The Peacock 744

 "Sales are up for just about everything, especially the lingerie.  Peekaboo appears to be making a huge comeback, attributable, I would say to the popularity of burlesque rediscovered.  The gals really enjoy teasing their men."

"And women", says Sarah, dryly.

"Oh yes, and women too", agrees Amanda, chuckling, "we have quite a following of same sex couples", and she appears to be directing her look at George and Jeffery, neither of whom appear ready to budge.

"And my vibrators are selling like hotcakes", and here there is a ripple of laughter throughout the room

"What's this about vibrators and hotcakes", says Matthew returning to his seat

"Oh sit down and never mind", says Sheila.  "Well, you lived?"

"It wasn't that bad."

"Who's next?" says Jennifer.  "Aaron?"

"I'm still good for another month before I get my second shot  I think Glen is the next youngest after me."

"Just by a couple of months", he says, getting up...

The Peacock 743

 Sheila returns and Matthew gets up for his turn.  "Am I the only one scared of getting a needle?" he says with noble humility.

"Ain't no one here but us chickens", says Carl.

"Speak for yourself", says his sister.

"I always do, Mel, I always do."  To Amanda he says, "Too bad Tristan didn't want to come."

"This is a surprise", she says.  "I didn't think he would be welcome after what happened  and anyway, he is firmly anti-vax."

"What a shame", says Sarah.

"In so many ways", says Amanda, "In far too many ways, that boy is just like his father.  I for one really welcome this opportunity, otherwise I would be waiting another couple of weeks.  And especially now that business is booming thanks to this pandemic, I can't afford to book off sick."

"I imagine that would stand to reason, during a pandemic", says Carol, smiling sheepishly.

"Well, even Netflix has its limits and people do get bored after spending so much time together at home.  Though I am surprised that this virus hasn't turned into more of a mood killer."

"So what are your hot selling items right now", says Carl.

"We don't need to know any of that, Carl", says Melissa dryly...

"

The Peacock 742

 The nurse is around thirty years old, on the short side, dark with short dark hair and glasses, and has a calm self.effacing manner.  Melissa introduces her, "This is Naomi, the community care nurse.  She is going to vaccinate us against covid."

"Very pleased to meet all of you", she nods, smiling demurely.  Melissa leads her with her carry all full of equipment to the adjoining room.  Melissa returns to the room, leaving the nurse to get set up in the other room.

"We're not doing it all out here?" says Glen.

"It's better this way", says Carl.  "We each get poked in private."

I can tell that Melissa is not about to dignify that with an answer, and Carl is looking her way with the longing eyes of a doggy that wants a pat on the head.  

Naomi appears in the doorway and says, "Okay.  Were all set up, everyone.  I was going to recommend that we go in the order of birthdates, the oldest going first and that we continue in that order."  She has a pleasant quiet voice with the timbre of a girl much younger.  I wonder if she could be part native or Metis.  She is dressed in beige slacks and an emerald green shirt.

"Get going, Ma", says Michael to Sheila, smiling.

"Thank you for the respect, sonny-boy", she replies, getting up...

The Peacock 741

"We also carry", continues Amanda in her resonant reasuring voice,"Sex toys and especially bdsm equipment.  and also regular clothes and stuff."

"How VERY interesting", says Carol.

"In fact", says Amanda, turning to both Jeffery and George, "I think that is where I might have seen the two of you."

"You guys!" says Sarah with shocked laughter.  "I didn't know you had it in you!"

"You don't know what we have had in us", says George, smiling wickedly.

Jeff, who is turning beet red in the face, merely quips, "And you don't want to find out either."

"What do those initials stand for?" says Jesús

"Bondage, dominance, sado-masochism", says Amanda, as though starring in her own infomercial.

Carl quips, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me." 

"Have you guys heard of the ultimate S and M relationship?" says Michael.  "The masochist says hurt me, and the sadist says no."

The doorbell is ringing.

"That will be the nurse", says Melissa.  "Now, everybody, behave like adults."

"We are being very adult", says Michael.  

"Almost X rated!" says Carl.

