Johnny was driving Ann home. They simultaneously felt warmth in each other’s company. Johnny wanted to convey to Ann that he had brains, but logically those who had the smarts didn’t talk about it. Those with brains went through life using their smarts in either good or evil ways. He knew instinctively that at some point he wanted to show Ann that he was worthy of her. No easy task.
Ann was always logical in everything she did and said. She needed to hide her brains until she met Banks who welcomed it. She felt comfortable with Banks but over the past few weeks she lost the physical attraction for him. Why did people do that? Perhaps she was attracted to Banks initially simply because she saw the opportunity was doable and that was the attraction. She didn’t even pay attention to Johnny in a physical way last Thanksgiving when he undressed and he and Tricia were having sex right in front of them. Or did that arouse her? Perhaps her arousal from glancing at that sexual activity is what caused her to be attracted to Banks. Ann didn’t like the lack of logic to physical attraction. All she knew for certain was that Johnny was great in the sack.
She invited Johnny in the house. When Murray and Dassi saw him, they knew instantly that there was chemistry between the two. The last time they actually spoke to Johnny was at Thanksgiving last year and Johnny and Tricia were an item. Murray offered Johnny a soda and the two men started talking about the tribe. Without any sense of premeditation, Johnny talked about his spirituality lessons with the shaman and told Murray that there was a tribesman who followed the Kabbalah. Johnny was in the early learnings of Jewish spirituality and currently was studying the relationship of infinity with humanity. When Ann heard that, she was in a state of ‘wow.’ So without even attempting to impress her it came out of natural dialogue with her father.
Ann thought that perhaps this guy has it all. When she walked Johnny to the door she asked him, “Dude, the Homecoming Dance is in several weeks. Will you be my date?”
Johnny smiled, “Affirmative, girl. I know it will be a night to remember.
Stan and Julie Powers stared at their two kids. Stan felt so grateful that he had them back unharmed. Julie’s thoughts went beyond that. Her entire life she felt guilt about Peyton’s blindness. She knew that it was chancy to have a second child while she carried a gene that prevented sight. Now Peyton could see. She saw the loss of the dog Plato in exchange for Peyton’s sight was symbolic. She felt religious, “Stan, let’s go down to the church and make a donation. Let’s pray there and thank God.”
And so about the same time that Stan and Julie left Tricia in charge of Peyton, Johnny left the Abrams’ house. They all waved and took off. Across the street, Mrs. Kadet, wearing a purple eye patch, crossed the street to the Powers’ house. She carried a box of candy. Peyton answered the door and stared at the box, “Are those for me?”
Mrs. Kadet entered and replied, “Of course they are.” She handed the box to Peyton, “Peyton, you want to see something really scary?”
Peyton responded with nodding his head. She yanked off her eyepatch. Peyton stood open-mouthed, “Cool!” When Tricia entered and caught an eyeful of Mrs. Kadet’s empty socket, she screamed running up the stairs. Mrs. Kadet and Peyton laughed. Mrs. Kadet picked up the spare key to the house that she learned about while taking refuge in the Powers’ safe place. She left the house whistling a happy tune. When Mrs. Kadet crossed the street to her house, she waved to Ms. Amor who was working on her garden. She walked up to Ms. Amor, turned around, stuck out her butt and emitted a loud and noxious symphony of farts directly at Ms. Amor’s face.
The yellow chick was perched on the roof of the Powers’ house. It witnessed the actions of Mrs. Kadet. It concluded that the actions of Mrs. Kadet were evil. It concluded correctly.
Love and Sex
The shaman removed the IV from Banks Blackhorse’s hand. He told Banks to continue to take it easy and that Marilyn and Carol would provide meals for him for several days. He wanted Banks to stay in his own apartment and to avoid stress. Banks was regaining his strength and wanted to be well enough to attend Sway’s funeral on Sunday. The following Monday, school would reopen and he wanted to go back to work but would need the shaman’s permission.
Once back in his own apartment he watched light situation comedies and upbeat movies. He was visited by Marilyn who made a delicious fish dish coated with the shaman’s herbs. Marilyn made him laugh and he decided that indeed that was the best medicine.
