CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“Do you think the girls are acting weird?” asked Ghost, staring at his wife and the others whispering.
“Nah,” said Tailor. “I think they had fun today, enjoying some girl time just like we enjoyed some guy time. I think it’s been a great vacation all the way around, and I, for one, vote for one every year.”
“Same,” nodded Trak. Not one man jumped hearing the voice from behind them. He smiled at them all. “Proof that you’re all wound too tight when we’re back home. Well done, students.”
“Fuck you,” laughed Nine. “Tailor is right. This has been beyond anything I thought it would be. I’ve loved every damn thing about what we’ve done. The sights, the towns, the people, the food. Outstanding!”
“It’s funny,” said Gaspar. “We’ve all been to Italy throughout our careers, or most of us. Yet we never took the time to see the things we’ve seen the last few days. There’s so much of the world that we’ve seen but only from the window of a Humvee or plane or tank. We’ve missed out on so much beauty.”
“Maybe the pond and Mama are giving us another gift,” said Gabe. “Maybe we’ll have a chance to visit all those places again in peace.”
Miller and Gaspar stared at their brother, his soft-spoken, soothing voice rolling over them like hot chocolate.
“Are you ever going to tell us?” asked Gaspar. “You were always the good one about going to catechism and paying attention at mass, but I don’t think that has anything to do with this, does it?”
“There’s no big secret here, Gaspar. I’m alive, I’m well, I’m still your brother.”
“Gabriel carried messages from God to earth,” said Trak. They all turned to stare at the man, wondering how he knew so much. “He is mentioned in the Bible, throughout Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, and other places. If I recall, he was a trumpeter. Do you play the trumpet, Gabe?” His expression was so serious, Gabe shook his head, swallowing.
“I do not.”
“Even Muslims believed that Gabriel transmitted information from God to the prophets. He is an extremely important angel. One that we all need in our lives.” Gabe’s eyes teared up as he stared at Trak. He’d never said so much to the man in all their years of knowing one another. Trak stood, walking toward Gabe, and gripped his shoulders. They were about the same size and height.
“I particularly liked the da Vinci painting, Annunciation . Gabriel was beautiful and brave, and he gave me peace.” Trak leaned toward Gabe’s ear, whispering something, then kissed his cheek as he turned and walked toward his wife.
“What the fuck?” muttered Miller.
“Gabe? What did he say?” asked Gaspar.
“He said I was the right choice.”
“The right choice for what?” frowned Jean. “Gabe, are you alright? Are you healthy?”
“Y-yes. I think so. I mean, I am. I promised Pops I wouldn’t say anything to anyone,” said Gabe. “Please don’t make me break that promise. It means so much to me.”
“Brother, we would never ask you to break a promise to your father,” said Wilson. “We are all unique, special men, Gabe. But you’ve always been different. In my eyes anyway, you and Jean were always the quiet, studious, serious brothers. Whatever your father has chosen you for, he chose right.”
“Thank you,” nodded Gabe.
“Gabriel,” said Gaspar in his big brother voice. “You will always be my little brother, but one that I am so very, very proud of. Nothing will ever change that. I would stand by your side in battle until the last man falls on earth.”
“Same,” nodded Ivan.
“Agree,” said Tailor.
“Can’t go without me,” grinned Alec. Gabe laughed, wiping the tears threatening to spill from his eyes.
“I don’t think anyone will have to be the last man on earth,” he laughed. “But thank you all for your vote of confidence and support. I’m fine and so are you. We all are. The only thing that I can tell you is that Mama and Pops have more surprises that I’m not sure any of us are ready for.”
“If it’s another damn animal, I’m gonna blow my shit,” said Gaspar. The men all laughed, allowing the situation to relax somewhat.
“Well, let’s see, she has giraffes, gorillas, alligators, bison, kangaroos, grizzlies. We can’t forget the grizzlies,” smirked Nine.
“I hate you guys. I was relaxing up until this shit.”
“Listen,” said Jean, “Mama doesn’t really ask us for much. She asks that we stay alive, be kind to one another, protect one another, treat the women appropriately, eat her food, no hard time with that. And, she asks that we allow her to have a zoo or whatever the fuck it is. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for a woman that raised fifteen of her own children and three hundred of someone else’s.”
They all laughed, snickered, and nodded. Gaspar smiled at his brother.
“I know you’re right, Jean, but a wolverine? She brought home a damn wolverine! Who does that?”
“Mama,” said everyone in unison.
“If you want to blame someone, blame Sniff and Lucy. They started bringing home all the stray dogs, the horses, the cattle, the donkeys. Hell, they brought home the elephant from the circus and found our first kangaroo,” said Miller.
“Yeah, but I can’t get mad at my daughter, and if I get mad at her husband, she gets mad at me. It’s a no-win situation.”
“I guess count your blessings. So far, we haven’t had any venomous snakes or spiders,” smirked Baptiste.
“I swear to God, if you say that out loud again, I’m going to leave your ass in Italy,” said Gaspar. “I’m serious. No snakes, no spiders. I put my foot down on that one.”
“Right on top of the spider?” teased Alec.
“You’re not too big for me to kick your ass.”
“Gentlemen, I am enjoying this strange banter of yours about animals, but dinner is ready, and a surprise guest is joining you.”
When they walked inside, they were shocked to see Father Nicholas. The men hugged him as his stooping shoulders laughed with delight. The women stared at him nervously.
“Father Nicholas, what brings you here? Torro is going to be so upset that he missed seeing you,” said Nine.
“Well,” he said, clearing his throat, “I heard that you were in the area, and of course, I wanted to be a part of this amazing group, if only for a little while.” He winked at the women, and they all let out a sigh of relief.
“You’ll join us for dinner, Father?” asked Faith.
“I will indeed,” he smiled. Faith took one arm while Grace took the other, following the men into the dining room. Father Nicholas leaned low to both women.
“We have much to discuss, ladies. Although I would never say this as a priest, we must meet in private.”
“Father, the men will be suspicious,” said Faith.
“You will take me for a walk through the vineyards later. I’ve heard of your find, and I wish to tell you a story that you might need to know.”