Note to self-
Once there was Darkness
The Dance
Part 1
Kessa stepped from their bath dress for the gaudere. Kol was fidgeting as he paced. He was dress totally in black. She bit her lip as she watched him. “My husband,” her voice was soft and low. The sight of him made her weak in the knees. “You look like one of Jolla’s cookies.”
As he looked up he gasped. A lump caught in his throat. “Wow! If you tell me you made that dress, I’ll jump off the balcony.” She laughed. Against her skin, the material was pale. A sand color almost. The out side was a deep green with the sand color rippled throughout. It flowed with each step she took. “I need not worry. Everyone will be looking at you tonight.”
He kissed her hand. She curtsied. “Prayerfully, everyone will be paying attention to the choir.” She caressed his face. “May I encourage you not to be nervous?”
“I’m not good at this.”
“The children have their instructions. You know they are excited that they have been included.”
“How’s your hip?”
She smiled, “good today.”
Frego and Violet were waiting for them just outside the throne room. “Dad.” Frego voiced. “You clean up well.”
Kol forced a smile. “Thank you my son. Violet, you look lovely.” He nodded.
“My king.” She bowed her head. “My queen.” She curtsied.
Kol took a deep breath. “Shall we?”
At the palace steps, Kol extended his arm for Kessa and she accepted it with a smile. Frego and Violet was behind them. Than the grand duke and duchess. Followed by Abraham and Elizabeth.
Kessa spoke under her breath, “this would be an excellent opportunity for an attempt on your life.”
He answered in the same hushed tones, “did you have to bring that up now?”
“Stating the obvious, my husband.”
“I was hoping to live long enough to tear that dress off you.”
“No, tonight my husband. Your garments are coming off long before mine. Maybe even with my teeth. I haven’t decided yet.”
He let out a long hiss, “I love you?”
They were met at the door of the temple by a grinning Priest Solomon. After speaking their pleasantries, ushers showed them to their seats in the balcony.
It didn’t take long; they got lost in the music. It wasn’t until Priest Solomon stepped into view that Kol started fidgeting again. As Priest Solomon spoke; Kol, Kessa, Frego and Violet walked to a side door.
“Meccians,” Priest Solomon spoke. “My heart is about to burst. Not since the passing of King David has our gaudere ended with the royal house honoring us by dancing to the last song.”
The choir started singing. Frego led Violet out to the middle of the floor. The song was slow, somber and their dance soft and elegant.
Kessa turned to Kol. He looked like he was going to be sick. She placed her hand on his chest, “may I encourage you not to be nervous? We have been practicing for months.”
“I’m going to fail.”
“God will not let you fail.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“We should have let Frego and Violet do this.”
“You will be fine.” She smiled sweetly.
The song changed to a more lively tune. Frego and Violet stood a little out of the way, facing the door where they entered. Kessa entered dancing. Frego and Violet looked at each other. Kessa was dancing alone. She stopped, put a hand on her hip, looked up at the ceiling, started patting her foot, then pointed at the door. Kol’s arm extended through the door, shooing her away. The children giggled. She was pretty sure Rajaf laughed. Frego and Violet shrugged. Kessa, frustrated, went back to the door dancing out with Kol. When they reached the spot where she had stopped before, he got tangled in her dress, stumbling backwards. As he stumbled, Priest Solomon couldn’t take his eyes off the mess causing the choir to bobble. A gasp filled the temple. Laughter flowed from the children in the audience. Kol stumbled over for Frego to catch him. He and Frego pretended to fuss while Kessa stared at the ceiling patting her foot on the floor. Priest Solomon gathered himself and the choir. Starting the song over. When it did, Frego and Violet made jesters of encouragement for Kol to try again. He walked half way to Kessa, turned back to Frego with his hand over his heart. Frego pointed at the audience. With one voice, the children yelled “yes”. Kol walked back toward Kessa. She was pretending there was a tear in her dress. He extended his hand to start their dance over. At first she acted upset. The children in the audience started clapping. Kessa put a hand on her chest; used her other one to point at Kol, the children started cheering. Kol smiled. She smiled and accepted his hand.
Their dance from beginning to end was perfect. “I told you, God wouldn’t let you fail.” She smiled as he spun her around the room.
