The Master

By Elaine Waldron

Jennifer Logan is trying desperately to move on with her life, after a failed and disappointing marriage. However, she is not only having trouble sleeping nights, but she is having disturbing visions of the most beautiful man she’s ever seen. She tries to dismiss the dreams, but they become more and more persistent, and she feels she is losing her mind. She finally confesses her fears to her boss, David Miller, who also desires to be her boyfriend. David introduces Jennifer to his father, John, who happens to be a Baptist preacher. Soon, Jennifer is attending church with David, and David and his father are trying to help Jennifer sort out the reasons for her dreams. Then one night, the mysterious man materializes, kisses her passionately, and then disappears. She is shocked to realize that he is not only real, but she is falling in love with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine Waldron
• Release date: Feb 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458108432

Elaine Waldron

Elaine Waldron began her career as a novelist with Publish America, publishing her first two books with them. Aside from her novels, she has had numerous short stories published in various magazines and anthologies, such as Amazing Journeys and Trail of Indiscretion, winning best story based on cover art for issue #4. She was a newspaper journalist earlier on in her career, but shortly after leaving the newspaper, she began selling her short stories.Her favorite authors are: L.J. Smith, Stephen King, Stephanie Meyer, Jack Engelhard, and John W. Cassell. She enjoys Shakespeare and her favorite poet is Rainer Maria Rilke, and she mostly reads and listens to his works in German.She is an advocate for preserving our planet, believes in God, and recycles. Loves animals and has two cats.

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The Master

Elaine Waldron

Copyright 2010 Sandra Elaine Waldron

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction.

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I

Suddenly interrupting what had been a very peaceful slumber, a blinding, spiraling light appeared. Jenny Logan tossed fretfully, turned and made an attempt to wake, but some unknown force held her captive, thrusting her back to just below consciousness.

This overpowering phenomena wasn’t new; she had experienced it before – always in her sleep. A somewhat soothing masculine voice called softly to her, Jenny … Jenny …

What do you want? her voice quivered. "Why are you here? What are you?"

The voice called again and did more than speak her name. It made a statement that would haunt her for some time to come, Jenny Logan, it is out of great love for you that I am here.

Her eyes popped open.

A shimmering phosphorescence slowly took on solid form, rolling and turning upon itself until it was the outline of a tall man.

Outside the figure a vivid-red glow pulsated like a heartbeat. Muscle covered bone and flesh covered muscle. Large eyes were at once crystal-blue. Flaxen hair radiated with platinum iridescence.

She was in complete awe as he reached long arms out to her and bid her to come. Sweet Jenny …

No! Get away from me! Go away!

No heed was paid to her objections. You must not be afraid. Come … Come to me!

No! she shrieked, realizing she was awake and sitting up in bed. Then the light was gone – and so was he! She rubbed her eyes and whispered, Shit!

No circumstances under heaven or in hell were going to allow her to go back to sleep. She briskly tossed back her covers, left her bed and switched on her bedside lamp. The small rhinestone-encased digital clock on the nightstand told her it was five-fifteen a.m. – the exact time the dreams had previously come to her. With shaking hands she donned her pink cotton robe and hurried to the kitchen for her instant coffee.

Had it not been for the dream she would have slept in ‘till seven; she didn’t need to be at Safeway until eight. Now, she had two hours to drink coffee and ponder her dream before reporting in.

David Miller piled the last twenty-five-pound sack of dry dog food on the stack by the Coca Cola machine. He glanced over at Jenny, thinking she seemed unusually nervous today, then checked his Timex. Ten minutes before Jenny’s break. Gloria was in back stocking canned goods. He would call her up to relieve Jenny.

He slipped into the little six-foot by five-foot glass-encased room he laughingly referred to as his office and paged Gloria to come up front. The bleached blonde bounced up to the cashier window and asked David what he wanted. When he told her to relieve Jenny, she winced and started cowing her gum.

Thought I told you to keep your mouth shut when you’re chewing that garbage?

Sorry, Dave, she said unenthused.

Why am I cursed with this ding-a-ling? He wondered. If you can’t do as I ask, you’ll find yourself standing in line at the Texas State Employment Commission waiting for you paychecks.

She puckered up her thick lips, frowned, decided she’d better not tempt him and replied, Right. She reluctantly relieved Jenny at the register.

Like some coffee, Jenny? David poured himself a fresh cup of the steaming brown brew. Just made it.

Maybe I will. It smells good.

He found Jenny’s quiet manner most attractive. She wasn’t like a lot of women, not exactly shy, just almost. Although it was against company policy, he had been aching to ask her out for some time. If they were discrete, maybe no one would notice.

