This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned.
This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
Part 4
I found Ryan in the parlor reading from one of the books I gave him. He looked up and smiled as I entered the room. I motioned for him to continue reading and opened my supply cabinet. I looked around until I found a large, heavy, leather covered book. I sat on the sofa across from him and opened the large decorative lock that secured the tome. I flipped through till I found the handwritten section on daily devotionals. I read over some of my original devotionals and got ideas for how to teach him.
He finished the chapter he was reading and put his book on the cushion next to him. I looked up and found him watching me read. His blue eyes sparkled in the light from the reading lamps. His face was full of interest, and I enjoyed the fact that he was so eager to learn. I placed a tattered purple bookmark between the pages and closed the cover. I sat looking at Ryan, deciding how to start the lesson. The guilt from my afternoon tension release still warmed my face.
"I want to start you on daily devotionals. Have you read about those yet," I asked still holding my book against my chest.
"I read a little about those. I think I read about that in one of Silver Ravenwolf's books."
"Probably, she is a proponent of several devotionals a day. They help keep you attuned to the divinity. I started out performing six a day. I am down to about two formal devotionals. It isn't laziness, it is streamlining I suppose. I often take time in the day to perform a devotional when I believe it is warranted. I have grown to be very comfortable with the flow of energy. I want you to start with six. You never know, you may do six a day for the rest of your life. Then again, you may stop doing them all together. Keep in mind, it is a part of our tradition." I showed him the chapter in one of his books that discussed devotionals and gave some good examples. He began reading and I went to start dinner.
I was making a chicken pot pie, so I had to start it early. I finished the prep work and realized the time. I went to the parlor and grabbed Ryan by his wrist. I guided him upstairs and to my room. He looked a bit confused but followed me. I threw open the French doors that led onto my balcony. The sun was setting and the sky was beautiful. I walked out and leaned against the iron railing and let the breeze caress my face. Ryan joined me and looked with wonder upon the show laid out before us.
I dropped to my knees and covered my face with my hands. I moved my hands over my heart and then pushed them out in front of me and onto the floor. Ryan watched as I paid homage to the Goddess. I focused on thanks for the beauty in the world. Ryan settled onto his knees and mimicked my movements looking over every few seconds. We sat together quietly enjoying the last glimmers of light and the gloaming that followed. The first star appeared and I gave him the wish.
"What did you wish for," I asked. He smiled at me then returned his eyes skyward.
"I can't say," he said matter-of-factly. He continued watching the blue grow purple and the stars appear one by one.
"Why not," I asked a little amused.
"Because it won't come true."
"That is a bunch of hooey," I exclaimed and looked back into the night.
"I can't say," he said a little quieter, and stood up. He offered me his hand and helped me up. I didn't press him. We had just met, and I wasn't going to tread on his privacy. We walked down stairs and I put the pie in the oven. We went back to our reading until supper was done.
We finished dinner and thought it would be fun to watch a movie. I had an extensive collection of DVDs, so I told him to pick one out. There were few that I wouldn't want to watch. He picked out an old film noir crime drama. I was a bit surprised, but pleasantly. I loved any old flickering black and white movie and watched them over and over. I popped popcorn while he grabbed us some beer from the basement fridge. We settled together on the overstuffed sofa in the den.
We watched the film and discussed the way the director used light and shadow to evoke emotion. We finished our beers and fell silent after a while. I glanced over at Ryan every few minutes. I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but I made sure to keep an eye on him. I felt my eyelids slip and jerked my head. I looked over to find Ryan's head nodding. The hearty dinner and several beers had gotten to us. I kept watching the movie, but soon drifted off again.
I woke again to find Ryan's head resting in my lap. He was lying on his side with his feet pulled up onto the couch. I looked down at this little angel resting against me. I couldn't remove myself without waking him. I decided to just continue sleeping where I sat. I left the TV and DVD running to hide my waking. I brushed my hand over his hair and down to his cheek. His skin was smooth and I stroked it softly. He smiled faintly and snuggled against my leg. I took the chance of resting my hand on his side and fell asleep.
I stirred again later into the night. The TV was off and I was covered with a chenille throw from the parlor. Ryan was no where to be found. I stood up and stretched my stiff muscles and headed off to bed.
I woke early Sunday morning. I performed a simple devotional before my altar and went downstairs to cook. This time the kitchen was vacant and I started the coffee. I heard Ryan stirring upstairs. I took out some eggs and sausage and pulled some potatoes out for hashed browns. I chopped onions and mushrooms for omelets and grated some sharp cheddar cheese. Ryan walked through the door looking groggy but well rested.
