The Seventh Chakra

by J. R. Bowles

  Then there was the clerk who was following John's friend Michael like a love sick puppy. Billy smiled to himself as he realized that twice he had compared them to dogs. After all wasn't dog backward god.

  Billy opened the door to his room with his card key and directed everyone in.

  “I'm going to put John to bed if you have any questions I will be back in a few minutes.” Billy opened the door between his and John's room, and John silently followed Billy's directions with out comment. He seemed as if he were in a mild state of shock.

  “Jackie would you help me?” Billy asked silently to Jackie and she responded without answer.

  Billy and Jackie undressed John and tucked him into bed.

  * * *

  Mindy stared after the boy and girl as they led John to his room.

  Finally, she thought, I am near him and they cannot get rid of me without getting rid of Jamal. She stroked Jamal's arm and he smiled at her. He managed to return her smile. He was fatigued and she knew she needed to get him to bed to rest. He must recover. Her powers had increased with this last connection and her power of destruction was vastly increased but the time was not yet. She must wait until the last path is opened.

  Upon the last opening she would destroy all of them. She smiled inwardly knowing the power she was going to have. She would destroy all of the humanity that had infected the sweet Mother Earth, only her people and those who did not work to destroy the planet with their cars and pollution would survive.

  Yes, the world would return to the paradise meant to be, before the white man had infected her with his death machines. Yes, no more cars, planes, or concrete. Man, true man, she thought, would return to the life and be one with the mother again. No electricity, no bombs, no hatred and no more greed. And they would all be indebted to her. If any evilness reared it's head she would destroy it.

  Billy and Jackie reentered and Mindy animated herself with her most sincere manners.

  “Hi, I'm Mindy, Jamal's friend.” Mindy introduced herself to the group but she focused her attention on Billy for he seemed to be John's keeper.

  Billy glanced at Jackie quizzically but responded to Mindy and introduced himself. “Hello, I'm Billy.”

  They each in turn introduced themselves as if they were students in class.

  “I'm Jackie.”

  “I'm Michael.”

  “I'm Rudy.”

  Finally it was Azid's turn but he was quiet. They all focused their attention on him waiting for him to identify himself.

  “I want to know what the fuck's going on.” He stated.

  “That's Azid.” Jamal intervened. “He's my friend and he only meant to protect me. He thought John was trying to harm me.” He addressed them but tried to justify Azid's action for Billy and Jackie's sake.

  Jamal understood how Azid felt but he now felt bonded to the other people who were centers. Although he wasn't quite as confused about the facts as Azid.

  He glanced at Billy and Jackie, realizing he no longer felt hostile towards them even though they were white. There was something else which had replaced the hatred it was a feeling of sameness as if they were family. Like Azid was family, no, even closer than Azid. He wasn't sure.

  “I don't think this is the time to talk about this. Mindy has a room here in this hotel also and I've been staying with her. I think we should go get some rest and talk about this later.” Jamal said and then turned to Azid.

  “Azid there are two beds and you can crash in one if Mindy don't mind.” Jamal looked at Mindy for the answer to his question.

  “No that's fine. I think we all need some rest.” She answered graciously, but thought to herself, I'll get rid of this Azid before the next opening tonight.

  Rudy had been sitting watching everything as it had taken place in the park. He had been swept into the opening and experienced what had taken place. Now he just listened and tried to sort it all out. He had began to feel a bond with these people, these strangers, he clarified to himself and what was more amazing it was not sexual, even toward Michael. And Mr. Fleuric, who was he, he thought. Why was the man so special?

  “Well Rudy do you have far to go home?” Michael asked Rudy.

  “Yes, I live in Queens.” He glanced at his watch and added. “It's only four hours until I have to be back at the desk to go to work, I guess I'll go find a chair to sleep in, back in housekeeping.”

  “You can stay in my room.” Michael volunteered. “But no funny stuff, besides I want to find out why you were following me.”

  Rudy's face turned beet red. After all that had happened he had forgotten what he had been doing which had led him to be there in Battery Park when the incident occurred.

  “I, I, ...” Rudy began but Michael interrupted him.

  “Not now, later when I've got you alone.”

  Rudy nodded, not knowing what to say.

  Jackie just stood and watched without comment as everyone took their leave. She turned to Billy after they shut the door. “Billy, I have a couple of friends staying in the hotel here and they're involved with this too, and if I wake them up now I'm sure they will insist that I answer their questions and I don't think I'm up to it right now. Could I spend the rest of the night here?”

  “Sure, but you'll have to sleep with me. As you can see I only have the one bed. Oh, by the way I sleep without my clothes. I hope you don't mind.”

  Jackie smiled and winked at him. “That's okay, I slept with all mine on. We've shared a lot lately but I'm not ready for anything else, not yet, not now.”

  Billy nodded. “No problem. I'm made of stone besides, that would be fraternization anyway, wouldn't it?”

  They both feel into deep roars of laughter for the bonds they had experienced where already greater than any sexual bonds could ever be.

