Tearing The Shroud (31 page)

‘They are. This is Knife and Flea, I have no idea what their actual names are. Our young lady is Jule, and this is Vinni.’

‘It’s very nice to meet you; you should come to our college group sometime.’ He shook their hands as he spoke, coming to Vinni last. When their hands clasped, Vinni felt a shock run up his arm. The reverend’s eyes widened, and he started to say something, his mouth working; finally, he said, ‘Vinni, the Lord Bless your chosen path.’

He met the man’s eyes. ‘Thank you, Reverend.’ Their hands remained gripped until Mr Brown set his hand on Vinni’s shoulder. ‘I’ll bring them again.’

‘Yes of...course.’ His brow furrowed, as if trying to recall what had happened; then he turned to the woman behind them. ‘Ruth, your solo at Evensong was wonderful!’

‘How does Mexican food sound?’ Mr Brown asked.

They glanced at each other.

‘My treat, of course,’ he added.

A look of relief passed among them. ‘Sounds great to us,’ Knife said.

‘Wonderful. I have a craving for
menudo
.’

‘You have a craving for the Hispanic boy-band?’ Jule asked.

‘No, dear me.
Menudo
is a delicious Mexican soup. It’s traditionally made on weekends,’ he said as they walked in the warm noon sun.

‘Oh.’ She giggled. ‘That makes more sense.’

‘Why just weekends?’ Flea asked.

‘What kind of soup?’ Knife asked at the same moment.

‘It’s reputed to be a cure for hangovers, which occur most frequently after Friday or Saturday nights,
and
it contains tripe, hominy and pork hocks, in a broth. Then it’s sprinkled with onion, oregano, and red pepper; my mouth is watering just speaking of it.’

‘Isn’t tripe...? Flea asked.

‘It’s cow stomach soup.’ Knife clapped him on the back.

‘Oh — kay, I’ll get a burrito.’

Vinni shrugged. ‘
Menudo
sounds good to me.’

‘That’s the spirit,’ Mr Brown said, as they arrived at the Celica.

‘Flea, Knife, come ride with me. I’m certain you’ll enjoy the leg room.’ He indicated a sleek, dark car.

‘That’s yours?’ Flea asked.

Mr Brown smiled, waving his pipe. ‘A 1937 Cord 812 Sedan with a supercharged engine, well ahead of its time. Come, gentlemen, experience what an automobile should be,’ he called as he strode off.

Vinni looked at the magnificent car and back at his old Celica. He bowed formally to Jule, offering his hand. ‘Your carriage awaits.’

‘Thank you, my dear.’ She placed her hand daintily in his. He helped her in. As he walked around the car a cold gust of wind made him look up. Dark clouds blanketed the horizon. He slid behind the wheel as the Cord rolled by, and they pulled out to follow.

Lunch at Lupita’s

Vinni walked arm in arm across the parking lot with Jule; even with all they faced, he couldn’t think of anywhere he’d rather be. He patted her hand and Jule smiled. ‘Hmm?’

‘Oh, nothing much.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘I just love you, that’s all.’

A small giggle of happiness harmonized with Jule’s face-splitting grin.

‘Lupita’s has wonderful food and the best
queso
dip in the city,’ Mr Brown said as strolled up. The restaurant sat in a nondescript building hidden behind a liquor store, claiming to be ‘The World Famous Tiki Hut.’

‘Mr Brown.’ The hostess smiled at them when they entered. ‘We have your table ready; follow me.’ The people waiting for seats gave them sidelong glances as they walked to the interior stairs. The second floor contained several small rooms with tightly arranged tables and a bar, all bustling with Sunday afternoon customers. The clientele varied from people in jogging suits to those from the yachts docked nearby.

Flea caught Vinni’s eye and nodded at a silver-haired man, dressed in a blue blazer and a white captain’s hat. ‘I do say,
lovey,
the food here is simply
divine
!’ Flea’s imitation brought snickers from them both.

They went to a patio-like room with large open windows. Fresh sea air wafted through, tinted with the coming rain. Their table was next to the low wall with perfect views of the harbor. ‘Here we are. Your waiter will arrive shortly; if the breeze gets too chilly, let us know.’

‘Thank you, my dear,’ Mr Brown said as they arranged themselves around the table. Two waiters arrived immediately with the famed white
queso
sauce,
salsa fresca
, mounds of chips in wicker baskets, and water. After tasting the dip, Flea said, ‘I know what I’m having. Just bring me a vat of this.’

