Men of the Cave (Symbol of Hope Series)

by Burgess, Marisette

  Catalina’s eyes went wide. “You are his brother?”

  “Yes, although we have not spoken for many years,” James answered.

  “Catalina, you don’t know who he is. He can’t be trusted.” Kasey broke in.

  “He is a master magician, Catalina. An illusionist. Do not trust what you see. I bet he has shown you things.” I warned her. I was sure James used his telekinesis to lure her. For a moment, she looked at him with doubt, but then got irritated.

  “Look, Catalina, I know you don’t like me for whatever bizarre reasons, but I’m trying to protect you,” Kasey pleaded again. Catalina narrowed her eyes at Kasey.

  “Listen to Kasey. She is a good person.” I persisted.

  Catalina rolled her eyes and scoffed, “She is one of them. She cannot be trusted.”

  “She is nothing like the American who dated your sister. You have to let go of that ignorant notion of yours.” I said.

  “He killed her because of his recklessness. They are all thoughtless and care only about themselves.” Her cheeks reddened.

  “Catalina, the American did not kill your sister. Elena was driving the car that night. Both drank too much and Elena drove off the road.”

  “Mentiroso, you liar!” Catalina screamed at me.

  “I am not lying. The authorities did not have the heart to tell your parents the truth. This town loves your family. They blamed the American and covered up the truth. Go ask them. Find out for yourself,” I pressed.

  She lost her composure and the tears fell. She shook her head.

  “I do not believe you,” she whispered. James put his arm around her.

  “Catalina, please, you don’t know what you are getting yourself into with him. You want to stay away from him, believe me. We are telling you the truth.” Kasey warned her. Did she caution Catalina from dating James because he was reckless or because of what we were? Did Kasey feel the same way?

  Catalina became furious. “Oh, like you are honest. Ask her, Dion, about the love letters she gets every month from her fiancé. He cannot wait for her to come home.”

  “How dare you go through my desk!” Kasey snapped.

  “I am sure Dion has not been totally honest either. I bet he has not mentioned his ex-wife.” James said.

  Catalina’s eyes grew wide. “Dion has an ex-wife!” She whispered to James.

  “Come. let us get out of here.” James pulled Catalina along and they disappeared down the path.

  Kasey and I stood still and silent for several minutes.

  “Well, that surely backfired.” I took a seat on one of the stones.

  Kasey nodded and sat herself across from me.

  “So…” she said after a while.

  Curious about the fiancé, I fished first, “For once, allow me to ask the questions.”

  “Okay, that’s fair.” She looked nervous.

  “Is he the man Martin saw in his vision?” I asked.

  “Yes, his name is Teal Bentley.” She avoided my eyes.

  “Is he your fiancé?”

  She glanced away toward the path. I bet she wished she could escape.

  “He was,” she said.

  “Please, do elaborate.” Why would she keep this from me?

  “We met our freshman year of high school. We started dating when I was a sophomore and he was a junior. He graduated this past May. I thought I was in love with him. He was perfect for me in every way.”

  I shifted with annoyance. I did not want to hear this, but I knew I must.

  She continued. “He’s natural and has a great love for the beach. He’s even vegetarian sympathetic. He gets along with my parents and my brother. In fact, my brother is living with him as we speak.” She looked away and began to play with her fingers. “Since he was raised in a foster home, when he turned eighteen, they set him up with his own place. Between him having no parents, and me having uninvolved parents we were a perfect self-sufficient couple.” She stood and began to pace.

  “Everything was perfect. This past February he asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes. My life was following a precise plan. We agreed to marry after my graduation. Something bothered me. It was too perfect. It was like there was a missing piece. I became confused. I didn’t know what to think. I distanced myself from him. Teal noticed my change and that’s when we argued all the time. Then in the spring, I left him.” She ran her hand through her hair roughly. Did she love him still?

