by Wm. Barnard
“I was meditating in my back patio right before sunset when a spaceship appeared overhead. The next thing I knew I was being levitated into the aircraft. While I had seen UFOs above my property before, my experience in communicating with extraterrestrials was limited to channeling sessions. I’d never seen any of these beings or been inside a ship until this day. The Ancestors looked exactly as you described them in your articles; they then informed me that I had been chosen to receive a special message. I was taken above the earth and was able to view our planet in all its splendor. We must’ve been traveling faster than twice the speed of sound. They showed me everything from island chains and mountain ranges, to big cities and country farms. The Ancestors said that everything I could see was, in reality, mine; essentially, our planet was a gift to all of us. They also said that in order to keep the Earth alive, it is imperative that we listen to them. While this all may seem familiar to you now, what they showed me next came as a great surprise to me.
They explained that because man had continuously looked outside himself for help, he had not been able to evolve as he should. Whether it had been from other fellow men or even to some ‘god,’ humans have somehow failed to realize that we already had all the answers we needed. One of their goals is to help humankind see that we can progress by simply utilizing the power inside all of us. They said we needed to recognize our own “divinity,” that we don’t need a god because we are gods. We are the ones who can and will decide our own destiny.
Up until now, I have only revealed this to people in my inner circle of friends, but please feel free to publish it if you desire. I sincerely hope that it will be as beneficial to others as it has been for me.
Peace & Blessings to you,
John Richardson
Fayetteville, Arkansas.
As I finished reading the note, I turned and looked at Gina to see her reaction.
“That’s amazing.” she said, holding her chin.
“What’s really wild is that I didn’t even publish what my guardian ancestor told me the first time I prayed out at the ranch. He basically told me the same thing that John emailed me, so it helps solidify what I had already heard myself.”
“Did you email him back and tell him you had a similar experience?” Gina asked.
“Of course—I was so pumped when I first read it. This is something I plan on putting in the webzine soon, but as far as some of these other stories I have read, well, like I said, some of them are so outrageous that it can become hard to decipher the authentic ones from the ones that are total fantasy. That’s why it would be great if I could get someone else’s thoughts about some of these.”
“Why don’t you forward all the emails over to me so I could give you my opinion?”
“If you insist,” I said and quickly highlighted almost ten pages of emails before shooting them to her address. I turned off my computer and spun sideways in my office chair towards Gina.
“It’s pretty funny when I read this stuff and think about how crazy they sound. I mean, I’m one of the last people who would have believed my own story if I hadn’t experienced it for myself.”
“I was thinking about all of this the other day. This is a really unique time in history, basically like this new age of enlightenment,” Gina added.
“Or we’re just finally rediscovering old truths.”
Gina hopped up from her chair excitedly and grabbed my hand. “Come on; get your keys, but leave your wallet.”
“What? Where are we going?”
“Shhh. It’s a surprise.”
Driving eastward for fifteen minutes, we eventually pulled down a badly paved road that ran along the border of Mission Trails Park. I had never noticed the windy off street before or the lone stucco building hidden down by the edge of the gorge. While the structure looked like it had been someone’s home at one time, the driveway had been expanded into a parking lot that now held several other cars. Once we stepped out of my truck, I could finally read the small sign by the door that read: Esterios Greek Café.
“Zach, this is a family-owned restaurant that has become one of my favorites. They have amazing pastichio.”
“I have no idea what that is,” I replied as we walked up to the entrance.
“Well, it’s kinda like the Greek version of lasagna. I think you’ll like it. And by the way, lunch is on me today.”
“Now you’re talking my language,” I said, making Gina laugh.
Sitting outdoors on a quaint brick patio facing the mountains to the east, Gina explained how she had been fascinated about the way I communicated with The Ancestors. Since she was extremely open to the idea, I offered to show her the technique of how to establish contact after our meal, which caused her to become so excited that she didn’t even finish her lunch.
Arriving back at my place, we sat down on a rug in the living room and I began demonstrating everything Bill had taught me. After almost an hour, our efforts to make contact proved unsuccessful and Gina stood up and began pacing the room.
“Zach, what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know. I actually haven’t tried it in a couple of weeks. Just try to relax. I’m not sure everyone can do it,” I said, trying to think of what may be hindering our attempts.
“I want to experience what you did; I want to see what you have seen…” She paused for a second before sitting down on her knees and grabbing my hand tightly. “Take me to the ranch, Zach.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Why, not?”
“Because it’s not my call,” I said firmly.
“Don’t you care about me?” She squinted at me through her long eyelashes.
“I had hoped it was obvious that I do.”
“Well, you have a funny way of showing it.”
Gina had always come across as so easy going that her immature reaction caught me by complete surprise. When I didn’t answer her, she flung her hands up in the air. “What is it then? You can’t trust me?”
“Gina, settle down. You are aware that I’ve been asked to keep the identity of the others a secret.”
“Yeah, well, it’s not like I’m the K.G.B.”
“Look, we can try again to contact The Ancestors on our own. Maybe we should go out to the desert.”
