by JM Bray
‘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!
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.’
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.
‘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.’
‘I think I’ll be okay.’ She lifted her chin.
They climbed steadily along familiar streets and stopped at a traffic light near their school. Vinni flipped on the windshield wipers.
‘Why is he going to the college?’ Jule asked.
‘Maybe he changed his mind,’ Vincent said.
‘Or the guys need something.’
The car cruised up the hill toward the campus gate but turned before entering and followed the street skirting the university. Several turns later, they entered a short cul-de-sac lined with custom homes, rebuilt over the last eighty years into an eclectic mix of styles.
At the end of the street, a garage door rolled up, and Mr Brown parked. Vincent pulled into the driveway behind him. It was a sand-colored adobe home with a red tiled roof. A tall thick wall covered the front, creating an enclosed courtyard. Though a common feature for the style of home, it worked particularly well with this one, as it completely blocked headlights from the street. The door in the wall was solid metal with ornate designs on the surface.
Déjà vu struck him and he gripped the wheel, as the world spun.
a flash of loneliness joined the mix.
Jule patted his hand. He looked over and blinked, bringing her into focus. ‘Sorry, I was having a Vinni moment.’
‘I thought I’d wake you up.’ She smiled.
Mr Brown waved from the garage. ‘Vinni, pull your car inside; there’s plenty of room.’
He parked and came around to open Jule’s door.
‘I’ve never seen a four-car garage,’ Flea said.
‘Then you need to see more garages,’ Mr Brown said. ‘I’ll take you to see my car collection.’
‘A car collection?’ Knife asked.
Mr Brown just smiled. ‘Into the house we go.’
They entered through a laundry room with a deep sink, shelves and a closet. Another door let them into an area that opened onto the kitchen ahead or a hallway to the left.
Other than being together, will this be any safer than the dorm?
Vinni’s mind raced as Coleman’s knowledge of tactics and battle looked for advantages.
Jule asked, ‘Is this place yours?’
Mr Brown nodded. ‘It is.’
‘Do you live here?’ Flea asked.
‘No, it’s a luxury vacation rental. Investments my boy — ’
‘Investments,’ they all said.
He marched down the hall toward the entryway. ‘On with the tour. It’s amazing what a wealthy family will pay while on vacation, especially when they see this.’ Mr Brown extended his arm dramatically like a circus ringmaster. A panoramic vista of the sky, ocean, and the land leading to it met their eyes. Floor to ceiling windows covered the west side of the home, displaying Sunset Cliffs on the south, stretching northward to the La Jolla Mesa. The huge earth-
toned room contained a dining area, living room, and family room. A flagstone fireplace flanked by an entertainment unit made up the south wall while bookcases lined the left with hundreds of volumes. Comfortable chairs and couches created areas for reading, enjoying the views, or snuggling near the fireplace. A granite bar separated the kitchen from the main room, and area rugs accented the Spanish-tiled floors. Vinni wandered into the kitchen as the gang spread out.
‘This place is amazing,’ Flea said. Vinni heard him plop onto a couch.
‘Electric rolling blinds,’ Knife said.
‘Mr Brown, this is very cool,’ Vinni called to him.
‘Ah, I’m glad you approve.’ he said as he walked over.
Vinni stood at the counter facing the living room. ‘I’ve always wanted something like this.’
‘What? Lemme see.’ Jule hopped over and stood at the bar.
‘See, the stovetop is here so I can cook and talk to people in the other room. Usually the cook is stuck facing a wall.’
‘Soooo.’ Jule sat in a tall chair. ‘I could sit and chat with you while you make me dinner.’
‘Yep.’ He grinned.
‘You cook?’ she asked.
‘I dabble.’
‘That settles it; wanna marry me?’ She winked at him.
‘Sure,’ he said. ‘Mr Brown can do the honors.’
‘Actually, I am licensed for such things,’ Mr Brown said.
Jule and Vinni blushed in unison, laughing nervously.
‘Let’s get the evil-set-to-destroy-mankind difficulty out of the way first, shall we?’ Mr Brown waved his pipe.
‘I can’t be best man?’ Knife said as he walked up.
‘I had my maid of honor dress all picked out,’ Flea said.
Jule and Vinni blushed further, and Mr Brown came to their rescue. ‘Let’s continue to the other rooms.’
‘Good thinking,’ Jule said quickly.
‘Sounds great,’ Vinni agreed simultaneously.
‘Man I love this view,’ Knife said as he walked to the windows.
‘It grabs renters every time.’ Mr Brown waved his pipe. ‘Come, come.’ He pointed it at a set of double doors beyond the entry. ‘The front doors, of course. Do you train in some manner, Vinni?’
‘Yes, but only once since arriving.’