  “Angered and hurt, the break was hard on both of us. Just because I couldn’t commit doesn’t mean I don’t care for him. We went through so much together, he taught me how to drive, both our proms, he was my firs…” she rambled, not thinking about her words.

  I raised my eyebrows at what she almost said. Would she elaborate on the topic? The subject struck my curiosity.

  She kept going ignoring the topic. “After we broke up he got angry and did something stupid out of spite. He hooked up with the first beach hussy that threw herself at him that same week. I signed up to study abroad in Spain two weeks later. He tried to mend our relationship before my trip. I avoided him. He loves me, and I thought we were in love. After coming here I’ve realize it isn’t love, just companionship.”

  I understood and gave her a smile. She looked away.

  “He didn’t want me to come to Spain. He’s called a couple of times and sent those letters, but I haven’t replied,” she sighed and lowered her eyes to the ground.

  “I am sorry. It seems like it has been difficult.” I sympathized.

  “It has, I feel awful for hurting him.” She looked up. “Alright, now you know about my ex-fiancé. Why don’t you tell me about your ex-wife?” She raised one eyebrow in a questioning manner.

  I glared down. “It is not what you think. When we awoke from the cave, we were celebrities, highly thought of in the city. A lord offered Max his daughter’s hand in marriage. Back then that was a great honor. He took her. Cyra was great. Then Max, being head of the manor, chose a wife for Sam. Sholeh and Sam adored each other. Finally, he decided I needed to be married. He chose a mercantile’s daughter, Lilac. She and I did what was expected of us, but we were anything but compatible. It was a dry, lifeless marriage”

  Kasey sat emotionless. I wanted something from her to gauge her thoughts. “We kept our powers a secret, but after we realized we were not aging, we had to tell our wives. We needed to move from the city. Cyra and Sholeh would have followed their husbands to the ends of the Earth. They loved each other and accepted us for who we were. Lilac did not. She felt this was some type of curse and wanted nothing to do with me. I settled her with her family and assured they sought after her until her death, I left and never saw her again.”

  “Huh, not what I expected,” Kasey said, perplexed.

  “Told you it is not what you think.”

  “Why didn’t Antony get a wife?”

  “He was not around. At first when we discovered we had abilities, Antony took off. He left to figure himself out. Antony needs breaks from humanity at times. He will sometimes disappear and live completely in the wild with his animal friends. He never really wanted to par take in societal norms.”

  Kasey shook her head in understanding.

  “I have a question,” I said and wondered how she was going to take my inquiry. “Earlier you mentioned that Teal was your first.”

  She looked away pacing in place.

  “Geez, Dion. Do we have to talk about this?” Her demeanor changed. She became jittery.

  “I would like to, but if you wish not to…”

  She turned bright red, “It’s a different world over there. I don’t want you to think…”

  “Kasey, stop worrying about what I think, I want to know you, as you are, and who you are.” I could not fathom why she worried so much. How much of herself did she hide from me? It was preposterous. How could she think she was anything but wonderful the way she is?

  “I’m not going to stop worrying. You’re a freaking Saint, Dion. That’s hard t
o live up to. You guys are these icons who have done extraordinary things and lived extraordinary lives. I don’t even come close to those values. I’m from the other side of the tracks. Personally, my virginity never bothered me until I met you…” She was in a panic.

  I went to her, “Kasey,” I held her chin up. “Remember even the saints were human, and therefore, not flawless.”

  She calmed down. I rubbed her shoulders and arms.

  “Simply because I am ancient does not mean I am clueless as to the current times we live in. I was not sure but I assumed you were not a virgin.”

  She backed off from me offended. “Why?”

  “You had a few things going against you. You are an American eighteen year old, without religion, and with hippie parents.”

  “What? That’s messed up Dion.”

  I raised one eyebrow at her.

  “Okay, fine. Teal was my first and only. He and I practically lived together before we broke up,” she said.

