COSMIC

10 - All the Young Dudes

Monday began as normally as possible. I lay in bed, awake earlier than I expected, and didn't budge to get up. Instead, my mind replayed the recurring dreams I had of David--again, some being nightmares and others sweet dreams. But now the universe of my subconscious included the Infinites, who I dreamed were bringing destruction to the human race within five years. I would only learn about it when it was too late. Other dreams played with the memory of holding David's hand, teasing me with the possibilities. But I only closed my eyes, sighed, and shook my head at the unrealism of the idea. Nothing was going to happen between us.

Then the phone rang. I jumped, as it jolted me out of my thoughts. Springing out of bed, I cursed under my breath and ran to pick up the phone. Even though Mom had likely gotten to bed earlier, I knew she was still sleeping on her work schedule.

"Hello?" I said, quietly.

"Hi, Jamie." It was Kyle. And I knew why he was calling. Yet, as I recalled the way he had dissed Nancy and I the previous night, I decided it was better to play dumb.

"Kyle," I said. "Why are you calling so early? Mom's still sleeping."

"Oh, sorry." His voice was flat.

I sighed. "What are you calling about?"

"What do you mean what am I calling about?" he said. "You know why. I just wanted to commend you for the greatest prank of the year. I'll give you this: you even had me freaked out for a minute."

"Kyle." I glanced towards my mom's bedroom door. Then I stepped outside onto the porch, closing the front door just enough so the phone cord could reach through. "Nancy and I weren't playing a joke on you."

He scoffed. "When is this going to stop? I'm never going to believe you. You know, it wasn't enough for you to play a joke on us out there. No, you guys had to take it to the radio station. Well, I've had enough of your dumb Starman. Would you just leave me alone already?"

"How many times do I have to try to convince you? Plus, you and the gang left us last night and we felt like idiots. Do you think we would have continued to play a joke on you?"

"I don't know." He paused. "It just freaked me out. It was exactly as you described. Then it said my name and I figured you had something to do with it."

"Kyle, when I first heard him, I thought someone was playing a joke on me, too. But it isn't and you just have to believe that. What did he say to you?"

"Well, he said the Starman wants to meet me and that he's 'waiting in the sky.'" I could almost hear the sarcastic air quotes in his voice. "And supposedly, something is worthwhile. That's a bunch of bull. There's nothing worthwhile about any of this. This is just some play off a David Bowie song to get people to listen to the station. Who knows--he's probably in on it himself for promotion or something."

I snickered before I could stop myself.

"What's so funny?" he said. "So this is a joke."

I stifled my laughter. "No, it's not. It's just...you're closer to the truth than you realize."

"Well," he continued. "Whatever this is, I think there's something weird about you lately. I can't figure you out. No offense."

"Yeah, I'm sure you meant no offense last night." I rolled my eyes before continuing. "Look--you can believe whatever you want. You don't have to come out to the woods again. I won't make you."

"Alright," he replied in a conclusive tone. "I'll take your word for it. I got to go, I'm late enough for work. Hey, no hard feelings, huh?"

"No hard feelings."