Dreams of Destiny Pt. 12

“Oh no you don’t.” Said Destiny. She was pulling her own clothes off now.

“Then help me woman. I’m in a sorry state. Ah free at last.” he growled as he stepped out of his trousers. He and Destiny tumbled together in Destiny’s fine four poster bed. They took their time and got to know each other’s bodies again. It was a home coming and a new adventure. The sailed with each other, reached the crest, and lazed home together in bliss.

It was fully dark by the time they settled down into a peaceful afterglow. “Juan?”

“Humm?”

“What’s next for us do you think?”

“Hush, Destiny. Let’s take this moment and treasure it. I don’t want to destroy it by adding a jumble of possible tomorrows. Let’s let tomorrow take care of itself for once.

They were silent again for a while.

“Juan?”

“Humm?”

“I’m starving. Are you hungry?”

“Si.”

“I hate to say this, but the only thing I have in the house to eat is a frozen pizza. I don’t do a lot of cooking, being single and all. Sometimes the cat eats better than I do..”

Juan put on his shorts and his pants, leasing his chest bare. Destiny donned her white silk robe.

“So I guess I’m lucky there’s frozen pizza. Is it a good brand? If not, we might have to cook Top Cat.”

Yuck, roast cat paws? No thanks. The pizza is good. Unless you want to call for Chinese food, or a carry out pizza or something.”

“No. Let’s do the frozen thing. I’ll make the promised margaritas. We can watch the news and get a little lit while we wait for the pizza to cook. Where’s your ingredients?”

Destiny showed Juan around the kitchen and set out the drink makings. Juan had a smooth hand and doctored up a blender full of frozen margaritas.

Destiny switched on the TV. A news reporter was excitedly describing the scene at DC Superior Court. Destiny and Juan ignored the screen. Destiny looked at the frothy contents of the blender. “Are we going to drink all that?” Destiny asked, with a sober look.

“I think we’ve earned it today, don’t you, Juan asked?”

“Well, if ever a day called for a drink, this was it. As I recall, I was reaching for a rum and coke when I woke up to find you unconscious in my hotel room.

“Dios, so much has happened since then, I’d forgotten all about my bump on the head. Well, I guess shock’s a cure for a concussion.” Juan lifted his glass and tapped it against Destiny’s. “To better days,” he said, and took a long pull of his drink. Then another. He sat down in the middle of the living room floor. “Let’s forget about the news.”

Destiny sat down beside him.

Destiny matched Juan drink for drink. “Not everything about today was bad,” Destiny admitted. “Score four for the good guys. We got the demon and Stephen, BLAM!! Destiny crowed.” The shock of shooting a man hadn’t sunk in yet. From experience, Juan knew that Destiny might suffer a delayed reaction that could be debilitating.

Juan poured another set of drinks.

“We lost two dear friends,” Juan said contemplatively, “but they remain with us, and we have found each other.”

“To dear friends,” Destiny slurred, and slurped some more of her drink,. The tequila was hitting her like a bomb. “Oh no. The pizzas burning.” She tried to get up and head for the kitchen, but tripped and fell, giggling, sprawled across Juan’s lap.

Juan picked her up and set her aside gently. Then he carefully walked to the oven and pulled out the pizza. His capacity for liquor must have been much greater than Destiny’s. He managed to get the pizza out without burning himself. The pizza was not burned, rather, it was done to perfection. Juan was starved by this time. He cut the pizza into eight slices and served himself four. Another he put on a plate which he passed under Destiny’s nose.

Destiny perked up.

“Dinner’s here, princess?

“Looks good. Did I burn it?” She took a bite. “Ouch, it’s hot!” she complained. “Better let it sit.” Destiny closed her eyes and fell sound asleep.

Juan thought Destiny looked adorable all fuzzily tipsy, wearing nothing but a short, filmy white wrap, her legs stretched out in front of her. Her hair had come loose and was all a tangle around her neck and back. Starlight filtered in from the back door. They hadn’t bothered to turn the lights on in the kitchen. Her hair shone like black onyx in the light. It’s the small moments in time that make it all worthwhile, Juan thought. Not the great ambitions, or the wonderful futures or the save the world objectives. Yes, one must walk the path of light. But the small moments are what makes the path walkable.

Juan smiled at Destiny, and kissed her nose. Then he set about eating his pizza. He washed it down with another Margarita. I’m not going to feel very well in the morning if I’m not careful he realized.

