by J.R. Bowles
* * *
Mindy stared after the boy and girl as they led John to his room.
Finally, she thought, I am near him and they cannot get rid of me without getting rid of Jamal. She stroked Jamal's arm and he smiled at her. He managed to return her smile. He was fatigued and she knew she needed to get him to bed to rest. He must recover. Her powers had increased with this last connection and her power of destruction was vastly increased but the time was not yet. She must wait until the last path is opened.
Upon the last opening she would destroy all of them. She smiled inwardly knowing the power she was going to have. She would destroy all of the humanity that had infected the sweet Mother Earth, only her people and those who did not work to destroy the planet with their cars and pollution would survive.
Yes, the world would return to the paradise meant to be, before the white man had infected her with his death machines. Yes, no more cars, planes, or concrete. Man, true man, she thought, would return to the life and be one with the mother again. No electricity, no bombs, no hatred and no more greed. And they would all be indebted to her. If any evilness reared its head she would destroy it.
Billy and Jackie reentered and Mindy animated herself with her most sincere manners.
“Hi, I'm Mindy, Jamal's friend.” Mindy introduced herself to the group but she focused her attention on Billy for he seemed to be John's keeper.
Billy glanced at Jackie quizzically but responded to Mindy and introduced himself. “Hello, I'm Billy.”
They each in turn introduced themselves as if they were students in class.
“I'm Jackie.”
“I'm Michael.”
“I'm Rudy.”
Finally it was Azid's turn but he was quiet. They all focused their attention on him waiting for him to identify himself.
“I want to know what the fuck's going on.” He stated.
“That's Azid.” Jamal intervened. “He's my friend and he only meant to protect me. He thought John was trying to harm me.” He addressed them but tried to justify Azid's action for Billy and Jackie's sake.
Jamal understood how Azid felt but he now felt bonded to the other people who were centers. Although he wasn't quite as confused about the facts as Azid.
He glanced at Billy and Jackie, realizing he no longer felt hostile towards them even though they were white. There was something else which had replaced the hatred it was a feeling of sameness as if they were family. Like Azid was family, no, even closer than Azid. He wasn't sure.
“I don't think this is the time to talk about this. Mindy has a room here in this hotel also and I've been staying with her. I think we should go get some rest and talk about this later.” Jamal said and then turned to Azid.
“Azid there are two beds and you can crash in one if Mindy don't mind.” Jamal looked at Mindy for the answer to his question.
“No that's fine. I think we all need some rest.” She answered graciously, but thought to herself, I'll get rid of this Azid before the next opening tonight.
Rudy had been sitting watching everything as it had taken place in the park. He had been swept into the opening and experienced what had taken place. Now he just listened and tried to sort it all out. He had begun to feel a bond with these people, these strangers, he clarified to himself and what was more amazing it was not sexual, even toward Michael. And Mr. Fleuric, who was he, he thought. Why was the man so special?
“Well Rudy, do you have far to go home?” Michael asked Rudy.
“Yes, I live in Queens.” He glanced at his watch and added. “It's only four hours until I have to be back at the desk to go to work, I guess I'll go find a chair to sleep in, back in housekeeping.”
“You can stay in my room.” Michael volunteered. “But no funny stuff, besides I want to find out why you were following me.”
Rudy's face turned beet red. After all that had happened he had forgotten what he had been doing which had led him to be there in Battery Park when the incident occurred.
“I, I...” Rudy began but Michael interrupted him.
“Not now later when I've got you alone.”
Rudy nodded, not knowing what to say.
Jackie just stood and watched without comment as everyone took their leave. She turned to Billy after they shut the door. “Billy, I have a couple of friends staying in the hotel here and they're involved with this too, and if I wake them up now I'm sure they will insist that I answer their questions and I don't think I'm up to it right now. Could I spend the rest of the night here?”
“Sure, but you'll have to sleep with me. As you can see I only have the one bed. Oh, by the way I sleep without my clothes. I hope you don't mind.”
Jackie smiled and winked at him. “That's okay, I slept with all mine on. We've shared a lot lately but I'm not ready for anything else, not yet, not now.”
Billy nodded. “No problem. I'm made of stone besides that would be fraternization anyway, wouldn't it?”
They both feel into deep roars of laughter for the bonds they had experienced where already greater than any sexual bonds could ever be.
Jackie went to the bathroom and changed into a pair of paisley pajamas she had brought in her carry case. She tied her hair back and grinned as she thought about climbing into bed with another man. When she returned Billy was already in the bed leaving her room and was facing the opposite edge with his back to her. His bare muscular shoulders were over the edge of the spread. She unbuttoned the top button of her pajamas then slowly lifted the covers back far enough to see he really was sleeping as he had threatened, naked!
She grinned and thought, “sleeping with all these men and still a virgin.” Her nipples became erect as she slipped between the sheets. She sighed and drifted gently off to sleep.