After dinner on the Thursday evening following Labor Day, he lay in bed listening to music. The yellow chick arrived at his window and he let it in. The chick flew to Banks’ bathroom and emerged from the bathroom in the shape of Sway Garland. Her long brown hair of the past was down covering a good portion of her breasts. Her walk was unmistakably Sway. She even smelled of gardenias. All of this was evidently preplanned by her. Her initial appearance as a chick was to make it clear to Banks that the following events were real mixed with fantasy. He must continue to realize that Sway was dead...the Sway he knew. But the soul of Sway would go on forever due to the love they shared. Soul mates!
Sway removed Banks’ tee-shirt and found all the arousal buttons that she needed to attend to. She removed his pajama bottoms. She used all her fingers, lips, teeth and even her feet to make the evening memorable. She began with his nipples and flicked them rapidly with her tongue. She guided him back to his bed and gently attacked his sensitive neck while fondling his genitals. Banks wanted to return all the sensations but he was getting lost in her lovemaking. She whispered in his ear, “This is all for you, never mind about me. Just lie back and take it.” Banks was lost in ecstasy and was happy to be alive to experience his being the ‘lovee’ and her being the lover. When he arrived at orgasm it was a spiritual experience...literally. He wondered if Sway received any pleasure by being the lover. Before he could ask, she told him how complete she was being in his arms and enjoying his enjoyment...the loveliness of loving you.
They talked about shape-shifting and her rebirth. She explained that she finally had a father and probably the wisest of all fathers. She told Banks that the Monarch Raven would continue to be his animal guide and she would be for someone else. She explained to him that even though their love would be forever, he must live a full physical life as a human being. She made it clear that she wanted him to find another woman, marry and eventually have children. Banks understood that his vision quest was a process and that what he learned during the past months would shape his life forever.
Banks held Sway tightly. He whispered in her ear, “Sway, darling, I now need to be lover. He turned to her and smothered her body with kisses as she became the lovee.
Several apartments down from Banks, Marilyn and Carol completed their love making. There was no need for a honeymoon since having each other openly was better that any conventional tradition of some sort of getaway. They worked together, fought together, loved together and laughed together. Life together was one continuous honeymoon.
Murray and Dassi Abrams always made love on Thursday nights unless there was something really great on television which was often. The thought of making love on a Friday or Saturday was like breaking one of the Ten Commandments. ‘Thou shalt honor the Sabbath.’ Jews were not allowed to work on the Sabbath and they, unfortunately, were beginning to consider sex as work.
Ann Abrams was thinking about the wisdom of Tricia Powers, “How can any decent high school girl not own a vibrator?!” Ann wished she had taken heed to that comment. Because she was thinking so intently about Johnny Angelo. They had a date for three weeks from this Saturday for the Homecoming Dance and it was certain that they would have sex...really good sex! Ann’s hands moved slowly down her body.
Julie Powers appeared to be lifeless in bed. One might have thought that she was dead except for the loud snoring. Stan looked at her and smirked. He thought for an instant...just an instant, mind you...that he wished Evelyn Sands were alive.
Peyton Powers didn’t think about sex...except for the thought that he su
pposed it was something stupid old people did. Peyton thought about his new world of sight. He felt that he was now living in a universe that he did not create. This angered him. If he had his power of being an Old Soul, he would create an ice storm. But no, the power was gone and so were his days of driving Banks’ truck.
Tricia Powers sat in front of her laptop. She wondered what kind of outfit she would wear for the first day of school. Then she got a bit competitive: She must find a new boy toy that was hotter than Johnny Angelo. Ann could not...would not...outdo her. She simply would not allow that to happen.
In the stillness of the later night, the father and daughter ravens took flight. They spread their wings and expressed their joy of living. They loved one another and thoughts of loss were minimal during this time. They flew over Stephens Passage and every animal seemed to be getting along. In the forests the salmon were jumping and the bears didn’t take notice. Wolves were making love as opposed to ripping flesh. Life in Juneau was good. Too good for the Spirit Above their Heads.
