The Sleeping Serpent

The Sleeping Serpent - Chapter 7

The early morning light slipped quietly through the crack between the window frame and shade, jolting Luna into the present. "Oh my God, I have to go home." The sound of her own voice startled her, and dazed, she sat up asking, "What time is it?" She had been half asleep, her head on Nico's shoulder while he played guitar, lulling her.

"What is it, Luna? Why must you leave now?"

Her heart raced; she didn't know how she would explain this to Tyler. Standing up, she noticed all the colors were brighter and she felt keenly aware of everything around her. Unable to ignore the myriad of sensory experiences, she wasn't sure she could drive.

"Luna, you're panicking for no reason. Just call Tyler. I don't think you should drive. I'll make us breakfast."

She nodded and took out her cell phone, and saw she had a dozen messages from Tyler. Swallowing hard, she dialed home. When Tyler answered, she mustered a conciliatory tone. "Hi, honey."

Before she could say another word, Tyler gushed, "Oh thank God, Luna! I was so worried about you." A second later his tone changed. "So what the fuck? Where are you?"

He was furious, and Luna felt he had every right to be. She turned away from Nico as she replied, "I'm so sorry. Really. I can't explain everything now, but the ceremony was a lot longer than I ever thought it would be. I'll tell you all about it later, OK?"

Tyler sighed. "I guess."

"I'm sorry," Luna repeated. "Really. I'll be home soon, and I'll tell you all about it."

"OK."

"I love you."

Tyler grunted, "Yeah."

Luna hung up feeling guilty about leaving out that the ceremony involved only her and Nico, though she deemed it better left that way. She had never lied to Tyler, but she told herself there was no harm in omitting a small detail.

° ° °

Tyler didn't look up when Luna walked into the room, which meant he was still angry with her. She sat down in the chair facing his desk. "Honey, I really am sorry."

He glanced up only momentarily before pretending to be busy on his computer again. She continued, "I just had no idea how long the ceremony would take...Our cell phones were off...so I couldn't call or text. This was a ceremony Nico learned in Peru—a very sacred one." She paused to gauge Tyler's mood. Seeing his face still stoic, she implored, "Ummm...Had I known the time, I would have called...But there are no windows in the room. I just didn't know..."

He finally looked up. "I don't know what to say, Luna. I was so worried. That was very inconsiderate of you. I worried all night long, and didn't know if I should start calling hospitals or the police or what."

She hung her head. "I know. I'm so sorry. I don't know what else I can say."

"Well, you could say you'll never do that again."

Looking up, she saw his face had softened. "I promise."

Later, she texted Nico:

Everything here is OK. How are you feeling? I feel like a new person is inhabiting my body. It's wonderful. I hope this feeling lasts forever. I'll try to stop by later.

After a long shower, feeling refreshed and somehow newly reborn, she drove to her office. Though she felt an urgent need to go straight to Nico's, she had work to do.

° ° °

When she arrived at Amaru later, Nico called out to her from the office, "Luna, thank God. I'm confused about these." He waved a stack of envelopes in the air.