09-04-2018, 05:53 PM
The landscape pulled at the heart chords. The flatness and wide-sky felt like home. Maybe it was the billboards and fast-food chains, or the universal "American" accent, but Jensen was at peace with the familiarity. The years were long since coming home and they were still 1000 miles from the family. A few more days and he'd be there, arms closing snug for long-overdue hugs. He couldn't wait.
They came to a house that seen better days. Another reminder of his own childhood, but the humble farmhouse would be dwarfed by the sprawling estate he abandoned at Preston Hollow. These people were the salt of the earth, he reminded himself as he climbed from the vehicle. Real earth was underfoot rather than flagstone patios. He suddenly wished for cowboy boots and a hat. They would have been fitting in the atmosphere.
Jay's announcement struck Jensen utterly speechless. He suddenly looked around the grounds like they were hiding monsters poised in ambush. Jensen had seen real monsters before: the harpy woman, the ijiraq, and the dark spirit trapped in the basement. The supernatural he could comprehend as evil, but the acts of bloodthirsty men he could not. The latter was far more terrifying.
He hurried inside with the others, particularly at Caroline's behest. She again attempted to offer refreshment with true midwestern hospitality, but again, Jensen declined. He opted to wait in the living room while the others bustled about to pack. Jay disappeared. Natalie followed. Jensen pulled back a curtain panel to watch, wondering whether his presence would be welcome or not since there was clearly something between the two of them. In the end, he let the curtain fall back in place and he waited patiently.
The room was homey. Cushions invited, well-worn. He could imagine the room packed for Sunday night football games. A nice, nostalgic idea that was unlikely to be based in reality, but Jensen hoped as much. Caroline and David were thrust in difficult circumstances, and Jensen still didn't understand how Cayli recovered so swiftly when there had been nothing medically wrong with her.
Finally, he saw the pictures on the mantle. Another ideallyic fantasy of a loving family gathering portraits of loved ones on display. Photographers captured Jensen, Jessika, Gabriel and Micah in glowing fields with a stream and bridge in a background. All of them were dressed in coordinating outfits that complemented the landscape. Those pictures were printed on wide canvases and hung in the foyer over the staircase.
He found himself looking upon Cayli's sweet yearbook picture, but it was a high-school Jessika sitting for a similar pose that struck memories long-buried in his mind. Then the baseball picture of Jay. He smiled. Another picture perfect image of Americana.
The other portrait of Jay held his attention a long time, though. He stared at the image, unsure of whether the tightness in his chest was from the overwhelming sensation of their native culture, the fact that he never realized Jay once served, or something far more selfish that made him nervous.
Caroline's voice made him jump, "That's a good picture isn't it, pastor?"
He spun like he'd been caught prying into something distasteful.
"Um? Oh, yes, absolutely. You must be very proud."
She nodded and came closer to stroke the frame but didn't answer out right.
Jensen took her reserve to be one of difficult introspection. "It must be hard to send a child into known dangers. I can't imagine one of mine making the decision to serve. I hope they serve others somehow, but as a parent, I don't want them in danger."
She had a couple of bags by the door. "Let me carry those out for you." He glimpsed one last time before taking out her things.
They came to a house that seen better days. Another reminder of his own childhood, but the humble farmhouse would be dwarfed by the sprawling estate he abandoned at Preston Hollow. These people were the salt of the earth, he reminded himself as he climbed from the vehicle. Real earth was underfoot rather than flagstone patios. He suddenly wished for cowboy boots and a hat. They would have been fitting in the atmosphere.
Jay's announcement struck Jensen utterly speechless. He suddenly looked around the grounds like they were hiding monsters poised in ambush. Jensen had seen real monsters before: the harpy woman, the ijiraq, and the dark spirit trapped in the basement. The supernatural he could comprehend as evil, but the acts of bloodthirsty men he could not. The latter was far more terrifying.
He hurried inside with the others, particularly at Caroline's behest. She again attempted to offer refreshment with true midwestern hospitality, but again, Jensen declined. He opted to wait in the living room while the others bustled about to pack. Jay disappeared. Natalie followed. Jensen pulled back a curtain panel to watch, wondering whether his presence would be welcome or not since there was clearly something between the two of them. In the end, he let the curtain fall back in place and he waited patiently.
The room was homey. Cushions invited, well-worn. He could imagine the room packed for Sunday night football games. A nice, nostalgic idea that was unlikely to be based in reality, but Jensen hoped as much. Caroline and David were thrust in difficult circumstances, and Jensen still didn't understand how Cayli recovered so swiftly when there had been nothing medically wrong with her.
Finally, he saw the pictures on the mantle. Another ideallyic fantasy of a loving family gathering portraits of loved ones on display. Photographers captured Jensen, Jessika, Gabriel and Micah in glowing fields with a stream and bridge in a background. All of them were dressed in coordinating outfits that complemented the landscape. Those pictures were printed on wide canvases and hung in the foyer over the staircase.
He found himself looking upon Cayli's sweet yearbook picture, but it was a high-school Jessika sitting for a similar pose that struck memories long-buried in his mind. Then the baseball picture of Jay. He smiled. Another picture perfect image of Americana.
The other portrait of Jay held his attention a long time, though. He stared at the image, unsure of whether the tightness in his chest was from the overwhelming sensation of their native culture, the fact that he never realized Jay once served, or something far more selfish that made him nervous.
Caroline's voice made him jump, "That's a good picture isn't it, pastor?"
He spun like he'd been caught prying into something distasteful.
"Um? Oh, yes, absolutely. You must be very proud."
She nodded and came closer to stroke the frame but didn't answer out right.
Jensen took her reserve to be one of difficult introspection. "It must be hard to send a child into known dangers. I can't imagine one of mine making the decision to serve. I hope they serve others somehow, but as a parent, I don't want them in danger."
She had a couple of bags by the door. "Let me carry those out for you." He glimpsed one last time before taking out her things.