Untitled Novel - Chapter Eleven

Bill drove off with Johnny. Everyone hoped that this would be their last encounter with Johnny. Surely, the judge would not allow him to post bail. After all, he had attempted murder charges, aggravated robbery charges, violation of a restraining order and numerous other charges. If this were the case, there would be no need for Marcus and Navette to go back to New York. Peter paid the taxi for his trouble and all except Madina went to the garden area around the pool. Madina returned to her duties inside the house.
Peter sat down at an umbrella covered table and Bright, Navette and Marcus joined him. “Wow, what a day! I hope that the rest of this weekend will be quieter. Marcus, this is not a typical Easter weekend in California. I think we should attend sunrise services tomorrow and possibly we could align ourselves to the purpose of our life and find peace again.”
Bright was the first to respond. “I think that would be an excellent idea.” After the service we could meet Bill and Shirley at the harbor for our traditional trip to Dream Island.”
This is the first that Marcus had heard of this tradition. He leaned over to Navette and whispered into her ear. “Traditional trip to Dream Island?”
“It will be fun… something Dad and Mom started when Emerald and I were kids.”
The day had definitely been exciting and stressful for all especially Marcus. The day involved seeing the famous Hollywood sign, learning about “Diamond World,” getting shot, tackling a robber, meeting a spiritualist housekeeper, being jerked from a taxi and threatened by the same person that had shot him earlier, and tackling this criminal again. Marcus felt a little peace would be a good thing. “This sounds like a wonderful idea Peter.”
Peter was glad that Marcus had come out to their California home but the weekend had not exactly been enjoyable, but he was hopeful about tomorrow.
“Mr. Tolkowsky. Mr. Bill is on the phone.”
“Yes Bill.” Peter listened intently to Bill while the others waited with anticipation to know what Bill was telling Peter. “The judge revoked the bail and Johnny is locked up. He will have a hearing next week, but Bill says he has confessed to all charges. He will probably make a deal, but he expects Johnny will have to serve a couple of years at least. Sorry Madina, but maybe this will be for his own good.”
“I hope so Mr. Tolkowsky. I hope so.”
Everyone sighed, hoping that the ordeal was over.
“We are invited next door for an evening dinner. Marcus, did you bring your tux?”
“He is just kidding you Marcus. You won’t need a tux. Dr. Stuber has an Easter eve communion and the dress code is come as you are. The food will be light, only wine and crackers.”
“This would not happen to be Dr. Robert Stuber would it?”
“Yes, do you know Dr. Stuber?
“No, but I have read his book. Sammy gave it to me. He is a remarkable man.”
“I am glad you think so, Marcus. You will have the opportunity to meet him personally tonight.” Tomorrow you will get to hear him speak at the Silver Cathedral. We will have a traditional polish meal tonight at a local restaurant.”
“So you are polish?”
“Yes, my heritage is polish but I was born and spent most of my childhood in Belgium.”
“I always thought you were Jewish.”
“I know, but since I was incognito as a hot dog vendor I thought I would let you continue to think that. After all, it is not the first time that I have been mistaken as Jewish.”
The afternoon was dwindling and everyone agreed that at five o’clock they would need to dress for the evening. Marcus and Navette continue to lounge around the pool. Peter went into the house to make some phone calls. Bright decided to relax in the Jacuzzi with a good book.
The sun was very warm and Navette and Marcus both fell asleep. The relaxing sleep quickly ended when a splash from the pool woke them. It was Emerald.
When he surfaced Navette shouted to Emerald. “What are you doing here?”
“All the flights to New York have been cancelled.”
“Cancelled?”
“Yes cancelled. Something about maintenance issues. I know you are disappointed.”
Emerald climbed out of the pool and grabbed a towel. “Marcus, I want to thank you for your bravery. I was stupid thinking I could just push the panic button and security would take care of this guy. I didn’t have the sense to anticipate a better opportunity.”
Navette lowered her head and brushed her hair back from her face and then looked up to Emerald. “That blow must have knocked some of that obnoxious attitude from your head. Maybe there is hope for you.”
“You may be right, I’ve had some time to think about it and I now realize that life is not a guarantee. I should live each moment as a gift.”
“Marcus, I do believe my brother has had an epiphany. We are going to Dr. Stuber’s for communion tonight. You’ll have to join us.”
