The Girl Who Looked Beyond the Stars

by L B Anne

  “Okay, tell.”

  “Oh, you aren’t mad anymore? We’re speaking again, are we?”

  She smirked. “Whatever, what did he say? Did he send the text?”

  “No. We don’t know who sent it to us.”

  “Us? He received one also?”

  “Yep, and it told him to be there the tenth hour.”

  “Whoa, that’s a game-changer. I think someone is watching both of you and wanted you two to talk,” said Teddy.

  “Yeah, I think we figured that out, smarty.”

  “So, what did he say?”

  “Sheena!”

  I turned toward the happy little voice calling my name. Dingy ran toward us. He was an only child like me, and always in my business like he was my little brother or something. He lived next door, but it was the backyard of his house that faced the side of my house. I believe he watched out the back window all day just to see when I might go outside so he could either talk my ear off, harass me, or beg to go wherever I went—as if we didn’t spend enough time together already when I babysat.

  Dingy ran up holding a Catboy action figure and wearing his usual I-love-everyone-in-the-whole-world expression. I looked down at the red boots he wore often, as if he expected it to snow any day. It did snow in October sometimes in Michigan, but it wouldn’t be happening this year. We were experiencing an Indian summer. At this rate, he’d be trick-or-treating in flip flops.

  “Sheena! I have something to tell you.”

  “Tell me later, Dingy. Go home.”

  “Nope,” he cheerfully replied while hopping side-to-side, almost in a dance.

  “Dingy, what are you, like, six now?” asked Teddy.

  “Seven.”

  “Shoo, go away,” said Chana.

  “Wait,” Dingy replied, holding up a finger. “My mom fried fish.”

  He knew how to get me over to his house. His mom was the best cook in the neighborhood, and she’d cook enough food for fifty people at the drop of a hat and invite the whole block over.

  “I’ll come by later.”

  Dingy ran away, happy, and Chana turned back to me. “Come on, finish. What were you saying?”

  “Mr. Tobias called me a gleamer, just like in the text, and he’s one too.”

  “A gleamer means you see things no one else can see? Is that what he meant?”

  “I guess. He thinks I’m special somehow.”

  “Sheena!” My mom called from the sunroom. “Is your homework done?”

  I looked up, remembering my homework for the weekend. I sure didn’t get any of it done at Chana’s, not that I had planned to.

  My mom must have read the Oops I forgot followed by the No expression on my face.

  “Say goodbye to your friends.”

  “It’s like you’re five again,” said Chana.

  “I know. I’ll call you later,” I whispered.

  As Chana and Teddy turned their bikes, I closed my eyes and lifted my face toward the sun, feeling that breeze I felt at the park. “Teddy, see that Chana gets home safely.”

  “I don’t need him to see me home. What era is this?”

  I opened my eyes. I wasn’t even sure why I’d just said that.

  Two hours after Chana and Teddy left, I sat at my desk with a pen in my hand, bent over my notebook, staring out at Dingy’s house in thought. I looked over the basketball hoop attached to the garage to the array of windows along the back of the house. If anyone watched me, they would’ve thought I was taking in every detail of our neighbor's property. I didn’t really see any of it. I saw Hackley park, the trees and the monument, and my conversation with Mr. Tobias...

  BLERP!

  I grabbed my cell phone. Teddy’s name was on the screen.

  “Hey, Teddy. I hope you’re not calling with more ideas—”

  “Sheena, turn on the news right now!”

  I grabbed the remote and pressed the power button for the small screen on top of my dresser. The first image that came up was footage of an accident scene. Words scrolled across the bottom, and a reporter was speaking, but I ignored her as I stepped closer to the television.

  No, it can’t be! There was a woman holding another woman, crying. The same women from the vision or dream or whatever it was I’d had at Chana’s. “Teddy, what happened? Is that Chana’s street?”

  “Remember you said to see that she gets home safely? Well, I did. It made sense because her street is before mine. This car was speeding, and another car crossed the intersection. The speeding car didn’t stop at the stop sign and slammed into the driver’s side of the other car. I had just grabbed Chana’s seat, pulling her back from crossing. What the heck, Sheena? When you said that, did you know something was going to happen?”

  “No. I mean, I don’t know.”

  My phone beeped. “That’s Chana. I’ll call you back.”

  “Wait. Monday, after school, we’re going back to Tobias.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.” Teddy hung up without another word.

  “Did you see?” Chana asked without saying hello. Her voice sounded almost excited. It must have been the adrenaline.

  “Of course, I saw. Teddy called me. What happened?”

  “Those cars almost turned me to liverwurst.”

  “That’s not funny.”

  “Why not? What’s wrong?”

  “Remember that bad dream I had at your house last night?

  “Yeah, the one you lied and said you didn’t remember?”

  “I did the face thing, huh?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “In the dream, I saw this…”

  14

  I don’t know how long my mom had been standing behind me, but when I turned around, she was there in the doorway, watching the news report. If she heard my phone conversation with Chana, she didn’t show it. I’m sure my expression looked like I’d been caught doing something I wasn’t supposed to be doing, like the four-year-old me caught drawing on the wall with a marker. “Set your clock. We’re leaving early tomorrow.”

