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“A pleasure to see you again, Mr. Stoker.”
Siddhi bowed as Ron entered her tent. Ron smirked as he bowed in return.
“Good to see you, too, Siddhi.”
She gestured towards the familiar pile of cushions.
“Come in. Take a seat.”
She patted his shoulder as he passed by her. Her little domain enveloped him in her warm energy and the smells of incense. Ron’s muscles softened as he breathed it all in and sat down.
“So, Ron, what’s been going on?”
“Well...”
He chuckled and looked down at the floor, shaking his head.
“It’s been a little crazy.”
Siddhi walked to her spot and sat down in front of him. He glanced up and found her eyes peering into him, and the light in them seeped into his soul. She reminded him of Jedi Master Yoda in Star Wars. Old and wise. Wearing wrinkles on her face and a powerful magic around her spirit. He looked back down, and his fingers played with the tassels on a pillow as he searched for words.
“Jessica and I got in trouble with the resort. The director called us into his office. Some other guests had lodged complaints.”
He imagined she already knew this news. The resort staff probably had regular meetings where they shared and discussed these details.
“What sort of complaints?”
Or maybe not, Ron thought.
“Umm, well...”
His voice cracked.
“You remember I told you about the games that Jessica had roped me into playing with her?”
“I do.”
“Someone caught us. And told the director.”
Ron peeked up to check for any reaction from Siddhi. But found none.
“As you know, Jessica and I are here to fulfill the requirements of a will that entitles us both to a lot of money. The director knew about the will. He said our behavior jeopardized our compliance and ability to receive the money.”
Siddhi nodded.
“Mmm-hmm.”
“So, I asked Jessica to stop.”
Siddhi pressed her lips together in a grin.
“I can’t risk losing that money.”
“So, you asked her to behave.”
“Yes.”
“Ron, you know your wife as well as anyone. You know it’s not in her nature to do that.”
“Well, yes, but surely she can hold it together for a few more weeks so we can get our money, get off this island, and move on with our lives.”
“Be honest with yourself, Ron. Do you believe that? Do you believe she can hold it together?”
Ron scowled.
“She has to.”
Siddhi’s knees rose from the floor to support her elbows, and she formed her trademark tee-pee with her pointer fingers, touching her lips. Then she pointed the tee-pee at him.
“We don’t get to choose who a person is, Ron. Our only choice is to look bravely and honestly into the truth about the person they are showing us - the truth that we know deep in our hearts to be there - and choose. Do we want to continue to be present in their lives? To be a witness to their truth? Or do we want to part from them? That’s it.”
She lowered her knees and placed her hands back in her lap, smiling.
“So, Ron, what do you want?”
Ron’s head tilted forward, and his volume raised.
“I want a break.”
“So, you’re going to get your money, divorce her, and start over in a nice, quiet, stable life with no mischief or mayhem.”
Ron’s lips parted, but words failed him. His chest hung heavy on top of his rib cage, and he wrinkled his nose. When Siddhi said it that way, it sounded nothing like a life he wanted. It sounded dull—even lifeless. But after the torment of the last several months with Jessica, the safety of boring sounded like a much-needed reprieve.
“I can’t handle her mischief and mayhem, Siddhi.”
Siddhi stood up, grinning as she looked down on me.
“I don’t think that’s true.”
She stepped towards the old board, which was covered in a cloak.
“With all due respect, Siddhi, you don’t know me. And you don’t know all the shit that Jessica has put me through. I need a break from it.”
Her eyes stayed on the board, and she rested a hand on it.
“Do you remember this, Ron?”
Ron’s mouth grew dry, and his stomach tightened.
“Yes.”
“And you remember of all the couples I told you about? Women who cheated on their husbands but never confessed?”
“Yes, but I don’t see how...”
“You remember I told you how Jessica took a substantial risk in revealing her truth to you. Because she believed in you. Because she respected you.”
“Siddhi, what does this have to do with my situation?”
Siddhi turned from the board and faced him.
“And you remember discussing your spirituality. How you were looking for a new place to worship. One that resonated with the darker shades in your soul.”
Ron’s face fell.
“Yes, I remember.”
“And that you found that new place to worship in Jessica.”
He whispered his response.
“Yes.”
“Ron, I don’t care what you choose for yourself as long as it’s honest. As long as you are true to yourself.”
Siddhi walked back to Ron, placed her feet shoulder-width and her hands behind her back. Her eyes narrowed as they dug into him.
“You have a choice before you, Ron Stroker. It’s time to choose who you are. Who you want to be. Not what I think you should be. Not what society thinks you should be. Or what your parents or your preacher think you should be. Who is Ron Stroker? What do you want to be?”
Ron’s body temperature rose, and the veins in his neck pulsed. He stood and shouted back at her.
“I don’t know. Ok?”
His feet turned him away from her, and he stepped towards the door.
“But I know one thing.”
He gritted his teeth as he passed out of the tent.
“I need a break.”
