Chapter 34 [Talon—Mid-Afternoon]
Despite school still being in session, poetry aficionados already began to filter into the café. Long lost friends greeted each other. Memoria inspired. Taste buds perked up from caffeine and sweets. Pleasantries lightened mood.
And for some, Creativity would be its own reward…..
[Old Theater]
Byron sat by himself in the auditorium's first row. He creaked backward in the old seat. The care-worn cloth slid against his back. The old scents of performances past tickled his nostrils. His eyes danced around the place from rafters to the other chair backs and the lectern set up in front of the white screen. His pen scratched away at the parchment paper in front of himself.
Determination pushed him on. It wouldn't allow him to disappoint the Muse's building audience outside. Over and over it guided his hand across the paper's surface. A metaphor added depth here. A rhyme pleased the ear there. "Creativity, thy pleasure is well seen here." He set his pen down and stood. He pulled his arms back and sucked in a deep lungful of air.
"It's something. Isn't it?"
Byron stiffened. He turned to find the Duboises regarding the expanse. Behind the couple, he noted Jasmine pointing out things to a slender Japanese woman in a dark suit and lavender blouse. Relief and Realization relaxed him. A broad smile broke across his face. "Good afternoon. Tis a wondrous place for our efforts. Is it not?"
"It is indeed." Dave strode forward. With everything else going on around them, he welcomed the diversion. "Amazing how this place hasn't changed in a generation."
"This is where you recited before?" the Asian woman motioned toward the front.
"There was a stage set up there. Beyond that, everything is as it was back then." Dave set his backpack down on another seat. "If you let it, this place will inspire you, Byron. Let the wonder set your soul at ease. Let its historical ambiance sweep you back to another time and another adventure."
"As long as you don't go crashing through any more windows or spend more hospital time at the medical center, imagine away, Sweetie. Karen and I both had enough of that," Angie reminded him ruefully.
"What do you mean? You went through a window?" Jasmine wondered. Her eyes widened.
Dave frowned. He endured a spasm. "The café's front window out there." He rasped a slight snarl before regaining control. "Dickens would've been proud. Tension boiled over. Blood soaked the concrete and asphalt as the poor farmers arose to shove back the self-entitled oligarchs. Our own version of San Antonie." Irony heavily accented his words.
"That's an image I can really do without," Angie complained. "For their sake, let's not dwell on that." She shook her head.
Dave shrugged but conceded the point. "Nyoki, meet the last member of our panel. This is Byron Moore. Byron, this is Nyoki Tuishiama from Calder College."
"Mr. Moore, it is good to finally meet you. Princess Jasmine has told me a great deal." Nyoki bowed to the younger man.
"I admire your adroit touch with Haiku's expression, Professor Tuishiama. Tis a pleasant cool breeze rustling pines atop snow-capped peaks. Such is relief to the arid condition." Byron returned the bow with one of his own. "I hope to play my part."
"Byron, you are too humble," Jasmine chastised gently. She coughed. "You spin your own gilt web in fashion that would make the most gifted spider jealous. Take pride in that."
Byron blushed but tacitly accepted the point. He held up the parchment pages by his side. "I am but my muse's servant. Where she leads, I follow."
"As we all do. We glide on warm breezes and almost touch wispy clouds. Relax and float. The rest will take care of itself," Nyoki concurred. "Have you been sitting here all day? The others told me about your condition."
"While in the muse's thrall, Tempus itself races by without notice. Sandra has texted me. Miranda brings in the occasional caffeinated nectar from the counter outside. In such ways, I do not have to risk exposure to Sol's rays," Byron elaborated. "I could use a refill though."
"Consider it done." Dave accepted his mug. "Usuals, Ladies?" Getting nods all around, he headed toward the door.
Byron frowned. "His heart is good. A heaviness seems to emanate from him."
"He's you from the last generation, Byron. The only difference is your situation is from science. His is a dark curse. We seek to keep his heart light." Jasmine looked to Angie. "You work wonders with him, Doctor."
"I do my best. I let him discover beauty and manage the rest. I'm glad we finally found Miri and could come back for a visit. This has been great," Angie pointed out. "We still need to get out to the Kents for dinner."
"The garden reflects that beauty, Angie," Jasmine complimented. "In those moments, he seemed lighter of heart. You could learn something of that."
