Magician's Realm

by Alexander Deux

  45

  Walking briskly through the courtyard, Kelvin looks to all the morning faces but does not see Saches. He takes out his phone with a grimace, “Where is he?”

  “Hello?”

  Still on his morning walk, “Saches, come over tonight. I want to run something insane by you.”

  “Okay.”

  “Wait, why aren’t you here yet?”

  “My chauffeur quit?”

  “I hate when that happens,” mumbling with a light shake of the head. “Did you mistreat him or something? Not say thank you when they open the door for you.”

  “I always say thank you. No, he quit because he hit the lottery.”

  “Really?” a confused expression. “Never heard that one.”

  “So I had to hitch a ride with my father. We’re next to land.”

  Kelvin looks over to see the shiny silver fish-like helicopter hovering. “Oh, I see you now. So how much did he win?”

  “What?”

  “How much did your chauffeur win?”

  “Pfft ... chump change, enough for him to not want to work anymore.”

  “There’s your proof, the lottery is evil.”

  “Uh, gotta run. Out.”

  “Aye.”

 

  At the mansion, both have papers spread all about the kitchen table. They study their reports back and forth, graphs and projections printing out.

  “How did you get this information?” Saches wonders.

  “Power of suggestion, my friend.”

  “What you want to do, it’s going to take a lot of money.”

  “Money, have to find money, argh!”

  “You can ask your senior management if you can borrow against their pensions.”

  “Done.”

  “Also ask them if they won’t mind if you suspend their insurance benefits, car service, and you gotta sell the corporate jets. The rest, there’s not too much else you can do, it’s all out-sourced expenses.”

  “The jets?”

  “It won’t kill your management to fly first class for a few months, or hop in a jump seat on one of your own delivery planes. Humble yourself man, come on.” A show of hands waving.

  “Alright, yes, I’m sorry, I was thinking in an abstract world.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing, I’ll miss the planes, that’s all.” He mumbles as he looks at more reports. “What about the land that my outlets sit on -- I could borrow against that. I own that land.”

  “Good thinking.”

  Moments later, Oreleander walks in and casually looks at everything.

  “Hello, Son.”

  Kelvin looks up.

  “Hi, Mr. Hobbs.”

  “Saches, hi. I see you both are busy.” A noticeable tension between Oreleander and Kelvin.

  “Yep.” Saches eyes move back and forth from Oreleander to Kelvin.

  Oreleander studies a little bit of it, nods and quietly walks away.

  Saches looks at Kelvin. “What’s up with you and your Dad?”

  “Ugh, Mr. Spiffs showed up at my father’s office asking for some business advice.”

  “And your father gave it?”

  “Remember their recent 14.9 percent reduction in overhead?” Kelvin points behind him to the other room. Saches is amazed.

  “He probably had no choice.” But Kelvin doesn’t hear that. So Saches whispers loudly, “He didn’t have a choice!”

  “He did,” saddening and looking away.

  Seeing Kelvin is hurt on the subject, he urges, “Let’s get back to work. Your last order has to be handed in two days.”

  46

  Kelvin stands in Professor Trouse’s Chambers. His demeanor respectful as he slowly lays down a thick folder in front of the professor. Next to him, Mr. Spiffs puts down an even a bigger folder, and makes sure Kelvin catches a smirk in his peripheral vision.

  The professor looks up, “Whatever you do boys do, don’t go to jail.”

  In the small fellowship gathering, Kelvin watches his father converse happily with a sister in the Lord where spiritual chemistry is very evident. His mind drifts and he remembers being huddled around the kitchen table, near the end of the night, where he and Saches worked until exhaustion stopped them.

  Saches finally speculates, “Maybe your father helped Mr. Spiffs because it was the only way he could help you.”

  “What! Call your chauffeur man, it’s late.”

  Saches points, “He’s not allowed to help you, but if he helps Mr. Spiffs, makes him better, then that creates a bigger opponent for you. A bigger obstacle,” he points, “makes you better.”

  Kelvin grabs Saches by the collar ready to speak, but then his head collapses in anguish landing on the table with a thump. Returning his thoughts to the gathering, he sees his father, and nods agreeably.

  “You called for me, Professor?” Kelvin warily enters Professor Trouse’s chambers.

  “Ah, yes.” He takes out Kelvin’s binder and puts it on the desk before him. Then points to it. “Are you sure you want to do this? It could possibly place your company in a precarious position.”

  Kelvin pauses, “I’ve spoke it over with my board in detail. It’s unanimous. We’d like to go ahead with it. All the numbers match up, we should be safe.”

  Professor looks up, ponders, “Okay, dismissed.”

  “Thank you.”

  The Professor watches Kelvin leave wondering what’s going to happen.

  47

  Kelvin’s limo rides as a whisper. Variations of generations of ideas circle his mind. Gazing out the window, a dreary gray day, his eyes continue to look inward.

  Traveling in the direction of his house, Kelvin spots something. The opening where he had rode into the woods with his friends that fateful day. He looks back as it passes.

  “Wait!”

  “Excuse me, Sir.”

  “Pull over, here please.”

  The car rides the shoulder to a stop. Kelvin gets out, looks around, the gray day has now turned into a dark gray dusk. He wears his school coat, a European style, his car, sitting behind him, waiting.

  “Sir, is something wrong?”

  Kelvin’s eyes scrutinize, examining the hush on the area. “Wait here, please.” And he proceeds towards the woods, a guarded eye on his surrounding.

  He recalls the path where he and his friends had entered and proceeds to take that path. Walking on a trail, he looks about circumspectly, pacing alone into darkness and overcast with dense trees.

  His face shows a duel that has long been coming. Prayers on his lips, he knows he’s now in enemy territory.

  After more paces, he comes upon where he had found that first magazine, the exact spot, right by a few rocks. His mind sees it as it happened.

  Glancing around, his breathing intensifies; he then takes a stand and yells out, “I’m not afraid of you anymore!” His voice being swallowed up by the endless trees. He stays looking, turning about slowly. “Do you hear me? You will never corrupt this body again!” Then he gets mad and gets down to the ground, low, face to the earth, adamantly pointing down into the dirt. “Do you hear me down there? You filthy fallen creature. You are not allowed anywhere near this soul again.” Staying with a stare to the ground, his breathing still heavy, his eyes showing his fervor, but still he feels no release from his chains.

