Just then Bev came through the door. She brought lunch and drinks for them. Charles was grateful for the distraction. “Hi Nana. Thank you for lunch.”
“You’re welcome,” Bev said with a smile.
She turned to Carson and asked, “How’s it going today?” Carson told her that they had discussed the letters. Bev turned to Charles and said, “What an honor to be considered as a candidate to be the Prime Minister’s apprentice. If you decide to accept the Council’s invitation and are chosen for the apprentice position I’m sure you will have the best possible training to prepare you for the day you will become prime minister.”
Carson interjected, “The day you might be considered…”
Bev smiled at Charles. Charles sat back in his chair. He was trying to have an open mind about this opportunity but it seemed surreal to him. He thought: This should be happening to someone older and more experienced at Sojourning.
Bev came and sat down next to him. She looked him right in the eye. “I know you will make the right decision. If you decide to accept their invitation we will be here to support you every step of the way. While you are thinking about your response to their invitation keep in mind that the current Prime Minister is still fairly young. He may hold his office for a very long time in order for you to prepare and have the proper training to succeed him. The Prime Minister’s office is the most powerful and influential position in the world. If something were to happen to him, Dimitrios would immediately be instated as the interim until the Sojourners’ Council was certain you were ready beyond a reasonable doubt to hold the office.”
Charles nodded. “It’s a lot to take in.”
She agreed. “It is a lot to consider. I imagine that there will be many Sojourners competing for the position. Carson and I discussed the possibility that you may want to consider the challenge. Keep in mind that if you do decide to be considered for the apprentice job you will need a lot of preparation. We will have to get started fairly soon teaching you what you will need to know. What you need to do right now is decide if this is something you’re interested in.” She patted him on his back and then walked over to help Carson with setting out the lunch. When they were finished she said she’d better be getting back to the girls.
CHAPTER 21
The next day things were back to normal. Joseph asked about the visit to the lake house with Ruthie as he was getting dressed for work. It was difficult but Dolores just shrugged it off and acted indifferent. She didn’t want him to know her little secret. If he found out, he might not send her by herself again. No, this was one secret she was going to keep. She’d continue to act miserable just as if nothing had changed.
Joseph finished getting ready by tying his tie in the mirror. He looked over his hair to make sure it was the way he liked it. Then on the way out the bedroom door he said, “I need you to help with Senator Ashbee’s campaign. I told his wife you’d be happy to help. Make sure you get there sometime before noon.”
Dolores folded her arms and briefly closed her eyes. “I wish you would have discussed this with me before you planned my day. What if I had plans for today?”
He came back to the doorway. “What difference does it make? You just said you didn’t have any plans. Why do you always have to be so difficult?” He didn’t wait for her answer. She could have given him a million reasons why.
Joseph grabbed his lunch from the counter on his way out and walked to his sports car. His drive to the firm was the same as every day. He parked in his reserved parking space, walked by the empty reception area and into his office. He closed the door behind him and changed into his golf clothes. He met his father, Donovan, at the front desk. He was having a conversation with Seamore, the firm’s law clerk.
His father turned around and looked him over. “It’s about time. What took you so long? Our golf tee times get later and later all the time.
“Seamore, call the man at the golf course and tell him we are going to be late again.”
Joseph snarled, “Father, no one is even going to be there.”
His father shook his head. “We’re late. You’re always late. How are you going to make partner if you can’t even show up on time?”
Seamore picked up the phone to do as he was instructed. Joseph followed his father out the door.
Joseph volunteered to drive his car.
CHAPTER 22
Molly and Gretchen were stocking the shelves with inventory trying to get the market ready on schedule for the grand opening. They were exhausted. Molly wiped her forearm across her forehead to get the wet bangs out of her eyes. They looked up to see that Walter and several of the boys had brought equipment to shine the floors. Molly and Gretchen gave each other a high five. It was time for the girls to take a break. They went to talk to Walter.
“Why don’t you girls let the boys do the finishing work? Go down to Kelsey’s Diner and treat yourselves for your hard work. Then go home and get some rest before the big day tomorrow,” said Walter. He pulled out his billfold and handed money to Gretchen.
“Thank you, Sweetheart.”
She looked at Molly, “Let’s go girl.”
Walter and the boys worked hard to make sure the floors were shining and the last of the odd jobs were done before they left for the night. Molly drove to pick up the girls from her parent’s house. She was running late and knew Cynthia would be annoyed and ready to go by the time she got there. Peter told her he’d stop by their house tonight after he finished working at his parents’ shop.
CHAPTER 23
Carson sat down at his desk. “Charles, it is a good thing you like to read because that’s about all you’ve done so far this summer.” Charles smiled at that comment. “Go ahead and read about Prime Minister Thomasen. I think you will find his journal very useful. This is the only journal of his on our shelves. His work was sealed when he became Prime Minister. I’m certain when you go before the Council and have a chance to meet them, they will explain the process in detail. At that time they will tell you what to expect if you accept their candidacy. Just think, if you win the election the Council may decide to let you read Haward’s journals. It would be a request worth making.”
