Miracle Man Read Online Free Page B

you."
    "Yeah, I'll see how I
go. I've got a lot I want to get done while I'm here-"
    "Still up at the
house?"
    "Yep."
    "Well I'll give you a
call soon, see what's happening. It'd be great to see you again."
    Lahra was very uncomfortable
with the emphasis Kurt had placed on that last sentence. But she smiled a tight
smile and nodded. "Sure, call sometime."
    "Well, I gotta run.
I'll talk to you soon, then. Seeya."
    "Yeah, see you."
    Lahra turned back to the
wine, watching Kurt leave out of the corner of her eye. Finally he was gone.
Kurt Carol. It was a name she hadn't thought of in three years. Two dates
almost ten years ago and he'd been keeping tabs on her ever since. She laughed
to herself as she contemplated the doggedness of the male species, and went
about making her selection.
    *
    Lahra switched off the
engine and just sat there, staring. Across the road the huge, gracious
structure that was the Miracle Cinema rose from the pavement.
    Looking at it in the Spring
afternoon sun, Lahra understood the impact that the grand cathedrals of the
middle ages must have had on all those who saw them. To Lahra, the Miracle was a cathedral. And in truth her annual trip home was just as much an exodus to
this holy place. Its grand, Art Deco façade was the welcoming face of a dear
old friend. Its row of frosted glass doors smiled at her. Its long, square
windows gazed warmly upon her. And the neon 'Miracle Cinema' sign, even
switched off, was as much an alluring invitation to come on in as it had ever
been.

 
    She stepped slowly out of
the Jeep and began walking across the road towards the Miracle, her eyes not
leaving it for a moment. Suddenly she was seven again, and her parents were
bringing her to her very first movie outing—a re-release of Dr Zhivago .
The movie itself was some three hours long, but to Lahra it seemed to finish
way too quickly. They were sitting in the first row of the balcony, smack in
the centre. Her father had bought her a large popcorn, but it was barely
touched. Once the film began Lahra forgot about the real world. Her young mind
was in a faraway land of romance and tragedy and danger. It didn't matter that
she couldn't understand all of the story. Just being witness to the spectacle
was magic enough. The big, bright screen, the loud, majestic music. Yes, the
music. The same beautiful music that her mother and father had danced to in the
living room from time to time. The same music her mother and father had had as
their bridal waltz. The music she herself had cried to almost a decade later
after hearing that her they had been killed.
    Lahra stood before the
building and let her memories filter through her. The Miracle Cinema was where
her love for the movies began. It made her what she was today. It was indeed
the best friend she had ever had.
    One of the six swinging
doors before her was half open, Lahra noticed, which was unusual for this time
of day. The Miracle screened double bills every night except Monday, beginning
at about seven o'clock. Sunday and Wednesday nights had always been her
favourite because they were the nights that the old classics –and not so
classics—played. It was now mid-afternoon on a Thursday and the cinema would
normally have been locked up tight for another few hours.
    She took the three steps to
the open door and poked her head inside. A musty, ancient smell greeted her
nostrils, familiar and friendly. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the
dim light within, but it quickly became apparent that nobody was in the foyer.
She stepped into the stillness, and goosebumps ran up her arms.

 
    "Hello, anyone
home?"
    Directly ahead were the
doors to the stalls. They were shut. To her left the men's and ladies'
restrooms, closed and silent. To her right were the box office and candy bar
flanking the marble staircase which led up to the balcony. The lights were
switched off. The office doors behind were shut.
    "Hello?"
    Lahra moved to the stairs,
glancing around as if