He pointed out to me that many may not reply to you, but go ahead and do it, while many who say they will, will not. Arthur, if you help open the hearts of ten, that is ten children saved. Please do it.
Kiris had prepared well before coming to Ikefa-Karkus, his men discretely identifying the key industries, the most profitable and those exerting the most influence on the local market. They bribed the right people and obtained a fair evaluation and purchase price.
Kiris has some kind of plan that he is keeping to himself and Allan, for he moved quickly and agreed to prices that were in excess of the figures he already has. He convinced the council to sell him a major stake in the harbour without him making a large cash payment, undertaking to spend very substantial sums over the next ten years to more than double the size of the facilities. He hinted that he will have to dredge the harbour as he intends building ships that are more than double the size of any built till then. Since the ships will have to be built locally, the benefit to the city and to the pockets of most of the council members seduced them and they signed.
“What is he thinking of, going into shipping? He’s seen from our tellings the effect Cherinianism had on our world. How does he expect to make money?”
Manoli chuckled. “He asked for my advice, so I can confirm he understands how Cherinianism will affect shipping. His answer was that they are not Terrans. What he meant by that I don’t know.”
Alki and Elia were talking in privacy and now Alki turned to us. “If he finds a way to extract profit out of shipping while expanding Cherinianism, I’ll take off my hat to him.”
I looked at Robbie, both our thoughts had swerved in the same direction. Was he planning to keep Cherinians a minority on his world?
Cherine grinned. “I’m almost tempted to go back to being Tserika for a while. That boy has a strange mind.” Robbie and I looked at each other again as our thoughts swerved back again. If Cherine believes Kiris has something else up his sleeve then we must have been wrong.
It did not take long for our questions to be answered. Kiris came to Freddie to ask for a favour.
“I am starting a new project and I want you to come in as partners.”
“I’m not much of a businessman Kiris.”
“You’ll like my idea. When I was on your world I learnt something about your people that I think you take for granted.” Robbie did not even try to guess, just staring at him. Not at all disconcerted, Kiris hit us with his concept with the following sentences. “You are all born tourists. I noticed because our people are not. Everywhere I saw tours being advertised for large sums of money and most of the tours sell themselves on one concept. An exotic destination.”
“You want to bring Terran tourists!?”
“Why so cheap?”
“They will have to use their healers to become Kabetu. That should be interesting in itself. I bet many will come with their own females so as to experience sex as we do.” He grinned. “I wonder how the females will feel about having their flaps torn.” Guess what, only the males laughed - and then they gave us sheepish looks.
“Obviously your money is not of any value to us on our world. We will receive payment on your world and we’ll use the funds to import goods we need - plus some exceedingly profitable luxuries.”
“Why do you need us as your partners?”
Alki cut in, “Roberto, if you don’t accept I will. Of course he needs partners. How do you expect him to run an advertising campaign from here? Bookings have to be made on Earth, payments received among a thousand other details that have to be taken care of. This will be the first truly multi-reality business and I want a share.”
“I guess us girls will have to be your first guides.” Rosie said.
“Guides?” Kiris asked, puzzled.
“Of course. How will they jump here if they’ve never been here?”
Alki laughed. “Good point Rosie mou, I had not thought of that. You’re all hired.”
“Just hold on a moment, I haven’t turned him down yet.”
Kiris laughed. “Good, now I can get better terms since there is competition, but don’t forget to include Allan, it was mostly his idea.” He waited for us to settle down. “Actually, the points mentioned by Alki are not the main reason I’m offering a partnership. We have little knowledge of designing, building and running first class hotels and passenger ships that would appeal to your people. You must supply the information.”
“You took a chance, didn’t you Kiris? I mean, investing so heavily before discussing the idea with us.”
“Kyrie Elia, it was the only way. If I’d suggested this before I committed myself, you would have found a thousand reasons why it would not work. I am used to people reacting that way to my ideas. Now you will try to find a thousand ways for it to be a success, for you all want the changes we need the profits for.”
“Where is your hat pappou?” Delighted that Cherine had teased him, he projected a hat and took it off with a flourish.