  The conversation caused her anxiety. I would be lying to myself if I said I was not disappointed that she was not mine to have first. I could not hold the actions of her past against her. That would not be fair. She is her own beautiful person and God sent me this angel with all her perfections and imperfections.

  “What about you Dion. A thousand years?”

  Was she hoping that I was sexually promiscuous? Did she think that would make her feel less guilty?

  “I was married before.” I smiled at her.

  She huffed. “Is that it?”

  “Yes, I would never without being married to a girl first.” I was honest.

  She rolled her eyes.

  I laughed, reached out, and squeezed her into my chest, “You are adorable when you are flustered.”

  “I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” she mumbled.

  I raised her chin and kissed her once.

  “Do not worry, Kasey. You are special to me the way you are. Do not try to change yourself or hide who you are because you are afraid of what I might think.”

  Her eyes glazed over, and she hastily looked down.

  I raised her chin once again.

  “Besides, we are supposed to be predestined lovers, remember? We are stuck with each other with all the good and the bad.” I grinned from ear to ear.

  She did not. The notion of our fated love bothered her. Did she fear committing to me as she did with Teal? I leaned in to embrace and kiss her. The kiss she returned was cold.

  13. Kasey’s Gifts

  “It is nice to finally be done with school. I am looking forward to returning home,” Madhu looked at the intricate opal jewelry through the glass. We had gone shopping down in Palma, me for Christmas, and she gathering some last items she wanted before she left Spain.

  “I’m going to miss you so much. My second semester is not going to be the same without you.” I gave her a puppy dogface.

  “You too, girl. But you have Dion to keep you busy.” Her smiled widened. “How is that going?”

  “It’s okay. That’s what I’m trying to figure out here. What to get him for Christmas?” I worried.

  “You know, here in Spain, they only give gifts to the children on the Epiphany.” Madhu informed.

  “Yes, yes, but back home we give gifts to the ones closest to us. I feel weird not getting at least something small for him or his brothers or the Castillo’s.” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “I do not understand you strange Americans. You are not Christian, correct? Why do you celebrate Christmas then?”

  Our cultural differences amused me.

  “I never really thought of it that way. Over there the holiday season is big. It’s easy to get wrapped up into it. My family never did any of the religious stuff that went along with it, just the fun stuff.”

  “Bizarre.”

  “Before we leave Palma I need to stop by the post office to mail my brother and parent’s Christmas gifts.”

  “Are you sending anything to Teal?” Her tone exuded to a hint of suspicion.

  Madhu is a great friend to me here in Deia. I couldn’t imagine telling Dion about the drama that was going on back home with my parents, Nolan, and Teal. I told her everything, especially everything about Teal and me.

  “I feel guilty he’s done so much for Nolan. I found a small canvas painting of the sun rising here in Mallorca over the ocean and the cliffs. It is beautiful. It would go well in his apartment. I stuck it in Nolan’s package with a post card that said, Thanks for taking care of my brother Merry Christmas.”

  Mahdu chuckled.

  “Do you think it was too much? Should I not send him anything?”

  The past few days the package caused me angst. I must have wrapped and un-wrapped it five times taking the picture out and placing it back in. I wanted to give it to him, but I didn’t want him to think anything of it.

  “Sounds harmless enough. We will see when he gets it.” She was skeptical.

  “What do I get Dion?” I threw my hands in the air frustrated.

  “Mmmm…girl, you got me. The boys’ richer than the queen.” She always exaggerated.

  “Nothing I will give him will be as cool as anything he already has.”

  We walked out of the jewelry store.

  “Maybe something sentimental, love-y dove-y?” she suggested.

  I shook my head disgusted, “No.”

  “While you think, I am going to stock up on more clothes.” She headed for the chic clothing store across the street.

  That’s when I noticed the small dark store with a purple door and half moon on it. The sign flashed, ExperienciaReligiosa. Maybe he would like something of that nature. I crossed the street and entered the dimly lit store. The strong incense smell burned the inside of my nostrils. Trinkets and artifacts cluttered every shelf. A mixture of dream catchers and wind chimes hung throughout the ceiling. There were iconic statues everywhere, from Jesus, Saints, to dragons and fairies. Candles, potions, crystals, and books galore, were scattered around with no rhyme or reason.

