Lessons of Life, Lessons of Love part 6

by Tal Greywolf

Tuesday Morning

---

There's something to be said about sleeping with someone, even if you're too

exhausted to do much more than snuggle together.  Despite the serious case of

nerves we all were suffering from, each of us crawled into bed after a while,

resting quietly and cuddling with whoever happened to be close by.  I'm wasn't

sure if it was Sapphire, Emerald or Jasamine I was resting against, but I was

too tired to care.

Unfortunately, reality intruded in the form of the phone ringing insistently.

I woke up from the sound, getting myself oriented in the still-darkened room,

then picked up the handset.

"This is your 5:30 wake-up call," the synthesized voice chirped. "If you wish

another 30 minutes of sleep, please press the star key. Otherwise, thank you

for staying at Super 8 and we hope you have a good day."

I sighed softly and hung up the phone, slowly slipping out of the bed and

stretching.  Behind me I could hear the groans from everyone else, and started

gently shaking shoulders.

"Wake up, dears," I said as softly as I could.  "We've got to get on the road

here.  It's going to be a long drive."

Emerald let out a soft mewling sound, and looked at me.  "Do we have to?"  I

giggled and gave her a gentle kiss, then did the same to Sapphire and

Jasamine.

"Come on, we've got to get going before rush hour starts up."  I went into the

bathroom and splashed water on my face, then wiped it dry before walking back

into the room.  Everyone was starting to wake up fully now, Jasamine already

having pulled over some clothes.

"I'd suggest dressing casually," I said as a comment, getting an odd glance

from Sapphire.  "Mostly because we are going to be on the road a while, and

because I don't want to look too conspicuous with you all."

Jasamine nodded.  "Silver's right about that," she added.  "It's going to be

hard enough for us to stay together, so we have to look like we're just

traveling as a group."

Sapphire nodded.  "I suppose you're right," she said quietly.  "Any

suggestions as to what we should wear?"

"Loose clothes.  T-shirts, skirts, anything to stay cool with. Summers in the

South are usually hot and humid, and I can't guarantee my air conditioning

will be able to deal with it."

Emerald nodded and tossed Sapphire one of the Iowa State shirts she had

bought. "Here, this'll make us look like we're just on vacation." Jasamine was

wearing a light blue outfit, but one that looked cool. Myself, I went with

jeans and a good old fashioned plain short sleeve shirt.

As we were heading to the cars, I looked over at Jasamine.  "Why don't you

take Emerald, and I'll take Sapphire.  At least that way we both have someone

who knows the way in case we do manage to get lost."

Jasamine laughed and shook her head.  "Silver, with that trailer of yours, I

can't miss you even on a New York highway."  Still, she waved to Emerald who

slipped into a Ford Tempo with New York plates, while Sapphire and I got into

my Taurus.  We stopped for a moment to take care of the bill, then quickly got

back onto I-65 and headed southward.

Around an hour and a half later, we crossed over into Alabama, and the long

trek down the state.  It would take a little over seven hours, even if the

traffic was perfect all the way.  Which it wasn't, as we hit construction

several times along the way, especially in Montgomery.  We stopped for a quick

lunch just on the south side of the city, then hit the road again, hoping to

make up lost time.

Travel down the Interstate is never as easy as it seems, but we managed to

stay together, sometimes Jasamine driving ahead of me, or I'd be in front of

her.  We never traveled faster than the speed limit, not really in a rush to

get there, but a sense of urgency still could be felt on the back of our

necks.  For some strange reason, I had the feeling that once in Biloxi we'd

all feel safer.

Stopping in Mobile, we took another break, this one for a more necessary

dinner. Spotting a sign, we turned off onto a service road, and went to a

Ryan's Steak House.  There, we sat down to relax from the road, and raid their

all-you-can- eat buffet.

The place wasn't quite filled with the evening dinner crowd, so we could find

a place to sit, near a window to watch both our cars and the traffic on the

road. The food wasn't exactly what you would call good fare, but it was

filling and we all enjoyed what we could of it.

---

Biloxi is a study in contrasts.  As you're driving towards it, you can't help

notice all the billboards advertising the casinos that proliferate along the

coastline.  Already they are the second-largest gambling mecca in the US, only

Las Vegas remains larger.  Yet once you move away from US 90 and the coast,

Biloxi becomes your average, sleepy small Southern town.  The traffic is much

less hectic, and people take a more relaxed atmosphere.

