The Symbolon

by Colvin, Delia

  ∞

  There was a loud beeping that was getting rather annoying...and a pain in her arm. Valeria opened her eyes. She was in a small cubicle with a curtain and wearing a faded hospital gown with an almost visible blue pattern on it.

  Weege was sitting by her side. “I want you to know that I gave that asshole a piece of my mind!”

  Did something happen that she didn’t remember? She wondered how she had ended up in a hospital.

  “What are you talking about?” Valeria muttered.

  “The asshole who did this to you! That’s who!” How did Weege know about the council and Paolo? “Alex!” Weege said, as if his name were a profanity.

  “What did you do?” Valeria demanded, trying to sit up; and then she weakly sunk back into the bed, but was just as suddenly hopeful.

  “I told him that if he ever stepped within a hundred yards of you that I would kick his ass from here to eternity!”

  “Alex? You spoke to Alex?”

  “Uh, yeah! You didn’t even tell me you were back. I had to hear it from him!”

  Something definitely didn’t make sense. Her head felt thick and everything seemed confusing. A nurse came in and smiled. “Feeling any better? You were pretty dehydrated! It took three nurses to get an IV in you!”

  Valeria nodded at the nurse and then went back to Weege. Her heart rate monitor was showing a spike and the nurse looked at Weege in disapproval. “Let’s keep our patient calm.”

  Waiting until the nurse left, Valeria jumped in again and asked, “You spoke to Alex? When…” She tried to calm herself. “How did he sound?” She was hungry for news of him!

  “Yeah…well…” Weege’s eyes narrowed accusatorily. “Hey, you aren’t going to freak out on me again are you?” Biting her lip, Valeria shook her head. She wasn’t certain she could control her reaction, but she had to know. “So this asshole—”

  Valeria closed her eyes. “Please, Weege, please…don’t call him that.” Her eyes flooded with tears.

  “Jeez Val,” Weege said as hers eyes widened, nervously. “You know me…that’s just my way.” She looked away and swallowed and then continued softly, “It was the real thing, wasn’t it.”

  Valeria closed her eyes tightly and swallowed back the emotion that was again overtaking her. Yes, it was.

  The nurse marched in and, angrily, pointed an accusatory finger at Weege. “That’s it. You’re going to the waiting room!”

  “What? I didn’t do nothing! I swear it! Ask her!” But the nurse insisted and, finally, Weege shrugged at Valeria and patted her shoulder before walking out. “I swear that old biddy has it in for me! We’ll talk more later,” Weege whispered and left.

  Within minutes of Weege’s exit, the curtain pulled back again and the woman who Valeria had determined was simply a figment of her imagination appeared…the woman…Shinsu? Her eyes sparkled oracle blue, and Valeria noticed how striking they were with her white hair.

  “Well, dear…” She shook her head disapprovingly. “This simply won’t do! Do you suppose that this is doing him any good?

  “Alex?”

  Shinsu’s face became even more irritated. “Well, who do you think, dear?” she huffed. “You are the one he loves more than life and you treat yourself like…” Shinsu lifted her hands.

  “How does he know?”

  “Well, there are rules! But then, as you know, Alexander Morgan isn’t going to just leave you on your own.”

  “He’s here?”

  “No, dear. He can’t do that! I thought he explained that to you. Alex is out of your life.”

  Tears welled in Valeria’s eyes and she looked away.

  “Ah, new love. You know after a few centuries, it really isn’t such a big deal. After all, from everything I’ve heard, you don’t even bear his mark. It isn’t like he’s your symbolon.”

  Valeria narrowed her eyes at Shinsu and, for once, anger welled inside her until she could no longer contain herself. “I don’t understand how you can make that declaration so easily.” Valeria’s rage increased, and with every word, she was more certain of her statement. “Alex is my symbolon—with or without the mark! So don’t you or any of your other council members dare talk to me about my heart or his! If you say that Alex and I aren’t meant to be together then you simply don’t know us!”

