G -1

by Kyle Thomas Bruhnke

  “Are you okay?” Kylie gently whispers a few minutes later, breaking the silence.

  “I guess,” Jen answers softly, regaining her composure.

  “What happened?” Kylie continues to press quietly, trying to keep the conversation in the back seat.

  “Oh,” Jen hesitates, sounding frustrated, “sometimes guys turn out to be something other than what you think. Or hope.” A moment later she adds, “You’re in high school now. You’ll find out soon enough.”

  I imagine this is how sisters might talk; the older one, gaining experience and sharing it with her younger sibling. For a quick second I think about my sister-to-be, and wonder if we’d ever become close. There will be a huge age difference, of course, but I feel like it will be a relationship that I’ll enjoy.

  “Oh, believe me. I know what jerks boys can be.” Kylie says this a little louder, and with a touch of humor. I know she is talking about her exchange with Jared before this afternoon’s presentation and drawing us into their conversation. Jared glares into the rearview mirror seeking out Kylie’s reflection to send a warning. Jen responds to the levity with what sounds like a small smile. Kylie presses on. “Why, just this afternoon...”

  Jared cuts her off, slamming his right palm on the steering wheel. “Shut up, would you?” I look at him, startled. He seems quite angry.

  “Make me!” she shouts back, knowing that there isn’t much he can do from where he sits. His right hand flies off the steering wheel and into the back seat searching for a target. I turn slightly to watch Kylie dodge the attack like a practiced bull fighter. Both girls revel in his vain attempt at intimidation. I see a faint smile cross Jennifer’s face. She is watching Jared.

  “Stop it you guys,” she says softly. Reaching forward, she catches Jared’s arm as it winds up to attempt another strike. Immediately his arm goes limp and he slams his foot on the brake. We have slowly rolled dangerously close to the car in front of us as the line of traffic has stopped again. Her hand slides down his wrist taking hold of his hand. “Your brother is one of the better ones,” she says. He looks back. Their eyes meet. Like ice melting near a fire, he calms down and she is nourished by the cool water. I notice his hand tighten around hers.

  He looks at me, nodding towards the back seat, but I guess I miss the hint. A more vigorous nod quickly follows. Jen sees it. She lets go of his hand and opens the back door to get out. For a moment, I grudgingly sit there, feeling almost as if my friendship with Jared is being voided. I look at him. The door opens beside me. I look back at Kylie. She playfully pats the seat beside her. I’m stunned by how quickly things can change.

  I get out slowly. Jennifer pushes in quickly. I look in as she settles next to Jared to make sure she is out of the way before I close the door. Trying not to seem too anxious, I slide into the back seat and close the door. The interior light goes out. I feel trapped. In a good way though. I notice Kylie’s hand, still resting on the seat she had patted a moment earlier. I look at her. In the faint glow of street lights, coupled with the reflections of car headlights behind us, I can see her soft, green eyes sparkling at me. I smile and sit back.

  The car moves again. Jared and Jennifer are whispering. She is thanking him for the ride home and kisses his cheek. He turns the radio on soft, but loud enough so their conversation becomes private. I look at Kylie again, then out the window. Privately I had hoped for a moment like this but never thought it would actually happen!

  The line of cars starts to move steadily around the south point of the lake and up towards the Marina Del Sur. I look into the almost empty parking lot and see a vehicle with its hood up. A guy is jumping down off the bumper, flailing his arms and probably cursing along with it. Jen notices too.

  “Isn’t that Willie over there?” She points to show Jared.

  “Yeah, looks like it.”

  “Looks like he needs help.”

  Jared turns into the marina’s parking lot to offer aid, his mood obviously better. As we pull up alongside The Beast, I notice a small car hidden behind it. One of Willie’s shop friends from school is sitting inside the monster vehicle taking directions in an attempt to get it started.

  “What’s up?” Jared calls out to him.

