my novel: Prairie Songs (chapter - 8)

Prairie Songs

my novel

Chapter eight

Mike stood up from his chair when he saw John appeared at the door of the cafe. He immediately waved his hand, motioning for John came to his desk.
"Hi, John! How are you? "
"Yacchh ... as you see". John said quietly and then sat down across from Mike.

"You look thin and pale," Mike said, as if concerned.
"What would you like?"

John did not answer, he was more interested in the objects on the table. Pack of cigarettes lying on top of a newspaper that is still folded neatly, a cup of cappuccino with a little granule, and a plate containing several layers of bread.

"Thank you for coming. There's something I want to talk ".
John still did not answer.
"John ... You can not go on like this!. If you on like this ... You're not only hurting yourself but also unknowingly hurt Karen. "

"What do you know about Karen!", Said John bitterly.
"I'm sorry, John. I knew she was so mean to you. But did you forget? Is not Karen who makes being a writer?. "

Mike took a deep breath before continuing his speech, "Look at you now!. You waste her efforts, you even forget thyself. Do you want to make her upset? Do you think she would be happy if see you like this now? ".

in solitude,
from the darkness,
from the bottom of loneliness ...

John was silent contain his feelings. Actually he was very annoyed but this time he could not deny what Mike just said. Diverted his eyes, watching some of the posters displayed on the walls of the cafe. For a moment he scanned the faces of the cafe that afternoon. His eyes stopped to the young man who had been continued attention to him.

Aware that he was concerned, the young man stood from his chair and walked toward a table occupied by John and Mike.
"Sorry, you are John Quin, right?"

John were watching before answering, "Yeah, right. What do I know you?. What can I Help? ".
"My guess was not wrong. Sorry sir, actually since before I wanted to come to you, but I doubt it. That was the sight of you, my memory immediately drawn to the photo on the back cover of a novel I have ever read. What should I ask for your signature? ".

John was silent for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Happily handed the young man a pen and a small book.
"Bisma... My name's Bisma." The young man quickly replied see John stopped writing and looked at him.
"Bisma?"
"Yes, sir. Bisma. "

"It appears you are not a resident here Mr. Bhishma. Asia? "
"Yes sir. Indonesia. "
"Indonesia ...? Bali? "
"No, sir. Jogja! "

John nodded slowly. Well, I'll give you my signature, sir Bhishma."
He soon wrote a brief words in the book in his hand:

To Mr. Bisma, a friend from Indonesia.
-John Quin-

"What made you come to America, Mr. Bisma?", John asked as he handed back the pen and the book has been signed.
"Oh, I am here to attend a conference. I invited a foundation as one of the speakers at the conference. "

"Wow!, Apparently you are not ordinary people."
"Maybe next time we could talk Mr. Bisma."
"With pleasure, sir. Thank you for your signature. How nice to meet you!. Excuse me ".

the young man happily greeted John and Mike then returned to his desk.

Mike patted John's shoulder after he was gone. "You see John!. Even readers of your stuff to overseas! "

John did not answer, his mind would drift away. Indonesia?, Bali?. He remembered Karen ever talk about her desire for a vacation there, enjoy the exotic island that quite famous. John back down to remember it all.

Meanwhile, the television screen on the corner of cafe displays a breaking news. An Australian official, with great emotion criticized the Indonesian government that considered to be slow in resolving cases of the Bali bombings that have took the lives some of their citizens.

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