  Jackie went to the bathroom and changed into a pair of paisley pajamas she had brought in her carry case. She tied her hair back and grinned as she thought about climbing into bed with another man. When she returned Billy was already in the bed leaving her room and was facing the opposite edge with his back to her. His bare muscular shoulders were over the edge of the spread. She unbutton the top button of her pajamas then slowly lifted the covers back far enough to see he really was sleeping as he had threatened, naked!

  She grinned and thought, “sleeping with all these men and still a virgin.” Her nipples became erect as she sled between the sheets. She sighed and drifted gently off to sleep.

  CHAPTER 42

  John laid in bed staring up at the granulated ceiling. He could hardly believe what had happen to him. Through the slightly cracked window curtain he could see it was daylight but it must be early for the external light was faint as if it were just past dawn.

  He looked around the hotel room and recalled where he was. Faint flickers of memory streamed into his thinking of how he had gotten there. Billy and Jackie had taken care of him and put him to bed. He reached for his watch where one of them had left it on the night stand, along with the other items he carried with him. Ten thirty! He had slept late.

  Must be cloudy, he thought, for it should be a lot lighter outside than what appeared through the crack to the outer world.

  He wondered where Billy was, and then concluded he must be in his room. From all that Billy had said the past several nights there seemed to be some kind of enlightenment taking place and Billy seemed to know most of the answers.

  These mysterious revelations which seemed to be the origin of the universe itself were most unsettling.

  He went to the bathroom for his morning ritual. They had put him to bed in just his drawers. He couldn't quite remember which one had removed his pants. He thought about the woman, Jackie, quite attractive he mused.

  As he finished he noticed his side, which had been sliced by the attack of the Black man, displayed no cut, not even a scar.

  As he bathed he thought about Morgan for the first time in several days. He groaned as her supple body and angelic face flashed through his t
houghts. He hadn't called her and he guessed it was time to rectify his oversight. He had no appointments scheduled for today so he would have time to see a little of the city and make amends to Morgan.

  He finished showering and dressed. It was time to interrogate Billy, he thought. Yes, Mr. Billy boy, you seem to have all the answers and it was fine time to let him in on what was going on.

  He would see if Billy was awake. He really owed the boy a lot. He couldn't have asked for a better friend and confidant.

  He stood before the mirror attached to his wall and combed his hair. As he stood there looking at himself he began to feel he was looking at someone else other than himself.

  The images of the incident that had taken place last night rambled through his mind. He had spotted Michael getting off of the boat in Battery Park and was calling to him. Then the black man was between him and Michael. It seemed surrealistically familiar. The other black man had attacked him from the rear and cut his back and accidentally stabbed his friend. Although the stabbing of the black man had been a mistake the man had definitely tried to kill John.

  The most amazing thing was not even the primal visitation back to the origin of the universe but was when Michael had told him, no ordered was more accurate, to heal the stabbed man.

  He spread his hands and fingers wide before him and inspected them with some awe. They seemed normal he told himself.

  As he thought about the man trying to stab him he felt angry. The man hadn't even been arrested and they had all returned to the hotel together. He had felt to tired to protest at the time but remembered feeling upset about them allowing him to come back with them. The black man was dangerous and should be locked up or killed. He wondered where they all were now.

  He shrugged, people like him usually got life in prison or a severe length of time to serve. If he had succeeded he might have gotten the death penalty.

  Time to find out where Billy is, he thought but hesitated before he opened the door between their rooms. What if they were all still in the next room?

  Well so what if they were, he rejected the possibility of fear from confrontation. He smiled, this trip had been a true growing experience for him. A week ago he would have run from his own shadow or even a woman such as Morgan, but now he felt he could handle anything or anybody.

  He opened the door and as he stood there allowing his eyes to readjust to the light he discovered a scene which would have shocked his sensitive nature only a week before and only a few days ago would have disgusted him but not this morning.

  Yes, he had changed and must still be changing. There in bed laid Jackie her hips spooned up into Billy's groin.

  John actually grinned and stood silently like a voyeur watching. As if by some unspoken cue Billy rolled over on his back and looked up at John as if he were trying to determine what John was thinking.

  “It's not what you think, boss.” Bill protested.

  With the sound of Billy's voice, Jackie's stilled body animated.

  “Yeah boss,” she mimicked as if she could already tell their situation had not upset John even though he had assumed they had done the wild thing.

  Jackie pulled the cover back to display to John that she was in fact clothed in her pajamas. Unfortunately Billy's lack of clothing was displayed in the same swoop.

  Billy didn't try to hide his nakedness from Jackie or John even though his erectness was boldly protruding.

  “I didn't say a thing.” John smiled. “But either that's a morning piss hard or Jackie's derriere is very stimulating or both.” John laughed at his own bold words and Jackie joined in with Billy following shortly behind.

  None of them including Jackie was embarrassed by Billy’s state of undress.

  “Well Billy, I would say you're Semper Paratus.” Jackie said and giggled.

  Billy's laughter roared and when he saw John's confused look he said, “‘Semper Paratus’ is the Coast Guard's motto, it means Always Ready.”

  They all laughed until Jackie was wiping tears from her eyes and grabbing at her side.

