SECRET SALVATION

by Chad Josey

  What the hell?

  He moved the phone from side-to-side. A faint reflection occurred each time the light moved. Not able to tell what he saw, he reached inside the drawer. He felt a small piece of paper pressed against the top of the desk.

  Is that tape? It must help hold up the drawer?

  He used his thumbnail to pick at and pull off the tape.

  What the hell is this?

  Something was under the tape. Careful not to pull too hard, Joe picked until it fell into his hand.

  His eyes widened pulling his hand out. In his palm, he held a small piece of thin, white paper. Frayed edges framed the paper. The side touching the tape had a brown, grease stain.

  Joe turned it over. His wide eyes added more light than what came from his phone.

  What the… Are these numbers?

  Written in pencil he found a pattern of numbers and letters in a five-by-five matrix. Joe held his discovery inches from his face, studying each number and letter.

  This looks like a code or something? It was purposely taped inside there with my picture.

  He inspected the paper in his hand.

  Is this the truth, Grandma?

  June 11, 1997

  Pasadena, Texas Graduation Day

  THE EXCITEMENT OF Joseph’s graduation had been building for months. In January, Joseph received the thick, acceptance package to the University of Stony Brook. But, before his next chapter in his life could start, he had to get through this big day, and he was running late.

  Liz paced through the living room waiting for Joseph. She wanted this day for her grandson to be perfect, to capture every moment on film and video.

  Joseph had saved his money during the summer while working at the A&P. He knew his grandma had wanted a JVC VHS-C camcorder for her birthday for moments like this.

  Liz pressed record on the camera with one hand, as she held her car keys in the other. “Hurry up, you are going to be late,” Liz said as she pointed the camera upstairs toward his room.

  “I will be down in a minute, Grandma. I can’t find my…” his response grew faint as Liz picked up Joseph’s graduation cap off the downstairs bookshelf.

  She pointed the camera back upstairs as Joseph came bouncing down. “Okay, I’m ready.”

  “What are you looking for? I have your graduation cap right here.”

  “Mom’s college school pin. I wanted to wear it today to honor her.”

  “She'd be so proud of this moment. Her baby graduating high school and going off to the same college she attended.” Liz beamed with pride as she lifted her head upward, as if Rachel was looking down on them in this moment.

  “All right, well, we need to go. You need to be at the school in fifteen minutes.” Liz turned off the video camera closing the door behind them as they walked out of the house.

  The faded-green Oldsmobile rumbled through the neighborhood to the football stadium. Inside the car was quiet. A stark contrast to the chaos earlier before they had left. Both sat reflecting about the past years’ events, and the longing for his mom Rachel to see this moment.

  Oh, wow, Joseph is so quiet. He has to be excited about today. He must miss Rachel.

  “I bet you wish she could be here with you now?”

  “Uh... yeah? Oh, you mean Mama?”

  “Of course, who else?”

  “For a moment, I thought you were talking about Mary.”

  “Do you know who is coming to see her graduate?”

  “Yeah, her dad's coming. He told me I’ll be able to hear him when they call my name.” Joseph sat daydreaming out the window. “Can I have the car tonight?”

  I can’t believe that son-of-a-bitch is actually going to see his daughter graduate.

  “Sure. I’ll ask Bob if he wouldn’t mind bringing me back home afterward… Big plans after graduation?”

  “A few parties with friends. We aren’t sure which ones we’re going to yet.”

  Oh, please don’t get into any trouble.

  Hundreds of teenagers ran through the parking lot in excitement. Heat from the sweltering Texas sun stirred a light breeze through the stadium. Their blue, polyester graduation gowns ruffled in the wind.

  I remember when I was this young… I knew we should have left sooner… It’s going to be hard to find good parking, here.

  “Hey, let me out here, please. There’s Tommy.” Joseph jumped out of the car door before waiting for it to stop.

  “Good, there’s a spot.” Liz parked and got out of the car grabbing her bag out of the back-seat. The sweltering sun had baked the makeup on her face. She was on a mission, to find her grandson in the maddening crowd.

