by Matt Shea
The Gothic structure was a makeshift gnomic, allowing the moving sun to cast a shadow through the reinforced pipes it stood on. It was a sundial that would function until the end of time. It also solved a mystery. The rising sun would expose the true location of the Cosmic Garden; a quest that eluded astronomers for many decades. A spectacle that Chase Mansfield enjoyed for years.
“He's found the Cosmic Garden!” gasped a trembling voice. The brilliant sun continued to rise as it cast heavenly light through the base of the observatory. The wave of sunlight gradually moved, exposing a second horse running like the wind. It was now 6:30 as the mile long shadow continued to sweep across the valley. The slow moving light of the gods began to awake the third horse. It was also standing on its hind legs facing to the left. The outside horses served like bookends with the running horse being the centerpiece.
All were in silence after being introduced to Chase's morning ritual. The primitive method used since the beginning of time had started their day. They were with the same sun that guided cavemen. Margret now understood how Chase knew what time it was.
“I'm glad today is Saturday,” said Chase. “Otherwise it would be time for me to go back home.”
“Tonight is the open house for the Wright Observatory,” said Margret “I hope that you will attend, Chase. Your grandfather wants you to look through the telescope.”
“Will he let my mom and uncle look through the telescope with me?” asked the excited nephew.
“Yes he will,” answered the loving aunt.
“That's great!” expressed Chase. “Our teacher, Mrs. Wilkens gives us pictures of the stars. We connect the stars to spell out our name; then everyone gets an “A” for their grade. It’s a lot of fun; I bet grandpa is good at that.”
“He probably is,” said Margret.
That evening Chase along with his mother and uncle arrived early to the grand opening. This enabled them to be at the front of the line when the observatory opened. Professor Richman was already there dressed in tails. His warm personality greeted those that attended as he cordially invited them to view the constellations with him. At ten o'clock the festivities got underway.
The parking lot was full of cars, trucks and charter buses. The professor was ground level, in front of the observatory with its elevated entry door opened. He welcomed everyone to the refurbished observatory.
“We need to form a single-file line,” instructed the professor to the crowd. “We can only allow groups of ten at a time to enter the observatory.”
Chase's group would have several neighbors that watched the sunrise with him that morning.
Professor Richman continued his announcement.
“I have some good news,” proclaimed the Professor. “I have made adjustments to the observatory and updated the lenses to modern technology. When I looked through it last night, I believe that I discovered the Cosmic Garden. There seems to be a pattern of stars that outline the three horses!”
The elite scholar then asked if anyone had any questions before the tour started. His grandson, Chase raised his hand. The professor pointed at Chase and asked, “What is your question?”
The sincere teenager asked his question as the entire line listened. “Are you going to connect stars to spell out your name?” asked Chase.
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
“Don't be preposterous!” snapped Professor Richman. “These stars are millions of miles away and form patterns that guided mankind for centuries.” Gerald knew that his grandson meant well and regained his composure. He laughed off the comment to save face and said, “It's time to enter the observatory and view the solar system. Will the first ten in line please follow me?” he asked.
Chase's group went first. They were led behind the observatory by the professor and climbed the metal steps. They entered the chamber through the open door and looked around in awe. “Please take a seat,” instructed Professor Richman as he stood in front of the telescope.
The group of ten sat down on the curved wooden bench. “And, now,” he said. “Who would like to go first?”
Mrs. Hastings knew the professor from being a member of the local Astronomy Society. He looked at his fellow member, encouraging her to volunteer first. She raised her hand. “Well good,” he said. “Will you please come over and join me, Mrs. Hastings?”
The professor stood back and instructed Mrs. Hastings to peer through the tiny lens. He began to direct her. “Now if you squint your eye and look to the left; you will see a bright star,” he said. “From there, follow it upwards to the next star, then over. That, I believe is the head of one of the horses.”
“Oh, I think I see it!” exclaimed the excited woman. “Professor Richman, you are so brilliant!”
The proud professor stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His face grinned with victory.
The other eyes in the room looked suspicious at the professor. Then they glanced over and looked at the pureness of Chase Mansfield. The teenager was excited because he never looked through a telescope of that magnitude before. He sat still filled with anticipation. “Professor Richman sure is a genius,” said Chase openly.
A woman that followed Chase that morning was in his group. She and others present always viewed Chase as an exceptional citizen that respected others. They also knew that he was underestimated in many ways and not credited for being intelligent.
The woman felt compelled to ask the boy an obvious question. She approached him in front of those seated on the bench and asked, “Why do you think Professor Richman is a genius?”
