussing..."

"There were rats."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just go on."

"As I said..."

"Big ones."

"Look, if you want to talk, talk. But make it quick because this is important."

"Oh, and I'm not."

"You're missing the point."

"So enlighten me, Judah. What is this precious point?"

"Well, we only have to explain how Joseph became prime minister of Egypt when fifteen years ago, we told Father he was dead."

"We don't."

"What?"

"Why explain anything? Let Dad believe what he wants."

"Don't you think he'll ask?"

"He didn't about me."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You know, that isn't such a bad idea."

"Oh, nothing."

"Do you think we could get away with it?"

"Simeon, would you please tell us what's troubling you?"

"He might buy it. I don't think Father wants to know."

"You mean you don't know?"

"Yeah, but what if he does?"

"If I knew, would I be asking?"

"Quiet!" Reuben bellowed. "We can't follow two conversations at once. Judah?"

"Fine. Simeon, what's your problem?"

"Why did it take so long?"

"What?"

"For you to return. I spent a month in that dungeon. People were tortured. And you were living it up!"

"We were trying convince Father."

"Of what? That my life was worth separating him from his precious Benjamin?"

"Quiet. He'll hear you."

"Let him suffer."

"Stop it. You're angry and not thinking."

"What?"

"You're saying things you'll regret."

"Maybe I'm just seeing clearly for the first time."

"Can we get back to the subject?"

"Oh, and what subject is that?"

"How we tell Father that Joseph's alive."

"Well you can start by telling me." Benjamin stood outside the circle bearing a tray of breads and steaming meats.

"Well... There's really nothing to tell."

"He says you sold him."

"Uh-huh..."

"Is that true?"

"Now that's a sight," Simeon whispered. "Judah without something to say!"

"Reuben?"

"Don't ask me, I wasn't a part of it."

"Well who was? I want to know what happened to my brother. Please?"

"You know about what happened."

"But why?"

"You didn't know Joseph very well. He was arrogant. Thought himself better and let us know it. We just got fed up."

"I can't believe you did this!"

"It was a long time ago."

"That's no excuse."

"Look. He's forgiven us; why can't you?"

"He's had more time to deal with it."

"But even he says it's God's will."

"Maybe. I don't know. I still remember the look on Dad's face. Tell me, what would you've done if I'd acted up?"

"Nothing like that happened, Ben."

"But just suppose..." Benjamin looked at his brothers with new eyes. "You'd've sold me, too, wouldn't you?"

"You're getting yourself riled up over nothing."

Benjamin backed away. "You'd've sold me or... or done something worse.

"Hey, we nearly sold ourselves into slavery for you. I promised my life, Reuben offered his sons..."

"No wonder Dad never trusted you. He thought you killed Joseph."

"It's not like that."

"Well, it seems that way to me." And Benjamin ran off to the protecting darkness.

"Aw, hell."

"Does someone want to go after him?"

"I will."

"Maybe he'd be better off alone. Give him some time to think."

Whether in agreement or lethargy, no one followed. After a time, Reuben spoke.

"So what did happen?"

"You know."

"No, I don't. Last I knew, Joseph was in the pit. The next, you were holding his bloody cloak. I thought you actually killed him. Where did the slavers fit in?"

"It was quite simple, really. Some merchants passed... and we sold him."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"Would it have made a difference?"

"Yes."

"Why? He was dead to us either way."

"You were the one who told us not to kill him, Reuben."

"I know, but..."

"In fact, you were quite adamant. You begged and pleaded us to just abandon him in the well. Why was that?"

"I didn't want blood on our hands."

"But leaving him in the well still would've killed him. Only difference is a chance for rescue."

"You don't think I'd..."

"I didn't say anything of the sort."

"But that would explain a lot."

"Just what are you insinuating?"

"Oh, nothing. Just an easy way to get Father off your back for the Bilhah affair."

"Why you..."

"Both of you stop it! You're behaving like children!" When they had calmed, Judah continued. "Besides. We still haven't decided what to tell Father."

"I still say tell him nothing."

"What if the slavers rescued him from the wild beast?"

"That might work."

"It would fit with everything else we told him."

"But what if he hears the truth?"

"Who would tell him?"

"Well Joseph and Benjamin know what happened."

"You don't think they'd..."

"I don't know anymore."

"Well, it can't make us look any worse."

"Ben I don't know about, but Joseph might. Look at what he just did to me."

"To us. He made us feel like criminals."

"We are."

"Oh, would you stop! I've been in prison for the last month..."

"And I am sick of hearing it."

"Oh. I apologize for offending your sensibilities. Maybe you should have returned sooner so I wouldn't've been there so long."

"I give up. This is pointless. Tell me what you decide in the morning."

"Nice job, Simeon."

"Oh, leave me alone." And Simeon walked away, too.

"Preferably in a dank cell."

"I heard that!"

"This is rapidly degenerating. We've got to think of something!"

"We've given you suggestions."

"And they all make us look bad."

"Don't you get it yet? There is no good answer. You can think until we get home. We can't hide the stench forever."

"But..."

"Judah, it's late. We've already opened more wounds than is wise. Let it rest."

One by one, the other brothers left the fire until Judah alone remained. "But there must be an answer. Doesn't there?"