"So my Dear Nurse reminds me. But I am blessed with roof, food and friends. What else do we need?" Byron declared.
"What else indeed?" Angie nodded to him. "It won't be long now." She glanced toward the main lobby.
Miranda started another pot perking behind the counter. She'd cleaned the counter to the point where it sparkled in the midafternoon light. A brief break in the line allowed her to catch her breath. She wished that she could've said hi to her aunt, uncle and Jasmine as they walked in but the line didn't allow for that. Nice to see everyone's out and supporting the event. She saw Lex saunter into the café. Immediately she ground fresh beans and started work on his cappuccino.
"Hey, Miranda. Looking good," Lex complimented upon reaching the counter. He glanced about the half-filled café. In his head, he calculated how full it would be after the afterschool wave flowed through the front door.
"Just holding the line as always. Thanks though, Mr. Luthor." Miranda put the small cup under the machine. "I'll have your cappuccino in just a minute. How's Uncle Dave?"
"He seemed okay this morning. Your Aunt Angie and the others left the mansion a couple of hours ago. I thought they'd be here by now," he assessed. Then he saw Dave emerge from the old theater. "Speaking of the man in question…."
"Hi, Alex. We were just out driving around the area. Figured we'd check the old place out before the event later," Dave explained. "We're going to have a good crowd."
"I think so. We can hope for that. What's your pleasure behind the coffee bar?" Lex offered.
"Angie and I would like our mochas. Nyoki would like some oolong tea if any's available." Dave grimaced. "I never asked Princess Jasmine what she wanted."
"I've got you covered, Uncle Dave." Miranda rubbed his arm.
"I figured, Sunshine." Dave allowed himself a smile for her benefit. He pulled a five from his wallet. "I can tip my niece, Alex." He handed her the bill.
"Uncle Dave, you're impossible." Embarrassment flushed her cheeks. Still she pocketed the bill and set to work.
"Uncle's job is to spoil the niece especially when he's catching up for lost time," Dave fired back albeit playfully. "Your Great Grandmother and Alex's mother patented that."
Lex smirked. "You earned that much as Miranda does. After everything that's happened here, don't we deserve some light too?"
"We'll do our best to make it so," Dave agreed. "Are you going to be with us there or out here?"
"I've got that covered," Lex cut in before Miranda could respond. "Harriet's scheduled so Lana and Miranda are open."
"Excellent." Dave noticed Jasmine walking toward them. "Sorry I 've been gone too long."
"You haven't. I just remembered what I wanted is all." Jasmine cleared her throat. She rubbed her hand across the back of her neck. "I am amazed by the ambiance of this place."
"I love being able to work here. I can't wait to see what you all come up with later, Jasmine," Miranda agreed. She briefly exchanged glances with the Princess.
"Beauty in its form inspires further expression. Inspiration knocks at our door. Who are we to deny it in any form?" Jasmine supposed; her tone turned playful.
Miranda blushed. "I guess." She handed Lex his cappuccino. Then she turned to fill the order at hand. "What can I get you?"
"Your Sumatra blend is great. Thank you," Jasmine accepted.
Dave raised an eyebrow. He coughed clearly picking up on the empathic vibe in the air. "So it would seem. Say, Alex, maybe we might check out the plaque? I wanted to see how it's holding up."
Lex shrugged. "Right this way. Jasmine, maybe you can yell when our order's ready?"
"I'll do that," Jasmine agreed. She watched the two men heading across the room. "Wonder what that's about?"
"Jas, come on. You know. So do I. Maybe we need to talk at some point?" Miranda supposed.
Jasmine conceded a nod. Emotions boiled up in contrary directions inside of herself. She knew people wouldn't approve. Still Miranda had a point. "After this is over, Miri. I don't want anything to get in Inspiration's way. Now do I?"
Miranda looked around. She set a tea bag in one mug of hot water. She set two mochas beside that on a tray. "No…no I suppose not." She felt her words catching as she fixed Jasmine's coffee and placed that on the tray as well. "Auntie wants her coffee. I'll bring it in."
"I have the coffee and Nyoki's tea. Carry the rest," Jasmine told her. She took two cups and headed for the theater once again.
Miranda blinked. For once, Hesitation seemed to dog her steps.
Where that path would lead was anyone's guess…..