Michael G. Cornelius - The Ascension

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The Last Sunday

VELVET? Velvet? Velveeeet.

Mmm.

Are you awake?

I am now.

Oh, sorry. Really? You were sleeping? How can you sleep at a time like this?

Ambien.

Oh. You have any more?

Sorry.

Thats okay. I dont think I could sleep even if I took a hundred pills. Im too nervous. Frankly, I dont know how you can sleep with only taking just one.

What time is it?

Two a.m.

Thats how I can sleep. Because its two in the morning.

Oh. Right. Sorry. Go back to sleep.

Rabinowitz felt herself drifting off again.

Its just that I dont see how any of us can sleep. But the priests are sleeping. I mean I think so. I can hear someone snoring. I wonder which one of them snores.

Abe

Do you think its Father Padua who snores? Thats okay. I wouldnt kick him out of bed for it. He is totally hot.

Abe

I mean, I know this is totally gross and inappropriate, but if I was like sixteen or seventeen I would so want to be his altar boy, if you know what I mean.

Abe!

Oh, sorry, I know, thats totally wrong to say. Its just thatits my stomach. I cant sleep with my stomach like this.

There are still a few slices of pizza left in the box.

Oh, its not that. Im not hungry. Im nervous . My stomachs all knots. You know.

Rabinowitz paused, sighed, and rolled on to her back, her arm thrown over her forehead. Yeah. I know.

I mean, Ive never done anything like this before.

Sure you did, Abe. You did it yesterday.

Yeah, but I mean this is important. Like life-or-death important. Like end of the world important. I dont know if I can do this.

You will. Youve got guts. Ive seen them. When the time comes, youll be prepared.

You think its a good plan? Ive been running the plan over and over in my head, wondering if its a good plan.

And?

I dont know. I cant think of any other plan, so I guess it must be good. Dont you think?

Its simple: we run in there, dart guns blazing, grab the scroll and get the hell out of there. Simple as pie. Yeah. Right.

I still think I should be the one driving the getaway van.

Rabinowitz did not totally disagree with this. I know, but Father Katanga needs to do that. It has to be one of the Order , in case

In case something goes wrong.

Nothing is going to go wrong.

Yeah, I know, but like, what if the scroll isnt there yet? Or what if we just cant run into wherever theyll be? What if we have to walk? Or what if they have guard dogs or something?

I dont think they need dogs, Abe.

You know what I mean, Velvet.

Father Padua and the others have done the necessary recon. Theres one entrance. Itll be tight but we can do it.

But what about

Abe. We can do it.

Yeah, I guess. I mean, its not like we have a choice, do we?

Rabinowitz sighed. She was wide awake now. No. No, we dont.

But what ifI mean, what happens ifwhat do we do if they get one of us?

We discussed that, Abe. You already know the answer to that.

Yeah, butI wouldnt want to leave you behind, Velvet. I mean, if I could, Id try to get you free.

Rabinowitz smiled softly to herself. That was nice of him to say, but she knew he meant it the other way. Dont worry, Abe, Ill keep my eye on you in there. Youll be fine. If only she could be sure. If only she believed any of them would be fine.

What are you going to do tomorrow? he suddenly asked.

Huh?

Tomorrow. I mean, we arent going to go anywhere until sunset, right? So what are you going to do?

Oh. I dont know. I hadnt thought about it.

It could be important, you know. I mean, it could be the last time

Abe!

Im just saying it could be. I mean, what are you supposed to do in a situation like this? Eat a really good meal? Pig out on chocolate?

How about getting laid? Rabinowitz suggested lightly, playing along.

Abe considered this. Naah. Too much work. Besides, Id have to take my shirt off. Surprised by this, Rabinowitz started to giggle. She was relieved to hear Abe was giggling as well. I hate doing that in front of people I dont know.

Still giggling, Rabinowitz suggested, How about the mall? We could max out our credit cards. We may not have to pay them off after tomorrow if the world ends.

Naah, Abe laughed. The mall in Chambersburg sucks.

What? Dont you have any good stores?

Not a one.

No Banana Republic?

Nope.

Really? Rabinowitz was surprised. What about a Lord and Taylors?

Dont have it.

Well, how about a Borders Bookstore?

Abe snorted. In Chambersburg? Definitely not.

Victorias Secret?

Abe laughed. How would I know if there was a Victorias Secret in the mall? I dont exactly shop there.

I dont know, you could always get something nice for Rabinowitz was about to say your girlfriend, but then remembered that was wrong, so instead she said, your mom.

Abe laughed loud at this. Yeah, I can see that. Here you go mom, heres a lovely peek-a-boo bra and panty set for Mothers Day.

Now Rabinowitz was laughing out loud. Well, at least you have to have a Gap.

Oh yeah, of course we have a Gap.

Good old Gap. You can always find a Gap.

Welcome to the Gap. Can I sell you some crap? Abe said in his best Valley-girl voice. Loud laughter ensued from the both of them.

Shh! Shh! Rabinowitz said between fits of barely-restrained giggling. Were going to wake up the priests! She listened as the chuckling died down between them. That felt good, she thought. She couldnt remember the last time she had laughed like that. She let out one last laugh, sighed, and smiled.

They grew silent.

I wish Cal was here, Abe said suddenly. I know it sounds stupid, but somehow, thatd make me feel better.

Me, too, Rabinowitz whispered, so soft that Abe could not hear her.

MAYBE we should call him, Abe said to Rabinowitz. They were eating scrambled eggs and wheat toast for breakfast.

Who? Rabinowitz replied, though she already knew who Abe was talking about.

Cal, he said. Lets call him.

Rabinowitz shook her head. Ive already tried, she said. Hes not answering his cell.

Its probably dead, Abe said. The two exchanged a significant look. Rabinowitz knew they were both thinking the same thing: that Cal himself may be dead somewhere.

Do you think hes right? Abe asked suddenly. Do you think theyre holding something back from us? He had lowered his voice, as the three priests were in prayer on the other side of the suite.

Rabinowitz shrugged. She usually trusted her detective instincts, but this time her instincts were telling her nothing. Maybe she was just too tired. I dont know, she finally said. You know more about all this stuff than I do. Do you think theyre on the level?

Abe considered her question. Several scholars have always wondered why the Gospel of Mark is so short and disjointed, he said. If it had been heavily edited, well, that could explain a lot. He thought about Rabinowitzs question some more. I guess everything Father Padua said made sense, he finally declared. But in the end I just dont know enough to say for sure.

Thats definitely what was bothering Cal, Rabinowitz mused. Hes always used to being sure, at least on something like this; but with everything that had been going on, and everything that had happened to him over the last couple of years, his confidence had been totally shattered. Maybe he would never be able to be sure about being a cop again, she wondered. Maybe that was why he left. Maybe.