The Peacock 740

 "Okay everyone", says Melissa, "The nurse should be here any minute now.  Here, everyone put on a mask."  And she hands a bunch of hospital masks in cellophane packaging that we all start passing around. I have decided that I like Amanda, who appears both maternal and sure of herself.  She has rather a resonant kind of speaking voice that at once reassures and comforts.  I wonder how so positive a mother could have raised such an infantile loser as Tristan, but things like that do happen in life. 

"Amanda", says Carl, "We're all heading to the diner for lunch when we're done here.  Why don't you join us.  It's our treat."

"Well, I was going to the shop after to see what kind of support my staff will be needing today.  They did have some trouble with some particularly nasty customers that refuse to wear a mask.  But, I'll give them a phone call, and see how they're doing, and if it's okay, then sure, I can go for lunch with everyone then go into the shop after."

"What kind of shop do you own", says Sarah.

"Women's apparel", interjects Carrie, as though trying to cover for her.

"It's okay Carrie.  They can know.  It's a special kind of lingerie shop, and we especially cater to women of size."

"How interesting", says Carol."

"Come and visit sometime.

"I just might..."

The Peacock 739

 "Well, hello!" she says suddenly to Tommy.  "Fancy meeting you guys here!"

"Hey Amanda!" says Tommy beaming his best smile.  "We're also here for the jab.  You know, Carl and the gang here have turned into our best customers."

"Every day", says Carl, still smiling.  It is as though there is no off switch for that ludicrous grin of his.  He appears to be thoroughly in his element right now.

"And Carrie, so nice to see you.  I'll bet you've been very busy."

"Right now, because of covid there isn't a lot going on with  the lockdown and everything, but things do appear to be starting to ease up, especially now that everyone's getting vaccinated."

"What is it that you do?" says Carol.

"I'm a music therapist."

"You don't say.  Why we must have a chat sometime, darling."

"This", says Carl, "Happens to be none other than the legendary Carol Barlow-Mead."

"The concert pianist?" says Carrie, with a rather mesmerized look in her eyes.

"Well, not lately, dear, you could say that I am enjoying my retirement,"

"She plays sometimes here", says Sarah, "On the baby grand.  You have to come over to hear her sometime."

"I would be honoured", says Carol, tactfully..

The Peacock 738

 The doorbell again.  Melissa gets up to answer it and brings back with her a rather large woman well in her fifties, brassy blonde hair rather short but a bit on the wild side.  She is tanned and has a cheerful, confident look, and I think really a  pleasant woman.  She sits down almost next to me.

"Everyone", says Melissa, "This is Amanda. Tristan's mom."  She is wearing a sleeveless lime green dress, that strangely looks rather good on her.  She has freshly manicured pinkish beige finger nails, natural length, and on her left wrist sports what appear to be a half dozen golden bangles.

"And you are here to get poked?" says Carl, barely disguising his smile.

"My cheeky brother means to say jabbed", says Melissa, "just ignore him."

"Well", says Amanda, "Yes I am here to get jabbed, but as far as getting poked is concerned, that just might be a little too much information!" and then she smiles rather sweetly.  Melissa suddenly leaves the room and returns carrying a brown coloured, rather battered looking teddy bear.

"This must belong to your son", she says.

"Oh, yes, thank you ever so much", she gushes, receiving the teddy berry from Melissa.  "I'm afraid", she says, "That my son is very much a little boy in a young man's body.  He is miserable without his teddy", and she quickly examines it as though inspecting for damage, then lets it rest like a small child on her ample lap.

"It must have sentimental value for him", says Carl.

"She replies, "Oh, in spades.  He got it from his grandpa when he was just four years old..."

The Peacock 737

 "Pero, Tio", says Tommy in Spanish to his uncle, "No seas chinito?"

"No soy chinito, pequeñito, sino venezolano.  Tú eres chinito tú."

"Yo soy canadiense, Tío, y somos dos chinitos"

"Y no lo olvidemos!" says Carlos, laughing.

"What are you guys saying", says Sarah, wide eyed and smiling.

Tommy replies, "But, uncle, aren't you a chinaman?  And he replied, I'm not a chinaman, little guy, I am Venezuelan.  You are the chinaman.  Then I replied I am Canadian, and we are both chinamen.  And Carlos said, and let us not forget it."

"I would hardly call that appropriate?" says-asks Sarah.

