Read Online Spirit of the Place (9781101617021) by Samuel Shem - Free Book Online Page B

the chilling letter and the flights of Selma Rose, or of the Worth Hotel seeming to talk to him. Feeling again the desolation, he hid it. He chatted cheerily about Amy and Penny and Milt and Bill.
    â€œI’m so happy to be coming back to you,” he said. “Less than two days! I’m counting the hours.”
    â€œMe, too. But what is wrong?” There was alarm in her voice.
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œNo, no, tell me. I am picking up
oscurità.
Dark.”
    â€œIt’s okay.”
    â€œI sense it like iron. Tell me at once.”
    How does she do it? he wondered, pick up these things? Still, he couldn’t tell her.
    â€œI love you,” she said, “and you love me. Tell me.”
    â€œI, uh, well, I’ve seen my dead mother flying around outside the house. Twice.”
    â€œ
Avemaria!
Go on.”
    He told her, and even told her about his creepy feeling that the Worth almost seemed to be talking to him. He didn’t mention Selma’s lying about his real birthday, unwilling to spoil the magic of their joint celebrations the past July.
    â€œ
Caro,
listen to me. You must stay there.”
    â€œ
What?
I can’t stay here!”
    â€œYou must stay. Do not come back here.”
    â€œI’ve got my ticket—”
    â€œCancel it. I will not see you. Do not attempt to see me.”
    â€œBecause I’ve gone crazy?” he joked. Half-joked.
    â€œBecause,
caro,
this is a gift. Her gift to you.”
    â€œCome
on!
This place is a shit hole! I’ll die here!”
    â€œAnd come to life! In the compost pile the seed comes to life. In the shit the flower blooms. Do not forget—
Jesus
flew.”
    â€œJesus
flew?
”
    â€œ
Sì, l’Ascensione,
” she said. “Jesus flew for us all. On a Thursday, Ascension Thursday. Forty days after Easter. Your suffering among the Columbians will bring the healing
essenza
of sorrow.”
    â€œNo chance of that.”
    â€œIf your mother is not flying around, I agree. With her flying around, with the very buildings of your home town talking to you, your chances are good.”
    â€œI’ll come to Europe. She can fly around Europe. She and Sol always loved their trips to Europe.”
    â€œI doubt she has the fuel for this. I will bet she flies only there.”
    â€œI can’t stay here. I’m coming back.”
    â€œI will not see you.”
    â€œI’ll bang down your door.”
    â€œYou cannot bang down my heart.”
    â€œIt’s the money, isn’t it?”
    â€œDo not talk to me about money! Never!”
    â€œBut you were the one who—”
    â€œIf you come, I will not see you. But if you stay, I will come.”
    â€œFor how long?”
    â€œHow the hell do I know? Jesus!”
    â€œPromise?”
    â€œ
Sì, sì,
promise. You will be the rich American doctor, I will be the sensation of the shit hole, teaching them to breathe. Do they have there
mozzarella di bufala?
”
    â€œBring some. When will you come?”
    â€œI check my book.” Orville could hear the flutter of pages being turned. “
Allora.
Starting next week, I am teaching in Rome for six weeks. A yoga and meditation retreat on the Piazza Navona
.
Students from seven countries. Then I come.”
    â€œFor sure?”
    â€œ
Sì, sì, certo.
Send me the ticket.”
    â€œSeven weeks?” His heart fell. “It seems like forever.”
    â€œForever is now. And as long as you do not come here, I am loving you with all my heart and breasts and nipples and toes.”
    With kisses into receivers and promises to stay in the most intimate touch, they hung up.

    Later that morning Orville walked over to Bill Starbuck’s ranch house and rang the bell. Babette led him into their breakfast nook, where Bill was reading
The Columbia Crier
and smoking a cigarette.
    â€œBill,” Orville said, “I’ve decided to stay and help you