Charles set the journal on the table. Then he asked, “Did you say meet the Council?”
“Yes, you will be invited at some point to meet the Council.”
“When?”
“Right about now,” Carson said as Airabelle was in flight bringing an invitation in her beak to him. Charles turned his head in time to see the Passageway turn from red back to its normal color.
Carson smiled as he held up the invitation in his hand. “Well now, shall we open it?” The invitation was in a large manila square envelope sealed with a golden wax coin. “Let’s see what it says.” Carson opened the middle desk drawer, took out an antique letter opener and their Sojourner glasses. He slid the opener across the top of the square envelope. He handed the envelope to Charles.
Charles took it, put his glasses on and pulled a dull matte gold paper coin from the envelope. He opened the coin. A hologram appeared from the elegantly written invitation. The gentleman in the hologram announced that this invitation was from the Sojourners’ Council on behalf of the Prime Minister himself. It was a request for a Mr. Charles Brookfield to appear before the Council as a guest of honor. Upon acceptance of the invitation more information would be given. “I’ve never seen an invitation like this before,” Charles said as he handed it to Carson to look at.
He also looked it over. Then he closed the invitation and replaced it in the envelope. Carson took all the letters and put them in the vault. He closed the door and returned the key to his desk.
“This is all very interesting. It certainly gives you something to think about. We will need to respond to the invitation. Remember Charles; you don’t have to make a decision right now on the apprenticeship. This is just an invitation to appear before the Council so they can explain to you what the process is all about; and what you and your fam
ily can expect should you be chosen as the apprentice to the Prime Minister.”
“Okay. Will you and Nana be going with me to meet the Council?”
“Yes, I discussed the possibility with Nana earlier. If you want us to go we will. The invitation states that you may bring your guardians.”
“I’m not going without you and Nana.”
Carson nodded. “Would you like me to respond that we will attend the event?” “Yes. I think we should go.”
“Then I will respond to the Council that they can expect all of us.” Charles nodded. “It won’t be long Charles until you are actually Sojourning. Are you ready to begin?”
“Yes. I’m ready to learn everything I can from you.”
“Do you have any questions about anything before we begin?”
“No, not right now. Maybe before we start I might. I know we were going to start our adventure today, but I want to read this first.”
“All right then. Since we are not going to start our adventure today, I am going to respond to the Council. I agree. I believe it would be a good idea to read Prime Minister Thomasen’s journal first.”
“Okay.” Charles walked over to the chair, picked up the journal and began to read. Airabelle perched on Carson’s lectern while he wrote. Esmond hopped up onto the armrest of Charles’ chair as he read about Haward:
Haward began Sojourning with his father and uncle when he was fifteen. They were the only three in their family who could Sojourn to acquire coins. Haward was exceptionally good at solving riddles and often won at auctions. During his world travels he had acquired the most gold world coins in their family’s collection. When Haward turned 18 years old his talent as a gifted artist, who won prominent awards, became known. This led him to be discovered by a respected Sojourner Councilman. The man met Haward at an art show. They had numerous discussions about art, its place in history and society. The Councilman made inquiries to discover if Haward’s family were Sojourners. Once he received confirmation that Haward met the qualifications, he then nominated him to be considered as a candidate to apprentice for the Prime Minister. His family was contacted about his eligibility for the position.
It was a chance of fulfilling a dream for Haward, and he began preparing for the competition. He worked extremely hard learning about financial markets and researching general knowledge areas that would be helpful to gain an advantage over his peers. While Haward was preparing for the election, he was introduced by one of his professors to a brilliant Sojourner professor, Dr. Pazel Moriel, who later became his mentor. Once it was revealed that Pazel was a Sojourner himself, Haward explained in confidence his situation to him. Dr. Moriel tutored him on what he believed Haward would need to know as a Prime Minister, about government politics and world cultures.
Pazel’s wife Annalise was the curator for a world-renowned museum and a Sojourner Tools Expert for the Sojourner government. She spent time with Haward teaching him about world history. The information Haward acquired helped him to solidify enough Council votes to attain the position as Prime Minister Simon Vireo’s apprentice.
The Dr. Pazel Moriel and Haward remained lifelong friends. Haward often received advice from his mentor throughout the years. Haward had a good sense of humor and enjoyed a good lighthearted prank. When Haward became the Prime Minister, he and Pazel continued to “pull pranks” on one another.
As Charles read more about Haward, he discovered that Haward had graduated early from Brahmsley University at the top of his class with a law degree. This degree helped Haward when he became Prime Minister.
Hesperos, the Prime Minister’s Assistant was very no nonsense and straight-laced. He believed that in his position he represented Sojourners around the world and that at all times he should act dignified as their representative. He was appointed by the Sojourners’ Council to be in charge of the apprenticeship. Hesperos took his job seriously and from the beginning was very strict and proper in his role of training Haward. He wasn’t someone who took very kindly to childish behavior, and several times complained to Prime Minister Vireo that Haward needed discipline.
