Tears streamed from Susan’s eyes as she stood in the doorway. Bishop’s heart was calling her. Her throat closed. He was alone; she knew. She wanted to wrap her arms around him. Wanted to kiss his eyes.
She cursed Paul for pushing her away from him. The rain was Bishop’s, and she wanted to be with him. She wanted to feel his heart close to her own. It seemed he was a lifetime away, so she reached into the storm and caught the raindrops in her hand as if they were tears from Bishop’s eyes. She whispered to him, “I love you.”
The rain abruptly quickened, and there was comfort in the storm. She laughed softly, for she could feel Bishop’s soul in the rain. But she was unaware that Paul was watching from the sidewalk; unaware until he was on the doorstep.
It seemed as if he were inside the darkness as raindrops dripped off his glasses, and behind those lenses his eyes were steadfast and intent. Understanding what was to come, Susan calmed her heart.
“I love you, Bishop. And I will always protect you.”
“Enough with the charade, Susan,” Paul began. “I need to know where Bishop is, and I need to know now!” She ignored Paul’s tirade, completely enthralled with the feel of Bishop’s response through the rain. The sensation was overwhelming. He loved her too, she knew. His love was within the rain. Paul stood on the sidewalk, staring.
“Susan, where are you meeting him?” His breathing was heavy, and he just about jumped out of his skin. “I know he’s not taking his meds, and that tells me he needs to be hospitalized before he hurts someone.”
She laughed. “Bishop is as gentle as a kitten. He wouldn’t hurt a soul.” She refused to look at him, watching the rain fall across her palm.
“Obviously you don’t know his history. He’s a potential madman. A friggin’ antichrist!”
“I resent that statement.”
“You resent that statement, but it’s true. They’re all potential madmen, every single one of ‘em. Going through life, doing whatever they want, and there’s never any recourse for their actions. The only way they can be contained is by shooting them to the eyeballs with meds.”
“Your disposition and theories don’t jive with your occupation, Paul.”
“Don’t patronize me! I used to be like you—naïve. Trying to save the world, trying to make a difference. But it’s all for nothing. The truth is these people are a cancer on society.”
“Some people are sick through no fault of their own.” “Spare me the sob story, Susan. I’ve heard them all before.”
“Then maybe you need to hear it again!” Her voice was stern as she snapped him a look of anger, pausing to calm her heart. “How would you feel if your thoughts were your worst enemy? If they always betrayed you? Horrified by illusions everyone tells you don’t exist, but you’ve always believed they were real because they are real. They’re real to you. How would you feel if you had to live on the brink of insanity?”
“But that’s exactly why they’re dangerous. Because reality is distorted, and they can’t make logical decisions. It needs to be done for them.”
“You can’t control people—”
“No! I’m sorry, Susan, but what we can’t have is the insane polluting the minds of the world. Someone must put a stop to it.”
“And you truly believe it’s your job, don’t you?” “That’s what I was hired for.”
“You really have a sick mind. I think you need medications.”
“I’m tired of arguing with you.” “Then take a walk, Paul, and go—”
“Tell me where you’re meeting Bishop!”
“Not a chance. I would never give him up. See, Paul, there is one thing you will never have control over—me. Or any woman for that matter.”
His eyes widened behind those wet glasses as if his little mind had conjured a great revelation. “You’re not meeting him, are you?”
Her jaw tightened.
He laughed. “You don’t even know where he is, do you?” His smile was from ear to ear, and her stomach turned. “How do you feel right now? Talk about a cha rade. You really led me into Harlem just to keep me away from him. All you did was prolong the inevitable.” He had a sly smirk on his lips that drove Susan insane. “I will find Bishop tonight or tomorrow or the next day. And I am more than positive he’ll be crazy as a loon, howling at the moon, and screaming at people that don’t exist. And I’ll have him committed for as long as I recommend. You see, Susan, I am in control of him and will be until I decide to forget him.”
“You’re just as twisted as the devil you serve.” He grunted and paused.
“Hmph! Whatever.”
The rain faded. Paul turned to the night sky. “Have fun getting home, Susan,” he said, “since you no longer have your private escort following you through the mean streets of New York.”
“I have no worries. I know Bishop is with me. Besides, Paul, I answer to a much higher power than you.”
He was walking away when he said, “Oh, and tell Bishop, if he is able to understand anything you tell him, that I’ll be watching. Watching real closely.”
She wanted to rake his eyes out. He’d gotten the better of her, gotten under her skin. “No more than God is watching you!” she screamed.
His laugh carried a sad desperation as he disappeared into the shadows.
And Susan was left in the dark, alone, having failed in her endeavors.