A Walk In The Wilderness (7 page)

     “Now.”  David instructed with authority, “Close the door behind you and forget the day.  Forget the world.  Open your ears and hear, tonight.  Be blessed.  Let Him minister to you.  Just sit at His feet and worship Him.  Let no one rob you by drawing you back to this world.  But stay in this reality tonight, in His presence.”

     The theatre went totally pitch black.  They heard deep, booming drums.  Soon, the cadence they set was joined by the rich, low drone of several cellos.  Then, a plaintive flute called and began to weave its voice into the tapestry.  A deep, violet light began to glow along the lower borders of the hall. 

   Thousands of stars began to glimmer in the darkness above them.  A saxophone began to woo and cajole, to stir their hearts and passions.

     Then, the piano began to play.  Like gentle ocean waves breaking on the beach, it called to them.  It was a melody so haunting, so lilting that it caused Caitlin’s heart to wrench within her breast.  Just when she felt tears spring to her eyes, the tune of a sweet violin gripped her heart strings, and stretched them to snapping tension. 

     It was tremendous.  Overpowering.  Wonderful.  Terrible.  It caused one to ache; to weep; to want to keen at the top of one’s lungs.  The sweetness and beauty of it clashed with the power and majesty that followed, until a riot of feelings burst forth.  There came then a ruthless, relentless quality in the music.

     It was a long time before David Michael Majors began to sing.  When he did, it was almost more than Caitlin could stand to hear.  This man could express such emotion through his fingers and voice – such passion and pain, like nothing she’d ever heard.

  
“I call from the ends of the earth to Thee.   My God, my God.  Where are you?  When my strength fails, take me to the rock that’s stronger than me.  Yes, my God.  I look to Thee.  I will praise you Lord, and pay my vows to Thee.  My God, I must abide forever before Thee.  You never change.  You alone can hide me.  So I will sing in the shadow of your wings.”

     Though at times he was almost whispering, his voice seemed to roar and fill every part of the giant room.  The voice was deep, husky, rich.  But it held a cry of desperation; a compelling need.  It  gripped the heart and tore in its intensity.

    
“Who my God is like unto Thee?  Whom then shall I seek to come and rescue me?  You are my source; my mighty rock, my strength.  You and you alone art worthy.”

     The music exploded suddenly. 
“And so I sing in the shadow of your wings.  Yes I run, I run, I run unto Thee.  My fortress, my maker, my mighty, mighty king.  I live not until I live for Thee.  And I will sing ...”

      It went on and on.  Caitlin was terribly glad that she didn’t have to go to work following the concert.  To leave early would have wrenched her soul.  She was captured, ensnared in the magic that the music wove.  She was entranced completely. 

     The words intermingled with long musical interludes.  Tension and release.  The tapestry grew rich as the voices and instruments swelled and withdrew, each in turn.  She just sat stiffly, gripping the arms of her seat. 
She felt tears spilling from her eyes, and hardly noticed.

     The words of David Michael Majors were mixed with those of King David; of Moses; of Elijah, Elisha, Joshua, Micah and Joel.  He sang words spoken by Ezekiel; Jeremiah; Isaiah.  Of Jesus, Paul and John the Beloved. 

     Caitlin could not have said which words came from the Bible and which were from David’s own heart; but he brought the words and visions from the Bible to life in living, startling color for Caitlin Kilpatrick. 

     It was awesome, and beautiful.  Stunning.  She was breathless and full of the glory of God when he was done playing.  She could never have described or given names to all the things that she felt. 

     His golden glory, His rest and peace were upon her like sweet, warm honey.  Part of her wanted desperately to object, to howl and keen, beg him not to stop!  And part of her wanted to sit quietly, suspended so in the heavens, and soak in all that he had poured out. It was rich and complete, sweet and wholesome.  How could one be so satisfied, yet left so – yearning for more?

     The piano finally drifted off into the silence, and it seemed that all of creation was perfectly still.  In awe; in rest; and in rapture.  Caitlin knew perfect peace, for the first time in her young life.  All of them had been transported to a place where there was simply no room for the things of this world; and no one was willing to break the spell.  Slowly, the house lights came up softly, revealing a sea of bowed heads.  There were wet cheeks everywhere.

