Chimes of Passion

“I’ve always loved that song. He goes on to sing about how the chimes of freedom touched everyone who sought shelter from the storm which then reached out to the people he admired and loathed, extending, in one way or another, to everyone in the world. There’s a certain unity to it.”

Lynda cleared her throat. “Wouldn’t it be easier just to begin the song by saying, “It was a dark and stormy night?”

Ron laughed. “Um. No. It’s not—”

“But that’s what he said, isn’t it? Between sundown’s finish and midnight’s broken toll is night. Thunder went crashing, so it was stormy. It was a dark and stormy night.”

Letting out a deep sigh, Ron demurred. “Saying ‘it was a dark and stormy night’ is just too cliche. This way has a lot more poetry and symbolism.”

Pete defended his friend. “I’ll tell you what I’m thinking of. What’s that line by C.S. Lewis? April is the cruelest month, or something like that?”

“T.S. Eliot,” Ron corrected him. “It’s from ‘The Wasteland’.”

“Sorry. Either way, here we are, five friends taking spring break amid less than ideal conditions, it’s raining profusely outside, and didn’t you say you smelled lilacs outside, Lynda? There’s something in that quote about lilacs, too, isn’t there?”

Lynda nodded her head yes.

Ron smiled. “I guess you really did learn something in Lit 101 two years ago, didn’t you?”

“I guess so.”

“Well, you’ve got a good point. I thought of that quote, too. Eliot wasn’t the only one who waxed poetic about April’s cruelty. Chaucer did it in the Canterbury Tales. That’s part of why I thought of ‘Chimes of Freedom.’ That song, believe it or not, is a modern Canterbury Tales.”

Irene stood up and spoke quickly, impatiently. “When we get back home, you can play it for us. Right now, I’d just like to see if this place has a bathroom and maybe change into some dry — dryer, I should say — clothes.”

Alyssa stood up. “I’m with you. Besides, I’m not sure we should be going anywhere in here alone.”

Lynda joined Alyssa and Irene. “Why not all three of us go? That way, the guys can change here.”

Neither Irene or Alyssa objected to Lynda’s suggestion. Ron started to rummage in his backpack. As the three women started to walk away, Ron stopped Irene and handed her a flashlight. “You might need this.”

“Thanks.”

Pete called out, “When you find the bathroom, could you let us know where it is?”

The three women strode semi-confidently across the sanctuary and towards what appeared to be a door near altar, the pounding rain accentuating each stride.

* * *

Once he was certain the women wouldn’t hear, Pete looked over at Ron. “Why do you keep trying to impress Irene, dude? She doesn’t have the patience for all of this artsy-fartsy shit. Besides, can’t you tell how much Alyssa wants you?”

“Yeah, I know. But you know how it is. I can’t have Irene, which is why I want her. I can have Alyssa, which is why I don’t.” Ron rummaged around in his backpack and found a clean shirt and a pair of jeans. Why he’d decided to wear shorts that morning, he couldn’t remember, but it didn’t seem all that bad an idea at the time. “How long do you think it’ll be before the storm lets up?”

“Hard to tell, but I think we should plan on sleeping here tonight.”

“Assuming no one tries to kick us out.”

“Assuming no one tries to kick us out. Right. Do you think there’s anyone else in here besides us five?”

“Well, someone lit these candles. Whether they’re still here right now, I can’t say.”

“So, what do you think this place is? Something about this place feels… I don’t know. Off?”

“I get that same feeling, Pete. I’m not sure what this building’s used for now, but it definitely once was a church. I don’t think they have services or rituals in here any more, though.”

“Yeah. I’d think there’d be a cross, or a picture of Jesus, or something if it was still being used as a church. What do you think it’s used for now?”

“No clue. For tonight, I’m hoping it can be used as a haven for five wet and weary travelers. Here’s hoping the owner or owners of this place don’t mind us being here.”

As if on cue, a loud clap of thunder struck the ground somewhere on the grounds outside the building, lighting up the sky through the small windows in the top of the walls.

Irene, startled by the unexpected loud noise, jumped. The three women were standing in a hallway, lit with candles similar to the ones they had seen in the main sanctuary. Midway down the hallway stood a large wooden door. For the time being, this was their goal.