Alhamdulillah!

Chapter Four

An Endless Room

I

Two weeks later, Hosea flew to Nashville. He refused his manager’s advice and traveled by a commercial flight. He wouldn’t waste the opportunity by being in first-class or a window seat – he enjoyed being in the coach aisle and where the most foot traffic would be.

“Ladies and gentlemen…” the flight assistant spoke into the plane’s intercom. “We have an unexpected and exciting announcement! Thanks to Hosea being amongst the passengers, we will be serving Blue Dream on today’s flight!”

People looked around, hoping to find him, and anxious to taste the legendary blue liquid.

When the plane landed, every passenger on the plane had introduced themselves to Hosea, asked for an autograph, and thanked him.

He offered peace and serenity in a 20oz bottle, played music that overjoyed them, and made them each feel important.

When Solomon had advertised that Hosea would be his special guest, a crowd of fans and reporters swarmed the airport, causing a security team to escort him to the radio station’s black limousine.

Solomon held his index finger in the air as Hosea sat beside him with a microphone in his face. “This is going to be huge!” Solomon said at the beginning of the 30-second commercial break.

“You think so?” Hosea asked, lighting a cigarette.

Solomon followed and lit one for his own pleasure, then gave a quaint chuckle. “You really have no idea what you are doing to this country right now… do you, son?” Solomon responded. He lifted his finger into the air and flicked a switch, turning the red light on.

During the interview, Hosea laughed and carried on with Solomon as if they were the dearest of friends.

When they were beginning to wrap everything up, Solomon had the idea of accepting one phone call. “One person will be able to ask Hosea whatever they want,” he announced. He turned the phone to Hosea, showing numerous blinking lights. “Would you like to choose the lucky caller?”

Hosea leaned in and pressed the fifth light and Solomon introduced the call. “This is Solomon and Hosea, coming to you live on 106.9 KLLY. May I ask who is calling?”

A sweet and cheerful voice came through Hosea’s headphones. “My name is Delilah. Was I the one chosen?”

Solomon smiled. “Yes, sweetheart. What’s your question for Hosea?”

“Hi,” Hosea spoke into his microphone.

“Hi Hosea!” she exclaimed, “I’ve been a huge fan ever since Solomon had you on last year!”

“Wow!” he exclaimed. Hosea was impressed. “That means a lot to me, thank you so much!”

“No problem. I personally think you’re better without the saxophone and violin….”

Hosea laughed and cut her short. “Hey there! The saxophonist was a pastor; I wouldn’t go too hard on him, Delilah!”

Delilah apologized but stood by her statement. “Anyways, my question is… Did you always know you were going to be successful?”

“Absolutely not,” Hosea answered, then continued. “I’m supposing you’re wanting more than a two-word response, so I’ll tell you a story.” He leaned back in his chair, pulled the mic closer, and closed his eyes. “There was a man that had the power to make it rain. He would go wherever he could, call the clouds to rush in, and have them pour. One day, a large battle took place. People were dying left and right; devastation took over the city. Then, a fire started, and everything began to burn. The man came and called the clouds, but it took an immense amount of rain to seize the fire. The waters washed away the soldier’s camps and the city survived. But what he didn’t realize was the city was upon a hill and the waters flooded the village below. Do you understand the meaning of that story, Delilah?”

“I think so,” she answered. “I’m assuming it’s a metaphor on how responsible you need to be with your gifts?”

He opened his eyes and jolted towards the microphone. “Exactly! But did he not save the city?”

“Yes, but he destroyed the village.”

“You’re absolutely right again, Delilah, he did! But was it his responsibility to save the village? Didn’t he save the people he wished to save?”

“I…I guess so?” Delilah started to become confused.

“There should have been someone that saved the village. If it wasn’t going to be that flood, it would have been another. That’s the problem with making only one person the hero or the icon. We praise a person we don’t truly know and belittle our friends with dreams and aspirations. I don’t want to be looked at in that manner, like I can do everything – when there is someone in your life that deserves something as little as asking them a question on the phone. Maybe someone like your grandma or a friend you haven’t spoken to? Maybe you deserve someone to call you and ask you how you’ve been? That is true success, healthy relationships with the people you care about.”

Delilah began to say something but seemed tongue-tied.

“May I ask you a question, Delilah?” he asked. Hosea looked at the clock, knowing he didn’t have long.

“Sure thing. What’s up?” Delilah said, smiling.

