by Sammy Sutton
He continued his thoughts. A boy comes of age at 13 with his bar mitzvah, celebrating his entry into manhood. Judaism had 13 principles. The Temple included 13 Gates: (1) Shaar Ha’Elyon (The Upper Gate), (2) Shaar HaDelek (The Kindling Gate), (3) Shaar Habechorot (The Gate of Firstborn), (4) Shaar HaMayim (The Water Gate), (5) Shaar Yechonyah (The Gate of Yechonya), (6) Shaar HaKorban (The Gate of Offering), (7) Shaar HaNashim (The Women’s Gate), (8) Shaar Hashir (The Gate of Song), (9) Shaar Nikanor (gate between the Women’s Courtyard and the main Temple Courtyard). Counting the two minor doorways and two gates of relative unimportance without names, the total; was 13 entry-points.
Maintaining this theme, the Seal of the United States encompassed the ‘13’ it dominated. Reaching into his pocket, he removed a dollar bill. The U.S. Seal possessed 13 letters, 13 arrows, 13 olive leaves, 13 berries, 13 stars, and 13 constellations. Was it possible that the Founding Fathers and Authorities within the Government have always known? Antonio thought it sounded extreme, but then again, the entire damn thing was insane.
Antonio was tired, tomorrow would be here soon enough, he needed to rest and make plans for achieving success with Amanda. Unable to boast of anything today, he had crashed and burned. It was not completely clear why, but he needed her, and he sure did want her.
Chapter 6
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
— Winston S. Churchill
As Antonio put toothpaste on his toothbrush the next morning, and looked up at blurry image in the mirror, the first thing he noticed was the circles under his eyes, and that is when his brain caught up with reality.
“Shit.” He dropped his toothbrush. His forehead was healed, without any evidence remaining of the bruise or laceration from his fall into the cavern! His witchy woman was more than she appeared. Cleaning his glasses, he placed his head near the mirror to inspect the former wound. It was supernatural. The situation now demanded that he get through to Amanda, failure was not an option.
Determined, he finished dressing and headed downstairs.
As he crossed the lobby, Tommy called out to him, “Antonio!”
“What's up Tommy?”
“I shouldn’t be tellin' you this, but, I trust you.” Tommy hesitated.
“Go ahead, what is it?”
“She’s leavin' today, three days early,” Tommy, sounded shocked.
“She can’t.”
“She booked a flight, and she’s not flyin' home.”
“Where is she going, Tommy? This is more important than I’m willing to explain right now. Where is she going?” Tommy had to tell him.
“She’s goin' to a cabin to write.”
“Where’s the cabin?”
“I don’t know.”
“Tommy, you do know. Understand I have another job. I am an anthropologist. I’ve found something. She has connections with it. I knew it before I got here. Amanda does not know yet, and her fears about having a relationship made it too difficult to explain, so I didn’t get a chance to discuss it with her. It’s important, Tommy. You were right, she is special, and in many ways similar to the books she brings you.”
Tommy believed him, knowing her on a personal level made Antonio’s story less bizarre.
“She is goin' to some cabin in New Mexico. I think close to Santa Fe.”
Tommy could have shot Antonio with a shotgun and shocked him less. Could it be supernatural or divine intervention, he didn’t have time to decide.
“Tommy, when is she leaving?”
“I’m takin' her to the airport at noon.”
“Thanks, Tommy.” Antonio ran to his room, booking the 2:00PM flight to Albuquerque, he'd have to drive to Santa Fe from there. He would take a cab to keep out of her sight prior to boarding the plane.
He packed in a rush. Calling Max, he would claim an emergency. After all, this was urgent. King Solomon’s Scrolls suggested a worldwide catastrophe. Maybe Tommy could find the name of the resort. How in the hell did she end up with a reservation in New Mexico?
He dropped his luggage by the door, glancing, he found a folded paper on the floor. Damn, the note was from Max.
Antonio,
I made a suggestion to her, Angel Fire Resort. She is going there to write. I knew you would need to know. I would lose my job if it ever got out that I helped you like this.
Max
He didn’t understand why Max would exhibit such behavior, acting as if he knew something depended on a connection between Amanda and Antonio. The Temptress ran from him now, but he tailed close behind her.
Amanda was ready to get away from Vegas, swearing never to find herself near Antonio again. His powerful lure left her unable to resist him. Without Tommy, as chaperone the night before, she would be in a worse predicament now. Relieved to be escaping, another glimpse of him could prove fatal.
“Miss Amanda, I hope Antonio didn’t upset you last night.”
She did not want him to believe anything of the sort about Antonio.
“No, he was a nice guy. It’s me, Tommy. It would mess things up for everyone, if I fell for some guy.”
“Well, Miss Amanda, if you don’t mind me sayin', he’s a great guy, and you’re a nice lady. I was hopin' you would like him.”
“Tommy, he is a great guy. That is the problem.” Tommy shook his head.
Antonio took a cab to the airport to avoid attention. He planned to board the plane as late as possible to intercept the Sorceress. His phone rang.