  As if a cloud moved over a city, an oppression has come to make its presence known. Kelvin begins to feel it grow widely then fall right on him. A heaviness that penetrates even his skin. His thoughts turn confused, hindered, coerced to turn to a direction of defeat. He tries to stand up, but this domination doesn’t allow him, as if wanting to keep him on bent knees.

  Turmoil floods his mind accompanied with a grip of some sort on the back of his neck, holding him, sustaining him like a slave under another’s rule. He tries to look up but can’t, the hand keeps him looking to the ground before him. Now with daylight slipping a
way, this disturbance takes full control.

  Forced to close his eyes from the pain, he hears a ghastly sound above and behind him. A voice of a soldier that only knows to follow orders. “I will always control you,” it makes known. “Always dominate. Always make good use of you.”

  Although struggling to stay coherent, Kelvin shakes his head and holds on to his will.

  “Are you trying to speak? Are you trying to confess scripture?” the demon snarls. “You try to resist with your strength,” then screaming down at him in a roar, “you are so weak!” his voice echoing throughout the wide forest as if summoning the unknown.

  The incubus continues his pronouncement, “I will never release hold of you. You are alone. Ready for submission. Are you convinced? Should I hold tighter?” A squeezing, as if effortless, around Kelvin’s throat. Kelvin flinches. “You are full of sin.” He shakes his head, “There is no Jesus for you.”

  Kelvin’s mind is flooded with long past memories that were forever settled but have just been brought back to his thoughts for further degradation and humiliation all to justify his slavery.

  “Now, you will obey.” It releases a stark laugh. “I have great plans for you.”

  Kelvin not being sure of his mental bearings, closes his eyes and rests in God.

  Immediately, the Holy Spirit takes his mind back to his room where he sits in front of the windows, face to the sky, warmed by the bright sun, and his spirit always ready to receive. Then, his mind is brought to the Scriptures where Jesus tells the father of the boy with the evil spirit, “If you can? Everything is possible for him who believes.”

  Suddenly, Kelvin hears a door open abruptly. He turns about quickly finding himself in a house from some other period. Then, through the doorway, men begin to filter in, twelve of them, all in robe-like dress. He looks down at his own attire to find himself in a robe as well, a scarf around his neck. He grabs it and holds it as it feels real. Lastly through the doorway walks in Jesus and a disciple closes the door behind him. Kelvin knows that this is the continuation of the Scriptures just after Jesus had rebuked the spirit out of the boy.

  The disciples approach the Master intensely, and ask, “Why could we not cast him out?”

  Jesus grabs the disciple’s by the lapel, and with his right hand points back through the door, “These only come out by prayer and fasting.”

  Immediately, as a jolt, Kelvin finds himself flying backwards through clouds, the very hand of God moving him. Then suddenly, he descends on a high point of a city. It’s a terrace, and on his chest, he feels the weight of gold and brass.

  Looking in the distance, he walks out to the edge of a platform. His eyes slowly fall, he finds at one of the abodes, Bathsheba, already in her basin, bathing, presumingly alone. Desire in his eyes forces him to keep looking but Bathsheba pauses as she feels someone’s eyes on her. Her lungs fill with air, worry immediately rushing to her face; she slowly bows her head heavy with sorrow. And with a cry in her voice she utters, “No Kelvin, please, don’t do it.” She closes her eyes which are now etched with pain, “You’ll lose everything.”

  Even some distance away, Kelvin hears her words causing him to turn about for a moment. He sees into his spirit and realizes with a gasp, “My kingship, Satan is after my kingship.” His eyes open wide in startlement.

  And in the darkest crevices of his mind beyond even Kelvin’s reach, a dungeon of black smoke and penumbras moving about executing Satan’s plans for Kelvin’s life, swinging doors over small airways atop begin to slowly rock. A light squeak echoes as they begin to move backwards and forwards.

  The wind increases with hints of light every time the doors swing ajar. Then suddenly, the wind increases violently, stammering the little swinging doors, banging them loudly as the wind rapidly increases and through its inlets, beams of light, moving, as if its source is moving.

  The light begins to enter through other pathways, hallways, gateways, escalating to eventually consuming this room that has been a fort against Kelvin for most of his life. The moving light then illuminates the furnace which has been the torturing station to break his spirit.

  Saturating the room with a howling wind, and light escaping from the creativeness of God, the room is now under command of the Holy Spirit. And so the Holy Spirit moves about there in, and comes to the furnace where the pilot light burns.

  Staring down at this little flame that has been the seed for what was meant to be an existence of turmoil, it begins to flicker, then wave, then with one strong gust, it blows out.

  Kelvin moves inside himself, he does not know what is happening. He has never felt this kind of movement, as if traveling through the ages.

  “Argh!” A frightened child suddenly awakes from a nightmare to find big creatures in his room moving about, lurking, looking to approach him. He shivers with an immobilizing fear. About to jump off the bed and run out of his room to look for Mommy, a presence begins to fill the room causing the monsters to pause in their creeping towards him.

  This presence begins to be painted, a glowing filling its shape. A robed man stands there brilliant to the sight. The monsters scatter, disappearing through walls, and invisible doorways as the light from this man radiates through the room. Then a gentle hand touches the boy’s face, guiding his little head back onto the pillow, “Shh...go back to sleep. There are no more monsters.” And the child closes his eyes and breaths calmly, resting his head gently back on his pillow.

  Simultaneously, back in the woods the winds are heavy and steady commanding the trees to stay bowed, and in Kelvin’s eyes, a fierceness on his face, and in his eyes, a piercing light. He knows he’s now in the spirit realm.

  Suddenly, he stands and turns about, looking directly at the outlines of this shadow, and to his surprise, it was not a big monster creature as he has come to thought. No, it was a small animal thing. Some sprite that has been hiding in the spiritual realm from the fact of its inconsequentiality.

  Kelvin ponders, looking intently at it, Is this it? Is this what has held me deceived for most of my life? He orders, “You will not take my kingship.” But it doesn’t budge. Kelvin notices this little impression is looking at him, actually to the side of his belt where a sword sits still in its sheath. Immediately the fight rises in him and he draws this sword which gleams with light and orders with authority, “You fall under the authority of the Word of God.” His eyes glancing around to see others hiding in the distance, “You are all commanded to flee and vanish.”