Juan bundled Destiny up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. He wandered about the apartment shutting off lights, and feeling very much at home. In the bathroom he finger-brushed his teeth, found some aspirin, quaffed three along with about 16 ounces of water. The best defense against a hangover is a good offense he had learned over the years. He brought a glass of water and some aspirin and placed them on the dresser beside Destiny. Then he stripped off his pants and sank gratefully into bed.

Maybe they had earned a respite from troublesome dreams. Both Juan and Destiny slept the night through without a single memorable dream crossing their tired brows. They both awoke alert and refreshed despite last evening’s libations.

It was Top Cat’s mournful meowrour that awoke Destiny at about 7:00 a.m. “Unstroked and unfed. Gosh what a terrible provider I am,” Destiny chided herself, only half seriously. “I’m sorry Top Cat. You should have been let in on the fun last night. At the very least a piece of pizza and half a glass of tequila would have been fair. Right?” “Mright.”

“Okay, here you go. You get real tuna for breakfast because I feel guilty.”

“Mrowrow.”

“Dios, you two do understand each other,” Juan laughed, as he came out of the bedroom, stretching and scratching his beard.

“Of course we do. I’ve lived with him longer than with any other male companion. He’s a lot easier to live with than your standard, run of the mill bachelor. He doesn’t leave the toilet seat up. He doesn’t snore. He doesn’t watch football, or leave beer glass rings on my coffee table. He doesn’t try to run my life....” Destiny’s voice trailed off. Maybe her joshing had come a little close to home. She glanced worriedly at Juan. He seemed to take no notice of the deeper implications of what she had just said. He was laughing.

“NO, he eats with his face in a bowl and leaves a mess for you to clean up. He poops in a box on the floor, for you to clean up. He doesn’t work but expects three square meals and a roof over his head. He hogs the bed without giving any bedroom pleasure.... Need I say more?”

“No. no. You’ve got me. I’ll take a good healthy male human after all. Know of any who might be available?” She smiled. Then she said “but I’ve always thought you were part cat anyway -- part panther, or jaguar. You’re so sleek, with those dangerous muscles. She eyed him bawdily. He was only wearing his shorts. He leered back at her. They laughed and looked towards the tumbled bed. He was closer. He reached out his arms and took Destiny by the shoulders. They walked back into the bedroom where they remained for the better part of an hour.

They were sliding into sated somnolence when the phone chirped. It was Dr. Phaeton.

“Hello, doctor. Yes, I know I missed your appointment the other day. Something rather urgent came up. I didn’t have a chance to cancel. In fact, it had to do with the dreams, and another patient of yours. Well, former patient, I should say. Today? I guess. Could I bring a friend? Yes, I think it’s important that you meet him. All right. Two o’clock. Thank you.”

“Well,” Destiny said flatly. That was a timely call. How much did John trust him, Juan?”

“Pretty well. You know. John made a tape or two. I don’t suppose we could get them before the appointment?”

“No. I don’t think we should go to John’s house yet. I’ve got some tapes to bring to the doctor. And I think before we do anything else, we should sit down and describe what happened yesterday on tape. We should each make a tape. That way we’d see things from both perspectives. You can talk about things on the island that I don’t know about. I can describe my escape from the demon and my flight back to DC. You can go first. I’m in desperate need of a shower and clean clothes. I’ll go get you the recorder.”

Destiny settled John down to make his tape with a piece of toast, and orange and a glass of Diet Pepsi. “Food of the Gods,” Destiny quipped as she made for the bathroom.

She sighed in satisfaction as cool water coursed through her hair and over her body. She stayed in the flow for a good ten minutes before reluctantly turning the faucet off and strolling naked and dripping into her bedroom. She opted for casual clothing, knowing that her Court calendar was clear for the day.

“Summertime, and the living is easy,” she sang as she dressed, segueing from the Porgy and Bess version to Janice Joplin’s blues version. It was times like this that Destiny wished she’d stuck with her guitar lessons over the years. It sure would be good to be able to just sit down and play. Maybe I’ll take it up again, Destiny thought suddenly. There’s nothing stopping me. “Do you play any instruments? Destiny asked Juan.

“What?”

Musical instruments? Do you play any?”

“Yeah, I used to play a little piano. I never got very good. I never had the time to apply myself. The instrument fascinates me. It can do so much. Do you like Jerry Lee Lewis?”

“Oh yes!” Destiny said with a laugh. I’m thinking about taking up guitar again. I never applied myself either. I was always more intent on singing and there was always someone around to pluck the guitar for me. My problem is, half the time I’m too lazy and too impatient to get the results I want so I never get very far out of the starting gate.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Juan said, uncomfortably. You’ve accomplished a lot.”

