The Peacock 1873

The wine is good.  Excellent.  In fact, it is the best wine I have ever tasted.  This is what the finest Bordeaux must aspire to, but this wine that has suddenly miraculously appeared out of a jug of water, would make even the world's finest vintage of Bordeaux taste like plonk. Lawrence has just lowered his glass and now lets it rest on the table in front of him.  Without asking first, Mary is loading onto his dish a potato and black bean salad that is loaded with cubes of cheddar.  We are certainly not going to go hungry here.  Lawrence, not really noticing what is on his plate, seems to be struggling over what to say.  And I do know what is troubling him.  "Lawrence, it's okay.  I don't mind everyone else here knowing that you are my case manager.  I understand that it is a struggle for you, given professional confidentiality and all, which is why I am going to say it for you." This table is well attended.  No one else seems quite ready to pick up their fork.  "Okay, for those of you that don't know yet, I have a mental heath diagnosis.  Which doesn't mean that I am sick, all it means is I have a diagnosis.  Lawrence works at the mental health team where I am a client.  Lawrence is my case manager." "I would never have guessed, Christopher, that you have a mental illness", says Maureen. "I don't.  I have a mental health diagnosis.. "You're absolutely right, Christopher", ssys Lawrence.  "You have made an awesome recovery", and with that he has just speared  with his fork a chunk of potato that he is now lifting to his mouth. "I beg to differ.  I was never ill to begin with.  I was given a false diagnosis"

The Peacock1869

Jennifer pipes up.  "We happen, all three of us, to already have plenty of responsibilities in Vancouver, where we also happen to live." "Stepson, you are the lord here.  What do you say?" "That no one must ever be, nor feel, held here against their will.  I have already said that if anyone wants to leave, then after dinner, arrangements can be made to get them off this island and return them to their home." "We're on an island?" says Jennifer, trying to contain the rising panic in her voce. "Where are we, and how did we get here?" "Apparently", says Carl, "We are on an uncharted island somewhere between Saltspring and Saturna or Mayne, I think." "But how did we get here", says Maureen, indignation rising in her voice. "And who are you?" "Mother", says Jesus to Mary, "would you be so kind please as to go to the kitchen, fill the cut  crystal jug, and bring it to the table here?" "Right away, my Lord", says Mary, getting up from the table...

The Peacock 1872

"Well then, how are we supposed to communicate", she says, still annoyed and indignant. "With one another.  And now that dinner has started may I introduce you to everyone here?  Of course you already know some of us here, and I trust that between you and I, Maureen and Jennifer, that no introductions should be necessary."  Jesus gestures grandly towards his ancient mother at the other end of the table from him, flanked by her husband, Joseph, on her right and Lawrence on her left. "First this my most blessed mother.  You all know her name by now, and no she is not a sweet young girl robed in blue, but a grand dame of ancient lineage who plays an integral role in my work in the cosmos.  Do not let her appearance deceive you for she has become, like my stepfather here on her right, eternal.  And Lawrence, who is destined to become a mighty warrior of grace, would you care to say a few words..but first let me propose a toast", says Jesus, holding forth his fluted glass of wine.. "With this wine that is red, may the sacred blood that ever runs in my holy veins flow and mingle and consecrate and make holy and bring redemptive life to each one here..."

The Peacock 1871

Does this remind you of anything?" he says playfully to his mother "I am hoping that others be similarly reminded, my lord." "The wedding feast at Cana of Galilee", blurts Jennifer  Her greying blonde hair is already beginning to loosen from the tight bun she has wound it in and now the light captured in her loose strands of hair grant her a messy sort of transfigured appearance. "But", says Maureen softly and slowly, "But you don't look like Jesus." "And how are you going to know, my love, how I am going to look?  Surely you have seen recent photos." "No one knows for sure just what Jesus looked like" says Jennifer, producing her smartphone.  She tries to turn it on.  Then tries again and again, pressing each time harder until I am afraid it is going to come shooting out of her hand. Our lord with a gentle smile says as he lifts his fluted glass of wine to his lips.  There is nothing wrong with your phone, Jennifer.  But, we do not have wifi here."