"Oh get over yourself", says Michael.

"Well, I suppose it's okay if they use the term in a self referential sense" she concurs, "but the rest of us had better not."

"And don't you forget it!" says Tommy, laughing.

The Peacock 736

 "And you are here to get poked", says Carl, with a certain wickedness in his smile.

Carrie bursts out laughing and chimes", I suppose that's one way of saying it!"

"My brother, the comedian", mutters Melissa.

""Hey Carrie", says Tommy, "I told you he's hilarious."

"But you said they're all religious here", says Carrie, still smiling.  I am wondering if smiling is this woman's default mode.  She is wearing tight blue jeans and an aqua pullover sweater.  Her hair is blond with highlights and sweeps just past her shoulders.  Like a super model.

Then looking around, as though to compensate for her lack of tact, Carrie says, "This is one awesome place you have here."

"It was built over a century ago by our great grandfather", says Carl.  "He made his fortune in the silver mines of Indonesia, which was then in Dutch hands.  We are Dutch, Melissa and I."

"So, Carlos", says Carol, "You would be then, Chinese Venezuelan.

"I am Venezuelan."

"But, Chinese ancestry."

Jesús says, "He is Venezuelan. He speaks, walks and is pure Venezuelan."

The Peacock 735

 "Are we going out for lunch again?" says Adam.

"I believe that is the plan", Carl replies.  "The owners are coming by to get poked with us"

"Jabbed", says Melissa.

"Whatever."

"My big brother is more like my little brother", she says, rolling her eyes.

"You're everyone's little brother Carl", says Matthew, chuckling.

"It's my life calling", says Carl, grinning.  Someone is ringing the doorbell.  Melissa gets up to answer it.  There are several voices in the vestibule, and she returns to the room with the owners of the diner in tow, Tommy, Carlos, and an attractive woman in her thirties, tall who appears very sure of herself.  

As they seat themselves in three comfy chairs, Tommy says, "Hello everybody.  I would like to introduce to you my wife, Carrie."  She looks up, smiles and nods.  "And all of you know my uncle, Carlos."

"And you would be", says Carol.

"I'm Tommy.  We own the diner up the road.  I don't think we've seen you yet,  uh.."

"My name is Carol, and I am a guest here, and this is Sheila, who lives here, and I think you already know her son, Michael, and that is Glen over there, and of course you must already know Melissa, Carl's sister.  Would you and your uncle happen to be from Hong Kong?"

"I'm from here, but I've lived in Hong Kong and my uncle Carlos is from Venezuela..."

"And I'm from Toronto", says Carrie illuminating the room with her dazzling smile...

The Peacock 734

 Carl announces, "The nurse is coming at 10 to give us all a poke."

"Jab", corrects Melissa.

"Oh, my prissy little sister!.

"Let's keep it appropriate."

"Suitable for family viewing", says Sheila, deadpan.

Carl's phone is ringing.  He looks at it, then answers, "Hello?...  Oh, yes, hi.  ... We're in a meeting...Covid vaccination, why don't you both come? ... Oh sure, I understand..Okay, come by at ten, is that too soon notice.  No....Great, see you then."

"That was Tristan's mom.  She's coming to get poked, and to pick up her little son's teddy bear.

"Ah, isn't that sweet", says Michael, as the two exchange  conspiratorial grins.

"She also has some questions for us, apparently her darling little boy has been telling her all kinds of horse shit about us, she doesn't want to believe it, so this should be an opportune time for some bridge building."

"I thoroughly agree", says Carol.

"And tomorrow, Chris and I will be going to Vancouver where we will be staying in his apartment.  We will be back Wednesday evening or afternoon or so with his friend, Mother and her two sidekicks in tow.  Wish us luck."

"Why do you have to be gone three days for that?" says Melissa.

"Chris' friend arrives Tuesday, Mom and the others Wednesday, it would save a lot of driving and gas if we just went into town.  I'm taking the van, and while  we're there we can get it serviced.."

The Peacock 733

 Melissa has just come in and sits down next to her brother.  "What's this I just heard", she said.

"Chris' friend is coming from Sweden on Tuesday and he will be staying here."

"Since when."

"Since now."

"No one has said anything to me about it."

"I just did."

"But we have Mom and those two coming Wednesday."