  They freeze but don’t leave and as Kelvin begins to raise this unique sword, the demons are blown back and start to scurry away glancing back at him in horror. And when all are dispersed, Kelvin stays holding his ground with sword raised.

  48

  Kelvin goes missing a whole day. Saches had left messages but there has been no return call. Finding it odd, Saches decides to take his bike over to Kelvin’s house.

  Making his way down the driveway, he halts when he finds a peaceful figure walking up to his house. Squinting, he looks to make out its Kelvin, but not the burdened friend he has known for many years.

  Riding down to him, he stops, and looks at him closely. “Kelvin?”

  “Saches.” Kelvin begins to smile.

  “Uhm, where have you been?” He looks closely trying to see if his friend still resides in there, “Kelvin?”

  “Yes?”

  “What’s...going on?”

  Kelvin starts laughing, “Jesus was right, that’s what’s going on.” He continues laughing heartily and gives Kelvin a dude hug. Saches doesn’t know what’s going on.

  The next day, the lecture hall is buzzing. Students chant, “Who’s the corporate giant? Who’s the corporate giant?” Clamorous voices with accompanied stomping feet.

  On the stage, left side, sits three chairs with Mr. Spiffs on the end, Kelvin in the middle and the third for Mr. Sanders, but it sits empty and shall remain as such because he sits out in the audience with his team in shame. It is all
that much more of an example of the right way and the wrong way to conduct business. So they wait regretfully and painstakingly to hear their outcome.

  On the right side of the stage sits five professors. Then finally Professor Trouse comes out from the back and walks up to the microphone. Still, the chanting reverberates throughout the hall.

  He gives a glance to the two C.E.O.’s then the third chair and grimaces. Looking out to the students, he lifts his hand for them to pause and listen.

  “Uh-hem…these results, as with all results are computed by our sister school full of eager mathematicians. So in the future, make sure you give them a job.” The crowd laughs. “Every order of business is reviewed by our board,” he motions to the five off to the side, “and we decide by a vote if an action is approved or rejected. Also, along with results received from our math geniuses, we check and scrutinize the postings and maintenance of the ongoing running balances for the columns of each respective company.”

  In the audience, many of the students sweat. Although there are only two teams, due to the constant updates from the professors, many of the students have picked sides and feel they are somewhat responsible in some respect.

  But Saches, who sits in the audience, is looking at Kelvin, noticing how he doesn’t even wipe his brow or seem preoccupied with worry. What happened to this guy? He sits wondering. Where was he?

  Even Mr. Spiffs is sweating, very evident from his shiny forehead, although he tries to hide it with bobbing head laughter.

  “I’ll start with Prefix Shipping.” Kelvin’s team balls over with nervousness. “Prefix Shipping, you ended your last quarter and fiscal year with a net of 14.7 million.” The crowd sighs and heads drop. Mr. Spiffs tries to stay composed as he anticipates his numbers then points to Mr. Randolph out in the audience and receives a point back. Kelvin does not move, his eyes only look inward. “Prefix Shipping is still a healthy company. Consistently growing but their overhead increased dramatically by a recent redirection of their capital from their upper management, which I’m sorry to say did not yield a considerable amount to their own bottom line within this quarter’s timetable,” a sorrowful sigh, “and it being the last quarter.” He turns to looks at Kelvin, “It still is a fine company Mr. Hobbs. You and your team should be proud.”

  Kelvin looks over bravely being the spokesperson in less than desirable circumstances. “On behalf of my company, thank you, Sir.”

  Professor Trouse turns forward again. Looking down at his papers, “Final results for Diamond Shapers, a fine company as well. Diamond Shapers used a good percentage of its capital and did make their expected revenue back in time. Their exhaustive research showed them the best locations to open outlets; as well as streamlined their process of raw diamonds for a marketable and conveniently available product to the end consumer. It is quite extraordinary thinking, you should all be proud of yourselves.” All those for Mr. Spiffs clap and cheer loudly, enough to humiliate their competitors. “Ready everyone? Diamond Shapers, you yielded a net of ninety-six million,” the crowds goes crazy, “finishing your quarter and fiscal year toppling Prefix Shipping.” His words being dampened by the loud acclaim and salute.

  Mr. Spiffs springs up, mouth open wide in a yell and jumps off the stage. He runs like an Olympic winner throughout the crowd holding up his hands receiving high fives from all. His team rejoices, getting in the faces of the losers with strong points downwards and cruel jeers.

  The roar is almost uncontrollable, loud and a ruckus. The Professor turns back to the board while motioning with his lips, “Wow.” The board rises and begins to exit while the congratulations continue. Kelvin is left sitting alone, just looking down to the floor.

  Saches is rubbing his jaw, “Whoa,” looking up at all the commotion around him.

  Kelvin notices the board of professors that were standing by talking amongst themselves begin to approach him.

  They arrive and he braces himself. One affirms with the other four standing beside him, “Mr. Hobbs, the board and I were quite taken with the risk you and your top management took. I am sorry Prefix Shipping did not yield the numbers anticipated in this quarter. Perhaps if there was more time.”

  The board, in agreement, shakes Kelvin’s hand because where numbers lacked, character emerged. Although, he still must hide his disappointment, he shows his appreciation that they noticed the action and initiative taken.

  The board finishes and begins conversing amongst themselves, hence giving Mr. Spiffs the floor. Kelvin has to sit down again, while in his mind going through all the facets of his recent actions that led him up to this point. He glances out to Saches, a straight face out in the audience, and ponders. Then he moves his eyes to the middle of the audience where he finds Mr. Sanford, sitting in regret and remorse. A face he remembers when he approached him some days before at the entrance to the courtyard.”

  “Mr. Sanders?” Kelvin calls out.

  Mr. Sanders keeps walking sorrowfully when a hand grabs his arm from behind to call his attention as he’s so numb. He turns, lifting his discouraged ridden face up to find Kelvin’s investigating demeanor.

  Kelvin speaks calmly to him, “Mr. Sanders, tell me about your company.” He stands greatly interested and attentive.

  “It’s lost.” His guilt pushes his countenance downward again.

  “It’s not lost.”

  “There’s nothing I can do. The professors, they locked it.” He shakes his head, “I ruined it. I let everyone down.”

  “You thought up a great company. It was one of the only three that entered the race.”

  Mr. Sanders’ head drops, trembling with heartfelt pain. He manages to dribble out, “My parents, they’ll be so ashamed of me. I can’t even look at my father.”

