Sati - Christopher Pike

8/13/2019 Sati - Christopher Pike

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SATI

/once knew this girt who thought she was God. She didn't give sight to the blind or raise the dead.

She didn't even teach anything ,n ot r ea ll y, a nd s he n ev er t ol d m e a ny th in g I p ro ba bl y d id n' t

already know.

On t he ot he r ha nd, s he di dn' t e xpe ct t o be w or shi ppe d, no r di d s he a sk f or mo ne y. G ive n he r hi gh

o pi ni on o f h er self , s om e m ig ht cal l t hat a m ir acle.

I d on' t k no w, m ay be s he w as G od. H er n am e wa s S at i a nd s he ha d bl on de h ai r a nd bl ue e ye s.

F o r all w ho m eet h er , S at i w il l chang e every th in g. S at i m ay chang e every th in g f or y ou .

A BO UT T HE A UT HO R

C hr is to ph er Pi ke w as b or n i n Ne w Y or k, b ut g re w up

i n Los An ge le s, whe re he l ive s t o thi s da y. P rio r t o

b ec om in g a w ri te r, h e w or ke d i n a f ac to ry , p ai nt ed

houses and programmed computers. His hobbies

include astronomy, meditating, running and making

s u re h is b oo ks are p ro mi nent ly d is pl ay ed i n h is l ocal

b oo ks ho p. H e i s t he a ut ho r o f t he b es t- se ll in g C HA IN

L ET TER ,S P EL LB O UN D , L AS T A C T, G I MM E A K I SS ,

WEEKEND, SLUMBER PARTY,REMEMBER ME, the

F IN AL F RI EN DS t r il og y, S CA VE NG ER H UN T, F AL L

I N TO D A RK N ES S , W I TC H ,S EE Y OU L AT ER , C HA IN

L ET TE R 2 , D IE S OF TL Y, B UR Y M E D EE P, M ON ST ER

a nd R OA D T O N OW HE RE w hi ch a re a ll a va il ab le i n

p aper back f r om H od der an d S to u ght on .

CHRISTOPHER

PIKE

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Sati

Hodder& Stoughton

L ON D ON S Y DN E Y A U CK L AN D

C o py ri gh t 1 9 90 b y C hr i st o ph er P i ke

F ir st pu bl is he d i n t he U SA i n 19 90 a sa T or b o ok b y T om D oher ty As so ciat es I n c.

F ir st p ub li sh ed i nG r eat B ri tain i n. 1 99 3 b y H o d der an d S t ough to nL td .

British Library C.I.P.

A cat al og ue r ecor d f or t hi s b oo k i s avail ab le f ro m t he B ri ti sh L ib rary

ISBN 0-340-59022-X

T he charact er s and s it uati on s i n t hi s b oo k are ent ir el yi magi nary and b ear n o r el at io n t o any r eal p er so n

or actual happenings.

Th e r ig ht o f C hr is to ph er P ik e t o b e i de nt if ie d a s t he a ut ho ro f t hi s w or k h as b ee n a ss er te d b y h im i n

acco rd ance w it h t he C op yr i gh t, D es i gn s and P at en ts A ct 1 9 8 8 .

Thi s b ook i s s ol d s ubj ec t t o t he c on di ti on t ha t i t- s ha ll no t, by w ay of t ra de or ot he rw is e, b e l en t, r e-

s ol d, h ir ed o ut o r o th er wi se cir cu lated w it ho ut t he p ub li sh er ' s p ri or con sent i n any f or m o f b in di ng o r

cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition beingi mp os ed o n t he s ub sequ en t p ur ch as er.

No p ar t o f t hi s p ub li ca ti on m ay b e r ep ro du ce d o r t ra ns mi tt ed i n a ny f or m o r b y a ny m ea ns , e le ct ro ni c o r

mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without

eit her t he p ri or p er mi ss io n i n w ri ti ng f ro m t he p ub li sh er o r a l icen ce, p er mi tt in g r es tr icted cop yi ng . I n t he

U ni ted K in gd om s uch l icen ces are i ss ued b y t he C op yr ig ht L icen si ng A gency, 9 0 T ot tenh am C ou rt

R o ad , L on d on W 1 PS H E.

P ri nt ed and b ou nd I n G reat B ri t ai n f or H od der and S to ug ht on C hi ld ren' s B oo ks , a di vis ion of H o dd er

and S to ug ht on L t d. , Mill R o ad , D un to n G reen , S ev en oak s, K ent T N 1 3 2 YA . (E di to ri al O ff ice: 4 7B ed fo rd S qu ar e, L on do n W C1 B 3 DP ) b y C ox & W y ma n L td , R ea di ng , B er ks . T yp es et b y P ho en ix

Typesetting, Ilkley, West Yorkshire.

for Moharishi

Satiis pronounced SAH-tee



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ONE

I on ce kne w t hi s gi rl who t hought s he wa s God. She di dn' t gi ve s ig ht t o t he bl ind or r ai se t he de ad. S he

d id n' t even t each any th in g, n ot r eall y, and s he n ev er t ol d m e any th in g I p ro babl y d id n' t alr eady k no w. O n

t he o th er h an d, s he d id n' tex pect t o b e w or s hi pp ed, n or d i d s h e as kf or m on ey . G iv en h er h ig h o pi ni on o f he rse lf, s ome mi ght c all t ha t a m ir ac le . I do n' t kn ow, m ay be s he wa s G od . H er na me wa s S at i a nd s he

h ad b lo nd e h ai r a nd b lu e e ye s.

I f ir st m et he r i n t he mi ddl e o f t he ni ght a lo ngs ide H igh wa y1 0 i n t he A ri zo na d es er t. S he w as s it ti ng - n ot

s ta nd ing l ik e yo ur us ua l hi tc h- hi ke r i n t he s an d n ex t t o t he a sp ha lt .H ad I b ee n a ny m or e t ir ed t ha n I

a lr ea dy w as , I p ro ba bl y w ou ld h av e m is se d h er . A llI s aw w as a f la sh o f wh it e i n m y s em i' s h ig h be ams . I

w as a c ou pl e o f s ec on ds d ow n t he r oa d be fo re I r ea li se d I 'd j us t p as se d a p er so n. M y b ra ke s t oo k t he ir

t ime b ri ngi ng m y s event y- mile- p er - ho ur ri g t o a h al t I n t he r earview- mi rr or , m y f lash o f w hi te s to od and

w al ked s lo wl y t ow ar ds t he t ru ck .

W he n t he p as se nge r d oo r op en ed a m inu te l at er , a nd t he o ve rh ea d l igh t w en t on , I de ci de d I 'd ma de a

wise decision stopping.

She wa s a s of t b ea ut y, a nd I bl ink ed t wi ce , f or s he l ooke d f am il ia r, t hou gh l at er , I w as ne ve r a bl e t o

d ec id e w ho s he r em in de d m e o f. T he r os e t in ge of h er s ki n c om pl em en te d h er l on g s un ny h ai r. H er b ig

eyes g lanced acro ss m y l it tered s eat, b ri gh t and calm .

' Ne ed a r id e? ' I a sk ed .

S he n od de d, l if ti ng u p t he h em o f h er w hi te d re ss a nd s li di ng i nt o t he s ea t. T he o ve rh ea dl i ght w ent of fa s

s he s hut t he d oo r.

' A re y ou h it ch -h ik in g?' I ask ed , t hi nk in g I h ad n' t s een any b ro ken- d o wn car al on g t he r oad .

'Yes,'she said.

' W el l I 'm h eadin g t o L .A .'

' You wa nt t o r ide a ll the wa y t her e wi th me? '

'Yes,'she said.

T hat w as f in e w it h m e. H au li ng f reig ht w hen y ou 'r e h al f asl eep i s alw ay s eas ier w it h com pany . I p ut t he

t ru ck i nt o g ea r a nd w e r ol le d f or wa rd .

' M y n am e' s M ichael W in ters , ' I s ai d, o ff er in g m y h an d, h op in g s he cou ld s ee i t i n t he d ar k. D es er t n ig ht s

ge t a s de ep a s a p oo l o f i nk. He r p rof il e w as a s ha do w a ga ins t t he bl ac k wi ndo w. H er w ar m f inge rs

found mine and squeezed hello.

' I' m S at i, ' s he s ai d.

' O h. ' I s ayoh a l ot . T he w or ld i s a lw ay s t ak in g m e b y s ur pr is e, ' W ha t k in d o f n am e i s S at i? '

' An o ld o ne .'



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' How di d you c ome t o be s it ti ng out he re a t thi s t im e of ni ght ?'

' I wa s wai ti ng for a r ide .'

H er t on e w as n ot u nh ap py , b ut s he w as o bv io us ly b ei ng e va si ve . P er ha ps s he 'd j us t h ad a f ig ht w it h h er

boyfriend and had been dumped, I thought. Or maybe she lived in Catson,a town a few miles back thew ay I 'd c om e, a nd h ad d ec id ed t o l ea ve h om e t on ig ht . S he c ou ld n' t h av e b ee n m or e t ha n t we nt y.

' He y, you h ungr y? ' I a sk ed . T he re w as a d in er n ot f ar u p a he ad w he re I o cc as io na ll y s to pp ed d ur in g m y

boring Phoenix to L.A. runs. Before picking up my guest, I hadn't planned on eating so soon. I think I

just wanted to get another good look at her.

'Iwouldn't mind stopping,'Sati said.

P et e' s w as t he n am e o f t he p la ce , a pp ro pr ia te ly e no ug h; i t s er ve d t on s o f t ru ck d ri ve rs w ho r es em bl ed

t he o wn er and h ead chef P et erK o r bof f, a b ig h eavy - s et m an w ho se s ol e cul in ar y ach ievement w ascon si st en tl yf an tast ic p an cak es . I u su al ly s to pp ed i n o nl y w hen I k new t he d in er w ou ld b e f ai rl y emp ty .

J us t be ca us e I m ad e m y l iv ing mo vi ng f re ig ht f ro m o ne t ow n t o a no the r d id n' t m ea n I w as a t ru ck d ri ve r.

T he j ob w as t em po ra ry , I t ol d m ys el f. A nd t he y ea rs k ep t r ol li ng b y.

The ai r had a c hill in it as we c li mbe d out. Come te n i n t he mor ning a nd I knew it would be s imme ring.

S at i p ul le d u p b es id e m e, a h ea d s ho rt er tha nm y e ve n s ix f ee t. H er l on g w hi te d re ss s wi sh ed c lo se t o t he

pavement as we walked towardsthediner's front door.

'Ihope Penny's working,'I said.

S at i n od ded, app ar ent l y n ot cari ng w ho P en ny w as .

T he p la ce w as c ro wd ed f or t wo i n t he m or ni ng . T he re w er e a bo ut a d oz en p eo pl e p re se nt . S te er in g S at i

t ow ar ds a b oo th i n t he c or ne r, I n ot ic ed P en ny p ou ri ng c of fe e b eh in d t he c ou nt er a nd g av e a w av e. S he

ra is ed an eye brow when she s aw I had a f ema le wi th me. Pe nny was a good f rie nd - we 'd spoke n to

e ac h ot he r on ce a w ee k f or t he l as t t hr ee ye ar s - but s he di dn' t k no w my w if e w as d ivo rc in g me . I ha te

t el li ng p eo pl e m y p ro bl em s. I t d ep ress es m e.

' I s ee y ou d on 't ha ve a pu rs e, 'I t ol d Sa ti wh en we we re s ea te d. The ha rd w hi te l ight of t he di ne r t ook

n ot hi ng a wa y f ro m he r b ea ut y. He r c omp le xi on l oo ke d a s s of t a s i t ha d d ur ing m y f ir st g li mp se of he r i n

t he t ru ck . A t m y r em ar k, h er w id e m ou th c ur le d i nt o a n a mu se d l in e. I a dd ed h as ti ly ,' B ut d on 't w or ry i f you're hungry. I've got money.'

' I 'm n ot w or ri ed , M ichael , ' sh e s aid .

'All right.'

S at i w as n' t a l ar ge g ir l, b ut h er f in ge rs w er e l ong a nd s li m. T he w ay s he t ug ge d a t h er br ig ht h ai r w hi le

g azin g d is tr actedl y abo ut s tr uck m e as charm in g i n al i ttle- g ir ls or t o f w ay . S he w as n' t w eari ng a r in g.