"mel, how many bedrooms do we have in this house."

"You tell me."

Thirty-five, right?"

"Okay."

"And how many are occupied?"

"Let's see, we have eighteen on our end and the other seventeen in the community wing."

""And we have ten occasional room, and they could all be easily cnverted to guest rooms."

"Okay"

"Now, of the actual bedrooms, how many are occupied?"

"You tell me."

"You and I each have a bedroom  That's two  Plus Carol, Jesús, Christopher and Aaron, who never sleeps here, that's six.  With Francois now that makes seven.  We have eleven spare rooms, and with our four guests there will be seven..."

"I'm not going to argue with you, Carl."

"Thank you for your as always infallible common sense, little sister."

The Peacock 732

 Maureen, Sarah and Jennifer are all seated together on the sofa, and are going on giggling together like three fourteen year old girls on the back seat of the bus.  Others seem a little more staid and reticent than usual.  Carol and Sheila are seated side by side and conferring together in near whispers.  Adam and Lazarus are seated side by side on the love seat, staring blankly into space.  Glen has parked himself beside me and has just asked me about how I slept.

"Not too bad, considering.  And I was on Skype this morning with my Swedish friend."

"Is he in Sweden?" Glen asks.

"Yes, but he's coming out here in a few days", and suddenly I remember that I have already invited Eric to come stay here.  Without getting permission, and now I do not know how I am going to redeem my way out of this faux pas.  Michael and Matthew are on opposite sides, Michael is next to George and Matthew is next to Jeffrey, as though they are engaged in some kind of illicit spouse swap.  Carl is seated to my right, so I'd might as well confess.  "Carl.  I was on Skype with Eric this morning, my ex-brother-in-law.  He is flying out here this Tuesday and I invited him to stay here with us in the house.  I'm sorry, I know I should have asked first...

"No problem, Chris, I am glad he's coming.  There's plenty of room."

"Seriously?"

Yes, seriously.  In fact, we could drive out to the airport to pick him up."

"But, won't you have to make an extra trip the next day, I mean to get your mother and friends?"

We'll take the van.  Hey, here's a brilliant idea.  Why don't you and I go to Vancouver tomorrow or Monday.  We'll stay a night or two in your apartment, pick, up your friend, then stay overnight again at your place and then go and get Mom and her friends.."

The Peacock 731

 "The thing is, now that we don't know about the future of this house, all bets are off."

"Speak for yourself, Carl", says Melissa.

"I always do", he says.  "But if Mom wants the house here so badly, well, maybe just let her have it, since I am thinking seriously of returning to Vancouver with you guys."

"I'm not going anywhere", says Melissa, decidedly shutting her laptop.  "Except to the meeting room.  I hear some of the others arriving now so we'd might as well all get ready."

"Where do these bowls go", asks Jesús.

"Over there on the top left."

"What about you mother's friends?" I ask Carl, following him out of the kitchen.

"Two wild cards.  I imagine they were both banished along with my mother, and I don't like the way any of this smells.  They were probably all asked to leave for good reason..."

The Peacock 730

 "So", says Carl, turning to the rest of us.  "You have met, sort of, our dear mother.  What do you think?"

"Is she well?" Carol asks, drying her hands on a dish towel.

"Physically or mentally?" says Melissa.

"Both."

"Physically", says Carl, "I don't think there are any problems with her.  As Aaron would say, she's built like three brick shit houses."

"I am convinced", says Melissa, "That Mom has an undiagnosed mental health disorder.

"Do you think she's trying to manipulate you?"

"That's all she's ever done", says Melissa.  "I don't quite swallow her destitute story, but there is something going on and she could be headed for a breakdown so of course, we have to do the right thing."

"Yes, of course", says Carl, "Yes, of course."

"What about the other two who want to come with her?" say I.

"Trouble here, sports fans", says Carl, who breaks into a theatrical maniacal laughter.  "Trouble here"

The Peacock 729

 "Okay, but just you", says Carl.   "Not the other two."

"But, Frida and John were both thrown out with me.  And they have no resources to rely on.  Like everyone else in the community they took a vow of poverty, and if I leave them here they will be destitute.  Carl, Melissa, please, you must let us come.  You are our only hope."

