Temple: A New Journey Begins
Please see the disclaimer on the Synopsis page.
A man dressed in jeans and a red plaid shirt pushed a simple non-mechanized grass cutter threw the thickening lawn that surrounded the small pagoda-like structure. It's odd shape stood out from the rest of the framed buildings on the property. Chanting could be heard coming from the structure, but the man cutting the grass seemed oblivious to its effects.
The man's graying golden blond hair fell across his face as a breeze picked up and disturbed its neatly combed position. He reached up to push it back in place and briefly stopped his back and forth movement of the mower. As if he had just awaken from a dream, the man turned toward the sound of the chanting and a sad smile appeared on his face. Another mysterious death was being mourned.
'This cannot go on,' he thought. 'What is causing these deaths among the monks? That's the third one in as many weeks. Only the Shaolin seem to be effected. The Buddhist monks are okay. Is it something about this place or is something more sinister at work here? I wish I knew what was going on.'
At that moment, the man turned to see two familiar faces approach.
"Vance, Kwai Chang, what are you doing here?"
"Uncle Sam," Caine opened his arms in greeting and the younger man pulled the older into a strong embrace.
"You have not called me that since you were a boy. It's just Sam now. And Vance, what brings you here?"
"We met up at the temple," Vance replied.
"You seem troubled, my Uncle," Caine stated, a frown knitted his brow.
"You are quite perceptive, just like your father," Sam replied. Sam was about to reply when he noticed the look on Vance's face, and the slight tight shaking of his head.
"It's nothing, my nephew. Just one of those melancholy days," Sam replied.
Caine was not convinced but did not pry any further into the subject. An awkward silence followed.
"Anyway, would you both like something to drink? I think my mother has some fresh baked cookies waiting as well. Never could resist her chocolate chip cookies."
"How is your mother," Kwai Chang asked.
"Not doing well. She had a bad case of pneumonia recently. She hasn't recovered as quickly as she usually does. I think she's been missing my dad. You know it's the anniversary of his death today."
"I did not know that," Vance stated. "When did he die?"
"You remember Vance. I was just a kid, around 12 years old. My dad hadn't been gone for more than a month when Grasshopper's father and grandfather came to visit."
"You have not called me 'grasshopper' in a long time."
"It suites you, Grasshopper," Sam reached up and ruffled the brown hair of the taller younger man, which brought a smile to Caine's face.
"Grasshopper?" Vance questioned.
"It is a long story," Caine gave Vance a sideways glance.
"When this one was just a little squirt," Sam began, "His father and grandfather brought KC for a visit. KC was no more than about three then. Anyway KC comes running up to his grandfather and in his hands he was holding this big green grasshopper as proud as he could be. He'd been catching them all day. And ever since then, he's been called Grasshopper."
Caine bowed his head in embarrassed pride.
"Well why don't we go into the house and leave the monks to their meditations."
Caine and Vance followed Sam into the old farmhouse. They could hear noises coming from the kitchen. Sam rushed forward to assist his mother in the preparations.
"Mom, you shouldn't be doing any lifting. The Doctor wants you to take it easy. It's only been two weeks since you got over pneumonia."
"I am all right, Sam. I need to do things for myself. Don't fuss."
"Mom, we have visitors."
"Oh," Rachel Lowery turned to face the two others who had entered her home. Her eyes became wide when she saw who they were.
"Kwai Chang Caine? Is it really you? How is it that you are getting younger when I am getting older?"
"Mom, this is Caine's grandson, KC."
"Oh my, I should have guessed. You look so much like your grandfather. And there's also your father in you. You have his smile."
Caine gave Rachel a bow, "Thank you."
"And Vance, what are you doing here?" Rachel's voice became cold and distant.
Vance turned toward Sam for a reply.
"Mom, this is Vance's grandson, also."
"I'll ask you again, what are you doing here?"
Continues with Part 5
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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