“Maybe I will.”
Emerald had not joined the family traditions for the past few years and it was good for Navette to see this change of heart. Emerald, Navette and Marcus enjoyed a delightful conversation. When time came, they each left to freshen up and dress for the night.
“Is everyone ready?” Peter shouted from the hallway. “It is time we go.”
Marcus, felt as though he had been fighting a bear. His muscles were aching and his wound was burning. But, he was looking forward to the evening. Marcus left his room about the same time as Emerald. Emerald reached and gave a vigorous tap to Marcus’s back. This was done in a friendly and congratulatory manner but Emerald’s hand just happened to hit a sore spot. Marcus cringed and quickly pulled away. “Oh I’m sorry.”
“That’s ok; I’m just a little sore.”
“I could imagine, you were shot, tackled a guy twice your size and all this while recovering from surgery from another gunshot. Marcus, has your life always been this exciting?”
Peter witnessed this exchange between Emerald and Marcus and was very pleased with Emeralds effort to be friendly. “Have you two decided you have something in common?”
“What’s that Dad?”
“You both discovered you have a purpose in life.”
“What would our purpose be?”
“I don’t know, you haven’t achieved it yet. Otherwise you both would have been dead.”
“I think Bright is ready. Let’s go over to Dr. Stuber's now.”
Marcus didn’t know if this was a short walk or if they would take a vehicle. Navette appeared when Marcus and Emerald were near the bottom of the steps. Emerald looked up toward her. “We are ready to go, Sis.” Emerald hadn’t called her Sis since high school. It was refreshing to bring back those times: when she and Emerald seemed to have more in common. Navette sped her decent down the steps and joined Emerald and Marcus as they were catching up with Peter and Bright. Marcus was somewhat surprised when they left through the gate from the pool area. They followed a path made of rock and flat rocks used as stepping stones. The walk was quite enchanting with small patches of flowers, and metal sculptures that had rusted from the salt in the ocean breeze. Hardly a word was spoken during the short journey. Emerald did make a comment to Peter. “Dad, if you were to guess what my purpose in life is, what would it be?”
“Could be anything, Marcus. You will just have to follow the path of opportunity. It will be revealed at the proper time.”
This was a question that you might expect Emerald to ask when he was eight years of age, not at twenty-eight. This epiphany that Emerald experienced must have been life changing or, at least, a life awakening one. They turned off the path to walk between two tall Italian spruce trees and arrived at a house made of seemingly all glass. They walked around the house to the front entrance. Several vehicles lined the drive and there was a large receiving line entering the open doors. Everyone was sharing the event by greeting one another with handshakes and introductions. The line was moving quite slowly. Marcus was much aware of communion, but had not experienced it in this way before. It was usually in a church building and not in someone’s home, so he had some questions. “Why does Dr. Stuber have this communion in his home and not the church building?”
“This communion is by special invitation only. If you look around you, there are people of importance. What I mean to say, these are people in the news, recognizable people, who choose not to go to public places due to being recognized and creating a spectacle and take away from the experience of the communion. Dr. Stuber discovered the need when President Ronald Regan told him of his personal experience. He offered this service to President Regan shortly after his last term and the word spread to those of similar prominence.”
Peter paused his explanation long enough to greet a tall gentleman dressed in Nike running clothes. “Good to see you Governor, First Lady.”
It was Governor Schwarzenegger and the First Lady. “Good to see you.” The Governor replied.
Peter didn’t know the Governor personally but this is the type of greeting that was appropriate at such a gathering. Peter didn’t ask him for an autograph or discuss political or governmental issues. He just recognized him in a very polite way.
“Marcus, this is what I mean, no spectacle; therefore, we can focus on Godly reverence and not earthly reverence.”
Marcus was stunned that such a meeting took place right beside him. He looked at Navette and Emerald and they just smiled and took two more steps forward. Marcus then began to look closely at the people in the line and there was ________ ________ just a little ways behind him. He caught himself wanting to give her his spot but remembered what Peter said about making a spectacle. Two more came out of the room and Navette practically began to melt. One was ________ ____________. His eyes never met Navette’s, but hers definitely looked him over. They were entering into the huge room with seeming no walls other than glass. This distinguished gray haired gentleman, who Marcus assumed was Dr. Stuber, was being assisted by two other distinguished gentlemen of a younger age. The line moved slowly but consistently and within 30 minutes from arriving they had all received the bread and wine. This was a solemn spiritual feeling that rejuvenated the heart. It was a gratifying experience.
