Tikkun Olam: Hebrew “Repairing the World”
Chelsea stood in the Temple Church accompanied by Tammanend still adorned in the great Shaman’s bison robe and Dr. Samuel Pepys wearing a long cloak and his tricorn hat. Strange arcane symbols embellished the perfectly round church, and effigies of the Knight’s Templar marking their final resting place seemed to create a thickness in the air. Ghostly mask-like carvings of a man’s face composed of leaves, the ‘green man’ along with strange pillars with a terrestrial globe and astrological globe capping the tops respectively.
“This is how Charles Dickens was able to write ‘A Christmas Carol’”. Dr. Pepys said matter-of factly. “He knew how to navigate the Ley.”
Then it dawned on Chelsea that she was seeing some kind of Christmas future...or present, albeit a surreal Christmas ‘present’.
“There is a brilliant young man about the same age as young William Penn who in a few years will change the world with his revolutionary discovery of the laws of Gravity. Again he is learning how to maneuver the Ley.” Dr. Pepys explained.
“What are these Doric columns?” Chelsea asked as she carefully tiptoed through the sacred sanctuary.
“That, my dear, is Boaz and Jachin.”
“Biblical, I take it.” She replied slightly uninterested.
“Somewhat. You see, my fair girl, Boaz and Jachin are the two pillars that stood at the entrance of the temple of Solomon. They represent severity and mercy on the tree of life…alas, Chokmah: Hebrew for wisdom and Binah: Hebrew for understanding…before reaching Kether, the crown…In the east, Samhadi, the height of divine consciousness. It is the yin/yang, the duality of existence. Light, dark, good, bad, male, female, sun, moon.” He said and his voice trailed off as he was taken by the grandeur of the Temple himself.
Tammanend followed behind Chelsea as a guide and protector. He waited for a moment to ensure Chelsea might see him as he touched the pillar and stood between the two sentinels. The threshold between the pillars became the grassy savannahs of Pennsylvania and Ohio at about the time Tammanend led his people west to ensure their survival. For as far as the eye could see was vast wild prairie and beautiful stands of trees and woodlands.
“This. This is how it looked to the Great Spirit before the white men came.” Tammanend said softly and with longing. Chelsea was astounded by what she was witnessing. The Temple Church of London let out into the American plains unspoiled and pure. She could smell the sweetgrass and the sounds of birds and the faint rustle of verdure in the wind. It was the absolute authenticity of nature.
“How?” She asked breathless.
“These are doorways in the wrinkles of time. Tiny little holes in the fabric of space.” Dr. Pepys replied.
“I’m dreaming---I, I must be dreaming.” She said and she grew nervous and wanted very much to wake up. Dr. Pepys shook his head ‘no’ then he smiled kindly.
“You are separating the subtle from the gross, my dear. ‘as above, so below’. A very important step in recognizing the gifts of the laws of nature and achieving, well, a kind of ‘nirvana’, if you will. You have asked from the subtlest parts of your heart and now you shall receive.” Pepys explained. “However, I must ask: What is it you hope to achieve from this most extraordinary request?”
“Achieve?” Chelsea asked confused and a bit disoriented.
“Besides your own personal gain?” He continued. Then he patiently waited for Chelsea to gather her thoughts and to truly put words to the things that affected her deeply. But more importantly to articulate what it is she truly believed.
“I…um…I never really…wanted to have children.” She began slowly the words trickling in gradually at first. “But something happened…and I don’t know exactly when or exactly what it was but I…I fell for her, for this woman.” Chelsea began.
“Fell?” Dr. Pepys asked confused.
“Yes…head over heels. I never expected it. Not in a million years. But…She sends me…She has extraordinary talent and her paintings are very much like the Rhys paintings.” She said veering off point.
“I see.” Dr. Pepys replied patiently.
“She makes me want…to be…better…to…be a better person…to combine…knowing a part of her would be growing inside.” Chelsea said softly. “I mean, the idea of creating another life with her makes me feel like there is hope.”
“Hope for…you?” Pepys prodded.
“For me, for everyone---for the world.” Chelsea said and her words surprised her. Before, her focus seemed to be on the pertinent things of life as she knew it, a job, security, a place to live and a hobby or two—the distractions of pleasure and entertainment. Now the world became a nest that must be feathered and cleaned and sometimes torn down and rebuilt.