“I’m not going to ask you what your dreams are, I wouldn’t dare put you on the spot like that. But, if you wouldn’t mind, can you tell me what you do best in this life with the least amount of effort?”

“Well…” she began. “… I’m a pretty good cook.”

“Oh, now Solomon and I are both interested!” he said and the three laughed.

“The quickest way to a man’s heart is his stomach,” Solomon replied and lifted his index finger in the air.

“Well, I suppose this is all the time we have. Solomon is giving me the signal to wrap up. But Delilah, you can change the world with your cooking if you want to. You just have to strive for it and let your gifts save the city – while another person saves the village with their gift. Thank you, again. God bless.”

Solomon flipped the switch and the red light turned off.

“That was great, Hosea,” Solomon said, taking the headphones off his head and lighting another cigarette.

Hosea stood and gave Solomon a hug. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all you’ve done, sir.”

“Ah, don’t mention it. You have something special, son. It was my honor to help you in any way possible.”

Hosea put on his jacket and started to head out of the station.

“Where are you going now?” Solomon asked.

“Samaria’s Icehouse,” Hosea answered while exiting through the glass doors.

II

The small town of Franklin was completely quiet. Hosea drove the rented sedan into the parking spot in front of the door, and there it was, Salome’s motorcycle.

He sat out in the sedan, working up the courage to walk to the door. “What if she snubs me? What if she tells me to leave?”

He found courage in the pit of his fear and walked inside of the tavern. There were only a few people eating dinner at the booths. Salome was opening a bottle of beer when she glanced at the doorway. When she recognized it was Hosea, she gave a subtle smile and turned back to the customer.

Hosea slowly made his way to the bar. Samaria’s was dark – only illuminated by the dim neon light.

“What can I get you, sir?” she asked nervously.

Hosea gave a quick laugh. “I’d really like a glass of plum wine.”

Salome, seeming relieved by his cool demeanor, gave a humbled smile, and replied, “I can do that.” She poured the chilled wine and placed it on the counter before him. “It’s nice to see you again,” she said.

Hosea wanted nothing more than to respond to her. He longed to tell her about all the lonely nights he had thought of her and how he never truly felt about someone like her before – but he couldn’t muster up the words. There was a trust broken between them, the initial chemistry had been diluted by time, bad memories, and pride. It was true that he remained completely vulnerable to her, but he didn’t dare show any physical sign of it. So, he remained quiet and drank from his wine glass.

“We heard you on the radio, earlier,” Salome said, hoping to keep the conversation alive.

“What did you think?” Hosea asked.

“I always knew you were going to be something big,” she replied.

“Then why did you let me go?” he asked. His mind was running in circles, he had regretted asking the question, even though it was the only thing on his mind. He was tired of the mystery, he couldn’t stand to not see the inside of the box.

“Because I knew you were going to break my heart,” Salome answered. She looked directly into his eyes.

“You’re right, Salome. I will in ways you’ve never thought possible,” Hosea agreed. He kept his gaze and slid over his empty wine glass. “How about another glass?”

Salome relaxed her shoulders, dropped her head, and filled the glass to the rim. “Yes, sir.”

“I want you to have everything in this world, Salome. Anything your heart desires, I want to be the person that gives it to you,” Hosea said.

Salome looked at him with heavy eyes and replied, “Unconditional love is all I’ve ever wanted.”

Hosea smiled and took her by the hand. “Then you shall have it.”

III

The stadium was packed with every seat being filled with roaring fans, waiting for Hosea to take the stage.

Spotlights slowly hovered above him as he walked to the center with his guitar. “Hi,” he said as everyone stood to greet his appearance. They all screamed his name, hoping he would look at them with favor.

An orchestra surrounded him, anxiously waiting for his guitar to take the lead.

Salome watched the show from a reserved suite. She wore a designer dress, expensive jewelry, a $20,000 watch, and her hair professionally done. Everyone spoke to her with such sincerity and attention, wanting to know everything about the woman that stole Hosea’s heart.

The suite was serving Blue Dream for over one-thousand dollars a bottle and everyone had it in their glasses. Salome smoked a cigarette and drank a beer, speaking to a group of people about the blue beverage.

“It’s hard to explain,” a man in a suit said, “the first taste is very bitter, and you want to spit it out. But after the first swallow, your whole mind changes and it’s the greatest thing you’ve ever tasted!”

