Jesus
Christ…he didn't…no...no...no; he couldn't "
Terri leaned over his shoulder, spilling her
coffee on her robe, to see what was in the case. There it was…the
1959 gold Les Paul guitar. A note was pressed between the strings
to keep it in place. Craig opened the note and it read "Enjoy it,
but bring it with you when you come to see me in a day or so. Don't
be long. We have much to discuss….Phoenix."
"Is it really worth that much?" quizzed
Terri. Craig could almost hear the cash register ringing in her
head. "I'm sure he only means to let me use it for a day or so. He
clearly wants it back" he stressed. "Just remember" she replied
"that you have an interview article to write and a family to spend
time with before you go running off to the bedroom to play your new
toy."
******
Returning from the trip to town to deliver the
guitar, Edon found Phoenix sitting in the sunroom, looking out over
the water. She complained "How can people live like that…in a
wooden hut?" Phoenix softly smiled and replied "We did many, many
years ago. I drove a bread lorry by day. I played clubs by night.
We were poor but young…we could endure anything. Now all I have is
money…and leukemia."
Phoenix soberly lamented
"The time is
running out, my dear. Very soon, very soon…it will all be over. The
pact has run its course. He wants to conclude it."
"Craig will come around. The plan will
come to fruition. You will see, my love."
Edon consoled.
Craig pulled his rusted out Toyota Camry into
the driveway of the mansion. Gris met him at the door and let him
in. "He is in fine spirits in anticipation of your visit. But
please, do not over-excite him. His health is frail, sir." Gris
cautioned. Craig followed him to the study, guitar case in hand.
After a very brief exchange of pleasantries, Phoenix insisted that
they "get down to it" and Craig' eagerness couldn't be obscured.
After teaching Craig his favorite scales and fret board drills,
Phoenix paused and called Gris to bring in tea (no brandy this
time).
"Let's cut the crap, Craig. I'm
dying…leukemia…maybe a month or two is all I have left. Dying in
England is out of the question due to the taxes. My accountants
told me that this geographical area is the best bargain in the
U.S., so that is why I am here in 'BFE', as you all call it". Edon
will detest it for a while, but it's for her own good. My fortune
will thrive and prosper for her here."
Phoenix poured the tea for them both, and
then he continued "As for my music, I want it to live through you.
I sensed your hunger right away when we met. I know that hunger…it
keeps you awake tossing and turning all night. It robs your
thoughts during the day. Ii makes you want to smash your fists
against a brick wall when life obstructs your study… your practice…
your striving to perfection."
Craig was on the edge of his seat leaning
into hang on Phoenix's every word, ready to leap to his feet if so
commanded. Phoenix concluded "I can give you what you want…what you
need. But now I need to know if you are willing to commit
all…forsake all…sacrifice anything and all…to meet your destiny.
For if you agree, there will be no turning back. There is no path
of half-measure. That is the difference between attainment and
obscurity."
"I know that in your heart, there is piece
that belongs to others…to Terri…to Libby. Know this: they may have
a place in your heart, but only as long as their hearts are true to
your purpose. You know that table is only as good as the legs it
stands on. When one leg is weak, the entire table collapses. There
can be no weak leg…no distraction…no interference of any kind. I
learned that lesson with my late wife, but through Edon I found the
support that only a true believer can give. I tell you this: if
your eye offends you, cast it out."
Edon entered the study, as if on cue. Phoenix
remarked "Well, speak of…Hello, my dear." She approached Phoenix's
chair from behind, placed her hands on
Christ…he didn't…no...no...no; he couldn't "
Terri leaned over his shoulder, spilling her
coffee on her robe, to see what was in the case. There it was…the
1959 gold Les Paul guitar. A note was pressed between the strings
to keep it in place. Craig opened the note and it read "Enjoy it,
but bring it with you when you come to see me in a day or so. Don't
be long. We have much to discuss….Phoenix."
"Is it really worth that much?" quizzed
Terri. Craig could almost hear the cash register ringing in her
head. "I'm sure he only means to let me use it for a day or so. He
clearly wants it back" he stressed. "Just remember" she replied
"that you have an interview article to write and a family to spend
time with before you go running off to the bedroom to play your new
toy."
******
Returning from the trip to town to deliver the
guitar, Edon found Phoenix sitting in the sunroom, looking out over
the water. She complained "How can people live like that…in a
wooden hut?" Phoenix softly smiled and replied "We did many, many
years ago. I drove a bread lorry by day. I played clubs by night.
We were poor but young…we could endure anything. Now all I have is
money…and leukemia."
Phoenix soberly lamented
"The time is
running out, my dear. Very soon, very soon…it will all be over. The
pact has run its course. He wants to conclude it."
"Craig will come around. The plan will
come to fruition. You will see, my love."
Edon consoled.
Craig pulled his rusted out Toyota Camry into
the driveway of the mansion. Gris met him at the door and let him
in. "He is in fine spirits in anticipation of your visit. But
please, do not over-excite him. His health is frail, sir." Gris
cautioned. Craig followed him to the study, guitar case in hand.
After a very brief exchange of pleasantries, Phoenix insisted that
they "get down to it" and Craig' eagerness couldn't be obscured.
After teaching Craig his favorite scales and fret board drills,
Phoenix paused and called Gris to bring in tea (no brandy this
time).
"Let's cut the crap, Craig. I'm
dying…leukemia…maybe a month or two is all I have left. Dying in
England is out of the question due to the taxes. My accountants
told me that this geographical area is the best bargain in the
U.S., so that is why I am here in 'BFE', as you all call it". Edon
will detest it for a while, but it's for her own good. My fortune
will thrive and prosper for her here."
Phoenix poured the tea for them both, and
then he continued "As for my music, I want it to live through you.
I sensed your hunger right away when we met. I know that hunger…it
keeps you awake tossing and turning all night. It robs your
thoughts during the day. Ii makes you want to smash your fists
against a brick wall when life obstructs your study… your practice…
your striving to perfection."
Craig was on the edge of his seat leaning
into hang on Phoenix's every word, ready to leap to his feet if so
commanded. Phoenix concluded "I can give you what you want…what you
need. But now I need to know if you are willing to commit
all…forsake all…sacrifice anything and all…to meet your destiny.
For if you agree, there will be no turning back. There is no path
of half-measure. That is the difference between attainment and
obscurity."
"I know that in your heart, there is piece
that belongs to others…to Terri…to Libby. Know this: they may have
a place in your heart, but only as long as their hearts are true to
your purpose. You know that table is only as good as the legs it
stands on. When one leg is weak, the entire table collapses. There
can be no weak leg…no distraction…no interference of any kind. I
learned that lesson with my late wife, but through Edon I found the
support that only a true believer can give. I tell you this: if
your eye offends you, cast it out."
Edon entered the study, as if on cue. Phoenix
remarked "Well, speak of…Hello, my dear." She approached Phoenix's
chair from behind, placed her hands on
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