do you mean one more thing?” My hands clutched at my hips, as I made sure both my face and voice displayed just how completely furious I was. “You can’t just go expanding my job description like that! It’s not fair! I did exactly what I was supposed to and I got it done pretty quickly if I do say so myself. So, why the delay? Let’s go already! Seriously. Let’s move it! I want to be soaring over the River Thames by sunrise—or else!” I scowled, having no idea what the or else part actually stood for, but still, there it was. Besides, fair’s fair, and I was determined to see that the already clearly established set of rules were not only abided by, but met.
Feeling more than a little confused when Bodhi looked at me and said, “This one’s not for you, Riley. This one’s for me.”
17
Apparently, as it turned out, Bodhi, my guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss had his own guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss, who, as it also turns out, was less than enthusiastic with the job Bodhi had done so far.
Even though he’d pretty much started his day being summoned to the stage in what I learned had been a sort of graduation ceremony, he still had plenty more to accomplish.
Plenty more to live up to—so to speak.
Or at least that was the gist I was able to take away from his rambling litany of hazy, vague, purposely ambiguous mumblings. Carefully guarding any and all of the details, and refusing to share them with me.
And trust me, I was lucky to even get that much. Because when I started to hound him for more, wanting to know just who exactly his guide was, if it was possibly one of the Council members, or maybe even somebody else—and just what exactly his own job description might be—what was truly expected of a guide—and what were the consequences for those who failed at their tasks—what would happen to him if he failed to help me learn and grow and better myself—he clammed up.
And when I continued to press on to what I really and truly wanted to know—which was why he was looking and acting so freaked at just the mere thought of the task that awaited him—he turned away completely.
Just shut down, refused to speak, and showed me his back.
Giving me the stoop-shouldered silent treatment.
Refusing to divulge anything more than he already had.
And when I gave up on the questions and decided to offer my assistance instead (anything to make it to London by daybreak I figured), he just shook his head and said, “This one’s all mine. It’s absolutely imperative I do it on my own.”
Great. My face dropped into a frown as I snuck a quick peek at the grandfather clock in the hall, knowing that if this task, whatever it may be, took anywhere near as long as mine did, I wouldn’t get to London ’til nightfall, if then.
“Listen.” I smiled, knowing my motivations weren’t exactly pure, were far too self-serving to ever be mistaken for altruistic, but still continuing on when I said, “I’m a trainee, right? And it’s your job to—well—train me, correct?”
He nodded in his usual, noncommittal way, head bobbing forward ever so slightly but just enough for me to translate it as a yes, if only to make things easier and get it moving along.
Slinking around to his side and watching as he continued to chew on that same dented-up straw when I said, “So, with that in mind, what better way to train me, than to allow me to watch the master—meaning you—at work? What better way for me to learn something new than to watch, firsthand, how it’s done? And maybe—just maybe—get a little hands-on experience as well? But only if permission to do so is granted by you, of course,” I added quickly, seeing the way his mouth sort of slammed down at the sides when I got to that last part. “So? Tell me, what do you say? Surely your guide can’t fault you for that—for letting me watch you do your thing and complete your task?”
Bodhi looked at me, clearly weighing the pros and cons in his
Feeling more than a little confused when Bodhi looked at me and said, “This one’s not for you, Riley. This one’s for me.”
17
Apparently, as it turned out, Bodhi, my guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss had his own guide/teacher/coach/counselor/boss, who, as it also turns out, was less than enthusiastic with the job Bodhi had done so far.
Even though he’d pretty much started his day being summoned to the stage in what I learned had been a sort of graduation ceremony, he still had plenty more to accomplish.
Plenty more to live up to—so to speak.
Or at least that was the gist I was able to take away from his rambling litany of hazy, vague, purposely ambiguous mumblings. Carefully guarding any and all of the details, and refusing to share them with me.
And trust me, I was lucky to even get that much. Because when I started to hound him for more, wanting to know just who exactly his guide was, if it was possibly one of the Council members, or maybe even somebody else—and just what exactly his own job description might be—what was truly expected of a guide—and what were the consequences for those who failed at their tasks—what would happen to him if he failed to help me learn and grow and better myself—he clammed up.
And when I continued to press on to what I really and truly wanted to know—which was why he was looking and acting so freaked at just the mere thought of the task that awaited him—he turned away completely.
Just shut down, refused to speak, and showed me his back.
Giving me the stoop-shouldered silent treatment.
Refusing to divulge anything more than he already had.
And when I gave up on the questions and decided to offer my assistance instead (anything to make it to London by daybreak I figured), he just shook his head and said, “This one’s all mine. It’s absolutely imperative I do it on my own.”
Great. My face dropped into a frown as I snuck a quick peek at the grandfather clock in the hall, knowing that if this task, whatever it may be, took anywhere near as long as mine did, I wouldn’t get to London ’til nightfall, if then.
“Listen.” I smiled, knowing my motivations weren’t exactly pure, were far too self-serving to ever be mistaken for altruistic, but still continuing on when I said, “I’m a trainee, right? And it’s your job to—well—train me, correct?”
He nodded in his usual, noncommittal way, head bobbing forward ever so slightly but just enough for me to translate it as a yes, if only to make things easier and get it moving along.
Slinking around to his side and watching as he continued to chew on that same dented-up straw when I said, “So, with that in mind, what better way to train me, than to allow me to watch the master—meaning you—at work? What better way for me to learn something new than to watch, firsthand, how it’s done? And maybe—just maybe—get a little hands-on experience as well? But only if permission to do so is granted by you, of course,” I added quickly, seeing the way his mouth sort of slammed down at the sides when I got to that last part. “So? Tell me, what do you say? Surely your guide can’t fault you for that—for letting me watch you do your thing and complete your task?”
Bodhi looked at me, clearly weighing the pros and cons in his
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