  In earnest, Kelvin pleads, “Give it to me, I can save it. I can bring it to life.” Mr. Sanders’ stands disoriented, shaking his head. Kelvin urges, “I can save it! Trust me with it!” he pleads. Broken Mr. Sanders slowly lifts his eyes.

  “Net Star!” Professor Trouse’s voice echoes throughout the lecture hall.

  The room is caught off guard, especially Mr. Spiffs, “Wha-“ who turns to look at the stage. The five professors take their seat again.

  The professor, when ready explains, “Prefix Shipping liquidated every possible avenue available to build the necessary capital in a venture to rescue Net Star from their awful predicament, while still keeping enough in reserves in case any unsightly problem arose. They were able to satisfy the I.R.S. and brought Net Star back to life within days and then started their assault pouring all their money into marketing. Since Net Star now operates with even lower overhead due to them not having to pay for shipping, owing that to Prefix Shipping for allotting them free cargo space on their shipping planes and trucks, they began to fill many of their backorders as well as created and fulfilled a plenitude of new ones. Net Star also became the point of sale as an extension for Prefix Shipping where one could buy a newly devised electronic stamp that could be printed out for convenient shipping. They even sold advertising space on that stamp along with all the advertising sold on both sites.”

  “Able to satisfy the IRS, the auditors released the accrued forty-seven million back into Net Star’s new management led by Mr. Hobbs,” a right swing of the arm in respectful acknowledgement, “where they began to hire more employees and fill their warehouses with goods. They even reserved a part of that and purchased a hefty five million dollar option of Diamond Shaper’s stock, which they modestly threw back in the water at eighteen million,” he smiles as he reads the report, chuckling not being able to help it, “they even sold Diamond Shaper’s products on Net Star’s site. Quite a few actually.” A tilt of the head.

  Mr. Spiffs’ jaw hangs. He looks at Kelvin mad, not appreciating that at all.

  Professor Trouse looks down at his papers, “Net Star’s fourth quarter ending figures...242 million.”

  Everyone is awe-struck, it’s silent, then suddenly
the crowd minus Mr. Spiff’s group goes berserk. Net Star and Prefix Shipping start hugging each other with tears of joy. On stage, Kelvin is reserved, as well as Mr. Sanders in the seats, as they both know how serious this was.

  Mr. Spiffs collapses in a seat, cheering happening all around him. Mr. Randolph must sit as well, floored by recent events.

  “Uh-hem, everyone, a moment please, a moment.” Having to wait a few seconds, “Our mathematicians were able to quantify that if this race did not stop, Net Star would enter the billion dollar league within two and half years.” The crowd gasps.

  Professor Trouse looks for…

  “Mr. Sanders?” The crowd quiets; Mr. Sanders looks up, then penitently stands up. “The I.R.S. is still investigating you, but as for the powers that be here,” he motions behind him, “you will be graduating with a grade of Retired Chairman and Founder of Net Star, accompanied with quite an elaborate golden parachute.” Mr. Sanders head flies back in relief. “Your company executives will most likely bring home a favorable grade as well.” Single cheers escape, a few claps but there is movement beginning, under the surface. The students begin to be touched as they just saw mercy exhibited before their very eyes. Then as if someone hit a switch, the crowd erupts in an encouraging roar of cheers and yells reinstating Mr. Sanders back into the business world.

  Fighting tears, his heart starts its recovery. Thanking Kelvin’s team nearby, he graciously nods and shakes their hand, then looks up to the stage, and with watery eyes says, “Thank you.”

  Kelvin nods, and at that moment, Professor Trouse comes over with the microphone. “Mr. Hobbs?”

  Kelvin immediately stands, still somewhat stunned, “Professor Trouse,” he mutters.

  “Thank you for validating what I do here.”

  Kelvin tries to understand, then sees him extend his hand for congratulations. Kelvin reciprocates while the audience sits amazed at what they just witnessed.

  49

  A delivery truck pulls up to Mr. Spiffs' house. Moments later, the butler carries a package to Mr. Spiffs Senior. He begins to open it and finds a thick report of his son’s company, ‘Diamond Shapers’. He smiles.

  In the city on the most prestigious floor, a secretary brings in a package to Oreleander. Opening it, he finds a thick report as well, ‘Prefix Shipping.’ He smiles, then looks further and finds another report enclosed, ‘Net Star’. He looks at it all intriguingly then begins to peruse them both in detail.

  Outside his home, Mr. Sanders opens his envelope, a report labeled, ‘Retired Chairman and Founder’. He sighs, looking up with relief.

  And in the center meeting area of the Templeton Private School of Business and Finance, Saches watches as Kelvin’s name is being added to a long distinguished plaque. He nods in approval and points, “I’ll see you next year.”

  Saturday, Oreleander eats breakfast with his son at the long table. “I really enjoyed looking over the books to your two companies Kelvin, very smart. I think I might even be able to steal some ideas.”

  Kelvin chuckles, “Thanks, Dad.” He keeps eating his continental breakfast as thoughts churn in his mind. He looks up, “Dad?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What did Mom mean?”

  “Hmm...”

  “When she said, be smart? What did she mean? Do I take that literally?” An expression of inquiry.

  Oreleander takes the napkin and wipes his mouth, thinking of what to say. “Son, your Mom...she was very sick.”

  Kelvin ponders, then leans forward a bit, “Are you saying she didn’t know what she was saying?”

  Oreleander gives Kelvin a direct look, “She knew exactly what she was saying.”

  “What are you saying? This is my mother, what don’t I know?”

  Oreleander stands, “Let’s get away from the table, Son.” He holds out his hand, “Come on,” motioning with his arm held out.

  They walk out onto the patio. Kelvin looks up seeing his father is having trouble wording what’s on his mind. He waits patiently, then his father begins to tell, “Your mother blames herself for dying. She never was able to receive forgiveness; that only hurt her all the more.”

  “No, no, all Mom talked about was forgiveness. That God forgave.” He shakes his head, “No, I can’t believe that.” He holds up his hand in refusal.

  “Your Mom, she did a lot of things she wasn’t proud of when she was younger, before I met her.” Kelvin sees pain on his father’s face. Then his father looks at him grimacing strongly, “She never was able to forgive herself.”

  Kelvin turns uneasy, “What are you saying, Dad?”

