Read Online The Sentinel by Jeffrey Konvitz - Free Book Online Page A

waited for a response.
    "Well, I shouldn't-"
    "No. I insist!"
    Allison puckered her mouth to protest; she was uncomfortable. Even the words of invitation were spoken in a totally uninviting tone. But though she wanted to leave, she could not. Something kept telling her to get acquainted with these obviously difficult people, if only to avoid another such uncomfortable incident.
    "Hospitality is a virtue that one has little opportunity to exploit in New York," said Gerde. "It runs against the grain of the city. People are too suspicious and jealous. And self-serving." She paused, lifted a cigarette from a silver dish, and motioned toward Allison.
    "I don't smoke."
    Gerde nodded with an expression that indicated admiration. "Put your packages on the table and sit down," she said, walking down the short hallway to the kitchen. "I put the coffee up a short while ago, so it should be ready. And I'm boiling some water, if you'd like tea."
    "Coffee will be fine," said Allison as she sat down across from Sandra, who had moved to the faded brown couch.
    "Have you met anyone else in the building?" echoed Gerde's voice.
    "Yes, Mr. Chazen from upstairs. He dropped in to say hello two nights ago with his cat and bird."
    "A nice man."
    A nice man? she thought to herself. They obviously hadn't heard his opinion of them. "He mentioned you to me," she replied.
    "I trust he said good things."
    "Of course," answered Allison.
    "We don't spend too much time with neighbors. New York inhospitality, as I said before. People living right next door to you might just as well be living in Siberia. And I don't wish to be exonerated; we're just as guilty."
    "I don't think things are that bad. Mr. Chazen's visit proves otherwise right here in our own building." She smiled. "It's a matter of actively seeking communication."
    "How courageous," replied Gerde with a note of sarcasm.
    Allison frowned and turned to Sandra. "Have you lived here long?" she asked. She fidgeted while waiting for a response. The girl sat frozen.
    "Don't be alarmed if Sandra doesn't speak," boomed the deep voice from the kitchen. "She never does except to me- and only if we're alone."
    Allison puzzled that one out, then sat back on the ottoman and resolved to forgo any attempt to communicate with the mute. She turned away from the girl to see Gerde reappear with a cluttered tray.
    "Help yourself," Gerde offered as she set the tray on the glass table.
    "Thank you."
    Gerde removed the dangling cigarette from her mouth and ground it into an ashtray. "I meant to ask you," she said as she coughed.
    "Yes," replied Allison.
    "The crucifix you're wearing. Where did you get it?"
    Allison looked down. The darn thing was exposed. She preferred to have it hang under her clothes. "From my family," she replied.
    "Where was it made?"
    "I don't know. It was a gift." She placed it back beneath her sweater.
    "It looks French."
    "It just might be. As I said, I don't know."
    "I see," said Gerde curtly. "I admire beautiful things, especially crucifixes." She reached inside her blouse and removed one of her own, slightly larger than Allison's and by appearance ancient, belonging to an era of more mystical opulence. "I acquired it in Hungary. It was made in the eleventh century by Slavic monks."
    Allison leaned forward. "It must be worth a fortune."
    "Perhaps, but more than monetarily, as you might guess. Are you religious?"
    She paused, then answered, "No."
    "We are, so we find it difficult to reduce the meaning of a Christ to dollars and cents."
    Sandra nodded slowly.
    "I'm sorry," said Allison apologetically.
    "There's no need to be. Religious sentiment in this day and age in New York is like hospitality and the word 'neighbor.' Virtually extinct." She stared at Allison intently. The cross dangled from her neck.
    "May I take some coffee?" Allison asked, nervously licking her lips.
    "Of course. That's what it's there for."
    Allison leaned forward, selected a cup, poured the coffee, added a tablespoon of