“It’s a fascinating history,” Mavis said.
Jessie’s eyes flared momentarily when Jacques appeared behind their hostess. She managed to ignore him, giving Mavis an encouraging nod. Jessie only hoped Jacques didn’t think it had been intended for him. She was, however, rewarded when Jonathan emitted a quiet, but long suffering sigh. This would teach him to play with her! She quickly hid a wicked grin.
“It all started in 1762 when Theodore built the home,” Mavis began.
Jacques, of course, took exception to this and pointed to himself as if miming, Non! It was me.
“This was before the War of Independence, mind you. This area was filled with pirates and brigands who used this winding river we are built on and the swamps to elude capture.” She held up her hands, being quick to add, “Theodore Bancroft was a well-respected merchant and business man, however.”
Jacques snorted at that distortion of the truth.
“What was that?” Gloria asked, looking down at the dog as if he’d passed gas. “Mavis, does your dog need to go outside and go potty?”
“I just let him out,” Mavis replied, and then, like a stalwart trooper, she forged on. “He’d done quite well for himself and owned nearly all the land in this area.”
“Really?” Jessie was surprised and tried not to look directly at Jacques, who was indicating again that it was due to him, his work, his land.
“The original property was well over a thousand acres,” Mavis said proudly. “Unfortunately, it was the wars and the depression that whittled it down to the size it is today.”
That was, Jessie noticed from Jacques’s gestures, all the Bancroft heirs’ fault as he pointed to Mavis and Jonathan.
“What I love most about the story,” Mavis said with excitement, “is that he fell in love and married an Itza Indian princess.”
“Itza?” Jessie asked. “As in Chich'en Itza?”
Jacques, Jessie noticed, was piqued over this topic. Not that he was gesturing wildly, quite the opposite, he was engrossed in studying his nails.
“Yes,” Mavis said excitedly. “It’s said that Itza means enchanted waters. In fact, Chich'en Itza means at the mouth of the well, and the Oconee people actually called themselves the Okvne, which means purified by water.
“That is interesting that they all have the water connection,” Jessie said, remembering the box in the back of the toilet. She hoped again it was waterproof.
“Tribes like the Itza and the Oconee eventually became part of the Creek Confederacy.”
“Creek,” Jessie said. “Again the water connection.” There was a brief flash of fear in Jacques’s eyes and a change in his demeanor when she said it. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was still hiding something.
“And I believe that they are descendants of the Mayans,” Mavis announced.
“Aren’t the Mayans from Central America?” Jessie asked.
“They are, but something quite terrible happened many years ago that caused them to disappear. Some say it has to do with the terrible volcanic eruptions that occurred and the famine and war that followed.”
“More wine?” Jonathan asked, filling hers and everyone else’s glasses again. “I think I’ll have a beer myself.” He escaped, going into the kitchen.
“Apparently, some migrated into North America,” Mavis continued. “Do you know that they’ve found ancient Mayan sites in Georgia and South Carolina? And just like the Anasazi in the Southwest, they share the same Sun calendar.”
“Fascinating.” Jessie nodded. “So Theodore married this princess?”
“Yes,” Mavis said excitedly. “They had a son, and he became an admiral in the war. He was an amazing sailor and commander of men. It is even rumored that he helped orchestrate the battle in which Jean Lafitte defended New Orleans against the British in 1815. ”
“No kidding,” Jessie said, impressed. Jacques, however, was not. He rolled his eyes and yawned dramatically as though hearing her extol the virtues of his mutinous first mate and his heir was exceedingly dull. He waved bye-bye before disappearing. Jessie actually lifted her hand to wave back. Catching herself, she tucked the ever escaping strand of hair behind her ear instead.
“What a fascinating story,” Gloria said.
Jessie watched Mavis nod excitedly. She also noticed that when Jonathan returned, his beer was almost gone. Jessie wondered if he hadn’t belted down half of it to fortify himself before returning.
“We have a proud history of service in this family.” Mavis beamed at her son. “Jonathan just got out of the military six months ago.”