“As you say ‘God’s got this’.”
Toward the end of the song, Frego and Violet joined them. When they were done, the audience erupted with cheering.
“Dad, that was great.” Frego smiled as they took a bow. He and Frego turned away from each other pointing to Priest Solomon and the choir, they applauded as the cheering continued. Kol made a gesture toward the audience and all the children flooded the stage. When they did, the audience stood continuing to cheer.
The Snake and The Rabbit
The Forest of Dean part 2
“How would such a piece pass detection when she was first brought into the house and bathed?” I asked.
“I know not sirs.” Our guest thought for a moment. “Mother did find a little black book on her trimmed in gold. She thought it an invasion of privacy to open it. The necklace could have been in the book. I can tell you that the necklace was silver in colour.” He seemed to get lost, in the past perhaps. “Her eyes were just as remarkable as her hair. I witnessed in nature the colour of her eyes once. We were hunting, father, I, and The Lady. She was an expert marksman. A storm caught us unaware. As the blue sky of sunlight passed to the dark blackness of pounding rain, in between was the colour of her eyes. It seemed to me at that time, God plucked that very colour from the heavens and placed it there.”
I could tell by the tone of Holmes voice he was put out, “is that quite all?”
“Yes sir,” our guest seemed proud of the job he had done in telling his story, got up, and recovered his hat. “Gentleman, good day to you,” He left as abruptly as he came.
“Well, what do you make of that?” I asked.
Holmes opened the envelope. Inside was a check for L3,000 and a note. He handed the note to me. It read as follows: “ ‘I know that when you get this I shall be dead. My son is an honest person and I know will deliver this into your hands. This woman that has listed you as her benefactor has done me the greatest service another human could ever do me. She gave me back the life of my son. For that, I am grateful. Yours truly, Morse Pennington.’
Something just occurred to me Holmes; Mr. Pennington said that when she was found she had a black book with gold trim in her possession. Could it be the same black book that we now possess?” I noticed that the book I was taking notes in was lying on top of the book in question so our guest did not see the book upon the table.
Holmes stepped over to his desk retrieving a piece of charcoal. With the book in hand, he closed his eyes letting his fingered glide over the back pages. One page at a time working his way forward. At one point, he turned the page back, “here.” With great care, he rubbed the charcoal across the page. Slowly the imprint of a necklace appeared.
“What is the charm?”
“A Celtic knot.”
Holmes got up and went into his room. I did not see him for the rest of the day. I read over the book at least twice more. Trying to make sense out of what was written. There is no doubt in my mind that he got more from it than I.
We were working on three other cases when this book came into our lives. One was lackluster as my friend described it. Though I did take a few notes, there was nothing of great importance in it. He solved the little problem as if one would remove a thorn from ones finger.
As I came down for breakfast five days after the strange little book appeared, Holmes was standing in front of the far left window with a rug around his shoulders. “Watson,” he said.
“Good morning, looks like we are going to have another glorious day.”
He groaned as he pulled the rug tighter. “Watson, during our friendship I have only outright lied to you once. Not because it was the right thing to do, it was to divert attention. However, I feel that I must now come clean in order to proceed with current events.”
“The reason must have been an excellent one.” I laid the morning addition of the paper on the table as I sat down.
“You asked me who I thought our mystery author was writing to.”
Jeans & t-shirt
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?
I’m a jeans & t-shirt kinda girl.
Do you ever say anything?
I was watching a video about A.I. and its theorized effects on humanity. Yes, I commented. With the following:
60% of Americans Now Living Paycheck to Paycheck, Down from 64% a Month Ago
As the title of the articles suggests; 60% of adult Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. If your washing machine blows up and this throws your household into a financial tailspin, are you really worried about the future? A.I. or not. Unless your job is directly related to, your interested in, or your going to school, A.I. is something the techies talk about. Or you marvel at the new cool thing Siri did.
When do you comment on posts?
Chico says ‘Nope’
Once there was Darkness
Chapter 41
Part 2
Kessa brought the conversation back around, “how old was the king when his parents dropped him off?”
“Oh,” she continued with a start. “Not his parents. The queen mother. I never met your father. Sometimes I wonder if he knew at all that you spent the better part of your life in the temple. When you, as a family unit attended service; when you did, it was as if you were one happy family. I honestly don’t think he knew.”