The rest of the table agreed at the oddity, whilst sipping from their glasses.

“I haven’t had the chance to try it, yet,” Salome laughed, “and I’m sure not spending $1,200 for it.”

“You’re with its inventor! How could you not try it yet?” a woman exclaimed.

“Well, I’ve only been with Hosea for a month, and haven’t really been out of small-town Tennessee since, and there definitely aren’t any bottles where I’m from,” Salome responded while finishing off her beer.

“Well, if that isn’t the biggest cardinal sin I have heard…” a lady remarked then turned and asked a waiter to bring her a bottle.

“Oh, ma’am you don’t have to do that!” Salome held out her arm, her Rolex shimmering under the warm lighting.

“Oh, nonsense!” the woman gently pushed down her arm, “if I was told I was going to be drinking Blue Dream with Hosea’s lover, I would have been put away for thinking I was going insane! This is my absolute pleasure!” she spoke as the man poured the chilled blue liquid into a glass chalice and handed it to Salome.

The people at the table leaned back and watched her, as if her first taste of the beverage was the most precious sight they had ever seen.

Salome took the glass from the man.

“Well, go on!” the woman said. “At the count of three!”

The table began counting down loudly as Hosea played his seductive song, “1-2-3!”

Salome smiled and tilted the rim inside of her lip.

The man across her was right, it tasted horrible. Everyone began to laugh as they watched her grotesque facial expressions. “Swallow it!” they screamed in unison.

Salome opened her throat and pushed the putrid liquid down to her stomach, wanting nothing more than to throw up on the table. But, once it splashed inside of her body, something incredible happened. Her whole body felt different. Colours were brighter and more beautiful, people seemed so pure and elegant, and the music was nothing like she had ever heard.

The music.

The beautiful music.

The perfect music.

The orchestra elevated Hosea’s music beyond boundaries. His voice was angelic, and his playing was magnificent. It was the same song she had played on the radio station. Memories flooded her of how perfect that day was: how handsome Hosea looked and how proud of him she was. For reasons unknown to her now, she had let him go. “Why?” she asked herself. “How could I be so foolish?”

Then everything in the stadium went black.

Everyone shuttered as they stood in complete darkness. After five seconds, red lights flooded the entire stadium and an announcement was made. “Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm.”

Hosea stood on the stage, looking out into the crowd of thousands, telling them everything was going to be okay.

Salome finished her glass of Blue Dream when a security officer tapped her on the back.

“Miss Salome, will you please follow me?” the large officer asked.

She looked around the suite, searching for someone who didn’t have a sign of worry or caution on their face. No such luck. Everyone looked horrified.

But Salome didn’t seem to be worried at all. She seemed at complete peace with the world and believed that whatever may come, she would be given the tools to handle it – and nothing would be out of her control. She stood and followed the security officer. He walked to a door and unlocked it, then held it open for her to walk through. The hallway was separated from the general public and completely vacant. The overhead lights were still on, guiding the two through multiple levels and stairways.

Salome and the officer walked deep below the stadium floor to an area where Salome could hear the muted cheering of a crowd, to a place where five security officers were circled around an elevator shaft. One held a golden torch encrusted with jewels and brightly shining. “Here you go, Miss Salome,” the officer holding the torch said as she placed it in Salome’s hands. “Please step onto the elevator, ma’am,” the woman said as two other officers opened the gated door for her.

Salome, without delay, stepped into the elevator and held the flaming torch.

The elevator began to lift, and once again, she was in the dark. She held the brightly lit torch to her level of eyesight to read the inscription, “Matthew 25:1-13.” Then the ceiling began to open above her, bleeding a flashing red light into the dark elevator shaft. It was eerily quiet – she could hear a pin drop from the other side of the stadium. Once the elevator came to ground level, Salome looked at the thousands of people, frozen, and staring at her. She turned and saw the orchestra sitting with their instruments completely still. She quickly turned around, the flame of the torch swooshing high above her.

Hosea was on his knees, looking at her, and holding a large diamond ring in his hand.

Then, the house and stage lights burst on, causing everyone to hold their arms above their eyes.

“Will you marry me, Salome?” Hosea asked. The 9.3ct internally flawless diamond was a deep blue on a platinum ring. Salome knelt and held the torch beside him. His eyes looked upon her differently, as if he already knew every mistake her life contained, and he would remain as constant as change. She felt beautiful, worthy, and longed for.