“The word Jachin is replaced with a ‘y’ in the Semitic pronunciations.” Dr. Pepys began and his eyes sparkled. “’Yak’ means ‘one’ and the suffix, if you will, ‘hin’ means ‘only’. Here we have the great mystery revealed. It is ‘unity’, the ‘only one’”.
Tammanend stood near the pillar ‘Jachin’ as Dr. Pepys continued.
“The story of Boaz can be found in the book of Ruth. He redeems the estate through traditional and legal means all in his love for Ruth. The thing you have that is separate from yourself can only be redeemed through the perfectness of love. ‘Jachin’ becomes the unity of being – something that a family member cannot divest. And ‘Boaz’ becomes the unity of thought through the ‘act’ of love.” Dr. Pepys said softly then he turned and gazed at Tammanend who was leaning on the pillar Jachin gazing out at the breathtaking vistas of early America.
“It is in the Upanishads.” Tammanend said. “’Brahman’ is ‘Jachin’. ‘Atman’ is ‘Boaz’. This is what she taught me”.
“Who is ‘she’?” Chelsea asked.
“She is Ansa.” Tammanend said and the sound of her name brought glimmering light into the temple. The rays sparkled and flickered and infused the entire church with a kind of magical mist. As Chelsea watched the light fill the church it took her breath away.
“Come. It is time to learn the calls.” Dr. Pepys said and he gently took Chelsea by her arm and led her to the altar of the small church. Chelsea kept gazing backward at Tammanend standing on the threshold, his sanguine countenance taking in the wonder of the wilds only a few steps before him. Then suddenly the great chief crossed the threshold of the sacred pillars and Chelsea watched him as he moved further and further away half obscured by the high grass and the distance.
A black Bentley was parked in the circular drive of the Savoy Hotel. It was almost the exact model of her Majesty’s, the Queen’s official touring car. Vacationers and tourists as well as Londoners passing by stopped to study the automobile. People could be heard whispering things like, “Is the Queen really at the Savoy? Whatever for?” They were kindly corrected by the doormen and various hotel personnel that the royal standard was not perched atop the car’s roof, therefore, Her Majesty was not inside nor was this the Royal vehicle. “Then it must be some other important dignitary.” The whispers continued. Ashley sat in the back of the car. She had already gathered Chelsea’s things and tucked them carefully back into her suitcase. The bellhops had loaded the trunk. The only thing missing was Chelsea herself. Ashley fidgeted in the back seat. The driver, Dillon, waited patiently.
“I’m so sorry. I asked her to be here by 6:30. I’ll try again.” Ashley said apologetically.
“Please don’t apologize, ma’am. It is my job and my duty to wait.” He said smiling. Ashley dialed her cell phone for the umpteenth time and once again it rang and rang until finally on the fifth ring Chelsea answered.
“Chelsea?” Ashley said concerned.
“Hi—I’m so sorry. I lost track of time and I’m on my way. I’m only a few streets from the hotel. I’ll be there in a minute. I’m so sorry.” Chelsea replied.
“Don’t worry I packed all of our things and I’m waiting in a Black Bentley if you can believe it.” She said chuckling at the absurdity of it. “I’ll see you in a few.” She said and then she hung up and opened the car door. She stood on the curb so that Chelsea could see her. Finally after a few minutes she saw Chelsea ambling along the lane and quickly sprinting towards the car. Ashley climbed in on her side and Chelsea slid in on the other. The air conditioning in the car was a cool relief.
“Wow! You really pimped the ride!” Chelsea said giggling and excited. Dillon pulled the car out of the drive and two were on their way to new digs.
“What happened? Where were you?” Ashley asked.
“I thought I had a little time and so I stopped at the Globe. And then I walked over the bridge because it was so nice out---I, I just lost track of time. I’m sorry.” Chelsea said apologizing yet again. Then she sat quiet seemingly centering herself. She reached for Ashley’s hand and clasped it tenderly.
“I want you to know…That I believe in you. I believe in us, whatever this is…” She said softly and she could feel her heart race as she peeled away her protective layers. “I want you to know that I feel deeply…about you. And sometimes my response time is not…optimal…but I do feel…even though I may not say it…or reciprocate…in a…timely way. I won’t apologize for that…It’s just the way I’m built.” She said softly. Then she gazed at Ashley and Ashley could see that it was the most honest she had ever been with herself since their adventure began.