“Dad, this idea is going to take off like wildfire. Not only for here. There could be a dozen destinations later on. The idea belongs to Kiris so we must undertake that he will get a share out of the other tours.”
Alki shook his head. “No, it is not who had the idea. You’ve all made jokes about it for years now. The important difference is that he took the bull by the horns and worked out a feasible project out of it. Then he invested a large amount of money, trusting we would see how clever his idea is.”
“Not only Terrans, we Anadir will be competing with your people for places on these tours. I think most of the species will feel the same way but, until we have our own planets, this will be an ideal holiday for our people.”
I just had to ask. “Kiris, you’ve seen what a big role religion plays on our worlds. How would your people be affected by missionaries from dozens of churches arriving here?”
“First we shall ensure they arrive with money. Then they will be welcomed. Then we will leave them to their job of preaching to the kregup. Samantha, our people are not fond of spirits - of any kind. They’ll be arrested as followers of magic.”
“The perfect place for fanatics!” I knew everyone was going to be angry with me. “Where else could they go on a tour that guarantees they’ll become martyrs.” Luigi, Manoli and Allan burst out laughing, so I was saved for the moment.
That night Robbie seemed pensive. When we pressed him, he explained. “Kiris has bitten off more than he can chew. He has no idea what kind of money is needed for building luxury cruisers plus all the supportive superstructures. Our people are spoilt, they will expect facilities at the port, restaurants, places of entertainment that work as ours do. You cannot start a tourist boom in one go - however clever and determined you are.”
“Surely it depends on how we promote it? Everything has to be according to the technology available here and that must be spelt out from before. They must expect to rough it and live as the locals do. This will be wonderful for Cherinianism dad. By being forced to live as another species, even if as only the wealthy can afford, they will learn a lot and become more empathic to their problems.”
“You expect them to travel in wooden ships?”
“Why not? They are Cherinians and cannot sink with the ship - if it sinks. Anyway, Kiris has an exaggerated idea of the appeal for long trips. If he limits his planned trips to the eight islands closest to the port of departure, they will spend two days on board, relax at the island bungalows for three days and return. A perfect one week trip. Then guides can take them to the Thieves mountain or other mountains once we do not have to hide the fact that there are Cherinians on this world. Even Rosie’s idea might work. There is enough that is strange here for them to feel they received value for their money.”
Cherine gave me a smile that warned me I’d been obtuse, not digging deep enough to find what was really bothering him. “Don’t you want to return to our home Robert?”
“Not yet.”
Candy piped up, “Is it because it will be our big anniversary?”
He loudly whispered to Candy, “I can’t think of anything to make it special for you know who.”
Cassie got the giggles and as everyone checked in her mind they also giggled. Robbie glared at her with mock ferociousness, making her giggle even more. “I was just wondering what you’ll do by the time we get to the five hundredth anniversary.”
“Oh Lord!” Cherine could not hold a straight face anymore and she cracked up, her eyes dancing with the impish glow he loves.
Tseri, with a grin she could not control, said, “I think you should both agree that on your anniversaries you just shake hands and wish each other ‘Happy Anniversary darling’.”
Cherine called out to her, “Traitor!”
Robbie made himself look sad. “I can’t do that Tseri mou, it would not be honest. Every anniversary that we have our Cherine is special - that is why we need to find a special way to tell her.”
I am now the most and the least popular wife. They all agree I was right, but because we are stuck for any bright ideas, they fervently wish I’d kept my mouth shut and are demanding I think of something. I told them I’ve run out of my quota for now and then ran as fast as I could. I still got hit by every single pillow they threw at me.
Once I’d had my laughs I dug in, thinking up all kind of crazy ideas. One of them was rejected, but I returned to it, just because it was so odd. Since it was the best I could come up with, I kept quiet in the hope one of the others think of something nicer. The next morning Robbie gave everyone notice that we will be away for a few hours and that those who want to stay on planet will have to do so without Freddie.
I’d found myself a rock that is comfortable and because it does not have an interesting view it is ideal for thinking. I sensed Robbie climbing the last few metres to me and gave him a smile as he appeared slightly below me. He stopped and stared at me.