  Pulling back, in surprise, Shinsu responded slowly, “I see.” She thought for a moment. “I do remember my first husband—my symbolon. I remember how that felt.” She pursed her lips. “Yes, I believe Alex may be your symbolon.” She nodded. “But it won’t change a thing until the next council meeting 500 years from now.”

  Shinsu continued, “So, dear, there have been several urgent requests to the council from your young man. He absolutely insists that Immanuel be able to attend to you as a patient here. I happen to agree. You have some extenuating circumstances.”

  “Mani!” Valeria’s face was hopeful. “I can see Mani?”

  “Well, he is permitted to attend to you. You must understand that Immanuel must be cautious in his discussions with you so as to not violate our laws. Now…I must be on my way. I am going to leave you my card—I do agree with Alexander that you must have a fellow immortal to talk to. Call me or come to see me if you like.” She handed the card to Valeria. “In the meanwhile, you simply must begin taking better care of yourself!”

  “Will you tell Alex that I—”

  Shinsu shook her head. “No, dear! I cannot tell Alex anything from you!” Valeria swallowed and nodded.

  Just then, Mani walked in and she could see the pain in his eyes. “Valeria,” he said softly. Shinsu nodded at Mani.

  “All right, young lady! You have my card. Don’t lose it!” Shinsu commanded, shaking her finger at Valeria.

  As Mani approached her bed, Valeria threw her arms around his neck. “Mani! Is…everyone okay? How is he?”

  “Valeria, please forgive me, but I cannot discuss…the situation. It places everyone at risk if I do.” He shook his head mournfully. “Let’s take care of business before we discuss other issues. Do you have any pain in your chest?” She shook her head, no. “Take a deep breath, please…thank you.” The cold of his stethoscope moved from one side of her back and then to the other side. “Another?” She drew another deep breath. “Thank you.” He moved the stethoscope again. “And once more…good.” He breathed out in relief and stepped around to face her. “Valeria, I’ve already reviewed your chart and I don’t see any sign of pneumonia.”

  He pulled the stethoscope from his ears and put his hands on her arms. “But you must begin to eat again. You are only making a difficult situation more difficult if you do not care for yourself.”

  Valeria nodded. She desperately needed to tell him how much she missed everyone…especially Alex.

  “May I ask you a personal question? Not one about …” She swallowed and looked down. Mani nodded.

  “Why didn’t you come with us to…well, you know.”

  Mani thought for a moment. “This is not something I would normally discuss. But I believe it may be appropriate in your case. You see,” he looked into her eyes intensely. “I do understand your situation, far better than you know!

  “Valeria, this council, with Jeremiah, was not always the way it is. At one time, the council, led by Myrdd, was one who sought to expand understanding and reduce the prejudice between the immortals and the oracles, and to improve the world with our gifts, as Apollo had intended. Jeremiah was able to gain power with accusations that Myrdd had violated sacred agreements. As a result, he was executed.”

  “Melitta began a petition to remove Jeremiah as the council head. I was away when it was presented at the next council meeting, 500 years later. She was executed, along with all of the other petitioners. My name was on that list.”

  “I don’t understand how they…I mean, they are—were—immortal. How did they…”

  “I don’t understand how they…” She gulped. “I mean, they are—were, immortal. How did they�
��”

  Mani looked away and she could see that he didn’t want to discuss it with her. Then he turned to face her. “They were beheaded.” Suddenly, Valeria remembered Jeremiah’s threats to Alex and Tavish’s warning to Alex that she was watching. Valeria felt an eerie chill run down her spine.

  His eyes narrowed. “Somehow, Jeremiah discovered that oracles do not recover if Erebos performs the…” He looked away and swallowed. “I’ve often wondered if it is because they bury their head and body separately.” He shuddered.

  Once she recovered from the horror of it, she brushed her hand over Mani’s face. “I’m so sorry.”

  They sat silently for a few moments and then she asked, “That woman, Shinsu, isn’t she on the council?”

