Chapter 19
The Reverend Leroy Jones sat on a heavy duty camp chair drinking a cup of Arabian coffee. The thick sweet liquid was strong, but the cup was tiny. The bottom of the cup was filled with finely ground particles of coffee bean. In all, there were about four sips of coffee in the cup. Shaking his head, he wished that he had a cup of American coffee. Sighing, he said, "I don't think I'll ever get used to this coffee."
"I have never gotten used to the weak swill that you Americans call coffee," Imam Abdel-Malik said from his seat on the wheelchair. He held up his cup and took a little sip from it.
"I still prefer tea," Rabbi Teitelbaum said. He looked at the little cup and took a small sip.
Chuckling, the Reverend said, "Look at the three of us. We are supposed to bring peace among three religions, but we can't even agree on a beverage."
Laughing, the Rabbi said, "There's always Coke."
"I like Coke," said the Imam gesturing with his one good arm.
"Same here," the Reverend admitted.
The Rabbi grimaced. Noticing the pained expression on his face, Imam Abdel-Malik asked, "How's the stomach?"
"It is good enough to get through the next two days," the Rabbi answered. He had cancer and it was progressing slowly. Despite the fact that it wasn't growing rapidly, it was still painful. His stomach wanted to reject the food that he ate. Shaking his head, he said, "I was never meant to live this long. I'm an old man."
"My son is an old man," Reverend Leroy Jones said looking down at his twisted hands. His arthritis made getting through the day a painful ordeal. The hands were bad enough, but his back made walking around very difficult. He sighed and said, "I'm nearing ninety years old. I'm ready for the end."
"This broken body of mine is barely holding together," the Imam said.
"We don't sound much like holy men, do we?" the Reverend asked with a snort of laughter.
"I thought I knew what a holy man was like when I was young. I thought that I understood many things when I was young. In hind sight, I didn't understand much of anything. I don't feel much like a holy man and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to act," the Imam answered. There were times when he wanted to slap around some of the young hot heads who wanted to control the world through false religious words and real bullets. What made it worse was that he had been one of those hot heads at one time.
"Do you regret being called to serve?" the Reverend asked.
"Not at all. The Koran tells us that we are to serve Allah. That I have been able to do so for so long has been a real honor," the Imam answered. He sighed and said, "To tell the truth, I'm surprised that I was called. I wasn't a very good man when I was younger."
"I was a preacher who tended to mix politics, civil rights, and religion when I was younger. I was very judgmental about people, often blaming honest mistakes on far darker motives. I fear that I was a bit of an ass at times and my actions may have hurt the lives of more than one man," said the Reverend.
The Rabbi shrugged his shoulders and said, "I thought that God wanted us to have Israel so much that any action we took was justified. I know now that many of the actions that I took were not justified."
"My body paid the price for my sins. After the rocket hit me, I spent months in the hospital recovering from the wounds. I could just feel the hate fester in me. After being released, I spent months planning my revenge. I went to the Mosque and climbed out of my wheelchair. With bandages still covering the stumps, I prostrated myself on the floor asking Allah to support me. For the first time in my life, I opened my heart to Allah and surrendered totally. Of course, I was hoping that he'd support me in the decisions I had made, but the support he gave me was of a very different kind," the Imam said remembering back to that day.
"My wife and son had been killed in one of those rocket attacks that were common at the time. I went to the synagogue filled with righteous anger. I stood there and questioned God. I asked him why he would allow my wife and child to die like that. I was a respected Rabbi doing his work. I demanded that he explain it to me. He did," the Rabbi said.
"My son married into a group marriage. I thought it was wrong on so many levels. One of the men who would become a husband to my son sent me to a church. He said that my God wanted to talk with me," the Reverend said.
"Group marriage?"
"Your son's husband?"
"Yes. My son's husband was John Carter."
"Oh. That's a group I don't even pretend to understand," Imam Abdel-Malik said with a shake of his head. He still didn't understand why a Druid, with the blessings of his Gods and Goddesses, would act to create peace among three religions that had done everything in their power to destroy them over the past centuries.
"I stayed at their College for a year and I don't understand them. I like them and I think highly of them, but I can't say that I truly understand them. On one hand they appear not to take anything very seriously. They laugh and joke. They play childish games. They walk around naked and have sex right in front of you.
