about and making friends, but it sounds like you are spending a lot of money and with you being on a fixed income...” His son trailed off, concern evident in his voice.
“They are call the Prophet of Change and yes I am making friends. Most of the people are older and alone like me, we have so much in common. I’m learning about myself and how to be happy rather than lonely. It’s great. And don’t worry about my finances, I’m an adult after all.” Mike said.
“The Prophet of Change? Dad that sounds a little like a cult, especially if they are recruiting only lonely older people.” Will said.
“Nonsense. I thought the same thing at first, but I am not a member of a cult. We are a New Age group that is all.” Mike said with confidence.
The next day Mike packed and headed just out of town to a compound that the Prophet owned up in the mountains. “Wow, this place is huge. Look at all of the cabins!” Mike exclaimed when he saw the compound. “How can the Prophet afford all of this?”
“A lot of people live up here. That way they can help spread the word of the Prophet of Change. When my lease is up at my apartment I plan on moving up here. Imagine living next to like-minded people? After years of feeling invisible and alone, it’s a dream come true for me.” Mary said.
“He lets us actually live up here in all this peace?” Mike asked in awe. He had always loved the mountains, but thought that he could never afford to live there. Not to mention that he felt all alone himself in his small and bland apartment. Maybe this was the answer to the question he didn’t even know he had been asking.
The weekend went by in a blur and by the end of it Mike had indeed signed a contract stating that he would move to the compound as soon as his lease was over or sooner if he could. He would be provided room and board including a small allowance, all he had to do was sign over his pension and social security check each month. Sounded like a fair exchange to Mike.
When he got back to town and told his son and daughter of his plans, both were less than happy for him. His daughter told him to just move in with her and her family, but Mike didn’t want to move there. His son went back to his cult talk. “Dad, they are asking you to sign your retirement checks over. I don’t even know if that is legal and I sure as hell know that it’s not right. This is a cult, you need to get out of it now before you get in too far.”
“We are not a cult! You are just a non-believer!” Mike got mad and hung up on Will. He refused to answer his son’s calls and just started getting ready for his big move in a couple of weeks. He would just break his lease and move on with his life.
By midweek he had broken his lease and given away or sold most of his furniture, he wouldn’t need much other than clothes up at the compound. Thursday he went to the usual meeting of The Prophet of Change. As usual he left with a feeling of euphoria, but that all came crashing down when he got home and found his son Will waiting for him. “Holy shit Dad! You are nothing but skin and bones. Are you even eating or do you just listen to your cult? We need to get you to the doctor and make sure you are okay.”
“Oh stop being so dramatic. For your information I am eating more than ever lately. I feel better than I have in decades.” Mike walked past Will and unlocked his door.
“What the hell happened to all of your stuff?” Will exclaimed as soon as he saw the mostly empty apartment.
“Gave it away. Sold it. I am moving to the compound to be with my friends. I didn’t need that stuff any longer. Material things only hold us down you know.” Mike said.
“Dad, when are you planning on moving?” Will asked, speaking slowly.
“Soon. I broke my lease and just need to finish a few things up and then I head to the peace of the mountains.”
“What about me? And Sally? Don’t you care about your family anymore? Do you plan on coming