I complained, “That’s not fair! It’s not real and you make yourself feel that way just to force me to love you even more.”
He laughed. “My crazy girl. How could I force myself to be struck with awe by your beautiful smile? At least you got half of it right - I do want you to love me more and more, just as I do.”
I shrugged mentally, willing to play his word games if that is what he wants. “I could never do that dad, how could I ever love you as much as you love you?”
“Why can’t you find an easier spot for thinking? I’m getting too old to clamber up rocks.” He put his arm around me. “Sam, I’ve had my fun. What you said last night was nice, but you were wrong. For our anniversary to be special for Cherine, it has to be from me. Thank you for trying to let me off the hook.”
“Have you thought of anything?”
“No. I’ll just have to hope I get inspired in time.” He looked at me suspiciously. “You have thought of something!”
“Me? Not really, just a strange idea. We can try it some other time.”
“Stop playing at being cute love, I’m desperate. Tell me.”
“Uh-huh, that would spoil it. Dad, it is strange, but also may be boring and both of you would have to let Meli and Dommi operate on you.”
I felt his feeling of being deflated even though he tried to hide it. “Becoming aliens or living some kind of exotic life is not exactly suitable for an anniversary Sam.”
“Oh, but it is. You can’t even guess how alien it all is, but you’ll enjoy it. I think Cherine will, maybe not you.”
He gave me his dark stern look, but I stole a leaf from Meli and let myself drift off into my thoughts. I was sort of disappointed when he suddenly left.
When I’d had enough of thinking on my own I sensed my loves were at home so I jumped there. Cherine looked up at me a trifle anxiously as Meli got to her feet and taking my hand led me into the bedroom. “Cherine said you have to tell me your idea in privacy and that if I like it, they’ll do it.”
“Tell me.”
Damn, if I don’t speak she’ll stand in front of me for hours, lost in her thoughts. I told her. Her expression convinced me of just how stupid my idea was.
“Cherine, I think you should do it. What she plans is something you should have experienced but never will, if you don’t try it.” Cherine looked at me, startled by my surprise and then nodded.
“On which world?”
“Back home, on our planet.”
“Now you’ve made me curious.”
Arthur, their adventure (not that it is an adventure) is bound to be boring for outsiders. I’ll skip it and carry on afterwards.
Okay, it’s done, so I can sketch the basics for you. Start with the question ‘What would their twenty sixth anniversary have been like if Cherine had not been gifted?’
At our request Robbie arrived with a week for us to prepare. We sent the two of them off to another reality and started working immediately. We rented a small village - yes, the entire village, for a month. We also chose a piece of land and Aganthi built a house for them. It has views all around it of mountainsides, cliffs and trees, the kind of place Robbie loves. We will have to get rid of it afterwards, since we did not have a building permit (it is a privilege when authorities turn a blind eye to small transgressions by us, but it is delicious). Since the house will be on the top of a hill, exposed to the elements, nobody would want to live there in the winter anyway, so it is not that much of a waste. The big job (needing temporary approval) was connecting the house for water and sewerage. For electricity we used the latest solar panels (they are not poisonous to create as the old ones were).
I had not worked out from before the myriad details we would have to arrange - heck, I’m just the idea girl, you can’t expect me to do it all on my own. For instance, we had to use utensils from our home and those of Alki and Elia so that they would not be new. Furnishings were not a problem since Aganthi (with Dommi guiding her) created them with a slightly soiled and used appearance. We had to arrange with our bank for an account for both of them, make fake statements for the last few years showing umpteen transactions, the kind they would have had to make with a few extra for luxuries. We took from Freddie and our house a collection of paintings by Robbie and arranged them in a progressive way so that he can see how he’s evolved. We excluded all paintings of aliens, other planets and any of the rest of the family. Since Alki (with Marian) will remain within the story as friends, we used an old portrait he’d made of them. We even placed in the store room old clothes packed away with the usual ‘rubbish’ most people end up keeping. With over seventy people working at it I’m certain we thought of just about everything that will not only make it real for them, but also provide them with a visual and tactile history.