  “I’m saying,” a reluctant posture, “your mom had a past before I met her. It never bothered me, but she was never able to let go of it…or the damage it procured.” Kelvin stays listening intently. “I loved her like it never was a part of her. I actually never saw it on her. I saw what you saw, a beautiful woman with light beaming from the inside. But things were happening underneath the surface that I couldn’t see, much less fix. Your Mom, she worked in an industry that,” sighs with a grimace, “ended up taking the life out of her.” He pauses then forces himself to speak, “Son, your Mom was in the adult entertainment industry.”

  Kelvin’s stomach falls, blood drains from his face. Immediately he feels numb and begins to cry uncontrollably; collapsing to his knees for lack of strength in his legs.

  Oreleander stays quiet, knowing Kelvin’s world is breaking apart.

  Kelvin looks up and screams, “You tell me this now!”

  Oreleander raises his voice, “When would have been a better time? Please, tell me!” he sighs. “I wished I’d never had to tell you this. Truth is, I wasn’t going to tell you, ever. But it’s been almost eight years and you still love your mother, so do I. I felt you deserved to know. I’m telling you now.”

  Kelvin is on the ground weeping.

  “What I think your Mom meant when she told you to be smart is to be smart. To not make the mistakes she made when she was younger. She didn’t want anything to catch up with you later. She wasn’t looking at the boy when she said that, she was looking to the man.” Oreleander only hears weeping out of Kelvin. He touches his shoulder and gently walks away. Kelvin is destroyed.

  Doctor Tuttle sees Kelvin looking out the window, just staring. He arises from his desk and walks over compassionately.

  “I want you to remember something, it may be of no use now, but later it might do some good.” Kelvin cocks his head back a bit letting the doctor know he has his attention. “The bible teaches if the fruits are good, the tree is good. And Bathsheba, well, she definitely had a regrettable past, but she did finish her story with Solomon, a very wise man and builder of the temple. Maybe there was redemption for her after all.”

  Kelvin stays still a few moments, then appreciatively nods. With a choke in his words, he manages to utter, “Doctor Tuttle, you would have made a great therapist.”

  The doctor lifts his hand, “Argh, heck no, I like books.” He returns to his chair. “You just so happen to be interesting.” Kelvin chuckles, still sad, but chuckles.

 

  Oreleander remembers a certain day of the year and now is enroute to a cemetery. Pulling up, he is about to get out but finds someone had already beat him there. He sees Kelvin standing at his mother’s tombstone with flowers, the little boy inside.

  Kelvin stares down, on the verge of tearing up, “I wish you were here. If you were here, I would tell you,” he looks up thinking, “that I forgive you, and that God forgives you. Maybe that would be enough for you to forgive yourself.” He wipes a tear, then takes a moment and puts the flowers by the tombstone.

  In the limo, Oreleander is in thought. Then tells the driver, “Let’s come back later.”

  The car quietly leaves.

  50

  A new day does arrive. Kelvin walks through the mansion happily finding his father who’s reading instructions on how to make a milkshake. Kelvin approaches, wat
ching this strange behavior.

  “What’s up, Son?” his father mumbles.

  Kelvin is still looking at the title to this recipe. “A pineapple milkshake, hmm..., sounds like a once in a lifetime drink.”

  “If I make it wrong, it will be,” he chuckles.

  Pondering for a few minutes, Kelvin asks, “Dad…have you ever thought of getting married again?” Oreleander looks at him. Kelvin adds, “You’re a good man. I think more people should see it.”

  His father stands back giving him a stare, wondering, “Are you sure about this?”

  He nods, “I’m sure.”

  “Okay.”

  Kelvin makes his way to leave then halts, and glances back, “Anyway, there’s no marriage in heaven. You may as well enjoy it down here on earth.”

  “Is that right?” he laughs watching Kelvin leave with a smile.

  Oreleander doesn’t waste any time. The following Sunday, he’s already prancing with his new found lady friend to his rusted heap and waving back at Kelvin.

  Kelvin watches with a grin.

  51

  During business hours, Kelvin and Saches are hanging out in their tree house. One that costs 16 million dollars and has wings, presently sitting in a hangar. That’s what they always called their tree house, a hangout inside whatever plane Oreleander owns at the time; this one is a subsonic corporate jet with all the beverages and snacks they could enjoy.

  Kelvin looks around the inside of the plane feeling the stained trim with the back of his fingers. In loose bantering, he states, “God, I’m so happy I don’t have fly first class. Would you believe that airports actually charge people parking for their cars?” He shakes his head. “I’m so thankful.”

  Saches nods, already thinking about something, “So, you’re Mom,” lifting his eyebrows.

  “Yes.” Still gazing at the inside of the plane.

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  He takes a moment to ponder, “I think so. I don’t know. I was riding a wave of lies all this time. Now the wave has broken.” He looks over, “There is something very evil at the core of pornography. Its key purpose is deception, it’s the very gateway to Satan himself.” He looks forward pondering, “I’ve come to the conclusion all pornography is violent. It is kept alive by the hidden root of low self worth, lied to the masses that money and selfishness is the allure, those are only the puppets. Whatever side you’re on, pornography’s stronghold in you is most likely low self esteem. I was so blind.” He closes his eyes momentarily etched with pain, “How disgusted I am to think I actually needed this to feel good about myself.” He slowly opens, veering his gaze out the window, “Sadly, this story is nothing new, it was first broadcast in the Garden of Eden.” He shakes his head astounded, opening up a new bag of peanuts.

  Saches grimaces in a consoling manner, looks down, then lifts his head and leans forward, “I need you to save me from this stuff. All of this pornography stuff.”

  “Only Jesus could save, Saches.” He coldly looks away and out the oval window.

  Saches raises his voice a few octaves, “You’re my Jesus right now, you know!” Kelvin looks at him then looks away again, almost uncaring like. Saches continues, “I see it on you, or don’t see it on you anymore that is. And that was even before you found out about your mother. Get me to where you are. Get me the hell out of here!”

  Kelvin still faces away and looks down considering everything, then turns back to Saches who eagerly awaits his response. “This weakness that haunts you, do you really want to rid yourself of it? Do you really want to face it?”

  “Yes! It’s killing me!”

  “That’s not enough. Guilt,” he shakes his head, “is not enough.” He casually lifts his hand, “People will defend their outlets of lust, even let their sin speak for them, reasoning, justifying. People will live with weakness as long as they don’t have to let it go.” In a pause, he looks at Saches with intensity, “What are you willing to do to not have this in your life?”