  “Hey, Jared! Happy Fourth!” He walks over to Jared’s window, his expression quickly flipping to jovial. “This piece of shit won’t start!” he says, waving towards the SUV. He leans over into the window to continue the conversation. “Oh, sorry,” he sheepishly grins, noticing the girls. Then, seeing it is Jennifer next to Jared, he smiles before getting back to business. “I think the timing belt is busted. I’m going to have to get the wrecker from the station and come back for it in the morning I guess. Butch there offered to give me lift home, but it’s way out of his way.”

  It sounds like Willie is asking for a ride home. I figure Jared will offer, but it’s Jen who makes it. Willie walks back to his broken beast to tell Butch the good news. Butch waves his thanks, then gets in his car and drives away. Willie locks up his vehicle, kicking its front wheel with his good leg before heading over to the car again. He smiles, seeming not to be too upset.

  Kylie opens her door as he walks up, then with a quick glance at Jen, slides over next to me. It almost seems for second that they had planned this somehow.

  “I really appreciate the ride,” Willie says graciously as he slides in next to Kylie and closes the door. A hint of gasoline from his hands briefly permeates the air. I know that smell from being around Gramps and his motorcycles. What a crude odor.

  “Not a problem, Willie,” Jared assures him, steering the car towards the parking lot exit. “We’re heading home anyway, and I’m sure my sister and Tyler don’t mind.” He cranes his neck around and grins at us sitting next to each other.

  “Where’s Cheri?” Jennifer asks politely.

  “Oh,” Willie says in a way you can almost see his eyes roll. “She’s so used to my truck breaking down, she just calls a friend and gets a ride home somehow.”

  “And she doesn’t mind?” Kylie inquires curiously.

  “Not anymore. She just figures it is part of who I am at this point and accepts it. She’s great that way,” he explains. “I guess she really likes me for who I am, not like some of those girls that date a guy and try to change him right away.”

  There is a moment of silence. Perhaps we each wonder at how our own relationships work. I mostly marvel at the maturity Willie and Cheri seem to have already attained in theirs.

  “So how did you guys like the fireworks this year?” Willie asks enthusiastically. Each of us utters an affirmative response, with some comments declaring this year’s personal favorite burst. “It’s strange, Jen,” he continues. “I thought I spotted you with the jock-boys earlier. Guess I was wrong, huh?”

  “No, Willie,” Jen responds awkwardly. “That was me. But those guys turned out to be real jerks. So I walked.”

  “Couldn’t agree more. About the jerks part. I suppose they’re off to their follow up bash by now.”

  “What’s that, Willie?” Kylie asks.

  “Somebody always manages to get his hands on a bottle of Jack, or some beers, and they drive off somewhere and get looped. It’s so stupid,” he answers.

  “Some of my friends think that’s cool, too,” Kylie says defensively.

  “Well, if you call this cool,” Willie slaps his crippled thigh, “then I guess it’s cool. My pop says kids got to learn the hard way. I learned and to me it’s stupid.” His voice starts sounding serious and sad. “Just remember, you have to live with your mistakes.”

  Again it gets quiet for a few minutes while the radio plays in the background of private thoughts. Kylie looks at me. In the dim light I can see compassion for Willie in her face. And some understanding. Instinctively she takes my hand for comfort. Hers is warm and moist, soft and gentle in mine. A tingle runs through my body.

  “I feel like the proverbial fifth wheel here,” Willie comments out loud mostly to himself. We have finally mad
e it out to the highway, heading towards Engle and home.

  “I gave a presentation in front of a group of investors today,” Kylie announces to Willie, changing the subject.

  “And she did real good,” I add enthusiastically. “Looks like we’re still in business.”

  “That’s good,” Willie says.

  “I saw you finished the rest of your measurements around the cowling, too. So I guess you’re ready to start hanging the ribs, huh?”

  “Pretty close, I think,” Willie confirms, “but I still have a few questions about some things so I can determine how it’s all going to fit together. No offense Ty, but you’re plans only show the shell of the vehicle. There’s no power plant, no details about landing gear, and the biggest thing - since this is supposed to be about how a gyroscope works - what are we going to use for the gyro’s wheels and how’s the control mechanism going to work?”

