“There were a few times when your jealousy stood in the way of real progress, do you know that?”
“How’s that?” Todd said.
“Well, for one thing, there were times when Dr. Donahue felt quite impeded by your behavior.”
Todd leaned back in his chair. “Are you gonna’ try and tell me Donahue wasn’t sniffin’ at my wife’s haunches?”
Blaze grinned and looked down at his beer.
“That’s what I thought too,” Todd said, responding to Blaze’s silence.
“I suppose it’s true. Jim was attracted to her. After all, she’s an incredibly beautiful woman and, you two weren’t married at the time. The point is, she’s not with him. She has chosen to be with you.”
“For now.”
“Yes,” Blaze said, “for now. Look Todd,” he leaned forward, “you do understand that any hold or claim you think you have on Maria is just an illusion. The only bond holding you two together is your mutual love. I’ve counseled many a marriage and I’m here to tell you, one of the major causes of divorce is plain ol’ jealously. It’s like a disease. Desperate people fight and struggle to hold on. More often than not, the struggle itself ends up being the final straw.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Todd said, “and I appreciate it, but you don’t understand our relationship.”
“I understand your jealousy could eventually end it unless you learn to control it. Even you have to admit that, right?"
Todd decided it was time to change the subject. “How’s Mrs. Perez holding up?”
“I’m sure it devastated her,” Blaze said.
They both stared into their glasses for a time.
“So what is it you wanted to talk about?” Blaze said finally.
Todd thought about it. “You know, to tell you the truth, it all seems a little puny now.”
“Really?” Blaze said. “It sounded pretty serious when we talked earlier. Is it the Vinces? Is someone bothering you?”
“No, that’s not it. It’s just…well …it’s kind of a spiritual nature.”
Blaze curled an eyebrow. “Really? Of a spiritual nature. Well you’re lucky because that’s what I do. How can I help?”
“Father Jenkins,” Todd said grinning. “Why is it I feel you’re not taking me seriously?”
“Blaze…call me Blaze, and yes it’s true, I’m a little surprised. I never took you for someone who tilted that way, that’s all.”
“And I never have. I’ve always been a bona fide atheist.”
“I read that in your bio,” Blaze said. “We covered this the day of your wedding so why the change of heart now? Is it the asteroid?”
“No, not at all, I started questioning at school, when I figured out evolution was just another religion.”
Blaze picked up his beer and chuckled. “What brought you to that conclusion?”
Todd looked at Blaze, a little confused. “Whose side are you on?”
“I’m on your side,” Blaze said. After a pause he continued. “Tell me about your newfound spirituality.”
“I don’t think I’d call it spirituality, just a feeling I get sometimes. Maybe it’s because of the baby being who he is.”
“So it’s true, you’re leaning in that direction now?”
“What direction? Like I said, it’s just a feeling.”
“I can tell you one thing,” Blaze said. “True religion will have very little to do with feelings.”
“I don’t know if I could ever be…you know…religious. I think I sort of—”
“Sort of what?”
“You’re gonna’ think I’m crazy.”
“I don’t think so. Try me.”
“I sort of, get the feeling that God is with me sometimes. I mean…sittin’ right next to me.”
“Interesting,” Blaze said. “How often do you feel that way?”
Todd began to feel defensive. “Not often. Haven’t you ever felt that way? I mean being a priest and all?”
“I haven’t,” Blaze said.
Todd shifted in his chair.
“My religion is a way for me to serve my fellow man. It’s a good way to live. The morality makes a lot of sense. And it’s a noble, people-centered profession. But I’m still a scientist at heart and to be perfectly candid, the religion opened the door to this project, which is profoundly important to me.”
“But you—”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Blaze said. “I suppose I believe in God. I just don’t believe He interacts with us quite the way you are describing.”
“But, what about what went on with your friend Dr. Donahue?”
Blaze leaned back in his seat, raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
“Oh hell no," Todd said frowning. "You never believed Donahue!”
