Jacob held his ground against Brian's threat. He refused to move. He needed to keep an eye and ear on Raeburn. There was a process underway. Brian began to circle around. It seemed he wanted to be in front where he could see what was happening. Raeburn continued to cough and sputter, having more and more difficulty catching his breath.
'What are you doing? Don't you see he can't breathe?' Brian moved directly in front of Jacob, looking at his grandfather's face for the first time.
'Don't interfere!' Jacob held out his hand to stop any further movement.
Brian started to get alarmed. He wavered. His eyes shifted continually from Jacob to his grandfather. 'Do something! He can't breathe I said. His face is getting purple.'
'Be quiet! I need to listen,' Jacob countered, voice raised. 'Get your kitchen people to bring some hot water and get me a towel. Now!'
Brian continued to look dumbfounded. Jacob seemed to be doing nothing.
'Get.. me ..a.. towel.. and.. hot.. water' Jacob commanded again, enunciating each word carefully.
Brian became fearful. He ran out of the room and followed the instructions. Jacob continued to listen. He knew Raeburn was also becoming panicked. He placed his hands gently on Raeburn's shoulders and talked softly, telling the older man what he was going to do.
Very slowly he leaned forward and placed his ear against Raeburn's back chest wall. He wrapped his arms around him encircling the upper and lower chest areas. Brian returned with the towel. Jacob instructed him to place it in front of his grandfather.
'Then move out of the way!'
Raeburn was beginning to lose consciousness. He slumped forward in the chair. Jacob could hear the gurgle of fluid rising in the chest. As Raeburn relaxed his body, Jacob gave a mighty squeeze, compressing his lung fields. A large volume of green-black fluid spewed out of Raeburn's mouth. Jacob released his hold slightly and then squeezed again, helping to release another volume of fluid. Brian realized what Jacob was doing and ran to get more towels to collect the fluid which was being expressed from his grandfather. He returned in time to catch the third and final squeeze. Jacob shifted his hand slightly to feel for the pulsation of Raeburn's heart beat. Satisfied he released his arms and stood up. He moved the towels and offered more of the aromatic oil for Raeburn to inhale. The old man began to stir, taking in a very large breath. He coughed and brought up a bit more fluid, but his breath seemed easier than before.
Jacob knew someone else was behind him. It was the servant who brought a kettle of boiling water.
'Tell him to bring a bowl and a tea pot.'
Jacob went to his knapsack and retrieved another small bag of herbs. He threw them into the bowl and poured water on top of it before adding some drops of the oil. He then placed it in front of Raeburn and put another one of the towels over his head leaving him to be surrounded by the scent from the rising steam.
He threw some other herbs into the teapot and let it sit while he continued to observe the responses of Raeburn. Satisfied for the moment he looked at Brian. He saw genuine concern in his face.
'I thought he was going to die. I didn't really want that to happen.'
'Easy to see how we take love for granted.'
'He's all I've got left.' Brian conceded. 'Gramps, are you alright?'
Brian got only a grunt in response but it was obvious that the old man was improving. Jacob thought of his own 'Gramps' and wondered what he would think of his role here tonight. Jacob senior was a trained MD. No doubt he might consider this hocus pocus. Jacob was least concerned. There were all kinds of ways to treat illness. He found that out very quickly reading through the notes from Pater.
Jacob moved towards the table where a pot of tea was brewing. He didn't know exactly when it would be ready. Chinese herbs needed to be boiled and left to cool quite often but he wanted something warm inside Raeburn to stimulate circulation. He poured the tea in a cup.
Lifting the towel covering Raeburn, he observed the colour had returned to his face, his pulse was strong and steady and his breathing was definitely much easier. He assisted the old man to the comfortable couch and offered the tea for him to sip.
'Go easy. It might be a bit strong.'
'Tastes terrible' he responded in a raspy voice.
'Never mind. Drink it up.' Turning to Brian, Jacob was surprised to see that he had the gun back in his hand.
'Oh yes, I have not forgotten why you came here. I don't intend for you to leave . You know too much.'
Jacob stood stock still. Only his eyes narrowed. He listened to Brian. In no way did he want to validate any of Brian's words by engaging in conversation. He glanced over at Raeburn. He was too weak to be of help in reversing Brian's behaviour. He opened his mouth to protest the gun but Brian persevered, taunting Jacob.