  “Die!” Slamming his hand down.

  Kelvin studies his face, looking at him discerningly, “You almost sound convincing,” he grimaces. “This would be for good. No turning back. Are you really serious or do you still want to hold onto this a little while longer. I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”

  Saches looks at Kelvin angrily, then gets in his face and grabbing him by his jacket, starts shaking him like a mad man, “I’m as serious as a guillotine. You hear me? Help me!”

  Kelvin stares up at him seeing how his friend is coming apart like a cheap shirt. He holds up his hand for Saches to hold on, then gets up and starts walking out of the plane. He stops, looks back, “First things first, follow me.”

  And as they come out of the plane into the hangar, Kelvin begins to instruct. “You have to remember something about pornography.” His voice turning increasingly authoritative.

  Saches nods waiting, “Alright.”

  “Pornography, it wants something. It’s after something. While your eyes are busy over here, it’s behind you, over there,” he points behind him at other aircraft, “there, there, and there, killing you, destroying you, robbing from you the very presence of God, or rather your awareness of it. It’s after something, something you have, something in your future that you may not even know about. And if you let it build a fort in your mind, it will take it all, all you have. I promise you, pornography will take it. Satan has brought down champions before, he’ll take whatever he’s looking for in your life too if you allow him. And when he takes, he also destroys you in the process.” He grabs Saches’ collar making sure he’s listening, “Remember that well, pornography, Satan’s worker, is after something. Always remember that, and you’ll stay clear headed.” He gives him a serious look as he backs away.

  Kelvin points at him, “I don’t want you to be under the lie that you’re in this mess by chance because you stumbled on some picture one day or there was a creep-a-zoid in your life when you were younger. Satan targeted you, it was strategic, and it was personal. There are billions of people in this world that couldn’t care less about pornography, but this onslaught was on us, do you know why? Because there’s something Satan wants.”

  Saches takes it all in, “Got it, what’s next?”

  “Now, I’m going to attack you.”

  “Wha-” He responds but immediately has to block a punch from Kelvin, then an other, then an other, all to his face. Saches barely gets enough time to regroup to get out of the way.

  “Are you crazy?” But Kelvin keeps coming at him. Round kicks, anything and everything going after Saches strong. Every martial arts move at his disposal to put Saches down.

  Saches yells out, “What’s wrong with you? Did you lose your mind!” But he has no time to talk since Kelvin is trying to kill him, turning this into a fierce offense defense match.”

  Kelvin’s father walks by outside with some business associates, looks inside the hangar, shakes his head and keeps walking, talking to his entourage.

  The guys cleaning the planes stop their work, and begin taking bets. 50’s music plays in the background.

  Kelvin is getting some punches in, connecting enough to hurt poor younger Saches. Relentless, he does not stop charging after his friend.

  Saches finally gives him a push back, “I don’t know what’s wrong with you,” he tries to talk through his heavy breathing, “but you’re about to have something else to think about if you don’t stop.”

  Kelvin doesn’t even hear him. Suddenly he lunges forward and Saches does a few special moves and ends up hitting Kelvin downwardly striking his hip strong. Kelvin yells up in agony and collapses hard onto the white painted ground. Curling into a ball, he holds his hip while his face tries to yell but the pain is too immeasurable.

  Saches is looking down at him baffled, then screams at him frustratingly, “What are you doing? Are you crazy?” Hands waving in the air.

  In the background, one cleaning guy is paying another, w
hile the other workers walk away laughing. Next fifties song plays.

  Kelvin is still on the clean ground with moans echoing throughout the hangar, unable to speak.

  “Why did you do that?”

  Kelvin waves him down as to help him up. Saches is completely confused and reluctantly begins to help, almost carrying him. Then Kelvin struggles to speak. “I wanted to see...argh! I wanted to see if there was a fighter in there,” he taps Saches chest, “or just someone who knows all the right moves.”

  Saches bounces back amazed, profoundly shaken in his understanding as he sees what Kelvin was doing. Suddenly Kelvin can’t stay standing and crashes down again in excruciating pain. His posture exhibiting great suffering. “I think you cracked the bone...fracture.”

  Saches just stands there, looks up, shakes his head then screams down at Kelvin, “Must everything with you be the extreme?”

  After a few short breaths, “I’m sorry to say, yes.” Slamming his open palm a few times on the ground with accompanied painful yells.

  Saches drops his head in his hand in disbelief.

  52

  Walking along on a hill, well Saches is, Kelvin holds his side proceeding with a slight limp. “The answer Saches is in here,” pointing inside him, “not out here. Yes, put a filter, guard those around. Accountability, fine. But all those are all out here, you’re answer is in there.” Another point to his chest. “Make sure to identify and stop all the undercurrents of the world’s spirit into your heart as to not sway you if temptation strikes.”

  Saches understands and waits to ask. “When this...does finally happen, put distance between me and this thing, how will I know? How will I know it’s really gone?”

  “You’ll know,” Kelvin keeps walking confidently, looking around.

  Saches yells, as he tries to keep up, “Yes, but how?”

  Kelvin stops to catch his breath, then speaks words intense, “Because even in your best attempts, there was nothing you could ever add.” He gives him a serious look, “It was beyond you.” Looking away, Kelvin lowers his eyes and mutters, “Not based on any works lest any man could boast.” After a few moments of pondering, he turns adamantly back around to Saches, then with strong words and slightly getting in his face, he angrily voices, “In this, you get no glory!” And turns right around and keeps walking as if having somewhere to go.

  Saches is frozen, lost in thought, mouth hanging open. He looks up then runs to catch up to Kelvin.

  “Wait! What if it returns?”

  Kelvin ponders, staring at the faraway trees, seeing a picture of himself in the woods holding up the Sword of the Spirit. He turns back to Saches, “You never, ever, trust the enemy to keep peace.”

  Saches looks within himself, then looks back up to Kelvin with confidence.

  Kelvin looks out to the horizon, “Don’t worry, you will be tempted again. Probably on a day when you feel life on a low point. You have to understand the enemy will want to use all the momentum you’ve created over the years. Simulate that you’re still bound. But don’t believe it. It’s a lie. The momentum will end. If he tries to tempt you, he can only tempt you on the outside, not from within. He has lost that footing because he won’t have anything inside you anymore. The truth dealt with anything that was inside you. His pull is gone. And if pornography does come around again, make sure it doesn’t find an open door into your life.” He explains with his hands, “Hold fast, and you’ll see how fleeting your temptation is. And if it does happen to be a powerful temptation, then know, Satan is trying to stop you from receiving revelation. Because once you have revelation, you will have elevation,” he points, “in Christ.”

