The Golden Key: A Quest for Freedom Episode Two

by Marvin Wilmes

He almost laughed aloud as he wearily started walking along the cliffs of Laguna Beach in search of Jeff Browning, a very drunk comrade. He had left Speed, Wayne, and the two other Marine friends some time ago, and now twilight was falling. They had come here after a Christmas party for their training unit had run its course on base. The six Marines had come to the beach to continue the party in a more private manner.

  Everything had gone well until they were ready to go back to base. Jeff had suddenly gone out of his head, running off from his buddies yelling some gibberish about a girl. Roger had wondered if he lost all sense of reason as he took off after Jeff.

  He paused as he lit his cigarette and looked back along the cliffs. Roger wanted adventure and now he was getting more than he bargained for. He continued on reflectively as something made him look up. He saw Jeff just above him, and he had to resist the urge to yell.

  He assessed the formidable wall between himself and the drunk Marine. There was a slight slope. He saw a less challenging spot about three hundred yards down the beach. He began to run toward it and figured if he could keep from being seen by Jeff he could climb to the top and catch him by surprise.

  Suddenly, a slight breeze came up and blew past him. He momentarily gagged as he detected a slight odor, like something was burning. Out of the corner of his eye he saw something, but as he nervously surveyed his surroundings in the twilight, he realized he must be imagining things.

  As he began his ascent, he took a deep breath and threw his cigarette to the ground. He might have had second thoughts about climbing if he were in a sober state, but he reasoned that the only way Jeff got up there was by climbing the cliffs. If Jeff had done it in his condition, then it surely was within his own powers.

  Halfway up the steep cliff, a rock came loose from the wall as he grabbed a hold of it with his right hand. It made a noise as he grappled for a new hold. As he hugged the face of the cliff in the darkness with his eyes closed tightly, he realized he had greatly miscalculated both the cliff and his own skills. Fear gripped him.

  “Hey, I thought I told you to leave me alone.”

  “Come off of it, Jeff.” He looked up. Was this a good deed or just plain stupidity?

  “It’s a matter of pride,” Jeff yelled back at Roger as he turned and ran toward the residential district.

  Roger momentarily closed his eyes and when he opened them again, it was not Jeff that put terror in his heart. He saw the dark man himself, sneering at him, laughing and taunting him.

  “You are worthless.”

  “Be strong.”

  “What?” Roger said as he tried to focus on the owner of the voice next to him. As his eyes adjusted he saw a young boy perched precariously on a small abutment of the wall.

  “Call on your deeper self, Roger. It’s important.”

  “What?” Roger repeated as he felt dizzy. He had to get to Jeff before he was collared and arrested.

  “My sis needs you to survive. Abar cannot win on this cliff. If he does, she may never learn the truth.”

  Roger stared dumbly at the boy as his mouth formed the words, “Eceap dna evol.” The words were foreign to him, but as he said them he realized who the boy was.

  “You mean Donna is involved in this, too?”

  “Many people are.” The boy looked up at the cliff. “There is only one way out, and that is up.”

  “John.” Roger felt strange addressing Donna’s late brother, but in this state he was getting used to the experience. “Tell me, is death the end?”

  “Haven’t you figured that out yet?” the boy said as he smiled. “I can’t stay long. I was allowed to appear to you only once. I want you to know that hope has been the one thing you have been seeking since you began your journey, and hope is found in only one place.”

  “Where’s that?”

  The boy smiled again. “That, my friend, is an answer just around the bend. I must go now. Be strong.”

  The spiritual Roger sighed as he hung onto the side of the cliff. He wished there was a way he could become one with the mortal Roger. If that were to happen, then maybe he could solve this entire mystery. Once again dizziness threatened to overtake him.

  If Donna had her own answers to find, then he must continue on for John’s sake. The mortal Roger found himself wondering if there would be an afterlife awaiting him if he did not make it.

