Alliance of Friends

Chapter 32

Delicate colors of Sunset

Carol and Julie who share a love, decide to share friendship and their lives -- 2006

But you and I have been through that

and this is not our fate

so let us not talk falsely

the hour is getting late –

Bob Dylan – All Along the Watchtower

Jimi Hendrix Experience -- Electric Ladyland

Alliance of Friends

“Carol let me give you a hug, I was so glad the boys could make it home to see Max before he passed. They have been so precious to us.”

“Shiloh and Brent wanted to be here, they got here as quickly as they could. They came together and will be leaving soon; Brent has to get back to school and Shiloh has a job but is still taking classes. They will both be back at Christmas; we will have you over then to hear about their lives.”

“Shiloh and his computer stuff, I never have any idea what he is talking about, but I enjoy his trying to explain it to me.”

“I’ll be over, if you need anything call me.”

-

“My two grown boys, so tall so strong. Come back home when you can.”

“I’ll drop Brent off at school and then leave the car at the airport. We will both be back at Christmas. I think Tiff will come.”

“Tiff?”

“Tiffany but she prefers Tiff, we’ve talked of getting married. We wanted to tell you about it at Christmas.”

“I am surprised, you haven’t mentioned Tiff. There was Kelsey, Kathy, and Kasie, did you grow tired of K’s?”

“That was just coincidence. Tiff and I haven’t been together a long time, but we feel we have a special relationship.”

“I will be pleased to meet her. Thank you for coming.”

“Max and Margaret were always our grandparents here in Franklin.”

“Lawrence tells me you’ve interviewed with the firm.”

“I’ve done well at law school; I have the family tradition. They like UChicago grads. I can work there if I choose to. I think I will.”

“You’ve both made me very proud, I do miss you. I understand how Max and Margaret felt, proud but sad.”

“Mom we miss home, but we must go. A family hug.”

-

“Hello Carol, I’m Julie. I am sure you identified me. I am easy to pick out here. I feel like an Andorian at a convention of pink skins.”

“Pleased to meet you, Star Trek?”

“Yes, Mark loves it. He has watched all of them I believe. He told me you were a Star Trek fan.”

“When I first came, I watched the original series as reruns late at night. I enjoyed the Kirk Spock McCoy interaction.”

“Everyone here is a close friend it seems.”

“Everyone has known each other all of their lives.”

“Not me of course I’ve only been here once, Mark and I came back at Christmas it was in 96. We had been in South East Asia for an extended period. We were granted a long leave.”

“I did not meet you then it was one of the few times we went to Chicago for a Christmas there. “

“How long will we be here?”

“A long time I’d guess, would you like to come with me. We could talk and Mark can come over when they are done reliving the old days. They were good days.”

“Please I would like that.”

“Be right back”

“Ruth you have enough help to clean up? I was going take Mark’s wife back to my house where we could talk.”

“Yes, there are too many people, go ahead.”

“Excuse me, I need to interrupt. Mark, I am taking Julie over to my house so she can relax. It has been a hectic few days. I don’t think she has any old Franklin stories to share. Come over when you’re done here.”

“I’ll drop by later, Carol.”

'We can go now. Mark will come pick you up later.”

-

"This is a lovely house. "

“Come in would you like something to drink. I can offer water and wine. I could make coffee or tea.”

“Water and then wine would be nice.”

“Why don’t we go sit on the porch and enjoy this beautiful fall day. Max would be embarrassed he died during harvest time. All his friends and neighbors having to take a break from harvest to pay their respects.”

“Did you know Max well?”

“I did; he farms part of the farm and managed the Parker and Greene cowherd. He looked upon me with skepticism when I came. Max was too polite to say anything, but I always felt as drove away he was shaking his head. I worked hard and started earning revenue on fruits and vegetables; he began to see I wasn’t living in some opium dream from Alice in Wonderland. He began defending me when someone would bemoan the hippie commune that that Parker girl was starting. He would say I was making a living on my own, because I was smart and worked hard. He was a fair man; he was faithful and a regular in church. He and Margaret were neighbors and grandparents to my sons. He was a real farmer stayed close to the farm.”

“He was fair to me. Mark had sent a letter and some photos. Max and Margaret weren’t caught by surprise when we came. They tried very hard not treat me as any different. Of course, I am black as midnight. I know we all felt awkward at times. It was easier in DC we were all blended there. Mark said they had asked about children, they thought it would be hard on the kids. They had a very 50’s attitude. I suppose maybe it was better for them there would be no children. Our careers meant children wouldn’t have had much parenting even if I had been able to have them. I am glad they got to enjoy your sons.”