Finally we came to the most difficult part - convincing Robbie to allow himself to be blocked off and lose (submerge) the protector part of himself. Vincent solemnly undertook to stay close to Cherine for the entire period. If Cherine is in danger, his protector instincts will return instantly in full force so he finally was able to allow Dommi to block it off. Cherine was left as a sensitive and more than average empathic person, but we did nothing to alter her spirit and stubbornness. Cherine will be thirty four years old and Robbie forty nine.
It was impossible for us to do all the above without the active participation of the government. They panicked at the idea of Robert and Cherine without any powers and wanted to ring the village with the army. We convinced them that all Cherinians will be monitoring twenty four hours a day and they will be safe. Nevertheless, they did secretly station groups of special forces in the surrounding areas.
We had to start on the morning of the 29th of April as Robbie would certainly want to celebrate with Cherine on the night before their anniversary. They were both asleep as they were placed in their beds just before dawn.
Cherine woke up before Robert, as usual. Over the years she has had to modify her natural need to jump up and become busy, so as not to wake him. She lay with eyes closed, thinking of the housekeeping and her plans for the day. Robert half snored and then lapsed back into silence, only his deep breathing audible. She smiled, as she has done so many times, at the way even in his sleep he is a creature of habit. That half snore means he will be waking up in about half an hour.
She turned to her side and looked at him. ‘Not bad for nearly fifty’ she said to herself, ‘at least he doesn’t have a potbelly like all our friends do.’ The slight baldness at his crown she did not mind. Twenty six years, as Robert counts them, and she still loves him. For how long she wondered. As he slips into his fifties and settles into the routines of an old man while she is still vibrant, will her love change so that she loves him as she loves Alki?
As if her mind needed the memories to reinforce her conviction that she will love Robert forever, she returned to her early memories of him. As a child he had been exactly the kind of man she’d needed, tender and caring. She admitted to herself, as she’s done so many times, that he still, in a way, represents the father she’d lost and needed. ‘Did I marry my father?’ she asked herself with a grin.
“What’s so funny?”
“You cheated, you’re not supposed to wake up for at least another fifteen minutes. I was just remembering how we met and wondering whether I love you more as a father or a lover.”
“Oh. Which won?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever know.”
“As I age I suppose the father thing will become stronger.”
She giggled as she kissed him. “After twenty six years you’re still insecure?”
With that tiny streak of cruelty that the best of us sometimes give way to, she answered, “Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t.” Meaning she sometimes loved him as if she were still the child Cherine, not the woman, knowing he would misunderstand her.
He’s learnt to keep his face impassive when he is hurt (betraying himself that way). “And when is it that you don’t?”
“When you won’t do what I want as if you are my father? Robert, why do you always ask the unimportant questions? Why didn’t you ask when do I love you as a woman?” She got up. “Knowing my man, I better put the kettle on for coffee. The morning is already warm, shall I serve it on the verandah?” Relief relaxed him as he understood, so he picked on her.
“I wish you would eat breakfast Cherine, I really wouldn’t mind if you put on a few kilos.”
“No thanks. Are we going anywhere tonight or have you forgotten?”
“Forgotten what?” With a laugh she left the room.
He rather urgently needed to go to the bathroom, but he stubbornly lay in bed, unwilling to give in to proof that he is ageing. He hoped it is not his prostrate, he couldn’t bear the thought of Cherine having to put up with his old body as he ages, so he resents any signs of it ageing. ‘We’ve never really been in synch.’ He thought. ‘First she was a child and I was an adult, then she matured into a woman while I aged, turning into an old man.’ He felt himself sinking into the depression that has been taking over more and more often as his mind toyed again with the thought that he should let Cherine go while she is still young enough to find a new love closer to her age. As usual he promised himself he will think about it later and forced himself to get up.
Cherine placed the tray with his honey, toast and coffee on the table, his cigarettes to the side and taking her mug she held it with both hands for the pleasure of feeling the heat soak into her palms, while she stared at the mountainsides Robert loves.
‘I wonder why I say such cruel things to him since I do love him.’ She knew the answer, it is his insecurity, his inability to believe that she loves him that aggravates her to the point of being spiteful at times. ‘What do I have to do to make him believe in me?’