He was hopeful. However he would have to ask her first. He handed her a full cup and eased down opposite her, studying her intently.

She averted her moss-green eyes and stared off at the bone-white teapot clock on the wall. Her slender hands trembled noticeably.

Something wrong, Jenny? He peered at her over his mug, warm steam rising in his eyes.

No … her voice trailed off as though she were deeply contemplating something.

Look, he said and took a sip before continuing, if you don’t mind my saying so–? You aren’t yourself today.

Her long lashes fluttered and she looked back at him. She hadn’t realized her depression was so apparent. I am sorry. It’s nothing … really. There wasn’t any way she could tell him she was depressed because of her stupid, senseless dreams. Why, he could think she was more than off kilter. Just down right nuts!

Maybe, he said slowly, what you need is an evening out with the boss? Boy! Does that sound like corn! Or what?

Her jaw dropped. She could have caught a fly. Obviously, he was the last person she would have expected to ask her out, especially with company rules forbidding it.

He found her reaction amusing. Don’t look so startled. You are a very … pardon the expression … ‘hot’ lady. Any healthy, red-blooded male in his right mind would be crazy to not want to take you out…. How’s about a movie?

I … I don’t know. She blushed at the term ‘hot’.

You have other plans?

No, she answered along with a shake of her head and a far away look.

She had not dated since she and Tom were divorced more than a year prior. She’d been so in love – but he had been impotent, something she had not been prepared to cope with. What made matters worse: he had tried to pin the blame on her, saying she wasn’t capable of understanding a man’s needs. What finally saved her self-esteem was an accidental meeting with Tom’s ex-wife, Paula. It was then Jenny learned that Paula had had the same problem. The knowledge hadn’t saved her marriage, but it did save her sanity.

Here she was, a woman of twenty-six and didn’t know what it was truly like to be made love to. All she knew was what she’d read and had been told. She felt cheated. Yet, it was against her religious convictions to go out and sleep around just to relieve physical needs and satisfy her curiosity. It was a problem that was hell to live with and much too private to tell.

Jenny, David’s tenor voice brought her back to the present. Well? Is it yes? Or no? Want to take in a movie tonight?

Perhaps a little companionship was what she needed. Yes … I think I’d like that.

A huge grin covered his face and he told her he thought that was great.

She smiled faintly.

Pick you up at eight. He stood and set his empty cup by the coffee pot. Got to get back to work. You still have five minutes, though. Just as he was about to pass through the doorway, he turned back around. Take your time. With a cheerful wink, he went on.

She nodded as though he was still standing there, and she hadn’t really heard. She was seeing the awesomely handsome man with those blue, blue eyes beckoning her to come. Who and what is he?

After a slow and surprisingly sweet good night kiss, Jenny slipped into her apartment and softly closed her door, not bothering to switch on lights.

The amber and blue digital sign across the street on JIM’S LIQUORS AND WINES lit up the small living room enough for her to see her way clearly past her desk and her computer and into the kitchen. She paused at the table and pressed her fingers to her lips, remembering David’s gentle kiss – not too harsh, not overly tender – but pleasant and unhurried.

Their date had been more entertaining than she had anticipated. Both had enjoyed the science fiction movie. The evening had been a welcome change, actually relief, from Jenny’s usual lonely nights surfing the web until she was bored or reading a paperback or watching an old romance classis on basic cable. Oh … well. Work tomorrow, she muttered to herself.

David poured himself a nightcap, plopped heavily into his green-leather lounge chair and propped his feet up on the matching stool. Jenny had been dressed really cute in red jeans and a simple white blouse.

He liked her auburn hair loose and fluffy, free to dangle over her shoulders, not pulled back severely in a ponytail. He thought that she would do well wearing it that way all the time.

But what was so heavy on her mind? He took a long sip of his drink, letting it wash over his teeth before swallowing. He had hoped that she would open up and talk to him, but every single time he had made an attempt, she managed to change the subject. Almost uncanny, it was. Disheartened, he sighed. "Oh well. At least she’s agreed to see me again Friday night for bowling. Maybe she’ll open up to me then.

No matter what Jenny did, she could not fall asleep – too afraid to dream again. She rolled out of bed and went for a glass of cold milk and a couple of peanut butter cookies she’d picked up from the bakery. She settled down on the sofa, taking a bite of the first cookie, hoping to relax. It was winter, but the room was unusually hot. Stifling. She rose and turned on the AC. Just as she did, she thought for a fleeting moment that she saw the man in her dreams. Startled, she fell back against the wall, crumbling the second cookie in her hand and dropping it to the floor. The white curtains flapped from the breeze wafting up from the vent. Maybe that was what she had actually seen?