  He continued his ascent and finally came to the top. As he reached for the flat ground he so desperately needed to plant his feet on, he made a mental note never to try a crazy stunt like that again.

  The small ledge he had his right foot on came loose, and he found himself helplessly falling as his hands gripped at nothing but air. Without his knowledge, from deep within, the inner Roger came to the surface and literally threw his body forward with an incredible force.

  Roger screamed as a sharp pain ripped up his spine from the force. Hanging from the cliff, he struggled to pull himself to safety.

  Whatever had frightened him was gone now, it had dissipated into the night air.

  His back ached dully as he lay on his back staring at the stars. Life was precious. Finally, he got up to head back. He was not going to find Jeff now, and it worried him. He cared and that hurt more than his back. Caring about someone else’s welfare always got him into trouble. Just like the time he had told Debbie it wasn’t time for him to make a commitment. The pain associated with caring was too much to bear.

  After climbing that cliff, he decided she was better off without a crazy Marine like him anyway. But his mind could not stay focused on his lost friend for long.

  ***

  The week Debbie had visited had been one of the most glorious weeks of his life. When he had returned to El Toro from Blair, Wayne had ribbed him about his key and wondered where he could get one. It must have some secret drawing power. They both had laughed, knowing that only a week ago things hadn’t looked so bright.

  The seeds of a growing friendship were beginning to form between them. Roger was now attending his final specialty school for six weeks, and his next assignment would be permanent duty.

  Debbie’s arrival in California had provided Roger with a more than hectic schedule. Something new was born deep within him when they were together. She seemed to understand him, almost in a spiritual sense. More than once, he thought about the weekend of Anita’s accident that tore them apart in Memphis, and how it had been the result of the dark hand of fate.

  When the accident occurred, Roger had simply stood Debbie up, refusing to explain the circumstances, even refusing to help Jack see his girlfriend. It was an episode Roger wanted to end and forget.

  Yet, when she reappeared in his life again, he was once again conflicted, once again tormented, yet unable to totally be honest about his inability to commit.

  Debbie had wanted their relationship to be serious, but coming off of his broken engagement with Anita, Roger was uncomfortable reaching out to accept her intentions. Roger knew that was her desire, partly from her actions and partly from little warning hints from Debbie’s aunt. Debbie hadn’t come to California simply to visit. It was to see if there was a spark to fan into a flame and the outcome would be up to Roger.

  He didn’t feel up to the burden, even though he thought of Debbie far more than he had given any thought to her in Tennessee. What was that about?

  That Thursday night had been a restless one for Roger. Debbie was spending time with other relatives, for which he was grateful. It gave him time to think because things were moving far too fast. He went to an on base movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest starring Jack Nicholson, with Wayne and Speed, and then after, shared a few beers at the club.

  He cheered when the Chief hurled the huge sink fixture through the window and gained his freedom for the craziness surrounding him.

  There were times he had to think things through on his own, and Roger was grateful his friends respected that and stayed off the subject of Debbie.

  He had tossed and turned most of the night.
His mind was going over the decision he knew he must make. He viewed it one way, then another, but he never came up with the same outcome. He had recently let go of a love because of a friendship.

  Had that been the real reason?

  He wasn’t sure. He was sure somehow his crazy life in the Corps currently gave him no room for a real commitment. He examined the key, and then over the two short weeks it had been since Anita had come out of her coma.

  In those two short weeks, he had changed. There were two distinct Rogers. He was emerging and wasn’t sure how it would affect the rest of his life.

  He finally dozed off around five. When he awoke, he jumped as his eyes focused on the clock beside his rack. It was straight up noon.

  He bumped his head on the top bunk. As he winced from the pain, he spied the note on his locker. He got up and opened it. It was from his friend, Wayne.

  I realized you had the FLU today, so I covered for you with the Gunny. Sweet dreams.

  Roger had started laughing to himself as he began to realize the special quality of this friendship born out of Semper Fi.

