A Texas girl finds herself admiring a light in the sky only to find out it is indeed an alien, which transports her to another time long long ago in Africa and pairs her with a Neanderthal population in hopes that her descendants will populate Nort...
The moon crested the dark salty Watersea, and a halo of pale light rose above the horizon.
(Julie). Someone shouted, and the entire chorus rose on their feet pointing and saying in unison – (JULIE).
I let the moment have its effect and motioned for everyone to sit down. Some were crying.
Julie, I nodded saying the name all felt reverence for, and I smiled knowingly. As an only child, Julie survived her father. Her mother was still very much alive. I resumed, having lived through a hundred deaths, or at least as many illnesses. Julie stood out in a crowd at 5'7. Her long blonde hair and slim figure, (like sailors describing a dame's figure, the chorus drew a figure in silhouette,) usually proved too much for most men to resist. I'd like to pin the tail on that donkey, they'd say about her. But her gregarious personality was her most striking trait. She was flirtatious and unabashed towards men, yet she remained deep inside a self-deprecating soul. These attributes helped her find and lose most jobs she'd ever had.
Early one winter night, long before her conversation with the radio host, she got a call, (Hands to the ears,) from her mother.
Hi honey, how's everything going with you? You need anything?
She had just finished eating the leftover Chinese from the other night when her boyfriend was over. That evening had ended in an altercation, which landed her with a black eye and him without a place to crash. She continued throwing his things on the front lawn even though he was long gone. She was in no mood to talk with her mother.
No Momma, I don't. I'm ok.
Good, you have enough to eat? You're not wasting away to nothin' again are you? I worry so much about you since you moved to Texarkana. (Remember the Alamo).
Fouke Momma, it's called Fouke. Julie's mind drifted while she talked with her mother. Maybe she'd better go to church tomorrow. It's been a while since she'd been.
Oh, her mother said.
I'm startin' a new job tomorrow, Momma, at work. I'll be doin the ordering for the tack shop and kind 'a runnin' things. How's Daddy, Momma. Is he still sick?
You know honey, ever since we lost the ranch he ain't been well. He took it hard.
Momma, Julie said, how's Daddy. What are you trying to say?
Well, she said, um.
Momma, say somethin.
Daddy's had a stroke sweetheart; he's in the hospital. They...they don't see him pulling through. (The chorus cried). Her voice sounded teary. She held them back for her daughter's sake.
Tears welled in Julie's eyes. I'm comin' home.
No. Don't. Not just yet. He don't know nothin anyway.
When'd this happen? Why didn't you tell me right away?
I'm lettin' you know now, her mother said, I couldn't get a hold of you last night. The phone rang and rang.
I was out with Gary.
Oh him, and she paused a long while. You still with that man? He's up to something sweetie and I don't...
Momma, you called about Daddy. If I came home, I could maybe help.
Her mother said nothing, but Julie could hear her breathing on the other end. Momma?
I'm here. Your Daddy has had a good life.
Fer Christ sake he's only 53. What kind of life can you have by 53? Grandpa died at 70 something.
Two, said Momma. Seventy-two. He had a stroke. And after that, he wasn't right until he shot himself.
I thought a car hit him. Didn't a car hit him?
Oh dear. We didn't want you to worry. We were pretty sure you wouldn't find out bein he lived in Paris and all.
Julie was pacing back and forth in the kitchen and then opened the back door and walked down the three steps and out into the yard.
Paris ain't that far away from Dallas, Momma. He was so big and strong... I never thought he could ever die.
He sure did love you. After Nana went, you were all he had left, all he really cared about. But he didn't smoke like your Daddy. I think that's the difference. (The chorus looked over at the fire and perhaps wondered how a person could smoke unless he was on fire and already dead).
She walked out to the birdbath and lit up a camel wide. She inhaled it long and deep and slowly let it out and said, you are so cheerin' me up tonight Momma.
Don't worry too much honey. It'll all work out in the end. He ain't given up yet. I'll call you later and let you know how he's doin'.
Julie sat down on the grass next to the keg of beer that bobbed empty in the washbasin filled with melted ice and stared up at the sky. A coyote bayed, off in the distance. She began to cry.
What the hell happened? she said.
When she was a little girl, her father used to take her fishing and hunting. And at night, they would sit by the fire and look up in the sky. He'd tell her that twinkling lights were actually stars, and those that were steady were planets. Julie could never discern the difference.
I ended my tale for the night. The moon had raised high above the Watersea and lay partially veiled in thin grey clouds. The sparkling stars were bright behind her. Julie was happy.
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