"Talk about stressed out!" she shrieked. I’m paranoid! She gulped her milk down and returned to bed.

The phone was rudely caustic as it suddenly roused Jenny from a deep sleep. She frowned at her clock as though blaming it. Seven! Who would be calling on her day off? Unless … Mother! Only her mother would be so thoughtless. Jenny almost knocked her Nokia phone to the floor, catching it right before it landed. Yes … Mother?

And how did you know it was me? Mattie Sims asked in her somewhat girlish voice.

Because you’re the only person I know who would phone me at seven in the morning! On my day off! she added.

Well … a long pause, you don’t have to be so rude. Even if it is your day off – especially – if it’s your day off, you should be getting ready for church.

Mother! Service isn’t until eleven. Besides, we’ve been through it all before. A million times, at least. I do not like that church you are so bent on dragging me to. Everyone there is holier than thou and, frankly, that kind of pious attitude, I can definitely live without.

May the Lord forgive you, Mattie blurted, as though Jenny had uttered some unforgivable blasphemy.

See there. Precisely what I am talking about. They have you hook, line and sinker. No, Mother. This is my day off. I want to sleep and hang loose. You know … take it easy.

Jenny …

"I am going to turn my phone off, now. Bye! She promptly placed her phone by the clock. She was too upset to manage any more sleep. Instead, she dressed, went to the kitchen and ate a bowl of cornflakes, took a Geritol and, after gathering her newspapers from the front door, sat on the sofa to read … the funnies. Everything else was war, rape, poverty or violence. She didn’t need any of that. She settled for Garfield.

Dressed for the day, Jenny was searching for something to thaw out for her dinner when the doorbell rang. She slammed the freezer door shut and went to answer the bell. She was surprised to see David standing at her door grinning from ear to ear.

He appeared the complete nerd, dressed in a dark brown suit, beige cowboy hat and dark sunglasses, looking like a slightly misguided want-a-be Texan, but missed the track by about a mile. Somehow that cowboy hat just did not suit his dorky but cute, book-worm face. She stifled the urge to giggle.

Hi! he said in his geeky but polite manner. I know I should have phoned first. But I just left church and thought you might like to have lunch with me someplace…. You haven’t had lunch, have you?

No, she said, staring at that hat. If he only knew how out of place it looked on his head. As a matter of fact, she said slowly, I have been trying to decide what to thaw out. Best for her to focus on something else or she would burst out laughing.

How’s about a nice juicy steak from Black Angus? He said, realizing she was staring at his hat. He quickly removed it and held it to his chest.

Better, she thought and put her hand to her mouth to hold back a giggle. She turned so he couldn’t see. Sounds like a winner to me. Come on in while I change into something nicer than these old jeans.

You look good enough to me, he said, following her into the living room.

She turned back around and gestured to herself. Are you kidding? I can’t go in these worn-out jeans and this ragged sweatshirt.

Whatever, he said cheerfully. But you still look fine to me.

Later at Black Angus when Jenny and David had finished their meal, Jenny sighed pleasantly, smiled into David’s anticipating face and said, Everything was absolutely delicious, David. Really hit the spot. I was starving. She gently shoved her plate away. I couldn’t force down another bite, if I had to.

Should have invited you before. In fact, guess I should have asked you to church.

She waved a hand in protest. Please! Spare me, will you?

He coughed a nervous, nerdy cough. Her reaction had surprised him. "I said something wrong?’

Church, David. You said church. Please … let’s not go there.

He took a sip of water and set his glass down, fingering the stem of the crystal.

Sorry, Jenny. I realize we may not share the same religion, but you act as though it was the worst thing I could have suggested. Why is that? His eyes held hers. He looked somewhat offended. Don’t you believe in God?

Now she had done it. She had gone and injured his feelings. Not what she had intended. "Sorry. Guess that was a bit harsh. I am really sorry. It is simply that every Sunday morning I go through this ‘you should go to church’ scene with my mother. It is driving me nuts and getting very old. However … to answer your question. Yes! I do believe in God! That there is a supreme being. I know there has to be something. Otherwise, with all the evil in the world, everything would be absolute chaos. Something protects us from complete annihilation. There has to be a God."

I, too, apologize. I had no clue that I would be touching a nerve in mentioning it.

Her lips formed a smile. It’s okay. Let’s forgive and forget. Okay?

Though he said it was all right, he really did want to know more. Perhaps later, he would question her. He changed the subject.