Many things ran through Jacob's head. The most important was the need to remain calm. He did not want to bring his father into this. In the past few months, Jacob learned a lot about the empathic connection between people who love and care for each other. One misstep would create a lot of tension in the brownstone. Even Brian, in a moment of fear, demonstrated so clearly, the tie between him and his grandfather was real no matter how much he might abuse it when they were alone.
Involuntarily, Jacob's leg muscles began to tighten. This was a new sensation. He suppressed the growl that rose in his throat but not as well as he thought. Involuntary attack mode seemed to be out of his control. Brian began to back away from himbut the gun remained trained on his head.
Without real further warning Jacob's body coiled and sprang forward. He lifted his hand under Brian's outstretched arm and hit it with such force the gun flew out across the room. At the same time he grabbed Brian's other arm and wrapped it behind his back. Jacob pulled his adverasry over to the couch where the knapsack lay and pulled out an oil which Betty had created according to his instructions. He unscrewed the top with one hand and sprinkled some of it on Brian's head and throat.
'You have a lot to make up for Brian. You don't want to compound your sexual misconduct with murder. As a lawyer you should know the price you'll pay.'
With a slight push, Jacob subdued him on the floor face down. He took more oil and rubbed it into the base of Brian's spine. As he did so, he acknowledged the base chakra and the sense of abandonment Brian suffered as a child. He couldn't erase the past but he hoped for some change.
'I hope this will help alleviate your desires you miscreant. You need help. Go get it!' Jacob rolled Brian onto his back. He held him down with a knee into his chest. Placing a hand on his forehead he repeated, 'let this oil alleviate your unatural desires. Go and get help.' He felt Brian's body go limp. He left him lying on the floor.
Turning back to the old man, Jacob asked where Cathy was.
'She isn't really my granddaughter. My son was fond of her mother but she gave him AIDS.'
'That's not true! Your son gave it to her. He was also bisexual and had been with men before safe sex was discussed openly. Lena cared for your son when you abandoned him.' She struggled with him for years when the stigma of HIV made people violent.'
'I have done many things wrong.' he said shaking his head.
'How fortunate it is that you will now have time to repair some of them, before you die.'
Raeburn knew Jacob was right. He was able to take some deep breaths without coughing for the first time in months. 'What did you give me?'
'You have drawn negative energy into your body all you life. Each act of unkindness helped to harden that negative energy in your lungs preventing free flow of air, because essentially you are a coward.. The herbs I gave you will help to loosen it further. In time you will release all of it but if you revert to your old ways your lungs will clog up again. Now, for the last time, where is Cathy?'
'Down the hall to the left, last door. Jacob, I never put a face to any of this conflict with your father and you. We just knew that sometime ago, a man of the Lion People would be born. All of us in the organization wondered who and where the mother would come from and who would father the child. I knew it wasn't me after I had the boys but I was in the right family.'
'What was so important?'
'The birth signifies a change in the way we know and understand the world. It will usher in an era of renewal for mankind. Coincides with the Age of Aquarius. We expected the child to be a prophet of the brightest star and highest order.'
Jacob looked at Raeburn, frowned then and turned on his heel. He walked down the corridor, knocked and opened the door. Cathy sat on the bed looking forlorn. She gripped the bedspread. Her tension was obvious. She didn't look up.
'What do you want now Brian? I told you to go away and leave me alone.'
'I haven't found a way to do that yet.'
'Jacob! Jacob!.' Cathy jumped up and stood staring at Jacob as if he were an aparition. Her eyes filled with tears of relief. She ran into his open and waiting arms.
'Jacob, I never thought I would get out of here. I am so glad to see you. I couldn't stand another day here.'
Jacob's arms held her tight. She cried, sobbing hard, letting out her grief and fear.'
'I am sorry that you had to endure this, especially at this time. Did you get to do anything in Florida?' he asked looking at her keenly.
'Not much. They pretty well grabbed me on my first day there.'
'Do you have to go back? If you are, I am going too.'
'No Jacob. I am happy that everything was pre-arranged for Mommy's body to be creamated immediately after her death. I have no one to mourn her other than me so all the arrangements were taken care of by my long standing instruction.'