Haward, being fun loving, tried to get Hesperos to not be so rigid by telling him lighthearted jokes. His efforts failed and Hesperos instantly decided Haward needed more work to keep him busy and out of trouble. From that day forward he kept Haward busy with a grueling schedule.
The Prime Minister came to Haward and the two of them shared commiseration stories about Hesperos being, “in charge,” but in the end Haward was told he must follow orders. Hesperos and Haward never really got to know each other very well; their dialogue was always direct and to the point. At times Haward became frustrated at the lack of communication and trust between the two of them. It wasn’t until the time came for Haward to be trained by the Prime Minister himself that he actually began to feel comfortable in his role as the next Prime Minister.
When Haward was thirty-five he was ready. His training prepared him for the job as the next prime minister. Prime Minister Vireo had transitioned the office very professionally and smoothly. Prime Minister Vireo recognized something in Haward that would propel him to greatness. The two of them kept in touch with each other after Simon left office.
As a gift, Prime Minister Vireo left Haward, in his Sojourner Estate Will, his cherished grand piano. Haward wrote in his journal the reasons he considered the piano such a treasured gift, and why Simon had given it to him. As Simon and Haward would travel the world before Simon’s retirement, he would become reminiscent about his life. He would travel back to his hometown in Argentina and take Haward with him. Several times Simon took Haward to a luxurious ballroom club called The Tango. They would sit at a corner booth and watch a young couple that would come to dance. Haward described the courtyard where they danced as paradise under the stars. It was just off the main dance floor separated by three large French doors.
The young couple was very graceful and captivating to watch. Ramon, a patron of the club, mentioned to Simon in a conversation while they were watching, that the two dancers rarely talked to each other and never left together. Ramon told a story about a night he had briefly talked to the dancing gentleman, when he came to gather his coat and hat at the bar. The gentleman never drank but always left a big tip as he would leave. Ramon asked him about the lady he danced with. He described the gentleman as looking somber as he said they had been dancing together since they were children. His instructor had placed the two of them as partners. The gentleman admitted that he really didn’t know that much about her. All he knew was her first name. They would practice for their competitions after setting up a time to meet at the studio. One night by chance they both showed up at The Tango with friends. Since neither one of them had a dance partner, he went over and asked her to dance. Patrons at the club were drawn to their chemistry and would ask to cut in to dance. They later began meeting there to practice because they liked the live band. The dancers didn’t want to be interrupted by strangers, so the gentleman asked the owner if he would be kind enough to block off the outdoor courtyard, to allow them to dance uninterrupted. The owner agreed because it was good for his business. People would come from all over just to see the two of them dance.
It wasn’t until years later that Haward quite by accident discovered that the gentleman was a sculptor. He saw the gentleman’s work in a private collection at one of the art shows that he had been invited to attend. The sculptures of the dancers were of the sculptor’s beautiful dance partner. He recognized her instantly as the model for the sculpture. Haward wrote to Simon and informed him of his discovery. Simon wrote back that he was aware of the gentleman’s talents. It turned out that he was Simon’s younger brother. Simon was unable to inform his brother that he was the Prime Minister because his brother was unable to Sojourn. As his brother was growing up Simon would disappear on, “adventures,” for long periods of time. Simon would make up stories to his family explaining his absences when they would get together.
Years before at
a dinner party when he had returned to Argentina from one of his “adventures”, a couple mentioned that they were leaving early to go a club named the Tango and watch a pair of dancers perform. They said it was mesmerizing to watch the couple dancing. The married couple went on and on about how they liked to go to this particular club, along with others, just to watch the live performance. They invited Simon to join them. The man’s wife was persistent in requesting that he accompany them. He went with them just to see why they and others were so intrigued. It was sort of an excuse to leave the party he was attending, and he felt it would be convenient if he decided to just go home. When he entered the club Simon was surprised to see his younger brother and the young lady were the mysterious dancing couple. He was aware of his brother’s dancing ability, but growing up he had had his own interests and never went to watch his brother in his competitions. Simon knew his sibling was a dancer but thought of him mainly as a talented sculptor. Seeing his brother and the young lady together made him miss his family.
Simon made sure his brother never saw him at the dance club. He would frequent the club, sit in a corner booth and watch the two of them dance. Then, later on when he was in town he would pay his brother a visit at his studio. They would talk mostly about his brother’s nature sculptures and the travel Simon was doing at the time. Simon was not surprised to learn that another private collection of his brother’s work, with the young lady as the subject, was featured at an art showing.
During one of Simon’s travels he purchased a Sojourner’s grand piano from a diplomat. He was aware of the piano’s charm when he sat down and played. As he practiced playing the piano, Simon saw the hologram of dancers dancing. The couple that danced in the hologram was not as beautiful in their technique as his brother and his partner. So he replaced them using his Sojourner crystal. When he would go and watch the couple dance he would capture their dances with his Sojourner crystal. It was easy to replace the original dancers with the two star-crossed dancers. This allowed Simon to take a little bit of home with him when he moved to the Hub. Simon wanted Haward to inherit the piano because they both enjoyed watching the couple dance. Haward was moved by the gesture of friendship by his predecessor.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 22
