into the dying embers.
Sela broke the moment. "Heckel is a very unusual name. Is that a nickname or what?"
Clearing my throat and stifling a yawn, I answered, "Nope, that's my real legal name and yes, it is very unusual. I can thank my mother for it. Heckel is the name of a really expensive and top-of-the-line professional bassoon."
She looked over at me with a smirk and one eyebrow raised as if to beg for more.
"My mother was finishing up college. She was a music major and a damn fine bassoonist. She was hoping to land a gig in a good orchestra. After she graduated, she did the auditioning circuit, met my dad and had me. She had been saving money to buy that expensive instrument that cost more than a car, but when I came along, they needed the money and her dreams of owning that fine bassoon ended. I think it was my dad's idea to name me Heckel. My mom thought it was poetic justice or something, I guess. Later on, I asked her about why my name was so weird. She would just smile and say, 'you are the song of my life.' As a young snot-nosed kid, I'd crinkle up my nose, shake my head and run off. My dad explained the whole thing to me when my mom was dying of cancer. After that, I really loved my name. It is indeed unusual, but also very special."
Sela smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. "What a great story and you are right. Heckel is a very special name. What a wonderful way to remember your mom as well."
Her smile and pat on my shoulder made my insides warm. "Most people call me Heck. You know like…what the heck are you doing? Where in the heck have you been? I get that a lot."
She laughed. We continued talking until well after midnight. I could see at one point that Sela's eyes where getting heavy.
"Hmm," I said, trying to stifle a yawn. "It's late."
"Let me get you a few blankets and a pillow. Is the couch here all right?"
"It definitely beats the ground. My back will think it has died and gone to heaven."
Sela put her hands on her hips, frowned and chastised me. "There will be no dying on my watch."
I put up both my hands in capitulation and told her that she was absolutely right. There would be no dying in Iowa. She shook her head defiantly and walked into her bedroom. A few minutes later she came back with a sheet, two blankets and a large fluffy pillow.
"I really appreciate this," I said, taking the bundle from her. She leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
"Sleep well. I really enjoyed talking with you this evening," she said blushing. It's been a very long time since I could trust someone and…um…let them into my life. Oh, and I couldn't forget Jerky." The cat had positioned herself on top of the couch so that Sela could pet her.
I looked at the both of them and felt a warm sensation spread over me. "Looks as though I have two protectors now."
Sela said good night again and started walking to her bedroom. Jerky jumped off the couch and followed her. I started to protest and Sela said that it was fine. Jerky turned, bushed out her tail and I swear it looked as if she had a grin on her face.
I made up the couch, took off my dirty clothes and lay down. The soft light from the dying embers functioned as a night-light and it was very comforting. My last thoughts for the day turned to Leonard and his sacrifice. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Leonard. You were a good friend. You're at peace now and I'm sure united with your wife. Thank you for everything you…" Sleep finally took over.
Chapter 7
In the middle of the night, I woke up and started recalling events in which Madeline's power seeped into Washington. It did not take long for her to infiltrate into the ranks of the powerful. She had her hands in everything. As Director of Homeland Security, she had a line to one of the most powerful men on the planet and had become fast friends with the president. And he was a popular president. The American public adored him, which helped in Madeline's gaining trust with people
Sela broke the moment. "Heckel is a very unusual name. Is that a nickname or what?"
Clearing my throat and stifling a yawn, I answered, "Nope, that's my real legal name and yes, it is very unusual. I can thank my mother for it. Heckel is the name of a really expensive and top-of-the-line professional bassoon."
She looked over at me with a smirk and one eyebrow raised as if to beg for more.
"My mother was finishing up college. She was a music major and a damn fine bassoonist. She was hoping to land a gig in a good orchestra. After she graduated, she did the auditioning circuit, met my dad and had me. She had been saving money to buy that expensive instrument that cost more than a car, but when I came along, they needed the money and her dreams of owning that fine bassoon ended. I think it was my dad's idea to name me Heckel. My mom thought it was poetic justice or something, I guess. Later on, I asked her about why my name was so weird. She would just smile and say, 'you are the song of my life.' As a young snot-nosed kid, I'd crinkle up my nose, shake my head and run off. My dad explained the whole thing to me when my mom was dying of cancer. After that, I really loved my name. It is indeed unusual, but also very special."
Sela smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. "What a great story and you are right. Heckel is a very special name. What a wonderful way to remember your mom as well."
Her smile and pat on my shoulder made my insides warm. "Most people call me Heck. You know like…what the heck are you doing? Where in the heck have you been? I get that a lot."
She laughed. We continued talking until well after midnight. I could see at one point that Sela's eyes where getting heavy.
"Hmm," I said, trying to stifle a yawn. "It's late."
"Let me get you a few blankets and a pillow. Is the couch here all right?"
"It definitely beats the ground. My back will think it has died and gone to heaven."
Sela put her hands on her hips, frowned and chastised me. "There will be no dying on my watch."
I put up both my hands in capitulation and told her that she was absolutely right. There would be no dying in Iowa. She shook her head defiantly and walked into her bedroom. A few minutes later she came back with a sheet, two blankets and a large fluffy pillow.
"I really appreciate this," I said, taking the bundle from her. She leaned over and kissed me lightly on the cheek.
"Sleep well. I really enjoyed talking with you this evening," she said blushing. It's been a very long time since I could trust someone and…um…let them into my life. Oh, and I couldn't forget Jerky." The cat had positioned herself on top of the couch so that Sela could pet her.
I looked at the both of them and felt a warm sensation spread over me. "Looks as though I have two protectors now."
Sela said good night again and started walking to her bedroom. Jerky jumped off the couch and followed her. I started to protest and Sela said that it was fine. Jerky turned, bushed out her tail and I swear it looked as if she had a grin on her face.
I made up the couch, took off my dirty clothes and lay down. The soft light from the dying embers functioned as a night-light and it was very comforting. My last thoughts for the day turned to Leonard and his sacrifice. Tears welled up in my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Leonard. You were a good friend. You're at peace now and I'm sure united with your wife. Thank you for everything you…" Sleep finally took over.
Chapter 7
In the middle of the night, I woke up and started recalling events in which Madeline's power seeped into Washington. It did not take long for her to infiltrate into the ranks of the powerful. She had her hands in everything. As Director of Homeland Security, she had a line to one of the most powerful men on the planet and had become fast friends with the president. And he was a popular president. The American public adored him, which helped in Madeline's gaining trust with people
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