The Day the Sky Shattered

by Stephen G. Levy

  Peyton grabbed the gardenias and smelled them, “They smell like Sway.” And Banks nodded slowly yes. Julie took a few pictures and told them they were the best looking couple in town.

  The smart couples met outside. Johnny whispered to Banks that he thought it were best if they took separate cars. Tricia wasn’t going to ride in his disgusting truck and tossed Banks the keys to her car.

  Both couples skipped the football game and went directly to the dance which was in full swing. Tricia ordered the other three to go in first so that she could make her grand entrance. But when she arrived a moment after the others, Banks was swarmed by students and alumni. The wanted to touch him...touching a real hero is something none of the attendees had ever done. They wanted autographs. They pulled out their cells and wanted pictures. Poor Tricia. Only a few ‘poorly dressed’ nondescript minions came to her rescue as Banks was showered with affection from the remaining crowd. Banks danced with twelve girls and one boy that evening. He remembered some of the guys from his senior class. He was photographed by the Juneau paper. Tricia attempted to get in the picture and despite requests to move out, she disobeyed and found out later that her image in the Juneau Gazette was cut out.

  When the last dance was announced, Tricia was sure that that would be the one and only dance Banks would have with her. She waited patiently for his advance. Banks was surrounded by a dozen girls. But Banks’ advance wasn’t coming. She barged in the circle of obsequious sycophants (as if she didn’t have her own). Tricia then did something she never had to do, “Banks, please dance with me.” He smiled at her and said, “If it really means that much to you, I will.” And Tricia forced herself, “It would be an honor.” And as they danced the final dance of Homecoming, the others backed up and clapped and swayed to their dancing. Tricia had her moment. Tricia Powers was happy to be in the company of Banks Blackhorse, the hero of Juneau, Alaska. She wondered for a moment if Banks could be her guy for the upcoming year. Then she answered herself, “No way.”

  Johnny and Ann left before the final dance. The bridge to Douglas Island was now open. Johnny had made arrangements in advance to take Ann to a friend’s cottage. The fire had already been lit. There were bowls of fruits, nuts and exotic candies. There was a bison skin-covered mattress next to the fire place. And there was wine. Little was spoken but much was felt. Johnny undressed Ann slowly and tenderly. Each article of clothing was removed with the grace and genteelness of a Jane Austen character. He whispered where she was to lie once naked. He undressed himself as she watched his perfection unfold and his erection become bold. Her attraction for him was combined with the beauties of Michelangelo art. Yes, he was her exquisite Greek god. He was in full control. She could only obey and enjoy. And the intermissions of love making were filled with wine and fruits amidst powerful discussions that omitted people and things but were filled with ideas and ideals. After two more glorious rounds of love making, Johnny ‘popped the question.’ But it really wasn’t a question, it was more like an edict that a god would state: “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Ann Abrams was in love...completely in love without reservations.

  Yes there was good over Juneau. The pains of summer acquiesced. Normalcy was flowing everywhere. And the Monarch Raven and the yellow chick felt its imbalance. Nevertheless, they flapped, cawed and glided with giddiness.

  October

  At the Juneau School for the Blind, Banks and Peyton were known as the dynamic duo. Every student wanted to work one on one with each of them. The teacher knew that peer tutorage was superior to any teacher-student relationship. Motivation for learning came from peers. Peyton mixed Braille with Indian legend. Banks mixed math and English with kinesthetic hands-on learning. He emphasized the tactile education and mixed it with auditory.

  It was parents’ day and the teacher and her aides were going to meet with the students’ families. Banks told Julie that he’d drive Peyton home after the conferences. After many successful consultations, Banks needed some alone time with Peyton. He needed to tell Peyton about his new animal guide.

  Peyton had gotten over the death of Plato when school was in session. His self-esteem was at its highest point and he didn’t need a new animal guide. Banks explained that it was important and that Peyton would have little obligation. He just wanted Peyton to know that the Yellow Raven lived on his roof and was there to protect him. If there were a real threat, the Yellow Raven would shift its shape to Chief Dan and they could have a private conversation in his bedroom. Banks added, “Just open your window and whistle three times.” Peyton liked the secret communication and the fact that he could revisit with Chief Dan.

