The Lamp: A Novel by Jim Stovall With Tracy J Trost

by Jim Stovall

  As Stanley entered the back door, he saw Lisa standing at the kitchen sink staring out the window. Stanley walked over to where Lisa was standing. He continued to hold what was left of the lamp as they both stared out the window.

  Stanley thrust the lamp in front of Lisa and stated emphatically, “Take a good look, Lisa. It’s just a hunk of metal.”

  Lisa was on the edge of tears and said quietly, “You’re just mean.”

  Stanley restated his belief. “There’s nothing magical about it.”

  They both stood there in silence until they heard a noise behind them in the kitchen. As Stanley and Lisa both turned around in unison, they saw Charles calmly sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee in his hand.

  He spoke. “Are you sure there’s nothing magical about it, Stanley?”

  Stanley and Lisa looked at the lamp in Stanley’s hand and were shocked to see that it had returned to its original form.

  Stanley cried, “What the…?” and dropped it as if it were on fire.

  Charles said, “Careful with that. It’s an antique.”

  Lisa bent down and gently picked up the lamp. Stanley just stood, staring at Charles. Charles extended his leg and pushed a chair out from the table.

  Charles looked up at Stanley and said, “Stanley, how about you take a seat, and we can have a talk.”

  Stanley complied with Charles’s orders as he sank into the chair that had been offered. Lisa joined them and took a seat at the table.

  Stanley couldn’t find his voice but finally stammered, “What…? Who…? Who are you?”

  Charles sat up straight, nodded formally, and spoke, “Charles Montgomery the third at your service.”

  Stanley asked, “Are you really a genie from that lamp?”

  Charles was clearly irritated with Stanley’s question.

  He responded, “Genie? Let me show you something.”

  Charles pointed at the microwave oven, and instantly the door turned into a high definition screen. Music that sounded like the theme from I Dream of Jeannie began to play, and a woman who looked like Barbara Eden in a genie outfit appeared on the screen. Then the screen changed to look like an old movie clip showing a big, bald genie with blue skin. Next, the screen revealed a scene from a cartoon with a genie and a magic lamp. And, finally, the screen shifted to a television commercial featuring Mr. Clean dressed as a genie.

  Charles pointed to the images on the screen and stated, “Look here. Genie. Genie. Genie. Genie. Do I look like a genie?”

  The screen went blank, and the microwave appeared normal once again.

  Stanley and Lisa stared open-mouthed at Charles.

  Stanley mumbled, “Sorry.”

  Charles sighed and spoke conciliatorily. “No, I’m sorry. It’s just a bit of a sore spot for me. To answer your question, Stanley, I am a messenger. I am here to help you see beyond yourself and your current situation.”

  Stanley glanced toward Lisa and then looked back at Charles as he spoke. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Charles explained, “You are correct, Stanley. There is no magic to this. You see, you can have anything you want in life if you are only willing to first believe. You and Lisa are in a tough spot…mainly because you have lost hope. Right now, you believe that there is no way out other than to give up.”

  Stanley and Lisa just stared at Charles as he continued. “Don’t feel bad. This happens to a lot of people. Many people get their eyes off of what is true and embrace a lie. Then they begin to believe that lie. In time, this lie becomes their truth, and their whole life is built around it.”

  Stanley was trying to comprehend this. He voiced his question. “A lie?”

  Charles nodded solemnly and answered, “Yes. For you, it’s the lie that your life ended the day your son died. You cannot forgive yourself for this terrible event, and so you punish yourself and those around you. The truth, Stanley, is your life can and should go on. You must let go of the pain, and live your life to its fullest.”

  Stanley was disturbed, and his anger flared as he said, “That’s easy for you to say.”

  Charles shrugged and admitted, “Yes, I guess it is. Because I believe that life should be lived even when a tragic event has occurred.”

  Charles paused a moment to let his words sink in, and then he continued. “My message is this—that you can have anything you want in life, even happiness and forgiveness, if you are willing to just believe.”