“Of course, I will, Hosea! I love you!” she said as he placed the diamond ring upon her finger. Hosea jumped and lifted her into his arms. The torch was held high as the crowd applauded and wept.

The orchestra began to play behind them, slowly gaining in depth and volume. Then, groups of people began to run from behind the stage, each holding a pole attached to the length of a dragon. Five dragons came from behind the curtains and they each began to circle Hosea and Salome. The crowds cheered and celebrated at the sight of the spinning dragons circling around the two holding the flaming torch.

Hosea held Salome close and kissed her lips.

They were now engaged to be married.

IV

Hosea pushed Salome on the white door, kissing her lips as she held him in her arms. They were both incredibly drunk from celebrating their newly begun engagement.

Salome smiled and held her ring finger up to her face – it was so beautiful. She smiled and asked, “Where the heck are we, Hosea?”

Hosea unlocked the white door and opened it for her. “Welcome to your new home, sweetheart.”

She turned, slowly stepped inside, and turned on the light switch. Inside were rows of freshly bloomed flowers, leading the two down a long hallway, into a large room overlooking the skyline of New York City.

“This isn’t really ours, right, Hosea?” she asked, drawing in as much of the atmosphere she could in her soul, in case it would be gone if she blinked.

“It absolutely is!” Hosea exclaimed. He took her by the hand, walking quickly up the stairs. Salome held his hand tightly as they ascended to the top and to a door on the side.

“This was your dream, wasn’t it?” he asked as he opened the door.

Inside was a dirt road along a field, looking as it went to the edge of the Earth.

A silver Mercedes-Benz rested amongst the red dirt road. It looked different – definitely not a model Salome had ever seen drive through Franklin.

“This is the only one ever made,” Hosea replied to the unspoken question.

A tear fell from Salome’s eyes while she softly said, “Hosea, you made a dream become a reality.”

“I can do anything you want me to, build whatever you ask, Salome. You are the light of my life and I don’t want to be without you,” Hosea said while brushing her cheek with his thumb.

They kissed and Salome asked, “How big is this room?”

“It’s endless.”

“How could that possibly be?”

“Space and time are relative. We can drive this car at full speed for nine hours straight and we wouldn’t have moved an inch. The sun would never set, and the road would never curve or turn,” he explained. Hosea walked over to the driver’s side of the silver car and opened the door for Salome. “Let me show you,” he said, reaching out for her.

He walked over and sat on the passenger side of the Mercedes. Salome entered the driver’s seat, closed the door, and turned the vehicle on.

“Are we really going to do this?” she said, thinking putting the vehicle into gear an absolutely ridiculous idea.

“Salome, I’m positive. Trust me and floor it!”

She revved the vehicle, thick smoke peeling from behind the tires and gravel rocks flinging in the air and put the pedal to the floor.

The vehicle went to 60mph in only a few seconds and zoomed down the red road. It kept going, with its speed increasing, mile after mile.

“This is the single greatest moment of my entire life!” Salome yelled, holding her hand out of the window, fighting the wind trying to push it down.

They stopped after a while and stepped out of the Mercedes.

“See?” Hosea pointed out to an oak tree in the distance. “We haven’t come any closer,” he told her. Then he turned and opened the entrance door an arms-length away.

The noise of people laughing, and conversing came from down the stairway. “Is somebody here?” Salome asked.

“It’s your party. They are all here for you,” Hosea whispered in her ear as he brushed his fingers through her rich brown hair.

Salome stepped onto the balcony, everyone wore their finest suits, jewels, and dresses. She placed her diamond-studded watch over the guard rail, it gleamed under the high chandelier, and everyone cheered at her entrance.

Salome smiled and turned to Hosea. “I suppose I could go for another drink,” she said, embracing him. Then she asked, “Do you know what I would love most right now?”

“What is it? I will be you have it,” Hosea said.

“Another glass of Blue Dream,” she replied.

The blood drained from Hosea’s face and pushed away from her. “When did you drink the first glass?!”

“During the concert earlier tonight,” Salome answered. She tilted her head, curious and worried. “Is something wrong?”

“And, you said yes to my proposal,” Hosea said below his breath and put his hands above his face. Then, he stood and said, “I’m sorry, Salome. You were never meant to have this. I didn’t even think about the suite supplying it. I’m such an insanely stupid fool.”

“Why would you say that about yourself, honey?” Salome cupped his chin with the palm of her hand.