  It was the catharsis they needed.

  “Why don't you two get cleaned up and I'll treat us to some lunch. It's to late for breakfast.” John volunteered.

  “Community showers Jackie?” Billy asked hopefully.

  “I don't think so, besides there are two guys ahead of you, waiting.” Jackie smiled and climbed out of the bed shucked her pajamas there in the room in front of John and Billy. It was her way of telling them she trusted them totally. “I'm showering first after all, rank has it's privileges.”

  Both guys stared brazenly at her beautiful firmness. Appreciating her gentle curves and the warm complexion of her skin.

  “While Jackie's showering I want to ask you some questions about what is going on.” John's tone became serious.

  “Damn!” John said with the interruption from a knock at the door.

  Billy covered up as John opened the door.

  “Good morning, Morgan,” John said groping for words. “I was going to call you this morning and see if you want to go sight seeing with us.”

  “Sure you were.” Morgan teased. “May I come in?”

  “Certainly.” John said opening the door wider for her. “You sure are beautiful today.”

  “Hi.” Billy said from the bed.

  “Hi Billy.” Morgan answered and sat down in a chair near his bed.

  “Jackie's in the shower.” John said not realizing Morgan was more familiar with Jackie than he was. “She should be finished in a few minutes.” He added stressing the she.

  “Oh.” Morgan said with no other comment.

  “Feel up to sight seeing?” John asked.

  “Love to.”

  “Why did you come to Billy's room and not mine.” John asked but felt no suspicious anxiety about why she might be there.

  “I hadn't heard from you for a few days and I thought I would ask Billy if you were mad at me.” She pouted her lower lip in exaggerated despair. She had known John was there and she knew about Jackie but it was still necessary to keep John in partial darkness as to what was happening. Billy had mentally summoned her after he had concluded John was going to ask him a lot of questions and it was still not time for the in-depth detail of what was happening. Billy was right when he figured John still didn't realize Morgan knew as much about what was going on as Billy did.

  Jackie entered the room drying her hair. The rest of her body clothed only by the glisten of water still clinging to her tender skin.

  John cleared his throat to get Jackie's attention and as she looked up and saw Morgan she didn't seem embarrassed by Morgan's presence.

  Billy noticed John's look of dismay and crawled out of bed to lighten the situation and paraded proudly toward the bathroom. “Next.” He said and closed the door.

  John looked down at Morgan's face to see her reaction. He was surprised that she didn't appear to be shocked but to the contrary was amused. At least Billy wasn't still standing at attention, he thought.

  “Morgan, this is Jackie Harris a friend of ours.” John introduced for lack of anything better to say and thought to himself what is this a damn nudist colony.

  “Hi Jackie. Are you going sight seeing with us today?” Morgan asked.

  “Hi. Oh, I wouldn't miss it for the world.” Jackie smiled at Morgan knowingly.

  John shook his head. What in heavens name is going on everyone seems to be in on same joke except him.

  They all chatted while Jackie dressed and Billy came back still drying his body and proceeded to dress.

  “It's nice to see there's no bashfulness around here.” John finally said.

  “That's right boss.” They all chimed in together, even Morgan had joined the chorus.

  John grinned and shook his head in exasperation.

  As they entered the elevator Billy asked. “Are we going to need my truck?”

  “Let's walk.” John answered.

  The elevator opened and there waiting in the lobby wa
s Jamal with his friends Mindy and Azid.

  “Hello,” Jamal said while looking at John. “We waited down here this morning in hopes we would see you. We didn't want to disturb you.”

  “Morning.” John gritted his teeth. He wasn't sure if he was ready to forgive and forget. The nature of the incident had been too serious.

  Jamal nudged Azid's shoulder. “Uh, Uh, “ Azid stuttered. “Sir, “ he began as if he were repeating a memorized speech, which was what he was doing. Jamal had ordered him to apologize. God damn white pigs, he thought to himself but continued. “Sir,” he repeated, “I am sincerely sorry for what I tried to do last night. It's just that Jamal here, is my friend and I thought you meant him harm.”

  John stared at Azid for a moment trying to determine if he was in fact sincere.

  “Okay,” John answered. “Let's all start over.”

  “Thank you.” Azid mumbled and stared down at the floor.

  John felt the man wasn't quite sure if he felt the apology he offered but he did get the impression he was thankful his friend Jamal was alive.

  “Hi, remember me, I'm Mindy?”

  “Yes, how are you?” John responded. “We're all going out for some lunch and a walk about, would the three of you like to join us?”

  Mindy looked at Jamal with questioning eyes somewhat demurely as if she were being subservient to his every desire but internally she was thinking Jamal we will go.

  “We would like that John.” Jamal said and smiled at Jackie, Morgan and Billy with understanding, although he still felt a reserved confusion as to his own emotional involvement in this whole situation.

  The group headed out on to the street. The pavement was slightly damp.

  “Looks like it's been raining.” Billy said.

  “Off and on most of the morning.” Jamal nodded and offered cordially.

  The group stood in front of the hotel discussing where they were to eat since it was already twelve thirty.