  Stanley just stared at Charles, not knowing what to say, do, or think.

  CHAPTER 12

  The Walters’ kitchen, which had been a familiar and comfortable place to Stanley and Lisa, now seemed strange, unusual, and hard to understand. The appearance of Charles had left the couple reeling.

  Stanley confronted Charles saying, “I think it would have been better if you were a genie. You could grant me my three wishes, and I could wish my way out of this.”

  Charles laughed heartily and said, “Well now, that’s an interesting idea. Hmm. Three wishes. I don’t normally do that, but if that helps you, then three wishes it is.”

  Stanley sounded skeptical as he said, “Let me get this straight. You are going to give me three wishes? I can have anything I want?”

  Charles nodded and explained, “Yes, but there will have to be some rules.”

  As Stanley and Lisa looked on, Charles took a sip of his coffee and opened a book that suddenly appeared on the table in front of him. Then a pair of reading glasses suddenly appeared in his hand, and he put them on.

  Charles looked at the couple and said sheepishly, “You’ll have to forgive me. I’ve never been real good with all the legal parts.”

  Charles opened the book then reached into his vest pocket and took out an ornate writing pen. He began making notes in the book.

  Charles scanned a page, glanced at another, then spoke. “So, let’s set some guidelines.”

  He smiled at the couple, cleared his throat, then continued to speak formally as he read from the book. “When said wishes are granted, Wisher…that’s you…”

  He glanced up at the couple and pointed at them, then continued. “cannot present a wish that will: One. Interfere with another person’s free will.”

  He paused and smiled at the couple, then said, “Two. Bring someone back to life.”

  Charles appeared a bit uncomfortable as he said, “Ah, yes, that is vital in this case, isn’t it?”

  He looked at the couple solemnly, then glanced back at the book as he continued. “And Three. This one is important. Said wish cannot be something Wisher has the power to acquire on his or her own.”

  He stopped and looked up at the couple and announced, “Yes, I like that one. So, there you have it. Oh, yes. And let’s put a time limit on it. Say, 30 days.”

  Charles closed the book and slipped it into his vest pocket. Stanley and Lisa were speechless.

  Stanley wasn’t sure he believed any of this, but he asked, “It can be anything?”

  Charles held up his finger to emphasize his point. “Within the rules.”

  Stanley and Lisa nodded in unison.

  Charles leaned forward and said in a conspiratorial tone, “On a personal note, it is my belief that this experience will bring your heartbeat back.”

  “My heartbeat?” Stanley asked dubiously.

  Charles nodded excitedly and exclaimed, “Yes. Listen closely.”

  The room fell silent as they all listened.

  Charles asked, “Do you hear that?”

  Stanley and Lisa had blank expressions as they both shook their heads no.

  Charles was confident as he said, “Listen closer.”

  Stanley and Lisa were shocked as they began to hear the sound of a soft, rapid heartbeat.

  Charles asked, “Do you hear how fast it is?”

  Stanley and Lisa nodded vigorously.

  Charles explained, “That’s because it is a woman’s heartbeat. Always a little faster than a man’s. Not many people know that.”
r />   Stanley looked toward Lisa as they both realized the incredible fact that they were hearing her heart beating.

  Charles turned to Stanley and asked, “Stanley, I bet you haven’t heard your heartbeat in a while, have you?”

  Stanley was taken aback by the question and could only manage to shake his head no.

  Charles spoke directly to Stanley. “I want you to hear your heartbeat again. You will hear it when your life is in rhythm, and there is no doubt that you’re doing what you were made to do. That’s your heartbeat. That’s when you’re truly alive and not just existing. I want you to get your heartbeat back. You can if you are willing to believe you can.”

  Charles nodded and gave the couple a big smile.

  He announced, “So, I guess I’ll see you in 30 days. And remember, all things are possible if you just believe they are.”

  Stanley and Lisa continued to stare at Charles as he stood up.

  Charles muttered to himself, “Yes, this part is always awkward, isn’t it?”

