Redemption's Warrior (23 page)

“Ya know mate, I’d love to,” Billy lays a friendly arm along Christopher’s shoulders. “I insist on bringing the brews.”

“You got it my man. I’ll set it up with your manager. Ginger right?”

A hand raised, saluting Billy yells over the noise, “I’ll see you Sunday.”

Sunday dawns with blue skies. Christopher slept in after a busy evening preparing for today’s barbeque. He awakens to the smell of buttermilk pancakes. He pads across the plank wood living room floor in bare feet. A terry cloth robe, a recent Father’s Day gift, is loosely belted. Steaming coffee with milk is waiting for him.

He takes a sip and smiles. Cutting into hot pancakes with melted butter and syrup never fails to make him happy. Pouring more syrup he envisions the day’s tasks. They are preparing for an afternoon of fun with family, friends, Billy Blue and the crew of Wave, as well as security industry associates.

By late afternoon it’s not easy moving his Dad away from preparing
Lumpia
. Christopher has assigned him supervision of the barbeque pit. He has a knack for cooking tender ribs. Ribs have soaked all night in Christopher’s marinade. Pineapple salsa, a pot of barbeque beans and King’s Hawaiian bread will round out the meal.

The crowning achievement will be Christopher’s
Lumpia
taught to him by his father. Christopher is explaining the ingredients to his daughter. Eight year old Cisne, standing on a chair peeks into a steaming pot. The party ebbs and flows, currents are balanced between Christopher in the kitchen and his father at the barbeque. Christopher says “Cisne honey, go into the back yard. Find out who is ready for desert
Lumpia
.”

Christopher’s family, friends, employees and their families celebrate raucously with the Canadian Wave band and crew members. Sitting on the patio are his mother and Rabbi Foxx. Heads bent together they are in a deep discussion. Christopher thinks
they’re probably discussing the infinite expressions of
Mitzvahs.

The light of candles in glass jars brightens the air. Chewing a butt of an unlit cigar Rabbi Foxx is gesturing passionately. Christopher catches his mother’s eye and smiles. She will keep track of him throughout the evening. She can never get enough assurance her son is alive and well. A left over from the time he was missing. He nods at her with understanding.

Across the yard Billy is wearing a sauce soaked apron. Christopher laughs. His friend is learning American barbeque from Christopher’s Filipino father. It’s music to his ears, his father’s laughter drifting across the backyard.

In front of Christopher are several trays of desert
Lumpia
. He has prepared the dish as a surprise for Juanita. Cisne has rematerialized at her chair by Christopher’s side. She says, “Daddy they are ready for desert
Lumpia
now!
”

Cisne’s name translates from Spanish into ‘swan.’ Tonight she’s wearing a blue dress with a white collar. Juanita, at her daughter’s request, appliqued a white swan on the lower right half of the dress. It is surprisingly stylish and fresh, as is his daughter with her dark hair and brown eyes. She has Juanita’s sparkle.

For a moment in Cisne’s face he can see many women; his mother, grandmother, his wife, Juanita. In that split second all the important women in Christopher’s world looks back at him through the eyes of his daughter. Juanita’s swan peers over his daughter’s shoulder.

Rapping on Christopher’s arm with a wooden spoon Cisne says, “Dad, come back. The world needs you here tonight, making desert
Lumpia
for mom and everyone else.”

Christopher laughs. “You are a ‘sassy girl.’” Cisne is quick to laugh or scold depending on the needs of the moment.

Christopher remembers the phone call he made from the immigration room. When Juanita answered his parent’s phone the world stopped spinning. “Juanita! Is it really you?”

Laughing and crying Juanita says, “Christopher! Come home! We are waiting for you.”

A thrill runs through him remembering. As he looks for Juanita in the midst of their party they share a sweet and knowing glance.
The air sparkles around her!

Christopher will never take for granted her unique beauty. It is a reflection of her soul, her work as a healer, the depths they have traveled together. Lifting a tray of desert
Lumpia
he swings Cisne off the chair and says, “Lead the way. Who is ready for desert
Lumpia
?”

Billy Blue turns away from the grill. He faces Christopher with a beer held high. “To my friend Christopher Marcos, the best security man in the business and to his beautiful family. Thank you for a fantastic evening. You live a charmed life my man.”

Jennifer Morse, trained as a marriage and family therapist, has spent her life studying mysticism, striving for balance between conventional life and the mystical.

William Mortimer, a successful businessman and nationally ranked bodybuilder, researches alternative medicine and nutrition in his quest for well-being and longevity.

They reside with Aidan the Goldendoodle in the White Mountains of Arizona.

Redemption’s Warrior
Copyright © 2014 By Jennifer Morse and William Mortimer

All rights reserved.