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From Dictionary dot com-Esoteric most commonly means obscure and only understood or intended to be understood by a small number of people with special (and perhaps secret) knowledge. It's often used to describe knowledge that's only intended to be revealed to people who have been initiated into a certain group.
Esoteric Knowledge (1/1)
"Your favorite godmother is here to watch the fireworks video as requested," Carrie said cheerily as Steve opened the front door of the beach house. "Uncle John got hung up at work but he'll be here as soon as he can."
"There's going to be a little delay anyway," Steve replied. "Catherine took the kids to work today and apparently they're not quite done telling everyone in the building about their trip."
"Sounds like a fun day." Carrie flopped down on the couch. "Mine, on the other hand, was a nightmare. I got a call at two this morning about some computer issue that swallowed up all the data on the project I'm working on."
"That doesn't sound good."
She leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples. "I've been at the base since three trying to reconstruct my work and save the project."
"Everything ok now?" he asked.
She sighed deeply. "Too early to tell."
"Do you want some coffee?"
She shook her head. "No, thanks. I've already had way too much today. I think my blood is half caffeine at this point."
"Beer?" he offered.
She opened one eye. "That sounds better."
Steve went to the kitchen and grabbed two beers. When he returned he handed one to Carrie then perched on the edge of the armchair directly across from her with the other. "I'm actually glad we have a little time alone. There's something I need to talk to you about."
Carrie couldn't help but notice his uncharacteristically tense demeanor. His back was ramrod straight, his jaw was tight, and he was absent mindedly peeling at the label of the bottle in his hands.
"Is everything ok?" She asked.
Steve inhaled deeply. "Look, Carrie, we've known each other for a long time and despite all the busting each other we do, I hope you know I consider you a close friend and I value your input."
"I feel the same about you," she said, sitting up straighter. "What's happening?"
Steve indicated a medium sized box on the coffee table between them. "What's in this box is beyond top secret," he said solemnly. "There are only a handful of people in the entire world who know the details."
"Is Catherine one of them?" Carrie asked, leaning forward.
Steve nodded. "Of course." He mirrored her lean forward and looked her squarely in the eyes. "In all the years I've known you I've never had any reason to doubt your ability to keep a secret. I trust you implicitly, Carrie. I know your integrity is beyond reproach and your word is your bond."
"100%" she replied, growing more tense with each word he spoke.
"Still," he glanced back at the box, "this is big. It's… well...it's unlike anything I've ever been involved in before. If you'd have told me a year ago I'd be in possession of something like this I would have said you were crazy."
"What's going on?" She put her beer on the table. "Whatever it is, let's just get it out and deal with it."
He placed his beer next to hers. " I just...I need to hear you actually promise out loud that you will never talk to anyone, aside from the people who already know, about what you're about to see."
"You have my word," she replied without hesitation. "My lips are sealed."
"I'm gonna have to ask for your phone." Steve held out his hand. "And any other devices you have with you that are capable of recording."
"OK, you're scaring me a little now." Her voice trembled slightly as she handed over her phone and tablet.
He placed them face down on the table and reached for the box. Before he opened the flap he paused. "Even if you did try to tell anyone about this they probably wouldn't believe you."
Carrie's entire body tensed as she watched Steve open the box and slowly withdraw…
A pair of Mickey Mouse ears with Steve embroidered across the back in cursive script.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" she screamed as she jumped from her seat. "You had me thinking we were on the brink of a major disaster."
Steve laughed out loud as he placed the ears on his head. "You said you wanted to see me in mouse ears, so here you go."
"I need my camera!" she insisted.
He grabbed both her devices and put them behind his back. "You gave your word."
She planted her hands on her hips. "It's no fun if I can't show the picture to everyone I know and mock you mercilessly."
Steve smirked. "A deal is a deal."
"I was duped!" she argued.
"Your word is your bond," he reminded her.
He withdrew a picture of he, Catherine, and the kids all wearing mouse ears and smiling for the camera and showed it to her.
"That's adorable," she said, her tone softening momentarily. There was no doubt the four smiling faces in the photo were having the time of their lives. "But I had spies who promised me a picture if you ever put those ears on your head. How did you get this past them?"
Steve grinned. "I'm very stealthy."
"I would never have fallen for this if I hadn't had such a rotten day," she grumbled as she sat back down.
Steve chuckled as he put the ears and the picture back in the box. "Maybe not."
"Did Mama and Papa Rollins know about this?" She asked. "I thought they were on my side."
Steve shook his head. "They didn't see a thing."
"Please tell me Danny didn't know," she huffed. "I can't believe he'd sell me out."
"Danny definitely didn't see me in the ears." Steve smiled. "It would be all over the island by now if he did. This was just between me, Cath, and the kids."
She thought for a few seconds then retrieved her beer from the table in front of her. "I'm honored to be part of such an exclusive group I guess."
Steve chuckled.
"You realize I have to get you back for this, right?" Carrie's eyes sparkled.
"I'd expect nothing less," he told her. "Bring it on."
THE END
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