"On one condition", says Carl, "And on one condition only.  "You three have to promise to respect and cooperate with every one of our directives while you are staying here.  Can you do that?"

"But, what about Robert and Douglas."

"They are not welcome here.  Carl and I have taken over the leadership here, Mom", says Melissa.  "I'm afraid you will have no option but to cooperate and abide by our wishes."

"Very well then."

"Is there anything else, Mom", says Carl.

"I just want to say, as your mother, how much I love and cherish both of you.  And how proud I am of you both, Carl and Melissa.  And  grateful..."

The Peacock 728

 "Mom", says Melissa, "What do you know about Douglas"

"I happen to know him rather well, and I think he was the ideal man to lead your community."

"Wait a minute, Ma", says Carl, "How do you know him".

"Why, on Skype, of course.  Robert introduced us a couple of years ago, and Douglas would frequently consult with me for advice on how to lead your community."

"I can't believe what I am hearing", says Carl.

"He is a delightful man, very caring, very devoted and very spiritually gifted.  How could you possibly throw him out like that, and have him escorted by police?"

"Our own mother", says Melissa, now sounding shocked and shaken, and this will be the first time I have heard real emotion in her voice, apart from when I saw her crying yesterday."

"Mom", says Carl, "Please don't come.  Please, stay in Switzerland."

"But I can't dear.  Didn't you know?"

"Know what?"

"I have been thrown out of the community here.  I have nowhere else to go.  Please, let me come and stay with you."

"Where are you right now?"

"In a hotel room in Zurich.  And it's getting expensive and I'm running out of money."  And now she is weeping...

The Peacock 727

 "According to Robert", says Astrid, "You, Melissa, strong-armed your way into Douglas' office while he was applying discipline to a recalcitrant member, and you violently assaulted him and took the recalcitrant member away to live with you both in your part of the house.  That is insubordination and it is disunity, and I am not going to stand for any of that."

"That is what Robert told you?" says Melissa in  toneless voice.

"More or less."

"Douglas was about to thrash a Roman Catholic priest whom he had somehow enslaved because he was black and Douglas wielded a diabolical power over everyone in this community.  Francois was prostrated naked, and I had to go in there, shove Douglas out of the way so he couldn't harm him then get Francois out of there."

"You say that he's black."

"What difference does that make!" says Carl, almost yelling.

"Well, he is a descendant of Ham, one of the sons of Noah on whom God put a curse that he must serve his brethren for all time as a slave..."

"You actually believe that shit!" says Carl, now losing his temper."

"My son, that is in the Bible and the Bible happens to be the Word of God  and about your use of language young man, and to speak that way to your own mother..."

The Peacock 726

 "Why do you want to bring those two", says Carl.

"I understand from Robert that our house needs to bet in order."

"OUR house?", says Carl.

"Well, isn't it the family home."

"The house is in my name", says Carl.  "That was the way Dad wanted things."

"Jan wanted one last chance to get me from the grave", says Astrid, their mother.  "But it is still my house as much as it is yours because I happen to be your mother."

"It is my house", says Csrl, "From Dad, bequeathed formally and legally to me long after you divorced him.  You have no stake in here Mom."

"We'll see about that."

"Carl is right, Mother", says Melissa, trying to maintain calm.  "It is Carl's.  Even I have to do as he says,"

"Usually it's the opposite", says Carl, grinning.

"It is God's house and the rules of man do not apply here.  It is God's house and therefore it is OUR house", says Astrid calmly."

"I am the rightful owner", says Carl in a quiet growl,  "therefore I am the Lord's spokesman about what happens here and no one else.

"This house needs to be set in order", says Astrid.  "What is this that Robert tells me about how you overthrew both him and the leader of the community, expelled and banished them both from here?"

"Do you really want the full story?" says Carl.  "What they did here was very ugly..."

The Peacock 725

 While Jesús and Carol and I launch into the clean up, Carl and Melissa are seated at the kitchen table with Melissa's laptop.  We hear the maddening ding dong of the Skype ring tone.  Carol is washing, Jesús is drying, and I am wiping down and putting things in their place.

"Hello, mother", says Melissa.  "Carl is here, so we can all talk about things."

