Night Lights: Book One Chapter One
12/3/01
Jim was accustomed to sitting on his front porch in the evening. He liked to rock in his chair and watch the sun set and the stars take over the night sky. Catching a few winks was usual for him. He was never concerned about missing much because the train in the neighboring town would always wake him. He would then have plenty of time to catch the news and get to bed at a decent hour. Tonight was no different. The evening meal had been very satisfying and Jim was content. Jim settled into his rocker and had his front-row seat to the events of the evening. Jim nodded to neighbors out for their evening stroll and even got up once to retrieve a stray Frisbee that found its way onto the porch. His bones were not as agile these days, but he liked the kids and could still return a Frisbee with ease.
Jim had always been active. He had reached six feet by the age of twelve and peaked at six foot two inches at sixteen. A basketball scholarship paid his way through veterinarian school where he met his wife. Considering the rest of Jim’s family was only average size, Jim should have felt the odd man out. His mother, though, did her best to make Jim proud of his height. She made him feel special in being different. It was not until years later that Jim understood why he was so special to her. He was not his father’s child. It was unclear whether his father had known of his mother’s indiscretions. So, as Jim got older, his posture was proof that he was not ashamed to be tall. Even in his later years, he never became bent like so many do.
The only real signs of age he showed were the loss of two inches in height and the loss of his hair. He never really went gray or assumed the distinguished salt and pepper look since when his hair changed colors, it fell out. Hair, or the lack of it, was the one vanity that Jim had. He compensated for the lack by wearing a golf cap. The selection of his cap was a daily routine as much as putting his pants on in the morning. When Jim was puzzled, he had a habit of lifting his cap slightly and scratching his head. He generally did both the lifting and scratching with the same hand. Therefore, the cap was never far from his head.
Settling in again, the sun was just beginning to set. The clouds were scarce and unable to catch the last rays, but it was still a pretty sight that never failed to please Jim’s eyes. It would be a clear night tonight. The first star was already visible in the early evening sky. Jim made the same wish tonight that he did every night . . . that he and his wife would remain healthy and visit with the family yet another time. This wish soothed Jim into his first doze of the day. When he opened his eyes, stars littered the sky with a thousand tiny white lights twinkling in the night. A particular star caught his eye. It was more active than the others. Then he noticed that the star seemed to follow the movement of his head.
"What the . . . " exclaimed Jim. He knew his eyes were playing tricks on him. Yet, he rubbed the sleep out of them and looked again. Sure enough, that star was weaving designs in the night sky. He called to his wife, but she must not have heard him. He was afraid to take his eyes away from the sky in case he would lose sight of this blazing star. She would have to hear about it later. Still not sure what it was, he was determined to find out. A couple of minutes later, the movement stopped. It was, however, followed by a flash of light in the distance.
"Oh my gosh," said Jim as he removed his cap and scratched his bald head, "that was just on the other side of the hill. I’m going to go look."
Jim was propelled toward the disappearing light. His feet took command. It was as if a hand on his back was pushing him gently, but persistently, forward. The trip up the hill was more than Jim was used to since he suffered from arthritis. His long legs were feeling the effort of the climb. However, he was almost there and was not ready to give up now. He caught his breath and continued forward. When he reached the top, he noticed that the normal sounds of the evening had all but disappeared. The descent down the other side was a gradual slant, yet Jim found himself gaining speed. He was now feeling a pull with the accustomed push.
The smell of smoke was becoming apparent and he could now hear sirens in the distance. Halfway down the hill, Jim discovered the source of the smoke, a large crater lying a hundred yards ahead. Smoke was rising steadily from within the depth of this great hole. As Jim came closer, he peered cautiously into the depths. He could hear a faint hum beneath the wail of the approaching sirens. He was not sure but thought he saw metal or something shiny in the bowels of the crater. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness and the sting of the smoke, a bright light began to glow. The suddenness of the light momentarily blinded Jim. Consequently, he found he could see everything clearly. Six figures perched on top of a large craft. While the beings did not resemble humans, Jim felt no fear. While he was taking in the scene before him, Jim actually felt younger and healthier than he had in a long time.
One being, smaller than the rest, looked directly at Jim. In that instant, Jim understood all of the things that puzzled him for years. He understood all of the events in his life that brought him to this moment. He knew why he and Emma had only been blessed with two children and why they ended up being so far away. He also understood why he had always been different from the rest of his family. It was as if someone had given him all the answers and lifted a great weight from his shoulders. He acknowledged this newfound release with a slight nod of his head to his new friend.
As suddenly as the light had appeared, it was gone. Flashing lights had replaced the sirens as the emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. The crater was just an empty reminder now. An EMT approached Jim, "Sir, sir, are you okay?"
Jim nodded and said "Never been better, son, never been better," and began his ascent back up the hill.
