Looking Backward from the Tricentennial

Chapter Nine

"Breathe in," Doctor Raymond Leete commanded. Julian, mildly amused they still hadn't invented a cure for a cold stethoscope, complied. The doctor listened, shifted the position of the metal disc on his bare chest, and repeated the routine twice more before pronouncing him in good health.

Julian was a little hungry after skipping breakfast, but not uncomfortably so, and Ray had kept him occupied all morning with a series of cognitive tests. He identified random objects on flashcards, read lists of various words, and went through a neuropsychological assessment. Some puzzles were entertaining, and others annoying. He worried about his errors, but the doctor confirmed everything was within the normal range for a man of thirty-four.

An electronic tone sounded in the background. Ray cocked his head. "Excuse me a minute," he said, "someone's calling in the parlor." He ducked out, leaving Julian to put his shirt back on, and returned a minute later. "It's actually for you," he explained. "Reverend Shaver would like to talk."

For Julian, it had been just a few days since the charismatic leader had preached a vision of a better future. As expected, Reverend Shaver had aged dramatically, but the holographic form in front of him was a fraction of his former bulk. Julian sank into the chair across from the reverend's projection, waiting to hear what the thin man had to say.

There was a brief pause before the expectant look on his weathered face softened into a radiant smile. "Julian West," Shaver said, "it's so good to see you again. Welcome to the tricentennial!"

Julian replied in kind and explained seeing the preacher shot was among his last memories. The scar tissue that knotted the left side of the nonagarian's face gave silent witness to the nearly fatal gunshots.

"Without your intervention, I might have been killed all those years ago," Shaver said. "I very nearly was, but you stopped those men from finishing the job. The reason I asked to speak with you is because I'm about to begin a fast—I'm going to give up food for three days. It's a fast for peace, and it has many aspects. One intention that I'm bringing to it, Julian, is atonement, and part of that is directed toward you. Would you, and Dr. Leete, do me the honor of having lunch with me on Wednesday, so I could break my fast with you?"

Julian didn't answer immediately; there was much to unpack in those sentences. Was Shaver asking for his blessing to do this, or was he just informing him? What was Shaver seeking atonement for?

"Of course we could," Ray answered for Julian. "My daughter, Idabee, told him about the fast for peace last night when she started her three days. She's quite the salesperson, apparently, because young West decided to skip his breakfast and lunch today."

"Oh," Shaver replied, then repeated, "Oh! Well, that's great; I look forward to seeing you in person in three days." He held up a small cracker before pushing it into his mouth. "Happy fasting."

"Happy fasting," Julian echoed.

"There's something else I'd like to ask," Shaver continued. "A reporter has been interviewing me for a story about the reparations rally. When she discovered that you'd recently awoken, she asked about getting some pictures of us together. If you're willing to speak to her for a few minutes, I'll ask her to come by for a few minutes, nothing more."

"I guess that would be okay," Julian said. The nonagenarian looked pleased at his answer. People will want your perspective. You'll get great publicity. Idabee had warned him this might happen, but he didn't want to disappoint Reverend Shaver; the man's fame left him a bit starstruck.

What was Shaver's relationship to the American Union, which had sprung up after the rally, addressed the triple evils he'd called out, and that he was now fasting with, even at his advanced age? Julian made an immediately relevant inquiry. "You're doing this for the same reason Idabee is, because of Gandhi?"