  He pointed at something behind Stanley and Lisa, and called, “Hey! What’s that?”

  Stanley and Lisa quickly whirled around to see what he was pointing at, but everything seemed to be in its place and appeared normal. When Stanley and Lisa turned back toward Charles, he had disappeared.

  The couple sat silently and stared at one another. They got up from the table and looked around the room as if Charles might have left some clue behind that would confirm he had truly been there, and all of this was really happening.

  Stanley rounded the table and stared closely at the chair where Charles had been sitting. Lisa opened and closed the microwave door several times, but everything seemed frustratingly normal.

  Stanley and Lisa had been drifting apart for so long they had lost any point of contact or connection in their lives. Somehow they knew that this bizarre and mysterious experience they had witnessed together in their own kitchen could be the beginning of a new life for them. Whether or not Charles was real or wishes could come true, Stanley and Lisa felt a glimmer of hope.

  Eventually, the couple drifted out of the kitchen, and Lisa got ready for bed. As she lay down, she hoped Stanley would join her, but he didn’t appear.

  Stanley sat at the computer in his home office as he had done for days on end, staring at the blank computer screen, but somehow this night felt different. He placed his fingers on the keyboard and smiled. The old familiar creative juices seemed to be flowing.

  CHAPTER 13

  The next morning, Lisa woke up well-rested a few minutes before the alarm clock blared. She glanced beside her and confirmed that Stanley was not on his side of the bed, but somehow Lisa felt hope instead of the despair that generally greeted her each morning.

  She didn’t know what to think about the events of the previous day, but she just kept telling herself to take it one step at a time and see where this new path led.

  Lisa got ready for work and headed to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee. The lamp was sitting in the middle of the table. She stared at it for a moment, repeating the message inscribed on the side of the lamp.

  “Just believe. Just believe…”

  Lisa took a deep breath and gathered her things to leave for the day. Then she hurried down the hallway to the office to grab her car keys.

  As Lisa stepped into the office, something was different. The atmosphere seemed charged, and there was an energy that hadn’t been there before—or at least for several years.

  Lisa reached for her keys on the desk and as she did, she noticed the computer screen.

  Lisa was so used to seeing the screen blank that when she saw the typed words, she did a double take. The screen read: Just Believe—If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?

  Lisa smiled and nodded enthusiastically. Somehow, those few words made a huge difference in her mind and spirit.

  Lisa grabbed her keys and hurried out of the office with a spring in her step.

  Stanley, having experienced his first literary inspiration in more than two years, was daring to be hopeful. He hadn’t written much, but he had the spark of an idea. In the old days when he was a prolific writer, he knew such a spark could burst into a raging fire.

  Stanley decided to do some work on the mess in the garage. He climbed over the debris and made his way to the back of the garage to survey the task at hand. He walked back to the front of the garage and looked out the large door to see Miss Esther’s kids playing in the yard.

  Stanley shook his head, turned, and looked at the complete mess that confronted him. He spoke to himself with resolve.

  “Well, here we go.”

  Stanley walked over to his tool bench at the side of the garage and began by organizing some of the tools that were scattered everywhere.

  Stanley could hear Miss Esther’s kids playing as he worked. Josh was throwing a baseball back and forth with Austin and Cody while Rachel sat on the porch steps playing with her rag doll.

  Josh taunted, “Come on, Austin. Throw the ball with your boy arm this time.”

  Josh threw the ball to Cody who laughed and threw the ball to Austin.

  Cody continued the banter. “Yeah, Austin. Use your boy arm.”

  Austin turned to Josh and called, “Shut up! I can throw a lot harder than you.”

  Austin wound up and threw the ball with all his might. It sailed over Josh’s head and into the Walters’ garage where it hit Stanley in the rear end. Cooper was lying on the floor and watched the ball bounce off of Stanley and hit a can of nails that scattered all over the garage floor.