Hmm, Jessie thought. He had spoken like it was in the distant past. She noticed he looked a little discomfited by the praise.
“Just doing my duty,” he said.
At least, Jessie thought, it explains why mister most likely to succeed was still living with his Mommy.
“Dinner smells great, Mom,” Jonathan said, changing the subject. “When are we eating?”
“Oh, Jonathan,” Mavis tsked, “always thinking with your stomach. It’s the way to his heart,” Mavis hinted with a slight wink at Jessie as she got up from sofa.
Great! Jessie thought. First she gets a make-over and now tips on how to romance the big guy.
“Dinner is served,” Mavis said, leading the way into the dining room.
Both Jessie and Jonathan breathed sighs of relief on her departure. They glanced at one another.
“I’m famished,” Jonathan said apologetically.
He looked about as excited as she was. “Me too,” Jessie said.
“Ladies first.” He lifted his beer, indicating she and her mother should go first.
As soon as they were seated, Jessie brought his favorite subject up again. “How many children did Theodore have?” Jessie asked.
“Only the one,” Mavis said. “His wife died soon after from a terrible fever. But not in the house,” Mavis was quick to amend. “It was on his ship returning from a voyage. . . . Not like that woman suggested.”
Jessie noticed that Jonathan avoided that topic. Finishing his beer in one swallow, he fished out another before joining them. Jacques appeared on top of the cabinets as the big guy twisted off the cap. Beer squirted out like Ol' Faithful, foaming down the side.
“Another one?” He sighed in disgust, making Jessie think that perhaps that was what may have happened to the last beer.
“Get the paper towels,” Mavis said as beer quickly spread across the counter and floor.
“Mom, have you been shaking my beers again?” Jonathan teased as he wiped up the mess.
“I’m telling you it’s the ride in the back of your truck that does it.” Mavis shook her head.
Jacques was far too pleased with himself for it to be the truck, Jessie realized, as they dished up and said grace.
“Oh, this is delicious,” Gloria said.
“Mmm.” Jessie nodded in agreement, her mouth too full to make a comment.
“Outdone yourself again, Mom,” Jonathan complimented her.
“But please do tell us the rest of the story,” Jessie said, fairly certain if she’d been Jonathan’s sibling instead of guest he might have kicked her under the table for that one.
“Oh, how Theodore mourned his wife,” Mavis said wistfully. “It is said that his love was so great for her that he never remarried.”
“That is so sad.” Gloria shook her head.
“And how he cherished their child,” Mavis added.
“No wonder, you were so upset about that article in the newspaper,” Jessie said, using her most innocent of voices.
Jessie, although she was looking at Mavis, noticed Jonathan visibly stiffen in his chair at her words. Oh yes, Jessie thought, as his mother sank both teeth into that topic, revenge is mine! She smiled sweetly at him, even more convinced that he would kick her under the table if they were siblings. That will definitely teach him not to play with me!
Chapter 10
“I can’t believe that little dog pee-
peed on my high-heels,” Gloria said. Her shoes squished with every step she took as they crossed the lawn to the back door of Aunt Katie’s house.
Jessie knew the feeling all too well! “I told you he was a little devil,” Jessie said as she unlocked the back door. She hoped that they wouldn’t run into one of Jacques’s booby-traps.
“I’m going straight to the shower.” Her mom slid out of her shoes, leaving them on the back porch. “Then I’d like to watch the ten o’clock news.”
“Sounds good, and we can have a hot cup of tea like old times,” Jessie said.
“I would love that!” her mom said as she headed across the kitchen floor in her bare feet.
“Jacques?” Jessie whispered as soon as her mom was out of ear shot.
“You called?” Jacques said, appearing at the entrance to the kitchen.
Jessie smiled. It was the same place where she’d first laid eyes on him. She couldn’t believe how her feelings had changed. Now she felt comforted and reassured by his presence. “All clear on the home front?”
Jacques nodded. “Not a creature was stirring . . . not even a mouse.”
