“Okay, I might give you remarkable.”
“She is the matriarch of our brotherhood. Her name is Henrietta LePley. I don’t know why, but she has asked to meet you. She likes to meet all who are involved.”
“I’m not fucking involved, Sarah, and I tell you, she is creeping me out.”
“She’s a beautiful woman, Jack, and you will not meet anyone who is as captivating. She’ll have you feeling at ease within moments.”
“At ease? Great. I might just ease myself out of this place. So let me see, you have a priestess and now this old woman. How come I never see the priestess at these meetings?”
“I’m not really sure. I think she likes to remain mysterious.”
“And now this old lady, how come I’ve never seen her before?”
“Again, hard to say; she seems to come around when there is a special occasion or when she has an agenda.”
“She wants to speak to me? No way, I told you I was done with this shit.”
“Come on. She won’t bite.”
“I’m not worried about bites, Sarah. I can survive a bite. Remember, I’ve been through pain therapy management.”
She gave him a vulnerable look.
“Oh, all right, I guess she is the reason I came one last time, so let’s get this over with.”
Sarah pushed him toward the old woman. Jack could feel the hairs on the back of his neck tingling. As they neared, Henrietta turned toward him. He almost stopped in his tracks as he was hit full force by the greenest eyes he’d ever seen, and they were looking right through him. His mouth went dry.
“Miss Henrietta, this is Jackson. I told you about him some time ago. You asked to meet him.” Sarah curtsied.
The woman’s eyes were like magnets. He turned his head away slightly, but was no match for her stare. Henrietta reached forward and gently lifted his chin, engaging his eyes directly. The irony of the situation struck him; he was the big football player, yet he was powerless to hold the old woman’s gaze. She lifted his chin as if he were a hundred-pound weakling.
“Jackson, it is a distinct pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you from various members of our congregation.”
Her breath smelled of old wine, but her voice was even and calm. She spoke with a distinct Old South Floridian accent. Her voice was calm, taking her time pronouncing her vowels, the dialect people had if they’d lived in the state their entire lives.
She did not look or sound like she was over one hundred years old, yet there was something unexplainable happening. It was like she was totally in control and Jack could do nothing to even things up.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Henrietta.”
“I hear that you played ball up north?” she said putting her hand on his knee.
He resisted the urge to recoil. “Up north, well, if you call Gainesville up north, then yes, I guess so. I really didn’t play much in Cincinnati.”
“When I was much younger, I would take in the odd Dolphin game, Miami Hurricanes as well, but that was some time ago. Sport is a means to an end though, isn’t it? You’re still young, mid-twenties; what if we were able to pull a few strings? I could get you a walk-on with the Saints. We have strong connections over in New Orleans. What if I could guarantee that, Jackson?”
His heart started to beat so hard he was sure the woman could hear it.
“You really don’t think your job with Senator Hunter is going to amount to much, do you? We could get you back on track with your career. It’s not what you know, son, it’s who you know, isn’t it?”
Jack shrugged.
“We know about the drugs and the effects they had. It wouldn’t take much to set you up in a rehab center. We could guarantee that you are given a clean bill of health.”
Jack interjected. “Pardon me, ma’am, but drugs are not an issue anymore. I’ve been to rehab and I’ve passed GO.”
She smiled. “Let’s say the worst-case scenario is a back-up job. You could be pulling in two, maybe three million a year. That would guarantee our little Sarah a good life.” She cocked her head to the side for a moment in thought. “Let’s be honest; it’s not about you, it’s about Sarah. She is our prime concern. However, you might grow in our esteem should you step up to the plate and take care of her in the way she deserves to be taken care of.”
Christ, we’ve only just begun dating! Jack had to collect his thoughts. He paused for a few moments, his eyes dropping from Henrietta’s. “I don’t have what it takes to play pro ball, ma’am. I was cut, fair and square.”
