Officer Nokes walked back over. “Stephen, I’m sorry to interrupt. But I’m gonna be a while longer. Do you have a ride to the hospital?”
“I’ll take him.” Patty looked at Stephen. “I’ll take you. Are you ready?” Patty’s eyes filled with tears.
Stephen sensed the emotional torment coming from Patty. She had really cared about Waltz. He felt her hurting, and forcing herself to be strong for Stephen’s sake.
As they walked to her car together, they silently held hands. Stephen mentally prepared himself for the worst. Patty, despite a strong face, failed to contain her tears.
Chapter 9
Stephen stood fidgeting with his tie. He hadn’t worn a suit since he was a young boy. He remembered going to only a couple of funerals with Waltz, but never for anyone he really knew. He could still hear Waltz say, “Over, around and through, then around, through, and tuck. That’s a half Windsor.” Since he’d learned to control his gifts better, even his own memories had been more vivid and detailed, as though reliving each one as he recalled it.
“Waltz, why do people call you Waltz?” a younger Stephen asked.
“Isn’t it obvious? I like to dance!” Waltz grabbed up Stephen and began waltzing around the room, his little feet dangling. The two filled the house with laughter.
Stephen got pulled back from his memory by a tap, tap sound at the door.
“Stephen, you alright in there?”
“Yeah, Bernie. I’ll be out in a minute. I’m just trying to get this darn tie tied.” Stephen pushed the tie down, smoothing it. He grabbed his jacket and put it on before opening the door. “I’m ready.”
Bernie stood there, eyes red. Waltz’s death had been tough on Bernie too. Stephen had heard Bernie up at nights in the kitchen, talking as if Waltz was still there. Stephen didn’t listen though, not even to his thoughts. He didn’t need to hear Bernie’s thoughts to sense the pain. His eyes showed it all.
“Stephen, I know that we haven’t talked much the past few days. But I need you to know that I’m here for you, and I appreciate you taking care of all this. You probably know that Waltz took care of things for me for years. He helped me out a lot and kept me here doing what we both love: helping people. I’m not sure what’ll happen with him gone. I’ve been lost. These past four days . . . they just don’t seem real. More like a dream I can’t wake up from.”
Stephen wrapped his arms around Bernie’s large frame. “We’ll be okay, Uncle Bernie. One day at a time, right?”
“Yeah, we’ll make it.” Bernie sniffed. “Stephen, we do need to talk though, before the funeral. I know Waltz was going to talk to you about some things. I have no idea what about though. He could be a private person. But there are things I might be able to help you with, when you’re ready.”
Bernie appeared nervous as he rubbed the back of his head. Stephen got the impression there was more to the story.
“What is it, Bernie? What do you want to tell me?”
“Look, you know about how Waltz and I were forced to retire and stuff. But Waltz was still very well liked. Retirement wasn’t really anything against him or me. It’s just what needed to happen. And, it became easier for us to stay away from Mighty after that. You know? We could have been around it, trained people or something. But we chose this life in the end. We both made our share of mistakes and figured this was best. Besides, I had Bernardo and he, eventually, had you.”
“Yeah, Bernie, I know all that. It’s okay.” Stephen grew concerned. He could tell more was going on inside Bernie but wasn’t sure how to help.
“Some of them may come to the funeral. They may come to pay respects, at the grave today. It’s customary for at least a couple of ambassadors to be there, even when a Mighty has been long retired.”
“Okay.” Stephen puffed his chest up a little. “Well, thanks. I’ll be prepared to meet them. They might be able to help answer some questions.”
“No.” Bernie raised his voice. “You don’t understand. Waltz was well known. He had more contacts than most. At least one, as you know, became one of the Fallen. Fallen aren’t allowed to be there. But because of his previous friendships, they’ll be looking for any who are Fallen.”
“Okay. Well, if there’s trouble, we can handle it.”
“Stephen, you still aren’t getting it.”
“What, Bernie? What am I not getting.”