After David drove Jenny home, she invited him in and they watched television the rest of the afternoon, occasionally discussing minor problems and some of the gossip migrating around the store. He deliberated her delicate features and decided she could be the incarnation of Venus, if he had believed in such things.

Acutely aware that he had his eyes on her, she blushed deeply and averted hers. You are shy, aren’t you?

Pink turned to crimson. A little.

I think more than a little, he mused. Suddenly it appeared that the nerd was the one with the advantage. It was almost as though he found it enjoyable.

He discovered a new kind of courage and slipped his arm around her neck.

She turned almost purple.

He sat back. I can’t believe this! Not you!

She wondered what had happened to the nerd of a few minutes back.

Weren’t you married before?

Yes ... She turned quizzical eyes to him. Why?

How can you be so shy? Not that it doesn’t sound appealing. It is. I find it delightful.

She wasn’t about to tell him – although she had been legally married – she hadn’t been physically, that the sex experience was still a mystery to her. She was well aware of what a man looked like and how much her body ached sometimes for that unknown experience, but the secret of it remained completely elusive. She didn’t answer.

They had known one another for two years. Yet, it was only now that David was truly beginning to see there was much more to Jenny’s quiet manner than he had anticipated. Her repugnance at the mention of church had really thrown him. His own father was a Baptist preacher, something he had always been proud of. He certainly wasn’t going to blurt out the information, now. If they were to continue seeing one another, sooner or later, she would find out. He went to church regularly when he wasn’t working. He tried to arrange his schedule – with as much consideration as possible for the other employees--so that he could attend most Sundays.

His dad often consulted him over sermons, a fact that he was proud of. Something he would like to tell her, but shouldn’t now. His impulse was to wait in probing for answers to her reasons. But he suddenly decided to ask anyway. Jenny ... he started cautiously.

She rolled her eyes to him. Yes?

This morning ... he guardedly broached the subject, you said you do believe in God. If that is so, why are you so adamant about not attending church?

An obvious red tinge of anger came to her face. I told you. My mother ...

You did tell me about her. At the risk of making you angrier, something I really do not relish, would you please tell me why?

Look ... she continued with more fervor than previously, It’s cool that you like church and attend. You love it. Obviously, it suits who you are. And that’s not a bad thing, she added. But what is good for you is not necessarily good for me. I have absolutely nothing against your liking it. And I do not have anything against anyone else who wants to go. I do not care if you’re Jewish, Moslem, Baptist, Catholic or a Buddhist monk. Just leave me out!

Such biting words from anyone else would have sent David packing, for they were hurtful to him. Coming from Jenny, though, was different. He was compelled to understand. Please don’t get me wrong, here. I am not trying to drag you to my church. I would simply like to know why. I honestly want to understand.

She stared at him for some time, pondering his need to know. Finally, she spoke, David ... I truthfully do not know ... exactly. I just know I get this out of place, strange feeling every time I step foot inside a church – like there is something vastly wrong – that all is not as it should be. Call me nuts, if you want. I can’t help how I feel. Now that she had it out, she actually felt somewhat relieved.

Can you be more specific? He could see the irritation rising again. No. Please don’t take me wrong. I just really like you. I feel like I have to know.

She blew out air. I don’t know if I can explain. Please don’t ask me to. She stood and went over and turned off the television, manually.

Is that my cue to get my ass out of here? He rarely used such language. For some reason, it just came out. Maybe he was more upset with her than he realized.

What? She spun around.

You stood and shut off the television. And the remote is right here on the sofa. Does that mean you want me to go?

Oh! Her hand went to her mouth. No. I didn’t mean anything.... You don’t have to leave. She removed her hand, realizing her words were muffled. See how this gets me all riled? She grabbed the remote to turn the television back on.

It’s okay. Never mind. Leave it off, if you want? Wasn’t really anything on worth watching.... Jenny, I like you a lot. One hell of a lot. I want to understand your reasons and your feelings.

She scrutinized his face. Why does it matter so much?

Well ... For one thing, my dad is a Baptist preacher.

Oh?

He put forth a hand. Don’t jump to conclusions, now. I have no intentions whatsoever of trying to convert you. Honestly. He spoke to wary ears. He met her in the center of the room. She went to back off. No, Jenny. Please! I am deeply involved in my dad’s church. And liking you as much as I do ... Well ... I just don’t want us to have problems because of it. I need you to understand where I am coming from, as well.

She pondered his words momentarily.

"Okay. I can understand a little ... your side. Guess if I were you, I would be saying the same things. For my sake, though, if you like me