Pe nny br oug ht us me nus a nd wa te r a mo me nt l at er . Pe nny w as de st in ed t o be a wa it re ss i n a t ruc k s top

c of f ee s ho p. S he f it te d t he p ar t s o w el l. Bu xo m, w it h c he ap ly d ye d r ed h ai r a nd g ob s o f m ak e- u p, s he

h ad t he f ri en dl y s ou th er n a cc en t t ha t b ar el y h id a l on el y p ai n. H er h us ba nd h ad d ie d o f c an ce r a w ee k

aft er t heir f if th ann iv er sary , and s he h ad n ev er r em ar ri ed . H er t went y- year - o ld s on w as p resent ly d oi ng



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t im e i n a s we at y T ex as j ai l f or s te al i ng a c ar . H ad H ar ry C ha pi n s ti ll be en a li ve , h e m ig ht h av e w ri tt en a

s on g abo ut h er .

' A nd w ho d o w e h av e h er e, M ik e? ' Pe nn y a sk ed .

' A l os t h it ch -h ik er w ho t hi nk s s he w an ts t o g o t o L .A ., ' I s ai d. ' P e nn y, m ee t S ati. '

' L or d, g ir l, d on 't t el l m e y ou 'r e ano th er o ne o f t ho se asp ir in g actr es ses?' P en ny s ai d. ' I s ee d o zen so f t hem

pass through here on their way to fame and fortune. See them on their way home, too, the stars washed

from their eyes.Wh ere're you from,child?'

' No t f ar f ro m h er e, ' Sa ti s ai d.

P en ny g av e h er a c lo se r l oo k, p uz zl ed .' H a ve I s ee n y ou b ef or e? '

S at i d id n ot a ns we r t he q ue st io n. S he i ns te ad n od de d t o t he r in g o n P en ny 's f in ge r, a p la in g ol d b an d

g iv en t o P en ny o n h er w ed di ng d ay .' T he r in g i s v er y n ice, ' S at i s ai d.

P enny f ai rl y l it up, t he n l au ghe d. ' I c an s ee y ou k no w n ot hi ng a bo ut j ew el le ry , g ir l. T ry t o h oc k t hi s i n L

. A. and y ou w ou ld h ar dl y h av e eno ug h t o b uy y ou rs el f l un ch . '

Sa ti s ta re d h er s tr ai gh t i n t he e ye . I t w as t he n I r ea li se d wh at ha d s tr uc k me a bout h er bl ue e ye s t he

m om en t s he h ad c li mb ed i nt o m y t ru ck . T he y w er e u nu su al ly s er en e. I w on de re d i f s he w as s to ne d.

' B ut y ou w ear i t w el l, ' S at i s ai d.

P enn y s eem ed t ou ch ed .' T hank y ou ,' s he s ai d s of tl y. T hen, s haki ng h er self as i f s he w as s ti rr in g f ro m a

pleasant daydream, she reached for her pad. 'So,Mike, what would you and your travelling companionlike this fine morning?'

' I' ll ha ve s ix o f P et e' s p er fe ct p an ca ke s a nd a c up o f c offe e ,' I s a id .' B r in g l ot s o f b ut te r. '

' I s ho ul d h av e k no wn . S at i?'

S at i h ad b ee n l oo ki ng o ut t he w in do w. S he g la nc ed t ow ar ds t he c ou nt er .' M a y I h av e t ha t b an an a, t he re

?'

' I s t ha t a ll y ou w an t? ' I a s ke d.

' Be tt er t ak e a f re e m ea l w he n y ou c an ge t o ne ,' Pe nny s ai d. S at i n odd ed , a s t hou gh t ha t w er e g oo d

a dv ic e, b ut d id n' t s ay a ny th in g. P en ny a dd ed ,' A re y ou a v eg et ar ia n? I k no w a l ot o f a ct re ss es a re .

L is te n, I c ou ld p ut t ha t b an an a o n s om e c ol d c er ea l i f y ou 'd l ik e? '

' T hat w ou ld b e f in e, ' S at i s aid .

P en ny c ol le ct ed o ur m en us a nd l ef t. ' Y ou 'r e n ot r ea ll y a n a ct re ss , a re y ou ?' I a s ke d .

'Not exactly,'Sati said.

' Wha t do you pl an on doing i n L.A. ?'



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' I 'l l t el l yo u w he n w e g et t he re .'

' Yo u d on ' t k no w?'

S he s mi le d a ga in . L ik e h er t ug gi ng a t h er h ai r, i t s ee me d s o i nn oc en t, t ha t s mi le . F or a m om en t I t ho ugh t

s he c ou ld h av e b ee n a n a ct re ss , t ha t s he c ou ld h av e l it u p a ny s cr ee n. ' I k no w, ' sh e s ai d.

Ou r f oo d c am e a nd I a te q ui ck ly . P en ny ha d di ce d t he b an an a ov er a bo wl of c or nf la ke s a nd dr en che d

i t i n m il k. S at i c he we d e ac h b it e s o t ho rou gh ly on e w ou ld h av e t ho ug ht s he b el ie ve d i t w as g oi ng t o be

he r l as t m ea l f or t he r es t of t he we ek. My pl at e wa s c le an a nd I wa s f ini shi ng my s ec ond c up of c of fe e,

f eeli ng anx io us t o h it t he r oad, w hen s he f in al ly p us hed h er b ow l away.

' W e c an g o, ' sh e s ai d.

'You're full?'Her bowl wasn't empty.

'Completely full.'

Ju st b ef or e w e s to od t o l ea ve , I n ot ic ed a p ot -b el li ed m an w it h a h an dl eb ar m ou st ac he s ta nd in g b y t he

doo r a nd s ta ri ng our w ay. I t t ook me a mom ent , bu t t he n I r ec og ni se d hi m a s a l oc al , a f or ema n i n a

f ac tor y i n Ca ts on w ho a lw ays w or ke d t he l at e s hi ft . W e' d s ha re d a c up of c of fe e a t t he c oun te r be fo re ,

a lt ho ug h I c ou ld n' t r em em be r w ha t h is n am e w as . H e a pp ea re d o n t he v er ge o f a pp ro ac hi ng u s, b ut h e

suddenly turned and left.

' Di d y ou s ee t ha t gu y? ' I a s ke d .

'Which guy was that?'Satiasked innocently.

' N ev er m in d, h e' s g on e. '

Penny ret urne d to our ta ble to sa y goodbye. She told me to gi ve Linda he r l ove. I l eft a tip as bi g as the

bill. I like to tip big; it makes me feel like a nice guy.

Sa ti a nd I w er e ba ck i n t he t ru ck a nd b ar re ll in g do wn t he r oa d w he n S at i a sk ed a bo ut L ind a.

' Sh e' s m y w if e, ' I s ai d. ' W e' ve k no wn e ac h o th er s in ce h ig h s ch oo l. W e h av e a d au gh te r n am ed J en ny .

S he 'l l b e s ix n ex t m on th , J un e s ev en te en th . W e h ad h er o nl y a y ea r a ft er w e w er e m ar ri ed .'

A ct ua ll y, w e' d h ad J en ny o nl y n in e m on th s a ft er w e' d b ee n m ar ri ed , b ut t el l p eo pl e t ha t a nd t he y t hi nk

t he y k no w w ha t r ea ll y h ap pe ne d. B ac k t he n, Li nda a nd I bo th h ad t o d ro p ou t of c ol le ge a nd g et j ob s.

I 'd n eve r h ad a c ha nc e t o ge t b ac k a nd Li nda wa s o nl y n ow f in is hi ng he r de gr ee . On e of he r pr of es sor s

w as h er n ew b oy fr ie nd . S he h ad a lw ay s f an ci ed t he a ca de mi c t yp es . H is n am e w as D ic k.

' Y o u w ou ld l ik e J en ny , ' I ad d ed . ' Sh e' s t he s mart es t l it tl e k id . '

' W hat abo ut L in da?' Sat i as ked .

S a ti' s q ue st io n c au gh t m e o ff g ua rd . I w as n' t e xa ct ly s ur e w ha t s he w as a sk in g. N ev er th el es s, t he q ue ry

d id gi ve m e a n o cc as io n t o e xa mi ne m y m ot iv es i n pi ck in g h er u p. T he re w as t he c om pa ny e xc us e, s ur e,

but I'd never bought a hitch-hiker breakfast before. What the hell, I thought,her long dress wasn't giving

a wa y a l ot , b ut t he re wa s no h id in g he r f ine f igu re .



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I 'd s le pt w it h t wo w om en i n t he s ix m on th s s in ce I ha d s pl it u p w ithL in da . I 'd t ho ug ht t he re w as a c ha nc e

m y d ep ress io n w as l ar gely s ex ual f ru st rati on . I 'd t ho ug ht w ro ng , and h ad n ot cal led S haro n o r Jo ett a

back. Glancing across the dark seat,Iwondered if I was ever going to learn. Sati's hair hung loosely atop

h er b r eas ts .

' W hat?' I s aid .

' L in da m us t b es m ar t , t oo . '

I d ecid ed s he w as p layi ng w it h m e. ' T el l m e abo ut y ou rs el f. '

S at i w or e w ha t a pp ea re d t o b e h an d- c a rv ed w oo de n s li pp er s. S li pp in g h er f ee t o ut o f t he m, s he t uc ke d

h er l eg s b en ea th h er a nd s at c ro ss - le gg ed o n t he s ea t. I l l t el l y ou w he n w e g et t o y ou r a pa rt me nt ,' sh e

said.

' But I 'm no t g oi ng s tr ai gh t t o my a pa rt me nt .W e' ve g ot s ev er al t on s o f p oo l a ci d s it ti ng a f ew f ee t b eh in dus . I 've g ot t o dr op t ha t of f f ir st .'

'Fine.'

' Bu t a ft er wa rd s, i f y ou 'd l ik e, I c ou ld t ak e y ou o ve r t o y ou r f ri en ds '."

S he c lo se d h er e ye s a nd s at u p s tr ai gh t. ' I 'm g oi ng t o y ou r a pa rt me nt . D on 't t al k t o m e u nt il w e g et t he re

.'

' B ut w hat abo ut y ou r f ri en ds ?' I as k ed .

' Y ou are m y f ri en d, M ichael . '

Th e s un ha d b eg un t o c ol our t he s ky w he n I b ac ke d i nt o S te ns on 's P oo l S up pl y d oc k. M r S te ns on wa s

o ne o f m y m or e d ep en da ble c us to me rs . T wi ce a w ee k h e ha d m e br in gi ng i n a f ul l t ra il er of g oo ds f rom

P ho en ix . H e i nt en ded t o g iv e m e m or e b us in es s w hen I p ur ch as ed t wo m or e t ru ck s, wh ich w ou ld g ive m e

f ou r alt og et her. A t p resent , my p ar t ner , J ess e, d ro ve m y o th er t r uck. S tens on w as a r efer en ce I p lann ed

on us ing whe n I hi t the ba nk l ate r on i n the da y wit h my ha nd out be ggi ng for money. I hat ed what I was

d oi ng , a nd h er e I w as t ry in g t o e xp an d t he b us in es s. D on 't a sk m e w hy .

S at i h ad a s tr on g b ac k. H er p os tu re s ta ye d f ir m t he w ho le t im e s he s le pt . I w on de re d i f s he w as n' t r ea ll ym ed i tati ng o r s om et hi ng . S he d id n' t m ov e an i nch, I s wear .

I c ou ld n' t h av e c ou nt ed t he t im es I g la nc ed o ve r a t h er .

S te ns on 's s on w as a lr ea dy a t w or k. W it h h is h el p, I h ad t he a ci d u nl oa de d i nfi f te en m in ut es . H e di dn 't

ha ve oc ca si on t o l oo k up f ro nt .H e ha d n o i de a I h ad a c ut e bl on de w it h m e. No t t ha t I w ou ld h av e

c ar ed . M y f at ig ue l ev el h ad b eg un t o r ea ch t he p oi nt w he re s le ep , m or e t ha n a ny i ma gi na bl e e ro ti c

e nc oun te r, w as a ll I wa nt ed . I 'd a lr ea dy d ec id ed S atic oul d c ra sh a t m y pl ac e f or a d ay or t wo. S he di dn 't

s ee m t he s or t w ho w as g oi ng t o s te al m e b li nd . O f c ou rs e, m y w if e h ad n' t s ee me d t ha t s or t e it he r, u nt il

h er b oy fr iend h ad i nt ro du ced h er t o h is l aw yer.

' Sa ti ,' I s ai d s of tly a s w e a pp ro ac he d m y h om e. M y a pa rt me nt 's i n a s ma ll c om pl ex i n S an ta M on ic a,

a bout ha lf a mi le fr o mt he b ea ch . T he p la ce w as o wn ed b y a h ig h s ch oo l b ud dy o f m in e, D av id S to ne . M y



8/138

f ri en ds hi p w it h D av id w as t he m ai n r ea so n I w as l iv in g t he re , a lt ho ug h he d id n' t gi ve m e a b re ak o n t he

rent. David ha d a l ot of money, and kept an eye on it.

S at i o pe ne d h er e ye s a t t he s ou nd o f h er n am e. S he s ta re d o ffi nt o s pa ce f or a mom ent , t he n c los ed t he m

again.' We're almost there,'she whispered.