“I didn’t know you couldn’t have children. I thought it was a choice. The boys put pins on a map at the Greenes; they would read about the countries you and Mark were in. It was a demanding life I’m sure.”

“I have learned travel isn’t necessary to have a demanding life, you have accomplished a full life here. I’m going to tell you what only Mark and my mother know. The reason I can’t have children. I want to tell you because you understand the world where Mark became Mark.”

"You don't need to if you want to stay private."

“No, we need to build a no secrets held back relationship. My father was from the Congo, now Democratic Republic of the Congo. He worked for a large mining company when he came to the U.S., then joined an international bank. He was assigned to go work out a contract when Mobutu was in power. I was fifteen. He wanted me to accompany him back to see his homeland. I was already fluent in languages; I was eager to put my skills to use. My mother didn’t want me to go. My father said it was as safe as  when i was in New York. The Congo is about the same size as the area contained in the Louisiana Purchase. My father had to take a long trip out away from the city we were in. He hired security to guard me and left. There was much corruption then. My team left and was replaced by another. These men raped me; they threatened to kill my father and me if I ever complained. They told me it was simple to fake a robbery by bandits or an attack by communist rebels on the way to the airport. I was traumatized and frightened, my language skills only meant I fully understood their intentions and their threats. I was quiet and we got home. At home I hid away. I ignored my symptoms even though I had an ectopic pregnancy. I nearly died in my bedroom. My mother found me and accompanied me to the hospital. I survived. I could never get pregnant. I was sure I would never let a man be near me, ever touch or befriend me. Mark and I worked together in Asia for four years. Technically he was my supervisor, but we were often on separate projects. He was dedicated, kind and gentle. I grew to appreciate that very much when we were back working out of the same office. One day I asked him to walk through a park and grab lunch at a stand I liked. We sat and talked. I said I had avoided men for many years, I was still traumatized. I wanted him to invite me to do things together. He said isn’t that a violation of policy. I told him, it was OK, I was the one asking. I warned him I wanted companionship I wasn’t sure if anything else. He said it would be nice not to be alone. I could call the shots on how a relationship progressed. He is amazingly powerful, a very handsome man for a white man. I came to trust him. I desired and loved him. I told him of my terrible experience of rape. My mother and I never told my father. Mark became even more precious to me. He told me of his detour back home and this wonderful woman. I told him I understood his love for you, and I would flourish in his present love. He need not hide or pretend he didn’t still love you. I haven’t discouraged him from coming home. We both thought our work was important. It was. You completed Mark. You were a perfect couple, but you sent him to save our world. A most unselfish act. I love you for that.”

“If he had stayed, it would have always been a life of regrets. He would have found a full life here, but it would always be tinged by what he might have done. I have a full and complete life. I have no regrets, but I do miss Mark.”

“it is lovely here on your porch on a day like this.”

“It is so lovely here I often come and sit, even on days not as lovely. I will refill our glasses if you would like?”

“Thank you both water and wine if possible.”

“I think there is more happening here than you can hear and observe in your city. Listen to it as I keep us from dying of thirst.”

“Thank you, Carol, it is calm and peaceful here. One could easily slip into a serenity. A moment like this can heal souls. I understand Mark better, how calm he is. He must be able to live in moments like this. He never swears. It is most unusual in some of the hectic times we experienced.”

“No, he doesn’t but there are plenty of people here who are very good at it. He surprised me, and I felt a little guilty when I did pop off a swear. His folks and my grandparents were very careful with words. I felt it was as if his emotions were too deep for swearing. Swearing would be a cartoonish mockery of his deep and silent thoughts.”

“He is a deep and silent river.”

“You are filled with proverbs, and you never lived in Africa. I am sorry you had such trauma when you were there.”

“My father was correct; it could have happened in New York. When corruption becomes rampant the weak suffer. I pretend it doesn’t exist, but it is something I wanted to share with my friend.”

“We have become friends. One thing I have learned from Ruth and the people at church like Mark’s parents is prayer. I do pray the ghosts and demons of my failures are corralled and do not ruin my present moments. I turn them over to Jesus when at a church service. Also, I add a little prayer not to slip up and swear in church.”

“My mother was very religious. When I have been in Franklin, I feel most at home in the United Methodist Church. It is difficult to feel this is home for me.”

“You are welcome here just enjoy the moment.”

“I sense the welcome of a true homecoming, calm, peaceful, and loving. thank you”





Lynne Jensen photo