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Coastal Village Murder: Chapter Fifteen

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Chapter Fifteen

Days after the interview with the deacon, Hannah surprised me with an invitation. “Paul, I’ve not visited the Crystal Cathedral since the Catholic Church renamed it Christ Cathedral. It will be open for Thanksgiving Mass. Why don’t we attend the Mass – you, Eric, and me.”

            “Hey, that’s a great idea.”

            “I’ll let you drive Dad’s Audi. By the way, no takers yet so far . . . I”ll give you a discount, if you want it.”

    “Something to think about.”

             “One of my fond memories of Dad was attending the Lutheran Thanksgiving Service with him at Göttingen; we don’t call it Mass. Are you Catholic, Paul?”

             “Yes.” I was tempted to add “lapsed.” I could easily start going to Mass again every Sunday. I had forgotten when I last went to Confession and took Communion.”

              “Good. It’s a date then.”

               “After Mass, I’ll treat you and Eric to my favorite French-Vietnamese restaurant in Garden Grove."

***

I had a National Geographic Kids magazine for Eric. It had the picture on the cover of a Harp Seal lying on a mound of snow.

                With a shy smile Eric said, “Thank you.” Hannah nodded approvingly.

                As I was driving to Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, with Hannah on the passenger side and Eric behind her, I said, “Before the Catholic Church bought it, it was called Crystal Cathedral. It was the brunt of jokes on social media.”

               “Really?”

               “It was considered kitsch . . . not made of crystal but glass, no cathedra or seat for a bishop, hence not a cathedral. It was like Disneyland three miles away, gaudy and ostentatious.”

               “Nitpickers, no doubt.”

               “For sure," she agreed.

                I parked the Audi and Hannah opened the door for Eric, who walked beside his mother on the left, away from me.                 “Look at that program.” Hannah pointed to the sidewalk poster on a stand that read: Christ Cathedral Concerts present the London Westminster Choir, in concert, Saturday, January 21, 2021.

                “That might be worth going to,” I said.

                 “I’d like to go, too,” Hannah said, looking at me.

                 Was she hinting I bring her along?

                 “I once came to a concert here featuring a Theremin," Hannah said. This spooky electronic instrument used in films, like Spellbound and The Lost Weekend."

                “Two of my favorite films.” Something else we have in common? I thought.

                  “I also attended a Christmas Pageant that had real camels on stage ー the length of three football fields ー and angels swinging from the ceiling. Now, that was kitschy,” Hannah said. “Is this your first time to attend Mass here?”

                 I nodded.

                The day was sunny but chilly, reflected in the panels of glass on the walls of the cathedral. Avoiding the crowd, Eric was now walking between Hannah and me, holding our hands, as we went around the side of the church to the south entrance. Tourists and parishioners milled about, and checked out the three covered food stalls selling Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese foods.


You enter south of this jewel box of a building, sit on a pew and gaze at the enormous ceiling and walls, shimmering with diaphanous white material designed with squares. Each square is cut into four triangles meeting in a circle at the center, and reflecting light like a cut diamond. The organ pipes stand on the north wall behind three tiers: the choir on the topmost, the organ console on the second, and on the first the pulpit behind the altar. On the left and right walls high above the altar are two rectangular screens, flashing the projected hymns, missal readings, and prayers.

                 You are in a house of prayer. Prayers are made of words addressed to an unknown and powerful Being who is extolled, begged for mercy and grace. You shut your eyes as you pray: May the murder of Klaus be resolved, whether random or contracted; if contracted did the deacon order it?

                 The organ thunders, you open your eyes, the choir sings, and you are engulfed in feelings that no words can express. You look around and see Hannah and Eric gazing at you ー In wonder? Delight? ー and you find gratitude in their presence in your life . . . I must end here before it turns into a sappy love story.

The End

Photo: Catholic Cathedral, Creative Commons, by Codera23
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