Sacred Honor

The office phone interrupted my ineffectual attempts at cleaning.

A clerk of Woody Lumber called and told me that Joseph had purchased some lumber and was that okay? I told him I had given prior approval and let Joseph buy what he needed.. I would settle with him later when the project was finished.

Fifteen minutes later, I saw Joseph come into the backyard and step down into the cellar. He started hammering. I soon heard his voice over the racket and figured that he was talking to his invisible friend, the ant. And, so he was. By putting my ear to the register, I heard the exchange of words between Joseph and Unonumo, as Joseph called the ant. Actually, there was no one there at all, but Joseph in his fantasy talked to himself as if they were two people actually speaking.

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"You sure did get a lot of wood." Unonumo said in Joseph's deep voice.

"I did." Joseph replied in a normal tone. "But I needed it to fix those wooden beams properly."

"Oh. How long do you think it would take you, approximately?"

"Why?"

"Cause the Queen Mother has a job for you."

I leaned closer to the register and repeated to myself. The Queen Mother had a job for Joseph. I squashed my ear closer and listened to Joseph's normal speaking voice answered bewildered.

"The Queen Mother has a job for me? What kind?"

"It's like this, we need a place to live. Our old nests and tunnels are shabby and falling apart. Every year we have to go out and look for a new water supply. Leaking faucets are nice, but we want something more permanent. The Queen Mother gave this a lot of thought and spoke to her council. They all agreed that you could help us out since you're a handyman and the Jennings trust you. We know you're kindly and trustworthy. Otherwise, we'd have gone somewhere else to find a permanent water supply without human interference."

"Yes. I am a carpenter though I only work for the Jennings at present. They treat me well. They're really nice people."

In a deeper Joseph voice, Unonumo answered.. "Yes, the Queen Mother agrees. She knows the Jennings are nice and would accommodate us in our quest if we asked them. But, the

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Queen Mother suggested that I go through you. We want you to purchase some lumber, dirt, sand and glass for our project. Can you help us?" Joseph remained silent. I guess he couldn't

quite believe what his imaginary friend Unonumo had asked him.

I heard Joseph sigh. After all, even he knew that ants don't really talk. They communicate with each other with their antennas. Naturally, I was enjoying Joseph's make-believe conversation, but since he didn't know I was eavesdropping, he continued with his questions. Clearly he was as baffled as I was in understanding exactly what Unonumo really wanted.

"What exactly are your plans concerning me?"

"The Queen Mother wants you to build something. I can get the blueprints from the council and then we can discuss how you're going to do it. Is that fair?"

"Of course, but I've got to finish replacing those beams before I can start on your project." It was then that I knew Joseph needed guidance. Imaginary friends were fine when you are six or seven, but a grown man?! I heard his invisible ant reply.

"No problem. We have until the beginning of summer. Then we need to start gathering food or we'll starve this winter."

"Understood," There was silence. I was very curious as to what "Unonumo" had in mind, but I too had to wait.