"Good morning, Carl"! chimes an effervescent Dutch accented woman's voice.  She sounds sweet and mellifluous.

"Hi Mom", says Carl.  "It must be your dinner time right now."

"We have just eaten, dear.  And you must have already had your breakfast."

"Oh, yes.  Granola, toast and fruit.  It's your recipe for homemade granola  . Everyone loves it."

"I am honoured.  and so, it looks like we'll be seeing you in a few days."

"We?"

"Frida and John.  They have been an incredible help here at the community, and they're both looking forward to meeting both of you."

"Why are you bringing them?"

"Carl, I hear other people in the room with you.  Could you two maybe move to a private room so we could talk more openly?"

"Here is good", says Melissa.

"But, could you ask them please to leave the room?"

"They are not going anywhere.  In fact, we want them here as witnesses."

Their mother begins to speak in Dutch.

"We are having this conversation in English, Mother", says Carl, sharply, "or we are not having this conversation at all."

"As you wish", says their mother, defeated...

The Peacock 724

 "Actually, Aaron", she says, "You are spot on, as usual.  We are grumpy this morning.  Could it be vaccination nerves?"

"Mother nerves", mutters Melissa.

"Oh yes", says Carol, sounding cheerily nervous, "She will be coming next week, won't she?"

"I got a text from her this morning", says Melissa to Carl.  "She still insists on bringing her two companions, and I have already told her they will all be staying in a hotel if she does it.  The war has begun."

"Let's both get her on Skype after breakfast", says Carl.  "United front."

"Your mother sounds like a very determined woman", says Francois.

"And then some", says Carl.  "And then some."

"What are you going to say to her."

"That she comes alone or she stays in Switzerland."

"And if she comes anyway with her companions?"

"There will be no one meeting her at the airport, and she doesn't know the directions of how to get here, so she'd might as well enjoy a tourist's visit to Vancouver, because she won't be coming here."

723

 Breakfast is simple and unpretentious this morning.  Melissa has set out several boxes of cereal, a couple of loaves of bread and the toaster is on the table for all to use,  and there is a big bowl of oranges and a couple of bunches of ripening bananas.  There is a big four litre jug of milk on the table, a jar of brown sugar, and a pitcher of orange juice with several glasses at the ready., and various jars of jam and peanut butter.  And coffee.  Breakfast is just us, because the community does their own thing in their wing of the house.  No one appears interested in talking and Jesús is scrolling on his smartphone.

"Put it away Jesús", says Melissa, a bit grumpier than usual.

"I am reading a text from my mom in Bogotá."

"She can wait.  You're being rude."

"You're being rude", Carl says to his sister.  "Let him look at his phone if he wants."

"I agree with Melissa", says Carol.  "Jesús, there is a time and a place.  Do you understand?" she adds, trying to sweeten her tone a little.

"I understand", says Jesús, putting his phone in his pocket.  "I apologize."

"Hey", says Carl, trying to lighten things up, "Is everyone ready to get poked this morning?"

"Carl", growls Melissa, "Must you?"

"Must I what?"

"Bring sex into everything.  You really are getting a bit old for this, you know:"

"Hey Mel, it ain't my mind that's in the gutter."

"As you wish", she says flatly, getting up to bring over the coffee pot."

"Aren´t we a cheerful and happy lot today", says Aaron, grinning.

"Oh, do shut up", barks Carol, and then she starts to laugh...

The Peacock 722

 "So, perhaps on the strength of his looks, he could still be accepted as a de facto Swede."

"De facto.perhaps, but there's a certain sense of Swedishness that you only get if your family has been here for a few hundred years."

"What about the Sami."

"What about them?"

"Weren't they already there thousands of years before Indo European tribes swept into Scandinavia just four thousand years ago, or so?"

"There were several waves of settlement, yes, but it's very complex and I'm afraid I don't know my own history as well as I ought.  What are you doing today, since it is just morning where you are?"

"I'm just heading downstairs for breakfast, then the community health nurse is coming to give us our covid vaccinations.  It turns out that she might be related to the owners of this house, so it could get interesting."

"Listen, I'm due to go out for drinks and dinner with some friends from school.  They're going to see me off.  Can we talk Monday?"

"Don't see why not."

