The Peacock 1885

"You returned to your home after Stefan took care of you", says Mary.  "What happened?" "I told everyone to stop worrying about me.  I said I had been on a religious retreat and now my life is changed.  No one wanted to believe me.  My husband, an incurable atheist, was especially obstinate and we agreed to a divorce.  My family was a different story.  As staunch calvinist Dutch Christians, both my parents were particularly interested in what happened.  They could see the transformation in my life.  I also immediately resigned from my profession, and now I was stepping into a void.  My parents offered to harbour me in the family home if I wanted to train for something different.  Then the dreams began.  I had already forgotten most of what happened.  But  you, Jesus, here in your youthful form, you were summoning me from the physick garden behind the house.  Five times you appeared in my dreams, in as many nights.  The sixth time, you said I am greatly missed.  Then a full week passed, and on the seventh night you appeared in the seventh dream, and you said, "Amaris, come home..."

The Peacock 1884

"The first several weeks you were here, Amaris, you spent a great deal of time sleeping.  Then Peter found his way to us. He was then named Stefan.  Do you remember him?" "He took care of me.  He didn't drink the water.  I actually warned him not to.  And he was so good to me, cooking for me, cooking for us, because another man came to us, a very handsome man, blonde, and like me, completely lost because he had drunk the water of forgetfulness.  And Stefan stayed with us and cared for us.  And just now, it is all coming back to me.  He was the last client I dealt with before I vanished.  I was in a restaurant being interviewed by a journalist, a middle aged woman, named Pamela, or Persimmon, or something like that.  Then Stefan came in, broke in on the interview and began lambasting me for all the horrible things I was doing to him and others in the name of saving money for the government.  I left in a rage, and shortly after got a call from my friend in Victoria so the next day, I booked off from work, lying about a family emergency, and went to Victoria, and then it all happened."

The Peacock 1883

"She prepared a light meal for me.  It was exquisite.  I sat in the breakfast room, which seemed appropriate given that the new day was already beginning and soon it would be sunrise.  She set before me a plate of whole grain bread with butter, cheese and orange slices, pear slices and strawberries.  And a tall glass of sparkling mineral water.  Such simple, pure and wholesome food.  The most satisfying meal I think I had ever eaten.  She sat with me, nibbling on the same fare, but said very little.  She did say my name, Letitia, but I didn't know if she was referring to me or someone else, as the water of forgetfulness had already taken effect.  To this day I still can't recall what we were talking about as the water had even destroyed my immediate and short term memory.  I have only just begun to really reconstruct the events from that night." "If you wish, we could do that right now", says Mary. "Thank you,  That would be most helpful.  My lord has helped me piece back together everything I did and was before I drank the water of forgetfulness but everything that happened for some time after is still recalled in only pieces and blurs..."

The Peacock 1882

"It wasn't long before we arrived here at the island.   We didn't speak, but I followed him up the steep path that leads to the house where we now are. He said someone would come out to receive me into this house, so I sat at the edge of the fountain, waiting." "And then you drank the water of forgetfulness", says Jesus. "I was so thirsty after all the alcohol I had imbibed, and I didn't stop to think that the water might be unsafe to drink.  I was so thirsty." "You drank, and then you forgot..." "Everything.  I didn't know who I was, nor my own name, nor how I got here.  "Mary came out to receive me, and even in the dark I could see by her face that she was very kind, and that here I would be well treated... 

The Peacock 1881

"And we already know what happened from there", says Jesus.  "Instead of getting out of the car with you, he drove away and left you helpless and vulnerable.  And then, you saw a boat approaching you on the water." "I was crying, and I felt so frightened, vulnerable and helpless.  The man steering the boat was wearing what looked like a black hoodie.  At first I couldn't see his face, but then he lowered the hood.  A young man, from what I could see in the dark, but there appeared to be a light coming from him and his eyes were so kind.  I was still a bit high so things did seem very intense, but in a quiet, almost musical voice, he said, "Won't you come with me?"  I didn't even think to ask him who he was or where he was going to take me.  He motioned toward what looked like a dock or a wharf nearby.  I climbed onto the boat which he steered over to where I was waiting for him and then I climbed into the boat behind me.  I felt I could trust him, for some reason..