We drove along one of those roads along the back side of Biloxi, carefully

following the directions that Redwoulfe had given Jasamine and Sapphire.  The

roads had been recently paved, showing much less wear and tear than the main

roads had.  Slowly we wound our way inland, until Emerald spotted the turn

off.

"There it is!"

A large red wolf silhouette stood over the mailbox, next to a driveway that

vanished into the trees.  I turned onto the driveway with Jasamine right

behind us and slowly followed the road.  It went a ways into the woods, nearly

a half mile, until the trees opened up to show a large open space with an

equally large home, a single-story ranch house.

Our presence was expected, as someone appeared in the doorway.  He looked

fairly average in build, a touch burnt on the nose and face from the bright

sunlight, but it added highlights to his hair and eyes.  Dark brown hair

flopped about like some unkempt mane, while his eyes peered out into the

afternoon glare.  He gave a quirky smile, and walked out to the cars.

"Hi, welcome to Casa Lobo."  His voice was even more distinctive than it was

on the phone, only the barest hint of a Southern drawl in his phrasing.  His

eyes didn't miss much, and his tone spoke volumes. "Let's save the

introductions until we're inside out of the heat. Mississippi in the summer

can be miserable, as you've probably found out already."

We all agreed and filed in behind him, expressing sounds of admiration once

inside the house.  The outside appearance didn't prepare us for much, and we

all were quite surprised at the level of comfort within the walls.  Air

conditioning blew out vents as two overhead fans helped circulate the

coolness.  The furnishing were modeled on a Santa Fe/Southwestern look, with a

hard wood floor covered by a Navajo rug, simple designed couches and chairs

with elegance, and a comfortable level of ambience.

"Just so that you know," our host said as he took one chair, "I'm Josh.  But I

prefer being called Red.  Short for Redwoulfe.""  He grinned and we all chuckled

a bit at that.  "You must be Silver, right?"  He gave me a smile and a firm handshake,

then went over to Sapphire.  "Sapphire, my dear, your gif image doesn't do you justice."

Sapphire chuckled gently.  "That picture never has."  She turned to look at

Emerald.  "And this is my roommate Emerald."

Red smiled and gave Emerald a light kiss.  "You've got good tastes in

roommates," he said slyly, making her giggle.  Turning to Jasamine, he smiled

warmly and gave her a more firm kiss.  "Hello, dear.  I see you've managed to

survive that strangeness we call New York."

Jasamine laughed softly.  "I had some help in that, and don't you think about

denying it."

Red laughed and sat back down.  "I wouldn't dream of it," he said, grinning.

"So, you folks want anything to drink?  Nibbles?  This is Liberty Hall, you're

free to do whatever you please as long as it's not too terribly annoying."  He

said that with a grin, and everyone laughed in response.

"Seriously," he said, "can I get you all something to drink at least?  Cokes?

Alcohol?  Even water, although I won't vouch for it's condition?"

We all looked at him curiously from that comment.  He chuckled and shook his

head.  "Unless you're used to minerals and other strangeness in the water, I

wouldn't recommend it."

"I'll have a coke," Sapphire said, and everyone quickly echoed in agreement.

"You got it, Coca-Cola all around."  He wandered into the kitchen, and a few

minutes later came out with a large pitcher and five full glasses.  "There,

that'll take care of any refills," he commented, setting the tray on the

coffee table and taking a glass himself.  He settled down and sipped his coke.

"So, you all are looking for a place to hide out for a while, right?"

I tilted my head slightly.  "You could say that.  Given what's happened in New

York, at least Jasamine needs a place to stay.  We're here to help her out if

we need to."

Red chuckled.  "Oh, don't worry about that.  This place has enough room for

ten folks if I wanted it.  Six bedrooms, no waiting."

Sapphire giggled at that, and Jasamine stifled her laugh.  I just looked a bit

puzzled and it showed on my face.  "Red, what... how large is this house?"

Red leaned back in his chair.  "Six bedrooms, a library, three baths, a

jacuzzi, this room, a den, kitchen, dining room, and that doesn't include the

basement area.  I had it built that way when it was constructed about three

years ago."