Sunday Funeral/Monday School
There were a total of four deaths in the tribe during the horrors of Labor Day. Two men were Christians, one man was a Buddhist and of course Sway. It was the responsibility of the shaman to conduct the services as spiritual leader but Chief Banks Blackhorse was to meet with family members. The shaman didn’t want Banks to be stressed out and told him that he’d carry out both roles.
Since Sway was a Hmong spiritualist and her death was violent, the services would begin with her. Sway’s mother smiled to the crowd with pride when the shaman explained that her death saved many including the Chief’s life. Her rebirth would surely indicate a high position in the world. It was thought that she would be reborn as a child of the tribe, but there were no births this week. So all would celebrate in hopes that she would be with a different tribe or be an animal of distinction. There was no burial since there was no evidence of Sway’s body and her mother did not want any symbolic representation of her. Her mother did her best to express happiness in the rebirth of her only child.
At the services were the entire Powers family, the Abrams family, the Kadets and other residents of Skyline Boulevard. At the end of the quick services, the group came up to Sway’s mother and congratulated her on the rebirth of Sway. When Mrs. Kadet came to her, she pulled Sway’s mother over and whispered in her ear, “May your daughter rot in hell!”
Sway’s mother backed away and tried best to hold her composure. Mrs. Kadet took her husband’s hand and he asked, “What did you say to her?”
She replied honestly, “I don’t know. Something apparently wretched. I was compelled to say what I said. I’ve hurt people the past few days but it has stopped now. Yes, whatever it was that made me say terrible things to people has stopped.
And it was true. Those things did stop. The earwig was dead and then instantly reborn...hatched actually. But Mrs. Kadet was directed to do two things in the future that were beyond her control: She would have to make a purchase and she would have to deliver the purchase. That was it. Very simple. And...quite horrific. Once those two things were completed, Mrs. Kadet would live a long life. She would volunteer once a week to feed the poor. She would volunteer once a week at the Juneau Hospital to work with a nurse’s assistant. She would write a monthly bridge column for her country club’s paper. She would find retailer’s to donate clothes for the indigent. Yes, Mrs. Kadet would use her time for good...and when she did, she would use her glass eye. She would become quietly good and visibly invisible.
Monday morning was the first day of school. Ann and Tricia would be driven by Julie as they had in the past. Then, Julie would drive Peyton to the blind school. Peyton insisted that he would spend the next year helping Banks at the school. Peyton was the best Braille reader and could teach the others. Peyton could tell the other students about the Night the Sky Fell, about making Indian wishes and most of all about the secrets in Chief Dan’s book. Julie was not in favor of this and wanted Peyton to go to a private Catholic school where he could mix with seeing kids...white kids, wealthy seeing white kids with small classroom sizes and teachers with PhDs. But in the end, Peyton won out. After all he had only been a seeing person for a week and this is what he wanted to do.
Tricia entered the halls of Juneau-Douglas High School. She model-walked on Vera Wang and clutched Prada. She smelled of Dior. And she was on the hunt for her next boy toy. As usual Ann walked several steps behind as if Tricia were a countess and Ann were a lady-in-waiting. When they arrived at their first period English class, the new teacher from Portland said, “I’d like you all to write a paper on ‘how you spent your summer vacation.’” This was followed by a cacophony of gasps, screams and cursing.
In the lunch room, Tricia picked a table where she could meet with her A-group and lord over newbies. She was mobbed by freshmen minions that were aware of Tricia’s reputation in middle school. The word was out that the countess was looking for a count. The girls opened their stylish purses and out came a collection of phones, each with pictures of boys. They passed their phones to Tricia who scrutinized them quickly. She needed to find a respectable date for Homecoming. As she went through the pics, “No. No. No. Geek. No. No. No.” She told the girls, “You are going to have to do much better than that if you are going to be a member of my court.”
Meanwhile, Peyton was introduced to the blind class. He was to be Banks’ helper. The teacher notified the students that Banks would be back in class on Wednesday and Peyton was here to help any of you with questions.
