by R D Hathaway
“Hey, if I wanted that, I’d encourage you to continue this crazy behavior you’re living.”
“Look who’s talking! You are suddenly the maharishi of Des Moines. What’s next, chanting and wearing robes? Rennie, I’d like to have my reporter back? Do you know where they put her? You’re a pretty good double, but I need the real thing. I think I liked the angry one better. This paper has a need for material, and I’d like to get her back to produce it.”
“You have her, chief, and she’ll give you better stuff than ever. Just wait. Tomorrow night, I’ll file a draft that’ll knock your socks off.”
She got up and glided toward the door.
He growled, “Great. Just make it about something other than how pleasant it is that we have air. Oh, and now that you’re back, maybe our publisher will stop asking about you.”
She blew him a kiss, and as she walked past his glass wall, she dragged her fingertips lightly along the glass. He crunched some paper into a ball and threw it at her.
Easing into her chair, she swiveled back and forth. She stared at her phone, then grabbed it and looked through the contact list. Finding what she wanted, she made a call.
“Hello, this is Rennie Haran from the Record. I’m calling for Mrs. Knoche. Is she there? Yes, I’ll wait.” She leaned back and smiled.
“Hi, thank you, same here. I’m delighted to let you know that what I learned about Professor Justus is nothing but the best news. I met his son. Yes, he has a son. You’d love him. He’s not only a real English gentleman, he is a gentle man, and quite a scholar, too. Simpson can be proud of Professor Matthias Justus. I’ll tell you the whole story sometime. Thanks, Mrs. Knoche. Bye.”
Rennie reviewed her messages. She spread out four of them and began to make calls. As she handled the phone, she wrote notes and occasionally grinned or waved at people passing by her cubicle. By 1:00 o’clock, she realized she had nearly caught up with the backlog. She stretched, picked up her bag, and started down the hallway between the cubicles. As she did, one of the assistants caught up with her.
“Hey, Rennie! How’re you doing? Were you away?”
“Hi, Sandy. Yes, I was out of town for a few days. How are you?”
“Good, thanks. You seem a little different, kind of happy or something. Is there anything, you know, anything you’d like to share?”
“No, not really. Nothing new. How about you?”
“Me? Nothing new. Same old, same old. Well, see you later.”
As Rennie left the sprawling office area, she looked back and saw Sandy talking to another assistant, shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head. Rennie was amused and cruised out the door to lunch.
When she returned, she created a new file on her computer for short summary statements on her story, based on what she had written in her notebook. In an hour, she laid out three pages of double-spaced notes, rearranged many of them, and printed her list. She sent the file to herself by email.
She rested against the back of the chair and closed her eyes for a satisfying minute. Yawning deeply, she knew it was time to leave. She shook her head, blinked rapidly, and took a deep breath. “Okay, let’s go,” she said.
Striding down the hallway, she winked and nodded at people along the way to the main entrance, leaving many with confused looks.
As she settled into her car, she opened the sunroof and delighted in the sun on her face. Easing into traffic, Rennie sensed that her smile seemed to control the traffic around her. This day was surprisingly easy.
She stopped at her favorite Thai food restaurant and ordered two meals. While waiting, she received a call from Angie.
“Hi, how are things at the library? Me, too. I could have fallen asleep at my desk a little while ago. It was okay. In fact, I’m feeling so at peace and yet more productive. It’s weird, really. I’m picking up dinner now, so if you like, you can come over earlier. I can’t believe how wiped out I am. I’ll see you later.”
Rennie paid for the food and visited briefly with the hostess about her children. Unlike her previous visits, the young Asian woman seemed to be warmly engaging. Rennie was surprised but pleased as she left the restaurant.
Driving home, she began to think of Matthew and their conversation in the restaurant in London. It seemed so long ago that it may have been nothing more than a wonderful dream.
Turning into her driveway, she noticed her neighbor Cathy trimming a bush near the sidewalk. They waved at each other, and Cathy walked over to her car when she parked.
“It’s so nice to see you again. Did you have a good journey?”
Rennie removed from the back seat the plastic bag with containers for dinner.
“Hi Cathy, yes I did, thank you. It was good in every way. I’ve been thinking about it now and then, and it’s almost hard to believe it was real. How have you been?”
“Fine, fine dear. We didn’t get any rain while you were gone. The weather has been just perfect, and I’ve been well, too. I’m certainly blessed.”
“That’s wonderful. I think I realize more than ever before what that means. I’ll see you later.”
“Oh, by the way, dear,” Cathy began and then stopped.
Rennie turned back and waited.
“Well, last week, you might remember that I thought you had your house for sale.” Cathy looked past her neighbor with a sense of embarrassment.
“Yes, Cathy,” Rennie replied in a more serious tone.
“I must have been mistaken, and I’m sorry. After you were gone, I didn’t see anyone come around. Silly me!”
Cathy flipped her hands in the air as though she was batting bugs away from her face.
Rennie lost her breath for a moment. Finally, she said, “It’s nothing, Cathy.”
