R E F L E C T I O N S

      CHAPTER FOURTEEN     The next morning it was ten o’clock before Tom woke.   He neglected to set his alarm clock, which forced him to hurry to be on time for his appointment with Doctor Carlton.   After a quick shave and shower, he ran down his steps hoping to grab a quick breakfast on his way.   He was not sure if he had turned off the shower but kept running.   Wasted water was not that important to him now. “Hey, what’s your hurry?” It was Lilith.  He felt his pockets.  The note she gave him with the marks from her lipstick was still there. “Why didn’t you call me?” “I’m on my way to an appointment.  I can’t talk.” “My car’s right here at the curb.  If you’d like I can take you there.  We can grab something to eat on the way.” “Yeah.  Sure, why not?  It’s better than being late.” Images of Lilith ripping off her clothes as she went into the back seat flashed through his mind. “Aren’t you going to ope...

  For me clowns are often the opposite of what they are intended for.  

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN   Lilith lived alone in a large cape-cod style house.   It was at the end of a long curved rose bush lined driveway.   Tall trees all around the house caused it to be for the most part always in a dark shade. Levi parked on the street at the end of the driveway.   The house could not be seen from the road, but he was familiar with its location.   He visited Lilith regularly for what he called his "instructions". They both had one deep need, to find someone to commit murder for them.   They met at a local college public lecture about serial killers.   There they learned the details of Charles Manson's life. Just as he was never actually found guilty of committing the murders himself, he was still responsible.   This time instead of a cult following, Lilith and Levi intended to set things up; quietly and safely enjoying the results from a distance. “Open up.   It’s the fat assed, bald headed pizza boy with yo...

  CHAPTER TWELVE   Back in his apartment, Tom took the book into the bedroom and sat in front of his computer on the small desk next to his bed.   He looked out the window for a moment lost in thought. Before giving in to a compulsion to open the book he looked at the note Father Alphonsus wrote for him.   It listed the names and numbers of the psychiatrists he recommended.   Which one of these doctors would help him the most?   His future relied on a random selection. When he opened the book, he saw a gray haze come over the pages.   He blew the vapors away then gasped in astonishment as he saw that the text was back on the pages.   The chapters were the same as before.   But the chapter on reconciliation was still missing. Thoughts raced through his mind too fast and chaotic to comprehend.   He closed his eyes for a moment then looked out the window to calm himself.   It worked for a while.   The cars going down the r...

She may not be an alchemist, but the image was too good to leave out. 

  CHAPTER ELEVEN The next day it was almost ten before Tom finally woke from another night of fitful sleep interrupted by vague nightmares.   He put on a pot of coffee and poured himself a bowl of cereal.   He was not sure if it was corn, wheat, or whatever kind of flakes or squares.   It really did not matter to him.   They all tasted like pieces of cardboard and Styrofoam coated with sugar. Clumps of foul-smelling semi solids came from the container of milk.  Tom decided it was best to skip making breakfast.  There were several fast-food restaurants on the way to the church.  He was sure Angela would not mind stopping for breakfast. After a quick shower, he went outside to wait for her, this time making sure the book was in his shoulder bag. “We’re early,” Angela said as she drove up to the curb. “Good, we can stop to get something to eat.” Tom checked his shoulder bag again to make sure the book was there.  He knew it was there, but he had...