"It was never important for me to believe Doctor Donahue. The important thing was that he came on board. But we are discussing you and frankly, what you’re describing sounds delusional to me. What you’re describing sounds like some sort of ongoing buddy-buddy relationship with God Almighty. You have to admit, it sounds more than a little strange. Honestly Todd, you sound like someone about to start setting up a revival tent; doing a little bible-pounding.”
“How did I give you that notion?”
“C’mon Todd, how would you have reacted even a few months ago if you heard someone talking the way you’re talking now?”
“But the baby, I thought you were waiting for the second coming and all that.”
“Todd, let's not be naive. A large part of my duties was, and remains, public relations. We needed vast amounts of funding. The religious card was necessary to acquire that funding. My interests have always been scientific.”
“Hmm,” Todd said finally. “I guess I should have known—”
“How is Maria responding to this new development?”
“Not so good.”
“Yes, well that can be expected.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you mind if I speak frankly?” Blaze said, becoming serious.
“You haven't been?” Todd asked.
“Part of the agreement was the understanding that the parents of the baby wouldn’t influence the child with respect to religion. That’s one of the reasons Maria was chosen. She didn’t appear to have any religious bias which could eventually contaminate the child.”
“Contaminate the child?” Todd repeated loudly.
“I just mean—”
“Maria had you boys figured, didn’t she,” Todd said, staring at Blaze. “The baby and Maria are lab rats, a science project, a sample in a Petri dish to be protected from outside contaminants.”
Blaze held his hand up. “That isn’t at all what I meant.”
“You do understand that everyone knows Maria is pregnant,” Todd said. “There’s no way now to just change your mind. You people need to realize, Maria, the baby and I are people. You and the Vinces have no real power over us.”
“Wait a minute, Todd,” Blaze said quietly, “that’s not what I’m saying at all. It’s just that if you continue down this path Maria will leave you.”
Todd jumped to his feet. “What do you mean, Maria will leave me?”
Blaze slowly rose from his seat. “Maria called me, and you need to settle down. You’re making a scene.”
Todd slowly sat back down. “When did she call you?” he demanded.
“A while ago. Seems you asked her if she had a Bible.”
“I was just curious about the baby. I was only trying to find a hint somewhere about who Jesus was: physically, genetically.”
“I’m telling you right now,” Blaze said, “Maria is not one who will accept a religious man. At least, not the kind you’re describing.”
“Why would Maria call you?” Todd said. “And what makes you think you understand Maria?”
“Maria is a very important part of the project. We screened her extensively. There’s very little about Maria Rose we don’t know. And one thing I can tell
you…she will not tolerate a man who doesn’t have both feet squarely planted on the ground. I think it would serve you well never to bring this subject up again.”
“Too late,” Todd said, softening, “we talked about it just before I came here.”
“How did she take it?”
“She blew a geyser. I’ve never seen her so upset.”
“She really needs the old Todd back and she needs him back very quickly.”
Todd took a long drink from his glass and returned it to the table. “Yeah,” he said thoughtfully, “I s’pose you’re right.”
Blaze smiled. “I think it’s a good thing we had this little talk. Maybe we’ve avoided a major disaster.”
“I’m sorry boys, but we’re closing the place up tonight.” The barmaid was suddenly standing over the table.
“Closing up?” Todd asked. “What time is it?” He looked around the dimly lit bar and noticed everyone was gone except for a few people huddled around a television set at the end of the bar. “It’s still early,” he said. “Why are you closing up?”
“You haven’t heard?”
Todd noticed she had tears in her eyes. He and Blaze looked at each other.
“Heard what?” Blaze asked.
“It blew up,” she said. “Go home to your families. That’s where I’m going.”
Blaze stood. “Young lady, I’m a priest. What blew up? Why are you so upset?”
“A priest huh? I’m a Sunday school teacher. So what?”