'Cathy, I have been so worried.'
'That's sweet Jacob. Did you miss me?' she asked, a teasing smile on her face between the tears.
'The moment you said goodbye, I started missing you.' Jacob continued to hold her tight, infusing her with energy and love from his heart.
'Let's get out of here. Did you have a bag, coat, or anything. It's pretty cold out there.'
'My stuff is in the closet.'
Jacob grabbed her suitcase and coat. He opened the door slowly, peeking down the corridor before making his way out. Cathy walked behind him. When he was able to see Raeburn and Brian, the two were on the couch and Brian was sobbing. Jacob hoped his remorse for his life was coming out.
Raeburn acknowledged Jacob and waved him on.
Not fully trusting either man, Jacob remained wary until the two were out of the building and on the street again hailing a taxi. Safely in the back seat, the happy couple hugged each other.
'Where to Pal?'
'Home!'
'Catherine, do you know where Jacob is?' Vincent had glanced at the clock over the mantel piece in the living room. 'He hasn't called.'
'Vincent you are developing the habits of the world above. If you were below, what would you be thinking?'
Vincent chuckled. 'It wouldn't take much to change me would it? I can't imagine that I really did check the clock. If I had been below, I would have centered myself and brought him to mind.'
'And what are you feeling when you centre yourself and bring him to mind?'
'Surprisingly, peace and inner happiness.'
'Me too!'
'What are you two whispering about?' Joe asked teasingly.
'Our son' both answered simultaneously.
'Good to see that you're in sync. Where is he by the way?'
'We were wondering the same thing.'
'You don't think he would have tried to take on Raeburn himself do you? Those folks are dangerous.' Diana voiced her concerns.
A discussion ensued between the three couples. Everyone had ideas on how to tackle the Raeburns.
Jacob opened the door to the house and heard the raised voices. Sue, who was coming down the hall, saw Jacob and Cathy. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could get out a word, Jacob put his index finger to his lips indicating silence. She smiled and nodded. He left Cathy to Sue's silent hug and made his entrance into the living room.
'I can hear you all talking about me. What have I done now?'
'Jacob!' Vincent and Catherine rose and came forward to hug their son. 'We were just a little bit worried,' his Dad confessed.
'Why Dad? I was fine and by the way, I met someone along the way who I thought everyone would like to see.'
At his words, Cathy came around the corner, smiling happily. It wasn't long before tears were in her eyes at the warm welcome she received. Catherine in particular rushed forward to hug her. Cathy was surprised at how much her Godmother had progressed in just a few days.
'I don't know how Jacob did it but I am so happy you are safe.' Catherine said, happiness bubbling inside her.
Everyone echoed her comments. Once the excitement had settled, the young couple sat down to recount their adventure.
'I am proud of you Jacob, for your initiative and your success but…'The rest of his comment was stayed by Catherine's hand on his arm. He nodded in acknowledgement and smiled.
'Yes we all are,' Joe said. 'You are a child of your parents. I remember when your mother….'
'Oh Joe, please don't talk about how foolish I was in my younger days.'
'….your mother would take on anything and your father wasn't far behind, I suspect. You come by your activities naturally.'
The compliment and happy ending left everyone without anything further to say. Diana and Joe said their goodnights and left. Jason and Terry headed for bed. Catherine and Vincent continued to sit with their son and Cathy, talking and discussing their futures.
'Cathy and I will have to return to work on Monday.'
'I sense some hesitation Jacob. Is it what you want to do?'
'I don't know Dad. Our lives have been so busy, I haven't had time to think.'
'Do it, if it is what you want Jacob. Know that your father and I will love you no matter what choice you make.
The hug shared by the family was tender and comforting.
'I'm taking Cathy home. I'll be back tomorrow.'
'Jacob, before you go, I need to ask you a question.'
'Yes Dad?'
'Did you know that my mother lived with Mr. and Mrs. Chandler?'
Jacob sat down again and looked at both his parents. His mother looked at Vincent with surprise.
'Yes, I knew. How did you find out?'
'It was in my mother's letter.'
'There was nothing wrong there Dad. It is a lovely story. I was going to share it with both of you. I don't think this is the right time but I promise tomorrow.'
Vincent and Catherine saw the two young people out and headed towards their bedroom, content and happy at last.