  Stanley cried, “Ow!” as he turned and looked in the direction from where the ball had been thrown. Stanley looked around on the floor and found the ball. He hurried over, picked it up, and angrily headed for the garage door.

  The kids were wide-eyed and giggling, but when Stanley stepped out of the garage holding the baseball, they scattered. Austin bolted for the house and ran inside while Cody raced away in the opposite direction.

  Stanley yelled after them. “Hey, you brats. Learn how to throw.”

  Josh didn’t run. She was nervous, but she held her ground.

  Stanley muttered to himself, “Stupid kids.”

  Stanley threw the ball at Josh much harder than he should have, but with her quick reflexes, she deftly caught it.

  Josh called to Stanley defiantly. “I know how to throw.”

  Stanley responded, “No, you don’t.”

  Stanley walked back into the garage. Josh was offended and followed him as Rachel got up and followed Josh.

  Stanley began picking up the nails that were scattered on the garage floor.

  Josh walked in and said, “My coach says I have a great arm!”

  Stanley spat back, “Well, then your coach is an idiot.”

  Josh would not be intimidated. She equaled Stanley’s venom as she said, “Yeah? Well, whadda you know?”

  Stanley shrugged and responded matter-of-factly, “Apparently more than your coach.”

  Josh couldn’t let it go and refused to let Stanley win. She blurted, “Yeah, well at least I’m not a pervert or a crazy guy who talks to his dog.”

  Stanley stopped picking up the scattered nails on the floor, stood to his full height, and turned to stare at Josh in confusion.

  She had a smirk on her face as she felt her comment had gotten to him.

  Stanley appeared disoriented and asked, “What is that supposed to mean?”

  Josh explained, “I’ve seen you watching our practices and talking to your dog.”

  Stanley didn’t know how to respond to that. The garage fell silent.

  Rachel was petting Cooper as if they were long-time friends.

  Josh broke the silence with a question. “What are you doing watching us play all the time?”

  This made Stanley mad. He blurted out, “None of your business, kid. Go away.”

  Stanley glanced at Rachel and Cooper and called, “Cooper, come here now!”

&nbs
p; Stanley picked up the can of nails and walked back to his bench. Cooper moved over beside Stanley, and Josh walked away in a huff.

  Josh called over her shoulder, “Come on, Rachel.”

  Rachel stood up and looked toward Stanley. Then she bent down and picked up a nail from the garage floor he had overlooked. She walked over and set it on the workbench then turned to walk away.

  Stanley, for the first time, realized how harsh he had been with the kids and probably with everyone for the past couple of years. He thought that the first step toward solving the problems he faced was to admit that there actually were problems, and they belonged to him.

  CHAPTER 14

  Stanley stood in his messy garage watching Josh and Rachel walk away. He knew the anger and frustration he felt was not because of the girls. The unresolved issues in his life resembled his garage. There had been a lot of junk packed away for a long time.

  Stanley called toward Josh’s retreating back. “You sling it too much.”

  Josh turned and replied, “Excuse me?”

  “Your arm,” Stanley explained. “You have strength but not form.”

  Josh answered him defiantly, “I throw better than everybody else.”

  Stanley nodded in agreement with her and said, “But not as well as you could. Go over there, and throw me the ball.”

  Stanley pointed to the center of the driveway. Josh shrugged, willing to comply, but she was wary of Stanley and his temper.

  Cooper snuck past Stanley and joined Rachel beside the driveway. Rachel began to pet Cooper as she watched the exchange between Josh and Stanley.

  Josh threw the ball to Stanley.

  He had almost forgotten his coaching technique and how much he loved working with kids. It came back to him quickly as he instructed Josh. “You see. Right there. You throw from your side.”

  Josh shook her head and disagreed. “No, I don’t.”

  “Yes, you do,” Stanley insisted. “It’s…well, you throw like a girl. Just a bit.”

  Josh definitely didn’t like Stanley’s comments.

  He demonstrated the throwing motion as he explained, “Gotta bring your arm back more, then up, over, and through.”