“Have I?”

“Yes. But I’m too hungry to elaborate. That pitiful breakfast you provided only whetted my very large appetite. Knowing you, all that’s left in the house to eat is a dried up lump of cheese. So I’m taking you out to breakfast. You fell asleep with your nose in the pizza last night. You never ate a bite.”

“You’re right. I’m famished. I know the perfect place for breakfast. But I have to make my tape first.” Destiny made a terse report of yesterday’s events into the tape recorder.

Just as Destiny was locking the security grate her phone rang. Destiny bolted back up the stairs to catch the call. Juan followed her up the stairs at a slower pace.

“Is this Destiny Lysander?” a sad sounding voice was on the other end of the line.

“Yes.”

“This is Maria Diaz, John Rodger’s partner. You knew John, didn’t you” Did you hear about his death at the Courthouse yesterday?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. It was a terrible thing.” Destiny was guarded. She didn’t know what to reveal about her relationship with John. “Had you been his partner for long?”

“Yes. Look, I know John didn’t know you very well, but he left two letters. One for you and one for a Juan Rodriguez. The one for Rodriguez has no address. Do you know who he is or how I might locate him?”

“Yes. He’s John’s cousin. By happenstance, he’s staying with me for the time being.”

“Oh. That’s a coincidence.”

“Well, you know how things just seem to happen. Sometimes there doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason and then they just sort themselves out. What do you want to do about the letters?”

“Would you have any way of picking them up at John’s house.”

I don’t have a car right now. And I have a bunch of errands to do today. Can it wait a day or two?”

“It could, but there’s this other problem.”

“Yes.” What now? Destiny thought.

“Aristotle.”

“Aristotle?”

“John’s dog. He’s beautiful. A real sweetheart. Well trained. Intelligent. John wanted Juan to have him.”

“Oh, Christ. How big is this dog?”

“Err,.. big.

“God, its not an attack dog is it? Some crazed Rottweiler or Doberman?”

“No. He’s sweet as he can be. Still kind of a puppy.”

“What breed of puppy?”

“Sheep dog.”

“Sheep dog. Great. Well, my cat’s going to be tickled pink about this. And if my land lord ever hears about it...”

“You’ll take him? Just like that? God, you’re wonderful.”

“Funny thing,” Destiny said, half to herself, “I’ve always dreamed about owning a sheep dog. What the hell? And it’s for John.” Destiny said with resignation. “When you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll. But Maria, could you hang on to him for just a little bit longer. I’ll have to set my house up for him. Get Juan used to the idea. Tranquilize my cat. And you’ll have to deliver him. Is that fair?”

“Sure. .

“Okay. Oh by the way, do you know when the funeral is going to be?

The Department’s making the arrangements. Its going to be on Saturday. I’m not sure where. You could call the station, they might have more information. Maria sounded forlorn.

“How are you holding up” Destiny asked with sudden empathy.

Maria paused. “Its spooky being in his house. Its almost as if he knew what was going to happen”

What do you mean?’ Destiny asked.

“Well, he left those letters for the two of you. I didn’t even know John had a cousin until just now.” She sounded sad and hurt.

“You really cared about him, didn’t you?” Destiny asked.

“Yes. The depth of her sorrow was immense.

“Did he know how you felt.”

“Of course not. But he was the best partner a person could want. And the best human being I ever met”

“I know what you mean,” Destiny said, feeling a gigantic sense of loss. She had a strong urge to confide in Maria about the strange transformation Juan had undergone, but she knew it would be a mistake. Maria needed to grieve for John, not look for him in another person.

“You know what else was weird?” Maria didn’t wait for and answer. “He left enough food and water out for Aristotle to last several days. and he left the back door propped open so Aristotle could get in and out of the house. He knew he was going away,” Maria concluded.

“And Aristotle was so depressed when I first arrived. It was like he knew John was never coming back. Aristotle knows me pretty well. He didn’t bound up on me like usual. He just came over to me, lay down on my feet and wined. God I wish that I could keep him.” Maria and Destiny were both crying by the time Maria finished her narrative.

“You know, I barely knew him,” Destiny said through her tears. But I know he was a man of great integrity. Just wait until you meet Juan,” she said, wanting to cheer Maria up. You’ll be astonished. It’ll be almost like having John back.”

“I don’t think I’d like that.” Maria said sadly. I just want John back.”