  What Banks did not tell him was that Peyton could be in real danger. It was not clear how the Spirit Above Their Heads would create a new balance. Things were great in Juneau and this worried the shaman. He knew that evil did not die, it just took a short sabbatical. Peyton assured Banks that if there were something unusual going on, he would contact the Yellow Raven.

  The Monarch Raven moved to the compound and was bound to protect Banks. The Monarch Raven didn’t want to frighten Banks, but it knew that Banks could be the recipient of future mischief and the raven was there to protect him.

  Dassi and Julie spent the day shopping. They were no longer chauffeurs for their daughters and this gave them more time together. Dassi would discuss her confusion regarding the relationship that Ann had with Banks. It seemed to be weaker and she was seeing a lot of Johnny. Julie had wished that Tricia would find a guy and elope with him. The women laughed it off. Julie was celebrating her month of sobriety and her time with the piano increased. Her music was upbeat and she felt that Peyton’s new sight was a miracle. She wrote the Pope and sent documentations from Dr. Murray Abrams. Julie also bought Breath Rite strips to keep her nasal passages open at night so that Stan could sleep better. They had sex a couple of times during the past month and Julie thought it wasn’t bad.

  Murray was back at work and his hands were working fine and began cataract surgeries for his patients. He felt whole and never blamed his daughter for her stabbing him. He wanted her to go to the best school possible and in his opinion it was John Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. He had saved for this day for the past fifteen years. He received all the paperwork for applications but did not tell Ann yet...Dassi told him, wait until she comes to you. Of course she could do her undergraduate work wherever she wanted. At any rate she was all set.

  Ann and Johnny spent their free time together and the bond was stronger than ever. Tricia was still on the hunt for a guy but it was becoming less important. One night she had a nightmare that she was having sex with Banks Blackhorse. What a horror story! She wore all black to school the next day.

  Marilyn and Carol decided that they would spend New Year’s at Disneyland. They looked at the pictures online and began making plans for air fare and hotel.

  The shaman was doing a lot of chanting. He was in contact with the Otherworld. He knew that the soul of Evelyn Sands was being manipulated for evil. She had been reborn twice. On Halloween, her physical life ended and she was reborn again. He needed help from the soul of Chief Dan and his own ancestral souls. He contacted them daily and put a ‘watch’ on Evelyn’s soul. He knew that Evelyn Sands could eventually become the Old Soul in her new physical life. He knew that he must prevent that.

  The Night the Sky Fell

  Peyton told his father, “We have to do it again, Dad. I saw the Leonids fall to earth with my mind’s eye. But I didn’t see it happen with my real eyes. And there’s a bonus! Banks told me that on that Saturday night before Thanksgiving, the Aurora Oval might reach down to Juneau. So it’s a once in a lifetime double attraction. A meteorite storm and the northern lights at the same time. Please, Dad, let’s have a party again.”

  When Stan mentioned it to Julie, she thought it was a great idea. What would she wish for this year? She called Dassi and invited the Abrams. She knew that Ann was seeing Johnny and invited him too. Peyton texted Banks
and it was a date. Tricia liked the idea and liked the idea of Banks. Yes, the town hero coming over to her house. He was once again becoming family. She wasn’t sure that she liked seeing Ann with Johnny but she couldn’t disinvite him.

  When Banks arrived that special Saturday evening, he was greeted at the door by Tricia. She was about to hug him, but he quickly extended his hand. She took it and smiled, “Welcome, Banks. The food is the same as last year but I think the wishes of everyone will be different this year. What do you think?”

  “Oh, I’m sure mine will be the same. Good to see you, Tricia. Everyone outside?” Banks walked to the backyard door as Tricia followed feeling only slightly snubbed. Peyton ran to Banks with a big hug, “I told everyone how to set their lawn chairs and to keep their wishes to themselves. I remember everything from a year ago.”