"It is almost impossible not to be convinced that these people do not respect any of your values. All of that stops when they see someone harming another person. All of a sudden, they are the most serious and intense people you can ever encounter," Rabbi Teitelbaum said with a shake of his head.
Nodding his head in agreement, Reverend Leroy Jones said, "They take their two rules very seriously. If it harms no one, then do it. Protect the weak from the strong. Some of their activities may offend, but they do no harm. It is a very different kind of world they are creating," Reverend Leroy Jones said.
To say that discussions of nudity, public sex, and men married to men didn't bother Imam Abdel-Malik would have been a lie. Islamic law was very clear on where it stood with respect to those issues. On the other hand, events in Saudi Arabia suggested that even the conservative laws of Islam were changing. Maybe it was for the best. He knew that more than one young male slave was used for sexual purposes than for labor and that often there was real love involved. Shaking his head, he said, "I don't know what to make of the sex stuff. Even Allah has allowed the laws about clothes to be relaxed. The women who travel with the Druid were attacked because of their attire and public behavior. A Saint protected them. The world is changing. In a way, I'm glad I won't be here to see the results of our work."
"You can say that again," Rabbi Teitelbaum said.
The Reverend said, "We are old men. We have lived long lives. It is up to younger men to carry on the good fight."
Oscar drove the Land Roamer through the hard shadows cast upon the hard floor of the twisted canyon. The rose red walls of the canyon towered high above them. It was overwhelming. A building became visible in the narrow slit at the end of the road called the al-Siq. Oscar smiled and said, "There is the bank."
"That's a bank?" Georgia asked. She looked at the building and said, "This is where they filmed that movie about the quest for the Holy Grail."
"That's right," Oscar said with a smile. As he stopped the car in front of the building carved into the canyon walls, he added, "Welcome to the city of Petra."
Debbie looked around at the sights that surrounded her. Awed, she said, "This is magnificent."
"Yes, it is," Oscar said. The energy that it had taken to construct this city was almost impossible to imagine.
"It reminds me of the Church of Saint George in Ethiopia," Debbie said. The color of the stone was different; but that feeling of something splendid having been released from stone was there.
"Yes, it does," Georgia said. She turned to Oscar waiting for him to start waxing philosophical about the march of time. Instead, he was preparing to drive on. Curious, she asked, "Where are we going?"
"We're going to meet some of our friends," Oscar said pointing down the way a little. The route was called the Street of Facades. It was a fitting name. The buildings carved out of the rock were impressive from the outside, but rather small and rough on the inside.
They drove past a closed restaurant. Stalls from which trinkets were sold to tourists were empty, the sellers off somewhere else and their wares locked up. The entire area was locked up. The signs that this was normally a very busy area surrounded them, but there wasn't a person to be seen. Frowning, Debbie asked, "Where is everyone?"
"It looks like no one decided to come out here today," Oscar answered.
Georgia looked over at Oscar skeptically. She knew that this was a major tourist site. Almost a thousand people a day usually came to see it. That all of a sudden no one, not even the people who worked there, would show up was inexplicable. She asked, "Don't you think that is a little strange?"
"Not at all," he replied with a half smile. He winked at Debbie and said, "The Powers That Be work in mysterious ways."
"You can say that again," Georgia said with a roll of her eyes. Hundreds of little decisions made by thousands of people had to have been influenced to bring about this situation.
"Ah, there they are," Oscar said pointing to six Land Roamers parked in front of the amphitheatre. There were a dozen tents erected in front of the Land Roamers.
"Six Roamers?" Georgia asked wondering who had come out here to see them.
"The Amphitheatre?" Debbie asked thinking that it would be nicer to sleep inside one of the other buildings.
"The other buildings are tombs." Oscar answered the question that she would have asked next. He asked, "Would you rather sleep in a tomb or center stage?"
"Center stage is fine," Debbie answered with a shiver.
Parking the Land Roamer next to the other six, Oscar said, "We're here."
Oscar stepped out and walked over to the three old men seated in a circle. They watched him with heavy eyes. The Reverend said, "Hello Oscar."
"Hello, Oscar," Rabbi Teitelbaum said. He turned to look at the Imam knowing that the two men had never met.