She hurried to the porch and into her home. Before closing the door, she glanced down the street. Rennie took the food into the kitchen and placed the containers in the oven. Then, she returned and locked the front door. She kicked off her shoes and stretched out on the couch. Balderdash came over and repeatedly meowed to her.
“Hey buddy, how are you? Come here. Come see me.”
The cat carefully jumped onto the cushion and slowly walked up on her to lay down. Gently, he kneaded her belly and began to purr. Rennie was soon asleep.
An hour later, the phone rang. Rennie struggled to get up and Balderdash leaped off her, over the back of the couch. She sat up and tried to sort out where she was. The phone continued to ring until she reached it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, this is Angie. What’s up?”
“I’m not sure. I fell asleep. What time is it?”
“It’s a little after four thirty. I’ve been wiped out, too. I wondered if I should bring over a bottle of wine or something.”
“Gosh, no. If I have a glass of wine, you’ll find me face down in Thai noodles. But, bring it if you like.”
Angie laughed. “I’m in the same boat. I’ll pass on that. I’ll bring some hot tea, instead.”
“Terrific idea. Come whenever. Bye.”
Rennie went into the kitchen and washed her face at the sink. She opened the refrigerator and removed a jug of iced tea, poured a full glass, and drank it down. She poured another and stepped onto the back porch for fresh air. It was a beautiful summer afternoon. She sat down on the wooden stairs and observed the world around her.
Her mind drifted over the story of Matthias and Priscilla, her trip to London, and her new and serene perception of life.
A sense of urgency struck her when one question lodged behind her eyes, “What do I do with this?”
She went back inside, found her bag, and thought of the notes she sent to herself. She logged into her computer with renewed focus. After opening the new file on her story, she saved it in a new file and reviewed the notes.
Her mind raced with the implications the story
could bring to Simpson, to her paper, to the worlds of archeology and religion, and to the hearts of anyone who learns what Matthias found. Her lips became a thin, hard line on her face as her intensity grew. She opened a new page and began to write.
An hour later, Rennie heard someone walk onto her front porch. She stopped typing and sat quietly, listening. There was a knock on the door, but she didn’t move. Another knock sounded.
Des Moines, IA
X - 2
“Hello, Rennie, it’s Angie! Are you there?” Angie knocked again on Rennie’s front door.
Rennie pushed back from the table and hurried to the door. “Hi, come in.”
“Are you okay? What happened?” Angie asked as she entered the house.
“Why? What do you mean?”
“You look so serious. I thought something must have happened.”
“No, nothing. Well, I’m working on the story. Have you given any more thought to it; I mean, to everything?”
“Yes, about every third moment. There’s something else I’ve noticed. It seems like I just look at things a little differently.”
“I know,” Rennie replied. “My perspective is different.”
Rennie led the way into the living room. They found opposite corners of the couch as if they were soft places of refuge.
Rennie held a pillow on her lap. “I feel a separation from the world. It’s odd but comforting in some way.”
“Exactly.” Angie said in a hushed but excited voice. “Everyone around me seems to be so intense while I feel at peace. It is a strange detachment, but I like it.”
She looked around. “Hey, you’ve got a nice place here. I noticed it a little when I came by to pick you up. It feels comfortable.”
“Thanks. The home is one of those oldies but goodies. I like the wide, dark wood trim and wood floors. It could use some updating, especially the bathrooms and kitchen, but I’m used to it. Are you hungry yet?”
“I’ve been so tired, it’s hard to know if I’m hungry, but I could eat. How about you?”
Rennie set aside the pillow. “Come on, you can help me in the kitchen. We’ll get it together in there and eat at the dining room table.”
“Where’s the kitty?” Angie asked.
“Balderdash is probably in his afternoon position, lying on his back catching some rays in the front window upstairs. I liked the fact that Matthew had a cat when he was a kid. People need pets, especially in tough times.”
“I agree. Who took care of Balderdash while we were gone?”
“My neighbor, Roger. He lives in the house behind me. He’s great; an old widower, and he likes to come off real crusty, but he’s all heart. By the way, did you bring tea?”
“Well, sort of. I forgot to brew it, so all I’ve got is a pocket full of tea bags. It’s good stuff, though.”
“That’s fine. There’s a tea pot in that cupboard and the cups are up there.”
As Rennie retrieved the food packages from of the oven and warmed them in the microwave, Angie prepared the tea and helped set out plates and silverware. They worked with quiet, diligent grace. Rennie turned on the audio system and selected a few old CD’s to play as Angie set the table.
As Rennie returned to the kitchen, she turned on the light in the dining room.
“Is it okay with you if we share the meals? We could set out the boxes and just take from each.”
“Great idea. I’m suddenly hungry.”
Once they were settled in the dining room Angie scooped up food and filled her plate. Then she noticed that Rennie was quiet and looking down. “What’s up?” she asked.
Rennie looked into the distance.
“I don’t have to go too deeply to bring up Matthias’ words in discovering the letters.”
She shivered with emotion.
