Do You Believe in Gods?

“Okay Honey, you can open your eyes now,” said David.

Tara opened her eyes and her jaw dropped. She was looking at their new apartment, now fully furnished. When they leased it, it seemed like any other nondescript little apartment in the Bronx. But now, it was their apartment. She looked at the kitchen with all of their newly acquired appliances out. Their living room with sofa and television and bookshelves. The bedroom contained a waterbed given to them by David's grandmother. Tara looked at her husband and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a big kiss. “You did all of this today while I was at work?” she asked with a shocked expression on her face.

“Well,” David began with a sheepish grin on his face, “My friends from school helped.” David and Tara were just recently married a few weeks ago. They met in school earlier in the year and knew that they were done looking. Their marriage ceremony was nothing special. Just a courthouse wedding in front of a judge. They stayed together in the provided dorm, but they decided that it was time they got their own place. They saved up their money and got a starter apartment in the Bronx. It was the only thing they could afford. He worked as a clerk at a Whole Foods Market on Columbus Circle in the middle of Manhattan. She was a receptionist at Cafe des Artistes, a real swanky restaurant slightly farther uptown.

That night, they had a marvelous dinner of a garlic roasted chicken and buttery asparagus. “This is amazing, honey!” David cried after he swallowed a bite of chicken. “Well it helps when you have a wife who went to culinary school and a husband who works at a healthy grocery store,” Tara replied, smiling. They toasted their new life together with glasses of white wine. After dinner was finished they rinsed off their plates and put them in the dishwasher. A couple of bowls were pulled out of the cupboard and filled with ice cream. The newlyweds grabbed their bowls and went into the living room to watch “Dr. Who” on DVD.

After a few episodes Tara began to get sleepy. They went into the bedroom to turn in for the night. Tara's cat Sam was curled up on the sheets already asleep. “Move over cat,” she said as she picked up the cat. Sam chirped indignantly and walked out of the room. Tara put on her nightgown and climbed under the covers. “Coming to bed, Sweetie?” she asked as David put on a pair of Coca-Cola pajama pants. “In a little bit. I wanted to continue reading my book before I turned in for the night.” She nodded in reply and turned off her bedside light. “Well, don't stay up too late. Good night,” she said as she placed kiss on his cheek. “Good night, dear,” David replied as he picked up his book.

Earlier in the week, David had picked up a copy of American Gods by Neil Gaiman at the library. He was really getting into it. He was already halfway through the book. The snoring next to him signaled that his wife had fallen asleep. He opened his book and began reading. The main character, named Shadow, had just met Mr. Ibis, who in actuality was Thoth, Egyptian God of Wisdom. “Interesting reading material,” a soft voice suddenly said right next to him. David jumped a bit because he thought his wife was asleep. She was sitting up against the wall looking at him. But something was not right. For one thing she spoke with an accent. “Honey, why did you go British all of a sudden?” he asked.

Tara gave him a look that confused him even more. He knew he was looking at his wife, but it didn't seem like it was her. It was like someone else was using her body. “Hello David,” she said in that same soft British voice. “Hello Honey,” David replied, wondering what was going on. Tara shook her head. “I am not your 'honey',” she smiled. “My name is Demeter.” David blinked rather stupidly. “You mean like the Goddess?” She smiled again. “That's exactly who I am.”

David didn't say anything for a few moments. “Come on Tara, enough games,” he said, trying to play it off. “They never believe us,” Demeter muttered to herself. “Do you see that flower on the windowsill?” she asked, craning her head in that direction. David nodded. “Keep your eye on it.” David looked at the flower, wondering what he was supposed to be seeing. His jaw dropped as he saw the flower bloom and die right before his eyes. It soon grew back to the form it was before Demeter altered it. He looked from the flowerpot to Demeter and back, unable to speak. She chuckled to herself. “Yes, I know. I get that reaction frequently.”

David swallowed. “You're actually real?” She nodded. “What about Zeus?” he asked. “Yes,” she replied. “Athena,” he continued. “Of course,” was the reply. “All of us. And not just Greek figures.” David looked confused.. “What do you mean?” he asked. “I mean that all of the Gods are watching over everyone. Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, and many others. Even Yahweh.”

“Yahweh?” asked David, trying to remember his mythology. “You know him as Jehovah, or simply put, God.” David's eyebrows raised. “God is real? How does he feel about the rest of you Gods?” he asked. Demeter laughed a little to herself. “He is understandably jealous. Yahweh is a very... possessive deity. Once he has a mortal on his side, he uses fear to control them. He would prefer to be the only God, but until people stop believing in the rest of us, I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future.” David was staring into space and blinking every few seconds. “Are you alright?” she asked.

David snapped back to attention. “This is just way too much to process,” he said. “Why are you visiting me?” She looked at him and said, “The veil is thinning.” He shrugged, obviously not knowing what she was talking about. “The veil between this world and the next,” Demeter replied. “You mean like in Harry Potter?” He received another look. “How did you think J.K. Rowling came up with it? She knows a lot more than she leads on. As do Rick Riordan and your Neil Gaiman,” she continued, pointing at his book. “All Hallow's Eve approaches. The one day when the spirits of the dead can pass through fully into the realm of the living. Over the next few days I and some of the others will be instructing you and Tara various protection spells and enchantments to protect you, should anything negative force its way through.”

“Um, okay,” replied David, unsure what to think. “Can I ask you something?” Demeter nodded. “There's something I've read about on the internet and when am I going to get another opportunity. What is the Bloop?” It was Demeter's turn to look puzzled. “I'm not sure I know what you are referring to.” David went into the other room and grabbed his laptop. He logged on to YouTube and typed in “bloop.” He played the sound and as it played Demeter looked worried. “The old gods are stirring,” she muttered. “What is it? Is it an animal of some kind?” he asked. Demeter shook her head. “I'm afraid it is far worse than that. That, young man, is the sound of one attempting to break his bonds in Tartarus. The monster, Typhon.” David shivered. “You mean the father of all monsters?” Demeter nodded. “How big is he?” he asked. “I cannot remember precisely, but he is far many times larger than a blue whale.” David gulped.

“I must go now,” Demeter said as she graced David's cheek with a kiss. “Tara cannot keep me long. She hasn't strengthened her mind to contain us very long, hence our short visit. Tell her to practice. She will need to keep her mind open like this for longer periods of time very shortly. I am most glad that my daughter is happy with you.” David blinked. “Your daughter?” Demeter looked like she was trying to explain something. “Spiritual daughter. I chose to protect and watch over her when she was very young. Tomorrow night you shall be visited by your guardian parent.”

“I have someone watching over me?” he asked. “Everyone does, David. Good-bye.” And with that, she closed her eyes and Tara began snoring again. David lay down on his pillow with thoughts streaming through his mind. Mythology, old gods, the other side. He lay awake for a few hours before finally falling asleep.