Baal

By M.Ed. M.B.E Young Jr. Colville

Walter, a retired school teacher, is troubled by a recurring dream involving a bloody satanic ritual. He is invited to a museum featuring a collection of ancient artworks. Strange occurrences at the museum send he and his friends looking for a rational explanation. Their search leads them to India, where

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Jan 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9781684866540

M.Ed. M.B.E Young Jr. Colville

Retired Math teacher and Music director. B. Sc. (U.W.I.), M. Ed. (U.N.F.), numerous certificates in Theory of music, practical piano, and violin teaching.Awarded OBE by Queen Elizabeth for his years of service as an Educator & Musician in Belize.

Book preview

MEETING

Walter & Friends

It is a beautiful October evening. The hot temperatures of summer were now gone, and the harsh winter weather expected, was still over a month away. A pair of colorful lizards scampered back and forth playing tag among the windblown leaves littering the ground, whilst a mocking bird, perched on a branch above, looked on.

Walter Moore was extremely proud of his home. As a dedicated and hardworking school teacher, he had saved enough to purchase his own property, which he had worked hard at developing in his spare time. It was very time-consuming, purchasing and planting the many flower trees in his garden. The yellow flowers of the elderberry, his most recent purchase, contrasted very nicely with the tea roses and Virginia bluebells. He had planted a border of beavertail cactus, forming a hedge around the garden, with a large golden barrel cactus in each corner. He could hardly wait to observe their cherry pink flowers with their watermelon smell in late winter when they bloom.

Whilst he had met the oak trees already on the property, he had planted three maple trees, which were now very prominent fixtures. The sprawling colorful garden in the front with the silver maple flanked by a red and a black on either side towering over in the back. His own piece of the American pie. He did have a problem with a pest – a beetle that fed on the leaves of his plants.

I’ll have to research how to get rid of them without the use of poisonous pesticides, harmful to the environment, he thought.

Still, he looked proudly out at his back-yard, all done during his spare time from teaching, mostly on weekends. He was sure his expected guests would be pleased.

Teaching Mathematics in the government school system was somewhat challenging. Discipline was always a problem, especially so in today’s world. It was not entirely the kids fault though. Many of his came from dysfunctional homes. Many of their parents themselves lacked discipline. Still, he enjoyed teaching, and looked forward to going back into the classroom, and he was quite sure his beloved rascals would welcome him back. He always kept his classes lively and meaningful, and as a result, he was one of the few teachers they appreciated.

He had requested and received six weeks off from his school on long leave following the death of his father, and decided it would be an opportune time to invite some of his old friends over for some coffee and biscuits. His father had a very controlling personality. As a child, he was constantly criticizing everything he did and blaming him for everything that went wrong. It had resulted in him growing up lacking self-confidence, always hesitant in any undertaking, worried that something would go wrong.

Whilst he had been in constant touch with Jennifer, his old high school class-mate, he had not seen his old friend Father Grayson for some time now, and was really appreciative of him taking time off his busy schedule to visit him.

He hears a horn honk on the street outside. Right on cue, just as I had requested he said to himself. He goes out to the delivery van and receives the snacks he had ordered for the occasion from the local catering service.

He knew there was no need for worry about strong drinks, coffee would suffice. Father did not drink, and Jennifer only sparingly indulged in a glass or two of wine.

Jennifer was the first to arrive. Although she had never lost contact with Walter, this was the first time she was visiting his home. She had decided on moving to another state, renting an apartment closer to her job site, and as a result she no longer enjoyed direct contact with him. At least today she would be able to enjoy his warm, reassuring company once again. She walks up to his front door and knocks gingerly.

Knock, knock, who’s there? says Walter as he opens the door.

The little girl you were once in class with at high school, replied Jennifer.

Walter laughingly lets her in. Welcome to my humble abode!

Jennifer walks into the living room and looks around. Walter’s home was as lovely as he had described it. He proudly showed her around. All the necessary furniture and appliances present, but still lacking a woman’s touch, she thought The furniture and pictures, though lovely, are all arranged wrong. Heavier drapes in the living room would make it much cozier.

What a beautiful living room set, Jennifer exclaimed. The color and design are just so lovely. You do have good taste!

Oh, Thanks, Walter replies. I don’t have an eye for decorating. I just like the way the set looked at the store, so I bought it.

Remarkable eyes, now all that is needed is a woman’s touch to arrange things just right, Jennifer says out loud, then quickly added Perhaps you have an Aunt or female cousin who could assist with that.

Walter opened his mouth to say something, then thought the better of it and decided to remain silent, not sure whether she was making fun of him or subtly suggesting marriage. That was certainly not something he was contemplating at the moment. Jennifer, with a straight face, pretended not to notice, but was enjoying every bit of his awkward disposition.

Next, he showed her the dining room and kitchen. Jennifer, knowing Walter’s untidy tendencies from his teenage past couldn’t help but notice that the dishes and utensils were all washed and neatly stacked in their places.

Is this the way it is always in here, Jennifer asks, Or did someone do some emergency cleaning?

Walter, with a smirk, ignored the provocative question, instead suggesting that they return to the living room, as he thought he had just heard Father Grayson’s car arrive in the driveway.

Walter greeted his old friend at the door. As they shook hands, he marveled at his appearance. It seemed as if he hadn’t aged any since he last saw him. His body size hadn’t changed, unlike Walter, who had put on a little weight around the mid-section. He still had his innocent teenage disposition, even his hair style hadn’t changed. Father Grayson was an evenly built man, with very thoughtful and honest eyes. The firm grip of his handshake was indicative of his strong reassuring personality.

Good evening Walter, he says, So sorry about the death of your dad. I’d like to offer my deepest sympathies to one of my closest friends in person. Sorry I was out of the country and so was unable to attend the funeral.

Jennifer, who did attend, also sympathized with him again. Thanks, replies Walter, acknowledging their sympathies, and then proceeded to recount some of his experiences with his father. The most emotional occurred when his father lay dying in the hospital. It was only then that he realized how much they cared about each other. He had a love/hate relationship with his dad. His father may have been verbally abusive to him as a child, but his father’s outpouring of emotions and affection on his death bed made him realize that it was all about trying to mold him into being a successful man.

"He was a good man who tried to do the best for his family and children. He was a strict disciplinarian, but really cared for us; tough love. Many a time as a child, after completing my assigned chore, he would inspect it and almost always found some overlooked flaw. Correction? No sir, adjustments not allowed. You just had to do it all over again from the beginning. No compromising quality of work.

Yet, I still cherish those times we spent together, like the time he took me to a baseball game. I was able to see my then favorite team, the Chicago Cubs in live action, a very special occasion that would forever be etched in my mind," he says.

Walter had a melancholy childhood with few friends, making the time spent with his dad of even more importance to him.

Yes, your dad was a good man, Father concurred, having met and interacted with him in the past. He had a beautiful funeral. Many spoke glowingly of him. He always strove for the best.

THE DREAM

They next discuss their mutual interest in psychology and religion. I had this troubling dream last night, and as luck would have it, the best person to advise on it, a professional psychologist, turns up the next day at my house, Walter says.

Father Grayson opines, "Things just don’t happen by coincidence, there is always a greater significance. There are those though who do not believe in divine intervention. When such interventions occur, they chalk it up to coincidences. It is important to believe in the divine and not just hope for His help when one is in dire straits. When confronted with evil, one’s unwavering