“I know.” Was all that Ashley said and she smiled and her copper colored eyes flashed a kind of mysterious knowing as the sun set on olde London Towne.
Chelsea was stunned by the grandeur of the Hyde Park residence. It almost seemed palatial. It looked like the townhouses seen in all the Merchant Ivory productions shot in turn-of-the-century London. In front was the signature wrought iron fencing with the sharpened points guarding the house from the commonness of the street. They were met by Wilkins in the front parlor.
“Ms. Coleman.” He said with perfect etiquette.
“Wilkins---this is Chelsea Barrett.” Ashley said.
“A pleasure---“ Wilkins replied and nodded his head in respect.
“I’m sorry we’re late. We had no time to change our clothes. We must look like touristy Americans.” Ashley continued.
“We ARE touristy Americans.” Chelsea said.
“Ms. Coleman there is some news. Some rather upsetting news.” Wilkins said soberly. Ashley and Chelsea could hear masculine voices murmuring in one of the dining rooms on the ground floor.
“Dame Thornton passed away this afternoon.” Wilkins said and his face was grey and his eyes watered slightly.
“But I just left her this afternoon. She seemed quite well.” Ashley replied in shock.
“She…fell asleep…and did not wake up. Natural causes.” Wilkins replied.
“So…are we…should we go back to the hotel?” Chelsea asked.
“We should go so that they can make proper arrangements.” Ashley added and began to move towards the front door pulling Chelsea’s arm.
“On the contrary. We require your presence precisely at this time.” Wilkins said. “Dillon has taken your trunks to your rooms. If you would like to change please take a moment to do so.” Wilkins continued. “I am quite aware that dinner is supposed to be served at 8:15. Mrs. O’Halloran has made the required trip to the east side foraging for this elusive Thai Coconut soup. As for the other guests we will be serving Lancashire hotpot. However, if you are hungry at the moment I shall have Erin prepare some hors d'oeuvres immediately.
“What does this have to do with us?” Ashley asked.
“Dame Thornton’s accountants and solicitors are in the other room pouring over her estate and will. Since she had no heirs she has left almost the entire estate to the both of you.” Wilkins said. “I do not know the particulars and that is why you are both required presently.” He nodded leaving the girls gob-smacked. He had only moved a few yards before turning back.
“Please follow me. I’ll show you to your rooms.”
“This is getting more surreal by the moment.” Chelsea whispered.
Erin, the cook, had prepared a wonderful plate of exotic cheeses and crackers along with cru d’etat. Middle aged men, some in dark suits looking like bankers and others sporting bow ties and tweed jackets reminiscent of literary professors in the states, murmured among themselves as papers and files covered a huge mahogany desk from the Empire period.
“Gentlemen. May I introduce you to Ms. Ashley Coleman and Ms. Chelsea Barrett.” Wilkins said and he smiled at the girls as they seemed to look like deer caught in the proverbial headlights. There was a gasp and a hush as the recognition of Chelsea’s name was spoken aloud. A distinguished gentleman stepped forward.
“Ladies. Permit me to introduce myself. I am Archibald Smoot, chief legal advisor to Dame Thornton. You have inherited between the two of you approximately 400 million pounds.”
Chelsea held onto Ashley’s arm to keep from fainting.
“I’m just a poor white child from the woods of North Carolina.” Ashley whispered in her southern drawl, awaiting cameras and a producer to spring out of a hiding place somewhere and tell them it was all a big joke.
“Shhhh.” Chelsea replied.
“The stipulation is that the two of you be married.” Mr. Smoot added as the other men cleared their throats and looked away. “But…same gender marriage is not recognized as legal in the U.K.” He added.
“Why would the Dame stipulate that if it is not legal?” Ashley asked. The men looked at each other for a possible answer.
“We do not know. We were hoping that perhaps she might have given you a clue.” Mr. Smoot replied.
“I have no idea.” Ashley said. The men scratched their heads.
“Are either of you British citizens?” He asked. The girls shook their heads ‘no’ in utter confusion.
“Oh dear.” Smoot uttered.
“The various charities, museums, trusts and foundations that Dame Thornton supported in her lifetime require the continued stewardship of…well, yourselves.” A non-descript lawyer stated from the back of the crowd.
Smoot stepped forward.
“A fortune of this amount cannot be taken from the country. It is illegal to remove it all and the good works that Dame Thornton so painstakingly forged would collapse if the support were pulled…It could affect the entire British economy.”
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