Brother Al’s face fell.He seemed upset but didn’t want to raise his voice to a child.
“He’s actually a good friend of mine,” I said.“He’s just a little sick right now.”
Carol Anne nodded.
“That’s what my cousin says about everyone here,” Carol Anne said.“I know it’s hard on everyone with Daddy being gone, but my cousin says everyone’s a little sick.He says we gotta hold on until they get out of the funk.Is that right?Are you in a funk, mister?”
Brother Al considered her gently.
“You could say that,” he said.
“I sure do miss my Daddy,” Carol Anne said.“But it helps me when I pray and talk to him.You ever try that, mister?Praying to who you want to talk to?”
“I can’t say I have,” Brother Al said.
“It might help,” Carol Anne said.“Everybody okay?This room good enough?”
Nagi nodded.“This is acceptable,” he said.“I may have to ask for more privacy later, but for now, these accommodations are fine.”
“Great,” Carol Anne said.“I’m tired, so I’m going back to bed.When Uncle JJ finds your friends I’m sure he’ll bring them back here.Until then.I hope you guys have a good sleep.There’s linens and pillows and whatnot in the closet.”
And she left, closing the door behind her.
“How mature she is for her age,” Nagi said.“Ah, look at all these dolls on the walls.How remarkable.”
“How creepy is more like it,” I said.
“I saw an exhibit like this in Berlin, ages ago,” Brother Al said.“What a quaint memory, to resurface like it has.Rows upon rows of models.All lacquered.All polished.Hair and teeth…” Brother Al paused.“Stacey.Can I request something of you?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”I asked.
“Please put me in the closet,” he said.
“Didn’t you say earlier?—”
“I know what I said,” Brother Al snapped.“Put me in the walk-in and close the door.I have some thinking to do.I would rather not do it out loud, where you can see my face.”
“Are you alright, Brother Aleister?”Nagi asked.
“What was it the young girl said?”Brother Al asked.“I’m in a funk.It’s gotten substantially worse over the course of the last half hour.I would prefer to meditate on this alone, away from anyone who thinks they can interfere, as you all so often do.”
“I see,” Nagi said, mouth pursed.
“You get a few hours to rest,” I said.“In the morning we’re going to go to breakfast with everyone.You’ll wear sunglasses and some high SPF sunblock.Hopefully your mood will have shifted by then.”
“Whatever,” he said.
Nagi held open the door while I pushed Brother Al inside.Then we shut the door behind him.Nagi and I sat on a bed and stared out the window.The moon barely illuminated what looked like a cross stuck in a thicket of undergrowth on a hill.
“And now we wait,” I said.
“I’m not certain this is the best idea anymore,” Nagi said.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” I said.“We’re already in this too deep.”
“I hope the boys return soon,” Nagi said.
“I hope this works,” I said.