“Keep an open mind,” Destiny said. Juan’s kind of a cop too. He’s the head of island security on San Angeles in the Caribbean.”

“Does he resemble John?”

“You’ll be stunned, “ Destiny replied. “They could be brothers.”

“That’ll be hard to take,” Maria sniffed.

“No it won’t. It’ll be like getting seeing John again. Goddamn that bastard to hell that John killed,” Destiny said. She’d almost forgotten that she was the one who pulled the trigger.

“Did you know anything about that?” Maria asked. “The cops are now saying that John had been tracking him for years. They say that he was a serial killer that John came across in the course of his work as a homicide detective in West Palm Beach. When I heard that I tried to get information out of John’s former boss in West Palm beach but he was as tight lipped as an oyster.” Maria sounded really aggrieved.

Destiny denied knowledge of John’s quest. She wished she could confide in the woman, but the whole story was so bizarre that she didn’t dare reveal what she knew.

“Did John keep any records on his computer?” Destiny asked.

“Not that I can access. My knowledge of computers is pretty limited. John had an elaborate system with a lot of security. I don’t know what his agenda was. Do you suppose Juan knows?”

“Maybe, but I don’t think they talked that often. Listen,” Destiny said, I have an idea which I should run by Juan first. But what are you doing tomorrow afternoon?.”

“Not much. I usually sleep after my shift, unless I’m stuck in Court.” Then I get up and putter around. Tomorrow I was planning to spend some more time with Aristotle.”

“How about if you swing by my place when you’re done with work and pick up Juan? You and he can go over to John’s house. That way Juan and Aristotle can get acquainted. He can get started going through John’s stuff too. I guess he’s next of kin, huh?’

“Seems like it.”

“Did you find a will or anything? That would make things easier.”

“No, no will as far as I can tell”

“Are you sure you don’t want to be the one to go through his things. I think you must have been closer to him than anyone. He must have cared for you.”

“In a comradely sort of way,” Maria acknowledged. He was in a relationship back in Florida that ended badly. I think he had a hard time getting over it. He was really decent despite his good looks. He was kind of shy. did you know that.”

“Yeah, I picked up on it. I teased him about being Mr. Youth Division and he got kind of upset.”

“He hated that title. It really embarrassed him. He hated the idea of women sizing him up and ogling him.” Is Juan like that too?”

Destiny thought for a minute. She looked over at Juan who was sitting in the kitchen playing with Top Cat. “No,” she said thoughtfully. He’s more sure of himself. He’s’ kind of arrogant in a military kind of way.”

Juan overheard Destiny and stuck his tongue at her. Destiny smiled, and walked out onto the deck carrying the portable phone..

“He thinks he’s more dignified than he is,” Destiny said to bate Juan. He smiled.

“I’m starting to look forward to meeting him. You too,” said Maria.

“I’ll try to get free of court early so I can come along tomorrow. That is, if Juan’s game. Let me talk to him and call you back. What’s your number?”

After she hung up the phone Destiny called out to Juan. “Hey, Juan, where are you?”

“In the kitchen,” he replied.

Destiny walked out of sunshine and into the kitchen. “That was Maria, John’s former partner.”

“So I gathered,” he said.

“John apparently knew ahead of time what was going to happen.”

“Oh God. Really?” How do you know?”

Destiny filled Juan in on what she and Maria had discussed.

“I feel terrible about it all. I can’t believe I actually shot a man” Destiny concluded.

“I know. It’s going to hit you soon. I just hope it doesn’t floor you. Just remember, you had no choice. Did you get a look at Stephen right before he went over the railing. He was a demon. There wasn’t anything human left in him.”

“I know,” Destiny sighed.

“Anyway, John left you something really special.” She hesitated to tell him.

“What is it?”

“It’s not an it, it’s a him. John had a dog.”

“Oh boy,” Juan said. He didn’t sound terribly pleased “What kind of a dog?”

“A sheep dog. Maria said he’s still pretty much a puppy. He left specific instructions that you were to take him.

“Is he one of those giant shaggy things that look like panda bears?”

“That’s a pretty good description, I’d say. What do you think? do you want a dog?”

“Juan hesitated for a moment, thinking about what it would be like to have a dog. Suddenly he felt the boundless joy Aristotle had brought into John’s life. I can’t say no” he concluded. It may not be easy at first, but I can handle it. My cats’ll through a fit. What’s his name?”

“Aristotle.”

“Well, it must be a smart dog to have a name like that.”