“Yes, that would be Nest,” Old Bob acknowledged, smiling. “She lives with us. She’s quite a young lady.”
John Ross nodded. “Well, that’s good to hear.” He tried not to think of the dreams. “Does she look at all like her mother?”
“Very much so.” Old Bob’s smile broadened. “Having Nest helps in some small way to make up for losing Caitlin.”
Ross looked at the floor. “I expect it does. I wish I could see her. I think often of Caitlin.” He went silent, as if unable to think of anything else to say. “Well, thank you, sir. I appreciate having had the opportunity of meeting you.”
He started to rise, levering himself up with the aid of his staff. “Please give my regards to Mrs. Freemark and your granddaughter.”
He was already moving away when Old Bob caught up with him. The big man’s hand touched his arm. “Wait a minute, Mr. Ross. John. I don’t think it’s right that you’ve come all this way and don’t get to talk about Caitlin more than this. Why don’t you come to dinner tonight? You can meet Evelyn-Mrs. Freemark-and Nest as well. We’d like to hear more about what you remember. Would you like to come?”
John Ross took a long, deep breath. “Very much, sir.”
“Good. That’s good. Come about six, then.” Old Bob brushed at his thick white hair with one hand. “Can you find a ride or shall I pick you up?”
“I’ll manage to get there.” Ross smiled.
Robert Freemark extended his hand and Ross took it. The old man’s grip was powerful. “It was good of you to come, John. We’ll be looking forward to seeing you this evening.”
“Thank you, sir,” Ross replied, meaning it.
He moved away then, back toward the counter, listening to the conversation of the other men at the table trail after him. Knew Caitlin, did he? At college? What’s his name again? You think he’s one of those hippies? He looks a little frayed around the edges. What do you think he did to his leg? Ross let the words wash off him and did not look around. He felt sad and old. He felt bereft of compassion. None of them mattered. No’ one mattered, in truth, besides Nest Freemark.
He came back to the counter and Josie Jackson. She handed him his bill and stood waiting while he pried loose several dollars from his jeans pocket.
“You knew Caitlin, did you?” she asked, studying him.
“A long time ago, yes.” He held her gaze with his own, wanting to find a way to take something of her with him when he went.
“Is that what brought you to Hopewell? Because the fact of the matter is you don’t look like a salesman or a truck driver or a bail bondsman or anything.”
He gave her a quick, tight smile. “That’s what brought me.” “So where are you off to now?” She took the money he handed her without looking at it. “If you don’t mind my asking.”
He shook his head. “I don’t mind. To tell you the truth, I thought I’d go back to my room for a bit. I’m a little tired. I just came in on the bus, and I didn’t sleep much.” The word “sleep” sent an involuntary chill through his body.
“Are you staying at the Lincoln Hotel?” she asked.
“For a few days.”
“So maybe we’ll see some more of you while you’re here?”
He smiled anew, liking the way she looked at him. “I don’t see how you can avoid it if everything at Josie’s is as good as the hash.”
She smiled back. “Some things are even better.” She kept her gaze level, unembarrassed. “See you later, John.”
The Knight of the Word turned and walked out the door into the midday heat, riddled with shards of confusion and hope.
Seated at the table in the back of the cafe with Old Bob and the others, an invisible presence in their midst, the demon watched him go.
CHAPTER 10
It is night. The sky is clear, and the full moon hangs above the eastern horizon in brilliant opalescence. Stars fill the dark firmament with pinpricks of silver, and the breeze that wafts across his heated skin is cool and soft. He stands looking upward for a moment, thinking that nothing of the madness of the world in which he stands reflects in the heavens he views. He wishes he could find a way to smother the madness with the tranquillity and peace he finds there. He remembers for a moment the way things were.