Emerald looked curiously at the room, then back at Red.  "You had this place

built special?  Must have cost a fortune."

"It did."  Red sipped his drink then put it down.  "Something close to a half-

million dollars, all told.  That includes all the furnishings."

I let out a low whistle, and Jasamine looked impressed.  "Damn, where did you

get that kind of money?  You always told me you're just a bum," she said.

Red laughed and put his drink down.  "Dear, I am a bum.  A hundred percent

certified bum.  I work only to have something to do.  Which is often, I hate

being bored."  He leaned back in his chair and sighed. "Truth is, I really

don't have to work.  I've been lucky, born lucky and ended up lucky.

"First off, my family was one of those old line families you hear about.

Sixth generation natives, always involved in one way or another along the

coast.  Be it shipping, shrimping, transportation, a Mitchell was always a

part of the business."

He sighed, and looked at us.  "Are you sure you want to hear this? I could go

on a while."

"I would," Jasamine said for us all.  "I've known you for a few years now, and

you've never talked about yourself much.  I want to hear how you can afford

this place and all."

"All right, all right," he said, holding up his hands.  "I get the hint.

Anyway, my parents were wealthy.  Loaded as the old families tend to end up.

I came along, and while they gave me a good childhood, it was an odd one.

They made sure I had presents and all, but they tended to be more involved in

the social and business scenes."

He took another sip from his coke and sighed.  "I was 12 when they took some

friends of theirs on a fishing trip out into the Gulf.  From what I was told

later, they went a little too far out and got caught by a strong thunderstorm.

Sent out a distress signal, then nothing."  He played with his glass, and

shook his head.  "Coast Guard mounted a search mission, but nothing was ever

found but some broken pieces of boat and a life vest."

Everyone looked at Red with sadness, but he waved it off.  "It's in the past,

nothing can change it.  So I was left by myself, a few relatives who suddenly

looked at the fortune with greed, and the lawyers."  He took another sip, then

refilled his glass.

"Turned out the will was iron-clad.  I was sole beneficiary of the estate,

which didn't make my relatives none too happy.  But they couldn't legally

break the will, which meant I had some rather nasty situations later on as I

was growing up.  The only person who was happy was my grandmother, who took me

as legal guardian.

"She was a strong-willed old coot, I'll tell you."  He chuckled a bit, and we

reflected that sound.  "Tough as nails and didn't take any back talking.  But

she made sure I got through school and into college on my own.  Probably one

of the best things that happened to me.

"So, off to Old Miss, get my degree in broadcasting.  Came back down here, got

a job with the local TV station while keeping my hands off the money that I

now had.  Which was, I might add, turning into quite a substantial sum."

He sighed softly, and shook his head.  "Money's nice, but there comes a point

when it's too much.  Rich folks, they don't understand that being rich doesn't

make them happy.  I was getting rich, too rich for my own good, so I started

spending it.  Building this house, for instance.  Or getting involved in civic

projects, helping school kids get scholarships, things like that.  Even

helping pretty ladies," and he gave a saucy wink at Jasamine, "manage to get

herself a little self-defense training."

"So you've been giving a lot of it away?"  I guess I sounded surprised at

that, and my face reflected that surprise.  Red chuckled gently and smiled.

"When you don't have a lot, you appreciate what you own.  Me, I appreciate the

things here because they're mine.  Sure, I like giving gifts to friends and

folks I know.  It don't hurt me at all, and as long as it makes other happy,

well... be it $50 to go see someone else, or $5000 to go to college on.  But

I'd rather do that than act like some old coot who's trying to hold on to

every penny."

We all laughed at that bit, the ice having been broken.  Red turned out to be

quite laid back in attitude, never really taking much seriously unless it

really involved him.  That included the problems of his friends, which meant

the four of us.  He made it clear that if there was anything we needed all we

had to do was let him know in no uncertain terms.

The rest of the afternoon turned into evening, and yet we continued chatting

quietly, enjoying each other's company and finding out new things each time.

---

Jasamine slipped out of her bed and headed into the hallway, restless.

Everyone had retired to rooms to sleep, with everyone being able to claim a

bed for themselves.  In a sort of unspoken agreement, Silver, Sapphire and

Emerald had decided to sleep apart for now, until they felt comfortable enough

with Red.