' Ye ah . Di d you ha ve a ni ce r es t? '

S he o pe ne d h er e ye s a ga in a nd g la nc ed o ut h er w in do w. T he e as te rn s ky w as o ra ng e g oi ng o n y el lo w. 'Y

e s. It 's goi ng t o be a pr et ty da y, a bus y da y. '

' Do y ou h av e p la ns ?'

S he r eg ar ded m e t ho ug ht fu ll y, w it ho ut a t race o f d ro ws i ness i n h er eyes. ' Y es . '

' W ha t a re yo u g oi ng t o do? ' I a sk ed .

' Y ou 'l l s ee, aft er y ou s leep. '

M y t ra il er s a re fa r t oo bi g t o pa rk a t t he a pa rt me nt c omp le x w he re I l ive . I wa s c ur re nt ly r ent ing a

s qu ar e of a sp ha lt t ha t b el on ge d t o a n ea rb y c ar d ea le r. Th e p ar ki ng s pot wa s i de al . I t wa s o nl y a s hor t

w al k t o m y p la ce . I d id n' t h av e t o g o t hr ou gh t he h as sl e o f u nh oo ki ng t he t ra il er s f ro m t he t ru ck e ve ry

t im e I c am e ho me .

A s I h ad s ur mi s ed , S at i 's s li pp er s w er e d ef in it el y w oo den. Th ey m ad e f un ny k no ck in g s ou nd s aft er w e' d

parked and were walking along the pavement.' Where did you get those shoes?'I asked.

' I m ad e t he m. "

'Really?'

' I m ad e t hi s d re ss , t oo ,' s he s ai d.

' Y ou m us t b e p rett y h an dy . '

' O h, I am. '

F r ed M c Do uga lw as i n f ro nt o f t he a pa rt me nt s f ol di ng p ap er s. H e w or ke d f or t heTimes, a nd a ls o h el pe dD avi d S to ne m ai nt ai n t he gr ou nd s, f or w hi ch D avi d l et hi m h ave a t in y a pa rt me nt f or f re e. F re d w as

n in et een, b ut s ti ll f in is hi ng h is s en io r y ear i n h ig h s ch oo l. H is d ad h ad t hr ow n h im o ut o f t he h ou se a f ew

mo nt hs b ac k a nd he ha d l at che d on t o me a s s or t of a n a ut hor it y f ig ur e. Tha t wa s fi ne w it h m e. F re d w as

a ni ce ki d. H e ha d gi rl t rou bl es , t oo. L oriwa s he r n am e, a nd I do ub t s he h ad a ny i de a how mu ch I kn ew

a bou t h er . Th e pr obl em w as , Lo ri di dn' t f ee l t he s am e wa y Fr ed di d. I t w as a c om mon p rob le m.

' You s hou ld b e on you r wa y by now ,' I t ol d Fr ed, c he cki ng my w at ch. I t w as ha lf pa st f ive . Fr ed w as

u su al ly d on e f ol di ng h is p ap er s b y f iv e. H e' d alr eady alm os t l os t h is j ob t he p revi ou s m on th f or chu ck in g a

five- p o un d S un day edi ti on at a t ho us an d- d o ll ar m in iat ur e p oo dl e. H e' d b ro ken t he d og 's col l ar b on e.

' My s ta ti on w ag on 's b us te d, ' he s ai d, b ru sh in g a si de h is l on g s we at y b ro wn h ai r. F re d a nd I l oo ke d

s om ew ha t a li ke , a nd m any o f t he t hi ng s h e s ai d r em ind ed m e of m ys el f a t a n e ar ly a ge - s ay , w he n I w as

f ou rt ee n o r s o. F re d w as n' t e sp ec ia ll y b ri gh t. O ur c ol ou ri ng a nd h ei gh t w er e a li ke , a nd w e w er e b ot h



9/138

s le nd er , w it h b ro ad s ho ul de rs . B ut F re d h ad a t er ri bl e s lo uc h, a nd h e w as n' t n ea rl y a s h an ds om e a s I a m.

I 'm n ot b ei ng v ai n. I 'm t ru ly s or ry t o s ay L or i w ou ld h av e a gr ee d w it h m y a ss es sm en t. F re d' s p im pl es

w er e a ll o ve r t he pl ac e. H e a te t oo m uc h j unk f ood .

' D id y ou t el l N ick?' I as k ed . N i ck C hevas w as ano th er hi gh s ch oo l chu m o f m in e. H e l iv ed d ow ns tair s

fromme.

'Mary sayshe won't be back until this afternoon,'Fredsaid.MaryDorado was Nick's live-in girlfriend.

' I d on 't k no w w ha t w e' r e g oi ng t o d o, ' I s ai d. ' M y c ar 's i nthe s ho p. A nd y ou 'r e a lr ea dy l at e. H ow c om e

y ou ' re o nl y f ol di ng t he p ap er s n ow ?'

' I 'v e b ee n b us y t ry in g t o f in d a c ar ,' Fr ed s ai d, w or ri ed , g la nc in g a t S atif or t he f ir st t im e.

' D id y ou c al l y ou r bo ss ? 'I a s ke d. ' Ma yb e h e c ou ld h el p y ou o ut .'

F re d s ho ok h is h ea d. ' H e' s p is se d o ff w it h m e. H e' s m ak in g m e p ay f or t ha t p oo dl e' s s ho ul de r b ra ce o utof m y pa yc he que . H e' d j us t a s s oo n f ir e m e. W ha t a m I go ing t o d o? '

S at i s po ke u p. ' L e t' s u se y ou r b ig t ru ck , M ic ha el .'

T he t ho ug ht h ad o cc ur re d t o m e. H ad I b ee n l es s t ir ed , I p ro ba bl y w ou ld h av e s ug ge st ed i t a lr ea dy ,

t ho ug h i t w ou ld n' t b e m uch f un o n t he g ears w eavi ng i n and o ut o f t he n ei gh bo ur ho od 's n ar ro w s tr eets .

' I c an 't d ri ve i t, ' Fr ed s a id .

I ll t ake yo u, ' I s ai d, y aw ni ng . I t ur ne d i n t he d ir ec t io n o f m y p ar ke d t ru ck s. ' L et m e u nh oo k t he t ra il er s.

I 'l l be ba ck i n a fe w mi nut es. '

S ati s to pp ed m e, t ou ch in g m y arm .' I ' ll t ak e h im , ' sh e s aid .' Y o u s l eep ."

I c hu ck le d. ' A nd I s up po se y ou c an h an dl e m y t ra ct or ?'

'Yes.'

H e r c on fi de nt t on e t oo k m e b ac k a s te p. ' Whe re 's y our C la ss O ne l ic en ce ? D o yo u ha ve i t i n you r

pocket?'

S at i s mi led. ' I d on ' t h av e an y p ock et s .' S he g lan ced at F r ed .' I 'm S at i. '

' I 'm F r ed . '

S he s tu ck o ut h er h an d i n m y d ir ec ti on .' M ay I h av e t he k ey s, p le as e? '

' B ut t he t ra il er s ne ed d is con ne ct ing ,' I s ai d. ' Or d o y ou k no w h ow t o d o t ha t, a ls o? '

' I d o, ' sh e s ai d.

I do n' t k no w w hy I g av e h er t he ke ys . Pe rha ps I w an te dt os ee he r f ac e w he n s he c am e ba ck w it ho ut t he

t ra ct or .F r ed an d I w at ch ed a s s he d is ap pe ar ed r ou nd t he c or ne r. ' G od , w he re d id y ou f in d h er ?' F re d

asked.' She'sbeautiful.'



10/138

N at ur al ly , l iv in g t hi rt y y ar ds away, F red w as aware o f m ydifficult yw it h L in da. Y et h e w as u nd er t he

i mp ress io n t hesep er at io n w as t emp or ary .' I n t he m id dl e o f n ow here, ' I s aid .

' Nic e of her to wa nt to help me. '

'Yeah, it is,'I muttered.' I sure wouldn't mind hittingthesack this minute.'

"W er e y ou u p all n ig ht ?"

'Yeah.'

" Th at 's r ou gh . S o w as I .Lori a nd I go t i n a b ig f ig ht l as tnight'

I k new w it ho ut ask in g w hat t he f ig ht w as abo ut , and th at Lo ri h ad n' t l os t any s leep o ver i t. ' T hey s ay t hi ng s

g et wo r se b ef or e t hey g et b ett er, ' I s ai d s ym path et ical ly . F red s ho ok h is h ead. ' S he w en t o ut w it h ano th er

guyl as t F ri day. I d on 't k no w w hy s he w ai ted u nt il y es terd ay t otellme.' Y es t er day w ou ld h ave b eenSunday.

' I do n' t k no w w hy sh eh ad t o t ell y ou a t a ll, ' I s ai d.

Fred was disappointed in me.' Don't you think honestyiseverything in a relationship?'

I s at d ow n o n t he c ur b, r es ti ng m y w ea ry h ea d i n m yh an ds , a nd t hou gh t o f a ll t he t im es m y wi fe h ad t ol d

meex actl yw hat w as o n h er m in d. ' N o , ' I s ai d. S atiw as b ack t en m in ut es l at er , d ri vi ng t he t ract or w it h

practisedease. She parked right in front of us. She hadunhooked the trailers quicker than I could have.'

H ow co meyo u' r e n ot i n b ed ?' sh e cal led o ut t he w in do w, I st oo d, a f r es h b el i ev er .' I 'm g oi ng . A s l on g as

you'resureyou know what you're doing?' 'Sleep, Michael,"she said.' Dream pretty pictures.'I nodded,yawn ing.' W h at ev er y ou s ay . S at i, w hen y ou 'r ed on e,F red w il l s ho w y ou w here I l iv e. I 'l l l eave t he f ro nt

do or u nl o ck ed. ' I p at t ed F red o n t h e s h ou l der .' B et ter g et g oi ng . '

F re d n od de d. ' S o , wh at d o y ou t hi nk I s ho ul d do a bou tLori ? '

' A sk S a ti. S he ' s a gi rl .'

M y apart ment h as t wo b ed ro om s. O ne w as com pl et el y cramm ed w it h t he f ur ni tu re and app li an ces t hat I

h ad i nh er it ed d ur in g m y s ep ar at io n f ro m L in da. O nce i ns id e, I w on dered i f I s ho ul d l eave t he u nu sabl ebedroom to Sati and crash on the couch. It was a fleeting thought. One could push the hospitality routine

a b it t oo f ar , I d ec id ed . R ea ll y, w he n I t ho ug ht a bo ut i t, I c oul dn' t f igu re ou t wh y I ha d i ns ti nc ti ve ly t rus te d

h er s o q ui ck ly .

A s I f el l a sl ee p, t he o nl y p re tt y p ic tu re I r em em be re d t hi nk in g o f w as o f h er f ac e.

TWO

A nd t he n L in da w as s it ti ng b es id e m e a nd s mi li ng t he w ay s he u se d t o s mi le b ef or e t he d ar k a ge s. H er

hai r was a s bl ac k as dee p s pa ce a nd an a rt is t ha d st ole n the col our of he r l ips fr om a re d ros e. Or so I

f an ci ed as I s lo wl y cli mb ed b ack t o w ak in g. ' W hat?' I cr oak ed .

'You were snoring,'Linda said.



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' Im po ss ib le . I n ev er s no re .' I t w as n ic e s ee in g h er b ef or e I h ad t o s ee a ny th in g e ls e.

'Hah. I remember different.'

' I r em em ber. .. " I m ut tered, n ot k no wi ng w here t o g o w it h i t.

' Do n' t y ou kn ow y ou h av e J enn y t hi s a ft er noo n? ' sh e a sk ed , s it ti ng b ac k a nd t ak in g h er h an d o ff m y a rm .

' Wh at t ime i si t ? '

' Te n. W he n d id y ou ge t i n? '

I s a t u p. ' F ee ls l ik e a m in ut e a go .'

' Y o u s ho ul dn 't b e w or ki ng s o m uch. '

' I t' s h ar d k ee pi ng t wo r oo fs o ve r o ur h ea ds . 'I s ai d.

T ha t wa s a m is ta ke , s il ly me . Li nda 's voi ce c ha nge d, a nd no t f or t he be tt er .' I f y ou w ant t o g o b ac k t o

s le ep, f in e w it h m e. I c an t ak e J en ny w it h m e. '

T he re w as a n ot e o f f in al it y i n t he r em ar k. ' Wh er e i s s he ? '

'Downstairs, cutting flowers with Mrs Hutchinson.'