The Peacock 1880

Jesus says, "You said that you picked him up, and not vice versa." And I am reminded here of Jesus' "Woman, you have five husbands" chat with the woman of Samaria. "I was married back then", she says, "to a very cynical and self interested psychiatrist some fifteen years my senior. I at the time was a welfare verification officer, and it was my job to see that those receiving assistance were playing by some very harsh and unjust rules. I hurt a lot of vulnerable people, some of whom committed suicide when, thanks to my interventions they were cut off their meagre assistance and left homeless and on the brink of starvation I had a conscience which I most effectivelly drowned with liquor. I was in Victoria, on the lam from my husband whom I had already grown to hate, I was at a party hosted by a highschool girlfriend. We went clubbing and this incredibly handsome man approached me. I was dancing solo on the floor and already rather high on stuff. I grabbed him by the arm and tried to get him to twirl around with me. He just stood there, his hand holding me firmly by the arm, and said, "You are needed elsewhere.) I told him to fuck off and asked if we could find a quiet beach somewhere where we could have a good shag. "Come with me", was all he said...

The Peacok 1879

"Amaris". says Jesus, "Would you be so kind as to tell everyone here your story." She is wedged between Francois and Jeffrey, her white robe dress (because I cannot tell if it is a dress made to look like a robe or a robe that resembles a dress, but it is completely elegant on her.  Yet there is something about this young woman that suggests she is not even remotely interested in making any fashion statements. "I would be very honoured, my lord",she says, looking around at all of us seated here with her.  If she was indeed in her twenties when she claims to have come here, then now she might be around fifty.  But just as the parents of Jesus seem incredibly ancient, this Amaris appears to have cornered the fountain of youth.  She puts down the fork with which she was just about to spear a wedge of mango. "As Jesus has just mentioned, my name used to be Letitia Van Smit.  I grew up in Richmond where my parents and grandparents settled when they moved here from Holland in the nineteen fifties.  We had a huge cranberry farm that was in later years turned into a subdivision of townhouses and large homes.  As I mentioned already, I was brought here to this island under rather inauspicious circumstances.  I had been invited to a party for a weekend in Victoria, we went nightclubbing and there I picked up a young man who drove me out to Saanich to a remote and deserted beach.  I was not expecting he would leave me there untouched, but soon after came to see what a complete blessing this was going to be...

The Peacock 1878

Jesus looks at Maureen, then at Jennifer and Sarah tenderly but sternly, "I have appointed an angel, one of my servitors, to stand guard over your house.  You three particularly were wounded when the emissaries of darkness tried to gain a foothold in your home.  It is still not time yet for you to return.  First you will all three be staying, remaining here with me, with us, for your healing."  And then, with a playful grin, he adds, "Provided this is where you all want to be." "Yes", says Maureen joyfully, without hesitation. "Yes", says Jennifer, solemn and reticent. "Yes", says Sarah, as though committing herself to a new marriage. Jesus, still smiling, enfolds both Maureen and Jennifer in his arms, then Sarah gets up and hugs him from behind....

The Peacock 1876

Lawrence has already relaxed and is now leaning and cuddling into Mary as she continues to feed him. He has gone curiously quiet as she feeds him like her own baby. "Shall we continue with introductions?" says Jesus. "I don't believe you know three individuals of a particularly difficult provenance, and here they are now in my care. First, Maureen, Jennifer, and Sarah, may I present to you Isabella, who calls herself Stella, Sven, her twin sibling, and their stepfather, Caspar, who is much much older than he appears. And over here we have Kenny, an old and very dear friend of Christopher's who was raised by me from the dead and has lived here in this house with us for many years now. And there", he is gesturing both to Joseph and Mary, "Are my own parents, Mary, whom you would recognize in a much younger form, all draped in blue, and Joseph, not actually my biological father, but still the most dear and loving and patient and kind stepdad one could ever wish for. Do not be deceived by their aged appearance, they are both eternal and stronger and more robust than any twenty year old. And over here is Amaris, formerly called Letiitia Van Smit, who came here more than twenty years ago, lives here as one of my many faithful ones and has been gifted with eternal youth...