“Just think, he held in his hands and read letters written by Jesus. I cannot get that out of my mind. He held them in his hands. What did they say? And, what if people could read them! What would that do for people who are looking for something or someone to believe in?” Rennie paused, breathless.
Angie put down her fork.
“That would be incredible if they had survived, if someone could share them with the world. But they’re gone, Rennie. People can still read what He said. That’s what the Bible is all about. It’s the biggest selling book in the world.”
“You’re right. Besides, it’s faith that’s important, and that’s in the unseen.”
Angie eagerly began to eat and talk at the same time.
“The difficulty that people have with reading about Him is they are put off by the institution of the church and dogma. They can’t get through to Jesus. Having a few letters from Him would be incredible, and I’m sure they would make a difference to countless lives.”
Rennie nodded her head as she ate.
“I know. I guess it’s just the combination of a loss of the letters and Matthias dying for nothing that stings.”
The next twenty minutes were spent in dining pleasure, with modest small talk. As they finished, each slowed to a stop. They looked at each other and laughed.
“Would it be okay if I just slept here, in this chair, tonight? I don’t think I can get up!” Angie giggled.
“I feel the same way. I might crawl over to the couch and crash there. Let’s get this stuff into the kitchen before we fall asleep right here.”
They cleared the table and rinsed the dishes, leaving them in the sink. Angie refreshed her tea with the remainder from the pot. Rennie got a glass of ice water. Then, they settled in the quiet peace of the living room.
As Angie’s gaze drifted around the room, she noticed something. She leaned forward.
“What is that?” Her face became intense. “Rennie, what is that?”
Angie stood up and pointed at the bookcase.
Rennie was surprised and confused.
“What? What are you looking at?”
She looked in the direction of Angie’s pointed finger. Suddenly, Rennie jumped up, spilling her water.
“Oh my gosh!”
She turned to Angie, whose gaze was fixed on the object.
“Oh my gosh. I totally forgot about that! Angie, I’m sorry. I can explain.”
Angie responded with unexpected ferocity, “Tell me. Tell me why that is here.”
“Oh, no. I’m not sure. I can tell you how it got here, but I can’t tell you why. I totally forgot about it.”
Rennie walked to the bookcase and picked up the metal, lunch tin from Matthias’ attaché case. She carried it to Angie who stared at it.
“That is from my archives, Rennie. I am responsible for this. Why is it here? You did not ask me to take it,” Angie said with teeth set.
“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did it. On that last day at the library, I was putting everything away, and I had this out. I thought it was too bad that I had not gotten to read the letters Matthias sent home. I just mindlessly put it into the box you brought for me, along with my files and notes. I felt uncomfortable about it at the time, and well, I’m sorry. It was mindless.”
Angie glared at Rennie and then the box.
“Did you take anything else?”
“No.”
Angie was breathing hard.
“Darn it, Rennie! What were you thinking? This is so wrong. How can you put me in this position?”
Rennie’s pained expression seemed to keep her from speaking.
Finally, she simply blurted, “Angie, I’m sorry. It was stupid. I don’t know. What should I do?”
The word “nothing,” slipped from Angie’s lips. “I’d better get this back to the library.”
“Angie, I’m sorry. I meant no harm. It happened. I wouldn’t get you in trouble for anything. Please forgive me.”
They both took d
eep breaths. Angie took the box in her hands and looked at the scrawled note under the wrapped cords. “Letters home,” she quietly read.
She sat down again on the couch, still looking at the box. Rennie’s breathing was shallow.
Finally, Angie looked up. “I guess I’m responsible now. Do you think we should open it at this point?”
Rennie dropped to her knees next to the coffee table and put her hand on Angie’s arm. “Angie, I’m sorry. I would never put you in jeopardy. You do what you think is okay.”
“I will.” Angie carefully examined the box. “Do you have a knife so the Director of Archives can officially open this precious lunch box?”
“Yes, I’ll get one.” Rennie got up and grabbed a scissors from her desk. She looked back. “What about gloves?”
Angie looked at the box. “It’s okay at this point. We can open it. If there’s something inside we need to examine, we’ll wait for gloves.”
“Just one more thing,” Rennie added. She quickly locked the front door and pulled down the shades on all the windows.
Resting the box in her lap, Angie clipped the cords and set aside the note. She paused, “I hope he didn’t leave any fruit or meat in here.”
They laughed and relaxed for a moment.
Angie put the cords on the table and struggled briefly with the cover. With a final, firm push, it popped off. A puzzled look went across her face as she studied the cover sheet. It was a hastily written note and appeared to be Matthias’ writing. Beneath it, there was a linen material surrounding the contents. She cautiously lifted and opened the note.
Her eyes met Rennie’s. “Well, here we go.” She began to read.
“I only have a few moments. I don’t know why the police want to question me. I have done nothing wrong. The letters, by the most precious hand of all time, are safe. I must take my transcripts to Lady Jane. She will understand the glory of what has happened. The wonder and power of this discovery! With endless joy, Priscilla and I will live in our love and know firsthand of God’s love. I must hurry and let the unfolding begin! Thanks be to God! By His very hand, my life is new!”