  “And what computer am I going to install the software on and how’s the interface going to work?” adds Kylie.

  I’m caught off guard by all of the questions. “You know,” I start out, “I never thought in a million years that I’d actually ever build a flying saucer so I never planned anything more than the shell. Until a couple of months ago, there has never been anything to lift such a non-aerodynamically designed craft.”

  “Well get busy mister, because the time has arrived,” Jared puts in, mimicking his dad.

  I get defensive. “But I don’t know the answers to any of that! I mean, where am I going to come up with a computer and some gyroscope wheels?” I feel it’s a fair question but I know it probably sounds like I’m making excuses.

  There’s another quiet moment. It’s Jared who finally starts the ball rolling forward again. “Hey,” he says looking excitedly into the rearview mirror, “you remember that computer we came across in the storage room yesterday?” I nod to the mirror. “It’s not the most powerful - 3.2 GHz only - but I’ll bet it would work. It’s a rack mount, too. From one of the control room consoles, I think. Probably needs a storage card, and a little more memory, but we can scrounge up those parts.”

  My mind clamps onto his suggestion. “I think I have an older storage card somewhere. I can always vacate some space on my auxiliary card by deleting some of the old games on my computer. We could use that too.”

  “And memory you can get anywhere,” Kylie puts in.

  “Well, that’s one problem solved,” Jen says. “Hey. While we’re at it, I need to know the approximate weight of your finished saucer in order to calculate how many C-tubes we’ll need and how many bits will go in each one to generate enough lift.”

  “And we’ll need to convert enough bits to fill them, too,” Jared adds.

  C-tubes, I guess, are what Jen is now calling the containment field coil apparatus she has come up with. Though I expect the physical flying machine to take some time to put together, I hadn’t thought much about the mechanical processes and what it would take to get them to function.

  “Tyler?” Willie quietly says. “Doesn’t that fancy bicycle of yours have dual motorized wheels?”

  “Uh, yeah,” I answer. “Dual induction powered wheels with independent drive and braking systems.” All of a sudden I don’t like the feel of where this conversation is going.

  “And it’s got its own fuel cell electrical system, too,” Jared adds. “But do you think those wheels would be heavy enough to be an effective gyroscope, Willie?”

  “I can make ‘em heavy enough,” Willie states with confidence.

  “How would that work then?” Jen wants to know.

  “I’ve thought about that,” Kylie replies. “With a two wheeled gyroscope, each wheel would spin in opposite directions at about half speed to provide stability. Tilting the array would tilt the vehicle. Increasing the speed in either wheel would spin the vehicle in that direction. It would be slow but it can be done, and I have some of the logic and graphics already programmed. I just need physical input from some sensors.”

  “Sounds like you’re on top of it,” I compliment her, feeling a little embarrassed that I’m not. She squeezes my hand gently.

  “Yeah, well, that’s what she does while we’re down in the tunnel working.” Jared emphasizes the last word in jest.

  There is another pause. I guess it’s to give me time to think. They want me to agree to dismember the hy-ped so it can be incorporated into the saucer. In my heart it seems like a terrible idea; taking the first vehicle I have ever owned, assembled myself, and taken loving care of for the last two years. I stare out the window. We are well away from the lights of the state park. Except for starlight, the dark of night covers the land as the suggestion of separation darkens my mood.

  It seems odd. I consider my hy-ped like a friend. I feel a squeeze on my hand again. I turn my gaze on Kylie. She smiles her support, seeming to sense what I am thinking. Everybody else is still quiet. “I guess that’s the best option,” I say with quiet hesitation in my voice. Kylie’s proud expression comforts me a little.

  “Great!” Willie exclaims boisterously. “When should I come over for it to begin the transformation?”

  “I’ll drop it off to you Willie; in a week or so, if that’s okay?” I turn my face to the window again trying to speak without revealing the sadness I feel.

  “Hey man. I understand,” Willie says gently. “It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to something I’ve worked on to bring to life. But think of it this way. Your bicycle is going from being a caterpillar, crawling along the ground, to being a butterfly, literally flying through the air. And it’s going to be a new species on top of it all! Man! That is so cool!”