“Out to the desert, huh?” She softened her tone and her eyes relaxed. Looking down at the floor, she began moving toward me until she grabbed one of the buttons on my shirt and twirled it in her finger. “Just you and me. Out in the desert. All by ourselves?”
Pulling her close against my body, I whispered in her ear, “That’s right, just the two of us.”
“Okay…” she whispered back and rested her forearms against my chest. “But do you think I could ever meet the couple at the ranch? They sound like such great people.”
“They are,” I said pulling back my head so I could see her face. “Look, next time I talk to them, I’ll ask if I can bring you up.”
“You will?” She said in a voice rising with hope.
“Sure. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll ask.”
“Thanks,” Gina said, but then quickly looked at her watch. “Shoot! I need to get over to the library.”
“You do?” I said letting my chin drop to my chest.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, but I’m so behind. Hopefully we can get out to the desert soon, maybe later this week,” she said rapidly grabbing her purse off the couch, and headed for the door. “Call me later?”
“Sure,” I said, and slowly ambled to the front door to give her a goodbye kiss.
RETREATING BACK TO MY STUDY, I noticed I had received an urgent email from my film agent regarding the movie deal. He had been trying to call me for the past couple of hours, but my landline had somehow got knocked off the hook and my cell phone had been on silent mode. Hoping that he had been able to reach the deal we were looking for, I frantically dialed his number.
“Zach Miller! You are going to be a happy man. Very happy!” Joel screamed so loudly I ha
d to pull the receiver away from my ear.
“It’s done?” I stood up quickly, gripping the phone.
“Let’s just say that with your signing bonus alone you can start shopping for a home over in La Jolla.”
“Yes!” I pushed the back of my office chair and spun it around.
“And it only gets better. I got you a higher residual on the royalty fee and this is where you are really going to get excited: the studio already hired none other than Sterling Hames to collaborate with you on the screenplay.”
“Joel, you are The Man!”
“And you are absolutely correct,” he cracked, making us both laugh.
“Now, they also told me that if you and Sterling can hammer this thing out in the next couple of months, they will start production by the end of this year.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“I’m renting out this rooftop bar downtown this Friday night that can hold about two hundred people. Tell all your family and friends and we’ll do this right.”
“That sounds great. How ‘bout I call you Wednesday and give you a list of names?”
“Can you bring that by our downtown office instead? Because you need to sign quite a bit of paperwork. That is, if you want to get paid.”
“I will see you around ten.”
“Congratulations, Zach! You deserve it, buddy,” Joel finished.
Putting the phone down, I thrust both fists in the air before screaming, “Woohoo!”
Too excited to know what to do next, I began pacing in circles and rubbing my hands together. I wanted to share the news with all of my friends, but I couldn’t decide who to call first. My attempts to reach Johnny and Gina went unanswered so I just left them each a message to get back with me as soon as possible. Dialing up the Essence, a longtime friend and a longtime art director at the magazine answered on the first ring.
“Rebecca, it’s Zach Miller.”
“How have you been, stranger?
“Couldn’t be better, Rebecca. Sorry I haven’t called, but it’s been kind of awkward for me.”
“No worries. Well, you sure fell into the story of a lifetime.”
“You’re not kidding—it’s been an incredible ride so far.”
“I can’t begin to imagine. So when are you gonna finally stick your head in here for a visit?”
“Well, I was actually pretty bitter when I left which is honestly why I haven’t come around, but you know what, I’m actually starting to believe now that things happen for a reason. Listen to this, I’m about to sign a huge movie deal and I wanted to invite you to a private party we are having this Friday.”
“Congratulations!”
“Thanks. I don’t have all the details about the party yet, but I’ll email them later this week.”
“Okay. I can bring the hubby, right?”
“Of course. How’s everything been around the mag? How’s ol’ Harry?
“Same. He’s been actually been a little more uptight than usual.”
“Ouch. That doesn’t seem possible,” I said, laughing. “Do me a favor and forward my email about the party to Ken, Derrick and Dave. And you know, if you want to, go ahead and tell Harry about the million-dollar movie deal. But please, do it subtly. Like plaster a huge sign on his door for me.”
Rebecca laughed before saying, “Consider it done. Maybe you should run an ad about the movie on our back cover.”
“Ha. That would be classic.”
“Okay, I’ll let the guys know about your shindig. It’s good to hear your voice, Zach. I’m glad you called.”
“Thanks. It’s going to be great seeing everyone again.”
After hanging up with her, I immediately thought about Jack Norstrent. I had only talked to him a few times since meeting up at the ranch, but I knew he would want the update about the movie deal finally coming together. I looked forward to catching up with him and hoped he could attend the party, since he lived in San Diego. Unable to reach him by phone, I decided to get efficient and just email everybody.
Eager to start celebrating, I went down to Murphy’s, hoping to run into the regulars. While I only saw Chris and Todd, they promised to let the others know about Friday night’s bash as I left early after only a couple of beers.