  That’s all she said before closing the door behind her. I stared at the door, but I didn’t hear the floor creak. That meant she was still standing there. But why? Thinking? Listening?

  I felt bad for keeping things from her, but how do you tell your parents something like this—that you’re a gleamer, with no proof and without even knowing what it really is? I didn’t want to sound crazy.

  I turned back to the news report. This was more than just seeing angels. I saw someone’s life.

  The next morning, my mom and I sat in the waiting area outside of Pastor Evans’ office. The secretary was busying about, getting things ready for the first church service of the day.

  I told my mom I wanted to talk to the pastor. She didn’t pry about it, but she looked a little concerned.

  “Sheena, your nails are polished so nicely. I was so proud you’d stopped biting them, but now you’re starting up again.”

  “That’s a nasty habit,” we stated, together.

  “I know, mom.” I put my hand in my lap and focused on the gold glitter specks in the pink polish. I didn’t even realize I was biting my nails. I was nervous about talking to the pastor. His eyes could have spiritual x-ray vision. What if he could look right into my soul and see what I’ve been through, or maybe he could see that glow Mr. Tobias spoke of—if I still had it.

  Pastor Evans approached us. His navy suit looked as if it had never seen a wrinkle and his shoes as if they’d never been scuffed. He wore glasses and an expression that said he had more knowledge than anyone in the world. My mom stood to shake his hand. He asked about my dad, and then my mom took it upon herself to tell him I wanted to talk to him about something.

  I looked at her with my mouth open. Really, mom? I can speak for myself. What if I changed my mind?

  “What is it, Sheena?”

  “Umm…” I wasn’t prepared to talk about it in front of my mom. I hadn’t even told her anything yet. She wa
tched me with eyebrows raised. I wondered what she thought I wanted to ask him.

  How am I supposed to begin? I had rehearsed it in my mirror several times before I left that morning. I thought I’d start with something like, “Pastor Evans, I was wondering about something. There were people in the Bible that saw angels. What about nowadays? Does it still happen?”

  I looked at my mom and back at Pastor Evans. I usually had no problem with speaking up about anything, but with my mom there, I’d become mute. The words were jumbled up in my brain and wouldn’t come out.

  Before I could speak, an usher walked in. “Pastor, Minister Evans is looking for you.”

  Saved.

  “It’s probably about communion. Okay, tell my wife I’ll be right there,” Pastor Evans replied. “Sheena, we can talk between services. Be assured that whatever your question is, if you pray about it, the answer will come, often from the most unexpected place. And don’t be surprised if you get the same answer from two or three people to confirm it.” He patted my shoulder. “Okay? You’ll probably find me by the front doors. Just grab my arm and yank me away from whomever I’m with.” He grinned down at me.

  I smiled. “Thank you, Pastor.”

  I didn’t talk to Pastor Evans after church. In fact, I avoided him by sliding down to the end of the pew and taking the side exit, steering clear of those that congregated around the main door where Pastor Evans would be.

  Outside, I ducked around the building and walked at a quick pace through the parking lot. For the first time ever, I’d be waiting by the car when my mom came out instead of her having to look for me or pull me away from one of my friends.

  “Sheena!”

  I turned, looking around the parking lot for where the voice came from.

  She walked between the next row of cars, toward me.

  “Ariel? I didn’t see you inside. Are you a member of this church too?”

  “No, today was my first time here.”

  “Did you enjoy service?”

  “Yes.”

  Ariel wore the same jeans and top I’d seen her wear at school and the arms of her jacket were tied around her waist. Always the same outfit.

  I looked around. “Where are your parents?”

  “At home.”

  “You came here by yourself?”

  “Yep. I wasn’t afraid.”

  “Wow. I don’t know if I would have visited a church alone—or wanted to go to one in the first place. You’re brave.”

  “You’re brave too. I can see it,” she said, looking into my eyes as if she could see a badge of bravery in there.

  I looked around Ariel’s wavy head of hair, hearing some kids squealing. They jumped around in the grassy area on the other side of the parking lot, as if they were playing a form of hopscotch all at the same time.

  “What are they doing?” asked Ariel.

  “I don’t know. They usually run around until their parents are done talk—”

  Ariel headed for the kids.

  Okay, sure, just walk off while I’m talking to you just like you do at school. I followed her.

  The kids, five-to-eight years old—girls in their Sunday dresses and boys in slacks and collared shirts, stood under a large oak tree looking up. A big black bird chased a smaller bird of the same kind. They flew back and forth over our heads. Then WOMP! The smaller bird hit the tree, dropped to the ground, walked a few steps, and flew off again.

  “That bird is a bully,” one of the kids said of the larger bird.

  The birds flew right back to the branches and the chase began again.

  “Leave him alone,” the kids cried out, while a couple of the boys looked for rocks to throw at it.

  We ducked as the birds lowered over us.

  “This is crazy. What the heck is wrong with that bird?” I exclaimed.

  The smaller bird hit a branch and fell to the ground. It tried to walk and limped a couple of times. The kids surrounded it.

  “Back up guys, don’t scare it.”