‘Wow, it’s like a party in my mouth,’ Jule said.

He choked on the water he was drinking, but managed to get a napkin over his mouth.

Jule patted his back. ‘Are you okay, sweetie?’

‘Yea, I just…swallowed wrong.’

Thanks, a lot!

Coleman’s chuckle echoed in his mind.

He caught his breath and asked, ‘Mr Brown, I’m wondering something.’

‘Vinni, I’m an open book; how could I not be?’

‘You own the game shop, but with your...storage, that car, and the way they treat you here, you don’t seem like a shopkeeper.’ Vinni felt his face grow warm at questioning a man who had been so helpful.

‘A reasonable and intelligent observation — as I mentioned briefly last night, I started off with my inheritance and made good investments early in life. Then I used the capital to make more.’

‘What kind of investments?’ Knife asked.

‘Real estate has been excellent; antiques, like the items you now possess, have been lucrative. I follow the simple mantra of buy low and sell high. Really, I’m a collector, and my collections are varied.’

Knife nodded, but Vinni was still hesitant. ‘How...’ he took a breath and spoke quickly, ‘How did you know about the Traveler and Companion?’

‘As I said, I collect things and am particularly fond of ancient or unusual texts. Several of them mention the subject specifically. Even common books allude to the topic. Then, of course there are the dreams.’

is
a Seer.>

Vinni nodded. ‘That’s how this started with me.’

‘“Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions”,’ Mr Brown said.

‘Yeah, that about sums it up,’ Flea said.

Mr Brown smiled. ‘No, friends, you misunderstand; that’s a quote.’

‘From where?’ Knife asked.

‘Joel chapter two verse twenty-eight.’

‘As in the Bible, Joel?’ Jule asked.

He smiled. ‘I’d say that’s a commonly found book, wouldn’t you?’

They sat back quietly.

The waiter came to the table. ‘Mr Brown, so good to see you. A bowl of
menudo
?’

‘You know me well, Miguel. I believe we may need a moment or two, though.’

‘I’m ready,’ Flea said, and the rest nodded.

‘Ah, we have a decisive group. The
menudo
for me and this gentleman as well.’ He motioned to Vinni.

‘Very good. Corn tortillas?’

‘Yes, please,’ Vinni answered. ‘Can I have some butter for those?’

Miguel smiled. ‘Just like my mother served them.’

‘I’ll have a grilled fish taco with rice and beans, please,’ Jule said.

‘
Chile verde
burrito, wet, for me, sir,’ said Flea.

‘Chile rellano
plate,’ Knife said.

‘Excellent choices. They’ll be out shortly; in the meantime, might I bring drinks?’

After drinks were ordered and Miguel departed, Jule said, ‘They sure treat you well, Mr Brown.’

‘I lent a hand buying this property.’

‘Investments.’ Knife nodded.

‘Precisely.’

They chatted about lighter things, trying to find their way to the difficult subjects. Eventually, Flea spoke up; ‘These books that talk about Traveling — any chance we could read them?’

‘Not unless you know Aramaic or ancient Greek,’ Mr Brown said.

‘Not me.’ Flea chuckled. ‘Spanish class is already kickin’ my butt.’ His eyes rounded. ‘Spanish. I totally forgot. I have a test tomorrow.’

‘
Vas a estudiar tarde esta noche
.’ Knife said.

‘Huh?’ Flea replied.

‘Exactly.’ Knife chuckled.

Mr Brown looked at them with a glint in his eyes. ‘I agree Knife, Flea will be studying late. I’m guessing that none of you reads hieroglyphics, Indian Gupta or Irish Ogham, so I suppose you’ll just have to trust me.’ He waved his fork.

‘How long has it been since this happened?’ Julie asked.

‘About eight hundred years. Ah, our food has arrived!’

They sat back to give the waiters room. Flea mouthed to Vinni, ‘Eight hundred years.’

It was?

Yes.

Vinni shook his head and laughed softly.
It’s a miracle you made it through.

‘So, Mr Brown,’ Vinni said, ‘you’re a Seer?’

‘Me? I don’t have that kind of ability.’

‘You dreamed about my coming; isn’t that the same thing?’

‘I didn’t dream of you specifically. Just the general theme. My knowledge of the subject helped me piece it together.’

