Gatherings II

-“How did you like last night’s lecture?” Danny asked to make casual conversation.

-“It was informative, although, my favorite lectures are the ones from the history professor. He is very knowledgeable.

I particularly liked the one on the Inca civilization, and how Hiram Bingham discovered the ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911. When I hear of those faraway places, I get the urge to travel there someday.

Can you imagine the excitement of such a discovery? Or even of the Spanish conquistadores, when they braved uncharted oceans and saw the new world for the first time? And of the loot they found too, as they filled the belly of cargo ships with chests full of gold?
One day I’d like to visit Machu Picchu. Hey! Maybe we can go together?” Ben offered that possibility.

-“Sounds like a plan. Have you prepared your lecture?” Danny said with a tentative smile.

-“No, but I’ll improvise, and play it by ear. I sure wish that I had access to my old textbooks. Which is your favorite author or book which radically altered you in some way Danny?”

-“I have lots of favorites, although when it comes to one that affected my views, I’d say that one is Dostoyevsky’s, “The Brothers Karamazov.” When I read how the general unleashed the dogs on the naked little boy to punish him for a minor infraction - and those dogs tore the eight-year-old to pieces right in front of his mother - I became enraged at the injustice, and the abusive use of force by those in power.” Danny said.

-“Sometimes life is stranger than fiction. Although, I prefer lighter fare. I like Melville’s “Moby Dick,” and Cervantes’ “Don Quixote.” I guess that is why I have the urge to travel and see the world. What I would like more than a cigarette, is to hold the tome of a good book in my hands.
I would caress each line, lovingly with my eyes. I'd consume every phrase with delight, as I would a strawberry ice cream cone, in the heat of July.” Ben said with nostalgia in his eyes.

Draping an arm around Ben’s shoulders, Danny said, -“We are very lucky Ben. We have some of the finest minds in our group, and the knowledge we partake in every night, is like a virtual encyclopedia at our fingertips. This reminds us of who we truly are.”

-“You are right Danny. I suppose that, that which does not kill us, can only make us that much stronger.” Ben said with steely determination in his eyes.

-“Hey lighten up. We should play the game of the most wonderful things we can think of. I was thinking of jasmine scent, blended with the essence of a beautiful girl. What about you?” Danny asked.

-“To me the most sublime scent is that of a freshly bathed baby. Or if you were to blend that, with the scent of family all gathered at a table, that would be just as wonderful.
Said table, laden with mouth-watering delicacies, and all gathered, from the little ones, to the eldest. I guess, it is the scent of home. There’s nothing like it Danny. You are still a young man, and hopefully one day soon, you will build again - your family.”

-“Do you have children Ben?”

After a pause, Ben says dryly, “Please don’t ask me that ever again.”

-“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.”


The quiet interlude which ensued was interrupted by the commotion outside. Danny quickly went to peek through the small window, to see what it was about.

-“More coming. They are being separated now.” Danny announced.

-“I don’t want to hear it Danny.” Ben said this as his calloused hands lightly shook. He looked down at his hands which had once made love, created beautiful paintings, lovingly held his newborn son, and now itched to destroy.

-“Danny, please come sit here and tell me about your bodybuilding days, and those sunny days at the beach, when the hot sun browned your skin. When you describe it so eloquently, I can almost imagine being there as a spectator. When I listen to you; I can almost feel that same hot sun thawing my body from this glacial cold.” Ben said as he was shaken by a coughing fit.

-“I can do better than that Ben! You said that you missed reading your books? Well, I’ve got news for you my friend. I stole a pencil from the shop, and scraps of wrapping paper. I have written several poems, which I hide under my mattress. I will share with you my poems.” Danny whispered this, as he ran to his cot to retrieve his little scraps of torn papers.

-“I’d love that Danny; you have no idea how much. Thank you.” Ben said with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

-“You’re welcome.” Danny said as he carefully handed the scraps of torn papers to Ben. Then he smiled the rueful smile which made his face handsome, and seemingly boyish.






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