There was a long pause as the intellectually challenged teenager digested the question. With undivided attention he looked at the woman and gave his answer.
“Because he told me he was.”
A SPECIAL FRIEND
“Why I'd be perfectly happy to watch over my grandson this evening,” replied Gerald Richman on the telephone. “Don't worry about a thing,” he continued. “Margret and I are going out to dinner this evening and we would love to have Chase join us. Bring him here right away.”
Margret Richman nodded in approval as she followed the one-sided conversation. Chase was her nephew and she was proud of him.
The phone conversation was coming to an end.
“Splendid!” remarked Gerald. “We'll be waiting for him, see you soon.” He hung up the phone as he turned to Margret.
“As you have probably figured out, Chase will be spending the evening with us,” he said. “My son and daughter were caught off guard and given tickets for the theater moments ago. It's opening night and they shouldn't miss out. It's a good fortune they live in this neighborhood.”
“That sounds good to me,” replied Margret.
“I promise that he won't be a bother,” said the professor. “He's actually quite well-behaved and can be good company. If there is any concern about him imposing on us; don't worry; I do have my tricks...”
The professor continued. “Chase initially arrives in an excited state and asks many questions. I have a remedy for that since we will be leaving for dinner once he gets here. I'll tell Chase that a special friend of mine wants to talk to him over the radio while we're driving,” he said with a cunning grin. “All I have to do is find a talk show on the radio, put him in the back seat and channel the speakers there. This way he'll be preoccupied during the ride.”
Margaret giggled over the clever thought.
“Let's get ready,” he said. “They'll be here shortly.”
Within ten minutes they were dressed for dinner and met in the living room.
There was a knock at the door. The professor opened with his adopted daughter and grandson entering in a hurry. He quickly received a hug from her. She was out of breath and dressed for the town. “John and I appreciate this so much, dad!” she said as she kissed her father. “We have to leave now.”
“Have a wonderful evening, Julie; and tell my son I say hello!” said the supportive dad. The enthused daughter left the house i
n a hurry.
The renowned professor looked at his grandson. He extended his arms as he leaned over to hug the boy. “It's always good to see you, Chase,” he commented.
Chase was happy. He gleamed at his grandfather and said, “I am always glad to see you, grandpa!”
In a comforting tone the grandfather smiled at Chase and said, “We have a special surprise for you this evening.”
“A surprise?” asked Chase with a glare of excitement.
“Yes,” said the grandfather, “a very special surprise. I have a special friend that wants to tell you some important things through the radio while we drive to the restaurant. It has been arranged that once you get in the car, he will speak to you; but you need to listen to him.”
“Wow,” said Chase. “I promise!”
The cagey professor turned and winked at Margret. “Time to go,” he announced.
The happy trio left the stately home for an adventure; one that would change the life of Professor Gerald Michael Richman forever. Chase knew his place in the limousine- the back seat. Once they were in the car the professor turned around to give Chase his instructions.
“You will find this ride quite enjoyable,” said his wise grandfather. “All you need to do now is to sit back and listen to what my special friend has to say.”
“Okay, grandpa,” replied a disciplined Chase.
The senior turned on the radio and slowly turned the dial until the first talk show was found.
“Enjoy, Chase” he said. The professor then channeled the volume to the back section of the car. He lifted a switch that raised the electric window behind the front seats and quarantined the grandson.
“Shall we take the long way?” asked a smug Gerald as he placed his hand on top of Margret's. The black shiny limousine gracefully drove off into the night.
It just turned the top of the hour as a featured broadcast started. Gallant music played, with Chase feeling honored. Then a caring, penetrating voice entered the compartment.
“Hello, my friends. This is Pastor Wiley and I would like to welcome you to be with our family this evening.” Chase listened.
“This message is for those who are lonely. Whether you are in a dark room at home, sitting on a park bench in solitude or alone in the back seat of a car; this message is for you. That's because there is someone that's always there with you. Someone who loves you and will never leave you. That someone is your special friend.” Chase was overwhelmed. His grandfather's special friend was talking to him!
The smooth riding luxury car provided Chase the environment needed to absorb this important message. It continued.
“Your special friend understands you. No matter how sad, lonely or discouraged you feel; He is always on your side. You never have to make any attempt to impress him either; and it doesn't matter what others think about you. This special friend only wants you the way you really are.”
Chase looked up with the great feeling of being entirely accepted. He nodded his head up and down over and over again with relief.
