Lives On the Line Where Dreams Are Found and Lost

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

The River's Edge
Early Afternoon, Sunday 20 September

I left the school house this morning, telling Kaeli that I would be over to the park once I finish mending the Wilson's wagon axle. How Mrs. Wilson managed to nearly crack it in two is beyond me. The work is almost finished, so I step outside into the cool autumn air and look out over the river. Work has slowed of late. I have still stayed rather busy, however, thanks to Sid's misfortune of having a strength of which he is not fully conscious.

I take a deep breath and smile a little. It is quiet. Something on the outskirts of town has been very loud at night, howling murder and rage into the sky. I can only imagine that it is either a god or some other creature-- a were-beast or something equally as base and unclean-- has moved close to Excolo.

Looking down the bank along the water, I see Laurence sitting on a tree stump. He seems to be staring at the river, but the longer I look at him, the more I realize it is not the river that has his focus. Rather, his focus is far more internal. Quietly, I walk over to him and smile a little more. It has been quite sometime since we last spoke.

"Brother," I say softly in greeting.

[OPEN to Laurence]

Comments

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

Excolo has always been small. Too small to warrant a second church, especially since the current one is more or less non-denominational. Excolo has grown considerably, though, and perhaps a second church would be good to have in times like these.

"You mean a Catholic church?"

I do not know how long it has been since the last church of that faith in this area faded away, but I know there is not one in the towns and lands that surround Excolo.

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

I shake my head and make a negative humming sound.

"Mnh-unh, no. There aren't enough Catholics left in the world to fill a church, I don't think. And what I've come to believe doesn't fit with everything they stood for. No, I think just a regular Christ-following church." I look at him and smile a little. "So, what do you think?" I want to ask him what he thinks of Kate and I, of what happened, but I can't bring myself to do it. What if he says he doesn't think there's a chance of reconciliation? It's certainly the smart thing to think. Besides, I shouldn't be worrying about that. Shouldn't be wanting her back. It's just better this way.

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

I nod my head and smile. "I think it would be good to have another church here." I do not voice it, but I feel the Abbey, while full of good and well-meaning people, has not been active enough lately. I feel I have not been active enough. "If there is anything I can do to help, I will do it."

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Brother," I say. "I will certainly call upon you if needed. I'm glad you think it will be good. After all, your approval is important." I do not think of who else's approval matters. Not one bit.

[cain-excolo.livejournal.com]

"As is your work. This town needs people to start actively doing good deeds. I have not done as much as can be done, so, truly, I am at your side with this."

And to start, I will confront the two so-called women of my past regarding Laurence's dream.