“Hello? Tommy...She did? Did she say anything else? Okay, thanks a lot. I owe you big time.”
Tommy confirmed his suspicions about Amanda. She found herself interested in him, and that was the problem. A man would complicate her life too much. He knew it, she feared a relationship, and it wasn’t just him. Still, there was another problem.
Chapter 7
“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you
control it.”
John Steinbeck
Amanda boarded the plane and located her seat next to the window. Gazing out of airplane windows always left her mesmerized. Needing a distraction, she removed a book from her bag and began reading.
The last call to board for Albuquerque sounded throughout the airport intercoms.
This was Antonio’s cue to board as he entered the aircraft cabin. Amanda was busy reading, he moved swiftly passed her without raising suspicion. He took his seat. The next task was to determine how he would handle the situation without appearing as a psychopath. He decided to write a note, a non-threatening way for her to receive a few facts before reacting. Removing a legal pad and pen from his attaché, he began to write.
Dear Amanda,
I need to talk to you it is crucial.
I am an anthropologist and it is my understanding that you have dealt with mystical experiences, I recently read a couple of your books.
Before I came to Vegas, I knew little about you. I should have told you, but I know it sounds completely crazy.
The truth is…I am interested in speaking with you on several levels. Only one is personal. I’m working on a serious project, and your help would provide a most valuable influence towards the outcome.
My car is at the airport. Please, let me drive you to the resort, so we can talk, and you can understand the circumstances. I promise you – the information I’ll share will change your perspective on the situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Antonio Dominguez PhD.
Antonio folded the paper over once, not wanting to provoke anyone. He asked the flight attendant to deliver the message to Amanda; assuring her that it was a simple hello to an old friend he had spotted. The attendant smiled, agreeing to deliver it for him.
The messenger interrupted Amanda’s reading as she handed her the piece of paper.
Receiving a letter on a plane was strange. She read the signature first. Dr. Antonio Dominguez, PhD. He had introduced himself officia
lly as an anthropologist. While she had guessed at his field of work, it was nice to be reminded that her intuition had been correct. Questions flooded her mind as she began to read.
Realizing he must be on the plane following her, she surmised Antonio must live somewhere near Santa Fe. His claims seemed outrageous. He needed her help with a serious matter, mystical in nature?
Was he lying? No. Tommy and Max spoke very highly of him. At the restaurant, she ascertained that he was trustworthy. She trusted her innate ability to fathom out the good and bad within people, and others often remarked that she seemed to know who to trust in any situation. One of the reasons she was leaving Vegas was due to her own instinctive need to put distance between what he made her feel, and what she felt. How could she deny his request? Her rational self argued that it was impossible; she couldn’t be with this man without falling for him.
She boarded the plane in Vegas to get away from him, and now, everything changed. His explanation might prove important. All of her life, and even more sharply in the past year, she had known she had a strong connection with senses others did not use. Not since her youth had she spoken of it, being laughed at and teased had taught her to hide her natural abilities.
It was not in her soul to refuse his request so she agreed to listen. It would be easier, if she did not have the overwhelming urge to touch him. She would meet with him, and listen on all levels, before providing her final answer.
Dear Antonio,
I will listen to what you have to say. Please understand, I am feeling a great deal of concern regarding the implications of your letter. Despite all of this, you have intrigued me. My curiosity insists that I hear you out.
Surely, there is a coffee shop in Santa Fe. It seems you know the area well, so I assume you can find one.
There, you are welcome to explain your circumstances over a nice Mocha. I like Mocha best. Our conversation will determine whether you will drive me to the resort, or not.
Sincerely,
Amanda Messenger
The attendant delivered the answer back to Antonio. Reading the message, he chuckled. Even in her letter, she spoke with perfect, academic articulation, without a single contraction.
Her terms didn’t surprise him at all. The sense of humor she inserted about liking Mocha intrigued him. It confirmed her as the type of woman that he believed her to be. She wanted a coffee shop. No doubt it had to be organic, her comfort was important.
They could go to the coffeehouse on Zafarrano Drive. The shop was also an Art Gallery, and Antonio felt confident Amanda was an art lover, based on her artsy personality.
He felt a victory, having secured the opportunity to talk to her. Now, he felt obligated to convey the information to her in the clearest terms possible. Everything depended upon this single conversation, his only chance to turn the situation around.
After exiting the plane, Amanda waited at the gate for him. Antsy, she had to remind herself to breathe. She caught sight of him, and closed her eyes…breathe. Seeing him was reminder of the dangerous web she stepped into with this man.
Spotting her, Antonio approached, noticing her nervousness. He smiled gently.
“Amanda, thank you, I know you’re skeptical, and you’ve given me the chance anyway. I appreciate your kindness,” his words leaned to ease her mind.
The surprises continued to bombard her. They walked together to the parking garage, where Joseph had delivered Raven. The road between Albuquerque and Santa Fe was not long, but it was well-made and perfect for Raven.