Robert cleared his throat, mentally chiding himself for smoking so much and sat by her. “Shall we go to Kefalari? I need to check with the gallery, if they haven’t sold any of my paintings I just might have to give my paintings to Stavros Kehalariou.”
“Don’t be stupid, you know you will not do any such thing. Petros has been a good friend and he always pushes your paintings.” [With the excuse that her love of art entitles her, Angelica asked to be him - she enjoyed setting it up and learning the tricks of the trade so much that she might want to open a gallery of her own, for real, someday.]
Because she was genuinely angry, he tried to turn it into a joke, “You know I wouldn’t, but you should allow an old man his fancies.”
In a fury she turned on him. “If you call yourself an old man one more time I’ll buy you a rocking chair, slippers and go find myself a new life.” As his face went white, his fears confirmed, she grabbed his hand, tears filling her eyes, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”
[ ‘What kind of history did you give them!’ we all demanded of Meli. She promised us that she does not understand why they are behaving this way, she’d given them mostly happy and loving memories, taken from real life. ]
They stopped at a coffee shop and when he decided to walk to the gallery, Cherine asked if he minded her waiting there for him. He first bought her a magazine from the kiosk and then walked the four blocks to the gallery. He was pleased to discover that Petros had a cheque ready for him for two paintings and he was told that a foreign businessman asked Petros to hold a painting for him. In higher spirits once more, Robbie returned, already planning in his mind his next painting. As he turned the corner he saw Cherine laughing, a man sitting at her table. He took a step back and watched her. The man was taller than him, bigger, more muscular and he was almost handsome, in a rugged way. He obviously had charm, for Cherine was enjoying his company. His legs felt weak as he turned and walked away.
He was not aware of time or where he walked, his thoughts dark and tearing at him. He was convinced that Cherine is attracted to the stranger and he is losing her - if he has not already lost her.
[From our side we were also confused. Cherinians had filled the streets to make it difficult for any Normal to approach them. Not so much for the sake of their safety, we did not want anyone who recognised them from talking to them about Cherinianism. This man must have slipped through the cordon somehow. We decided from now some of us will always be with both of them.]
“What took you so long? Was Petros out?”
“No, we talked about art for a while. He has sold two paintings and might have a third one sold by tonight.”
“I’m glad for you Robert. It is a pity you took so long, I met a very interesting man. He is an art critic for a newspaper in London. I tried to keep him here for you, but he had to leave. I arranged for us to meet him on Saturday. He said that he knows your work and thinks you are talented.”
His hands were trembling as he lit a cigarette. “Can we stay for another coffee?”
She laughed. “With your love for coffee I’m surprised you’ve never painted a portrait of a cup of coffee.”
They had lunch and drove back to their home.
Robbie was dressed and ready, smoking as he waited for Cherine. “Come on love, we’ll be late. It will take over an hour to get to the Neraida.”
“Won’t be long.” The club was already filled by Cherinians and the waiters were also Cherinians who’d volunteered to serve them. As they left the village, unknown to them, two cars ahead of them and another two behind were filled with policemen while in the distance motorbikes cleared the way. Robert was pleasantly surprised when they arrived within one hour.
Apostolis with Vicky by his side welcomed and escorted them to their table. Cherine had an orchid pinned to her by Apostolis and a bottle of champagne was opened. Thereafter they were left alone to enjoy themselves. Cherine did not expect Robert to dance until the blues started and then she took his hand and pretended to drag him to the dance floor.
They took a walk along the beach. “I’ve enjoyed tonight.”
“I don’t take you out often enough. Look at the moon, it must be sinking behind the Parthenon.”
“Yes, quick.”
“I wish…I wish…we’ll be in love for the rest of our lives.”
Robert pulled a face. “What a waste of a perfectly good wish, that was already ordained from the day you barged in on me in Kolonaki.”
“If I make that same wish a hundred times, not one of them will have been wasted.” He pulled her chin to him and kissed her. He then groped in his pocket and brought out a tiny gift wrapped box. She could see it is expensive and wondered what he’d bought her.
“You should see this in good light. Can you wait?” Cherine wait? That was funny.
