April 15, 2016
Rio Chama, New Mexico
Beecher sat on the porch of his rustic cabin outside of Rio Chama. The night air was cool and overhead clouds played tag with the moon. Alone at night under the stars used to make him feel uncharacteristically vulnerable as though he were back in Vietnam waiting for an ambush. But the drone of crickets made him sigh with contentment. He knew it was only a moment’s peace, because a storm was brewing out there around the shrine and maybe in his personal life. He and Myriam had not really patched things up as a true couple would. They had reunited as lovers and were working together for the betterment of the shrine, but there was still something missing.
His phone buzzed on the coffee table beside him.
He put down his coffee. He swiped the answer icon and said, “This is Beecher.”
“Hiram. It’s me, Sam. Do you mind speaking with me?”
“No, I don’t mind you calling.”
Conklin’s hesitated. “I wasn’t sure. Old patterns die hard.”
“What’s going on?”
“I felt compelled to call you. Have you heard about the Reverend? Billy Paul?”
“I’m done with all that.”
“Of course.”
Beecher could hear the disappointment in the man he once trusted implicitly. “Go ahead tell me the news,” he said dispassionately.
“He’s dying and,” Conklin paused dramatically, “he’s disbanded the Brothers of the Lord.”
“There’s a great idea,” Beecher said. “Did he say why?”
“The formal notification said the mission of the organization was complete with the closing of the shrine.”
Beecher responded angrily. “It’s not closed. In fact, I’m going to buy it from the South Africans.”
“I didn’t know that. Look, I just thought in case you were worried about Billy Paul and the shrine this would set your mind at ease.”
“Thanks.” Myriam called him from inside the cabin. Beecher got up from his chair and walked through the front door. “Thanks for the update,” he said. “I’ve got to go.”
“Anytime. Hey, are you okay?”
He ended the call without answering. As Beecher entered the kitchen, Myriam was all smiles.
“I have good news. Jonathan is coming back here next weekend.”
“Taking another look at the shrine?”
“Remember I told you about Jonathan’s love interest back in Oregon? A young woman by the name of Paige. They were perfect for each other. I never found out why they split. Anyway, they reconnected in Grinnell and Jonathan asked if we would put her and a young black woman from Chicago up for a few days.”
“Sure, but why bring them here?”
“Jonathan’s hoping the experience will be transformative for the young lady and will give her clarity about what she has to do back in her own community.”
Beecher nodded, not sure what Myriam meant. “It will give me a chance to speak with Ramsey face-to-face. I’ve wanted to apologize more fully to him for some time now.”
“He would like that.”
Beecher went to the coffee pot and saw that Myriam had brewed a fresh pot. He poured a cup, idly stirring cream into it for a moment. “I have some news too. Sam called. He told me a bunch of stuff about the Brothers of the Lord, except I can’t tell if he’s lying or just wanted to reconnect.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“A little worried. Surprisingly, it felt good to hear his voice, though I didn’t say anything like that.” Beecher cleared his throat. “I was probably too short with him.”
Myriam went over to him. “You worried about what’s going to happen to the shrine?”
“That and other things.” He raked his lower lip with his teeth. “I know we’ve been living here together for the last week, maybe trying to overcome the past for the sake of the shrine’s future. But I want us to lay the past to rest for the sake of our future.” Taking Myriam’s hand, he said, “Myriam, I never asked you to marry me.”
“You never had to, Hiram,” she said squeezing his hand.
“I loved that about you, still do. But I want you to make an honest man out of me,” he joked. He saw the sudden spark in her eyes and added swiftly, “Jokes aside, I can’t imagine spending my life without you in it. These last few days alone without the drama of the shrine, I’ve realized that I want only you in my life as my partner. Myriam, will you do me the incredible honor of being my wife?”
She stood on her toes and kissed him lovingly. “Yes.” Then, “And will you do me the honor of being my husband?”
He enfolded her into his arms. “I will.”