Son of Sedonia Read Online Free Page B

it, exited, and closed the door. It took a moment for Matteo’s eyes to readjust to candlelight. The Doctor picked up a wooden mortar and pestle and started grinding the leaves.
    “Well?” Utu said.
    “Wasn’t doing anything...just went empty. That’s all,” said Matteo.
    “Mmmm...” Utu nodded slowly. “Hold this under your nose and take ten deep breaths.” Matteo slouched in the chair, his small hands cupping the bowl under his nose. A strong menthol wave chilled his nostrils, throat, and lungs. The doctor turned away and hummed a gentle tune as he fetched a fresh canister. Through Matteo’s growing buzz, the notes seemed to have their own healing quality.
    His thoughts drifted. One breath. Two. Three. He was back on the rooftop next to the soccer game, gazing out at the city. Four. Five. Memories of countless buildings in the skyline appeared. Every curve and line. Every arrangement and set of windows. Every hazy silhouette rose in his mind and was lovingly examined. Six. Seven. Eight. He saw himself climbing over the wall, tunneling under it, blasting through it, or flying a ship—like the one he saw today—over it. The humming tapered off.
    “Where are you right now?” Utu asked.
    Matteo blinked. Shook his head slightly.
    “Oh, I only ask because you certainly aren’t here...or now for that matter.”
    “Huh? But I’m—I don’t understand,” said Matteo
    “Yes, your body is here, but you ? You were far away...a place you like to go?”
    A snapshot of the city skyline flashed through Matteo’s memory.
    “Yeah...someday...it’s just a stupid dream though.”
    “Dreams are a gift from God! Keep that one close to you, child, and it can be yours,” said Utu, pruning a jagged leaf on a potted plant.
    Matteo shrugged.
    “Jo doesn’t believe in God,” said Matteo.
    Utu stopped halfway through cutting a stem.
    “I know, my boy...I know. Your brother, he...has his reasons,” Utu continued cutting, “What do you believe?”
    “I don’t know,” said Matteo, “I guess I’ve always had this...feeling. Like I’m supposed to be somewhere else. Like I will be somewhere else...doing something great. Is that God?”
    Utu smiled.
    “I don’t know either. Do you need to call it something?” asked Utu. Matteo shrugged again.
    “Then don’t,” Utu said, “But it is up to you to follow it or not.”
    “I want to...”
    “ That , my young friend, is Step One to achieving anything your heart desires,” Utu offered the full canister to him. Matteo looked at it. Frowned as he dropped it in his hood and fed the plastic tube over his ears and under his nose.
    “I need to get better,” Matteo said, adjusting the nose-piece, “Stronger.”
    “Now there I think I can help you... if you’re willing to work,” said Utu, mock frowning.
    Matteo perked up. Nodded. Utu continued.
    “Come over once a week from now on. There’s plenty that a kind young soul like yourself can do for me around the Temple. In exchange, I’ll give you regular treatments and physical therapy. Together we will test this ‘Faith’ of yours.”
    Matteo’s heart fluttered, making him wheeze a little. He squeezed the release. A fresh tank always felt good. The sweet mint coolness swirled in his chest.
    “Thank you,” Matteo smiled shyly.
    “So! Back to the present moment...feeling better?” asked the Doctor.
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Good man! Now, this fine orange you gave me...it’s something very special. Maybe too much for my services this evening...” Utu turned and trotted to a shelf. He bent and slid out a lidless cardboard box. Reached inside.
    “Your brother’s friends get these from time to time. They’re not the most...literate lot, so they pass them on to me. Haven’t seen a new one in a while though.” Utu pulled out a magazine and held it up. ‘ National…G-e-o…gra—’ Matteo squinted to make out the faded letters, but a big worn spot on the cover cut off the end. It didn’t matter much though. Here