She had seemed pleased with the idea of a fast ride. He just wasn't sure if it was because she liked speed, or just the quickest way to get out of his presence!
As Antonio opened the car door for her, their eyes met for a brief moment. The veracity of the moment nearly forced Amanda to jump into the car. As he closed the door, she started laughing aloud.
Her laughter was contagious. Antonio joined, asking, “What’s funny?”
“Considering all the possibilities I imagined to be true about you, not one of them suggested you were an anthropologist with a need to tool around in fancy sports cars.”
Laughing for another moment, he told her, “You should see what I drive when I am working.”
“What is that?”
“An Escalade, this is a Raven Black Edition. I got her a few days ago. Raven is my first sports car.”
“Well, I guess an anthropologist understands better than anyone, a man's need to speed on occasion.”
“Hey, you’re pretty sharp. However, you’re wrong about one thing. I’m not a yuppie - its YUCA.”
“You are a cactus?”
Maneuvering through the airport traffic, he smiled. “No, not a cactus, in capital letters Y-U-C-A.”
She teased, “I guess it stands for something other than a cactus.”
“Originally, it stood for ‘Young, Upwardly-mobile Cuban-American born in the U.S. Now some of us originally coined with the term are no longer young, but it still sticks.” He looked to see her expression.
“I missed that, too. I guessed you were an Argentine.”
“No, I am a Miami born Cuban-American.”
She looked perplexed, “YUCA, wow, I am sorry I did not know about that. I have visited Miami on several occasions, but I never picked up the term. I think the Midwest is void of Cubans.”
“You don’t know any Cubans?”
“Zero. None.” Her actions so animated they enlivened the conversation.
“I’m your first.”
“You are right about that.” She thought to herself, if they resemble you, it’s a blessing.
“It’s an honor being the first,” he grinned.
His grin was awesome. We will all be better off, if you are my last. Amanda thought to herself.
By focusing on one flaw, or negative trait, she could disregard her natural feelings. Already she defied her own principles by turning positives into negatives. It was wrong.
“There is a coffee shop not too far away, once we reach Santa Fe, which features local art. I thought perhaps you would appreciate it.” Antonio thought telling his plans would help ease her tension. The laughter helped.
His insight made her bite her bottom lip. She loved art. It was one of her greatest passions. Surely, her soul was not on display for this man.
“You are correct, I love art.” Her confession pleased him.
The energy between them was wildly electrical. The hot energy blazed, making it impossible to ignore the presence.
“I’m not intent on making you feel uncomfortable. Still, I need to know you. I had an experience that defies my own personal beliefs. You were a part of it. If it makes you feel any better, I am really uncomfortable trying to figure out how to explain all of this to you.”
His sincerity tugged at her heart. This was extremely emotional for him, and not a part of a maniacal game.
“Antonio, I am here, ready to listen to what you have to say. I will try to be fair. You scare and frustrate me.” In an attempt to explain, she realized it was a stupid thing to say, he was insulted.
“I am not a schizoid criminal that you need to fear.”
“No, I am not referring to that fear, another fear, one that makes your positives become negatives.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t understand what you mean by ‘positives become negatives’.” He understood, but wanted her explanation.
“Your good points may wreck a woman’s life.”
“Which woman’s life may be wrecked?” His smile was sexy.
“I would say that you are able to have your choice.”
“What about you, Amanda? Could I wreck your life?” His question caused her skin to flush, her stomach felt queasy.
“Perhaps,” she answered.
“Amanda is your life perfect?”
“No, but it is good. Comparably speaking, it is great. People depend on me, and that is important.”
“What are your comparisons?” He knew he neared a bound
ary.
“If you must know...it was my life. My life before things changed.”
“Before, what changed?”
“I took my life back, and took control over what I could.” She told him as little as possible.
“I see. You were in a bad relationship and got out, and now you’ve found success on your own. Tell me what I’m failing to understand.”
“It was a relationship, but to say that was all it was, is over-simplifying the situation,” she clarified.
“There was more?”
“You know, I did not plan on a man, or a disrupting relationship, am I on trial?” Her opinion declared that the focus of the conversation needed to change.
“No, you are not on trial. I’m trying to be honest with you. I’m interested in you.”
“What is the professional issue?”
"I would rather wait until we are comfortable, and I do not have to concentrate on the road, before beginning that conversation."
"Alright, I can understand that reason."
The rest of the trip to Santa Fe was filled with silence, as they cruised along the highway that exposed the beauty of New Mexico to all who took the time to enjoy it.
Parking at the coffee shop, he paused, gazing into Amanda’s eyes, “I will tell you everything inside.” She opened the door for herself before he had the chance. They went inside.
Scanning the interior of the shop, he located a private space. It was not peak coffee-time. The place was quiet. They ordered.
Antonio allowed himself a moment to gaze at her. Stunning, sexy, laced in mystery, he wanted her more with every passing minute. She felt something too. He knew it. Not knowing if her intensity was as potent as his was, he knew something existed.