"Hello, Reverend Leroy Jones and Rabbi Teitelbaum," Oscar said. He turned to the figure in the wheelchair and said, "You must be Imam Abdel-Malik. Debbie told me about you."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Druid Oscar Meyers," Imam Abdel- Malik said.
Debbie greeted the three men with hugs and kisses. Georgia did the same for the Reverend and the Rabbi. Georgia didn't hug or kiss Imam Abdel-Malik, but was introduced to him by Debbie. Both women agreed that it was nice to meet up with some friendly faces after the isolation of their travels.
The bodyguards for the three religious leaders had gathered a small distance away when the Land Roamer had pulled up. They went back to the small area they had staked out for themselves when they had realized the identity of the visitors. The open area made them nervous, but the lack of people made it easier to spot a threat. None of the men relaxed for even a moment.
Along with the bodyguards was a small group of young people who were preparing the evening meal. They were preparing a nice steak dinner with food delivered by Georgia's sister for that occasion. It took Debbie a few minutes to realize that the people doing the cooking were college students. She dragged Georgia over to chat with them while Oscar remained with the three old men.
Taking a seat in the one remaining chair, Oscar said, "It is good to see you."
"You are looking well," the Reverend said with a satisfied nod of his head.
"I'm tired. It has been a long journey," Oscar said with a sigh.
"We have plans to make," the Rabbi said.
"I know," Oscar said looking over in the direction of his wives. They were happy talking to the students and helping out with the cooking.
Imam Abdel-Malik noticed the direction in which Oscar was looking. Shaking his head, he said, "I met Debbie in Israel. She's a very nice woman."
"I love her," Oscar said.
"I've heard stories about Georgia. Allah praised her as a warrior," the Imam Abdel-Malik said. The white haired companion of the Druid was well known although it seemed to him that she had done little except for one small fight.
"I love her, too," Oscar said.
"In my culture, a brother or uncle is responsible for a man's wives if he dies. Have you any brothers or uncles who will care for them?" the old man asked.
Oscar glanced at the Reverend Leroy Jones and answered, "William Redman Carter will take care of them."
"Who is that?"
"He is my grandson," the Reverend answered with pride. Of all the grandchildren, he felt that William was the most special. He knew what William had done for Oscar.
"I guess that makes him family," Imam Abdel-Malik said with a short nod of his head.
Oscar, Debbie, and Georgia spent the night making slow passionate love. The one word to describe it was tender. Their touches were soft, their kisses tender, and their emotions intense. There were no great screams of orgasms to rend the quiet of the night. Instead, it was held breaths, soft whimpers, and low groans. There were tears of happiness as emotions felt deeply sought quiet expression. In short, it was one of those nights that only come along once or twice in a lifetime.
Debbie woke and found that she was spooned against Georgia. Her hand was resting on Georgia's stomach. Looking around, she didn't spot Oscar and assumed that he had stepped out to relieve his bladder. Too comfortable to get up, she laid there enjoying the warmth of Georgia's body. Georgia stirred, but not enough to change the contact with Debbie. She sighed and asked, "Where's Oscar?"
"I guess he's out relieving himself," Debbie answered.
As Georgia rested a hand on Debbie's hand, she said, "Last night was amazing."
"It was," Debbie said. She rubbed her chin against Georgia's shoulder in a gesture of affection. She added, "I think it was the best time we've ever had together."
"I agree," Georgia said. She didn't want to get up.
"I don't want to get up."
"Neither do I."
"We probably should."
"You're right."
"You first," Debbie said.
It took the two women another fifteen minutes to work up the energy to get up and start getting dressed. Dressing took only five minutes despite frequent breaks in which they expressed their affection for each other. They were used to camping and knew how to dress within a tent. Georgia stepped out of the tent and came to a complete stop.
Debbie had to squeeze around Georgia to get out of the tent. She stopped and looked at the group of people gathered around Oscar. Surprised to find that she recognized everyone from her old neighborhood in Jerusalem, she asked, "Remie, what are you doing here?"
"They are here to take care of you," Oscar said looking at his wives with an expression of concern.
"Why? Remie is a janitor at the company where I worked. Gabriel is a street musician. Why would you ask them to take care of us?" Debbie asked.
Raquel said, "We were your bodyguards. We've been watching over you for more than a year."