  Banks glided over to Ann and kissed her on the cheek which annoyed Tricia. Banks then hugged Johnny. Julie came over and kissed and hugged Banks. That was followed by handshakes from Murray and Stan and hugs from Dassi. Tricia smirked at the thought that once again she was being upstaged by an Indian.

  Peyton yelled, “Look! Look!” And above them covering the clear sky was an oval of green. The NASA prediction that the northern lights would reach down to Juneau had come true. The DISCOVR spacecraft analyzed the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field. These scientists are the weathermen of space. Peyton knew a different explanation, “Tell everyone, Banks. Tell everyone how the Native Alaskan ancestors explain the northern lights.

  Banks said, “Do you want to know?” All said, “Yes.” Even Tricia. “Banks continued, “Okay, the Inuits considered the northern lights to be dead spirits playing a ball game in the sky using the head of a walrus as a ball. But my shaman’s ancestors thought it was something else: They believed the northern lights were the souls of some of the dead. These souls were not allowed to be with their kind, they were banished from the Otherworld left to wander. These souls were constantly trying to communicate with their loved ones in the Otherworld only to be ignored for eternity. Because these souls would not be reborn.”

  Ann stated, “That’s sad.” From the roof, the Yellow Raven landed on Peyton’s shoulder. It stared at Banks. Julie explained, “This is Peyton’s new pet. It comes to him often when he is outside. It’s like the bird knows what we’re talking about. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

  And Banks nodded yes, and added, “The most beautiful.” The first meteorite flared up as it approached the earth. All grabbed hamburgers except for Dassi whose kosher diet allowed her only a veggie burger which Stan had prepared.

  There was a bombardment of meteorites traveling under, over and through the northern lights. After all the munching and chattering, there was a hush of whispers of wishes to oneself:

  “I want to be a blind teacher.”

  “I want my daughter to marry a great man.”

  “I want my daughter to be a great doctor.”

  “I want my wife to finally be sober and happy.”

  “I want my son to thrive.”

  “I want Ann to be mine.”

  “I want my Greek god forever.”

  “I want to be a great chief.”

  “I want to be loved by...no...I want a mole-pelt coat.”

  And then the Yellow Raven flew up to the roof and wished for all to be safe for evil will certainly come soon.

  And when the northern lights flickered away and the meteorites bombardment dwindled, Julie announced, “I expect all of you here not later than two this Thursday afternoon.”

  Banks thanked Julie and Stan for a great evening. He told them that he promised Marilyn and Carol to have Thanksgiving with them. Stan ordered, “Come for dessert, Banks. We will be open for business all day and night. Please stop by.” Banks promised he would after Peyton pleaded and begged. He hugged and shook hands to most. He waved good bye to Tricia.

  “Time for your bath, Peyton,” ordered Julie. “I’m taking showers now, Mom...by myself.”

  “Tricia, I want you looking good for church tomorrow, nighty night,” added Julie.

  Peyton yelled back, “Church? So boring!”

  And the following morning the Powers’ family boarded Stan’s SUV and took off for Sunday services. Mrs. Kadet watched their departure.

  Mrs. Kadet was to complete her final duty that was directed by the now deceased earwig: She walked out of her house carrying a large red bag with two hands. She opened the front door of the empty Powers’ house with the key she took some time ago. About 30 seconds later, she returned the key to its original place and exited the house locking the door behind her. She carried the large red bag across the street with two hands. She threw the red bag and its contents into her garbage can. She was free of all obligations and duties. Mrs. Kadet whistled a happy tune.

  Unknown to Mrs. Kadet, her next door neighbor, Ms. Amor, watched the entire incident through a small parting of her window blinds. She wondered what was in the bag that was now in Mrs. Kadet’s garbage can.

  Monday morning was garbage pickup day. Ms. Amor, flashlight in hand, ventured out of house at midnight. She opened the Kadet’s garbage can and turned on the flashlight. She opened the red bag and muttered to herself, “How strange!” She heard a strange splattering sound on the boulevard. Apparently, several pea-size meteorites hit the pavement. How strange.