Jim was accustomed to sitting on his front porch in the evening. He liked to rock in his chair and watch the sun set and the stars take over the night sky. Catching a few winks was usual for him. He was never concerned about missing much because the train in the neighboring town would always wake him. He would then have plenty of time to catch the news and get to bed at a decent hour. Tonight was no different. The evening meal had been very satisfying and Jim was content. Jim settled into his rocker and had his front-row seat to the events of the evening. Jim nodded to neighbors out for their evening stroll and even got up once to retrieve a stray Frisbee that found its way onto the porch. His bones were not as agile these days, but he liked the kids and could still return a Frisbee with ease.
Jim had always been active. He had reached six feet by the age of twelve and peaked at six foot two inches at sixteen. A basketball scholarship paid his way through veterinarian school where he met his wife. Considering the rest of Jim’s family was only average size, Jim should have felt the odd man out. His mother, though, did her best to make Jim proud of his height. She made him feel special in being different. It was not until years later that Jim understood why he was so special to her. He was not his father’s child. It was unclear whether his father had known of his mother’s indiscretions. So, as Jim got older, his posture was proof that he was not ashamed to be tall. Even in his later years, he never became bent like so many do.
The only real signs of age he showed were the loss of two inches in height and the loss of his hair. He never really went gray or assumed the distinguished salt and pepper look since when his hair changed colors, it fell out. Hair, or the lack of it, was the one vanity that Jim had. He compensated for the lack by wearing a golf cap. The selection of his cap was a daily routine as much as putting his pants on in the morning. When Jim was puzzled, he had a habit of lifting his cap slightly and scratching his head. He generally did both the lifting and scratching with the same hand. Therefore, the cap was never far from his head.
Settling in again, the sun was just beginning to set. The clouds were scarce and unable to catch the last rays, but it was still a pretty sight that never failed to please Jim’s eyes. It would be a clear night tonight. The first star was already visible in the early evening sky. Jim made the same wish tonight that he did every night . . . that he and his wife would remain healthy and visit with the family yet another time. This wish soothed Jim into his first doze of the day. When he opened his eyes, stars littered the sky with a thousand tiny white lights twinkling in the night. A particular star caught his eye. It was more active than the others. Then he noticed that the star seemed to follow the movement of his head.
"What the . . . " exclaimed Jim. He knew his eyes were playing tricks on him. Yet, he rubbed the sleep out of them and looked again. Sure enough, that star was weaving designs in the night sky. He called to his wife, but she must not have heard him. He was afraid to take his eyes away from the sky in case he would lose sight of this blazing star. She would have to hear about it later. Still not sure what it was, he was determined to find out. A couple of minutes later, the movement stopped. It was, however, followed by a flash of light in the distance.
"Oh my gosh," said Jim as he removed his cap and scratched his bald head, "that was just on the other side of the hill. I’m going to go look."
Jim was propelled toward the disappearing light. His feet took command. It was as if a hand on his back was pushing him gently, but persistently, forward. The trip up the hill was more than Jim was used to since he suffered from arthritis. His long legs were feeling the effort of the climb. However, he was almost there and was not ready to give up now. He caught his breath and continued forward. When he reached the top, he noticed that the normal sounds of the evening had all but disappeared. The descent down the other side was a gradual slant, yet Jim found himself gaining speed. He was now feeling a pull with the accustomed push.
The smell of smoke was becoming apparent and he could now hear sirens in the distance. Halfway down the hill, Jim discovered the source of the smoke, a large crater lying a hundred yards ahead. Smoke was rising steadily from within the depth of this great hole. As Jim came closer, he peered cautiously into the depths. He could hear a faint hum beneath the wail of the approaching sirens. He was not sure but thought he saw metal or something shiny in the bowels of the crater. As his eyes adjusted to the dimness and the sting of the smoke, a bright light began to glow. The suddenness of the light momentarily blinded Jim. Consequently, he found he could see everything clearly. Six figures perched on top of a large craft. While the beings did not resemble humans, Jim felt no fear. While he was taking in the scene before him, Jim actually felt younger and healthier than he had in a long time.
One being, smaller than the rest, looked directly at Jim. In that instant, Jim understood all of the things that puzzled him for years. He understood all of the events in his life that brought him to this moment. He knew why he and Emma had only been blessed with two children and why they ended up being so far away. He also understood why he had always been different from the rest of his family. It was as if someone had given him all the answers and lifted a great weight from his shoulders. He acknowledged this newfound release with a slight nod of his head to his new friend.
As suddenly as the light had appeared, it was gone. Flashing lights had replaced the sirens as the emergency vehicles arrived on the scene. The crater was just an empty reminder now. An EMT approached Jim, "Sir, sir, are you okay?"
Jim nodded and said "Never been better, son, never been better," and began his ascent back up the hill.
posted by Vickie at 4:36 PM
2 Comments:
I found myself wanting the actual answers that he got... mostly me being nosey I guess. Otherwise, not bad, not bad a'tall.
You will get some of them. Just not yet. Patience, my friend, patience.
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