She grabbed his hand and ran to the parking area. She made him switch on the lights and she opened the package. Inside was a tiny portrait of her as an eight year old painted on a paper thin leaf of ivory, bound in gold and with a thin gold chain. [Jade painted it for them.]
“You should have seen him paint it, he used a microscope!”
“It must be very expensive!”
He grinned. “Expensive? Never mind expensive, it was humbling. He charged me what I get for two of my paintings. Halali tou agapi mou, it was worth it.”
‘This is the sort of thing that should have become a family heirloom’ she thought to herself. The familiar pain flitted through her heart for an instant, but she dismissed it; now was not the time to sadden him with an argument they’ve had so many times, by speaking aloud her thought. She bent her head forward as he placed the chain around her neck and shivered as he kissed her nape.
Robert had the same thought and wished for the thousandth time that he could have convinced her while he was still young enough. It was the one ache in him she’d steadfastly refused him. There was no longer any point in him mentioning it.
On Saturday they went to Kefalari to meet the art critic. Robert did not like him because he made it obvious he is more interested in talking to Cherine and he could tell the man has never heard of him. They learnt he works for a tiny parochial newspaper and did not really know of Robert. Finally, with a muttered excuse Robert walked off. It did not take long for the Englishman to try to arrange a meeting with her. Cherine turned him down.
“I’ll be here on Monday whether you come or not. I think you will, you can feel that there is something special being born between us.”
“I most definitely will not. Goodbye.” She went and waited for Robert in their car.
When they arrived home she told him that the man had hit on her, partly out of anger that he’d left her alone with him. “He insisted I meet him alone on Monday.”
“Are you going to?”
Furious with him, wanting to hurt him, she answered, “Yes.”
They had a miserable weekend - and so did we. [ I should have mentioned that we are always in the crowds, taking turns and disguised of course. ]
He went down to the kitchen to make coffee, but then poured himself a full glass of whiskey. He downed it as if it was water and then going to their bedroom he pulled out a suitcase and packed. He asked a villager to take him to the closest suburb of Athens for him to find a taxi. The poor guy didn’t know what to do or say, he was sharing, as all Cherinians were (are) and was upset by what was happening. We had to keep on repeating that we did not want anyone to interfere, nobody is to force the Englishman who’d hit on Cherine to leave and so on. In the end we had to tell ourselves also.
“Alki, can I meet you alone? I’m at the Floka café in Aghia Paraskevi.”
He had to wait, but he could not sit still. He’d drink his coffee standing up, order another cup and pace up and down the sidewalk. When he saw Alki arriving he returned to his table.
“Cherine and I are splitting up.”
“Thee mou! I can’t believe that, what happened?”
“She has met a man she prefers.”
“I can’t believe it, are you certain? What did she say?”
“She told me about him and left to meet him at lunch time.”
Alki had to stay in character, however much it grieved him. He hated what was happening and argued we should stop the charade. Meli seems to be the only one who has no doubts we should continue. She insists that for them to have deviated from her settings, there must be a need in both of them for something or other to be resolved.
“Alki, I’m leaving. I want you to promise me you will take care of Cherine. I will instruct my lawyer to put in her name everything I have.”
“Nonsense! You mustn’t leave. Fight for her Roberto.”
“I can’t. She has the right to find a love who will grow old with her. It is better this way. Alki, I’m going to miss you. Please tell Marian that I am leaving because I love Cherine, not for any other reason.”
Robbie was not a Cherinian, but Alki was, even though he looked nearly eighty years old. He watched him walk away, his one bag of possessions in his hand, with tears in his eyes as he shared his pain.
When Cherine left her house she drove to a rocky beach and sat facing the sea, lost in her thoughts. She’d never intended meeting the art critic, acting out of wounded pride and swept along by her anger. She found herself re-living all that had been said and she cursed her empathy that forced her to see the way she had behaved from Robert's point of view. She sighed, accepting that she had wronged him and hoped he would be as understanding and forgiving as he always is. Her phone buzzed softly in her ear and it then told her that Alki is calling.
“Pappou?”
“You better come to my home Cherine.”
“Is mother alright?”
“Yes. It is about Robert.”
“He told you about our stupid fight?”
