The mist began to fade.
'Sam?' Miles cried. 'What about Jane Ann?'
The mist projected its reply, and Miles was saddened.
Breakfast at the mansion was served buffet style, with Sam and Nydia eating together.
'Did you sleep well?' she asked.
'Passed out,' Sam said, buttering a piece of toast. 'I don't recall ever sleeping so soundly.'
'It's the silence of the woods. But sometimes it can be … well, frightening.'
'How?'
Her eyes were serious as they fixed their beauty on Sam's face. 'Do you believe in the Devil, Sam?'
'Of course.'
'Do you believe in possession?'
Sam chewed thoughtfully for a few seconds. 'Yes, I do, Nydia. Even though most Protestants don't. But my father did. My real father. Mother told me he did. My stepfather was raised in the Catholic Church, but he broke from it when I was about ten … just a kid. Tony stopped worshiping God. Just quit. I don't know what happened. But mother taught me the Bible, and to believe in demonic possession. One thing she stressed was that the Devil walks the earth. Yeah … it was about that time I started hearing whispers about Tony running around on Mother. But,' he shrugged, 'his loss. Mother is beautiful. I don't understand men who run around on their wives. Sorry, I'm digressing. Why do you ask about possession?'
'Are you a Christian, Sam?'
'Well … technically, yes, I suppose I am. I'm not very pure at heart at times, though.'
'Christians aren't supposed to be perfectly pure—I don't believe that's possible for a human.'
'Sounds like you're really serious about religion, Nydia. I mean, don't take that the wrong way … so am I. It's serious business.'
'I … would like to know more about it, yes. Tell me, Sam: can you still be a Christian and lust after someone?'
'I don't know, Nydia. That's a human trait, isn't it? Yes, I think you can, if you recognize the fault and try to do something about it. I think being a Christian means believing in God, trying to do right by his Commandments. I think it all depends on how a person lives his or her total life: do you help others in need; try to think good thoughts; do the best you can? Those types of things.' He smiled. 'Are you lusting after someone, Nydia?'
'Yes.' She put her hand on his and squeezed gently.
Sam returned the gentle caress. 'I couldn't take my eyes off you after we met.'
'I felt the same. And … Sam? It's funny, sort of. I got the feeling that it was … right. You know what I mean?'
'Yes. It was … odd. I've never felt anything like it. You know, we're going to have to be careful: your mother reads thoughts.'
'What do you mean, Sam?'
He told her of the events poolside.
Her expression was one of confusion. 'I wonder why she kept that from me all these years?' She shyly rubbed her fingertips on the back of his hand. 'Roma is also lusting after you—and she'll have you, Sam.'
He shook his head.
'Yes, she will. Roma always gets what she wants. One way or the other. Don't anger her, Sam—please. I'm afraid of her; always have been. I … can't say more. Not until I'm more certain of the thoughts in my mind.'
'Hey,' Sam said. 'Let's not get heavy with this, Nydia. I have an idea. Let's go exploring this afternoon. Hike in the woods. You want to do that?'
'Yes,' she said, her voice a caress.
'Hey, you lovebirds!' Black called from the door. Sam and Nydia looked up, both slightly embarrassed. 'Just call me the little ole matchmaker, huh?'
He walked to the buffet line and fixed a plate, sitting down at the table.
'Really, Black,' Sam smiled, 'you can't blame me, can you? She's positively gorgeous.'
'Really?' the brother questioned. 'I always thought she was rather plain.'
Nydia stuck out her tongue at him and rose from the table.
'Sis?' Black caught her arm. 'Sit down for a second, will you? I owe you both an apology.' They looked at him. 'Yeah, I forgot to tell you: I invited some others up here.'
'Who?' Nydia's tone was sharp.
'Oh, you know them all, sis: Lana, Linda, Carol, Susan—a few more. Then there's Adam, Chad, Burt, Mac … some others. I was going to tell you both, but it just slipped my mind.'
'Thanks, brother,' Nydia said, fire flickering in her eyes. 'A couple of those you named are okay; the test are creeps. I cannot tolerate them.'
'Give them a chance, sis. That's all I ask. You just don't know them.'
'That's the problem, brother dear: I