     “If you need this King of Peace in your life, ask Him to come.  If you need Him to set your life right, ask Him now.  He will come.  He will comfort you and restore your heart.  For He is always near to the broken-hearted.”

     “Stay here as long as you wish; and let Him touch you.  Let Him bring His peace and set you free.  For he whom the Son sets free … is free indeed.” he said, with a chuckle.

     Caitlin looked up at David Michael Majors as he soundlessly rose from the piano bench.  He looked tired and humble, yet beautiful.  His face looked lit from within.  He blessed the audience, and quietly left the stage.

      A ripple of applause slowly coursed through the audience.  It built until it was filled with shouts and jubilation, whistles, stamping of feet.  It was a great tumult of glorious sound.

     A security guard at the end of the row held a beckoning hand to Caitlin and nodded for her to come.  She stood and went along behind the curtain with him as the crowd slowly began to calm down and filter out of the building. It was interesting that they did not clamor for more. 

     Yet what they had received seemed so complete, so rich and full that it seemed to have filled every need and want.  They were all satisfied.  Many stayed seated, with their heads bowed, simply basking in the afterglow.  They were all loath to break the magic of the rest and peace that lay heavily upon the place.

     Caitlin, however, was hurled back down to the earth immediately upon her appearance backstage.  Though she was floating along beside the guard in a dreamlike peace, trying to digest the performance she had just experienced, she found Skyler talking and gesturing wildly in David Michael Majors’ face. 

     He seemed very angry, and was berating David , who stood quietly listening, very relaxed.  As the guard drew near with Caitlin in tow, David placed a quieting hand on Skyler’s arm, and nodded to alert him of Caitlin’s approach.

     Skyler was silenced immediately.  He turned and caught his breath as Caitlin approached.  “Cait!” he cried.  He pulled her into his arms and kissed her almost savagely on the mouth.  “Dear God, how I have missed you!  My love.” 

     Caitlin felt shocked.  Ravaged, violated!  She gasped, and recoiled from his grasping arms in alarm.

     “Well, well, well.”  A woman’s voice purred.  A shiver ran up Caitlin’s spine at the cold and bitter tone.  “Skyler, I honestly didn’t think that you had the nerve.  I guess I underestimated you on this one, didn’t I?”

     Skyler whirled, shoving Caitlin away from him with a force that sent her reeling and sprawling.  She would have fallen flat, if strong arms had not caught her and set her on her feet.  She knew without looking that David Michael Majors had broken her fall.  She felt strong, gentle hands on her arms, steadying her.

      “Connie!”  Skyler gasped.  “What on earth are you doing here?”

     “I came to see if the rumors were true, you little, cheating jerk!  It seems that for once, they were quite accurate.” 

     A thin, angular woman with very black, cropped hair tipped in bright copper and glittering, green eyes advanced on Skyler like a dangerous cat.

     Skyler visibly scrambled.  “No, Connie!  That's not so!  This is Caitlin Kilpatrick.  She’s one of my distant cousins that I told you about.”

     “Oh!  And do you always kiss your cousins so passionately, Skyler?  I think not,” she taunted.  “I think that this is totally the little mistress that I was told you’re keeping hidden in Scotland!”

     The woman turned her malicious gaze on Caitlin.  “And I’ll teach you to mess around with my man, you slut!” She promised coldly.

    A wicked blade gleamed and flashed in the air before her.  Caitlin gasped.  Broad shoulders immediately blocked her view.  A strong, brown hand clamped over Connie’s leather-clad arm, and the knife dropped clattering to the floor.

     “No, you won't.”  David Majors said quietly.

    “Who do you think you are?” Connie roared up at the considerably taller man.

    “Knock it off.  You can take it up with Skyler.  This girl probably doesn’t have a clue who you are, or what’s going on.  Now both of you, get out of here and settle this … somewhere else.”  He ordered.  He continued to hold Caitlin’s arm firmly, so that she stood behind him, well out of harm’s way.

     After staring venomous holes through David, who did not budge, Skyler and Connie made their exit. 

     When the coast was clear, David turned sharp, disturbed eyes on Caitlin.  “Are you all right?” he asked, deeply concerned.