“Mouse, yes, but what of the gophers?” Jessie raised a brow in question.
“I like the gophers,” Jacques said. “They help confuse the treasure seeking gold diggers.”
“And exactly how do they do that?” Jessie asked as she put water in the kettle and set it on the stove.
“They put holes where there were none and hide others.” Jacques seemed far too delighted with the clever little burrowers.
“That doesn’t sound like any gopher behavior I’ve ever heard of.”
“Uh-well, they are special gophers, oui?” Jacques was grinning as he watched her turn on the stove.
She looked at him. “There aren’t any gophers, are there?”
“There are some,” he said evasively.
“Why would you dig holes in the yard?” Jessie asked, shaking her head. “What? Are you looking for your own treasure?” she joked. Her eyes widened. “Ah,” she gasped in surprise. “That’s it, isn’t it?”
“Non!” Jacques said examining his sleeve.
“You’ve lost your own treasure.” She grinned. “That is why you are so worried about it.”
“Non!”
“Then where is it?”
He evaded her question and said instead, “I do it for several reasons.” Jacques grinned. “I change the holes where the teenagers have dug to trip the intruders.”
“Why?” Jessie asked.
“It is fun, oui?”
“Fun?” Jessie looked at him suspiciously. He was hiding something.
“Oui, I do it for my own pleasure,” he said earnestly.
“Hmm?” Jessie shook her head at him. He was trying too hard to convince her. She didn’t doubt for a minute that he would find tripping up these trespassers enjoyable, but he was hiding something. She was sure of it.
“What is, hmm?” Jacques asked.
“What about the gardener?” Jessie asked.
“Earl?”
Jessie couldn’t remember his name. She barely remembered meeting him when she was ten, but wasn’t about to confess and lose her powers of observation ranking. “Yes, why would you create more work for Earl?” she asked.
“Job security,” Jacques offered up more as a possible solution than an answer.
“Job security?” Jessie shook her head. “I’m going to get in my pajamas and then watch some TV with my mom, so no funny stuff with the remote,” Jessie said as she walked away. She looked back over her shoulder. “Okay?”
“Oui.” Jacques saluted.
~*~
“Next up,” the newscaster on television announced, “the Mayan calendar . . . will 12-21-12 spell disaster? Find out after these words from our sponsors.” They continued to watch as underwear clad, hard-bodied gymnasts danced across the screen.
“Underwear that doesn’t bind?” Her mother pointed to the commercial. “Who are they kidding? Look at them.” Gloria snorted in disbelief.
Jacques grinned. He could see now where Jessie got the delightfully unladylike behavior.
“My underwear never bound up on me until I was forty pounds overweight.” Her mom sighed, looking down at her own body. “Let’s see those panties move like that on a fat person and I’ll believe it!”
Jacques disappeared, but Jessie could still hear him somewhere in the back of the house laughing.
“What is that?” Gloria said. “Is that the drain in the shower still making noise?”
“I think so,” Jessie said.
“This house makes some of the strangest noises.”
Jessie turned up the volume, trying to drown him out. “How’s that?”
“That’s better.” Her mom nodded. “I really want to hear this about the Mayan calendar.”
An image of the Sun’s rays climbing up the steps of an Aztec temple appeared on the television. “The Mayan calendar is divided into five equal parts called Suns.”
The camera then went to a reporter standing in front of a replica of the Sun calendar. Jessie almost doubted her eyesight when she recognized her. It was the busy bee herself.
“These Sun cycles consisted of 5,125 years each,” Patricia, wearing a tight red sweater said. “The last cycle and the long count began in the year 3114 before the current era.”
The camera went in for a closer view of Miss Patricia Parker, incongruously focusing more on her horizons than the one behind her. “The ancient Mayans believed that each of these four previous cycles had been ruled by four different deities who assumed the role as the Sun. As each of these previous cycles came to an end the Sun was destroyed, and like the Phoenix rising out of the ashes, a new one was born from the destruction of the last, ushering in the new cycle and a new god’s reign.”