M rs H ut ch in so n w as an eld er ly w id ow w ho m D av id S to ne h ad m ad e h is apart ment m an ag er . E xcep t f or

h er a lw ay s t ry in g t o s av e m y s ou l, w e g ot a lo ng O K. Bu t s he h ad n ev er c ar ed m uc h f or L in da .

' I' ll tak e h er, ' I s aid .

' Ar e y ou s ur e? ' Di ck s a id s he c ou ld c om e w it h us i f y ou w er e b us y. '

T he re w as a l ou sy t as te i n m y m ou th .' I 'm s ur e. W he re a re y ou t wo g oi ng ?'

'Shopping,'Linda said.

' O h, y eah, m y b ir th day' s com in g u p. '

L in da w in ced. ' I ' m s or ry , M ik e. W hen w as i t? S at ur day? I t j us t s li pp ed m y m in d. '

I w on de re d w hy L in da h ad n' t r un i nt o S atio ut o n t he c ou ch , a nd i f m y t ruc k w as s ti ll i n o ne p ie ce .' Y ou

can g et m e s om et hi ng ext ra s peci al f or C hr is tm as , ' I s ai d, cli mb in g o ut o f t he b ed , m is si ng o nl y m y s ho es

t o b e f ul ly d re ss ed .

L ind a f ol low ed m e i nt o t he k it ch en , w he re I p ou re d m ys el f a g la ss o f o ra ng e j ui ce a nd g ar gl ed w it h i t.

S he s at a t t he t abl e a nd s tudi ed m e. S he w as f on d of s tud yi ng p eo pl e. S he wa nt ed t o b e a p sy cho lo gi st .

A ll h er s ch oo li ng h ad g iv en h er t he p ro fo un d i ns ig ht t hat I w as u ps et abo ut h er l eavi ng .

' You 'r e m ad a t m e, ' sh e s ai d.



12/138

I s pat o ut t he j ui ce. ' I ' m t ir ed . ' Li nd a s ig hed. ' L et 's n ot f ig ht . '

' I' m t oo t ir ed t o f ig ht .'

' I s ai d I 'd t ake J en ny .'

' J en ny d oesn 't m ak e m e t ir ed, ' I s aid .

' We ll , o bv io us ly I d o. Y ou s ho ul d b e h ap py I m ov ed o ut .'

' I t ho ug ht I m ov ed o ut . '

L in da g ro an ed i mp at ient ly .' L et' s n ot g et s t ar ted. Y ou r em em ber J enn y h as an app oi nt ment at t wo w it h

DrMc Allister?'

M cAll is ter w as a chi ld p sy ch ol og is t. H e w as s tu dy in g m y d au gh ter. S he w as h av in g n ig ht mares. H e h ad

d ec id ed i t w as b ec au se o f t he b re ak -u p. H e c ha rg ed s ix ty d ol la rs f or t hi rt y m in ut es .

I ll t ake he r i f s he wa nt s t o go, ' I s ai d.

L in da w as f ir m. ' S he's g oi ng . Y ou d on 't h av et o l is ten t oh er w hen s he w ak es u p i n t he n ig ht cry in g. '

' Y ou 'r e r ig ht . Wh en s he s t ay s h ere, s he n ev er w ak esu p i nt he ni ght . '

'Dick says...'

' S cr ew D i ck . '

Linda stood.T m going."

'All right. But leave Jenny.'

L in da gl ar ed a t m e. S he c oul d l oo k a wf ul ly s ex y w he ns he wa s m ad . T he re w as a t im e w he n I u se d t o t ry

t ogethe r a ngr y just s o I could l ook at her . It us ed t o t ake al ot of wor k. Now I ba rel y ha d t o t ry. Some

thingsget easier with age,I suppose.

' I d on 't t hi nk s o, ' sh e s ai d.

' Le ave he r he re a nd bu y me a bi rt hd ay c ar d wh en yo u' re ou t. You c an m ai l i t to m e. I ca n bl ame t he de la y

on thepostoffice.'

Li nd a h ea de d f or t he d oo r. I d ra nk t he r em ai nd er o fmyo ra ng e j ui ce a nd w en t a ft er h er . L in da w as f as t

o nh er feet . I o nl y cau gh t u p w it h h er w hen s he w as d own- s t air s b es i de M rs . H ut chi ns on 's r os e b us hes .

Under thecarefuldirection of Mrs Hutchinson, Jenny was sittingonthe ground and scraping the thorns off

t he s tems witha b ut ter k ni fe. A h al f- fi ll ed v as e o ft h o rn less f lo wers r es t ed b es i de h er o n t he g ras s. J enn y

h ad i nh er it ed herm ot her' s f eat ur es: r ou nd cheeks , a b ut t on n os e,fulll ip s. I 'd alw ay s b een t hank fu l f or t hat -

s he w as da r li ng . H er t hi ck d ar k h ai r r ea ch ed t o h er w ai st . I 'd to ldL in da o nc e i f s he e ve r c ut i t t he re w ou ld

be nomore alimony.

S eein g m e, J en ny j um ped u p and g av e m e a h ug . B ehindu s, L in da s im mered, k no wi ng t hat I w as g oi ng

t og et my w ay . A t l ea st f or t od ay .



13/138

'Daddy, why aren't you sleeping?'Jenny asked.

' B ec au se t ha t w ic ke d m an y ou r m ot he r' s s ee in g s ay sthe re i s t o b e n o r es t f or y ou r p oo r d ad dy u nt il .. ."

'Mike!'Linda said.

' I ' m n ot t ir ed , ' I t o ld my d au gh ter, s qu eezi ng h er t ig ht ly . A nd f or am o ment , I r eall y w as n' t I f el t j us t f in e.

' I h eard y ou com in g i n t hi s m or ni ng ,' M rs H ut ch in so n s ai d, s cis so rs i n h er w ri nk led h an d, a n ot e o f

a pp ro va l i n h er v oi ce . S he ,w as a f ir m b el ie ve r i n h ar d w or k. S he w as s ev en ty -t hr ee , a nd u p u nt il t wo

y ear s earli er , s he h ad w or ked f ul l- ti me as a t ai lo r i n an exp en si ve clo th es s to re i n B everl y H il ls . A rt hr it ic

f in gers h ad f in al ly m ad e h er t hr ow i n t he s ew in g n eedl es . T he s ci ss or s s he w as h ol di ng w er e f or J en ny 's

u se . S he n o l on ge r h ad t he s tr en gt h t o s qu ee ze t he m s hu t.

I le t go of J enny.' A nd I s me lt your c of fe e on my wa y up the s ta irs ,' I s ai d. 'I t ma de m e wa nt t o s to p i n

a nd s ay he ll o. ' I n od de d t o h er r os e b us he s. 'I l ov e t ho se f lo we rs . I d on 't k no w a ny on e w ho c an b ri ngthem to life like you. ' I' m s uc h a s moot h d ude . I t wa s no wonde r t he o ld l ady l ike d m e, e ve n wi th m y

cursed and unbelieving soul.

M rs H ut ch in so n b ea me d. ' Th an k y ou . I 'v e t ol d y ou r d au gh te r s he w as t o s et a si de a s pe ci al d oz en f or

you.

' Se e, D ad dy , w he re o ne o f t he m b it m e, ' Je nn y s ai d, s ho wi ng m e h er b lo od -s me ar ed t hu mb . I g av e i t a

kiss, wondering again where Satiwas.

' Th at 's ve ry k in d o f y ou ,' I s ai d t o M rs H ut ch in so n. ' B y t he w ay , h ave y ou s ee n F re d s in ce h e f in is he d h is

paper route?'

' A m om en t ago . H e w as r et ur ni ng f ro m t he s up er m ar ket. '

' A m om en t a go ? H e m us tn 't h av e g on e t o s ch oo l. '

Th at h e cer tain ly d id n ot d o, ' M rs H ut ch in so n s aid , n ot p leas ed .' H e h ad s om e g ir l w it h h im .'

' A b lo nd e?'

' Th at ' s t he o ne. '

I g la nc ed a t L in da , w ho w as n ot e nj oy in g b ei ng i gn or ed .' Co ul d y ou w ai t h er e a s ec ?' I a s ke d. ' I h av e t o

check on something.'

' D o y ou k no w t hi s g ir l?' L in da as ked. S he' d al ways h ad u ncann y r adar .

' N o t r eall y. B ut j us t gi ve m e a m in ut e. '

I nt he clo set- li ke apart ment t hat D av id S to ne h ad g iv en t o F red i n exchang e f or n eatl y t ri mm ed l aw ns and

a car ef ul ly m ai nt ai ned s wi mm in g p oo l, I f ou nd S at i r ol li ng d ou gh and F red o peni ng a j ar o f cherr ies. F red

jumped al ittle when I entered. The door had been left open and I hadn't knocked. Sati paused long

enough to wave hello with her rolling-pin.



14/138

' G et t he p ap er s d el iv er ed ?' I a s ke d.

'Yeah,'Fred said quickly.

' G o od , ' I s aid .' H ow ' s t h e t r uck?'

' I p ut i t ba ck i n y our pa rk ing s po t, 'S at i s ai d. "T he k ey s a re o n t op o f y our i ce bo x. '

'Any problems?'I asked.

' N o , ' s he s aid .

' G re at ' I s at d ow n. S omet hi ng w as g oi ng o n. F re d w ou ld n' t l oo k a t m e. ' W ha t h ap pe ne d t o s ch oo l? '

' I d id n' t g o, ' Fr ed s ai d.

' R i gh t W hy d id n' t y ou g o?'

F re d g la nc ed a t S at i. She ha d p ut he r ha ir up in a bun. H er wh it e dr es s wa s s pr in kl ed w it h w hi te f lour .

' H e' s h el pi ng m e g et r eady f or t on ig ht , ' sh e s aid .

' Tonight?'I said.' What's tonight?'

'We're having refreshments tonight after my meeting,'she said.

'What meeting?'I asked.

N ow F re d w as l oo ki ng a t t he f lo or . S at i, h ow ev er , w as a s c oo l a s e ve r. ' Fr e d, ' sh e s ai d, ' give M ic hae l

o ne o f o ur f ly er s. '

' I d on 't k no w, ' Fr ed s ai d.

S at i s miled at h is d is co mf or t' I' ll gi ve hi m one, ' sh e s ai d. W ip in g h er h an ds o n a d is h t ow el , s he r em ov ed a

n ot eb oo k- s i ze d s he et f ro m t he t op o f F re d' s w ai st -h ig h i ce bo x a nd t oo k a s ea t b es id e m e. S he h an de d

m e t he p ap er . T he l ett er i ng w as s tand ar d t yp ew ri ter char act er s . T he p ag e w as o bv io us l y a p ho to co py .

ATTENTION!

M y na me i s Sa ti. I a m God. I would li ke to i nvit e you t o a s pe ci al mee ting I wil l be holding t oni ght at

e ig ht o 'c lo ck a t1 2 4 5 g r d S tr ee t, a pa rt me nt 3 . R ef re sh me nt s w il l b e s er ve d. I a m l oo ki ng f or wa rd t o

m eeti ng w it h as m an y o f y ou as p os si bl e.

I st ar ed a t Sati for a mome nt .

' I t ho ug ht y ou s ai d y ou w er en 't a n a ct re ss ? 'I s ai d.

' I ' m n ot , 's he s aid .

' This is apart ment t hr ee. Y ou cou ld n' t f it f iv e p eo pl e i n h er e. '



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' T hen w e' ll h av e t he m eeti ng at y ou r p lace, ' sh e s aid .

I f ol de d t he f lye r i n t wo a nd f rowne d.' W ha t a re yo u u p t o? '

H er b ig b lu e eyes w er e m is ch ievo us .' C om e t o t he m eeti ng and f in d o ut '

I s no rt ed .' W ho w il l b e t he re ? W ho 's s ee n t he se f ly er s b es id es u s? '

' M an y of the p eo pl e o n F re d' s p ap er r ou te , 's he s ai d.

' W hat' ' I exclaim ed .' F r ed, y ou d id n' t p ut t hem i n w it h y ou r p ap er s?'

F re d w as t al ki ng t o t he w al l. 'W e d id n' t e xa ctly p ut t he m i ns id e t he p ap er s. '

'We put them onthe outside,'Sati explained.' Underneaththe rubber band. Ithinkthe flyer is catchy. I

t yp ed i t o n F re d' s t yp ew ri te r r ig ht a ft er y ou w en t t o b ed . I m ad e c op ie s a tthe S ev en -E le ve n s to re r ou nd th

e c or ne r. '

H adt he cir cu ms tances b een d if fer en t, I p ro babl y w ou ld n' t h av e b lo wn u p. I f s om eo ne t hi nk s s he's G od

a nd w an ts t o t el l o the rs , tha t' s he r b us in es s. B ut L in da 's w aki ng m e u p a nd t al ki ng a bo ut D ic k a m in ut e

l at er h ad pu t m e i n a ba d mo od. Pl us I wa sn' t e xa cdy f ul l of p hys ic al pe p. I n f ac t, I s udd enl y ha d a

splitting headache.

