Page 147 of The End of the World As We Know It

Elizabeth touched his thigh. He scooted a few inches away, yet continued to smile. “The stone? The story is fascinating.”

Elizabeth had to hide her anger at his rejection. “Yes, sorry. It’s also called the Stone of Jacob. It’s where he lay his head in Bethel as he received visions in the form of dreams from God. Later, the prophet Jeremiah brought it to Ireland before it found its way to Scotland. The English took it from the Scots. For a very long time, it resided beneath the Coronation Chair in Westminster Abbey.”

Joseph looked off as if he’d entered a dream world. “Visions! Dreams. Just like us! Could we be prophets? This has to be the end times, like in the Bible.”

She smiled at him. His innocent enthusiasm excited her. “Exactly. You are very clever, Joseph. I think we are in touch with the divine. I could feel it when I entered the Abbey and sat on the Coronation Chair. Flagg has told me directly that I am his chosen one on this side of the world.”

“I believe it. You’ve been so kind and welcoming to me.”

“Joseph, I just want to make you feel welcomed and good. You can be yourself around me.”

He shifted his gaze to his fidgeting fingers. “Thank you. I know we just met, but I’m very tired. Do you mind if I take one of the rooms?”

“Not at all. But it’s a big place, so I’ll put you next to me. Best we stick together.”

“Okay. I trust you.”

“Good. You can.” She stood, grabbing the second drink. “Follow me. The keys are still at the front desk.”

Flagg had been silent for the few days since Joseph’s arrival. He couldn’t be angry at her being attracted to Joseph, because she had to believe Flagg had given him to her. The absence of Flagg though made it difficult for her to sleep. She shuffled through her box of pills from the hospital and found ones that might help. She hoped in the darkest corner of her dreams she would find him. With a shot of whiskey, she took the pill. Not long after, her mind drifted into a dark void. He whispered. “You like him. I know you do.” She could feel his breath on her neck.

“I… You’re the one for me.”

“It’s okay. I’m not a jealous guy. Have fun with him. Make him into a man. He wants it. But he’s shy. Look at you. You’re a knockout. Give him what he wants. What you want…”

Elizabeth could feel herself smiling in her sleep. She did want Joseph, and now she would have him. She would have both.

“We will find a way to you.”

“Let me handle that, darlin’.”

The following day, Joseph wandered in and out of his room, then ate a light supper of cheese sandwiches and potato chips with her. He seemed pensive throughout the entire meal.

“You okay?” she asked.

“Yeah, just had a few wild dreams.”

“Really? Tell me.”

He hesitated. “I’d rather wait until I’m sure.”

“Up to you, Joseph. I’m here for you.”

She blew out the candles they used for light and returned to her room. She had never been with a virgin before. It aroused her. She opened two beers and poured them into pint glasses. Into one of them she sprinkled crushed diazepam. His shyness might be a problemconsidering he hadn’t reacted the way she expected when she tried to get close to him before. He was young enough to get hard and dumb enough not to think anything of how the spiked beer made him feel. Elizabeth wore a fresh robe and nothing else when she walked to Joseph’s room and knocked on the door with her knuckles.

He opened it with a smile. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, sorry. Just lonely, I guess.” She held up the beers. “And I don’t like how we left supper. Nightcap?”

He glanced at her robe and bare feet. “I guess… a little company wouldn’t hurt.”

She entered and closed the door behind her with her foot.

“I know you said you didn’t really drink. Why don’t you try it anyway? You don’t have to be shy around me. I don’t like drinking alone. And it will open your mind. Help you relax about your dreams.”

He hesitated before taking the pint glass. “Yeah, the adjustment being around another person hasn’t been easy. All right—cheers, then.”

She lifted the glass to her lips and took a long drink, hoping he would do the same and not sip it like a granny with her tea. To her surprise, he drank half of it.