“Explain to me how he would not know.”
Kessa spoke, “my husband, how many things have I done under your nose that you have had no idea about?”
He sweetly answered her, “but a child. I would have come unhinged if Abraham or Rajaf would have taken Frego to the temple or the barracks and just dropped him off without telling me. I don’t accept that.” His gaze went back to Sister Sheryl. “How old was I? When all this started?”
“A month old. Maybe two at the most. You spent the better part of the first 5 years of your life with us.”
“Where does Abraham fit into this?”
“Abraham came every day.” Kessa held up her hand for Sister Sheryl to stop talking. Jolla came out with a plate of bread and cheese.
Sister Sheryl was amazed, “she’s growing into such a fine woman.” When Jolla left the garden, Kessa motioned for Sister Sheryl to continue. “Yes, Abraham visited you every day. Some days it was only for an hour or so. But I can’t think of a time he didn’t come to at least check on you.”
“Were you the one that pushed me in a chair and yelled at me for hours because I took Max food at the river?” Kol asked quietly.
Kessa looked at him with a stunned expression.
Sister Sheryl choked on her tea. “Heavens no. I do remember there were several times you wondered off. I followed you at a distance a couple times. The act itself was very kind. I told Priest Solomon and Abraham.”
“Abraham was the one who talked Max into coming to the temple in the first place.”
“Yes, you and he brought Max with you one afternoon.”
“Did I talk much?”
Sister Sheryl thought about that for a moment. “Now that you mentioned it, very little. You would speak when spoken too. Answer direct questions. You were never chatty.”
“I have a memory of playing in this garden when I was 5.”
“Shortly after your 5th birthday, the queen mother came and got you. Telling Priest Solomon that you would be starting your military training in a few months.”
“You’re military training. When you came to us, you walked with a slight limp. We were told you had cut your foot that morning.” Kessa added.
“Who told you?”
“Abraham.”
“What is the longest amount of time I stayed at the temple?”
“Your official training started when you turned 2. The only time you left after that was on your birthday. And you officially left when you turned 5 to start your military training.”
Kol was lost deep in thought. Kessa didn’t disturb him. She motioned for Jolla who delivered Sister Sheryl a large tray of cookies to take back with her. Kessa walked the sister to the garden gate. “Thank you.”
“I really shouldn’t say anything. I have no proof. I always thought Abraham was his dad.”
“We will see you at worship. Enjoy the cookies. I know Jolla enjoyed making them.”
“Thank you.”
Do, do, doodle me this
Thankful Thursday on Sunday
Today I went to Hazard to visit the friend I’ve known the longest. She, her husband and I went to high school together. The drive back was peaceful. Cheekie only whimpered a couple times. 😉 After listening to our sermon, I thought about all the miles I had put on that road. All the money I had fed the toll booths over the years. The one speeding ticket I’ve had (knock on wood) was on that road. The student loans. The useless degree. How would my life have been had I not pursued that course? Many of you have read my testimony; had I not left, would I have ever comeback to Christ?
Wether I lived in Williamsburg, Richmond, or London; when I drove past that ‘Laurel County’ road sign, I had always felt a sense of joy and excitement. I made it out one more time. Freedom!
Today when I drove past that sign, I smiled. Remembering how passing that sign felt. How many times that if I could, I would have high fived that sign as I drove past.
That sign still means I’m closer to home than I was. But now that sign means so much more. I’m closer to people that love me and that I love.
I’m sure I will travel down that road again. And I will drive past that sign. That sign will forever be a reminder of what was. It has a new meaning now: I’m closer to God than I ever was.
The Snake and The Rabbit
The Forest of Dean
We had just begun to settle back into breakfast and our discussion of the narrative, when there was another knock at the door. Again, it was Mrs. Hudson.
“Mr. Holmes, sir there is a gentleman here to see you sir.”
On Mrs. Hudson’s heels was a young looking man. He was maybe in his late 30’s. Smartly dressed and walking with a slight limp. As he brushed past Mrs. Hudson she scolded him.
“I have disrupted your meal. Forgive me. But Mr. Holmes it is an honor and a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand in greeting.
