1998

"We walked the journey to Tyre.  Three days it took us but Melena knew of houses of refuge and hospitality along the way, and constantly we met with friends.  When we arrived in Tyre, the ship to Capernaum was already waiting in the docks.It had been three years and I was just turning twenty-four.  The child Melena had left in the care of the first house that gave us refuge.  This journey would be perilous enough for three adults.  Thaddai had grown into a tall and handsome young man. It seemed strange, yet so very natural that our deep friendship carried none of the lust of my youth.   His pardon of me was complete and we inhabited each other's souls.  The trek from Capernaum to Aelia Capitolina, or Jerusalem would be another seven days.  Fortunately the bishop's knowledge of houses of refuge and we never wanted for shelter along the way.  As we were approaching the great city way ahead I noted a cloud of dust that could signify one thing and one thing only...From a distance, we were being approached by soldiers on horseback...

The Peacock 1911

In silent consensus we are all getting up to leave.  I am leading, but something is twigging in me about Aaron who is working on a coloured drawing at his window table.  I pause for a closer look, and it is a beautiful rendering of a resplendent quetzal, the bird that is also the name of Sarah's combined astrological sign.   "That is really beautiful", say I to Aaron.   "Thank you", he replies, "It keeps me away from drugs."  The gleam in his eye tells me this is indeed Aaron and he recognizes me.  "How are you guys?" "We're getting by.  This is turning into quite a story." "It is indeed.  And we are nowhere near finished writing it." "You can say that again", says Carl,  The others are standing waiting for us by the door. After standing awkwardly with nothing more to say, Aaron says, "We have to continue writing this novel.  There is much that depends on this.  We are all participants."  We are still immobile, still with nothing further to say. "You guys had better get going to your father's house, Christopher.  You are needed there...."

The Peacock 19i0

"So that really is it", say I musing aloud.  "Jesus said the dimensions would come together, and we would begin to notice immediately the change." And who should this be coming in through the coffee shop door but our own creator and author, sort of.  Aaron.  He doesn't appear to notice or heed our presence as he dumps his shoulder bag on a comfy chair by the window and goes to the counter to make his order.  In silence we watch as he stands aside to await his americo.  We are really all too spellbound to say anything to him, or to one another. As he picks up his cup, ceramic for here, and carries it to his table by the window, Carl calls to him "Aaron!"  He pauses, looks around then through us as though to him we are invisible, then proceeds to his seat. "Do you think he's ignoring us?" say I. He doesn't see us", says Kenny.  "Jesus tried to explain it to me as we were about to leave.  "The merging of the dimensions will mean that from now on because Aaron is writing us, that we are going to exist in his imagination only.  He will no longer be popping in on us, uninvited or otherwise...."

1909

"That is amazing news about Jesús", says Erik. "Miraculous", I concur. "Does he have any plans of returning", says Carl.  "I'm going to miss him." "Send him a text", say I, "Ask him." "I don't have his contact. Could you?" "Jesús", I text.  "That is such amazing news.  God is so good."  But we are going to miss you.  Are you coming back to Canada.."  Send. "You know", says Amaris to Kenny.  "Benjamin Butterfield is already taken.  It's the name of a famous tenor." "Do you think he'll sue?" "No more than John Smith", quips Carl. "Here's A reply from Jesús.  "My mother needs me with her right now.  She has bad arthritis and needs help in the home.  But I will let you know.  I miss all of you.  At least Colombia is safe for me to live now." "Now that our dimensions have come together", muses Amaris. I text, "Jesús, why has Colombia become safe?" "It seems to have always been safe.  At least the evil network seems to have never existed." I text, "Are there still other dangers in Colombia?"" "Nothing else has changed.  But I now am safe...."

The Peacock 1918

"Kenny", say I, "Or, I mean, Benjamin..." "Kenny is still my name and you are all welcome to call me Kenny.  But please, do it discreetly." "What are you going to do now that...now that you're back?" "My partner has just bought me out in the florist shop in Duncan, which means that now I can retire.  I do have my condo in Duncan, but it's all paid for, and I am happy to still live there part time, Christopher, that is to say, if you would be happy to receive me back into your father's house." "It is a bit full right now, but in a couple of days there'll be room.  It all depends on what Jesús does." "From whom I have just received a text", says Carl.  He says, "Hi.  I am in Bogotá, and miraculously recovered.  Right now I am walking and talking and texting and eating normal food.  ¨Praise be to Jesus!" "There is room for sure.  Can you come back with us tonight?" Kenny holds forth his backpack and with a grin and a wink says, "Neither Harriet nor Jesus would let me leave without at least my toothbrush and razor.and deodorant too..."

The Peacock 1907

"There were others here with you", says Amaris, smiling while regarding the orphan beverages. "Lawrence is gone, and the others, Stella, and Caspar are still at the refuge..." "And there they are going to remain. They are both, with Sven, in very good hands". "So, what are you guys going to do now that you're out, I mean", says Carl, and now his phone is ringing..."It's Sarah", he says, turning on speakerphone.  "Hello Sarah, where are you guys?" "Carol and I are both in her townhouse and we are about to have tea.  How are you guys?" "We are in the coffee shop, Waves on Broadway.  It's like we never left." "Is it Monday or Tuesday?" "It's still Monday.  We will find that we are all resuming our normal lives and activities as though nothing happened." "Nothing happened indeed!" she snorts. I call over, "We  should all meet together tomorrow at my house.  We could do it in the morning." "Let me check with Carol, but I can certainly be there" "And...Sarah?" says Carl.  "absolutely no one is to hear about where we just were.  No one.  At least until we've all had a chance to debrief together" "Oh, on my honour", she says.... 

The Peacock 1905

"So now what do we do?"  say I. "I dunno", says Carl, "Go home and cook supper." "We really, really were with Jesus", say I still gobsmacked,  "In that great palatial mansion...on that island." "I am no longer an atheist", says Erik. "That should give you a clue", says Carl. "How did you guys leave?" "We already knew that Tron had taken you out for a walk.  Then Jesus said we were going to catch up with you, so he took us out then whoops, suddenly we were back in here, the minute we stepped out the door." "This is just so crazy.  I'm phoning Francois." "Not at all a bad idea." "Where are you right now?" Francois replies, "Seated on the couch of your father's living room, and every bit as freaked out as you.  Are Carl and Erik with you?" "We're back in, or maybe I should say, we're still in, the cafe." "What about Carl?" "He is here with me and Erik.  Did the others make it back okay?" "George and Jeffrey, and Jason and Lazarus are right here with me, and totally dazed and confused." "You do remember where we were, Francois?" "That is something that I don't think any of us are going to ever forget." And now Kenny is coming in through the door, followed by Amaris, or she might be Amaris..