Upon This Life...

" Good evening, Lori. You look splendid tonight. "

A smile came over her face. " You think so? I'll look like this every night, if you marry me. "

At this point, I was getting unnerved. I started up the car and drove until we were halfway there.

" Drake? I've been meaning to tell you; things are not going well between me and Matt. He's been actually kind of reclu- sive. At first, I thought he was dating someone else, but the way he's been acting...I don't know. "

She resigned herself to knowing that I wouldn't be dating her for a long-term relationship, so she had hooked up with Matthew Stamens, a close friend of my father. He'd won his financial freedom through another city's lottery earnings, but came back here to live.

I replied, " I don't know what it could be between you two, but I do know Matt is not the cheating kind..he might have just gone on one of his 'extended holidays' again."

That would make sense. Matt was always finding somewhere or something else to do to occupy most of his freed up time. Still, she looked genuinely concerned and I agreed that I would ask him what he doing, at the first opportunity. We arrived, as we saw the spotlights filling the shadowy night air, like beacons from a lighthouse being twisted upwards in a unorthodox, bizzare way, the shadows unflinch­- ing by the attack of light thrust upon them.

I opened the door and escorted her inside, the diffused light from the multi-crystal chandeliers giving the large banquet hall and ballroom a feeling of artificiality about it. We were greeted by the mayor and introduced to some other important guests, although I was looking for Matt, so I could put Lori's mind at ease.

After searching though the crowd, and one or two ladies giving me their phone numbers, I recognized him standing over by the terrace with some other men I had not know.

" Drake! Damn glad to see you, big man! How have you been? " Matt was never one for sophistication.

" Hi, Matt. I was worried you wouldn't show. " I noticed the other gentlemen and asked Matt if I could speak with him alone. The others excused themselves and went to mingle with with the others, while a concerned look grabbed Matt's face.

" What is it, Drake? What is so urgent? "

I looked him right in the eye.

" Matt, man-to-man, are you cheating on Lori? "

He looked at me puzzled, then laughed heartily.

" NO! Sacred ghosts, you had me worrying about nothing! No, I'm not cheating on Lori! "

He patted me on the back and whispered,

" I haven't spoken to her in a while, because I want to let you in on a little something..." He swigged down his drink.

" Me and some others have found something really big, and we are going for it. "

I looked at him. Now I was the one that was confused. " What is it? Another marathon trip around the world? " He bent down, so only I could hear his whisper.

" Mike Tobias found some ancient guide on evil ethereal spirits. We are going to try to ensnare one. "

For the first time in my life, I was becoming to not know who this man was, that was a son of my father's friend. He sounded more like the woods people that told strange tales up in Darheen. I nodded my disapproval.

" Matt, you know I don't believe in that 'good spirit, bad spirit' nonsense...but I also believe you shouldn't deal with things that are better left alone. You have more money than people in this city, a good home, a girlfriend that likes you, for spirit knows why; yet, you just have to do this...to get that thrill.."

Matt looked at me with a face hoping I would understand.