Holmes did not accept it. Instead, pointed to the chair opposite me at the table. “My friend and colleague Dr. Watson.”
“Indeed a pleasure.” He shook my hand, and then apologized to Mrs. Hudson.
He handed Holmes an envelope. “This sir is for you.” Holmes had a look of confusion on his face. Our guest took off his hat laying it on the sideboard before joining us at the breakfast table. “It is a most amazing story.” I could not say why Holmes did allow our intruder to stay. He had a jolly good nature about him. Though I knew my friend was tired and not feeling well. Perhaps it was the draw of hearing his tale.
“Pray talk,” Holmes said as he closed his eyes.
“My father owned a large track of land in The Forest of Dean and as such started a mining operation. He was always considered fair and honest by all who knew him. One cold April morning, father and I had gone to the hunt. It was our custom on Saturday; ever since I was but a lad and the rifle bigger than my person. This particular morning was unnaturally cold. As we passed through the woods, that I was all too familiar with, I tripped over what appeared to be a pile of leaves. Almost broke my neck. Examination of the obstruction produced a person. Tattered clothing, blood and scratches covered the skin. It was hard to tell if the creature was dead or alive. Father decided it would be best to take it back to the house. Mother started to clean it off and to our horror she discovered the creature was indeed a woman.”
“Really?” I interjected.
“Yes, you can imagine our horror and surprise. Mother sat, nursed her for a month before she was able to get up or even move about the house. She turned out to be one of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was with our household for three years. Gentlemen I promise you, we never heard her utter a sound. She could read and write. Not one word did she speak. Holmes half opened his eyes. “We learned, quite by accident that she could cook.” Our story teller continued.
“What a wonderful quality.” I admitted.
“There are no words to describe the meals that she placed on the table. The Queen herself could not have consumed better food. One day we received word that there were three strange men in the local village. When she heard this, she begged father to put her in the mine. Of course, he was opposed to putting a woman in such a dangerous position. I will never know what moved him to do so but he agreed. She stayed hid out for three months. The men in the mine held her in great respect. She worked harder than most of us.”
“Us?” Holmes asked.
“Oh yes sir, by the time I was one and eight, I knew everything that could be known about the business end of running fathers mine. So I set out to learn about mining itself. The strangers in the village came up to the mine, one older gentleman and two other men. Pinkerton’s they called themselves.”
Sherlock Holmes set up in full attention.
“They interviewed everyone on the property. They were searching for a lady that in a lot of respects fit our ladies description. As it turned out, the older man claimed to be the missing girl’s father. Though I never understood why if you were only concerned about the welfare of your child that you would feel the need to have two detectives around? After a full month, they left. Not long after this account, there was an accident in the mine. No one was severely hurt save me. Gentlemen, she saved my life. Now, it occurs to me why no one spoke up. Had she not been there, I would have surely died. That is why I walk with a limp.” He smiled. “Father wanted to do something special for her. After all, she saved his son’s life. She would hear not of it. For after all, we had, she wrote, saved her life. Finally father suggested leaving her something in his will. To this she agreed and named you Mr. Sherlock Holmes as her benefactor. My father died short of two months back. It has taken me this long to collect my wits about me.”
This was truly an amazing story. I glanced over at Holmes who seemed to be staring at his untouched breakfast. “Sir,” I asked, “what was your father’s name?”
“Oh how forgetful of me.” Our young guest seemed to get embarrassed. “Morse Pennington. I, James M. Pennington am the only child.”
Holmes finally spoke. His voice was almost a whisper, “tell us what you remember most about this woman?”
“Well as I stated earlier sirs, she worked just as hard if not harder than the men; which won her great respect. She never spoke a word. She was a most attractive person after all the bruises and scrapes healed. I may have forgotten to note, mother cut her hair when she was first discovered. Clean,” Mr. Pennington made the motion as one having their head shaved with his index finger over his head. “When it grew back, it was the grandest shade of red I ever saw. No colour as yet have I witnessed to describe it. She never let it grow past her shoulders once it started growing again.”
Holmes groaned, “Did she possess any jewelry, eye glasses, anything?”
“A necklace sir but I never saw any of it save the chain. I know nothing of jewelry therefore I know not how to describe such.”
Poetry & More 