Peyton had come into contact with students that he had known for more than several years. He knew them by voice and sometimes touch. But he had never known them by sight. He told each blind boy and girl how beautiful they were. The teacher observed Peyton’s interaction with his classmates and knew his helping out was more powerful than what she had to offer. Peyton was a learning sensation.
Julie had picked Peyton up and they drove over to Juneau-Douglas High School. She was somewhat uneven in manner since she returned to Alcoholics Anonymous over the weekend and was driving over-cautiously due to a bad case of withdrawal. But the teacher was so impressed with Peyton that it had a soothing effect on her and she was glad that Peyton and her husband Stan talked her into Peyton’s staying at the blind school.
During the school’s dismissal, Tricia held court and perused the photos that her courtiers had brought to her. Julie had honked several times for Tricia and Ann to come, but the honks were ignored. Tricia ruled that all these boys were unacceptable. She threw their phones on the ground and headed to her mother’s car with Ann following behind her.
Julie was annoyed after they were in, “As soon as your car is out of the shop, you won’t need me as a chauffeur. What are you pouting about anyway?”
Tricia whined, “I don’t have a respectable date for Homecoming!”
Peyton chimed, “Yes you do, and you could go with Banks. He was at your school when you were freshmen.”
Tricia inserted her finger in her mouth and made exaggerated gagging noises.
Ann concluded, “Think of it, Tricia. He is the hero twice over from summer. That makes him regal. All will be amazed with your choice. The countess of Homecoming with the king of Juneau.”
Tricia stopped gagging and inserted a fresh stick of gum. After cracking it several times and ignoring her mother’s darting and smirking looks she said, “Well, I suppose he is like a knight since he has been bestowed many honors from his tribe and oh yes the city as well. But he has no class. No clothes. And he has red tones in his skin.
“Racist, racist,” screamed Peyton. Don’t talk about Banks that way. He’s too good for you.” Finally, Julie chuckled. Peyton added, “And what makes you think he would go with you?”
“I think I can be of some help there,” colluded Ann.
At the Abrams’ house after an excellent kosher dinner of brisket and latkes, Ann emptied the left over chicken soup in a container and added two matzo balls to
the dish. Her mother asked, “What are you up to?”
Ann told Dassi, “This is for Banks. This is your gift, chicken soup for his soul. And he needs this right now.”
“Thoughtful. Very thoughtful. And true. Very true. Give him our regards.”
Ann texted Banks and she was on her way. When she arrived, she heated up the container in the microwave. She spoon fed him. She told him that its magic was better when spoon fed by someone who cares deeply about you. They laughed and relived good times. Then she popped the question, “Banks, I need a favor.”
He replied, “The soup is working already. Anything you want.”
“You know, Banks that Homecoming is right around the corner. After all, you are our most famous alumnus.”
“Really? You want to go together? Sure, but what about Johnny?”
“Johnny and I have plans...we are going together. I want to fix you up with someone.”
With disappointment, “Okay...as long as it’s not—
“Yeah, it is.”
Homecoming
Homecoming at the Juneau-Douglas High School was a big deal. The football game aside, the pomp and circumstance of the dance aside, it was a time of the joy of normalcy. Everyone was polite and the events of the past summer were finished. The first day of fall was a week ago. Goodness permeated the town, the waters and the forests.
Johnny Angelo and Ann Abrams decided to double with Banks Blackhorse and Tricia Powers. When Banks arrived at the Powers’ door, all were awe struck by Banks’ healing appearance. His cheeks were fall-rosy, his haircut was trendy-spiked, and his eyes sans glasses were shining-violet. He was a match even for the hunk of Johnny Angelo. He wore a blazer without a tie. When Tricia made her staircase-entrance she scrutinized his looks and yelled, “Dad, Banks needs to borrow a tie...a Ralph Lauren, please.” When Tricia received a corsage of gardenias, she politely said, “Orchids, dear boy. Orchids. No problem, I already have my corsage in the fridge.”
The Day the Sky Shattered Page 10