***
Meanwhile, in the driver's compartment the peaceful ride continued. Professor Richman and his daughter were admiring the shimmering lights that reflected off the waterfront.
***
Chase leaned forward giving his undivided attention to the man on the radio.
“Have you ever gone somewhere being your best – only to be rejected?” asked the mysterious voice. “You're special friend was there the whole time accepting you. By simply acknowledging Him, He will improve the situation. Mention Him at those trying moments and spread his teachings to those that deny you. Soon, everything will be united by your special friend. That's because He's their special friend too.”
The car slowed down and pulled into the valet parking lot of, ‘The Captain's Table’; the finest restaurant in town. Professor Richman went through his routine. The prominent man parked directly in front of the main doors of the establishment, turned off the radio and lowered the glass barrier that isolated Chase. “We're here,” announced the professor. The three got out of the car with the lot attendant accepting the keys.
With dignity he led Margret and Chase up the grand steps and tipped the doorman. They proceeded through the open door and entered the lobby. The hostess approached the party with a warm greeting.
“Table for three,” said Gerald.
“Do you have a reservation this evening?” asked the cheerful woman.
“Do you know who I am?” asked the professor in a tone of arrogance. “I normally get seated right away.”
“I am sorry,” she said with sincere blue eyes. “We are booked tonight with many waiting in our lounge for any available seating.” She continued in a professional manner. “If you'd like, I can take down your name and get you a table there.”
The professor felt disgraced. He walked away seemingly upset and stared off into the vastness. The manager saw the exchange from nearby and approached his employee. A chef on break and a lot attendant also viewed the situation and comforted the hostess. She felt horrible and wanted to cry.
Chase witnessed the event. He was consumed from the great advice that his grandfather's friend had told him over the radio and felt compelled to act. He knew that they all shared a special friend and that it was time to talk about it. The concerned grandson stepped forward and spoke.
“Excuse me,” said Chase. “Don't we have a special friend that helps us at a time like this?”
The restaurant staff looked at Chase and detected his condition. They sensed that they recognized him from somewhere; being fully aware that he was a good person. It then occurred to the staff that Chase had just listened to the same radio program that they listened to on their break. It was their favorite radio show. Together, they were all united by the good word.
The manager looked at Chase in astonishment. His face projected a huge grin as he spoke. “You are right,” he said. “We do have a special friend.” The man extended his hand and introduced himself. “My name is, Frank Whitmore and I think that we can get you seated, now.”
The professor watched his grandson's diplomacy. He noticed the stern looks turn into smiles, followed by handshakes. To his surprise the hostess approached him with three menus. In a reassuring tone she said, “Excuse me, Professor Richman. It seems that we share a common friend; a special friend. We were able to fit you in after all! Please follow me.”
Professor Richman stood dignified. Looking at the hostess his face turned into a smile as his public image remained intact. He responded, “Well that's jolly good!”
The dinner party was led to a table with a breathtaking view of the waterfront. The manager followed and introduced himself. “Professor Richman, my name is, Frank Whitmore. I just wanted to apologize for not realizing who you were.”
That was music to the professor's ears.
Frank continued. “It was also brought to my attention that we share a special friend.”
The professor was quick on his feet. His pride wouldn't allow him to admit that he didn't know who they were talking about. A standard answer would disguise his ignorance.
“Why, yes,” volleyed back the professor. “We do share a special friend.”
“How long have you known Him?” asked Frank.
Professor Richman knew how to play the game. He countered. “Let's just say that I feel that he was always a part of my life.” He then leaned back with a facade.
It was a good guess that worked in the professor's favor.
“That's exactly how I felt when He first entered my life!” replied Frank.
“As a toast to our special friend the house would be honored if you'd accept an appetizer on us.” A brass bowl with porcelain handles was placed on the table. It held steaming lobster adorned with shrimp and crab.
“Please to have met you, Professor Richman,” said Frank. “We are honored to have you and your guests with us this evening.”
“Thank you, my good man,” replied the professor.
Margret looked at Professor Richman in awe. The local celebrity leaned back in his chair and looked up in thought. He wondered whose name Chase had mentioned. “Was it the governor?” he thought to himself. “Maybe it was a dignitary or ambassador that they saw on the local news.” He wondered what member of high society they were referring to...
Towards the end of the meal the manager, chef, lot attendant and hostess paid another visit. Their generosity continued as a plate of mud pie with a sparkler on top made the dinner complete. Once again it was “on the house”.
Then came the most important part of the evening. The friendly conversation with Chase continued. Laughter, compliments and continuous innuendos about their common friend maintained a festive setting.
