Guru Bob went on to explain that Gabriel spoke perfect Farsi as well as the various Pashto dialects. He was able to broker a deal to return their guide to them and quell the tribesmen long enough for Guru Bob and the men to escape down the mountain and find the nearest train station.
Guru Bob shook his head in wonder. “He saved our lives—of that, I have no doubt.”
“Wow, I guess so.”
“Perhaps it had been naive of me to assume we could pass through the region safely after so many years of war,” Guru Bob added with a sad sigh. “But people have done it for centuries and still do, today. And there are many trustworthy guides in the area. Added to that, the fellowship men are a stubborn lot and were determined to make the journey. I could not let them go by themselves.”
I frowned as something disturbing occurred to me. “Did my father go on that trip with you?”
“He did.”
“So he knows Gabriel?”
“He does.”
So Gabriel had saved not only Guru Bob’s life; he had also saved my dad’s life. I didn’t know how to react, except to feel grateful.
“Gabriel’s heroics do not end there,” he assured me. “Recently, once again, he saved the life of someone extremely dear to me. I owe him a great deal.”
“He’s got a strange habit of . . . Oh, you mean . . . ?”
“Yes, gracious,” he said softly. “I speak of you.”
I tried to swallow around the lump in my throat. The first time I met Gabriel was right after Abraham died. I was in a noodle shop on Fillmore Street when a lunatic kid with a gun threatened to kill me. Gabriel walked in and kicked the gun out of the kid’s hand. I’d thought at the time that he just happened to be in the neighborhood, but I’d found out later that he’d been following me.
“You knew he saved me that day?” I said.
Guru Bob tilted his head and stared at me. What was I thinking? Of course he knew. He knew everything.
“For these reasons,” Guru Bob said, “when Gabriel shows up at my door and requests sanctuary, I welcome him.”
As I walked back to the Lane, I considered, not for the first time, how very lucky I was to have grown up in Dharma. Most people laugh or look with suspicion when they hear someone was raised in a commune. Hippies, drugs, raggedy clothes, and marijuana-covered hillsides are just some of the images that come to mind. But my childhood was blissful. That’s the only word for it.
And if ever there was a place that could be considered sanctuary, Dharma was it. But why did Gabriel need sanctuary? I didn’t feel comfortable grilling Guru Bob about it, but I would be sure to ask Gabriel the next time I saw him.
I’d been gone for over an hour, so I wondered if Alice was finished with her treatment. Probably not. I wouldn’t be surprised if Tantra the healer kept her there all day.
I reached Annie’s shop and was amazed to see people out on the sidewalk, waiting to get inside. I greeted more old friends and eased my way through the door in search of Annie.
She found me first. “Brooklyn! You made it.”
She hugged me. I could tell she was thrilled with the way the day was going.
“Annie, the store’s beautiful.”
She looked around, taking in everything at once. “I know. I love it. I love this town. Your mom has been so great. And Austin and Jackson and your dad helped hang the racks and the shelves. Everybody’s been amazing.”
I was glad to hear that my brothers had warmed up to Annie. When my family first met her, they were concerned that she was lying about her connection to Abraham. My brothers had insisted she take a paternity test before I could write her into Abraham’s trust.
I looked around. They’d all done a great job setting up the place. The room was ultramodern in design with a high ceiling, industrial lighting, and exposed ducts that gave it an urban feel. Chrome wire shelving along the perimeter added to the clean, open feel of the space. In and among the shelves and rows of stock, round tables were decorated with place settings for dining, except every setting was different. It was a creative way to display all the different flatware, dishware, and accessories available in the store. Near the back, one full counter was a cooking station, and the chef in charge was handing out samples of the goodies he cooked using Annie’s pots and pans.
“This is so clever,” I said, marveling at the setup. “Who knew you were so talented?”
She laughed. “Don’t think I don’t know that’s a major compliment, coming from you. My day is officially complete.”
“Sounds like you’re happy.”
She looked at me in surprise. “I am. I really am. I’m so happy. Thank you.” Then she shocked me by hugging me again.
I had to blink back tears. “Okay. Good.”
“Okay.” She sniffled. “That’s enough of that crap.”
“No kidding. Now what can I do to help?”