“Nonsense.” She lifted his chin again. “We both know that isn’t the truth; you were an abuser of drugs. You were cut because you became a liability. I have talked to those who know. You are a uniquely talented passer. You can read a defense with the best. Deep down inside, you know this is the truth. Is it not?”
Jack hesitated. “Ma’am, I would like to think what you’re saying is the truth. I’d love to believe what you’re saying. I loved the game. But there are so many other talented players out there. Why would an NFL team pick me up, especially with my past? Okay, I’ll say it: I messed up, I abused drugs, and I wouldn’t give my own ass a contract. This is a crazy conversation, and how do you know all of this about me?”
Henrietta lifted Jack’s chin again, her breath smelling somewhat better . . . cherries? “I am telling you, I can do this for you.”
Jack looked into her eyes. He wanted badly to believe what she was saying. Her green eyes drilled into his head. “What would it take?” he said in a low voice. His will was slipping.
“There’s a good boy. You need only promise that you will look after our Sarah. I am not going to push our ways on you. That is not our objective. We hope that in your own time you will see the truth. This is all we can ask. We do not seek your enlightenment, Jackson, we can only hope that you better yourself and find your own way. I think that you would benefit from some self-indulgence, which is our hope for the congregation as a whole.”
Jack’s eyes dropped to her hands, which were amazingly smooth for a woman her age. “What about my current job with Senator Hunter?”
She looked at him. “The senator need not know about our little gambit, and it will take some time to put things in motion. His office won’t find out about things until they are well underway.”
“Okay, so what’s the cost?”
Henrietta smiled, her perfectly straight but brown-tinged teeth glaring at him. “There is no cost, Jack, other than your devotion to Sarah.” She turned toward Sarah, who was beaming with admiration for the woman.
“That’s it?”
She nodded, a smile forming on her thin lips. “We may call on you from time to time to do us favors.”
“Favors?”
“Don’t worry, they will not be anything too dramatic or burdensome—nothing devilish. One hand has to wash the other. If we could revive your career, Jackson, wouldn’t the odd favor in return be worth it?”
Jack stood, looking down at the old woman. “I am not convinced that I want to be tied up with a Satanist church.” He paused to consider. “But all you’re going to do is make some calls and maybe get me a tryout, and the rest is up to me?”
“Of course.”
Jack felt a large hand on his left shoulder. He turned to see Buck, his welcoming smile looking him level in the face. He had been so intent in his conversation with Henrietta, he had not noticed the large man walk up behind him.
“She speaks the truth, boy. I have the connections and I can promise you a walk-on.”
Jack took a moment to contemplate his options. He weighed Perry’s comments about the risks of his ‘last tour of duty.’ But then he imagined himself, once again the center of attention, flush with cash, living the high life. He sat down in one of the fold-up chairs that filled the room. Sarah sat quietly next to him.
“Okay, much as it feels wrong, I’ll go for it. But I am not a Satanist. I am doing this for Sarah.” He looked Henrietta straight in the eye. He didn
’t believe in the devil—Satan, or Set, whatever they wanted to call him—yet he couldn’t help but feel he was selling himself, well, to the devil. He shook his head. No such thing, he told himself.
“Is there a contract or anything that I have to sign? Do I owe you any percentages if I get a contract?”
“Absolutely not. I am a wealthy woman, Jackson. Having a piece of your soul is payment enough.” Henrietta laughed. “Of course I am just kidding. We Satanists are allowed humor.”
Jack felt the tingling of goose bumps forming on his arms and scalp.
“I will ask you for one favor, though. I have a large sum of money that has to be delivered to one of our benefactors, and a letter for his wife; she’s such a dear friend. I never did learn how to drive. He and his wife live up on Lake Okeechobee on an old plantation. Alfred Marsh is his name.”
He looked to Sarah. “You’ll come with me, right?”
“I can’t, Jack, you know that I have a big day tomorrow. You wouldn’t get back until quite late, and I need the evening to prepare for a conference. It’s only an hour and a half drive.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Jack swore he saw the old woman make a slight nod toward Sarah.