The next morning while I made breakfast, I listened to an excited Johnny on my voicemail, asking me to call him back.
Pinching the phone between my shoulder and ear, I said, “Johnny, I hit the jackpot! I’m signing the deal with Trident Productions this week. Not only that, I’m going to be working on the screenplay with the guy who wrote Even Odds and Cherokee Run.”
“That is incredible news!”
“On Friday my agent’s throwing a huge fiesta downtown at this really posh rooftop bar,” I said, scooping up my scrambled eggs from the frying pan to a plate.
“This is just what you wanted. Congratulations, Zach.”
“Thanks. I got your messages from the other day and last night, but I couldn’t reach you yesterday. What was it that got you so jazzed up?”
“A couple days ago I went down the trail at Black’s Beach on the full moon and decided I would try to contact the aliens, just how you explained it to me.”
“Really? I was just trying to show Gina and it didn’t happen. It was actually pretty weird, and Gina left here kinda frustrated. So how’d it go with you?” I put Johnny on speakerphone and began eating.
“Man, I had the most incredible experience. I actually smoked a little herb before I went down there, you know, so I could have that relaxed state of mind. And, well, it was just awesome. It’s hard to even explain.”
“Try me.”
“Yeah, I know you can relate. So, I was sitting there on my beach towel, legs all folded up in the lotus position and trying to think about nothing, which like you said, is way harder than it sounds. I ended up staring at the moon for like twenty minutes. I kept asking The Ancestors to speak to me over and over and the next thing I knew I felt as if I was floating above the sand. I knew my body was still on the towel, but I felt as if my soul was kinda floating above my body. It’s almost like trying to explain to someone who has never surfed how riding inside the barrel can sometimes seem like you’re in slow motion.”
“So like a total out of body experience.”
“Exactly. But the best part was what I ended up hearing, which of course didn’t make total sense at the time, but now it’s happening just like he told me.”
“What was that?” I said, leaning closer to the phone.
“Basically he said how he knew that deep down I really had been searching for a soul mate; that my heart desired true love. He saw a past partner coming into my life again that would satisfy this longing I had. He also said that love costs and that I may lose a friend, but gain a lover.”
“Hmm… well, that’s a lot different than what I had expected.” I slowly took a swig from my orange juice.
“I know. I figured if I did hear something it would be some general message for all mankind, something similar to the one you got. But when I thought about it, a lot of it actually made sense to me. I mean, as much as I like to see myself as a ‘player,’ I’d really like to have a wife.”
“Did you bonk your head while you were surfing?” I laughed.
“I know that sounds crazy coming from me, but since then, things have been coming together just like he said.”
“What? You met your wife?” I said almost coughing.
“I think so.”
“Wait. Let me get this straight. Mr. ‘I’ll never get married’ is telling me he just met his wife. What’s her name?” I said, waiting for the punch line.
“It’s Jenny.”
“Is she like Cher, where she doesn’t need a last name?”
“It’s Jenny, Zach, you know her.”
“Jenny Fitzgerald? What? You mean, Todd’s fiancée, Jenny?” I dropped my fork onto my plate and instantly felt a knot in my stomach.
Johnny’s silence on the other
end confirmed my fears.
“Are you out of your mind? Todd is one of your best friends, Johnny!” I shouted.
“Well, I was with her before he was.”
“A one night stand five years ago doesn’t exactly qualify that you were with her.”
“Well, it must have meant something to her, too, because I saw her the other night at a pub and, uh… We kinda hooked up,” he said reluctantly.
“Oh, man, you didn’t.” The growing lump in my stomach pushed its way upward and I threw my napkin over my plate.
“Hey, listen. I know it sounds weird, but we just started talking and we both felt that connection. I mean, the next morning, I just started pouring my heart out to her and she said she felt the same way. She is actually coming over here tonight.”
Still not wanting to believe it, I asked, “Does Todd know about this?”
“Not yet. Jenny felt like she made a mistake getting engaged and I guess she plans to talk to him soon.”
“What about you? Are you gonna say anything, like hey, sorry Todd, but I’m gonna marry your fiancé?”
“Zach, it’s not like it’s that easy for me. I was having my doubts about all of this, but I got the affirmation I needed this morning.”
“Affirmation?” I said, shaking my head.
“Yeah, listen to this; I have it right in front of me. I never read these things, but fate just led me to this today:
“For Scorpios—Outstanding luck in love marks the beginning of this new chapter in your life. Past lover comes back to make you interesting offers now through this month. Faithful partners are Aries and Virgo.”
“Guess just who happens to be Aries? Jenny. Okay, now listen to the last part of this: “Things will change and be better, but you’ve got to do the hard thing and ask for what you want at the risk of hurting someone’s feelings.
“You see, Zach, this whole scenario is laid right out before me. It’s not going to be easy, but I can see now that it was meant to be.”
“Really? Well, something crossed my mind while you read that. If she is a faithful partner because she is an Aries or whatever, doesn’t that seem pretty contradictory of her since Jenny will be leaving her fiancé for you?”