‘The talk show.’ Flea snapped his fingers.

‘What?’ Knife asked.

‘Vincent and I saw a talk show where a group of people all had the same dream. It sounded like what you describe, Mr Brown.’

‘Maybe someone in the Realm or,’ Jule shrugged, ‘somewhere, is trying to send us a message.’

The comment brought another thoughtful silence to the table. ‘Vinni, are people with the power to do what Jule describes common in your lands?’ Mr Brown asked.

‘We...I mean...he...’ Vinni rubbed his forehead, looking at the table. ‘You guys have no idea how confusing this is.’

Jule patted his back gently. ‘You’re right, we don’t. I can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through. Do you want to try telling us?’

Expressing myself is not my favorite thing.

He felt Coleman’s smile.

‘Coleman is here.’ He placed his hand on his chest. ‘In me, but he’s not just some passenger: he
is
me and I’m
him
. I don’t know where his thoughts or emotions end and mine begin.’ He put his head in his hands. ‘It’s...frightening...and exhilarating...and...’ He looked at his friends and waved his hands helplessly.

‘Sort of like first line to The Beatles
I Am the Walrus.
’ Flea sniffed. ‘In this case it almost sounds prophetic.’ Leaning forward, he said, ‘You and Coleman are both
he and me.
But the rest of us are with you, Vinni. All together. We’re here to help you.’

Knife nodded. ‘I’ll admit, seeing you like this, and the things you can do, kinda scares me sometimes. But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving. You’ll need all the support you can get, especially if...’ Knife sat back and shook his head. ‘I’m gonna just say this, sorry if it sounds harsh. If this pushes you off the deep end — and I’m still not sure it won’t — you’re going to need us more than ever.’

Mr Brown turned his pipe over repeatedly, looking at it. ‘Perhaps “I” is the best term, Vinni.’

He looked at him, brows furrowed.

‘Who knows? The process may even require it. Simply refer to your collective self as I.’

But will
I
still be able to be
me
, someday?

When Coleman didn’t answer his palms grew clammy and his heart beat fast.

Vinni blew out a breath and nodded. ‘I, it is then.’

Jule leaned over and wrapped her arms around his neck, whispering in his ear, ‘Vincent,
I
still love
you
.’

‘You have no idea how good it is to hear that,’ he whispered back.

Her embrace tightened then she pulled back, their faces close, and smiled. ‘Maybe Vinni too.’

Her light brown eyes never seemed lovelier. ‘I can accept that.’ He cocked an eyebrow. ‘For now.’

She pursed her lips. ‘Was that Vincent or Coleman?’

He smiled. ‘It was Vinni.’

The two of them laughed, holding hands.

Mr Brown cleared his throat and they turned. He smiled and nodded. ‘Since that’s settled, might I ask about the Seers?’

Vinni nodded. ‘Sure.’

‘Do they serve the Lord?’

‘There are evil ones, I suppose, but the Matriarch serves the Divine and she’s the only one
I’ve
met.’ The emphasized word brought smiles all around the table.

‘The Divine,’ Mr Brown said. ‘I thought the word was a description, or trait, but it’s a name.’

Vinni nodded. ‘There’s the Divine and the Abyss. Good and evil; in the Realm it’s fairly straightforward.’ He shrugged. ‘You’re on one side or the other.’

Mr Brown rubbed his chin and fell silent, leaning back. ‘Shall we see where you’ll be staying?’

‘You found a place already?’ Knife asked.

‘Investments, Knife, investments.’

The House

‘Are you doing okay?’ Jule asked, as they drove away from the restaurant.

‘I am, thanks,’ Vincent said. ‘Coleman is afraid I’ll get distracted and wreck. It’s a weird feeling.’

‘Really?’ She giggled.

‘The speed gets to him.’ Vincent grinned. ‘I enjoyed the
menudo
; his mother makes something similar.’

‘It’s a small world.’

‘Worlds.’ They both smiled, shaking their heads.

‘That was impossible to imagine only weeks ago,’ Jule said.

‘Or insane.’

‘True, and now we’re joking about it.’

‘My Dad used to say...’ Vincent adopted an Irish brogue. ‘“Vincent, me boyo, times are when all ya can do is laugh or cry, an’ I’ll take the laughter.”’

‘I’d love to meet him,’ Jule said.

‘My parents are a handful.’