Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 563(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
I stared at it. It was a mixture of white, blue, red, and purple.
I don’t know about that.
“The rice is dyed with the petals of mountain flowers.” He grabbed the wooden spoon in the bowl, scooped some up, and placed a small pile on my plate. “The rice doesn’t taste floral. The color is only for the visual effect.”
I inhaled the steam. “It smells like cooked flowers are on my plate.”
“That’s the other reason why I love it. When eating, scent is just as important as taste.”
I took a bite.
It was good, but I no longer had an appetite. I had so many questions for him. First, I wondered if he had cancer or a brain disease. Also, I hoped I could help somehow. I felt so powerless with Mom. For some reason, I wished I could make that up with him.
A man stepped through the courtyard’s circular entrance. He wore a blue robe and wooden cross. In his right hand, he held a leather briefcase.
Song headed over to Leo, bent over, and whispered in his ear.
Walking over, the monk set the suitcase next to me and then took his place by the other monks.
Leo frowned at Song. “Are you sure, brother?”
Song nodded.
“Unfortunately, our breakfast will be coming to an end soon.” Leo placed rice on his plate and put the spoon up. “Look in the suitcase and make sure it is all there.”
He’s really going to give me the money?
Life had been so fucked up for me. I wasn’t sure if I knew what a lucky break looked like. I damn sure didn’t know what it felt like.
All I knew was that butterflies jumped around in my stomach.
I set my chopsticks down, picked up the briefcase, and placed it flat on my lap.
Leo ate his rice and grinned. “Perfection.”
I snapped open the briefcase and lifted the top.
Holy Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and even more white people!
Money. Lots of it. Stacks of it. Filled the case in neat packs. I didn’t know what $75,000 looked like, but this was damn close. Even if it weren’t the amount, I would take it. This was a whole lot more than what I’d woken up with.
Thank you, God.
I opened my mouth in shock and gazed at him. “T-thank you.”
“Don’t forget my three promises.”
I shut the briefcase and gripped the handle, holding on to it for dear life. “What do you want?”
“Stand up.” Leo put his chopsticks down and rose.
Nervous, I did too, but still held the briefcase.
The women returned with our shoes and placed them on the ground next to us.
Leo raised his hands to the back of his neck and undid his necklace. “The first promise is that you must wear this, until it is snatched off your neck.”
I raised my eyebrows. “You want me to wear your cross?”
“Yes.” Leo walked over to me and placed it around my neck. “This is very important to me. Do not take it off, until it is snatched away.”
I wouldn’t lie. There was a moment where I feared he would snap my neck or choke me. This was just such an odd situation. I’d just met this stranger. He’d offered me food and a large amount of money, and so far, all I had to do was wear a necklace.
He snapped it close and stepped back.
I looked down and touched it.
Leo gave me a sad smile. “Press the side of the cross.”
I did. The cross was a locket. A picture of him and an older woman smiled back at me.
“That’s your wife?” I asked.
“It is.”
“She was beautiful.”
“She was.”
Song and the other monks got behind him.
Leo stared at the picture. “That stays there until it is snatched off. You don’t take it off yourself. You don’t leave it around.”
“Perhaps, I should make sure it doesn’t get snatched off either.”
His frown deepened. “Unfortunately, it is inevitable.”
“Why?”
“The second promise is just as important.” He folded his hands in front of him. “I know that you’ll want to take the money straight to the casino to give to Snow and. . .”
“Dutch,” Song added.
Leo continued, “Don’t go to them until you’ve gone to St. Paul of the Cross Church.”
I widened my eyes. “Okay. That’s the big church three blocks from here?”
“Correct.”
“Okay.” I swallowed. “Do you want me to give a message to somebody there?”
“Exactly.” Leo reached his hand up to the opened cross locket around my neck and closed it.
“Who do you want me to talk to?”
“From morning to the afternoon, they have an open prayer altar where all can come inside, light a candle, and talk to God.”
“Okay.”
“Therefore, go there and talk to God for me.”
I blinked.
“Tell God how sorry I am, and that I hope to be doing His work. I pray my sacrifices have been received as atonement of my sins. Beg him to save my soul.”
“So. . .you want me to pray for you?”