' Sa ti , d o y ou h av e a ny i de a w ha t y ou 'v e d on e? ' I a sk ed , n ot e ve n t ry in g t o d is gu is e m y a ng er .

' I k no w, ' s he s aid .

' Q ui t t el li ng methat ! Y ou k no w n ot hi ng ! J us t l as t w eek t hi s y ou ng m an h er e f latt en ed a p oo dl e. H e cam ewithin an inch of getting fired. Andthatwas an accident How do youthinktheTimes i s g oi ng t o f ee l a bo ut

having this garbage purposely peddled insidetheir paper?'

' N o o ne w il l com pl ai n t ot he p ap er , ' Sat i s ai d, un mo ved b y m y o ub ur s t.

'You don't knowthat!'

' But I do. '

' Don 't g et m ad , M ik e, ' Fr ed s ai d m ee kl y. ' I 'v e n ev er h ad a p ar ty h er e b ef or e. I ' d k in d o f l ik e o ne .'

' S he's n ot t al ki ng abo ut a p ar ty ! S he's t al ki ng abo ut a g od damn m eeti ng ! '

Sati s mi led. ' I t w on 't b e a g od damn m eeti ng . I t' s a m eeti ng abo ut m ys el f."

' Bu t y ou s ay y ou 'r e G od !' I s ai d.

I n s oa p o pe ra s, p eo pl e a lw ay s w al k i n o n a rg um en ts a t p re ci se ly the w or st m om en t. T he s am e a xi om

app li es t o m y l if e. I nt he b li nk o f an eye, L in da, J en ny and M rs H ut chins o n w er e s tand in g i nt he d o or w ay . '

W ho s ays th ey 'r e G o d?' M rs H ut ch in so n w an ted t o k no w.

S at i p lu ck ed th e f ly er f ro m m y p aw s and h an ded i t t o t he o ld l ad y, cas uall y r et ur ni ng t o h er r ol li ng -p in

and coo ki e d ou gh . L in da cr ow ded b es i de M rs H ut ch in so n. T og et her the t w o o f them r ead the g oo d n ews



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f or m od er n m an t he ir f ac es qu ic kly d ar ke ni ng . J en ny s to od s ta ri ng a t S atii n a we , a b un ch o f r ed r os es i n

her tiny hands.

' D id y ou w ri tethi s?' M rs H ut ch in so n d em an ded, h er eyes n ar ro wi ng o n S at i.

' Y es. ' S at i s pr in kl ed al i ttle s ug ar o ver h er d ou gh .' Y ou ar e als o w elcom e t o att end the m eeti ng .'

' T hi s i s b lasp hemy ,' M rs H ut ch in so n b reat hed, t r em bl i ng . B ecaus e s he w as s o o ld , I w or r ied abo ut h er

h eart , wh ich m ad e m e all th e ang ri er at S at i.

'This Is ridiculous,'Linda sneered.' Mike, who is this girl?'

M y a tt en ti on w as d ra wn t o m y d au gh te r. H er a we d e xp re ss io n w as f ro ze n o n h er f ac e. S he s to od

m es meri sed, w at ch in g S at i m ak e h er coo ki es .' I d on ' t k no w, "I s aid t o L in da.

' H e p i ck ed u p S adl as t n ig ht o n h is w ay h om e, ' Fr ed s ai d w it h h is u su al g oo d t im in g.

' Is t hat t ru e?' L in da as ked.

' Y es, ' S at i s ai d, w it h n o s ki n o ffh er b ack .

' Swe ll, ' Li nda s ai d. ' Y o u' r e t o w at ch y ou r d au gh te r f or t he d ay a nd y ou b ri ng h om e a b lo nd e t o p la y w it h

.'

I got to my f ee t a nd ye ll ed a t my wi fe .' She 's n ot a bl onde I br oug ht h om e t o pl ay w it h! She 's j us t a gi rl .

She ne ede d a r ide . I wa s t ryi ng t o he lp h er out , a ll r ight ? Wha t' s wr ong wi th t ha t? '

' W hat' s w ro ng w it h t hat i s s he' s t ry in g t o s tart a r el ig io n! ' Li nd a y el led b ack.

' I w on 't b e s ta rt in g a r el igi on t hi s t ime ,' Sa ti r em ar ke d, r ea ch in g f or a c up o f w at er .

'There'll be none of these cults gathering beside my home,'Mrs Hutchinson said indignantly.

Th in gs m igh t ha ve g on e o n t he w ay t he y w er e, or h av e g ot w or se , i f m y d au gh te r h ad n' t a ct ed h er a ge

u po n abs or bi ng t he n ew s t hat G od w as i n t he r oo m. S tepp in g f or ward , s hi ni ng w it h i nn ocen ce, s he

o ff ered h er f lo wer s t o S at i. ' W ou ld y ou l ik et hes e?' J enn y as ked .

Sati p ut d ow n h er r ol li ng -p in and k nelt b es id e J en ny , ' Wh at ev er y ou g iv e m e, I w il l t ak e, ' s he s ai d g ently,rubbing a white spot of flour between my daughter's eyebrows.'I'llsee you tonight, Jennifer.'

T he t en si on s ud denl y eas ed , i ns id e and o ut si de. L ittle g ir ls ar e g oo d at d ef us in g m ob s. L at er , I d eci ded,

w ou ld b e t ime e nou gh t o w or ry a bo ut F re d' s j ob a nd a c on fu se d de it y. T he othe rs a pp ea re d t o c om e t o

a s im il ar con cl us io n. M rs H ut ch in so n m ut teri ng u nd er h er b reat h, l ef t t o f in is h w it hh er r o se b us h es . N o t

l oo ki ng at S at i, L in da t oo kJ en ny 's h an d and l ed h er o ut o f F red' s cl au st r op ho bi c apart m en t. F red

s hr ugg ed i n m y d ir ec ti on a nd r et ur ne d t o s tu dy in gthe l ab el o n t he c he rr ie s. I k ne w h e' d h av e a g oo d

e xc us e a s t o h ow S at i t al ke d h im i nt o di st ri but in gthe f lye rs . I w ou ld l is te n t o i t a no the r t im e. I w en t a ft er

m y f am il y. S at i cal led g oo db ye t o m y b ack.

L in da w as w ai ti ng f or m e i n f ro nt o ft he apar tm en ts , n ear h er car, p aci ng the p av em en t. J en ny h ad

returned to helping Mrs Hutchinson withthe flowers.



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'Sorry aboutthat, Linda,'I said.

S he s ud denl y s to pp ed h er f rett in g, th e h ar dn es s s li pp in g f ro m h er m ou th . S he l au gh ed .' Y ou s ur e k no w

how to pickthem.'

J us t l ik etha t, j us ttha t e as y, o ne f ri en dl y l in e, a nd I k ne w I w ou ld b ethi nki ng a bo ut he r a ll da y. B ut I

w ou ld n' t w on de r w hy s he w as w ithD ic k i ns te ad o f m e. I s ti ll di dn 't k no w h ow I 'd g ot h er t o m ar ry m e i nthe f ir st pl ac e, h ow I 'd t al ke d he r i nt o i t. S he wa s r igh t, w e w er e m ea nt t o go ou r d if fe re nt w ays . She w as

goi ng t o b e h appy a nd I wa s goi ng t o b e m is er ab le .

' I us ed up all my luck on my f irs t c hoice ,' I s ai d.

L in da h es it at ed .' T hat w as s weet, M i ke. '

I g ave he r a b ri ef ki ss o nthe f or ehe ad a nd t ur ne d a wa y. I w an te d t o e nd o n a n ic e no te .' Ha ve fu n t oda y,

L in da. I 'l l s ee y ou t on ig ht . M ay be w e can g o t ot hat m eeti ng t og et her . '

I d id n' t k no w w hy I s ai dtha t .

THREE

Je nny wa s gl ad my c ar wa sn' t a va il abl e, a nd t ha t we ha d t o go t o t he ba nk i n my t ruc k. She l ove d b ei ng

u p h ig h w hi le r id in g d ow n t he r oa d. I 'd h ad a n e xp en si ve s te re o i ns ta ll ed t o k ee p m e a mu se d o n t he l on g

r oa d. S he a lwa ys ha d m e c ra nk i t up o n a he avy m et al s ta ti on. F ive ye ar s ol d a nd s he wa s a n Oz zyO s bo

u rn e f an . O nce I 'd s ug gest ed t o h er chi ld p sy ch ol og is t t hat h er f av ou ri te m us ic m ig ht b e r el at ed t o h er

n ig ht mares. T he d ud e h ad s mi led; h e t ho ug ht I w as o ld -f as hi on ed .

B ut t od ay J en ny d id n ot w an t m us ic . S he w an te d t o t al k. ' D ad dy , M rs H ut ch inso n s ai d t he p re tt yw om an w as a b ad p er so n. '

' Y o u m ean S ati?'

' S a ti, ' s h e r e pe a te d , a pp a re nd y l iki ng t he s ou nd o f t he w or d. ' I s s he r ea ll y b ad ?'

'No. She's just...different.'

' W hy i s G od d if ferent ' '

' Y ou m ean, w hy i s G od i nd if ferent , ' I s aid .

'Huh?'

' Ne ve r m in d. ' My m aj or i n c ol le ge , b ef or e I 'd d ro p pe d o ut , h ad b ee n p hi lo so ph y, b ut n ei th er L in da n or I

a tt en de d c hu rc h. I h ad n o i de a w ha t J en ny w as t hi nk in g o f w he n s he u se d t he w or d G od .' J en ny , S at i

i sn' t Go d. Sh e' s j us t a pe rs on l ike y ou a nd m e. '

' But s he s ai d s he w as Go d. '

' Je nny , do y ou kn ow w ho G od i s? '

'Yes.'



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'Who?'

' He 's t he p er so n w ho m ad e S an ta C la us .' K id s k ill me .' O K , Ma yb e h e d id m ak e S an ta C la us . B ut i f h e' s

a man, you c an s ee how he c an' t be Sa ti .'

'Why not?'

' Be ca us e S at i i s a w om an .'

' But M om my s ai d G od c a n d o a ny th in g. W hy c ou ld n' t h e b e a w om an ?'

' Hmm. I do n' t k no w. I gu es s y ou 'r e r igh t. I g ue ss Go d c oul d be a w om an , o r a pe ngu in f or t ha t m at te r. '

J en ny t ho ug ht t hat w as f un ny .* S atis ai d I cou ld s ee h er t on ig ht . Can I , D add y?'

' We 'l l s ee . 'I p au se d, r em em be ri ng m y d au gh te r' s s tr an ge r ea ct io n t o h er .' W hy d o y ou w an t t o s ee h er ? '

' Ca us e I l ik e h er .'

' Why do yo u l ik e h er ? I s i t b ec au se s he 's s o pr et ty ?'

' Uh -h uh . A nd b ec au se s he m ad e m e h ap py .'

' Sh e m ad e y ou h ap py ?'

'Uh-huh.'

' W ha t di d s he do t ha t m ade yo u ha pp y? ' I a sk ed .

' S he t ou ch ed m y h ead. '

'Oh.'

B an ks r em in d m e o f d en ti st s' s ur ge ri es . T he y a re w ic ke d p la ce s. E vi l p eo pl e w or k i n t he m. B ut m ay be I

h av e a b ad att i tu de. S eat ed acro ss f r om t he n eat ly - att ir ed l oan o ff icer - w i th m e s ti ll i n m y d ir ty j eans - I

tried to convince myselfmyparanoia was all in my head.

' I 'm afr ai d w e can 't g rant y ou t he l oan, M r W in ters , ' th ey ou ng m an s ai d.

' Wh at d o y ou m ea n? ' I a sk ed . B ad n ew s a lw ay s t ak es m ea w hi le t o a ss im il at e. So me ti me s I ne ve r

understand it.

' W e can 't g iv e y ou t he m on ey , ' th e l oan o ff icer s ai d.

J en ny s qu ir med i n t he s eat b es id e m e. G es tu ri ng f or h er to be s t il l , I as ked, ' W hy n ot ?'

T he y ou ng m an l eaned f or ward .' Y ou 'r e ask in g f or ahund red and t en t ho us and d ol lar s t o b uy t wo u s ed

dieseltractors and two used forty-foot trailers.

'Forty-five-foot trailers,yes?'



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' Wi th t he i nt en ti on o f u si ng t he m t o h ir e t wo n ew e mp lo ye es a nd g en er at e t wi ce a s m uc h b us in es s. N ow

t hi s s ee ms t o b e a p oor l oa n f or u s t o m ake f ro m e ve ry a ngle . F ir st ,e ac h o f t he se t ra ct or s h as ov er a

hundred thousand miles on it.'

