Cid walked out of the trailer and watched the two ghosts move together, stopping to laugh at something one of them said. Cid, who could hear every word, winced.
Ethan walked out of the house with his car keys. “I’m going home to get a few video games that I think our guest would appreciate, unless you need the car?”
“The priests should be returning my truck sometime today.”
Laughter filled the hillside.
“What’s going on there?” Ethan asked.
“I may have overstepped myself, and they are making me pay for it.”
“Whatever it is, it will blow over. The Martins are due home in a few days, and their kind of chaos will take center stage.”
“Is that why you haven’t moved in with them yet?” Cid asked.
“Yes. I’m not bred for what’s normal for the Martins. I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long.”
“I think I’m part of the chaos. I hope that Sally will fit right in.”
“I’ll light a candle for you, Cid,” Ethan said and got into his jeep.
Chapter Thirty-two
Father Simon walked out into the Chapel of the Holy Spirit to find Bridgeton Atwater sitting in the front pew.
“I’m sorry, were we supposed to meet here? I thought it was Father Santos’s chapel.”
“It is. I thought that I would give you a ride there. I have the use of the congressman’s driver for another month. He is staring down the local teens at the moment.”
“I was going to catch the bus.”
“I thought you had a few broken ribs.”
“Eight. The hospital thought it was a miracle my back didn’t break. I guess it pays to be wiry. I’m healing.”
“I imagine your work suffers because of this.”
“You’re very astute. I can’t carry the supplies many of my homeless need.”
“I’ve taken rooms in the city. I’d like to lend a hand until you’re one hundred percent,” Bridgeton said.
Father Simon was surprised. “Is this for publicity? Not that I mind. Many a good work gets done when self-promotion is on the table.”
“Nothing like that. I saw you risk your life for me. I’d like to return the favor and help you out. I’m at loose ends.”
“So you’re not going to step in and take Arnold’s seat until reelection?”
“No. I’m not interested in politics. It wasn’t my idea to follow in the congressman’s footsteps. I’m finding with each free breath I take that I haven’t executed any idea of my own since I was in short pants. See, my language is all wrong for a man my age. August had so much control over me that I don’t know who I am anymore!”
Father Simon slid beside Bridgeton and took his hands in his. “Let’s discover who Bridgeton is together.”
“Let’s start with the name. I’d rather be called Wart.”
“Like Sword in the Stone Wart?”
“Yes. My mother used to call me Wart. It made me happy. When I was born, the doctor gave me an Apgar score of ten. He said I didn’t have a wart on me, I must be a wart myself. I think he gave her the idea.”
“Well, Wart, let’s not leave your driver too long. It can be a tough crowd out there.”
“That’s you up there, isn’t it,” Bridgeton said, pointing to the stained-glass depiction of a fierce white dove with massive talons.
“I’m complimented, but I prefer to think of that as the Holy Spirit. He fights for us.”
“Father Simon, you fought that hard for me. Thank you.”
Father Simon smiled. The two walked up the aisle and out into the sunshine. The congressman’s driver was leaning on the bumper regaling the accumulated youth with tales of fighting off groupies of the rock stars he drove.
“Did you see World War Z?” he asked the skeptical young men.
“Yeah,” one of the youths answered.
“When I drove Tupac, the girls would swarm the limo like the zombies did to get over the wall. They trampled each other. I had to pull them off the car. I was a much younger stronger man then.”
“Who are you driving now?” he asked.
The driver didn’t say anything but opened the door for Bridgeton and the priest.
“Father Simon is as important as Tupac was!” the same youth teased.
“Hey, Father, are you going to rap the liturgy?” another asked.
Father Simon just smiled, thinking, the best I can do is Dr. Seuss.
~
Jesse was out walking when the Martins arrived home. He missed the bustle of getting four jetlagged cranky children under six out of the SUV and into the house. When he arrived home, things were settled more or less. Cid was helping Ted and Ethan sort the suitcases out.
“Can I help?” Jesse asked.
Ted handed him two diaper bags. “I think the quicker you get them upstairs, the faster I will be off the shit list.”
Jesse grabbed them and walked swiftly into the house.
Ted looked at Cid. “It was nice of you to bring Mia home a surprise. Most people stop at the Cracker Barrel and opt for a teapot. You bring home a stud muffin.”
“You knew he was going to be here. You invited him,” Cid accused.
“Lazar invited him,” Ted said. “I merely reaped the benefits from Mia when I agreed.”
“Where is Lazar?”
“We dropped him off at his house. It was a rough plane trip.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
Dieter bounded out of the house with Mark at his heels. “Dad, can we borrow a truck? Mark wants to get home and see his dad.”
“I can drive you,” Cid said. “I’ll be leaving just as soon as we get these upstairs.”
The boys grabbed the remaining bags and ran into the house with them.
“Oh to be young and strong,” Ted said.
Dieter passed the nursery where Nanny was very happy to see the diaper bags. “Thank you, young man,” she said to