  Where the heck is he? They all look the same… Oh, there he is. Liz swam through the sea of excited students over to Joseph. Seeing how happy Joseph looked made her smile.

  “Take our picture, Grandma,” Joseph said seeing his grandma and placing his arm around his friend.

  Liz looked in her bag draped across her shoulder. I really need to clean my purse out. I can’t find anything. Oh, there it is.

  Liz pulled out her 35mm camera. “Okay, say graduation.”

  “Graduation!” Joseph and his friend screamed in unison.

  I better go or I won’t find a good seat.

  “Okay, I’ll come find you after the ceremony. Have a good time,” Liz said giving Joseph a quick wave as she walked passed on her way into the stadium.

  As Liz turned around to go inside, she felt a hand grab her shoulder spinning her around. Joseph gave her a huge bear hug and whispered in her ear. “Grandma, I love you. Thank you for everything.”

  She pulled back and kissed his cheek. “It was all I could do. I did it all for Rachel, and I am so very proud of you”.

  As Joseph smiled, he let go of her hands and said, “Okay, I will see you in a few hours”.

  Liz wiped away a single tear rolling down to her chin as she walked into the stadium. “Rachel, he did it. And, he will make you very proud,” she said softly.

  A waiting crowd filed into the stadium as the herd of people entered through the gate. Darn, there’s already so many people here.

  Members of the junior class honor society passed out graduation programs at the top of the stands. “Can I have two, please?” Liz asked reaching out her hand.

  She searched the stands. On the fifty-yard line, the best seats, she saw a familiar face. Oh good, there’s Bob. Mary’s dad, Bob, sat on the end of the bleachers beside the steps four rows down. I’m sure I can sit beside him. She walked down the gray cement steps to the row where he sat and tapped him on his shoulder.

  “Well, hey, Bob. I bet Mary is so excited,” Liz said, her voice going in a higher tone as she faked her excitement seeing him. Bob was not her favorite person as he partook in his fair share of public drunkenness.

  Bob stood and gave Liz a tremendous hug. Awe, poor thing looks like he’s been crying.

  “I can’t believe my little girl is finally graduating,” Bob said.

  “Isn’t it something? Joseph's been so excited the past couple of days.”

  “I mean… she’s ah, she’s…” Bob said stuttering.

  “Yeah, I bet she’s excited too.” Liz attempted to confirm what Bob was trying to tell her.

  “No, she’s leaving me.” Bob slid over on the bench giving Liz enough room at the end of the metal bleacher. “We had a big ol’ fight this morning, and uh, she says she’s moving to New York with Joseph.”

  The surprising news caused Liz to do a double-take. Bob’s stare never left the football field.

  “Really? That’s news to me,” Liz said unsure if she believed him or not.

  Mary probably just told him that in the heat of the moment in their fight.

  Joseph had confided in Liz many times before about Mary's relationship with her father and their fights, which centered on his drinking. Liz had asked Joseph if Mary ever felt endangered by Bob’s drinking, but Mary said her dad was a sad drunk and not violent.

  He re
ally does care for Mary.

  “I’m sure she didn’t mean she would go live with Joseph, just to visit.” Liz attempted to console Bob feeling sorry for him.

  “Mary and me, we don’t always get along. But, I love that girl.”

  “And, she loves you, too.” Liz placed her arm around his shoulders. She felt the wetness across his back from the blazing sun. “Plus, as long as I’m alive, those two ain’t living together unless they’re married.” Her warm smile made Bob feel better.

  “Liz, what say you and me… we go have dinner one night?”

  Oh, God…

  She took her arm off his shoulder and gave him a playful nudge on the top of his head. “Maybe, but I do need a ride home, tonight, after.”

  “Sure,” Bob said in agreement as Pomp and Circumstance blared over the stadium’s speakers.

  The stadium lights illuminated the dark corners of the track where the students marched into the stadium. Mosquitoes and moths the size of baseballs danced around the lights.