     “Yes, thanks to you.”  She answered shakily.  She was obviously way out of her league.  She felt she might just retch.  She felt as if she'd been shattered, and left ripped and bleeding.  She felt as if she were losing all the strength and joy and vitality, and peace that had been hers just moments ago.

     The security guard whistled.  “Nice work, Mr. Majors.”  He complimented.

    “Do you have a way home, or was Vaughn going to take you?”  David asked evenly.  His eyes seemed worried.  As if he could see what was happening inside her.

    “Actually, the last bus ran a long time ago.  Skyler was going to see me home.”  She stammered.  It sounded so lame and embarrassing, now.

      “Then, I’ll see that you get there.  Let’s get moving before she comes back in here.”  He suggested.

     He took her elbow, settled an authoritative hand in the middle of her back, and propelled her forward.  He was silent as he guided her quickly down the hallways to the back door.  He seemed so stern that Caitlin never even dreamed of objecting.  She hadn’t a single thought about arguing.  She was shaken to her core, and very grateful that there was someone who seemed to know how to take charge at the moment.

     He showed her out the back door.  Just outside, Connie was busily giving Skyler the back side of her tongue.  The sounds she was making seemed to strike and slap deep into Caitlin’s heart, as they went by.  David pushed Caitlin quickly past, and hustled her into the back seat of a black stretch limo.  No sooner had David joined her and locked the door behind him, than Connie hit the door with all her might.

     Caitlin gasped fearfully, and jumped as the screaming body hurled itself against the window next to her head.  “You bloody witch, I’ll kill you!  I’ll tear you limb from limb!” she railed.  The sound of her voice was faint, but Caitlin heard the words very clearly.

     She gasped and closed her eyes, willing tears not to spill.  She was shaking her head, denying the accusing voice shakily.  Then the tears volleyed, and she wept bitterly despite her desire to be strong. 

     When she came to herself a bit, she found her face buried against a very warm, broad chest and neck.  He was salty, and a bit damp yet, but his cologne was very nice.  Expensive.  There was a gentle hand on her hair; and another strong arm around her shoulders.

   Gasping, she covered her face and gently pulled away.  David released her immediately.  She turned to find him smiling at her wryly.  “Don’t worry.  She can’t get to you in here.  Relax, and just enjoy the ride.”  He advised.  “There is peace here.  Let it carry you away from all that ... back there.” 

      He had to smile at her stricken expression.  “You apparently had not counted on Connie, when you got mixed up with Skyler.”

     Caitlin turned round and very frightened eyes up to this stranger.  She had a hard time meeting his calm, clear eyes.  Slowly, she began to respond to his words.  It
was
peaceful here.  It was safe; she could feel it.  She sighed, and began to relax.

     “Hardly.  In actuality, I’m not really terribly 'mixed up' with Skyler.  I mean, he’s interested in me, but I’m not as interested in him.  I just came tonight as his guest, as a courtesy ... to say hello, but we’re not … it’s
nothing
like that woman said!” Cait explained with considerable distress.  Her voice was trembling and weak.

    She blinked a new batch of tears back, and wiped her eyes resolutely.  Though she was trying to be stern and disciplined, she was failing miserably.  She looked overwrought and very childlike.  Frightened, and very alone.

     David Majors listened quietly.  He put a fresh cotton hankie in her trembling hand.  “He seemed to think he had the liberty to be pretty intimate.”  He pointed out with a teasing smile.

     “He always does!”  Caitlin answered in frustration.  “I went out on two dates with him. 
Two!
And
this
is how he behaved.  He scared me so badly, I didn’t
ever
want to see him again.  I mean, I
thought
I would be interested in him at first; but just two dates convinced me that he was not one to get too involved with.  But then, after he’d gone, I thought perhaps I’d been judging him too harshly.  I thought, you know, that I’d come tonight and just see.  To be
sure
.  He is so fixated on me, that I felt terrible.  It felt so mean to brush him off, never give him even a real chance.  I figured that, if he still feels the way he does, nine months after we met, perhaps … perhaps I was too quick to decide he wasn't for me.” 

     “He asked me to marry him.  I felt I should perhas try to know him better before I wrote him off completely.  After some time apart, I thought he’d calm down.”  She tried to explain.