Page 64 of Divine Temptations

He didn’t move quickly. He didn’t put on a show. Jude just stepped forward, barefoot and calm, and knelt in front of Doug like they were the only two people on the planet.

“Thank you,” Jude said softly. “For your honesty. That’s where healing begins.”

Doug looked down, embarrassed.

Jude reached out, palms up, and waited. No pressure. Just presence.

Doug hesitated, then placed his calloused hands into Jude’s.

And then, with the fire casting long golden shadows, the healing began.

I was already drafting a voiceover for the podcast in my head: “What followed was a ritualistic display involving flowers, saltwater, and approximately three hundred percent more chanting than necessary…”

But that’s not what happened.

Jude didn’t wave incense around or speak in tongues. He didn’t summon moon spirits or vibrate anyone’s chakras.

He just breathed.

Long, steady inhales. Gentle exhales. Like he was anchoring the moment to something deeper.

Jude didn’t rush. He reached for a bowl resting at the edge of the firelight—rough pottery, handmade, filled with crushed herbs and dried flower petals. He passed it under Doug’s nose gently.

“Lavender,” Jude said, his voice soft but sure. “For peace.”

Doug closed his eyes, breathing it in. His shoulders hitched with the first inhale, then slowly dropped.

Jude moved to the altar—a flat stone slab topped with candles, a feather, something that looked like river clay, and a small jug of water.

He dipped his fingers into the water and turned back. “May I?”

Doug nodded.

With careful hands, Jude painted a single line of water down Doug’s forehead. Then his chest and his palms.

“This is where you hold it,” Jude said, still soft. “The grief. The guilt. Let’s bring it forward so it doesn’t have to hide.”

Doug’s chin quivered.

Jude crouched lower, their eyes level.

“I want you to say her name.”

Doug’s mouth opened, but nothing came out at first. He blinked rapidly, swallowing hard.

“Linda,” he whispered finally.

Jude nodded. “Again.”

“Linda.”

A third time. Stronger now. “Linda.”

Jude guided Doug’s hands to hover just above his chest. “What do you want her to know?”

Doug looked down at his lap. “I don’t know.”

Jude stayed patient. “Try. Don’t think about it, just speak.”