  It was a place of comfort to me. Here in this little shop old secular religious items co-existed with modern earthy occult trinkets. Like Dion and I. It gave me hope that he and I could make it work.

  A young woman with a long flowing red skirt, pale skin, and black long hair came from around the counter and asked in Spanish if I needed any help. I replied I was browsing.

  The predominantly Catholic section was located at the back. I glanced over the statues and saw it. A grey marble stone carved with a cave and seven men lying in various positions, sleeping. The golden plate at the bottom read “The men of the cave.” They are celebrities in the religious world, and now I was somehow a part of it. Deciding the statue would look great in my room, I turned to head for the counter and saw the Christmas display. I found what I needed for his brothers. I hit a couple of more stores before Madhu called me.

  “Girl, where are you?” she asked.

  “I’m outside a shoe store, you?”

  “I am ready. Meet me at my car, and we will head back.”

  I wasn’t too far from her parked car. As I approached, she noticed my load of shopping bags.

  “Accomplished much?” She gave me a hand with my bags.

  “Everything,” I said with a big smile.

  “Good. Let us go eat. It is the last time I get to eat at Fernando’s and Beatriz’s restaurant.”

  Dion stopped by to pay his farewells to Madhu. We all ate lunch together. Fernando made Madhu her favorite meal broad slices of hake flavored with a Galician sauce called ajada. It was divine. We laughed, reminisced, and drank wine. It was the perfect ambiance. After we hugged several times, Madhu left to catch her plane later that evening. After the festivities, Dion followed me up to my room.

  “Did a little shopping, did we?” He commented about the bags on my bed.

  “Yes, I finally finished Christmas shopping. I can’t believe how beautiful Deia is decorated for the holiday. Back home it’s not decked out lik
e it is here. There’s two or three nativity sets wherever you turn.” I sat on the floor in front of my bed taking out the tape, scissors, and wrapping paper.

  “Yes, they do an exquisite job here. The nativities are taken seriously.”

  “I can’t wait to experience Christmas in this little village.” Even though I never participated in the Christian aspect of Christmas, my family decorated with green garlands and partook in the gift exchange. Not sure how my parents really felt about the holiday, I had a suspicion that the gift exchange was to appease Nolan and me.

  “Be prepared for weeks of celebrations and night long feasts.” He walked over to the statue of “The men of the cave” sitting on the windowsill.

  “Nice statue.”

  “Thanks. I picked it up in Palma. Would you like to help me? You could wrap your brother’s gifts.”

  “You bought my brothers Christmas gifts!”

  “Nothing much. Just a little something. I wanted to. Is that okay?” I began to doubt my decision.

  “I suppose, sure. What could you possibly have gotten them?” His bewildered expression was cute.

  I took out four boxes that each held a crystal glass Christmas tree ornament. Inside each ornament was an elaborate wooden carving.

  “I got John the glass ball with the medieval jester inside, for Martin I bought the ball with the sword in the stone scene.”

  Dion took the glass balls in his hands and stared at them. He smiled. Then I continued.

  “For Antony I got the glass ball with the whale fluke sticking out of the water, and for Max I bought the one with the woman by the stream getting some water. She has a crescent moon on her forehead. I know his wife’s name meant moon. Do you think he’ll like it?”

  Dion took Antony’s and Max’s glass balls in his hands. His grin faded. He stared at the gifts pensively.

  “I love you Kasey,” he blurted out.

  “What?” I wondered if this was a practical joke.

  “You are the most genuine person. I…I utterly love everything about you. Your thoughtfulness and dedication to detail, your constant worrying, your openness. We are perfectly perpendicular to each other, my little gypsy.” He put the gifts down and kneeled by my side.