"I really wish I were with you right now Christopher.  I wish I could tell you how much I really miss you.  But yes, I think I'm going to stay with you in your big house."

"What time Monday do you want to talk?"

"Same as today good for you?"

"Perfect."

"Bye"

See you Monday, Eric.  Give my best to Greta.  That's all I can say right now."

"I understand.  See you."

The Peacock 721

 Let me see if I can remember them all:  There's Glen, he's older, really kind and gentle, sort of a mystic, doesn't say much.  There is Michael and His mother Sheila.  They're both older, I think Sheila is in her eighties.  Really strong, interesting lady.  There's Francois, younger in his twenties, a priest.  He is black, his mother is from Rwanda.  There are the two gay priests, now a married couple, George who is filipino  and Jeffery..."

"Wait a minute, did you just say two gay priests?  And they're married to each other?"

"Seems like a long story.  Then there's Matthew, he is older, almost as old as Sheila  and his ex partner, Michael, who I said is Sheila's son..."

"Ex-partner?  How many of them are gay?"

"A few, but not everyone.  Francois is straight as are two of the other three ladies, Maureen and Jennifer, but Sarah is lesbian, and there's a few others, as well, or two anyway, Adam and Lazarus.you'll find yourself very much at home here, I think, Eric."

"Let me think about it, but the answer is probably yes.  Greta says hello, by the way."

"How is her Turkish husband, by the way?"

"Mehmet is good, busy with his work in IT.  Did I tell you, by the way, that he looks just like a Swede?"

"No way."

"Here, just a sec', I'll send you his photo...

After a few seconds, the image appears, a handsome blonde and blue eyed young man...

The Peacock 720

 There are three other guests here besides me.  One is an older guy, Aaron, in his sixties.  He's an artist and writer, and traveller, speaks fluent Spanish and spends  lot of his time in Latin America.  Also  very strong Christian.  And very funny.  And there's Jesús, from Colombia.  He is around your age, a journalist, and came here as a refugee because his life was in danger in Colombia.  He is really nice, really quiet.  Hard to get to know, but seems to have quite an interesting past.  And Carol, also in her sixties.  She is actually very famous, a concert pianist and you might have heard of her, Carol Barlow-Meade?"

"I was just listening to her play Rachmaninov on the radio this morning.  You actually know her?"

"She's quite a piece of work.  Very British, loves to eat, amazing conversationalist, and loves playing devil's advocate.  They have a baby grand here that she plays on.

"Lucky you.  What about the others?  You said there are other people living there...

The Peacock 719

 "Tell me more."

"What specifically would you like to hear."

"Start with the great grandchildren."

"Carl and Melissa?  They're siblings, Carl is thirty-nine, looks a lot younger, and Melissa would be, I think, thirty-four.  They both grew up in Amsterdam, and lived for a while with their mother in Switzerland.  They're super wealthy, but you'd never know it, they're really down to earth and unpretentious.  Carl is a journalist, and Melissa works in artistic design, she is also a trained chef and the most incredible cook I've known.  She has Asperger's, so can come across as grumpy and taciturn, but really has a heart of gold and will really stick out her neck for others.  She also has a black belt in karate, so you could call her a force to be reckoned with.  Carl has one of the most amazing senses of humour I've ever reckoned with, he's like a big kid, and full of love for others, kind of a party boy, but very gentle, and very direct.  He was a male prostitute as a teenager in Amsterdam, but left that life behind.  He is also quite a flirt!"

"He flirts with you?"

"Shamelessly.  We seem to have become pretty close friends, and spend a lot of time together."

"Don't make me jealous!"

"Fear not.  It's all pretty innocent."

"You said there are others."

The Peacock 718

 "How long are you going to be there?"

"At least another month.  Or if you want, you could stay in the condo alone and wait for me."

"I want to be with you. Can't you cut it short."

"There's too much going on.  I have to be here for a while.  You see, it involves a lot of other people.  Why don't you come stay here, there is lots of room, the grounds and the gardens are vast and beautiful, and the people here are out of this world.  By the way, I thought you weren't coming till July?"

"I said I want to be with you.  Christopher, you don't know how much I've missed you all these years."

"Then come here, till we're ready to go back to Vancouver."

"Can you tell me about the place, anyway?"