Jacques reappeared, and if the expression on his face was anything to go by, he was immediately impressed by the-ah-subject. Jessie couldn’t help but notice that the camera angle only enhanced the reporter’s assets. She seriously wondered if there was a man out there who was actually paying attention to what was being said.
“Good heavens,” her mother said. “I can hardly pay attention to this. Maybe if she weren’t wearing red it wouldn’t be so much like a bull’s eye painted on the screen. Talk about underwear that binds . . . that woman needs a girdle for those things.” She snorted again. “Is this one of those stations that has one of those weather girls in a bikini?”
Jacques quickly disappeared once again. Jessie could hear his laughter from upstairs.
“Listen,” her mom said. “Those pipes are getting worse.”
Jessie turned the volume up more.
“That is the local media super star, the busy bee herself.” Jessie almost had to shout.
“No.” Her mom was taken aback. “That’s the woman who called all of Mavis’ genealogical information into question? From the way she carried on, I thought it was a serious reporter.”
“I think she is serious,” Jessie said, “with her son.”
“What?” Gloria said, “With Jonathan?” At Jessie’s nod, she shook her head. “Is he serious with her?”
“Considering the lip-lock they were in when I saw them at the shopping center, I’d say he is.”
“No wonder you came in yelling.” Her mom nodded understandingly, as if now her outburst made sense. “I’m sorry, honey. I thought he was available or I wouldn’t have put up with Mavis’ matchmaking for an instant.”
“I don’t think his mother knows,” Jessie said.
“Humph.” Her mother turned back to the blonde bomb shell. “I can’t say that I blame her for trying.” She looked back at Jessie. “Well one thing’s for sure. We know he’s not a leg man.”
“Yeah.” Jessie laughed. “Mystery solved.”
Patricia turned so that the camera could convey the calendar behind her, which conveniently gave her audience an even better view of her sweater. “Three hundred sixty five days equaled a
solar year or tun,” Patricia explained. “A Katun was equal to 20 tuns, and a short count was equal to 13 Katuns or 260 tuns.”
“Oh my,” Gloria said. “I think that pose might be even worse!”
Patricia continued on . . . . “The Sun disk consists of not only a 365 day calendar called the xiuhpohualli, but also the, tonalpohualli, a 260 day ritual cycle. These days were counted using 13 symbols used in combination with 20 day symbols.” The busy bee lifted her arm, pointing to the calendar as a close up of something other than her breasts filled the screen. “These two calendars together formed the 52 year century called the century round.”
“Oh, look, there is a calendar there,” Gloria said.
“What is so different about this Sun cycle, and why do some people think it will usher in an age of unparalleled disaster of super volcanoes and earthquakes?” Patricia asked, and again the screen was filled with red sweater.
“Holy kablowey!” her mother said. “That cleavage lends a whole new meaning to volcanoes erupting.”
“At the end of this, the fifth cycle,” Patricia seriously faced the screen, “The Sun will have completed its Great Zodiac procession cycle of 26,000 years, entering into the Galactic Equator, the place the Mayans believed to be the origin point of creation . . . .” The camera went for a close-up of Patricia pouting into the camera. “The dark band in the very center of the Milky Way.”
“This is like watching Marilyn Monroe do the news,” Gloria said, shaking her head.
“According to a local expert on the mythology of the ancient Mayans, Ms. Sandra Breaux, proprietress of The Enchantress gift shop and boutique,” Patricia continued as a short clip came up.
Jessie was surprised to see the woman she’d encountered earlier that evening on the screen saying, “This alignment will create a pathway to the Xibalba, where the ancient gods of the underworld dwell.”
“What does that mean, I wonder,” Gloria said. “Is it going to open up hell on Earth?” she asked, looking over at Jessie. “Well, they obviously haven’t seen the real news lately or they would realize it’s already happened.”
Jessie watched as the woman from the store turned to the camera and said ominously, “The prophesy will be fulfilled.”
Treasure of the Jaguar Warrior - Mystery of the Mayan Calendar Page 10