"Sleep well," I asked as I sauteed the veggies.
"Pretty good."
"Did you do your morning devotional," I asked still looking at the pan. I didn't hear an answer and looked up to see his red face. "Don't sweat it. You can do one after breakfast." He stood in silence for a moment and then
"When did you make it to bed," he asked as he poured us both a cup of coffee. I wasn't sure how to answer. I decided to just tell the truth.
"About three. Thanks for the throw." I stiffened at my own words, and hoped he wasn't freaked out over waking up in my lap.
"Don't mention it." He sat and watched as I continued to cook.
"You like omelets, don't you," I asked as I beat some eggs in a bowl.
"Sure, I eat just about anything except raw celery."
"Really, that is an odd dislike," I said as I stirred the eggs in the pan. "Do you like celery if it is cooked?"
"Yeah, I love Cajun food, and it all has celery in it." My ears perked at that.
"I love Cajun food. I spent several summers in Louisiana visiting my grandparents. I could make you some gumbo for dinner." I beamed as I plated his omelet and added some potatoes to the plate. I garnished with some chopped parsley and a little cheese on the omelet.
"That would be fab. I can't wait." I pushed the plate in front of him and started cooking my own omelet. He took a few bites, but I could tell he was waiting for me to sit before he started eating. I sat at the island next to him and sipped my coffee. We ate in relative silence. When we had cleaned our plates and had another cup of coffee, we straightened the kitchen and went upstairs to dress for the day. I hadn't made many plans for lessons. I figured it would move along naturally. I dressed went to Ryan's room. I tapped on the door. He called for me to come in.
"I want you to grab that blank book in your supplies and come down stairs when you are ready," I spoke as I walked through the door. He was sitting on the bed in his underwear, putting on his socks. I froze at the sight and forgot what I was thinking. He looked up and smiled. I turned away and walked to his cabinet. "You mind," I asked pointing to his cabinet.
"No, go ahead," he returned as he pulled up his jeans. I opened the door and marveled at how tidy his supplies were. I pulled the book from one of the shelves and tossed it on the bed.
"I think it is time for you to start writing in your Book of Shadows. This one is nice because you can take it apart and add paper. It will last you a long time. Head on down to the parlor when you are done." I slipped out the door and looked to make sure I didn't have a noticeable bulge in the front of my trousers. It was getting more and more difficult to hide my attraction.
Ryan appeared a few minutes after I got comfortable. He sat on the sofa across from me and opened his book. He stopped and looked around and felt his pockets. I smiled and pulled a box from my pocket and held it up. He looked at me and I tossed the box to him. He caught it in his right hand and looked at it with a confused face.
"Open it," I said with an amused smile. He lifted the lid and his eyes widened.
"Caison, you can't keep buying me things." My smile faded and slid to the edge of the sofa.
"Listen, I am going to be giving you things; knowledge, supplies, my home, and my heart. You are going to do the same when you teach someone in the future." He smiled and pulled the sterling silver pen from the case and held it in his hand. He turned the shaft to expose the pen tip. He admired it for a moment and then sat the box on the table next to him. I sunk back into the sofa and picked up my own Book of Shadows.
"Ok, why don't you write a letter? This is going to be your first assignment. I want you to write a letter to yourself. Tell yourself what you want to learn studying with me. Tell yourself what you want to accomplish in the coming year." He sat listening and staring at the blank pages in front of him. "When you are done with that, I want you to write a little summary of what we did yesterday. Write just a little note about the devotional on the balcony. Tell how it made you feel and what you got out of it."
"Are you going to grade this or anything?"
"I am not even going to read it. It is yours, for your own use in your studies. It is not for me to read. Write whatever you wish. You need to be detailed so that you can recount it for future reference." He smiled and looked down at the paper. He rolled the pen in his hand.
"I am going to work on a painting. Get that done and don't forget to do a devotional after lunch." I stood up and walked to my studio. I sat at my desk and stared at the unfinished painting that was haunting me. I was supposed to have it finished in a week. I was going to have to start working more. I looked down at my desk and pulled a sheet of sketch paper. I pulled a mechanical pencil from its case and began sketching an oval.
I drew a line horizontally across the center. I drew another line vertically. I put in some sketchy guidelines and before long it was a face. The almond shaped eyes came first and then the thin perfect nose. When I saw the pouting lips I knew who I was drawing. His messy hair was accomplished with a few sweeping strokes and his jaw line was the hardest part; a subtly angular, and yet soft line. I looked down at Ryan's face and then slid the paper into a drawer. I decided it was time to talk to Marina.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com