  “Yes, however, Shinsu is an oracle, and as such, she has been far more sympathetic toward us. She encouraged the council to reduce my supposed crimes to a misdemeanor. However, I will never return to Greece.”

  “How do you survive,” she gulped, “without Melitta?”

  Mani thought for a moment. “Are you certain that you wish to know?” She hesitated and then offered an almost imperceptible nod. He took a deep breath. “I believe it is easier now. But when you have been whole, the separation from your symbolon is a wound that does not heal.” He looked into her eyes to measure her response and let out a deep breath.

  “Valeria, the best I can do is to take care of myself physically and to occupy my mind with learning.” He looked up and, with tears lighting his eyes, said, “And pray that, somehow, Melitta will return to me.” He brushed her arm kindly. “You must find something to occupy your body and mind. You must eat and make your body strong. How do you think it would be if something happened to you? How do you think…others would survive? If you cannot do it for yourself, do it for others…who love you.”

  A tear escaped from her eyes. “I will take care of myself…for others. I promise that!”

  Mani nodded and squeezed her hands. “I must go now.”

  A few hours later, Valeria was released and actually had a bit more energy because of the IV fluids.

  ∞

  It had been over a week since she had been in the hospital and Weege was acting strange, as if Valeria was extraordinarily fragile…she guessed she could understand why. Still, she was feeling stronger but Weege insisted on picking up groceries for her every day. Valeria was certain it was so that Weege could peek into her refrigerator and trash to ensure that she was eating. Hearing the intercom ring, Valeria had learned just to hit the button to let her in.

  Swinging the door open, she was stunned to see the boy at the door!

  “Caleb!”

  “Um, yeah…can I come in?” Somehow, Caleb looked older than when she had seen him just over a month ago in Greece.

  “Of course!” He stepped into her apartment and she looked outside the door, realizing that she was praying that Alex was with him. He immediately wrapped his arms around her waist. She brushed his hair back and took several deep breaths and then gulped, needing to hold on to him probably more than he needed to hold on to her. After several minutes she was able to push back the tears and speak. “Caleb, did…someone…send you here?” She wasn’t sure what she could say.

  He released her and tramped into the living room where he threw his body down on the couch. “Boy, this place is small!” He peeled the clear gloves off his hands that protected others from being shocked. Then he noticed all of the family pictures sitting on the coffee table. Weege had tried to place them around the brownstone, but Valeria needed them close to her.

  “Yes, it is small,” she responded. Caleb picked up the picture of the two of them and the joy in their eyes.

  Suddenly, she thought of the laws and couldn’t bear to think of sweet Caleb being harmed. “Buddy…you do know that there are new rules.” She would take Caleb and disappear and warn the others. Perhaps they would all join her and she could be with Alex! Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to them, but she would die before she permitted Jeremiah to harm one hair on the boy’s head!

  He shrugged and gave a short laugh with none of the joy that was typical of him. “Yeah…well, I’m not an oracle. So, nobody cares about where I go…well, I mean outside of the family.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief and sat down next to him on the couch. “How did you get here?” She stroked her hand through his black, curly hair.

  He swallowed sadly. “I get a new passport every five years. They think I’m 18 and still look like a kid. Once they see my passport, and my credit cards—no one questions my age.”

  “How did you find me?”

  His face dropped, hurt. “I know that the rest of the family doesn’t believe me. But I thought that you would! I’m here because I’m supposed to find you for Alex. I’m your compass, remember?” That name!

  “Caleb, are you permitted to talk about…him?”

  “I can talk about anything I want,” he said casually. “It’s only everybody else who can’t talk to you.” He slumped and pouted. “I really wanted to be a best man!”

  Valeria swallowed and closed her eyes, breathing deeply. “Maybe someday…Caleb…how is…everyone.”

  “Mostly…sad.” He thought for a moment. “Especially Alex.” He swallowed back the emotion.

  She tried to subdue a cry. Sweet, sweet Caleb…so sensitive!

