The Spaces Between (A Drunkard's Journey) by Martin Gibbs Read Free Book Online Page B

son, I will miss you.”
    “Me too.”
    He hugged me real tight. Fa was very strong. My eyes were very wet.
    “I love you, Bimb.”
    “Love you, Fa.”
    He walked away. Then he stopped. “And I want to hear the new song you wrote, promise?”
    “Promise.” I was sad. Fa was leaving.
    Don’t worry, you will be following him for a long time.
    “But he won’t see me.”
    No, no he won’t, but he will be there. Now…they are heading to the field. Follow. Step very carefully and do not let them see you!
     
    * * *
     
    I put my sutan in the hay. I went to the fields. The men were all talking. Ugly Nose was talking. The stranger was trying to talk. But Fa and Ugly Nose did not let him. They stood by the stone. I went on the ground and was very sneaky.
    They did not see me. I was quiet. The old, rotten pumpkin smelled bad. Inside the house it would be warm and I could have more of the spicy drink. Ugly Nose waved his arms in the air. I hoped he did not see me here. Would he hurt me?
    “Stop with the damned casting!” one of the men shouted. Was that Fa? “It’s a code, a secret code!” I saw Fa look around and I covered my eyes. Then Fa started counting numbers, but not 1, 2, 3. Very big numbers! I listened to each one. I sang along, but very quietly so no one would hear. The numbers were a song. Notes in the music
    “They are pretty numbers.”
    I heard the voice again.
    You must find my son. Remember the numbers!
    I put the numbers in a song. I even used the new chord.
    Fa and the others were gone. They had gone through the stone. The stone was still there, but I heard it open. It made a sound like the wagons do on the road. Fa was gone.
    Fa was gone! My eyes were wet.
    Now go inside and pack. Is your mother sleeping?
    “Yes.”
    Make her the spicy drink and add the sleeping herb. Not too much. And pack. I will tell you what you need to bring.
     
    * * *
     
    Do you remember the numbers?
    I told him the numbers. I said the numbers.
    Louder .
    I yelled the numbers. And the stone moved. Where the stone was, there was a black thing. What was it?
    It’s an opening. Like a cave.
    “Cave?” I said quiet.
    A hole in the ground, like a foxhole. Only there is a big tunnel on the other side. Your Fa is in there and he is safe. You will be safe.
    I did not want to go in. I was scared. A fox bit me once. I was by the hole. It was the part of land Fa said not to go to. I was there. I counted grass with flowers on it. There were one hundred and seventy-seven. There was a hole. I put a hand in. The fox bit me. Fa had to get me powders, but not Ma’s powders. She was sleeping.
    “I do not want to go in!”
    Now, Bimb, go into the dark—wait, do not be afraid. It is an illusion. There are lights in there. They are very beautiful lights .
    My pack was very heavy. I was scared. “I want to go home. I want to play my sutan.” I wanted to play the new chord. I thought of another one. It would sound good.
    No…Be brave, Bimb. Enter the tunnels. It will be light in there. I promise. Then you will hear your Fa and all will be well.
    I walked slowly into the dark. Lyn talked very quiet. He talked like I talked to our dog. Our dog died many years ago. He ate some of Ma’s powders and then died. Ma was just sleeping. Just sleeping.
    There was light! Blue light! I could hear Fa! He was right there. But Ugly Nose was talking, too, and the stranger talked. They are far away, but you can hear them in here a long way. Wait here for a while and make sure the stone—ah, there it is.
    The door had shut! How did it shut? I did not hear it. No one pushed on it. “How?”
    Amazing. I—I don’t know, Bimb. Everything echoes in here but the stone made no sound. Now, just wait here. I’ll tell you a tale about how these Tunnels were built and what they do. After a few minutes you can go on and listen to your Fa.
    The door closed on its own. It was very quiet. But now I was in the dark. Could I use the numbers again to open the door?
    Be