  The air was thick and humid. A typical summer night in the Houston area. Liz reached for her video camera. The humidity created a thin film of moisture on the camera’s viewfinder. She pressed record and peered into the fogged-up camera.

  There’s Mary… so, if she’s Warner, then Bishop is way in front of her.

  Liz panned the camera forward through the marching file of students. At first, she passed Joseph, but realized her mistake and panned back until she saw him.

  Oh, he looks so handsome.

  “Way to go Mary!” Bob shouted making Liz giggle.

  “Way to go, Joseph!” Liz yelled back copying Bob’s excitement. Joseph was visible through her viewfinder waving his hands at her as his name came rolling down from the stands.

  The graduates marched into the stadium. Rows of black, metal seats waited for them on the grassy area between the stands and the running track before the field. Liz had a great seat, thanks to Bob.

  She spent the next thirty minutes filming different speakers as they came to the stage. The common theme directed to the graduates challenged them to pursue their passion and to shoot for the Moon.

  After agonizing speaker-after-speaker in the inferno heat of the evening, the moment finally had arrived. The graduates stood one row at a time to go to the stage and get their diplomas.

  Good, Joseph’s in the first row. I can’t miss him.

  Liz increased her focus concentrating on Joseph’s every step. The fog on the viewfinder faded. Joseph’s whole body fit into the camera frame. She was certain not to miss anything.

  “Joseph Jacob Bishop,” the principal said as Liz shouted out in excitement causing the camera to shake. She tracked his movements with her video camera. Joseph walked across to the middle of the stage and shook the principal’s hand as he received his diploma. Liz continued following as Joseph came down the steps on the other side.

  This is great. I’ve got a great shot of him.

  Liz stood in the stands beside Bob. Her left eye closed and with her right eye, she peered through the viewfinder. The camera stopped shaking as Joseph came down the four steps from the stage.

  When Joseph got to the bottom step, an older man appeared wearing a dark-gray jacket and a black hat as he stepped in front of Joseph.

  Move… You’re in my way.

  Liz watched as the man pulled up a camera to his face and pointed it at Joseph. A quick, white flash appeared, causing a memory to pop into Liz’s mind. Air escaped from her lungs as she said, “Whoa… what?”

  The man’s image in her camera startled her enough to make her open her left eye and move the camera losing her focus. Both the man and Joseph were now out of frame. A few seconds had passed as her vision had to re-adjust through the camera.

  It can’t be… I’ve been standing in this heat too long.

  Liz searched for the man as Joseph had already gone back to his seat. The next row of students stood and went to the stage.

  Liz tapped Bob on his left shoulder as they stood. “Bob, excuse me. Can I meet you outside the gym afterward, so you can take me home? I’m going to go down to get a better shot.” Liz held the video camera toward Bob, so he understood what she meant.

  “Sure, see you, there… try to get a good shot of Mary for me.”

  Liz picked up her bag and walked down to the grassy area behind the seated students. More graduates walked across the stage. Friends and family members also were sneaking down to the field to get closer pictures and videos.

  Where did he go? Liz stood to the left of the seated graduates. A perfect angle to capture the graduate’s steps down from the stage. But, she was not here for pictures.

  “Mary Alisha Warner,” the principal said catching Liz’s attention. Liz witnessed Mary walk across the stage and shake the principal’s hand, not missing the moment.

  Liz scanned the crowd. Where is he? I can’t miss him. He has to be the only one wearing a jacket.

  “Okay, will the graduating class of 1997 please stand,” the principal said. Her voice boomed over the stadium speakers eclipsed by the screaming students.

  Almost on cue, a blizzard of blue graduation caps with yellow tassels flew through the air. Liz had a terrific view since she stood where she had filmed the mystery man earlier.

  With her proximity to the students, Liz experienced the hazard of an avalanche of square caps falling around her. One hit her across the top of her head. By reflex, her eyes followed the cap as it hit, bounced, and rolled across the ground at her feet.

  What the hell is this?

  The hit-and-run graduation cap rested a foot away. She looked down and found a Polaroid picture of Joseph coming down the steps. It lay face-up on the ground. The fallen cap had blocked the bottom of the picture as she bent over to pick it up.

