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SON OF THE SUN “Yes, Orfeo,” he assured me. “It is nectar. A mild, diluted form, but the real nectar, just the same.” I wanted to take a few sips, but just then the waitress brought servings of soup and salad to me. Up to this moment, in spite of my sudden exhilaration, everything had appeared normal to me. But I knew that very soon everything would appear differently. So I tried to evaluate the objects about me as they truly were so I would not lose my sense of orientation when the environment took on an enhanced aspect, aq ar 1 ad 1 1 1 ar 1 1 Ah, yes. No wonder Adam had expected me. No wonder he seemed so alive and alert. To him all the surroundings were of a different pace and appearance. Before I opened the door, he had already come under the pleasant spell of the nectar. What was more important, he was in the protective care of others somewhere, perhaps nearby, perhaps far off—unseen, and not of earth, nor of our solar system. Soon I, too, would be engulfed with him. I thrilled from head to foot as I took the glass, lifted it to my lips, and swallowed twice from it. At that instant I entered, with Adam, into a more exalted state and everything around me took on a different semblance. No longer was I in Tiny’s cafe in Twentynine Palms. It had been transformed into a cozy retreat on some radiant star system. Though everything remained in its same position, added beauty and meaning were given to the things and people present there. Among the patrons dining that evening were two marines from the nearby base. They were sitting at the front end of the counter. Sometimes they glanced our way as they talked and drank beer following their meal. There was a trace of disdain adoe . aa > om: in their expressions, especially in the younger one’s. This was not directed at us, but rather was part of their general outlook, colored by a grueling military life. Yet now, since taking a little of the nectar, I saw them as two vibrant humans in the pageantry of life—not only my life, but all life. If they could see themselves in the same broad scope, their lives would not a 1 re 20 seem to them so desolate or remote. The waitress brought the rest of my order. Adam nodded