The Peacock 1875

As though thoroughly shamed and humiliated, Lawrence does not reply, but bows his head over his plateful of artisanal potato salad.  The ancient Mother of God at his side, she places on his back a consoling hand.  Then she takes hold of his fork with her free hand and as though Lawrence is her darling little infant, she begins to feed him his potato salad.  He accepts and appears to be even beginning to smile. "Christoper", says Jesus.  "When you return to your life in the world you will find that all your ties with the mental health profession will be completely severed and you will be starting anew in my service.  They have built their work upon lies.  I am the truth, and I alone am the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

The Peacock 1874

"I have carefully and thoroughly read all your charts and records.  It's all there, I'm afraid." I am just preparing to raise my voice in my own defence when Jesus raises me a cautionary hand.  "I Am your defense, Christopher."  Then, addressing Lawrence, he goes on to say, "Christopher is my servant.  Any false charge that is made against him must first be directed to me.  Young, Lawrence", and here I just want to laugh because despite the eternal Godhead of our Lord, he looks maybe half Lawrence's age.  "Your profession of psychiatric medicine, and your own mind  have been so tainted and corrupted by secular atheism that I really don't know where to begin.  It would appear that every single person whom I have gifted with visions and revelations is doomed to fall into and suffer gravely in your hands.  Because none of you believe in me, nor  my Father, or the Holy Spirit, you have utterly destroyed the lives of many of my innocent servants with bogus mental illness diagnoses and you have posoned them with drugs and chemicals that have no place in the human organism and banished them to languish in institutions and psychiatric wards.  Christopher has been rescued from this fate, and for this reason I have summoned you here before me: that you come to a place of humility and repentance and that you abandon this specious and dangerous nonsense that pays your keep and return into a life of my service, love and joy..."

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...

The Peacock 1866

This dining room, or should I call it a dining hall, is huge, massive, spacious and expansive,  the table is long, highly polished oak, with Jesus seated at the head.  The walls are the colours of fine Wedgewood pottery, and are adorned with colourful paintings and tapestries.  Mary, Joseph, Kenny and Amaris are each bringing out the food.  Nothing hot, but plates and bowls loaded with salads, fruits, cheese and sauces and dips and more varieties of bread than one could scarcely imagine.  To drink, lemon flavoured sparkling water is being poured by Lan into each of our fluted glasses.  Jesus has just invoked a blessing with raised hands, and then suddenly Tron appears in the doorway. My lord, we have two new guests waiting in the entrance hall. "Ah, Maureen and Jennifer.  Finally they are here.  Do bring them in, my noble Tron, and so the towering beautiful angelic being sweeps out of the room in a blur of shining emerald and gold...

The Peacock 1865

Jason continues: "She was standing there waiting for us, but suddenly we were no longer in your house, Christopher.  We are stumbling into this place here.  She said, "Welcome home, then taking us each gently by the arm, escorted us here where you all seem to have been waiting for us." "And we have been waiting for you", says Jesus.  "You will know most of us here, save for Kenny, Sven and Isabella, they are twins, and Isabella, prefers to be known as Stella.  And next to me here is Caspar who has a very long history, despite his youthful appearance, and over here is Lawrence, who is particularly new to everyone here. "I'm so glad you both came, " says Sarah beaming.  Like Carl she seems to have made her home here. "There are still others waiting to join us", says our youthful lord, but dinner is about to be served.  Shall we all rise and proceed to the dining room..."

The Peacock 1859

"Look who's here!" chimes Carl as we file into the sitting room to rejoin our friends.   "How did you get here?" says Francois, pulling back the empty chair next to him where Jeffrey seats himself.  George has found a spot next to Caspar, and now it occurs to me they haven't met.  Amaris has also found a chair on my left, on the other side of Jesus where he has just planted himself. "Amaris here came to get us." "Hello", she says, with a broad smile. "I am Francois." "I am very pleased to meet you." "You must live here", says Carl.  "Oh, I'm Carl, by the way.  Did you just arrive, yourself?" "I live here", Amaris replies without further ado. say I to Amaris, gesturing to the others in the room, "And this is Sven, and his sister, Stella, Sarah, Lawrence. and Jesús, and Caspar." "And where did you get to", says Carl to me. "Tron took me on a bit of a tour.  We sat in a kind of reading room for a bit, looking at this book with  beautiful colour plate of two peacocks, and we somehow entered the picture and it brought us to a garden and  fountain where Jesus was seated and then suddenly I was in the kitchen with him and his parents helping them make dinner, if you can imagine." "Which is going to be served shortly", says Jesus  "We are just waiting for two more arrivals..."