He had surprised them by making it clear however they wanted to sleep was fine

with him, only don't make too much noise to wake him up. No one could tell if

he was joking or not, although the wry grin he had hinted he was joshing with

them. But rather than risk anything, everyone claimed individuals rooms and

settled down for the night.

Jasamine had tried to sleep, but being in an unfamiliar bed led her to merely

lay there, staring at the ceiling.  Finally she decided to get something cool

to drink, figuring that might help settle her stomach.

As she came into the living room, she could see in the gloom someone was

sitting on the couch, sitting in the darkness.  The head turned, and she could

hear a soft chuckle.

"Couldn't sleep either, eh?"  Red's voice was pitched low, to keep from

carrying far.  "Sometimes I can't sleep, so I sit here and think alone."

Jasamine sat on the other end of the couch, softly letting out a chuckle.

"More like being in unfamiliar territory, I always have a hard time sleeping

when I'm somewhere new."

Red laughed quietly.  "Sounds a lot like me, then."  He stood up and offered

his hand to her, then led her into the kitchen, turning on only the light over

the stove.  "I once took a trip to Germany, took me three days before I could

feel comfortable enough to sleep."

"That does sound like my last trip to England," she admitted.  "Took me a day

to get back on schedule.  Orange juice, please?"

Red nodded, pouring her a glass of juice and a glass for himself. "Some nights

are worse than others, I'll admit.  I'll find myself at 3 in the morning at

the tables in a casino because I couldn't get to sleep."

Together they went back into the living room, settling on the couch and

sipping their drinks.  Jasamine sighed gently, then looked over at Red.

"Red, does it bother you that I'm black?"

Red blinked in the low light.  "Eh?  Why, should it?"

Jasamine shrugged.  "Well, I'm curious.  I mean, you've been nice and all,

but..."

"But what?  Just because I've lived in Mississippi all my life I'd be nervous

being around you?"  Red shook his head gently.  "Dear, I'm more intelligent

and caring than that, you should realize that by now."

"I know," she said gently.  "But what a person's like online isn't always the

same in reality."

Red sighed and leaned back against the couch.  "Jasamine, I could ask you the

same question, but I won't.  I have a lot more tact than that."

Jasamine sighed gently.  "I'm sorry, Red.  I take it back."

Red smiled gently.  "It's ok, really.  A lot of folks around here have

problems dealing with other races, it's mostly from the way they were raised.

The old prejudices are still pretty strong, especially when you get into the

rural areas.

"But I think they forget the fact that we're all just people, and things like

skin color or sex are convenient ways to try and segment everyone.  Besides,

it won't matter much anyway the way things are going."

Jasamine blinked a bit.  "What do you mean?"

Red took a gulp from his glass, then put it on the coffee table. "Guess you

didn't hear, then.  Reports started coming in earlier this afternoon, other

cities are starting to suffer the same thing that New York had.  People

turning into blobs, polymorphic syndrome, whatever you call it.  First reports

were from cities along the Ohio river, but this afternoon Chicago's water

supply was contaminated."

"Oh, God."  Jasamine shivered at that news.  "How bad is it?"

"About like New York, governments are going into a tizzy trying to keep a lid

on it, and the news leaks keep making the Feds looks like idiots."  Red

scratched his head and sighed.  "If I had to guess, I'd say that whatever's

happening is spreading, and that the Feds aren't willing to admit that they

can't stop it."

Jasamine sat quietly, digesting that news.  Red held his silence, waiting

there as she drank her orange juice, then placed the empty glass on the table.

"So why do you think it won't matter?" she finally asked.

Red tilted his head.  "Because, dear, things like sex and color and race won't

mean anything soon.  We'll all be the same, and we'll have to learn to adjust

to it."

"Oh."  She blinked at that, then shook her head.  "I can't quite see it, Red.

People aren't going to change that fast."

"No, they aren't.  But consider this.  Let's say you want a job. They only

want whites.  Ok, so you become white.  No, they only want white males.  So

you become a white male, and you get the job.

"Color, gender, things like that won't make a difference.  Whatever

restrictions someone wants to place against another person won't mean a hill

of beans. Because there'll be a way around it, and you'll be able to take

whatever shape, size, gender, whatever they want you to be."

