The Unquiet Land

excerpt

“I don’t suppose old Finn took too kindly to the religious stuff.”
“Maybe not,” said Caitlin. “And yet he didn’t try to discourage Padraig. If the religious life was Padraig’s calling, so be it. That’s what my father said.”
“What was your father doing in Scotland?”
“He had already taken over the farm after that terrible death of his father and his older brother.” Melancholy saddened Caitlin’s dark eyes. “But the sea was still in his blood. He could never bring himself to sell his old boat, the Maid of Drumard. Joe Carney still fishes in it, and my father used to sail with him every chance he got. That October, eighteen years ago, the Maid was fishing for herring off the coast of northwest Scotland and put into that fishing port to ride out a storm. That’s where my father rescued Padraig.”
“Do you still love him?” Michael asked in a diffident voice. “As a sister.”
“Of course I do,” Caitlin answered. “And why should I have stopped loving him? Because he’s a priest?” She stared thoughtfully into Michael’s troubled eyes. “Padraig’s becoming a priest might rankle my father a bit, but it doesn’t worry me.”
“You don’t love Padraig more than a sister would, do you?”
“No, Michael,” Caitlin answered with a firmness that Michael thought was exaggerated. “I don’t love him more than a sister would. Why ever would you think so?”
“I don’t know.” Michael looked down at the floor. “Just wondered.”
He tried to chase his worry outside into the night, but like an unwilling dog, it slunk around the door and every now and then it whimpered for attention. The simple-hearted farmer tried to ignore it. He returned his gaze to Caitlin’s shining hair as it tumbled over her shoulders and almost hid her face. People in the village said that Padraig and Caitlin had been lovers. The men in the Harbour Bar talked about it crudely and smirked into their pints of Guinness.
“Did you ever sleep with him?”
“Michael!” Caitlin gave him a scolding glance. “How could you think such a thing? You don’t know Padraig.” She stared at the fire again and pulled the rug more tightly round her. Michael’s jealousy, part of his insecurity, frightened her sometimes. That was why she lied to him. She did not often lie to Michael and when she did, it was only to set his mind at rest.
The truth was that Caitlin had indeed been once in love with Padraig. Then she had believed it to be the true love of her life, with all the ingredients of a classic romance.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763203

The Circle

excerpt

Jennifer is on the phone with Hakim who is still at his office. Hakim lets her
know about the real-estate agent’s phone-call and after describing the place to
her, concludes, “However you know these agents, they always have the best
unit.”
“Oh, honey, that sounds pretty good.Why don’t we go see it? What time does
he want us there?” She’s even more excited than George Pappas.
“Tentatively at six; so, as soon as you are done, we can go.”
“Good, I’ll see you before five.”
“Okay sweetheart, see you at home.”
He looks at his watch. It is 3:40 so he dials Peter’s number.
“I’m going for the day. Keep working on our idea, discreetly. I’m on my way
to look at a new apartment.”
“That sounds pretty good. Let me know how it goes.”
Hakim leaves and twenty minutes later is at his apartment. He checks his
messages and finds an e-mail from Ibrahim.
“My dearest son, I have arrived well, thanks to Allah. Mara is in good health and
very happy to see her husband again. I hope everything is going well for you. Drop
me a line when you like; my dearest: it is true that a man’s home is where he belongs.
Mara sends you many kisses and hugs, as do I your uncle.”
Smiling Hakim sends a reply.
“My dear uncle, I received your message, thanks to Allah, and I’m happy you
and Mara are both well. I’m going to look at an apartment later today; the agent is
excited and so is Jennifer; details when I have more. My love and kisses to both of
you, Hakim.”
He showers and when he is done, expects Jennifer to come in. He lies back on
the couch and closes his eyes. A little later, Jennifer comes in and after she
freshens up, they get on their way to meet George Pappas in his office, half an
hour away.
Jennifer doesn’t hide her excitement.
“How nice is this place, honey?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. I’ll see it for the first time, as well. George appears
excited, but agents are always excited when they smell the commission coming
in. I don’t take everything he says at face value; however, he says there is a
spectacular west view. He also says that it is very roomy. I have mentioned to him
that I’m interested in about 1500 feet, this one is 2300, a lot bigger than what I
had in mind. Be patient, it won’t be long.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0978186524

Chthonian Bodies

Manifold
Beavers consume tree trunks
branches they gather and
twigs to build their abode
guidance of Great Spirit
seasonal achievement
to shelter their off-springs
myths and beliefs of species
wandering the plains
protecting themselves under
thick shade of conifers standing
along the edge of lake, guards
of the abominable secret
that one next to the other
isn’t much more than tending
to the song of wholeness

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763424