“For your trouble, young man, please take this as a measure of my gratitude.” She handed him five crisp one hundred dollar bills.
“That’s not necessary.”
“Take it Jackson, I insist.”
Jack reached out to take the money and the envelope, and he could not help but feel dirty. He looked to Sarah. Her face seemed to beam in acceptance. He stuck the envelope into his pants pocket.
“Buck, will you keep the young man company?” Henrietta smiled.
Buck put his hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Well, I don’t have any plans. When you’re over seventy, your night life involves watching TV and going to church meetings.” He turned to his wife, who stood silently, smiling. “Unless you had some sex planned for the evening, sweetheart?”
She blushed.
“Jack, get it while you can; once you’re my age, it becomes a semi-annual event.” Buck hugged his blushing bride. “We can take my Caddie?”
“I don’t mind driving, unless you have an aversion to riding in poverty. But I’m okay to go on my own.”
“It’ll bring me back to my youth, son. My wife will give Sarah a ride home.” Buck nodded to Henrietta.
“Then it’s settled,” Henrietta said. “You’re a good lad, Jackson. So mote it be.” She lifted his chin again and stared into his eyes. “Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker? Good night son.” She turned and moved toward another group of people.
Jack stood for a moment staring off into space. Buck clipped his shoulder. “She is priceless, isn’t she? Don’t let all this bullshit bother you. Let’s get that envelope delivered and get back,. Maybe we can have a nightcap if it’s not too late.”
“Sounds good. Let me say goodnight to Sarah. Ah, hey—what the hell does so mote it be mean?”
Buck looked caught off guard for a moment. “Pretty much the same as amen.”
****
Jack nodded to the large man and led Sarah from the meeting hall. Outside he began stomping around in agitation, his fists clenched. Sarah put her hands on his shoulders. He pushed her off, backing up a couple of steps.
“What the fuck? What the fuck just happened?”
“Calm down, Jack. I know you don’t want to be invol—”
He cut her off with a wave of his hand. “I went for a drink with Perry earlier and he warned me not to have anything more to do with your people. He compared it to a soldier’s last tour of duty.”
“What do you mean, last tour of duty? Are you planning to dump me?”
“No Sarah, I’m not. I do, however, want to get things straight. I don’t like the Satanist bullshit. I don’t feel comfortable with it. If you want me to be committed, I have to draw a line. That woman creeps me out. I don’t know why I couldn’t say no. I don’t believe in all this yada- yada horseshit about finding one’s path and all that crap. My better judgment has been compromised. You shoulda stepped in and intervened. I’m pissed. You just sat there staring at that woman like she was God!”
Sarah stood for a moment, her hand resting on the hood of Jack’s car. “I told you in the beginning. I don’t have a problem with your autonomy. I just want you to understand. I can ask no more. Wouldn’t you like another try at football?”
He contemplated her words. “Why do you people all say ‘I can ask no more?’ And why not get some other schlep to deliver the money?”
She shrugged. “I hadn’t noticed that we said that. Maybe I’ve just become accustomed to them saying it and hadn’t realized.” Her eyes turned to the ground.
“No more meetings. This is the last one. Frankly, I think that the lot of you are whacked out on Prozac. I will not go to another one of these gatherings. No more. That whole thing was like a scene out of Rosemary’s Baby.”
After a few moments, Sarah quietly said, “Agreed.” She looked up again.
“Serious?”
“Absolutely.” She put her arms around his waist, looked up into his face, and stepping up on her toes placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Her breath smelled divine.
Jack sighed, not pulling away this time. “So you can’t come?”
“Nah, got a full day tomorrow. Come back when you’re finished and I might be able to wake myself for a little snuggle.” She looked up and squished her nose with her forefinger.
“Okay . . . for you.”
“It’s not for me, Jack, it’s for Henrietta. Hell, five hundred bucks, you can take me out to dinner this week.”
He looked her in the eye. She held his gaze. “Would you consider dropping the Satanist bullshit?”
She frowned. “I don’t know that I can promise that, but I will at least give it some consideration.”