As Bright turned to leave the room, to Marcus’s surprise, she leaned over to _____ _______ and whispered something in her ear. Ms. _______ replied with a simple “Thank you Bright.” This meant that the two knew each other and that was ok with Marcus. What followed next was even more ok. Ms. _______’s eyes met with Marcus’s eyes. “Are you the New York hero I have been reading about? You’re Marcus Holmes, aren’t you?” This left Marcus speechless. She politely shook Marcus’s hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you Marcus.”
“You too.”
They moved on without any more collating of information. This was something that Bright asked her to do. But, it still was going to be something Marcus would remember and tell everyone about.
Peter, Bright, Navette, Marcus and Emerald returned home the same way in which they had come. They decided to go to the restaurant in two different vehicles. Peter, Bright and Emerald went in the Lexus while Navette and Marcus took the Jeep.
Navette shouted to her dad just before he got into the car. “I think I know how to get there, but I never have driven there before. Could you just remember that I am following?”
“Just set your GPS.”
Navette seemed a little embarrassed but instead of setting the GPS, she simply drove off following Peter. “I don’t trust those things. I have been lost following the directions the GPS gives and once I nearly turned the wrong direction onto a one way street when the stupid thing told me to turn.”
Navette was able to follow Peter until they turned on to 405 and that is when she lost her dad. It seems like half the folks in California drive White Lexuses. She first thought she could find her way. “I know to take I-10 toward Sana Monica, but I don’t know where to get off I-10.”
“Do you know the address of the restaurant?”
“No I don’t”
“Just call you’re dad on his cell and ask him.”
“Good idea except I didn’t bring my cell. Use yours.”
“I left mine in New York, don’t you remember? What is the name of the restaurant?”
“Warszawa. Why?”
“Well, I thought I would keep an eye out for advertisement sign.”
“This looks like where I turn.”
“No this will take you to the Marina. That’s were we had the pizza. What do you say we just go to the café and order a pizza, I’m not sure I want to eat at a Polish restaurant anyway.”
“We will have to call Mom and Dad. It would be wrong to just not show up.”
Navette pulled into a gas market and went inside to get directions, something a woman would think about doing. She came out shortly and said “We should have gotten off of I-10 one exit back. But, we can go over two blocks and then it’s only a few blocks to the restaurant.”
“Look, there’s a public phone, just call your dad and tell him we are lost and we will just have pizza.”
“He will be so disappointed. He loves this ritual and I hate to disappoint him.”
Marcus again had to agree with Navette. It seems he has been doing a lot of that lately.
“We are looking for Lincoln Street.”
“There it is, Lincoln.”
“The restaurant should be about 5 or 6 blocks.”
“Order the sausage; it’s the most unhealthful food on the menu.”
“What did you say”
“Order the sausage.”’
“I suppose you are going to have a Polish salad.”
“I just might. There is a great Polish cucumber salad. And I usually get the noodle and cabbage without the sausage of course. Then I will have the tea cakes for dessert.”
“That doesn’t sound all that bad, except I will have to have the sausage.”
“Here we are.”
After getting out of the Jeep, Marcus walked over to Navette. He stopped her from rushing in the restaurant by placing his hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes. With a soft and suggestive voice, he said, “I love you Navette Tolkowsky.” Marcus then kissed her, not as a single smack on the cheeks, but a long involved kiss.
Navette wrapped her arms around Marcus and returned the kiss with all the sensuousness which the kiss was given. Navette felt her heart pumping faster and faster. Marcus and Navette seemed to withdraw from the kiss at the same time. After all, a family dinner at a Polish restaurant was hardly the place. Navette reached for Marcus’s hand and they went into the restaurant. Navette now wished she had taken Marcus’s idea of pizza at the marina.
“We would like to join the Tolkowsky’s table please,” Navette said to the hostess. Then Navette turned and flirtatiously smiled at Marcus.
“Follow me.” The hostess then lead them to a large table that was slightly obscured from sight, but with a window view that would have been picture perfect for Marcus and Navette’s romantic moment.