Blaze reached for her arms. “Miss, what’s—”
“Why don’t you ask your God what blew up?” she said, pushing his arms away. “And while you’re at it, ask him why he’s gonna’ sit back and let us all die. Then maybe you’ll be able to come back and explain it all to my six-year-old son.” She pulled away from Blaze and walked back towards the bar. “You heard me,” she hollered over her shoulder, “get out of here! We’re closing!”
Todd jumped to his feet and walked to the television. He pulled back when he saw the image of the president filling the screen.
“Our deepest condolences and the undying gratitude of the entire nation go out to the heroes and their families who gave their lives defending so many,” the president droned.
Maria, she’s got to be out of her mind.
He whirled and ran for the door.
~~~
Pete and Barney drove north through the tiny New Hampshire town of Newmarket, where Brother Michael had led them four months earlier. Neither of them knew why, and Brother Michael wasn’t telling.
They turned left on Elm Street and proceeded towards River Bend Road.
Within a week of moving into this tiny community, Brother Michael had insisted both men find jobs. Pete happily found a job within a few days working in a boot factory. He also found a job for Barney. Barney yelled at Pete—told him he’d been put on the spot, that he couldn’t very well refuse a perfectly good job—right there at the dinner table in front of Brother Michael.
He stayed angry for a time, but Pete could tell he was starting to get used to it. Both men gave their paychecks to Brother Michael and they always seemed to have whatever they needed. Even Barney seemed to have accepted this arrangement, although he probably wouldn’t have said so.
“We need to get gas,” Pete said, as a small gas station came into view. Barney pulled in, parked the van next to a gas pump and stepped out. “Get the gas. I’m going to the can.” He quickly disappeared into the tiny gas station.
Pete pulled the gas nozzle out of the pump, stuffed it into the van’s gas tank, pulled his card through the reader and turned to flip the handle. The pump was on, but it wouldn’t clear the last transaction. He flipped the lever a few times.
Nothing.
He began motioning towards the window.
Still nothing.
He left the pump nozzle in the gas tank and made his way towards the door.
“What do you mean you’re closed?”
Barney was yelling, this time at an older lady standing behind a counter. Pete wasn’t sure, but it looked like she’d been crying.
“Mister,” she hollered, trying to interrupt Barney’s tirade. “Mister, didn’t you hear about the rocket?”
“What rocket, I don’t care about rockets. I need gas!”
“The rocket they were sending to get the asteroid…it blew up!”
“So?”
The woman stared at Barney. “You don’t care that the asteroid is gonna’ hit us now?”
Barney stood silent, his eyes wide. “The asteroid’s gonna’ hit us?” he asked, shocked.
“Where you been?” she yelled. “You don’t know about the asteroid?”
“Well yeah, but I thought they were gonna’ do something about it.”
“They were. They did. It blew up! That’s what I’m trying to tell you!” She sat down hard on a stool.
“But we still need gas.” Barney managed to say after an uncomfortable pause.
“Here,” the woman barked, “get your damn gas!” She quickly locked the cash register and reached and reset the pump. “And take one of these too,” she yelled, throwing a candy bar at him. “Hell, this ain’t my store. I’m going home.” She stood, walked around the counter and moved out the front door.
“Where she going?” Pete asked, watching her leave.
“Home,” Barney said, “She’s going home, like she told you.”
Barney filled his pockets full of candy bars and cigarettes while Pete topped off the tank. When they finished they slowly pulled out of the unattended gas station and continued on their way. They drove east on River Bend Road, to River Bend Circle and made a quick left into the parking lot of the sprawling apartment complex they were calling home.
“I hope Brother Michael isn’t mad about the thick-crust on the pizzas.”
“Of course he’s gonna’ be mad.” Barney said, “He hates thick-crust. I’d hate to be in your shoes right now.”