“I wanted you to love me for me,” Hosea responded. He grabbed her hand and walked hastily to a double set of large brass doors. He flung both doors open, still holding to Salome tightly.

“You’re hurting my wrist, Hosea,” she said, pulling her arm from his grasp.

“I’m so sorry,” Hosea replied and dropped his head.

The master bedroom was large, with an elegant wooden ceiling. There was an illuminated green copper lion’s head on the wall, draining water to a large limestone fountain below. The bed stood in the corner, with elegant bedsheets and lush pillows. On the other side of the bed was a large copper bowl bathtub. Roses slowly drifted in the calm steaming water.

He began to take off his clothes and stood before her naked.

“I don’t want to do that now, Hosea. I want to go down there and socialize.”

“Salome, please?” he asked and walked on the black floor to the copper bowl.

Salome followed him and began taking off her dress, leaving a trail of clothing. She continued wearing her diamond-studded watch as she lifted her long leg and stepped into the rose-covered water.

The water enraptured her body, warming her body, and relaxing her muscles.

“This is really nice, Hosea,” she said as Hosea wrapped his arms around her body. “But now I don’t want to go to the party!”

“What time is it?” he asked.

She lifted her watch to her eyesight and said, “11:11” aloud.

“Okay. I promise we will be back down there in less than nine minutes.”

“Pinky promise me,” she held her elongated pinky behind her.

Hosea wrapped his pinky around hers (committing to the most sacred of promises), kissed her on the lips, and placed his hands on her face.

Then he slowly moved them around her neck and shoved her head under the bathwater.

She began to kick and scream, water was splashing and toppling over the bathtub’s walls. Her eyesight started to dim and her scream became quiet. Once no more sound or movement came from her body, Hosea slowly lifted her head above water.

He looked at her, roses on her lips and eyes, and stood from the water. He picked her up and placed her lifeless body on the wet black floor. He checked her pulse; it was dim and very faint. Hosea placed a towel around his waist and walked outside of the master bedroom. He walked down the stairwell and the party started to laugh. “Sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Salome and I will be down in just a few more minutes. The little lady isn’t feeling too well, just need to get her a glass of water, and we will be down in a few more minutes.”

He grabbed a bottle of water and a small bucket from the table. “Be back soon!”

The party resumed as he made his way back to the bedroom. Hosea walked over to a safe in his closet, opened it, and took a red vial and needle out of it. Then he placed the bucket and bottle of water on the floor beside her. He placed his teeth around the needle’s cap and filled it with red liquid.

“I love you so much. You can’t be like them,” he said, placing the needle into her neck. Hosea turned and looked into the dark corner of the room. “Why are you here?!”

“Why are you doing all of this, Hosea?” the presence asked.

“She drank it,” Hosea said as he discarded the needle and empty vial.

“She drank the potion you created, and it killed her?” the presence hovered above her.

“She isn’t dead! She’s in a comatic state. The antioxidant doesn’t work any other way!” he explained. Hosea breathed into her mouth and began giving her CPR. He stopped and stared into the dark presence. “You’ll get what you want. Until then, I don’t want to see you again.”

The presence hovered back into the corner and faded away.

With one last breath, Salome’s eyes burst open, she turned over and reached for the bucket. She threw up a deep purple liquid, tasting of poison and raw chemicals.

“What happened?” she asked, looking up at Hosea.

He smiled and began laughing as he handed her the water bottle to drink. “We may have had a little too much to drink tonight. You tripped trying to get into the bathtub. Poor little thing.”

She sat up and drank from the bottle of water, washing the horrible flavor from her mouth. “I got the floor soaking wet,” Salome said.

Hosea brushed her wet hair and busted out laughing, causing Salome to follow.

“What time is it?” he asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.

“It’s 11:18” she replied, looking at her shimmering watch.

“You want to go back to the party?” he asked.

Salome had never felt better in her life, her head felt clear and happy. Then she noticed the large blue diamond ring on her finger. “Oh my gosh, Hosea! We are going to be married.”

Hosea held her hand and looked at the ring. “How do you feel about that?”

“I think I’m…. the happiest girl in the world!” she replied and kissed him on the lips.

Hosea tasted the mixed potions come from her kiss: bitter and sweet.

“Let’s have the best night of our lives,” Salome said, drying off with a towel and putting her dress back on.

“After you, my love,” Hosea said after putting on his suit. “I’ll have someone clean up this mess.”