"It's a sixty room tudor style mansion that looks like it was lifted from an English country estate and planted here in the BC wilderness.  It was built by a wealthy Dutchman well over a hundred years ago, and now it's run and occupied by his great grandchildren, Carl and Melissa, both in their thirties, really amazing and hospitable people.  There is also a community of Christians here, along with three other guests besides myself.  The people here are awesome, really interesting, and I think you'll be a good fit here."

"Thing is, I'm not a Christian."

"Doesn't matter.  There's no pressure, they're very easy going and pretty sophisticated.

"Do you guys have services and stuff?"

"Not really.  It is really informal.  I have never seen the like."

"Hm.. I guess I could give it a try..."

The Peacock 717

He has a shadow of a beard, that really trendy look that a lot of middle class gay men wear.  Funny how they always look like clones, as though none of those twinks has ever had an original thought in their pretty little heads.  I wonder if he's come out yet?

"Christopher!" and he beams a smiling warmth more Mediterranean than Nordic.  He still looks almost exactly like his sister, except his eyes are brown, not blue.  A warm amber.  "It is so good to see you!  How are you, man!"

"Good.  What time is it right now where you are?"

"Five in the afternoon.  Where are you?"

"I'm in a huge mansion in the wilderness, about a three hour drive from Vancouver."

"Sounds romantic.  Is it a resort."

"More of a Christian retreat house.  Where are you right now?"

"In my apartment in Stockholm.  I am slowly getting ready to move out."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm coming to stay with you in Vancouver.  Remember?"

"Oh, yes, of course."

"How long are you away on your retreat?"

"When are you thinking of coming?"

"My flight is booked for May 15."

"Then you might want to come here and stay with us here for a while..."

The Peacock 716

 Now it's 7:48.  Just time for a shower, then Skype for thirty minutes with Erik, then downstairs for breakfast.  No peacock crying today, but we saw him, three of us, Carl, François and I, all saw together the peacock.  And Carl doesn't have a clue about its provenance.

Just two minutes under the shower, and now back in my room, towelling myself dry.  There is a notification on my Skype icon.  A little red dot.  Eric saying, Hello Christopher.  Maybe I'll go online with him naked.  Wouldn't that make his day.  Or maybe scare him to death.  Okay, clean shorts, socks, clean shirt, this is a button down burgundy number that I really love, and black jeans.  My don't I look spiffy right now!

"Hi Erik. Ready!

The annoying ringtone of Skype, ding dang dong, dong ding ding, ding dang dong, dong ding ding, ding dang...

And there he is.  He doesn't look much different, just maybe a little more himself, since he is ten years older now than when I last saw him.  He breaks into a wide smile...

The Peacock 715

Here I am, alone again, naturally.  Well, this is strange.  I have been around people nonstop all day long, morning noon and night.  And I should think that by now I would be glad to have time to myself, lying here alone in bed in the dark, awaiting the long-coveted sleep.  But, I still feel like we're together, Carl, Francois and I.  Nothing so adolescent cheesy as like the Three Musketeers, but still something very strong and very special that binds us three together.  Well, naturally.  This is an artificial environment, why wouldn't we all fuse together and cling to one another?  The stories I have heard today, about Francois and his mother, the dark and shocking revelations in Kenny's diary, and all the others.  This is such a kaleidoscope of persons and information.  but I still know who I am.  I still know my name.  No longer Cosme.  I am, as I have always been, Christopher Edward Jones.  Victorian, perhaps Edwardian.  How very British Anglican.  Rather a quaint sounding set of names.  My father's only son.  My mother a Mexican, long dead. And now my father, too, is dead.  And here I lie alone in the dark.  Sarah sang so beautifully today.  I hope that she collaborates with Carol...

I don't know if I slept enough.  It is 5:52.  And the early sun creeps in like streams of molten copper fire.  I forgot to close the curtains.  As if it matters here.  I did sleep well, I think just six hours, but I feel surprisingly rested.  And that dream.  Ducks.  Mallards. Males with their grey and chestnut bodies and iridescent green heads, and the brown mottled females, all trying to organize themselves on black and white linoleum, like a huge chessboard...more than two hours before I have to go on Skype with Erik, and I will see if I can sleep a bit more...