  Kelvin continues, “Take care of things in the spirit and you won’t have to worry about things in the natural.” He looks away, afar, muttering, “As of now, Satan knows better than to bring his deception around me, it’s not in his best interests.” He turns back to Saches, “Enforce what Jesus finished.” He points at him, “Jesus already paid for your deliverance.” He looks away, “Newsflash to the world, you’re already free and Satan has been making you think you’re not, this way you’ll always be grasping at air seeking deliverance. Saches, you’re not the bound trying to get free, you’re the free and Satan has been making it appear like you’re bound. And it’s going to be up to you to learn and receive knowledge from God’s word, then with your authority make Satan want to keep out of your life.” He grins which after a quick ponder turns to a grimace, “Sadly, many prisoners will not even pick up a bible and see all that is written, all that God did; they trust their spiritual leader and not surprisingly always seek an easy way out, a magic card of sorts. They’ll never get it.” Then a lightheartedness wells up in Kelvin belting out a hardy laugh, “Ha, ha, but we will also have champions, like you will be soon Saches, like God already made you,” he nods, “who refuse to walk this earth carrying shackles with chain links dragging on the ground behind them, and will supercede anyone, anything, for divine revelation from God knowing deeply that your true value has already been given to you by God.” His laugh simmers, “One last thing...wait, excuse me,” he turns to laugh all the more, then manages to compose himself and return, "by the way, don’t ever let the devil make you feel bad because of temptation. Surprisingly,” a lift of a brow, “you might actually be doing something right.”

  Saches’ jaw hangs open, He manages to say, “Thank you.”

  Kelvin is forced to grin, “You’re welcome.”

  53

  Standing at the cemetery, Kelvin’s persona is dramatically peaceful. He smiles as he begins to speak. “Like God showed David Mom, you can’t come to me anymore,” he takes a moment to smile, “but I can go to you. One day, someday. So look for me, Mom. Look for me.” Staying a few more moments, he uses all his strength and walks away.

  Finishing an ice cream cone in the park, Kelvin happens to see the girl he remembers from the support group now walking towards him. He throws the ice cream cone away and waits for her to near.

  As she approaches, he holds out his hand a bit, “Wait.” The girl looks at him a touch startled, surprised anyone even spoke to her. He calmly tells, “You don’t have to,” eyeing her as she slows to a stop. She looks at him suspiciously. “I remember you, from the group.”

  The girl finally recalls and turns embarrassed looking to leave. He watches her go, letting her. After a few moments, he calls out, “Has any other man died for you?”

  The girl freezes in her tracks and looks down, shivering as if she’s cold.

  He approaches her, getting in front of her, “What more would Jesus have to do?” His intensity noticeable in his expression.

  “You’re scaring me.”

  “You can’t let being scared stop you from seeking your answer. You have to believe an answer exists before you ask.”

  She cries out, “You don’t understand.”

  “Because you’re a girl,” he nods.

  “You don’t know my past! Magnify the guilt you would have times ten. I’m amazed I can even tie my shoes some days.”

  Kelvin looks at her confidently, “God loves you.”

  “Well, I…” she has to look away.

  “It’s His love. Not man’s love.” He points up, “His love is everything.” He speaks to her compassionately. “Receive His love, it’s enough...even for you to forgive yourself.” He pauses a moment, “Don’t beat yourself up.”

  The girl is tearing. He continues, “For what it’s worth, the shame you feel, it’s not even yours. Someone is putting it on you. Don’t take ownership.”

  She looks up frozen as he’s about to leave.

  “Who are you?”

  He pauses and turns back. After a quick ponder he acknowledges, “I’m the sinner Jesus paid for...now I’m His servant.” He steps forward, puts a hand on her elbow a moment, then turns around and leaves. The girl watches him walk the long pathway ahead of him, admiration evident.

  She looks up to the s
ky. The dark cloud that had plagued her countenance is no where to be found, only the warmth of gentle sunlight falling softly bringing with it new tears to roll down her face.

  54

  Kelvin cruises with his father in the ol’ heap. Saches happily riding along in the backseat looking around, a new experience for him. And Oreleander is deliberating.

  “Hmm...wait, why am I driving?” he asks wondering.

  Kelvin looks over puzzled, “Well, you have the license.”

  “Okay, first thing tomorrow, both of you are getting licenses, permits. What do you expect, to be driven around the rest of your life?”

  Kelvin and Saches are grinning.

  “Sorry Dad, I guess we weren’t thinking.”

  “Yeah,” he points forward, “first thing tomorrow we’ll take care of that. I got a girlfriend now. I can’t be chauffeuring around the boys when my girl wants to spend time with me.” He looks at Kelvin. Kelvin then looks at Saches. This has completely caught them off guard. “In fact!” Oreleander begins to say…

  Screech!

  The car pulls over on a dime. A moment later, the two boys are being pushed out of the car looking back confused at Oreleander’s behavior.

  Oreleander leans over and shuts the door behind them with a playful smile, “I’m going to go see if my girlfriend wants to hang out, ha!” He looks forward again and skids out, taking off racing the engine until he’s out of sight.

  Kelvin and Saches are shocked.

  Saches looks around to find they’re in some little town somewhere on some road. “What just happened?”

  Kelvin is still looking down the road, “I’ve never seen that.”

  “Now what?”

  Kelvin lifts his eyebrows baffled, looks both ways and starts walking the way they were heading.

  Saches checks his pockets, “Argh, no phone, and no coins, not that we could find a payphone anymore anyway.”

  Kelvin laughs, Saches catches up.

  “Oh man,” Kelvin laughs, “I just remembered, I never prayed for Mr. Sander’s salvation.”

  “You want to pray now?”

  “Is there a better time?”

  Saches motions for him to go ahead.

  Kelvin about to start, pauses and looks over, “Wait, I have your agreement, right?”

  “Yes! Go already.”

