“Not with those two women. I’ll never accept that as God’s will. He’s mistaken or lying. And she’s put him up to this. She was a mistake; a toxic mistake and I should’ve stopped that marriage. You too. Both of you. And that felon in Blaine.”
Edward looked at Agustin and sighed. “Then we’re done here for now. Misti will be returning soon and we’re all going to turn out to welcome her back. I for one have missed her, and the positive influence she has had on all our lives. All for the better. And Alana too, I might add. They have both made us all happier and in ways even you cannot deny. I hope you’ll come out for the event.”
“If you insist. But I won’t stay long. I’m busy and behind in my work.”
“As you wish.”
***
Edward called on Adam and Alana and spoke to Noki as well. He told them that Misti was coming home and that she was back to her old self. He told them the deal he had struck with her, and what that might mean for them all. Of course, he had no desire to get involved in their internal and intimate private matters, but Edward wasn’t an idiot. Both Noki and Alana, for similar reasons, but focused on different players, would be less than enthusiastic that Misti and Adam would be in danger.
Edward even doubted that Adam would be all that happy. But Adam loved his wife, and fully understood her needs. He loved the adventure and would revel in the danger.
It would be no burden to accompany his wife into the wild. But it was not now his first choice.
Chapter 54
Two days later, at four o’clock in the afternoon, a small group of very happy people assembled at the tiny dock on the grounds of the Victoria Institute. Adam claimed he heard the plane before anyone saw it; the family thought he was hallucinating. Adam grumbled something to himself; but, in fact, he was as happy as Alana and for the very same reasons. Misti was finally coming home and, if Edward was being truthful, she was back to normal. Even the kids, Rod and Cindy’s, were dressed sweetly to greet Aunty Misti. They missed her too and the little presents she always brought for them in secret.
“Not a word to mum or dad; just our little secret.” The conspiracy was everything two little girls could want from their beautiful aunt. That she had married their equally handsome uncle was only fitting in their eyes. When they grew up, one day, they too would be as beautiful as Aunt Misti and marry an equally handsome man like Uncle Adam. Both Uncle Adam and Aunt Misti said it would be so; and, therefore, it would. No one doubted that, especially two little girls.
Maria had turned out too, though she stood glumly with Agustin. Agustin wasn’t glum; he too was excited to have Misti home. Between Alana and Misti, everyone’s lives had improved since their arrival in Barrows Bay; almost everyone was happier than ever before. There was less tension in the family, Adam was happy and had ceased being so moody. Even Edward got along with the entire clan, more so with his own boy. There was a grandchild on the way and no other anger or resentment to quell.
***
Agustin had cornered Edward one day with his own theory on the matter. Could it be that Maria no longer felt as critical to the success of their family here in Barrows? Could it be that with everyone else happy and the Edward/Adam war at an end, that she now felt left out? Replaced by other women? Adam and Noki still went to Mass every Sunday morning in Victoria, but Maria had opted out from the very start.
Edward carefully considered Agustin’s theory and believed it accounted for at least part of the answer. Undoubtedly the role of Catholic Doctrine also played a part. Moreover, this was just not what Maria foresaw for her son. Not for her boy Adam, who was special and who needed his Mom every day to get through life and deal somehow with his father. Perhaps Adam and Edward needed to consider how these changes had affected Maria. Instead of complaining about her bitter behavior, perhaps a different approach would be required.
“I think you’re on to something, Agustin. As usual, you see things the rest of us don’t even notice. Important things lost in the detail.”
He gave Agustin a hug, something not characteristic between the two. Agustin wasn’t a huge fan of the abrazo with Edward. A handshake or a quiet nod would’ve done nicely.
***
The float plane made a wide turn from hugging the coastline north and parallel, then straight into the dock at a ninety-degree angle. The floating dock was maybe thirty feet long and rose and fell on pontoons with the tide and the waves. As the plane approached, Adam was first out on the unstable and undulating surface, followed by Alana, Rod and Edward. Cindy hung back with the girls, as did Edmund, Noki, Maria, Bethy and Agustin. Even Mark and Julia were in attendance; they had no idea what was going on, but Cindy had said it was important for them to be there.
Misti sprang out of the plane once properly moored and into the waiting arms of Alana and Adam. Hugs and kisses were the currency of happiness, and tears flowed in tiny rivers. Misti was heard to be whispering how sorry she was for her absence; she had lost her mind and would never do that again.
Nobody cared about why. Misti was home. That was all that mattered.
She hugged Rod, who grabbed the little bag she brought from Seattle, and scooted her off the dock and on to more stable ground. She gave Cindy a kiss and hugged her two girls.
Misti got down on her knees, enveloping the girls in her arms, looking like a football huddle saying, “Shhh. I brought presents for later. Not a word.” The girls giggled in delight. Aunty Misti had wonderful taste in “little girl” presents; they were always fun and pretty. They adored her in the way happy children do.
Noki was next in line and the two talked intimately, with Misti finally touching Noki’s belly and whispering something secretive that made Noki laugh. Noki seemed embarrassed by the comment, whatever it was. But she smiled and kissed her friend back in a gesture of welcome.
