REFLECTIONS

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 a strange feeling that it was somehow tryin

  CHAPTER TEN      Too intoxicated to drive, Levi Osama left his cab parked by McQuade’s tavern and walked home.   He usually parked his cab on the street in front of his one room apartment located in the basement of a three-story building.   It was a sectioned off area of the basement by the plumbing pipes, electrical wires, and heating system.   Two one-foot-high windows created the dim lighting and a view of the sidewalk.   One room with a cot, stove and shower made up his living area. Even though he had more than enough money to live better it was all he wanted.   He had no need to keep the room neat or even clean.   His few pieces of clothing were hung on a stand under one of the windows.   He only changed what he was wearing, when necessary, usually if they became too stained and smelly.   There was no need for the stove because he only ate out at a fast-food restaurant or a pub.   For Levi this was home. Earlier that night when Levi took Tom to McQuade’s tavern he foll

 

    CHAPTER NINE     Once outside the rectory, Tom’s cell phone rang. "Hi Angela." "How did it go with Father Alphonsus?" "Okay, I guess.   I couldn't find the book.   I was sure I had it in my shoulder bag, but it wasn't there.   It's very strange." "I can't wait for you to tell me all about it.   Are we still going to meet at McQuade's?"   Angela asked. "Sure, I’ll catch a cab.   Give me about half an hour.” A cab came around the corner by the church and pulled up to the curb.   The driver was an enormous man with a large round face and short crew cut hair.   He was too bulky for the cab almost taking up the entire front two seats. "Need a ride?"   He shouted, peering at Tom over a pair of tiny wire framed glasses.   It was more a statement of fact than a question. Tom was just able to enter the cab and close the door before it sped away. “Hey, I didn’t tell you where I want to go.” T

The youngest grandkid is more interested in Santa Clause than the camera. They are standing in front of the "Christmas Bus". I think it's really a fire truck.  I bought two frames for this photo, one for them and one for me. 

CHAPTER EIGHT   Tom took a cab to Saint Michael the Archangel Church.   It was not because of any strong spiritual beliefs.   He was desperate.   It was worth a try. He promised Angela he would see Father  Alphonsus. Assuming the priest might have an office somewhere in the church he looked there first.   The church was in the style of a great medieval cathedral only on a much smaller scale, a miniature cathedral built of stone and stained glass. Over the large wooden doors leading into the church was a statue of an angel.   The angel’s wings were spread out behind him for balance.   He was pushing a long sword into the chest of a horned demon lying on his back with his hands unsuccessfully trying to deflect the sword. “Almost as good as Spiderman,” Tom mumbled to himself as he pulled open the door. The light coming in with him sent shadows in every direction.   When the door closed behind him, the shadows vanished.   They were replaced by a dim light coming from several ligh