“Hey, maybe we could say they didn’t have any thin-crust…only thick-crust today ‘cause of the asteroid—“
“You idiot,” Barney snapped, “crust is crust. They can make it thin or thick!”
“Oh yeah, Pete said, lowering his head, “then how ‘bout we—”
“How ‘bout we tell him you’re stupid. He’ll believe that.”
They made it to the front door and were fumbling for the key when Brother Michael opened it. “That pizza smells wonderful,” he said, reaching for the one on top, “I’m hungry….Thick-crust? You bought thick-crust?” Michael scanned Barney’s and Pete’s faces. His jovial mood turned dark.
Barney grinned sarcastically and slowly shook his head. “Pete’s the one that bought the pizza. I told him you’d be mad.”
Pete stared at the floor.
“Peter,” Michael said, “how can I ever trust you with important things when you can’t even accomplish a task as simple as this?”
“The guy at the store was mad at Barney,” Pete answered quickly, “He was about to kick us out of there. I didn’t dare say nothing.”
“Oh yeah,” Barney bellowed, “it’s all my fault now!”
“Peter,” Michael said, staring into Pete’s eyes, “We aren’t talking about Barnabas. He’s an idiot. We’ll address that in due time. We’re talking about you. Both of you need to realize that someday, very soon, we’ll turn the whole world around. You need to understand, when you let people push you around like that, you’re hurting the cause—”
“Why am I an idiot?” Barney said, interrupting Michael. “What’s wrong with me?”
“How about your unwarranted, undirected anger,” Michael said quickly, “your total self-absorption, your complete lack of social skills, your ongoing antisocial criminal behavior in the form of petty theft.” Michael reached, pulled a candy bar out of Barney’s shirt pocket and let it fall to the floor. “Should I go on?”
Barney stared at the floor.
“Now let me guess,” Michael continued, “the gas s
tation was abandoned because of the explosion in Florida and you took the opportunity to ransack the place.”
“She gave it to me,” Barney yowled. “Ask Pete.”
“Who gave it to you?”
“The lady at the gas station, she told us to take what we want and-and then, she said she was going home and just walked out. Ask Pete.”
“Yeah Brother Michael,” Pete said quietly, “that’s what happened, just like Barney said.”
Michael shook his head and walked to the kitchen table. He opened a can of black olives, sprinkled them on his pizza and quietly began eating. Barney and Pete joined him in the kitchen.
“So what do you think about the asteroid, Brother Michael?” Barney said after a long pause.
Pete stared, anxiously anticipating a response.
“Don’t know,” Brother Michael said, wiping his face with a paper napkin.
“You think it’s gonna’ hit us?” Pete asked.
“The father hasn’t revealed much about this to me.”
Barney took a chair next to Michael. Pete quickly joined them at the table.
“But he has revealed this much to me,” Michael continued. “This will be a time of great testing. If you pass through the fire, the father will reward you greatly. He gives his word.”
Pete frowned. “Does that mean we’re gonna’ die?”
“I know there’s a reason for all of this,” Michael said. “We’ve been called to prepare the way for the son. It wouldn’t make sense for the father to call on us, only to have our mission snuffed out prematurely.”
Pete was hit by the unsettling realization that even Brother Michael was afraid of the asteroid.
“As I said,” Michael continued, reaching for another slice of pizza, “We will all be tested in the very near future.”
“What sort of rewards are we talking about?” Barney said.
Michael looked up quickly. “What did you say?”
“What sort of rewards will the father give us if we do what he says?”
Michael glared at Barney a moment and softened. “Good food, nice place to live, great company….What more could you ask for, Barnabas?”
Barney looked around the room and softly said, “come on now, Brother Michael, we work for the money to pay for the food and the roof.”
Pete winced as Michael pushed back his chair and stood up. “I suppose you’re right…Peter!”
Pete jumped in his seat. “Yes, Brother Michael?”
“Barnabas wants to know what sort of rewards the father will give us if we do what he says. Do you think we should put the father to the test?”