by J.R. Bowles
CHAPTER 28
“Hey, John, wake up.” Billy shook John's shoulder.
John had fallen asleep still dressed, sitting in an armchair near his bed. Billy had slept on the floor near his feet.
Billy had awakened to the phones ringing in his room next door; he had left the door open.
It had been his ship. Damn, he told himself, he shouldn't have left a recall number, but it was his responsibility to do so.
“John, I've got to go back to the ship. They called and they're getting underway at noon.”
“What time is it now?” John asked without opening his eyes.
“Almost eight.”
“What time did you say you had to be back?”
“The ship gets underway at noon, but liberty expires at eleven.”
“I'll ride back to the island with you. I have a meeting at 2:00 anyway. Would you order us some breakfast, while I clean up?”
“Sure, what do you want?”
“Eggs, bacon, toast and coffee. Plenty of coffee.”
“Sure thing, boss.”
“How long is your ship going to be gone?” John asked as he headed to the bathroom.
“I'm not sure; some ship's on fire and I guess it depends on what we have to do.”
“I'll stay at the motel on Governors Island while you're gone. I still have that room, you know, that's where the software I'm presenting to the Coast Guard is―I hope.” John added, and muttered to himself, having forgotten about the navigation software he was trying to get the Coast Guard to purchase.
I don't want to be here right now anyway, alone; too much going on,” he yelled from the bathroom.
“What about Morgan?” Billy yelled back, but he already knew the answer. John was in turmoil and things were still in flux.
“I'll call her when I get to the island. I don't think I can face her right now, anyway. I still need some time to think.” John answered as Billy had predicted.
“Breakfast will be here shortly.” Billy hung up the phone at the same time the shower started running.
John showered and thought about everything that had been occurring in his life. It just didn't make sense. Billy, Morgan, the girl in the lobby wanting him, the man on the elevator wanting him, the disgust he felt toward them. “What is going on?” He yelled in frustration, his voice echoing in the shower stall.
Breakfast arrived as John reentered the room, a towel around his waist, drying his hair.
“Your breakfast sir,” the boy said, looking at the two men and the open door between the rooms with indifference―and a short summation in his mind to what these guys' story was.
John sensed the boy's thoughts, and started to explain; but what could he say? He began to feel embarrassed but dismissed the idea. What did it matter, anyway, what this kid thought? Even if they had done what the kid thought, it was none of his business.
Then John sensed something more about the kid. On a hunch he asked the boy casually, “The hotel seems a little strange today; what's going on?”
The boy grinned, knowing that if he volunteered information he would get a bigger tip.
“Well, I've been told not to say anything.” He paused for effect, as if he were doing something special just for them. Then, as he looked at the one man, he felt as though he did want to do something special, actually anything the man wanted. He didn't even want a tip, he just wanted to please; he must be going crazy, he thought, no tip!
The boy ran his hand through his blond hair and began setting the meal on the table.
“The lobby clerk died last night,” he began. “Looks like murder, but they are not sure. The fluorescent lights were busted out all over the lobby, but no marks were on her.”
John stared off into space and thought, “Do I really care?”
IV. THE THIRD CHAKRA
SWADISTHANA
THE SPLEEN
Life is running cycles. That which is created, is then destroyed. The spleen center is the builder and the destroyer. The destruction, is but the end of a cycle which makes room for the next rejuvenation of force using the energies of the other chakra.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHAKRA CENTERS by Tawadin Djwahan