Noki had long ago forgotten any discomfort she had earlier experienced in being intimate with Adam in Misty’s presence and had genuinely integrated into family life. She had become close with Cindy and Rod, who understood better than most the oddness of the St. James clan. Cindy couldn’t understand what Noki had experienced with Adam but accepted, as did Rod, that the experience was real, mystical and a little frightening. The girls loved Noki too, accepting her immediately as Aunty Noki, and eager to help her in any way.
“Don’t worry,” they had said. “We will take excellent, and very special care of you until our baby is born. Mommy was pregnant with us you know, so we know exactly what to do.” Since it was going to be a boy, they both said, they were very happy to help welcome their “baby brother”. Noki was touched by the girls and felt a kinship to Cindy and Rod keenly.
Edmund, who had never been that close to Misti, but who understood that she was immensely important to his daughter, hugged her for a long, long time, whispering something that made Misti burst into tears and hug him even longer. It seemed for a moment she would never let go.
She spent a while with Edward and Bethy, who had both missed Misty more than they thought they would. Edward thought it would feel more like Misty had just gone away on a short vacation alone, but it had become too quiet too fast in their home. He and Bethy had come to enjoy the almost daily get-togethers when Alana and Misty both came over for a visit. Edward could disappear on his own and Bethy had girlfriends she could share with. Age was no barrier; Misti and Alana loved hearing Bethy’s stories of coming up the ranks in the State Department.
They talked and gossiped about the St. James men, marvelling how two men who were so alike could ever have been so at odds.
“It’s because it was before us. And because they’re idiots,” was Bethy’s conclusion. Alana and Misty roared with laughter and gave each other hugs. Misti finally had two other allies to help her in the ongoing battle against the menace of the well-known St. James male testosterone poisoning.
Misti spoke to Mark and Julia, sharing something that got them all excited. Mark, never very demonstrative with public affecti
on, held Misti in his massive arms while Julia cautioned her husband to be careful with hugging the petite Misti too hard.
Finally, she hugged Agustin who likewise had words of love and welcome for her. She said hello to Maria, who shook hands, then turned and briskly walked away. It was enough. It could’ve been much worse.
Adam shouted, “Party at the St. James house! Beer, wine and other stuff, and lots and lots of food. The men are cooking and cleaning up and the girls are eating and relaxing. House rules! Treats for all, including goodies for children of all ages. I’m looking at you, Edmund, and you two little ladies. And I’m not forgetting you, Dad. You’re the biggest baby of them all. Besides me!”
The small crowd began the march, sans Maria, up the road to the house on the hill, which had been prepped by Adam, Noki and Alana. When they got home, Misti gathered everyone around for an announcement.
“First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for making it so wonderful for me to come back home. I am so sorry I was such an idiot; I promise I have learned my lesson, and I will never do anything like this again. Never. I was a fool and didn’t realize how much I am loved. I was selfish; I’m so sorry.”
She paused, gathering herself and finding her voice.
“And I want to thank my second Dad, my second-best friend, who has always been there for me and who has always understood the kettle of worms that is my brain. Edward, you have shown me what love is and what love truly means. I can never thank you enough for your kindness and patience.
“And to my husband, who thinks only of me and my well-being, who tolerates his bossy wife, does all the cooking and cleaning and never complains and who is the boldest most honest and most patient mate a woman could ever have, I love you. And I am sorry for all the things I said and did. I didn’t mean any of it. I don’t normally do anything this sappy and mushy, but I am asking you, in front of our entire family, will you forgive me for being such an idiot?”
Adam was genuinely surprised by his wife. She certainly wasn’t normally the mushy type and did not like showing “weakness” to others. She believed in her persona as the edgy, grounded, and cynical girl who was tough as nails and twice as mean.
“First of all,” he began slowly, “who is this woman, and what have you done with my wife? I want her back! Immediately!”
Everyone burst into laughter. Edmund began chanting “Speech, speech”.
Adam looked at his woman, as if seeing her for the first time. “There is nothing to forgive. I love you, and it is only because of you that I am happy. Happy for the first time in my life. And I’m not alone in saying our family was … dysfunctional … before the Misti Experience came to town. You have made all of us in this room possible. We have large lives and a wonderful family. And it’s growing, not because of me, but because of you. We love you and we need you. Every day. I am so very grateful that you have come home.”
The room broke out in applause. Adam and Misti joined with Alana and Noki in the biggest of group hugs. The rest of the family was talking and flitting from one conversation to the next.
Misti then took a fork and tapped the side of her glass.
“And one more thing. I need to mention I found out something just yesterday. News!”
Adam shouted, “We finally won the lottery?”
“In a way, yes. I’m pregnant! We’re having a baby!”
And the crowd went wild.
Chapter 55
The welcome home party was finally breaking up. The family had all gathered around Adam and Misti to offer congratulations and support. The evening had gone well, but for Maria’s absence, and Agustin’s presence late into the evening was very unusual. Alana spotted him alone and about to leave and asked him if he would remain a few minutes longer.
“What’s up, my dear? Was there something we needed to discuss before I leave?”