Jasamine mulled over his words.  "But most folks won't accept that, will

they?"

"Likely, no."  Red sighed a bit.  "Most folks won't want to be reminded of

what they've become, I'd wager.  They'd rather go back to the same old average

Joe, doing his 9-5 daily grind and come home to his house, wife and kids.

Never mind that he could be anything, his wife could be anything, he likely

won't like being reminded of it."

"You might be right," Jasamine said gently.  "I saw folks in New York City

days afterwards, and they were trying to forget what was going on around them.

All they wanted to go was go back to work and go back to their lives."

"Exactly.  The only ones I can see who won't do that are either the young or

the imaginative.  Not just physical youth, but spiritual youth as well."  Red

let out a long sigh.  "It won't be many, but it'll be enough to keep reminding

the rest of what's happened."

"Red?"  Jasamine's voice cut through the darkness again.

"Hmmm?"  He stirred and turned his head, looking at where Jasamine was.  "Yes,

dear?"

Jasamine kissed his nose.  "Would you drink the water?  Become like I've

become, or like what the others are now?"

Red made a soft humming sound, then snuggled up closer against her. "If you

had asked me that two weeks ago, I'd likely say no."

"Why not?  I've known you a while, you've always posted to that one mailing

list or sat on that one IRC channel I first met you on."

Red sighed a bit.  "Dear, two weeks ago, all of this would have just been a

fantasy.  A dream, a delusion, a story.  It wouldn't had made a difference if

I wanted to or not, it wasn't possible.  But now, it's real.  Very real."

Jasamine nuzzled his hair and nodded.  "And now?"

"Now?"  Red was silent for a long while, then hugged her gently. "Now, the way

things are going?  I'd likely do it, just to stay ahead of the curve.  There's

going to be a lot of folks who are going to be frightened of what they've

become, or what they could become."  He sighed and kissed her gently on the

forehead.

"I know," she said in a soft voice.  "I was scared of it myself, like a waking

nightmare.  I didn't know what to do, what I could do."

"No one really knows until it happens."  Red sighed gently and looked towards

the window, the moon just starting to rise above the trees.  "You've managed

well enough, so have Silver and the other ladies."

"We've managed because like you've said, we've had to learn." Jasamine sighed

gently and lay against Red's side.  "Like walking, or talking a new language."

"From what you've said, it is a new language.  A language of knowing your body

in total detail."  Red chuckled gently.  "Which, for you ladies, is probably a

hell of an asset."

Jasamine laughed gently.  "What, being able to now look like centerfolds for

you men?"

Red grinned and nodded.  "Just like us males can be hung like stallions for

you lusty wenches."  He joined in her gentle laughter, then turned serious.

"As much fun as that might sound, there's going to be a lot of problems for us

to face.  Like making a living and staying healthy and fed."

Jasamine sighed and nodded.  "Survival, pure and simple.  Not always the

easiest thing in the world to do for some folks."

"Which is why I'm glad you and the others are out of danger," Red replied.

"At least down here, there's a good chance we all can make it together."

Jasamine blinked.  "Then you're going to help us out?"

"I never said I wouldn't, did I?"  Red's voice held a hint of amusement in it.

"You four are welcomed to stay here as long as you want, and I mean it.  If

that means forming some kind of household, hey, I certainly won't mind."

Jasamine hugged him gently.  "I was hoping you were serious," she admitted.

"I've been burned before by friends offering help, but you've always kept your

word."

"Yeah, well, chivalry isn't quite dead.  Even if I'm no longer active in the

SCA."  He grinned and winked warmly at her, then sighed and stood up.  "Dear,

as much as I've enjoyed the talking, I should get some sleep here.  Tomorrow's

going to be a busy one."

"Oh?  Why's that?"

"Because," he said, tapping her nose with a finger, "first off we're unpacking

your cars and getting you four settled in.  Then, we're going to Delchamps and

get some more groceries in here.  After that, we're going to relax, enjoy the

afternoon and get this madhouse set up."

Jasmine giggled at that last.  "And what a madhouse it's likely going to be."

---

Lessons of Life, Lessons of Love part 6

copyright 1997, Tal Greywolf

all rights reserved