'They'll gofor over three hundred thousand miles,'

'Second, you have no written commitment from eitherof your prospective employees.'

' Th ey can 't com mi t u nt il I 'v e g ot t he t ru ck s. '

' A nd t hi rd , y ou h av e n o w ri tt en com mi tm en t f ro m t he com pani es w it h w ho m y ou i nt en d t o d o b us in es s. '

' I 'v e g iv en y ou r ef er en ces f ro m s ev er al o f m y cli en ts , ' I s aid .' T hey h av e all s ai d t hey i nt en d t o con ti nu e t o

u se m y p ar tn er and m ys el f. S ev er al h av e s tated t hey w ou ld g iv e u s con si derabl y m or e f reig ht i f w e h ad

t he equ ip ment and m an po wer t o h an dl e i t. '

' B ut t hey d id n ot com mi t, ' t he m an i ns is ted. ' Y o u h av e n o s ig ned con tr acts w it h t hem. '

' T hat' s n ot t he w ay t he t ru ck in g b us in es s w or ks ."

' Bu t i t i s t he w ay t he b an ki ng b us in es s w or ks , M r W in te rs .'

' Ar e y ou s ayi ng yo u' re n ot go in g t o g iv e m e t he m one y? '

' Th at 's w ha t I s ai d, ' th e m an s ai d.

' Oh .' It wa s t ur ni ng o ut t o be a b ad da y, I t hou ght . I f I ha d g ot t he l oa n, I c oul d h ave b oug ht t he t ruc ks ,a nd t he n I c oul d h ave ma de a l ot mor e m one y, a nd t he n ma ybe Li nda w oul d ha ve c om e ba ck t o me .' But

I 'v e d on e m y b an ki ng h er e f or y ea rs ,' I s ai d. ' I 'v e n ev er b ee n l at e w it h a l oa n p ay me nt . B es id es , w ha t' s t he

r is k? Y ou h av e t he t ru ck s a s c ol la te ra l. Y ou c an a lw ay s t ak e t he m a wa y. '

The young ma n pus he d my lo an a ppl ic at ion a cr os s t he de sk to me . It ha d t ake n me thr ee hour s to f il l i t

o ut .' I ' m s or r y, M r W i nt ers . "

' Wha t if I ge t a c os igne r? 'I a sk ed .

' T hen w e w il l b e h ap py t o r econ si der t he s it uati on . '

I s t o od . 'I 'l lg et o ne r ig ht n ow . '

'This afternoon?"

"This minute. Don't go away."I grabbed my daughter's hand.'Come along, Jenny.'

D av id S to ne, o ld b ud dy and r eal - es tate m il li on ai re, h ad p revi ou sl y o ff er ed t o h el p f in an ce t he exp an si on

of my bus ine ss . I 'd no t w ant ed t o t ake hi m up on t he of fe r, pa rt ly b ec au se of p ri de , a nd p ar tl y b ec au se

e ve n w he n a f ri en d w as i nv ol ve d, b us ine ss w as b us ine ss w it h D av id . I w ou ld ha ve t o g iv e hi m a p ie ce o f

t he a ct ion . N ow I f ig ur ed I h ad no c hoi ce . I c all ed hi m a t hi s of fi ce f rom a phone boot h out si de the ba nk.

' W hat 's t he b an k?' h e ask ed w hen I h ad exp lain ed t he s it uati on .



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"The First Interstate on Wilshire."

' I k now i t. Wh at d id y ou s ay t he a moun t w as ?' I told him, and it was smal l change t o him.' I 'l l be through

he re i n a n h our , Mi ke . Cou ld I me et yo u t he re a t t wo ?'

I ll b e h er e. I r eall y app reciate t hi s, D av id . '

H e l au gh ed .' Le t' s j us t s ay w he n I g et i nt o s mug gl ing s tu ff a cr os s t he b or de r, I 'l l b e g iv in g y ou a c al l. T wo

o'clock?'

' Right' I t w as n' t a s b ad a s c al li ng t he G od fa th er , b ut I w on de re d a ft er I h un g u p t he p ho ne w he th er I

r eall y n eeded t ho se ext ra t ru ck s aft er all .

J e nn y a nd I h ad l un ch i n a c of fe e s ho p a cr os s t he s tr ee t H er a pp oi nt me nt w it h t he p sy ch ol og is t w as

app ro achi ng .' J enn y, d o y ou w an t t o t alk t o D r M cAllist er t o day ?'

' Ca n' t I s ta y w it h y ou ?' s he a sk ed .

I cancelled the appointment

D avi d w as a lm os t a n h ou r l at e. J en ny e nt er ta in ed m e b y t el li ng m e a bo ut a ll t he t im es D ic k a nd L in da

f ou gh t I f ig ur ed t ha t w as o ne r el at io ns hi p o n t he w ay o ut . D av id o nl y s ho we d w he n t he b an k w as a bo ut

t o c lo se .' I g ot h un g u p, ' he s ai d w he n w e m et o ut f ro nt .' Di d y ou ge t t he m on ey ?'

' Wh at d o y ou m ea n? '

H e l au gh ed , w hi ch h e d id eas il y and w hi ch I s up po se w as u nd er st an dabl e w hen y ou w er e t went y- n iney ears o ld and i n apo si ti on t or e t ir e f or s ev er allifetimes. H e w as a t hi n n er vo us m an w it h a n eat b lo nd

m ou st ache and a p oi nt ed f ace t hat L in da h ad s ai d w as n ot hi ng b ut a b ig m on ey - s ni ff in g n os e, an o pi ni on

app ar en tl y n ot s hared b y t he m aj or it y o f f em al es . E ven b ack i n h ig h s ch oo l, w hen h is m eans w er e m od es t

a nd he c ou ld n' t g et o n a n a thl et ic t ea m, D av id h ad h ad l ot s o f g ir lf ri en ds .H e c ou ld b e c ha rm in g, w he n i t

s ui te d h im , a nd h e c er ta in ly w as s ha rp . B ut h e h ad n ev er m ar ri ed . W e w er e m or e a cq ua in ta nc es t ha n

friends.

D av id h ad m ad e h is m on ey t he o ld -f as hi on ed w ay : h e b ou gh t h ou ses f or n ex t t o n ot hi ng f ro m p eo pl e

w ho se S pa ni sh w as e xc el le nt , a nd s ol d t he m f or a h ug e p ro fi t t o p eo pl e w ho se f ir st l an gu ag e w as

Japanese.

' The y t ol d m e on t he ph one t he y woul d dr aw up t he c he que f or you, ' he s ai d.

' But do n' t y ou h av e t o f il l ou t f or ms a nd s ign d ot te d l ine s? '

H e p at te d J en ny o n t he h ea d. ' Ho w' s m y g ir l? '

' F in e, ' J en ny s ai d, h er exp ress io n s ol em n. ' B ut I 'm n ot y ou r g ir l. Y ou 'r e n ot m y d ad dy . '

D av id con ti nu ed ,' T hey t ru st m e, M ik e. L et 's g o i ns id e, y ou 'l l s ee. '

Da vi d d id i n f ac t ha ve t o s ig n a f ew pa pe rs , but he w as r ight a bo ut t he c as hi er 's c he que be ing r ea dy . I t

f el t o dd ly h ea vy i n m y h and , w it h a ll t hos e z er os s it ti ng b en ea th m y na me . I de ci de d t o d ep os it i t



21/138

i mm edi at el y.' I can 't t hank y ou eno ug h, ' I s aid w hen w e w er e b ack o ut s id e.

' I t' s n o p ro bl em , ' Davi d s ai d.

H e w as n' t a sk in g f or a ny th in g i n r et ur n. I w ou ld h av e t o m ak e t he o ff er . 'I c ou ld p ay y ou a p er ce nt ag e o f

m y p ro fi ts o n t he ne w a cc oun ts I g et w it h t hi s m on ey, "I s ai d.

D avi d s hr ug ge d. ' W e ' ll w or k s om et hi ng o ut . H ey , w an t t o g o d ow n t he s tr ee t f or a d ri nk ? I k no w a

place that won't hound us about your daughter.'

D o wn t he s tr ee t w as f iv e m il es a wa y, b ut r idi ng i n D av id 's F er ra ri w as a lw ay s f un. W he n w e w er e

s ea te d i na c oo l d ar k b oo th ,J en ny w it h a Co ke a nd Da vi d a nd I w it h be er s, he a sk ed a bo ut t he c hi ck I 'd

brought home who thought she was God.

' Ho w d id y ou he ar a bou t h er ?' I a sk ed .

' Hu tc hinso n, ' D av id s ai d. ' S he ca ll ed m e u p a f ew m in u te s a ft er y ou l ef t. S o w ha t d oe s s he l oo k l ik e? '

' Ve ry a tt ra ct iv e. R ea l s hi ny b lo nd e h ai r, a s f in e a sJe nny' s . A nd s he 's g ot t he se c le ar b lu e e ye s - y ou 'd

h av e t o s ee t he m. T he y' re t he d ee pe st b lu e. '

' H o w' s t he b od y? '

J en ny w as l is teni ng t o every w or d. ' L oo ks i n g oo d s hap e, ' I s aid .

' I s s he t ot al ly n ut s o r w ha t? ' Da vi d a sk ed .

' I f y ou m et h er , y ou ' d t hi nk s he w as p rett y s ol id . H er s el f- co nf id en ce i s r em ar kabl e. '

' I 'm n ot s ur pr is ed , s eein g w ho s he b el ieves s he i s. ' D av i d s at b ack .' T hi nk I s ho ul d s to p h er f ro m h av in g

her meeting?'

' W or r ied abo ut t he o th er t enant s?' I as k ed.

H e n o dd ed. ' H u tchi ns on s ou nd ed p rett y h ot . '

' To t el ly ou t he t ru th , D av e, I d on 't t hi nk a ny on e' s g oi ng t o c om e. "

H e c on si de re d a m om en t' W he re d id y ou p ic k h er u p? '

' J us t p as t C at so n, i n t he m id dl e o f t he n ig ht . '

' Does s he ha ve a ny I D on her ?'

' I d on' t t hi nk s o. S he h as n' t go t a p ur se .'

' W ou ld y ou s ay s he's h ar ml es s?' D av id as ked .

' O h , y eah. '

' I l ik e h er , ' Jenn y s ai d w it h a n ot e o f i rr it at io n.



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Davi d s mi le d, t hen went ba ck t o t hinking.' I f s he 's a s p re tt y a s y ou s ay , w e s ho ul d b e a bl e t o t ra ce h er .'

H e p ul le d o ut a p en .' W ha t n am e i s s he g oi ng b y? '

B y t he t im e w e' d f in is he d a no th er c ou pl e o f b ee rs , a nd w or ke d o ut e xa ct ly h ow m uc h I w ou ld p ay

D av id f or t he us e o f h is c re di t r at in g, i t w as c lo se t o f iv e. D ri vi ng J en ny a nd m e b ac k t o m y t ru ck , D av id

s a idh e' d l et S at id o wh at ev er s he w an te d, at l ea st f or t on ig ht . H e a lso sa id h e' d t ry t o s to p b y t he m ee ti ng .

Linda had left a message on my machine,scolding me for cancelling Jenny's appointment,and saying she

woul dn' t b e b ac k t il l e ig ht . S at i w as n ow he re t o b e f ou nd . I w as n' tg oi ng t o w or ry a bo ut h er . J en ny a nd I

de cide d t o t ake a wa lk down t o t he be ac h. On the wa y out ,we ra n into Nic k Che va s.

N ic k a nd I h ad b ee n c lo se i n h ig h s ch oo l, a lt ho ug h h e h ad n' t a rr iv ed o n o ur c am pu s u nt il h is s eni or y ea r.

B ef or e t he n, h e' d l iv ed i n e as t L .A ., w he re h e h ad b ee n a m em be r o f a g an g. T he y' d c al le d t he ms el ve s

t he B la ck B as ta rd s, a nd t he y' d n ot b ee n f on d o f w hi te p eo pl e, o r H is pa ni cs f or t ha t m at te r. N ic k h ad n' t

c ome ri ght out and sa id i t, but f rom hints he' d d ro pp ed , t he re w as b loo d o n h is h an ds , a nd s om e o f i t

s ou nd ed n as ty . E ve n a s a t ee na ge r, h e' d l if te d w ei gh ts - h e c ou ld p ic k m e u p w it h o ne h an d w it ho utstraining.