  “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

  “Willie, that’s so romantic. Almost poetic,” Jen observes. “You’ve never let us see that side of you.”

  “It’s not really encouraged in my family,” he says gruffly. Then in a quieter tone, “There’s a lot about me that most people don’t know.”

  “So we’re finding out,” Jared says.

  We finally make the turn to Willie’s folks house. Somehow the ride home has turned into an informal meeting, and for the most part, it’s gone well. I’ve been trying to think some of the other problems through but for the last ten minutes Kylie’s head has been resting on my shoulder, her arms snuggled around mine. I feel happy in spite of agreeing to my sacrifice.

  Jen has snuggled up to Jared as well. Poor Willie, I’ll bet he’s feeling even more like a fifth wheel now, staring out the window killing time until he gets home. I wonder if he’s thinking about Cheri.

  We turn into the drive. The shop his dad owns sits next to the house they live in, where the solitary porch light offers its greeting.

  “Thanks for the ride, Jared,” Willie says, opening the door.

  “Glad to help.”

  “You know we ought to get together to talk about this saucer project more often,” Willie suggests. “I’m sure there will be a lot more questions coming up. I know I’ll have some, and I’m gonna need a lot more help putting the whole thing together, too.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Jared says.

  “Okay then. See you guys later.” We all say goodnight as Willie slams the door.

  “He’s really a pretty intriguing guy,” Jen comments as we continue our ride home.

  “Yeah, Willie’s something else,” Jared agrees.

  I half expect Kylie to slide over to the now vacant side of the back seat, but I’m glad when she stays close to my side for the rest of the ride home. Jared is unusually quiet about our cozy arrangement, but then I guess he’s preoccupied.

  I’m next to be taken home. I’m guessing Jared will drop Kylie off before he takes Jennifer home, too. It isn’t much out of the way, and I think maybe there are some things they’ll want to talk about.

  We arrive at my house too soon. It’s getting late so we say goodbye. I feel an urge to kiss Kylie goodnight, but Jared and Jen are there, and the moment is very awkward, so I just g
et out of the car and watch them drive off.

  Before going into the house, I walk over and into the shed, flipping a light on to look at the hy-ped. “Well my friend. Looks like you’re going to reach new heights. I’m really going to miss you.” I wipe away a tear that has started rolling down my cheek and pause another moment before heading in to bed.

  Kylie’s Key

  A surprise is waiting for me when I get to work the following morning. Uncle Earl is standing in the parking area in front of building ‘F’, the one Jared and I go through to get down to the tunnel. He looks tired, his thinning brown hair blowing around with the early morning breeze. Mom told me a couple of days ago that Earl’s doctor had gotten his medications pretty well leveled out again. To me it looks more like his spark has been dimmed. I kind of miss the other, more exciting Earl.

  “Morning Ty,” he gently greets me.

  “Hey, Uncle. How’s it going?”

  “Okay, they tell me,” he says quietly, focusing more on his feet than on me. “Well enough to help out around here again, anyway.” He looks up and gives me a simple smile.

  “You’re going to help us in the tunnel then?” I ask lightly.

  “Mr. Charles said I should, if you and Jared don’t mind.”

  “Mind? Heck. It seems like we’re never going to finish cleaning that place. A little more help would be great!”

  That brightens his face a little. He asks how Mom is doing and we make other small talk until Jared shows up. Then we head down to work.

  The three of us work well together and have a new routine down smoothly by the end of the week. Since the hosing always goes faster than the brushing, two of us man the brushes while the other rinses things off. We trade off regularly while doing the ceilings, walls, and floors. Earl works efficiently and without complaint. We make good progress.

  We agree to work part of the day Saturday to make up for having the 4th off. Jared and Earl joke around more as Earl becomes more comfortable, leaving that business with the shiff and the aliens in the past. We are about three quarters of the way finished with the tunnel and feel the job will be done by the end of next week, a thought that puts us all in a good mood late that afternoon as we knock off for the day.