“I know that Adam spoke to you and Maria some time back after we arrived here in Barrows Bay. He told you about the experiences he had with me in Hawaii, and with Noki and Vera Capri in London.”
“He did.”
“Adam has since mentioned that his Mom, Maria, is having difficulty believing him and is quite angry with Misti, Noki and me. Is that true?”
“Yes. Angry might not be the most accurate description. I think she feels a lot of negative emotions and is having difficulty accepting events as they occur. Most of Adam’s explanation isn’t that difficult for her but other parts are. Those are parts she doesn’t want to believe. She says she’s not a ‘cafeteria Catholic’ as Adam seems to be. She either accepts all of Church Doctrine or none of it. There’s no in between.”
“And you know Adam’s view, I assume?”
“Yes. He says he’s a ‘New Testament’ Christian, not an ‘Old Testament’ Christian. And he’s influenced by his father’s deist beliefs. Adam believes in God, a hopeful and loving God. He’s never been a good doctrinaire Catholic, truth be told.”
“And does his Mom understand how very difficult this rift with her on this subject has been for Adam? He’s very distraught. He feels like the person he loves the most in the world has abandoned him. She doesn’t believe him. Doesn’t believe in him.”
“Rationally, yes. Emotionally no. I think she’s playing a very dangerous game of chicken, waiting to see if Adam backs down. But I know that Adam believes he’s inspired by God. In every way. He won’t back down. I think this can only get worse, but even I have lost any semblance of influence with her.”
“You believe Adam, then?”
“I do. I have no idea whether it’s God or space aliens, but I believe every word he says. Besides, he’s made predictions. They will come to pass, or not. The first one already has. It’s a boy.”
“There’s more. More you need to know. Predictions made that have already come to pass. I’d like to tell you about it if you’d care to listen.”
“I would.”
Alana took her time to inform Agustin of the events of her initial mind journey with Adam, along with those of Noki and Vera. Embedded in those experiences were future events; events that had already happened. Nobody wrote them down but Vera, Hannah, Noki and Alana were privy to them all and they would be able to recount them for Maria or anyone else who cared to listen.
That Maria may not believe Adam was one thing. Was she willing to challenge the veracity of everyone else at the same time?
Adam however, didn’t need to have anyone’s belief in what was already fact. To Adam, that was like requiring proof of the existence of a spoon. Spoons exist independent of anyone’s belief in a spoon. Belief alone doesn’t make a fact any more or less true.
It was also, to him, the definition of faith.
***
With Misty’s pregnancy now a fact, Noki decided to have a chat with her about her own experiences. They would be pregnant together and give birth months apart. There were predictions made about Misty about which Alana, Noki, Vera and Hannah were also aware since the incidents in London. Adam wasn’t confident that Misty would now or ever in the future come to believe in this phenomenon as did he. But, to Adam, such belief wasn’t required. He hoped that his revelation of the future would go a long way to convince her once it did become fact.
He hoped the same for everyone else in the family too.
Adam wanted Misty and the family to be fully on board not with parlor tricks, but the seriousness of the tasks ahead. Whether assigned by God or otherwise, he believed events were going to happen. But the future wasn’t fixed, and, without much hard work, they would fail in these tasks. Adam wanted everyone on board; this wasn’t just a summer archeology expedition. There were important ramifications for the future of the planet.
Adam was convinced that a devastating war was not only possible but indeed very likely. It was for him to find a way to stop it before it began.
Time, he somehow knew, was running out.
***
The next morning, he foun
d Misty already awake, up and sipping coffee in the living room. Alana and Noki were still sound asleep. It was 4:30 am, and Misty couldn’t have gotten more than a few hours of sleep.
“Hello, stranger,” Misty said. “Still love me?”
“Silly question. You know I do. I doubt there is much that could ever change that, even a little bit.”
“You were pretty hard on me in Seattle. I was … a little surprised by your last comments. If I didn’t know you better, I’d have said you were being harsh.”
“I’d say you were correct. I was harsh. You’re my wife. I’m not inclined to tolerate ‘revenge sex’ with strangers. You know I’m not possessive or unreasonable about your sexual proclivities. In fact, I honor them. But this isn’t a free-for-all. We’re married. It means everything to me that what we do, we do together.”
“I know. You’re right. And no, it wasn’t harsh. It was honest. You gave me a boundary and a reasonable one. I was very angry, and emotionally unable to express it. I felt rage. In the old days, I would lash out and do whatever I felt like. I realize now I must change. I must to be better than that. Not for any reason other than I love you. You are the only one who truly knows me and understands me, maybe in ways even I don’t comprehend. Your old man, well he’s pretty good. Knows a lot. But he isn’t you.”
“Can I make you something for breakfast? Eating for two now, you know.”
“Yes. I’d like your crappy French toast, hash browns and pickles. Hold the pickles. Maybe biscuits and gravy. Something sinful.”
Adam smiled at his wife. “Cummin’ right up, missy. Step over here to the kitchen counter and tell me how much you love me while I cook. I need coffee.”
“The name is Misti, not missy. Don’t know why you always get that wrong.”
“Beautiful women always addle my mind. Can’t help it when I’m around you.”
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