T wo event s h ad h el ped t rans fo rm h im i nt o a civ il is ed h um an b ei ng . F ir st , h is m om , w ho w as t he o nl y o ne

h e c ar ed a bo ut , ha d h ad a s tr oke , f ol low ed b y a s er ie s o f h ea rt a tt ac ks . T he re h ad b ee n n o mo ne y i n t he

f am il y. H e' d n ur se d h er t we nt y- fo ur h ou rs a d ay ,a nd a s a r es ul t, ha d b ee n f or ce d t o g ive u p h is v io le nt

n octu rn al act iv it ies. A nd t hen w hen h is m ot her h ad f in al ly d ied, t he f ig ht i n h im h ad app ar en tl y d ied, t oo .

He s ai d it wa s t he f irs t a nd onl y ti me he ha d c ri ed, a nd I be li eved hi m.

B ut h is m oo d m ig ht h ave g one b ad a ga in, h an gi ng o ut wi th t he s or t h e w as us ed t o, i f h is u nc le h adn 't

l eg al ly a do pt ed hi m a nd m ov ed h im i nt o o ur n ei gh bo ur hoo d. W e m et i n m y g ar age . I w as i nt o be ing a

r oc k g ui ta ri st i n t ho se d ay s, a nd w as b la st in g t he b lo ck w it hh a rd bi tin g b lu es w he n h e w al ke d i n a nd s ai dh e l ik ed m y s ty le . T ur ne d o ut h e c ou ld p la y p ia no . H e h ad a h ug e f in ge r s pr ea d. W e s ta rt ed j am mi ng

t og et he r r igh t t he n, a nd a f ew m ont hs l at er I g ot ov er m y f ea r of be ing a lo ne w it h h im .A t h ea rt ,h e w as

r ea ll y a m el low gu y. E xc ep t f or t he f our - inc h kn if e s ca r i nf ro nt o f hi s l ef t e ar , I w ou ld h av e h ad t ro ub le

believing his past.

W he n p eo pl e m et N ic k, t he y s aw t ha t s ca r f ir st ,a nd I d on 't s up po se m an y f or go t i t q ui ck ly . H e c ou ld

h av e b ee n h an ds om e, b ut w he n y ou d id n' t k no w h im , h e j us t l oo ke d m ea n. H e w as g re at w it h h is h an ds ,

and h ad an ar ti st ic b en tT he art t each er i n o ur h ig h s ch oo l t ho ug ht N ick' s s ketchi ng t echn iq ue g ri pp in g.

U nf or tu nately , h is u ncle h ad o nl y agr eed t o k eep h im t il l h e w as eig ht een. S oo n aft er g radu at io n N kk w as

out on t he s tr ee t a ga in a nd l ooki ng f or wo rk e ve ryone w as a fr ai d t o gi ve hi m. Fi na ll y, he di d ge t a j ob a sa b ri ckl aye r. But i t wa s i n Or egon, a nd i t w as t he n I l os t t ra ck of hi m.

Up nor th , he l ea rn ed t o c ons tr uc t b ea ut if ul f ir epl ac es . Ye t he go t f ew of t he j obs he bi d on. Not ma ny

people would let him into their living-rooms. He started drinking beer in backwoods bars with people

w ho g re w m ar ij ua na b y t he t on i n t he ir h ug e f or es te d b ac ky ar ds . T he se p eo pl e w er e i nt er es te d i n t he

g an g f ri en ds N ic k h ad k no wn w he n h e w as y ou ng . S ee me d a f ew o f t ho se f ri en ds h ad s in ce m ad e n am es

f or t hems el ves i n t he d ru g b us in es s, T he m ar ij uana f ar mer s w an ted N ick t o b e t he g o- b etw een f or t hem.

Nick was low on cash at the time. It was only marijuana, he thought,and that was hardly a crime any

m or e. H e m ad e i t c le ar h e w ou ld n' t h an dl e c oc ai ne , o r a ny h ar d s tu ff . T he d op e p la nt er s w er e a gr ee ab le .

Nick made the connections with his childhood friends. Deals were struck. Nick started driving a van full

o f m ar ij ua na f ro m P or tl an d t o L .A . e ve ry w ee k. H e b ec am e a p us he r.

W e d idn 't r un i nt o e ac h o th er a ga in u nt il ou r t en - ye ar c la ss r eu ni on . I t w as a bo ut t hi s t im e t ha t L in da



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s tart ed t o t al k abo ut o ur p sy ch ol og ical i ncom pati bi li ti es . A t t he r eu ni on , N ick h ad an i ll eg al ali en n am ed

M ar y D or ado wi th h im. He t ol d m e o f a ll t he t ra sh he 'd be en i nt o i n t he l as t f ew ye ar s, a nd how he 'd got

ou t of i t be ca us e o f M ar y. H e w as po or a ga in, he t ol d me , b ut h is c ons ci enc e wa s c le ar . M ar y di dn' t

k no w h e' d e ve r d ea lt i nd o pe .

N ic k, Da vi d, a nd I g ot t oge the r a we ek a ft er t he r eun ion a nd s aw a m ovie . Da vid t ol d us a bout his

apart ment s .N ick m ov ed i n, w it h M ar y, a cou pl e o f w eeks l ater. A nd s ix m on th s aft er t hat, I m ov ed o ut o f m y h ou se aad b ecam e N ick' s u ps tai rs n ei gh bo ur .

N ic k w as t he o nl y o ne I t ol d m y p ro bl em s t o. H e k ne w h ow t o l is te n w it ho ut g ivi ng a dv ic e, w hi ch i s a

v ir tu e f ew h ap py p eo pl e u nd er st an d. A nd h e h ad p ro bl em s o f h is o wn . M ar y w as p re gn an t. A g oo d

C at ho li c H is pa ni c, s he w as n' t g oi ng t o h av e a n a bo rt io n. S he w an te d t o g et m ar ri ed . T he t im in g w as b ad .

Nick had used up all his savings. He was still a mean-looking black dude with a scar. Work was scarce.

H e' d r et ur ne d t o h au li ng m ar ij ua na , n ot a s m uc h a s b ef or e, b ut e ve n a l it tl e, h e k ne w, w as t oo m uc h.

M ar y w as g et ti ng s us pi ci ou s. N ick w as f eeli ng l ik e d ir t

' Ho w' s m y b ab e? ' he a ske d w he n he s aw J en ny. S he gi ggl ed a s he s wung he r on t o hi s br oa d s houl de rs .' H o w' s i t g oi ng , M ik e? '

' My l if e i s a s er ie s o f e cs ta ti c m om en ts , e ac h m or e i nt en se t ha n t he p re vi ou s, ' I s ai d. ' H o w a re y ou ?'

' I' m f ine ,' he s ai d w it ho ut e nt hu si as m. J en ny b eg an t o t ic kl e h is e ar s, a nd h e r es et tl ed h er a to p h is h ea d.

' W e' re w al ki ng d ow n t o t he b ea ch ,' I s ai d. ' Wa nt t o c om e? '

'Sure.'

' Mary ' s w el com e, t oo , ' I s aid .

N ic k g la nc ed a t hi s a pa rt me nt d oo r. H e l ook ed a s t ir ed a s I f el t' H e r c ous in c am e b y a nd t oo k he r

s ho pp in g. S he l ef t a n ot e. Sh e w on' t be ba ck f or a c ou pl e o f ho ur s. '

' Yo u w er e g on e a ll d ay ?' I a s ke d .

H e s ig hed, s et ti ng J en ny d ow n. ' Y eah , I w as b us y .'

The b ea ch w as on ly t en m in ut es a wa y. O nc e a cr os s t he Co as t Hi ghw ay a nd on t o t he wi de s tr et ch of

s an d l ea di ng t o t he w at er , J en ny r an o n a he ad , c ha si ng t he p ig eo ns .

' How di d i t go ?' I a sk ed .

H e g ri ma ce d. 'I wa sc oi ni ng b ac k d ow n o nI -fi v e . I us ua ll y b ri ng a n e xt ra t an k o f g as s o I d on 't h av e t o

s top a t a s ta ti on. But 1 f or got t hi s t im e. . Y ou k no w t ho se j er ks u p t he re do n' t c ar e h ow t he y p ac ka ge t he

s tu ff . T he y w ra p i t i n a pl as ti c b ag a nd f ig ur e i t' s c oo l. B ut y ou kn ow h ow d op e s me ll s. You 'v e o nl y g ot t o

g et c los e t o t he va n t o s me ll i t An ywa y, I e nd up h avi ng t o s top ne ar Fr es no. J us t m y l uc k a c op pul ls i nt o

the station right then.'

'Wonderful.'

' Y eah. I t ho ug ht o f j us t s pl it ti ng , b ut h is ey e w en t s tr aig ht t o m e. H e w an dered o ver and s tar ted m ak in g

s mall t al k. M an , I w as s weat in g v in eg ar . H e even l eaned h is b ack again st m y v an . '



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' B ut y ou j us t s ai d h ow s tr on g i t s mell s?'

N ic k l au gh ed .' I w as s ta nd in g t he re , w on de ri ng w ha t k in d o f f oo ls t he y h av e f or c op s i n F re sn o, w he n h e

s ta rt s t o t el l m e a bou t h is ha y f ev er . H e wa s s uf fe ri ng s om et hi ng a wf ul wi th i t. H is w ho le he ad w as s tuf fe d

up. H e c oul dn' t h ave s me lle d t he dope i f he' d s tuck hi s he ad i n a ba g ful l of it . I t old hi m t o t ry al fal fa . My

m om u se d t o t ak e t ha t f or h er a ll er gi es . H e t ha nk ed m e f or t he a dv ic e. '

' D o y ou ever f eel s om et im es t hat y ou 'r e t em pt in g t he g od s?'

N ick l os t h is s mi le.' I w as n' t l au gh in g abo ut i t w hen I p ul led o ut o f t he s tati on . I w as t el li ng m ys el f t hat

w as i t. '

'Great.'

H e s ho ok h is h ea d. 'B ut w he n I m ade my de li ve ry, a nd got ha nde d a t hous and f or m y t roubl es , I s ta rt ed

t hi nk in g m ay be I 'd m ak e j us t o ne l as t h au l. W hy i s t hat, M ik e?"

' I t' s b ec au se y ou 'r e a n i di ot '

N ic k n od de d. ' Th at 's wh at I ne ed t o he ar . But I 'l l t el l yo u, I we nt o ut on e igh t j obs t hi s w ee k. I di dn' t ge t

o ne. A nd M ar y' s alr eady s eein g t hi s g yn aeco lo gi st t hat' s cos ti ng a f or tu ne. '

' H o w f ar alo ng .i s s he?'

' T en w eeks . '

' I s s he o ve r h er m or ni ng s ic kn es s? ' I a s ke d .

' Yeah , b ut I t hi nk I 'v e cau gh t i t. '

I t ook t ha t t o m ea n he w as n' t s ur e he w ant ed t he b ab y. ' D oe sn' t s he e ve r s me ll t he d op et ha t' s be en i n

your van?'

' Su re . I t el l h er I s mo ke i t o cc as io na ll y, w hi ch I d o. S he d oe sn 't a pp ro ve . I f o nl y s he k ne w. .. '

' Wo ul d s he l ea ve y ou ?' I a s ke d.

' I don' t l ike t o t hi nk a bo ut i t. '

W e d ec id ed t o b ui ld J en ny a s an d- c as tl e. W e ha d a r es pe ct ab le m oa t i n p la ce w he n N ic k g ot t he i de a

t o b ur y J en ny u p t o h er c hi n b eh in d t he s an d w al ls .I h ad m y d ou bt s. S he d id n' t h av e o n h er s wi mm in g s ui t

, and t he l arg es t w av es w er eal read y b ru sh in g o ur cas tle' s o ut er p eri m et er. I c o ul d s ee L in da f reak in g o ut

l at er w hen s he h eard abo ut h er n ig ht mare- p lagu ed chi ld b ei ng b ur ied i n f ro nt o f an adv an ci ng t id e. B ut

J enn y l ov ed t he i de a. Wh il e Ni ck du g a h ol ef or h er , s he p ul le d h er d re ss o ff o ve r h er h ea d. A f ew m in ut es

l at er s he w as b ur ie d s o s ec ur el y t ha t s he c ou ld n' t b ud ge a n i nc h.

A nd s o w e s pent u nt il s un set f rant icall y r ep ai ri ng t he w al ls o ft hecas tle, w it h o ur p ri nces s i n d is tr es s

alt er nately p lead in g w it h u s t o k eep h er d ry , and l au gh in g w it h u s w hen s he g ot s pl as hed. F in al ly ,

h ow ev er , n at ur e g ot t he b es t o f u s. A p ar ti cu larl y l ar ge f oamy w av e d is in teg rated o ur cas tl e w al ls i n o ne

s tr ok e. J en ny s wall ow ed a m ou th fu l o f s eawater b ef or e w e cou ld p ul l h er o ut Bu t s he g ig gl ed all t he



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h ar der, and I w as n' t w or ri ed abo ut any p sy ch ol og ical t raum a.