Jack walked back to his car, his lips still warm from Sarah’s parting kiss. He opened the door and took out the envelope full of cash and stared at it. He muttered out loud to himself. “Last tour of duty, you stupid fuck.” He stood waiting for Buck to emerge from the old theater.
Buck came rambling out of the hall a couple of minutes later, his big frame hesitating, his eyes searching until he caught sight of Jack.
Buck sauntered through the parking lot surveying Jack’s car as he neared. “Sure you don’t want to drive the Caddie?”
“Runs like a charm, Buck.”
“Okay, your choice, let’s get going.” Both men got into the car. Jack stuck the envelope under his seat as he sat down. He wasn’t sure if Buck intentionally turned his eyes away from the action, but he saw a serious look on Buck’s face for the briefest of moments. He engaged the ignition and jolted the old Ford into gear.
****
The ride across the causeway from Sanibel to Ft. Myers was one of Jack’s favorite stretches of road. In the daytime you could see for miles in either direction. He followed it onto Summerlin and made his way towards Interstate 75. Traffic was pretty light at this time of night and he was able to get off at Palm Beach Boulevard. Buck was quiet for the first part of the drive, his big thumbs typing away on his smartphone.
“Amazing things, these devices. I can get twice as much done in a day as I could 20 years ago. You younguns, don’t know any different, you’re spoiled.” He laughed. “Hey, remember that game six years ago against Clemson? You’re in a bowl game if you win that one. Why’d you run four times on that last goal line stand? I lost a lot of money on that game. You’d been passing beautifully all day.”
Jack tensed. He wasn’t in the mood for this type of discussion. He gripped the wheel a little harder with both hands. Not wanting to be rude, he answered, “It was the coach’s call and it was my second year. I wanted to go opposite of what they thought was coming. I wanted to go play action on the first two downs. He disagreed and called two straight running plays. On third down, where we should have passed, he lost his nerve and called another
run. We got stopped on the goal line. We went for it on fourth down. They came at us hard and I did my best to hang onto the ball. The rest is history. Believe me, I was pissed, but play comes through the headphones and you don’t run it, bad news, man.”
“I get it, just a bit frustrating as a fan.”
“That’s sports, you live and die by your good plays and your bad plays. I know all about that.”
The county highway was like most inland Florida roads: dark, straight, and boring. As it veered away from the Caloosahatchee River the scenery turned to oranges and sugar cane. They stopped at a 7-Eleven in Labelle for a coffee before making the last part of the drive to Lake Okeechobee.
As he pulled back onto the highway, he was tempted to call Perry. If Buck hadn’t been in the car, he would’ve. He wasn’t sure why; perhaps he wanted moral support, or maybe he was questioning his wisdom in accepting the envelope and heading out here with Buck. Buck seemed trustworthy enough, but Jack was no longer in his comfort zone. He knew what Perry would say, so he put his phone back into his pocket. He didn’t need to hear that he was stupid. Why did he feel compelled to complete this little job? He’d accepted the money in payment for a service, and he wouldn’t go back on an agreement. But it wasn’t like he needed the five hundred desperately.
He thought about Henrietta’s green eyes. He hadn’t been able to say no; it had been impossible. So what was stopping him from simply returning it to the old woman? Was he caught up in the possibility of playing football again? Henrietta had dangled that carrot in front of his nose. Was it Sarah? Or was it Buck’s presence? A little bit of all of it, probably.
He was lost in thought as the orange trees flew by his side window. He was falling in love with Sarah and hoped for a future with her, but this seemed dangerous and stupid. He was starting to enjoy his work with Senator Hunter, and he could tell the man was taking a shine to him. His Aunt Rebecca, who had set him up with the job, told him that he needed to get in on the ground floor. Once he did, his competitive nature would take over. Do a good job and things would evolve. He didn’t want to get on the bad side of his aunt, the matriarch on his father’s side of the family. No one crossed Rebecca; she would disown him if she found out he was doing this.
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