The Peacok 1868

"You..you can't be more than sixteen". Maureen stammers  She looks almost exactly like a gobsmacked schoolteacher whose star pupil has just redefined in front of the class everything she is trying to teach them. "How many sixteen year olds do you know can summon you at will no matter where you might happen to be, no matter how many miles or kilometres you have to cross, and in the twinkling of an eye you are here?  Oh, and won't you have some blue cheese dip with some sourdough bread?  My father here just made them and they are delicious.  Or should I say my stepfather because my mother happened to be already pregnant with me before they were married."  He gestures towards the ancient Joseph who is seated now next to Jennifer.  "Not bad at all for a retired carpenter." Maureen looks at Joseph as though she cannot believe what she is seeing.  He says to her, "I am very pleased to meet you, Maureen, and I do hope that this humble fare is up to your standards.  By the way, I understand that you three, with Jennifer and Sarah, also happen to be librarians.  One of the many reasons you have been summoned is we need someone to curate our vast home library here on the premises..."

The Peacock 1867

Jennifer pipes up.  "We happen, all three of us, to already have plenty of responsibilities in Vancouver, where we also happen to live." "Stepson, you are the lord here.  What do you say?" "That no one must ever be, nor feel, held here against their will.  I have already said that if anyone wants to leave, then after dinner, arrangements can be made to get them off this island and return them to their home." "We're on an island?" says Jennifer, trying to contain the rising panic in her voce. "Where are we, and how did we get here?" "Apparently", says Carl, "We are on an uncharted island somewhere between Saltspring and Saturna or Mayne, I think." "But how did we get here", says Maureen, indignation rising in her voice. "And who are you?" "Mother", says Jesus to Mary, "would you be so kind please as to go to the kitchen, fill the cut  crystal jug, and bring it to the table here?" "Right away, my Lord", says Mary, getting up from the table... Mary has returned with a jug carved from the most splendid cut lead crystal I have ever seen in my life.  The lines swirl in well ordered arabesques and labyrinths of shining rainbows.   "Jennifer", says Jesus, holding the jug in two hands, "May I pour you a glass of wine?" "From a jug of water?" and she seems on the verge of peeling out in derisive laughter. "How about a glass of red living water, then?"  He is not going to relent, but it wound't be like Jesus to relent. Reluctantly, Jennifer holds forth her fluted glass.  As Jesus pours, it is not water, but what appears to be red wine filling her glass. "Maureen, it's your turn", he says smiling.  "Into Maureen's glass also pours water that turns red as it touches the glass.  Then he turns to the rest of us, getting up from his chair, and pouring water into each fluted glass, that turns suddenly into red wine as it touches the glass.  I would never imagine that jug could hold enough for everybody, but it seems to miraculously replenish itself with each pouring...

The Peacock1867

Jennifer and Maureen both appear very small next to Tron as he escorts them both to the table.  They are both quiet, demure, as though they have not yet begun to absorb the shock of their sudden transport here. "It is such a delight to have you both as honoured guests, my noble ladies", says Jesus .  "Tron, please escort Maureen to sit here on my left, and Jennifer will sit on my right.  "Noble ladies, you will both see that already places have been set for you here."  He could look like any sixteen year old boy, but for the light that seems to be shining from his face and the exacting wisdom that makes his eyes suddenly piercing and penetrating. Maureen appears to be just beginning to emerge from out of her fog of shock and disbelief.  "Excuse me, young man", she says hesitantly "But...but who are you?" "I am often asked that question, Maureen" he says discreetly.  "And if you had no other precedent for identifying me, then pray tell me what would you call me." I am dipping half a pita pocket into the hummus that Jesus and I made.  She stares at him dumbfounded.  I know better than to say a word, and everyone here, even the loquacious Sarah, simply seem unable to speak right now...