  “Alright,” he grins, “Heavenly Father, we come before you on behalf of Mr. Sanders-“A car blows by with loud music and teenagers screaming out the window at them, but it doesn’t faze Kelvin at all, he just sort of waves. “We pray that you reach out to him, open his eyes so he can see the saving message of the Gospel, not just words on a page. We also pray Father that he can sense your love and acceptance and learns about your finished work and finds his life in you. We put our trust in you to do this, all for your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

  “Amen.”

  “Well,” he looks around, “I feel better. What do you want to do now?”

  “Do you know what? I really don’t know, except walk on this road I’ve never been on.” Motioning forward.

  “Well Saches, I guess we’re at the beginning again.”

  “What? I don’t know what that means! What in the world does that mean?”

  “I don’t know,” he chuckles.

  “Hey, did you ever find out about that loaf of bread thing?

  “Yeah, I did.”

  The End

  Extra

  Flowing just above the clouds at .85 mach, rides a very happy young man. His father, Orleander, had ordered a new jet, a lavish G650ER, but wasn’t able to pick it up so he asked his son to do him the favor. Kelvin was more than accommodating.

  Very cognoscente of the fact that most people would never even experience such an experience, his perspective of his world begins to expand. Entranced by the clouds below him, a heavenly picture to be sure, his mind recollects to a recent conversation with the eloquent Doctor Tuttle.

  Standing in the good doctor’s study, Kelvin leans in with a grin, “Doctor Tuttle, what can you tell me about heaven?”

  Doctor Tuttle stares at him then suddenly breaks out in laughter. Kelvin only watches intrigued. “Well, to start with, we’ll have to re-discuss your fee.” His hearty jolly continues as if a gusher blew.

  “My fee? Hmm...” he looks away.

  “Yeah, I don’t think you could afford me.”

  “Just for fun,” a smile escapes, “give me a quote.”

  “Well, let me think. Jesus is seated in heavenly places, where my affections are set may I add. His glory encapsulating the whole area, and in that area we find no shadows and the gold there is transparent. The gold is so pure, it’s actually transparent. It’s like it’s not even there!”

  “Is that right?”

  “That’s right! You got anything like that big guy?” he points up to him.

  Kelvin holds a smirk, “Doctor Tuttle, you’re tempting me.”

  Doctor Tuttle begins to grin widely then boisterously laughs again filling the room. Kelvin politely joins in with accompanied nods and smiles while still leaning forward on the desk .

  After a few moments, Kelvin sobers up, “Seriously, how much?”

  As his thoughts return back to sitting inside the plane, he grins, then suddenly picks up the phone and dials.

  “Doctor’s Tuttle’s office,” a scratchy secretary’s voice inquires.

  “This is Kelvin Hobbs hoping to speak to Doctor Tuttle.”

  “Mr. Hobbs, Doctor Tuttle was expecting your call, please hold.”

  He looks away wondering as a serious of clicks fills his ear, Expecting my call?

  “Doctor Tuttle here.”

  “I can tell through the phone you’re already smiling.”

  “Well, happy is the man that finds wisdom the bible says.”

  “Yes. As a matter of fact Doctor Tuttle, let me tell you where I am right now. I’m in the most advanced and luxurious commercial jet available to man at this point in time, my clothes costs more than most people’s cars and this morning I received one of my trusts funds, but I still find myself with more room to be happy. Is there anyway you can help me with that, Doctor?”

  “Gosh darn it, I really would love to help you out buddy, but the true things of God can’t be paid for.”

  “Perhaps you can point me in the right direction.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know. I tell you, then you tell someone else, and before we know it, the cleaning lady is telling me what took a lifetime to learn.”

  “I love a challenge, Doctor.”

  “Ha!”

  “I really would like to know what else I could learn.”

  “Just open your bible, it’s filled with amazing things Jesus did, and that you could do too. Remember, Jesus walked the earth as an anointed man, not as God. A lot of people don’t realize that. They think, ‘well, that was Jesus, how am I supposed to do that?’ But they have the same Spirit, the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. You ask most people who they identify with in the bible and they throw out names like Joseph, or David, and many times it’s Job. They can’t identify with Jesus because they don’t think they could walk like him even though 1st John 2:6 says they can.”

  “See Doctor, right there, I would like more of that. I’m already starting to feel happier.”

  “I’m sorry, my spiritual life is not for sale. Seek Jesus on your own, work out your own salvation. Gotta go, bye.”

  Kelvin hears a click and realizes he is disconnected, and not only that, disappointed as well. He really thought the Doctor would be open to some sort of compensation.

  Thirty-minutes pass and the Doctor’s phone rings again. He picks it up. “Let me guess?”

  “Doctor Tuttle, you’re a smart man.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere.”

  “That wasn’t flattery. I understand your stance, to apply a monetary value for such precious knowledge is practically insulting, I apologize greatly. I also see th
at any monetary amount is not even a comparison to what you contain. So I figured I would match you and hope that you concur.”

  “Kelvin, I’m sorry, I just don’t feel I can share what God has shown me with-”

  “Hear me out please, Doctor.”

  “Okay, hurry it up though, it’s double chicken wings lunch day at Chicken Central. I never miss a day.”

  “I didn’t know you like wings.”

  “I would grow my own if I could.”

  “Funny you mention wings. I took the liberty of scheduling a ride for you on an F15 Eagle Fighter Jet, tomorrow. And you don’t even have to go through the security check and physical which takes weeks. And Doctor Tuttle, I hope you accept, you’ll never have to go on an amusement park ride again.” Silence is heard over the phone. “Doctor?” He looks at the phone. “Doctor, are you still there? Doctor?”

  “I accept!”

  Kelvin smiles, wiping the sweat from his forehead, “That’s good to hear.”

  “Wait, in one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “That I can give the pilot my sister’s address and we can do a really fast flyover right over her roof. That’ll really get her kids hysterical!”

  Kelvin shakes his head in astonishment, “That’s all you want? Well, then I should get off the phone now so I can call the F.A.A. Give them a heads up there’s going to be some noise over…where does she live?”

  “Edgewater, New Jersey.”

  “Edgewater. My secretary will call you with your itinerary, Doctor.”

  “Yeah!” he cheers. I’m excited!”

  “Oh, and Doctor?”

  “Yes?”

  “I suggest you forego breakfast tomorrow.”

  “Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo!”

  And the Doctor hangs up the phone.

  Kelvin slowly returns the handset to the holder staying in a posture of deep thought. Slowly he begins to nod, then smile, “Okay, now I’m feeling happier.”

 

 

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