  Chapter Six

  At one point on his trek along the cliffs of Laguna Beach in search of Jeff, Roger came upon a policeman surveying the beach below…looking for Jeff, no doubt. He quietly tiptoed away from the spot.

  The search had been fruitless. There was no way he could tell where Jeff was hiding out. He was about to give up and go back when he saw a fire up ahead, and there was someone warming their hands over it. He decided he would ask whoever it was if they had seen Jeff.

  “Hi there, young man. Care to join me for a spot of tea?”

  Roger stared in disbelief at the man before him. The man was small in stature and was dressed in rags, and from the few feet he stood, he could smell the rankness of a man who hadn’t bathed in a month.

  He wished he hadn’t come this far alone. He scanned the area for the wine bottle…and felt the darkness engulf him. He was so isolated here. He subconsciously touched his wallet and cursed himself for his naiveté. Nobody knew he was out here. He had left the policeman about a quarter of a mile back. He wanted to turn and run. What if this was more than a homeless man sitting around a fire?

  “I said, do you care for a spot of tea?”

  “No thank you. I was searching for a friend. Maybe you’ve seen him.”

  “Ain’t seen nobody. I only care about numero uno.” The man curiously raised his eyes and stared at him. “Isn’t that the way it is with the world these days?”

  Roger was taken aback by the man’s bitter tone.

  “Please join me for some tea. I have not seen your friend, but that does not mean we are not able to share this simple moment.”

  The man poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Roger. His eyes reminded Roger of a stray dog looking for a home. He realized the man must be quite lonely.

  “Come on. I won’t bite. It’s not poisoned, and I’m certainly no wino. I don’t need money, don’t need anything 'cept an ear. I talk to God every night. I’ve been praying for a caring soul to come along. I guess he sent you.””

  He averted his gaze from the man who seemed to peer into the depths of his soul. He shuddered at being trapped on this abandoned beach. He was no longer focused on finding Jeff. He had to remain calm despite the chills that were running up his spine. He quickly assessed the distance from the cliff to the man and decided he could take him if he were attacked.

  “Guess you’ll have to do unless you want to roam off into the darkness and leave me here to suffer in my man-made hell.”

  Roger reached for the cup as he suddenly realized the man was crying.

  “Sit down, lad,” the man said as he wiped his eyes. “Sorry I can’t control my own waterworks better than that.”

  Roger sat on the ground and took a sip out of the cup. He had never tasted anything so delicious. “What is this?”

  “My secret. I assure you it is completely natural. It is a special blend of God’s supply.” He sighed. “You see…it is all I have left. A long time ago I decided I could pave my way in this world without anyone’s help. As a result, I never let anyone get too close. When I was your age, I would have told your friend to go suck an egg. Look around you at the world today. So many people believed as I did.”

  “Hold on. You’re not making any sense.”

  “Son, don’t lose sight of today, of what life is showing you. Open your heart to the people around you. Don’t become an island. They need you. You need them.””

  “Yeah, like reach for your star, dream your dreams, but on the way don’t—” Roger stopped cold. Something collided with his heart. He ignored it. ““You just hit the nail on the head, but why don’t you just pick yourself up and get back into society.”

  “It’s too late for me.”

  “Too late?” Roger jumped to his feet. “It’s never too late. Get up, clean yourself up, get a job, reach out for life and grab it.”

  The little man chuckled. “Your friend who is lost is lucky to have you as a friend. By the way, my name is Zeke. Yours?”

  “Roger Wilson,” he said slowly. Zeke? Didn’t Anita tell him that was the name of the man who had given her the key?

  Yet, the name took on another sort of familiarity as if he had spoken to this man of short stature before. Something about this encounter was giving him a queasy feeling of déjà vu.

  “Well, Roger, I’ll think about what you said, but I don’t really know where to start.” The little man got to his feet and walked over to the edge of the cliff. “I’ll make a deal with you,” he said as he turned to Roger. ““It’s the Christmas season. Let’s make a pact.”