  Liz held the picture into the stadium lights. She confirmed it was the image of her grandson.

  It’s him. I know it… Where did he go?

  The surreal scene now turned to chaos; graduates hugged and reached for high-fives. The clapping and cheering continued raining down from the stands. People moved about along the sides of the standing graduates, jostling for a better view.

  Liz looked around and walked to the side of the bleachers, scanning the crowd for the mystery man. Lightning flashed overhead without thunder.

  He’s gone. I can’t find him?

  Liz slipped the Polaroid picture of Joseph into her bag. She went to the top of the bleachers. Her eyes explored through the crowd as the mass of people left the football stadium through the entry gate and into the parking lot. The sea of graduates congregated at the nearby gymnasium beside the football stadium.

  I have to go find, Joseph.

  Liz stopped her search, satisfied her mind was playing tricks on her on this humid June evening. Another flash of lightning in the distance distracted her as she attempted to press record on the video camera. Her battery was dead.

  Disappointed she would not get a final video of Joseph and Mary together this evening, Liz remembered her 35mm camera. She rummaged through her bag while walking closer to the graduates. She heard Mary’s voice yell out, “There you are.”

  Liz found her camera and pointed it at Joseph, who now held Mary. Mary’s legs wrapped around his waist as he stood kissing her. Liz pressed the camera button causing a flash as Joe’s graduation cap fell to the ground.

  I bet that’s going to be a great picture.

  Liz joined Joseph and Mary. “So, where are you two headed off to, tonight?”

  Please be safe.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll be home sometime, tonight,” Joseph said with a laugh with Mary’s arm behind him.

  “Okay, well, if you need anything call me. You both have fun.” Liz hugged them together at one time.

  Oh, Lord, watch over them.

  Joseph and Mary passed in front of her as Liz watched them walk across the parking lot to her parked car. An immediate crash of thunder followed a brilliant flash of white light.

&
nbsp; A smile appeared on Liz’s face. Her happiness was not so much for Joe’s graduation as it was for a thought, which had entered her mind.

  I know it was him. I’d recognize that camera anywhere. I’ve always known he was still–

  Bob interrupted her thoughts. “Hey, Liz, we have to go. There’s a storm coming.”

  Christmas Morning, 1972

  Pasadena, Texas

  THE SUN ROSE over the horizon in the Pasadena, Texas neighborhood. Frost on the ground and trees created a shimmering effect. An unusual cold morning as a chorus of chirping birds greeted the rising sun.

  Normally, at this time of morning, the suburbs outside Houston come alive with the rattling of cars. Most of them headed toward the Houston Space Center.

  But, this was a special day. No cars were on the roads. School buses were not beginning their usual decent into neighbors. No, on this day, all was quiet, as children woke their parents to open presents on Christmas morning.

  For eleven-year-old, Jacob Bishop, Christmas was his favorite time of year. He loved the presents, the candy, and the Christmas carols he would sing with his mother, Liz. The anticipation of waking to open his presents always drove him crazy.

  Liz made Jacob promise not to get up before 7 a.m. Jacob had to wait to allow his dad, Eli, extra time to sleep. Eli had planned to be home late on Christmas Eve from work at the Space Center.

  Keeping his promise to his mom was harder than Jacob had hoped. Jacob could not take it any longer as he wiggled with excitement in his bed. Jacob tip-toed from his bedroom, down the hallway by his parents’ bedroom and into the living room.

  As Jacob rounded the corner, a smile grew on his sleepy, little face from ear-to-ear. Colors from the Christmas tree lights twinkled in his eyes, which grew bigger taking in the full sight of the gifts Santa had brought overnight.

  “Oh, boy!” Jacob shouted.

  Jacob ran to the tree and slid into the presents as if Reggie Jackson was stealing second base for the A’s. Presents scattered from their original resting place as Jacob searched the stacks of gifts.

  Jacob found one with his name and picked it up to his ear, shaking it, trying to guess what was inside.