“Waltz was your mentor and trainer. But with him gone and no decision made by you, they’ll consider you one of the Fallen if they find out about you. They’ll know you haven’t made a decision.”
“What? That’s ludicrous! I’m no more a Fallen than you are.” Stephen grew furious. No one was going to keep him from being at Waltz’s funeral. “I’m going. I dare anyone to stop me.”
“Well, they don’t know about you, I don’t think. But they might sense something. If you stay close to me, I think you’ll be alright. I have enough juice to throw them off, like Waltz had been doing for you.” Bernie smiled. “You sounded like him just then. He was bold like that. I think he’d be proud of you, ready to fight for him.”
“Really?” Stephen smiled back.
“Yeah, really!”
Footsteps came from the front porch, followed by a couple of quick raps at the door. A tiny feminine silhouette appeared visible through the glass.
“Well, let me look at you.” Bernie looked Stephen’s suit over. “Well, you look right nice, don’t you? Good thing too. You’ve got a pretty little woman out there waiting for you. It’s still early yet for visitors. But I figured you wouldn’t mind lettin’ her in.”
“Thanks, Bernie.” Stephen looked down the hall to see Patty open the door and step into the doorway. “Yep. That’ll make me smile every time.”
Stephen walked to Patty.
“How are you holding up?” Patty’s smile looked gentle and eased Stephen. She touched his cheek, looking into his eyes. She couldn’t read minds, but she always seemed to know exactly what to say or do to help Stephen. The past four days she had been his pillar, as though when all his strength was gone, her love alone held him firm.
“I’m gonna be okay.” Stephen stepped outside with Patty. “Listen, there are going to be a lot of people there today. Many of whom I’ll know. Some I won’t. It may be a little overwhelming. I need to ask you something.”
“Anything. You know that.”
“Stay by me? Me and Bernie? Bernie needs me, and I need you. Will you do that for me?”
“For as long as you want.”
Stephen smiled. “Careful, that may turn into a bigger commitment than you’re asking for.”
Patty smiled too. “Well, we’ll deal with that if it happens.”
Bernie joined them, hugging them both. “I guess it’s about time, right?”
Stephen nodded.
The three of them made an odd trio walking to Patty’s little compact car. Nevertheless, they were soon on their way to say their last goodbyes to someone who had made their lives so much better just by being around.
****
The sounds of bagpipes closing another’s funeral nearly drowned out the distant sounds of the city. The sun shone brightly. Only a slight breeze blew. It seemed wrong for the weather to be so pretty, given the reason they were there. On the hillside, three men in work clothes, covered in sweat and dirt, made sure the tent was properly secured and chairs were in their places. The side of the hill they worked on looked nearly empty. Waltz’s grave would be alone, solitary.
From underneath the shade of a tree, Stephen watched a funeral taking place not too far away, near the bottom of the hill. An older gentleman cried into his son’s shoulder as his daughter-in-law and grandson sat next to them. This would be a hard day for Stephen. But after listening to the man’s thoughts, he felt some relief for himself, as his heart broke for the man.
Stephen leaned in toward Bernie, motioning toward the funeral. “No one should ever have to bury their child. I’d like to say I can’t imagine what it feel
s like. But I know exactly what it feels like.”
Bernie patted Stephen on the back. “Today will be hard enough. Maybe you should stay in your own head, just until we get this day over with.”
Stephen nodded.
Patty came walking up from the bottom of the hill. Stephen couldn’t help but feel comforted at the mere sight of her. Today, if not always, she existed to be his angel.
“Vincent is on his way here.”
Stephen stepped forward and kissed her cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
Over the next several minutes, cars began pulling up at the bottom of the hill. There were several people that Stephen knew. Vincent, of course, arrived as one of the first, along with Johnathan. The entire office had showed. Officer Nokes came too. Stephen nearly didn’t recognize him without the uniform. Jack from church, several other members and even some of the homeless Waltz worked with came to pay their respects.
“You must be Stephen.”