  “A pact?”

  “Yeah,” the man said excitedly. “Let’s each take the next couple of days, and grab what it gives us for what it is, and not what we think it should be.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You will in time, son. You will in time.” The little man started packing up his gear, whistling a tune as he worked.

  The happiness radiated from the man’s face. Had Roger actually helped him that much? He reached for the rest of the tea and downed it. “Where are you going?”

  “Thanks to you, friend, to life. Remember this,” the man said as he pointed to the sky, “the North Star will guide your path. Remember to ask God to make the way.””

  Roger looked to the sky and was amazed at the current brightness of the North Star. “Well, I suppose I better get back to base.”

  “I hope you find your friend has made it back all right, and don’t forget our pact.”

  “I won’t,” Roger said.

  They shook hands. As Roger watched the elderly man leave, a strange peace settled over him that could only be born of Christmas.

  ***

  “Well, looks like you’re in shape for the holiday season. I must confess. I’ve never seen such an incredible recovery. You’’re a living miracle,” Doc Masters said as he put his stethoscope away. “I guess I can give you a clean bill of health. You seem to have full use of your motor skills, and, young lady, if you feel anything that does not seem normal you give me a call, you hear.”

  Anita laughed. “Yes, Doc. I can’t wait for the new year.”

  “Well, you are one lucky lady. I was worried about you for some time. Most coma cases don’t recover as quickly as you did. I don’t really know what was responsible.”” He scowled. “Couldn’t be a young fellow by the name of Mark Meyers, could it?”

  “Might be.”

  “I hope you remember to take care of yourself on the way to your dreams.”

  “Sure thing.” She turned to leave, but she stopped to look into the eyes of the person who was responsible for saving her life. “Thank you,”” she said as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and departed.

  ***

  Roger was in the home of Will and Martha Parker—Debbie’s uncle and aunt—only this time he was unsure of the reason. Both of them seemed preoccupied. As he drove to the La
guna Beach house, he found himself wondering if this was a friendly gesture for Christmas or if there was more involved.

  Last night he had gotten back to base and found Jeff, safe, sound, and laughing about his adventure. A policeman had escorted the lost Marine home.

  Wayne had acted strange when Roger had told him where he was going. There was something on his friend’s mind, but like everybody else, Wayne had left Roger in the dark.

  Uncle Will emptied his pipe, extremely nervous about something, clearing his throat every few seconds.

  Watching him made Roger feel homesick for snow, the Missouri River, and a nice cold eggnog with his brother.

  Brother.

  The word crashed into him with the force of a hurricane. Now Roger knew what it was that was on Wayne’s mind. How could he have missed it?

  Last night Wayne had confided that this was the first Christmas Wayne and Wes had spent apart. They were both far away from their home in Chicago, but Yuma—and Wes—wasn’t that far at all.

  Roger had a car, and instead of offering to take Wayne to Yuma and getting away from it all himself, here he was having dinner with two strangers, the aunt and uncle of a woman he had let go of because of his life in the Corps.

  His mind tumbled in circles as he realized he had a Christmas present to give to Wayne for freeing him from his demons last Thanksgiving. A reunion with his brother was just the ticket. For the first time since they had met, he realized the friendship had done him a lot of good. Maybe this was what Zeke had meant about taking the next couple days for what it was and not what he expected it to be.

  “Sir?”

  “Eh.” Will glanced up.

  “What is it you wanted to tell me about Debbie?”

  “Oh, it can wait until after we eat.”

  Roger didn’t know what came over him, but he plunged ahead in excitement. “I don’t know how to say this, but I’m not all that hungry. I mean—” He fumbled for the words. “—I have this friend who wants to see his brother, and I promised I would take him to Yuma after you called.” He lied, but he no longer wanted to be here. “I have to give that gift to my friend. We’ve been through a lot together and—”