O n t he w ay h om e, wi th J en ny a ga in d an ci ng a he ad o f u s, N ic k a sk ed m e a ga in a bo ut m y d ay . I t ol d h im

about David's cosigning for my loan.

' Mus t b e ni ce t o be r ol li ng i n t he d ou gh l ike hi m, ' Ni ck o bs er ve d.

' Whe n I get t he other t rucks , I'l l be abl e to of fer you a job. '

' If yo u of fe r i t, I 'l l t ak e i t, ' he s ai d.

' Yo u d on 't t hi nk I 'm g et ti ng i n o ve r m y h ea d, do yo u? "

H e l oo ke d a t m e s er io us ly .' Yo uk no w, M ik e, I h at e t o s ay t hi s, bu t I s om et im es t hi nk I m ad e a m is ta ke

t al ki ng y ou i nt o ask in g L in da t o t he h ig h s ch oo l p ro m. '

I t hu rt - t ha tI wa s s o t ra ns pa re nt . H e c oul d s ee w hy I w ant ed t he l oa n. A nd he t ho ugh t I wa s w as ti ng m yt im e. ' B ut i f y ou h ad n' t, w e w ou ld n' t h av e h ad J en ny t o p lay w it h t od ay , ' I s aid .

'Yeah.'

' Lo ok , w e' re s ti ll t al ki ng . W e' r e w or ki ng o n i t. '

' Yo u' re w or ki ng o n i t. L in da 's t al ki ng b ec au se s he w an ts t o b e a c ou ns el lo r, a nd t he ir j ob i s t o t al k. '

I l ow er ed m y h ead. ' Yo u' re d ep res si ng m e. '

N ic k p at te d m e o n t he b ac k. ' H ey , I 'm j us t a d ope d ea le r. Wha t t he h el l d o I kno w? '

S ud de nl y, I r em em be re d S ati' s m ee ti ng . I c he ck ed m y w at ch . I t w as s ev en thirty. I w as c ur io us w ha t s he

w ou ld h av e t o s ay , a nd w he th er a ny on e w ou ld r es po nd t o h er f ly er .

' Ni ck , d o y ou w ant t o m ee t G od ?' I a sk ed .

'Huh?'

' I' ve g ot th i s g ir l ba ck a t m y p la ce w ho s ay s s he 's G od . Wa nt t o h ea r he r t al k? '

N ick w as i nt eres ted .' Wh at ' s s he l oo k l ik e?'

'Awesome. Totally awesome.'

'Sure.'

H is r eact io n d id no t s ur pr is e m e. I tw as aft er all ,S o ut her nC al if or ni a. H av et he r ig ht d ei ty and i t w as a s nap

t o g et d is ci pl es .

FOUR

Fr ed m et u s a t t he d oo r o f m y a pa rt me nt A g la nc e i ns id e t ol d m e s om eo ne h ad b ee n c le an in g u p. ' S a ti

w an ts t o k no w i f s he c an u se y ou r p la ce f or h er m ee ti ng ,' he s ai d.



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F re d h ad o n d re ss s la ck s a nd a l ong - sl ee ve d s hi rt . H e' d e ve n w as he d hi s f ac e a nd br us he d b ac k h is ha ir .

I h ar dl y r ec og ni se d h im .' T el l h er i f s he 's G od ,' I s ai d, ' s h e s ho ul d k no w w he th er I 'l l l et h er u se i t o r n ot .

W ho 's b een p layi ng h ou sekeep er h er e?"

' Sa tidi d m os t of t he w or k. An d s he s ai d you w ou ld l et us us e t he pl ac e, b ut t ha t I s houl d a sk you

anyway.'

Sa ti ha d p la ce d m y be st c ha ir a t t he e nd of t he r oo m a nd c ove re d i t wi th a w hi te s he et . P re sum abl y t ha t

w as w he re s he wa s go in g t o s it . R os es ha d be en a rr ang ed i n a v as e on t he c or ne r t abl e be si de t he c ha ir .

' Bu t t he f ly er d ir ec te d t he m t o y ou r p la ce ,' I s ai d.

' I' m t o w ai t d own t he re a nd di re ct t he m u p he re .'

' S he t ol d y ou t ha t' '

' Ye ah ,' F re d s ai d. ' A nd I k no w w ha t y ou ' re g oi ng t o s ay , t ha t I s ho ul dn 't l is te n t o h er b ec au se s he 's c ra zy

.'

' W ell , n ow t hat y ou m en ti on i t'

F re d l ow er ed h is v oi ce a nd s po ke c on fi de nt ia ll y. N ic k, w ho w as c ar ry in g J en ny , h ad t o l ea n c lo se r t o

h ea r. 'I s pe nt t he w ho le d ay w it h h er ,' F re d s ai d. ' I 'v e n ev er s ee n a ny on e l ik e h er .Eve rything g oe s h er

wa y. W e we nt t o t he ba nk on Thi rd St re et t o s ee i f w e c ou ld us e t he ir c omm uni ty r oom f or a not he r

me et ing s he wa nt s t o hol d t om or row ni ght W e t al ke d t o t he b ank pr es id ent . At f ir st he s ai d w e h ad t o m e

e t a ll t he se c on di ti on s: w e h ad t o b e a r eg is te re d n on - pr of it s oc ie ty , w e h ad t o f il l o ut a n a pp li ca ti on ; we

h ad t o m ak e r es er va ti on s a m on th i n a dva nc e - a ll t hi s c ra p. B ut t he n s he j us t s ta rt ed t al ki ng t o h im , t el li nghi m s he w as G od , a nd t ha t s he ne ed ed t he r oom t om or row . A nd he g ave i t t o h er !'

' I' ve g ot t o s ee t hi s w om an ,' N ic k s ai d.

'You'll like her,'Jenny reassured him.

' H e g av e h er t he r oo m b ec au se s he 's p re tt y a nd c ha rm i ng ,' I s ai d. ' I k ne w h er t wo m in ut es a nd b ou gh t

h er b r eak fas t. I t d oes n' tm ean a t hi ng .'

F red w asn ' t con vi nced. ' S he's g ot s om et hi ng , M ik e. I d on 't k no w w hat i t i s, b ut i t' s s om et hi ng . '

T he g li nt i n h is e ye s h ad m e c onc er ne d. 'H a ve y ou s ee n L in da ? 'I a s ke d .

' Ye ah ,' F re d s ai d. ' S he w as h er e a m om en t a go . S he w en t o ut l oo ki ng f or y ou . W ha t a bo ut S at i u si ng

your apartment?'

' Te ll he r ... wha t t he he ll , t el l he r OK .'

N ic k w en t d ow ns ta ir s t o s ee i f M ar y h ad r et ur ne d. F re d h ea de d f or h is a pa rt me nt . I w en t s ea rc hi ng f or

c lo th es f or J en ny . I 'd o nl y j us t g ot h er i nt o a f re sh p ai r o f t ro us er s| , w he n D av id S to ne a nd M rs . H ut chins

o n a pp ea re d i n t he d oo rw ay .

' Fr ed t ol d u s t hi s w as t he p la ce ,' Da vi d s ai d.



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I s mi le d. ' W el co me t o t he a sh ra m. I 'm s ur pr is ed t o s ee y ou h er e, M rs H ut ch in so n. '

S he s co wle d .' S om eo ne 's g ot t o s ta nd up a ga ins t t hi s n on se ns e. T ha t g ir l' s g ot h er w ho le l if e i n f ro nt o f

he r. I 'm not goi ng t o l et he r t hr ow i t a wa y. I 'm goi ng t o giv e he r a goodt a lkin g- to , a nd s he 's go ing t o

listen.'

A f ew m in ut es l at er , a y ou ng c oup le s ho we d u p. T he y l oo ke d a nd a ct ed c om pl et el y n or ma l. A ll t he y

a sk ed w as i f t hi s w as w he re t he m ee ti ng w as t o b e h el d. I m ig ht h av e s tr uc k u p a c on ve rs at io n w it h t he m,

a nd i nq ui re d i f t he y d id n' t h av e a b et te r w ay t o s pe nd t he ir M on da y n ig ht , w he n a m ot he r a nd t ee na ge

d au gh ter app eared, f ol lo wed q ui ck ly b y a m id dl e- ag ed m an . I ncr ed ib ly , n on e o f t he p eo pl e app ear ed

unusual. Itwas now minutes before eight o'clock.

Li nd a p ok ed h er h ead i ns i de t he d oo r. ' I s t hi s r eall y h ap peni ng ?'s h e as ked .

T he g ro up g la nc ed a t h er , a nd t he m ot he r a nd d au gh te r f id ge te d s li gh tl y. J en ny h ad t ak en a s ea t o n t he

f lo or n ea r S ati' s c ha ir . S he h ar dl y n ot ic ed L in da 's e nt ra nc e. I u sh er ed L in da o n t o m y p at io .

' W hy n ot s tay?' I as k ed. ' Jenn y' s b een l oo ki ng f or war d t o s eei ng S atiall d ay . '

T o my a ma ze me nt ,L in da d id n ot p ro te st .' A s l on g a s s he i sn 't k ep t u p t oo l at e. D id s he g iv e y ou a ny

trouble?"

' N o ,' I s ai d. ' I g ot t he l oa n. '

L in da s mi le d, bu t i t w as a p ol it e r ef le x. A nd a ll t he h as sl e w it h t he b an k w as a im ed a t g et ti ng h er b ac k, I

thought' I'm glad,'she said.

N ic k r et ur ne d. H e s ai d M ar y w as s ti ll o ut . S in ce o ur g ue st s h ad a lr ea dy m on op ol is ed t he c ou ch , t he

t hr ee o f u s d ec id ed t o t ak e a s ea t a ga in st t he w al l f ur th es t f ro m t he s he et - dr a pe d c ha i r. F re d r e ap pe a re d

a m om en t l at er a nd j oi ne d J en ny o n t he f lo or u p f ro nt .

A t p reci s el y eig ht o 'clo ck , S at i ent ered.

S he h ad c ha nge d. H er d re ss w as n o di ffe re nt , a nd s he w as we ar ing he r h ai r t he s ame a s w he n I ha d

picked her up, loose over her shoulders. Her serene expression was also as I remembered. Yet it was as

t hough I we re s ee ing he r f or t he f ir st ti me . I di d not know w hy t ha t w as s o.

T ak in g a s ea t o n t he c ov er ed c ha ir , s he s lo wl y s ca nn ed t he r oo m, h er b ig e ye s l in ge ri ng f or s ev er al

s ec onds on e ac h pe rs on. I w as t he l as t one s he c ame t o, a nd wi th me s he s mi le d. I f ound m ys el f hol di ng

m y b reat h, and h ad con scio us ly t o t el l m ys elf t o exh al e.

' W e w il l s tart w it h a f ew m in ut es o f s il en ce w it h eyes clo sed, ' s he s ai d, add res si ng t he g ro up .' Dur ing

t hese f ew m in ut es , d o n ot m in d h ow y ou f eel o r w hat y ou 'r e t hi nk in g. J us t b e com fo rt ab le. I w ill si gnal

w he n t o o pe n y our e ye s. ' Sh e r es et tl ed h er se lf i n h er c ha ir a nd f ol de d h er h an ds i n h er l ap .' C lo se y ou r

eyes.'

N or ma ll y, I c on si de r m ys el f a r el ax ed p er so n, t ho ug h t he re i s a lw ay s t he o dd s pe ll w he n I c an 't s it s ti ll .

When Sati told us to close our eyes , I fear ed I was in f or one of thos e times. All of a sudden, the l ast

t hi ng I w an te d t o d o w as b e m ot io nl es s. I t w as l ik e s om eo ne h ad s pr in kl ed a n i tc hy p ow de r d ir ec tl y o n

t o m y n er vo us s ys te m. A c oup le of m inu te s o f t hi s w en t b y. I c on si de re d g et ti ng u p a nd l ea vi ng .



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T hen s om et hi ng u nexp ected h ap pened. J us t w hen I t ho ug ht I cou ld n' t s it t here a m om en t m or e, I b eg an

t o r el ax . B ut i t w as m uc h m or e t ha n s im pl e r el ax at io n. A d el ic io us w ar mt h s ta rt ed t o s pr ea d f ro m m y

ches t w hi le, I , p ar ad ox ical ly , a coo l cur rent b eg an t o f lo w acr os s m y f or eh ead. B ot h s ens at io ns w er e

r em ar kabl y p leas an t. A s m y att en ti on w en t t o t hem, I n ot iced t he m us cl es alo ng m y s pi ne t wi tchi ng ,

l et ti ng go . Pr et ty s oo n I w as s o c om fo rt abl e I w as s ur e I wa s g oi ng t o f al l a sl ee p. Y et q

Sati - Christopher Pike

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