  Thanksgiving

  The dining table could have made the cover of Bon Appetit. The American traditional Thanksgiving foods were surrounded by autumnal colors and a scent of oak. Seated at the table were Dassi, Murray, Ann, Johnny, Peyton, Tricia, and Julie. Stan had previously begun with a Catholic prayer and Murray followed up with a Hebrew prayer. Currently all were watching Stan carve the turkey with his electric carver.

  Tricia was on best behavior passing plates and loading each one up with traditional side dishes. Dassi brought her own plate and silverware and chose to eat just about everything except for the non-kosher turkey...the side dishes were all acceptable according to kosher dietary laws. Murray and Ann enjoyed the entire feast because their dietary style was ‘kosher-in house, anything-out.’

  Johnny and Ann were very much into each other. Tricia was reminded of her last Thanksgiving dinner. Immediately following the feast, she made love for the first time...with Johnny. While she was tasting her squash she thought that she would put her vibrator to use later.

  Peyton was hoping Banks was coming soon. Stan got up and poured wine for all except Julie who was going on her second month of sobriety. By the time the big question was asked by Julie, “Pumpkin or Pecan?” all were patting their stomachs.

  While each was sipping the last of their beverage and tasting the final crumbs of pie, Peyton stood up on his chair. From his chair he jumped on the table. He wildly stepped on leftover cranberry, beans, and squash and yelled at his mother, “You tried to kill me! You tried to drown me in the bathtub. I hate you. Killer. Killer.”

  Dassi was horrified and waited for Julie’s response: “I should never have had you. I was warned. You wasted the last nine years of my life.”

  Tricia picked up some wild rice and threw it at her father, “You wanted me to have a used car, not a decent car, an old used car. I did everything right for you.”

  Julie yelled at Dassi, “I can’t stand your Jew prayers and your traditions. They’re unsavory.”

  Murray added, “That’s right Dassi, you’re horrid. You make us eat everything you want, not what we want. And then there is that daughter Ann. You, Ann tried to kill me. You disgusting ingrate.”

  Dassi got up with tears of disbelief at the horrors of family/friend’s spewing venom. Ann yelled at her mother, “Sit down, I’m not done with you. I have a lot to say. And Julie, your child is disgusting. Look what Peyton is doing. Stepping on all the food.”

  Johnny got into it, “Shut up, Ann.” I don’t know why I put up with you.”

  As Dassi was running to her house, Banks pulled up. He immediately caught her despair. She was i
n a state of disbelief. Banks looked through the window towards the dining room and saw Johnny punching Stan, Tricia pulling Ann’s hair and Peyton was throwing wine glasses at his mother and Murray.

  Banks told Dassi to go inside her house and he would take care of it. He called the police and advised them to bring a large vehicle that would separate each of the seven feuding members whose rage was now building to a boiling point.

  Banks looked up at the Yellow Raven. She flew down and landed on his shoulder. What Banks saw and heard from inside the Powers’ house was pure evil. These people...people whom he loved and cared for were attacking each other. Then, he thought if he distracted them, they might come out and stop fighting with each other. He opened the door and said, “Happy Thanksgiving.” Peyton picked up the electric carving knife and switched it on. During Peyton’s attack on Banks, the knife unplugged and Banks was able to take it from him. Then, Peyton started kicking Banks while screaming profanities.

  Police sirens blasted down Skyline Boulevard. Neighbors came out to see the action. Ms. Amor saw most of the earlier action from behind her parted window blinds. Dassi came out as Murray and Tricia were handcuffed and led to the large vehicle. Stan and Julie were handcuffed as well. Johnny had blood on his hands from fighting Stan. Two officers handcuffed him and separated him from the others. Stan screamed, “You can’t do this. I have a ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card.” Peyton and Ann went as well.

  Dassi looked on whining, “I don’t understand what happened to all of them. Something happened and they were all fighting with each other and me. It reminded me of the time the women all had the ‘nap out.’ I wasn’t a part of that. I wasn’t a part of that because I could not have children. I think I was not a part of this because of something they all did but that I did not.”