Stunned, Debbie looked from one person to the next unable to believe that she had not known. It felt like they had lied to her since the very first day she had met them. Frowning, Remiel said, "I'm sorry if it looks like we lied to you. William felt that it was better and safer for you to be able to go about your business without us drawing attention to you."
"William?" Debbie asked.
Putting a hand on Debbie's arm, Georgia answered, "William Redman Carter. He's been taking care of us ever since we left the college. All of the air flights, hotels, restaurants, and everything else that cost money was covered by him."
"Why would he do that?" Debbie asked looking over at Oscar with a puzzled expression on her face. She had thought that the Druids were paying for everything.
Looking at Oscar, Georgia asked, "Can I show her the letter?"
Oscar nodded. Georgia took Debbie by the arm and led her back into the tent. Oscar watched them go; knowing that the rest of the morning was going to involve dealing with very emotional women. He turned to Remiel and said, "I need to leave at noon. I want you to take them to Jerusalem after I'm gone. Debbie's apartment is still leased to her. They can spend the night there, but get them to the airport before noon. There is a jet waiting there along with two Druid grief counselors. It will take all of you to Bermuda. Stay there until William Redman Carter calls you."
Acting as one, all of the bodyguards folded their arms across their chests and stared at Oscar. They knew all about who Oscar was and that he was expected to visit Jerusalem the next day. Uriel asked, "Druid grief counselors? Why would Druid grief counselors be waiting at the plane?"
Oscar looked at each of the bodyguards and said, "In case something bad happens to me tomorrow."
"Perhaps we would be of better use guarding you rather than them," Remiel said.
"No. Some things have to happen or all is lost," Oscar said.
"Do they know that you are leaving without them?" Gabriel asked with a frown.
Oscar looked away and stared off into the distance. Nodding his head, he said, "I can tell them, but it will make your job harder tomorrow."
"We'll do our job," Uriel said.
"So be it," Oscar said with a curt nod of his head. He knew that Debbie and Georgia weren't going to stay at Debbie's old apartment. The argument that would ensue between the women and the bodyguards about the matter would ultimately assure the safety of the women.
One of the Land Roamers pulled up to a stop beside Oscar. When the rear window was lowered, Imam Abdel-Malik leaned his head out. The Reverend Leroy Jones and Rabbi Teitelbaum had left earlier. The Imam said, "I'm leaving now. I want to get to the Mosque before sunset. It will take some time for me to get inside the city. I'm not exactly a popular man there."
Oscar nodded his head and said, "That's a good plan, but not necessary. You won't have any problems getting in the city. You go with Allah's blessing."
Imam Abdel-Malik nodded his head accepting that Oscar was correct. He looked at the tent and asked, "Are they reading the letter like you said they would?"
"Yes," Oscar said.
"You are a lucky man to have found such strong women. They will survive this time of unpleasantness," Imam Abdel-Malik said.
"I think you are right," Oscar said.
"Don't you know?"
Shaking his head, Oscar said, "My ability to see the future ends with tomorrow at noon."
Georgia held Debbie in her arms trying to console the distraught young woman. The letter from William had overwhelmed her. Georgia wanted to be mad at Oscar, but Debbie's need sapped all of her strength. She understood exactly how Debbie was feeling at the moment. William's letter affected her the same way every time she read it.
Oscar stood by the door of the Land Roamer looking at his wives. He stepped forward and accepted Debbie into his arms when Georgia guided her to him. He hugged her and kissed her. He whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Trying to control her tears, Debbie said, "I love you."
Turning to Georgia, Oscar held out his arms for her. She stepped into them and gave him a hug. After a long kiss, he whispered in her ear, "I love you."
"I love you," Georgia said barely able to get the words out of a throat swollen with emotion. Tears ran down her cheeks.
He pulled both women into a tight hug. With tears running down his cheeks, he said, "I love you both. The two of you brought me greater happiness than any man deserves to experience in his life. Remember the joy we shared."
"We will," Debbie said turning to cling to Georgia.
Georgia nodded her head. Not wanting to ever lose Oscar, she said, "You don't have to go."
Shaking her head in disagreement, Debbie knew that Oscar had to go. With her lower lip quivering, she said, "He has to go."
"I know," Georgia said although the acknowledgement of that fact hurt more than she imagined possible.
Oscar released them from his embrace. He backed to the car and, as
he opened the door, he said, "I love you."