  “I’ve never seen Alex so sad,” he said softly. “Lars told me that Alex could never be with you again…” He stopped, noticing Valeria’s reaction to his words. “Val…” His expression became one of pain. “I would hate it if that was true!”

  After minutes of trying to find her voice, Valeria said, “Caleb, does anyone know where you are?”

  “I left a note.” Caleb’s eyes evaluated her with such earnestness, that she wondered how she could hide her feelings from him. “Val?” She bit her lip to stave off the tears. “If Alex really can’t ever be with you…well…I’m getting older all the time. I could be a man in a few more years, if you want. And…well, I don’t probably know how to care about you like Alex does. But if you can wait a few more years, I’ll be your friend…probably not as good a friend as Alex…but…” He sucked in his breath nervously.

  She tried to smile, but broke down in tears. “Thank you, Caleb!” She closed her eyes, needing to change the subject. It took her five minutes before she could talk. He nervously rubbed her back. She selfishly wanted him to stay here. It was a reminder and a connection that proved that somewhere out there, that magical life really had existed.

  Maybe, via Caleb, Alex and Valeria could communicate like George Bernard Shaw and Ellen Terry —“a paper courtship”—except never with their own words of passion that Alex and Valeria had written. Even if that would be permitted, Valeria would vehemently disagree with Shaw that a paper courtship was “Perhaps the pleasantest of all courtships.” But at least it was communication with her beloved…her Alex. Then, just as quickly, she realized that she could not place her family in jeopardy for her own desires—regardless of how desperately she needed him. And it was unfair to place Caleb in that position. He was twelve and could touch only one person in this world. To permit his crush on her to continue was cruel.

  “Caleb, you need to call Alex now. He will be worried about you.” Had she really been able to say that without crying? She thought she sounded almost normal.

  “My phone is out of juice.”

  “Where’s the cord?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “I guess I forgot it…well, kind of on purpose.”

  Valeria nodded. The trembling in her had taken on a new dimension. Caleb needed to call Alex…he would talk to Alex while she was next to Caleb. She might be able to hear his voice…he might hear hers. Oh, to hear his voice again!

  She fumbled through her purse, and sat her cell phone on the table instead of handing it to him, so that he wouldn’t see how clammy her skin was. “Here…call him. Tell him where you are.” Her heart rate continued to climb, as she imagined what he might thi
nk when he saw her number ringing.

  Caleb looked at her, hurt, and nodded almost imperceptibly.

  She heard Alex’s desperate answer, “Val!”

  “No…it’s me,” Caleb pouted. She could hear a gasp on the other end of the phone. She turned away from Caleb so he wouldn’t see her jaw quivering.

  Then the tears began to roll down her face again and there was no stopping or hiding them. Valeria needed to calm her tears to be able to sit next to Caleb and hear Alex’s voice.

  “Oh! Caleb.” There was a long pause. “Are you…is she there?”

  “Yeah…yeah…Alex, she’s really sad, too.” Involuntarily, a sob escaped her mouth and she knew that Alex heard her. No one said anything for several minutes. Alex and Valeria both needed the connection—and Caleb seemed to understand it. She had to get control of herself. But to hear his voice was…a miracle…a gift!

  “Caleb,” she said, as she brushed the tears from her face and tried to find her voice, “please tell him that you will be home tomorrow.”

  “She’s sending me home tomorrow,” he said, reluctantly.

  There was a long silence.

  “Caleb, do you want…should someone come and get you?” she heard him say. Valeria knew how it would tear her heart out to fly Caleb home to Italy, only to reboard the plane without seeing Alex. She desperately wanted the connection but she couldn’t do that to him. She dropped her face into her hands, working hard to ease the sobs.

  “She’s crying, Alex,” Caleb said, sounding like he was ready to break down. She could tell that Alex was sobbing too. She couldn’t tell him anything directly or even ask Caleb to deliver a message. That would violate the agreement.