  We screamed as the bird came flying down at our heads trying to get to the smaller bird.

  “Get away,” Ariel yelled as she ran forward, swinging her jacket at the larger bird until it flew away. The injured one didn’t move. Ariel knelt beside it and spoke softly. “It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” She reached forward and grabbed the bird.

  Her back was to me. Eww…don’t touch that, I thought. It looked like she blew on it or spoke to it or something.

  Ariel put the bird down. It hopped a few steps and turned and looked in her direction, as if to say thank you before it flew away.

  “It’s all better!” the kids screamed. We watched it lift higher into the air than it had before and fly away from the church.

  Wait, what just happened? “Ariel, what did you do?”

  “Nothing. It was terrified of the other bird. I just told him he would be okay. The other bird had been harassing him since he found its nest.”

  She just called the bird a him. How could she know that? “Are you saying it told you that?”

  “Yep.”

  I began to laugh but choked it back. Ariel looked serious. I wasn’t even sure what to say in response.

  “I’d better get home. I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

  “Okay,” I slowly replied.

  “Sheena!”

  “Coming!” I yelled toward the parking lot at my mom.

  What is happening to my world, I thought as I ran toward our car. Am I living a movie right now? No, I’ve been transported to some kind of parallel universe. That’s it.

  I sat in the passenger seat, fastened my seatbelt, and looked over at my mom.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you believe in parallel universes?”

  “Sheena, don’t start.”

  15

  M onday couldn’t arrive soon enough, and the school day couldn’t pass fast enough. I didn’t mind any of the things that usually irritated me about school, like my classmates, an overload of homework as if my teachers didn’t know I had homework in other classes, and a certain teacher that clearly didn’t appreciate me having a mind of my own. He knew I wasn’t one to just accept anything you told me. I raised my hand and noticed a glimpse of irritation on his face before I even opened my mouth to oppose his view.

  I didn’t hold it against him though. I just gave him my full opinion on why, in this day and time, a city in Michigan, only about two hours from us, should not have to drink contaminated water.

  It sparked enough of a debate that most of the class got involved, and the talk took up the whole period. I was glad to not sit strumming my fingers on the desk, waiting for the clock to strike three.

  The bell rang. I grabbed my things and rushed to my locker, shoved my books onto the top shelf, grabbed my backpack, and pushed past a group of FPS that didn’t want to move out of the way. It was like they thought they owned the hallway or something.

  I had to move quickly before my friends found me. Going back to Mr. Tobias was something I needed to do alone, so I didn’t tell Chana, and I didn’t remind Teddy. I was supposed to go to my graphic design class—part of the after-school program. It just so happened, that class was near the gym, and the back door of the gym led to the back of the school grounds, which was the closest door to Mr. Tobias’s street.

  The key was to slip past Mr. Prewitt without being noticed. Thank goodness for middle schoolers who were already the size of high school linebackers.

  “I’m not doing it, Sheena,” said Justin, a member of the sporty group. Football was his life. He was nice, and so funny. But there was only one thing that would get him to help me out. Food.

  “Lunch. All next week. You know how much you like my subs. Deal?”

  “Dessert too.”

  We bumped fists. I followed Justin, at an angle where my body could hide behind his.

  “Mr. Prewitt is at the door,” He whispered, blocking me from his view. “Get ready. I’m going to step in front
of him.

  “Hey, Mr. Prewitt, I have a question about…”

  That’s all I heard of their conversation as Justin led him into the class. I dashed to the gym and out the back door.

  As soon as I got to the corner of the building, I heard the pap-pap-pap of feet running on the sidewalk behind me.

  “Where are you sneaking off to?”

  I looked straight ahead and kept walking.

  “I told you, you’re not doing this alone. There’s safety in numbers.”

  “Teddy, I’m not in any danger. He’s an old man.”

  “Tell that to the women that were chained in that basement by an old man.”

  “You’re making that up.”

  “No, I’m not. You have to be careful, Sheena. I’m serious.”

  I smiled to myself, listening to Teddy sound like my big brother. It was nice to know he cared so much. I didn’t argue any further. Okay, I’ll say it. I was glad he was there—just in case.

  We quickly approached Mr. Tobias’s house.

  “Now, before you start with your fifty-million questions, let him talk. Let’s see what he knows,” Teddy said as we waited for someone to answer the door.

  “Welcome back,” said Nurse Paige. “Go on in. He’s right there in the living room. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.”

  Mr. Tobias’s eyes perked up seeing me come around the corner.

  “Hello, again.”

  I lifted a hand. “Hi.”

  “Would you like something to eat or drink, like an after-school snack?”

  “Yeah—” began Teddy.

  I cut him off. “No, we’re fine.”

  “You’re missing one of your trio,” Mr. Tobias replied, looking at Teddy. “Do your parents know where you are?”

  “Umm…Well…”

  Teddy jabbed me with his elbow. “I don’t like that he’s asking that,” he whispered.

  “You don’t have to be afraid of me, kids. Young man, perhaps you should wait in the kitchen.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  I was surprised by Teddy’s harsh tone.

  “You can say whatever you need to say, Mr. Tobias. He knows everything.”