Stephen turned to see a distinguished-looking man standing in front of him. He appeared the same height as Stephen but older, maybe mid-forties, graying in his hair around the ears and in his goatee.
“Yes, I am,” Stephen replied.
“Sam, how are you?” Bernie shook his hand.
Stephen could see that Bernie, although friendly, remained guarded.
“I’m doing well. How are you enjoying retirement?”
Sam sounded solemn. Stephen tried to get a read on him, on his mind. At first, there was nothing. Stephen continued searching. After a moment, he felt pain buried beneath the layers of protection. Sam had cared for Waltz as a close friend and comrade.
“Well, it’s not so bad. We get to help others in our own way.”
“Yes, I’ve heard.” Sam glanced at Stephen for a moment, a puzzled look on his face before quickly turning his attention back to Bernie. “Waltz and I hadn’t spoken in over six months. He didn’t tell me Stephen was back.” He turned to Stephen again. “I apologize. I’m Samuel Jefferson. Please call me Sam.” They shook hands.
“Thank you for coming.” It pleased Stephen to see an old friend of Waltz had come.
“It must be strange for someone to know you and you not know them. I used to work with Waltz and Bernie a long time ago. On occasion, we would still talk. We kept in touch a couple of times a year. But I don’t suppose he ever mentioned me.”
“No, I’m sorry. He did tell me he had a former life but had given it up some time before he took me in.”
“Yes, that’s correct. He truly was a good friend. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Stephen smiled. “Thank you.”
“There’s something I must ask of you, Stephen.”
“Okay.”
“There are a few others on the way, people who knew Waltz before he retired from his old life. Among our group of friends, we have many traditions for different occasions. We understand that Waltz left that life behind him. Still, we have one tradition I would like to ask you to allow us to keep, to honor him and all the good he has done. It’s a simple tradition. And it may seem odd. So we would wait until everyone else is gone, if that’s okay.”
“What would you like to do, Sam? What’s the tradition?”
Sam looked at Bernie, and then at Patty for the first time, before continuing. “We have a cloth, a shroud of sorts, that we would like to place on the casket. But there’s a ceremony with it. The shroud has our coat of arms on it. Simply, it is a shield, a sword, and a stone. Each shroud is adapted to the individual. There is a specific one for him, a certain design and color scheme.”
“Yeah, a sword behind the shield with the stone embedded in the middle.” Stephen reached into his pocket and pulled out his flask, running his fingers across the emblem. “He gave this to me when I returned.” He placed the flask back into his pocket. “That’s it?”
“Well, we lay the shroud across his body. We each take turns saying a prayer or blessing for the departed and family. Then we will fold the shroud and pass it on to the next generation, the eldest child. As I understand it, he loved you very much. We ordinarily would only give the shroud to a blood relative. However, I can make an exception to honor the life he lived both before and after retirement, if you’re willing to participate in the ceremony.”
Stephen looked at Patty, then Bernie. He could sense Patty felt it was a beautiful gesture. Bernie had reservations.
“I’d like for Patty and Bernie to join me.”
“Bernie is certainly welcome to join us. The others might frown on Patty joining us. She isn’t family.”
“Neither are you.”
Patty interjected. “Stephen, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not, Patty.” He looked at Sam. “Waltz loved Patty dearly. They had a great friendship. She helped to fill the void I left when I abandoned him. If you truly kept in touch, you’d know this. Sheis family.” Stephen fought back the urge to look deeper into Sam’s mind. He wasn’t sure about Sam’s motivation. However, this wasn’t the place or time to start trouble.
Sam looked down the hill. There were four others approaching, dressed in similar colors and style. Stephen realized that Sam’s attire was more than just a nice suit; it seemed a ceremonial suit, with what appeared to be a stone with a cross on his lapel.
Sam said, “Well, I suppose we’ll have to make this exception as well. Please, allow me to inform the others before they present themselves.”
“Thank you.”
