Four Weeks - The Beginning

Fire Power

Alan made his way up the tree once she had left and sat next to Relwer at the tree top. They were waiting long enough to make certain that Niara had left the scene. Relwer looked stretched and flurried. Alan wanted to help but didn't know what it was that was setting Relwer's teeth on edge. Alan lay in wait with Relwer until things settled a bit. He stared out into the night sky.

He saw how similar the sight looked to that on planet Earth and wondered how these Neilons came into being, how they had so much in common with humans and how they even lived in a similar habitat. Something as simple as the view of the night sky, looked sterling to him, almost magical. Then, another memory came to Alan.

It was a starry night and Alan and his mother were both sitting on the balcony, at their Minneapolis residence. Alan mused at the sky for a really long while. He had a look of far-off wonderment on his face. He seemed like he was gathering many details from the scene with unflagging attention.

'What is out there, mom?' he asked, his expression fallen, verging on a nervous depression.

His mom looked at him. Alan seemed uneasy as he continued to look out ahead. He looked as though there was something he knew about what was out there that he found extremely intimidating, something which seemed to cause him a good amount of consternation.

'You know what's out there baby. I've told you before, haven't I? A glanceable number of stars, each star controls someone's story,' said his mother, looking through the sky, pitching her delivery to give due emphasis to her belief that stars in fact did direct life's journeys.

'But my teacher at school told me that stars are glowing balls of fire,' Alan said with a shaky, anxious tone to his voice. 'There are so many of those fireballs out there? Doesn't that scare you, mommy?'

Alan's mother smiled at him. She slowly rose up from her chair, wrapped her shawl properly around her neck and sauntered over to Alan. She sat herself down on the chair handle, beside him.

'God has many tests of faith for his people, Alan. One of his favorites, I believe, is that he loves to obscure the truth by disguising what is marvelous into something seemingly dangerous or discouraging. But, the marvel remains. We can always choose to see it,' she said to Alan with a mellifluous tone to her voice.

Alan looked back up at the sky. 'They sure do look beautiful from here,' he said.

His mother stroked his hair, tenderly, evoking a rather touchy reaction, typical of a child at that age.

'I have something inside for you that you will find more beautiful,' his mom continued.

Alan looked at her. His mother grinned intently at him.

'Money!' exclaimed Alan.

His mom was taken aback at that. Her expression froze as she contemplated between lecturing Alan on not being money-minded and nudging him to make a better guess so as to not diminish the calm she had managed to bring upon him.

'Even more beautiful' she said, opting for the second.

'Um, a Playstation?' beamed Alan.

'Even more beautiful' she said again, feeling a little concerned now that she might not be the best parent, but maintaining her composure.

Alan pondered as she transfixed her look upon him, hoping that another covetous desire would not slip out from out of his lips.

'Big cheese pizza!' said Alan as a broad smile enhanced her previously uncomfortable expression.