Sam nodded and walked down the hill to join the others near the bottom. He sensed some confusion but nothing more. After a moment, they approached Stephen—except for Sam, who went to stand near the tent, separate from the other guests. As they approached, Stephen noted that all but one seemed to be around the same age, mid-forties. Two men, both neat in appearance and with darker hair, were in the lead. Following was a woman with long blond hair that fell to her waist. The fourth appeared as a younger man who didn’t appear to be much older than Stephen, about the same age as Vincent.
The two older men stopped in front of Stephen. They first looked at Bernie, then back at Stephen. “I’m sorry for your loss,” one said with a thick German accent.
“Thank you.”
“Waltz will be missed,” the second man said, also with an accent.
“Yes, he will,” Stephen replied.
“Pardon them, Stephen,” the blonde lady said. “They don’t get out much and have no manners. I’m Anastasia. These two are Adelmo and Derrick, brothers.”
“Hi. I’m Alistair,” interrupted the younger one with a Scottish accent. “It’s great to meet ye.”
“Nice to meet you all. I believe you all know Bernie. And this”—Stephen put his arm around Patty’s waist—“is my girlfriend, Patty. She and Waltz were close.”
“Lovely to meet you.” Anastasia gave Patty a gentle hug. “Listen, I apologize for Sam. He’s really stuck on traditions for our society. And, this is an unusual situation. I’m also aware of how Waltz felt for you all. We’re happy to accommodate.”
“Thank you, Anastasia.” Stephen wanted to know more. “Sam said you were, I guess, old colleagues of Waltz’s.”
Stephen, what are you doing? Stephen could hear Bernie question him.
I’m being normal, Bernie. The only reason for me not to ask would be if I already knew!
Ah! Right! Bernie replied.
“Yes, well, of sorts. We’re part of a humanitarian group that works for the betterment of people. We don’t like to bring attention to ourselves. The public likes to make a big deal about our type of organizations.”
“Really?” Stephen looked at the four of them. “Why would the public have a hard time with your organization?”
Adelmo spoke up. “You know, it’s much like the Freemasons and Shriners. They do good stuff for people.”
Derrick interrupted. “Dah. But people question the secretive parts.”
“I guess that makes sense.” Stephen smiled.
“Yeah. Shame yer not related
to Waltz by blood. You’d get to join us,” Alistair chimed in.
The three looked at Alistair.
“What? It’s true.”
“Yes, well. I can see how our ways seem a little strange. But again, thank you for allowing us to have the ceremony. We’ll go wait with Sam now.”
They excused themselves and walked toward Sam, talking as they went.
Stephen felt anticipation and sadness building in an instant. Turning toward the road, he saw the hearse parked nearby. He took a deep breath at the sight of what he had dreaded. The scent of roses was in the air.
Patty kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll go sit.”
Stephen, Bernie, Vincent, Johnathan, and two others from their church whom Stephen had met only the day before, carried the casket to its final resting place. Then, Stephen and Bernie took their seats.
The ceremony was brief. People lingered afterward to talk with Stephen and offer final condolences. As the crowd began to thin, however, the Mighty stayed. Before long, Vincent seemed the odd man out and approached Stephen.
“Stephen, I need to talk with you. It is a matter of importance.”
“What about? Is everything okay? You said Waltz had already taken care of the entire funeral. If there’s anything else, I’ll find a way to—”
“No, it is not like that. But it does have to do with Waltz. It looks like they are not leaving until everyone else does. So, we need to talk later, in private.”
“Certainly. How’s first thing in the morning?”
“I will see you then.” Vincent started to walk away, but then paused, looking back at the Mighty. “Are you okay? They seem strange.”
Stephen chuckled at the thought. “Yeah, Vincent, we’re good here. They’re just some old friends of Waltz’s from another life.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow then.”
Vincent walked away.
Stephen grabbed Patty’s hand. “Let’s do this.” He and Patty walked over to Bernie and the five Mighty members. They stood together as the shroud was brought out, unfolded, and laid across Waltz’s body.
Chronicles of Stephen BoxSet Page 11
