by Gary Starta
I just wish I could have convinced Sarah. I wish for a lot of things. Lori wondered if the storm’s destruction might be a blessing. She wouldn’t have to experience a lump in her breast any longer. But it was a selfish realization she quickly dismissed. She rolled over and attempted to resume sleep.
Timothy woke later than usual and she hurried him to the woods. “We can’t miss the sunrise, especially not now.”
“I respect our relationship.” Timothy said. But Lori wasn’t sure if he was conversing with the sun or her.
“We can expect fluctuations, give and take and compromise. I’m willing to go the distance if you are.”
Lori observed Timothy sitting cross-legged in his spot, the sun’s rays washing over him, godlike.
At that instant, she couldn’t help but believe everything had consciousness and everything was connected.
*
“Coronal mass eruptions are caused by the disruption of the sun’s magnetic field. X-flares, the strongest of solar storms, are borne from sunspots as we are all aware.” Chao-Zing paced the makeshift warehouse auditorium. Hundreds of eyes seemed to pace with her in the classroom along with millions of other orbs technically linked to the lecture via video hook-up.
“What science can’t say is what causes the eruptions. I think we can. I think that’s why we’re all gathered here today. It could be our emotions. Our unconscious connections with the sun might be generating the eruptions. Now it’s more important than ever to keep our emotions in check. Models expect an arrival of a solar storm on Wednesday at 2:38 p.m. How can we be so specific you ask? Simulations in the past predicted a flare to arrive within 13 minutes in 1989. That flare caused a major power disruption in Quebec. Today, we are facing a much more hostile storm. If we don’t band together to try to quell the eruption we might live in the dark until our final days. The choice is pretty clear. We must gather all our energy in this effort and protect our electromagnetic field. I believe the Earth called out for our help in Timothy Ray. I implore all sceptics, particularly scientists, to open their minds for the good of all. I thank science for affording us models to predict the storm’s arrival. I believe future science fact might save us all.”
*
“That was quite a speech.” Timothy shook Chao-Zing’s hand. What did you mean when you said the Earth called me?”
“The voices, you said you heard voices.”
“I kind of resigned myself to the fact they were hallucinations. That they were coming from my mind.”
“Were they? Now is not the time for rationalization. We must all fully believe in this pursuit.”
Timothy scratched at his chin. If the voices weren’t human, whose were they?”
Chao-Zing scurried away without an answer.
*
The morning of what would become dubbed as Salvation Day approached quickly. Hours seemed to pass as if minutes to Timothy. He was shaking on the inside. What if he failed? This wouldn’t be just a personal failure like a lost job or fiancée. He could rebound from those kinds of setbacks and he had. The flares threatened a final determination for humankind. From what Zack and Chao-Zing inferred, a solar impact might plunge the planet not only into darkness but imminent death due to loss of power and food supply, not to mention lethal levels of radiation.
He had to remain strong for all, for Lori and finally for himself.
*
The locals formed human chains and remained locked in them for hours. Other cities mimicked the event as evidenced by numerous broadcasts. It seemed the mass media loved the event, attempting to drain every bit of profit from it before darkness descended. Timothy wondered if the powers that be really believed in the threat. He had to conclude they did because why else would they ever allow such hope to prevail over each continent?
In a darkened hallway, Ron Hayes paced. He believed in the threat as much as he believed the government had invaded his mind. Perhaps they pulled the plug on civilian surveillance because of the solar threat. If so, kooks like Timothy Ray just might save all their bureaucratic asses. Hayes laughed sarcastically. He wandered to a window and drew the blind. He then proceeded to pray for a cosmic calming, including Gina, Kate and even Jim Parsons in his prayers. Finally, he thanked Timothy Ray for his courage and resolve. A tear welled and rolled down his cheek as he stood in the light of the tiny window. Salvation Day suddenly didn’t sound like the bullshit he thought it might be.
*
Cheers and song intermingled with prayer. Timothy joined hands with Lori on his left and Kevin on his right. They were two of the best people he had ever met on this planet.
A sudden wail interrupted his reflections. A beautiful and soulful voice pierced the room. Where was this emotional discharge coming from? To Timothy’s surprise, the wailing belonged to Lori. Her voice was beautiful and so was she. Perhaps the pain of her guilt and illness were being released in her soulful wails. Perhaps she had never become a part of a larger purpose in her life and needed to release the experience via song.
He couldn’t recognize the tune but it didn’t matter. It was gospel, blues-like and heartfelt. That’s what mattered at the moment. She was strong in the moment of need. Now Timothy realized he could be strong as well.
Surges of adrenaline kept the masses attuned to their task. A countdown clock was in the inset of every TV screen. Less than thirty minutes to supposed impact. Timothy squeezed Lori’s hand tighter. “Come on. Give it everything you got people.”
Timothy’s words were broadcast to billions via satellite and quickly translated to subtitles in foreign nations.
One woman cried out in her native tongue. “Timothy Ray, we don’t know you but we love you. We wish you all the light you need.”
Words scrolled across the screen giving final warnings to stock food, water and to stay indoors. Would our final words be rationalizations or revelations?
Timothy Ray squeezed Lori’s hand so tight she squealed. Two minutes and 32 seconds to impact. That is, if they hadn’t already steered the death dealer away from Earth’s door. But if they hadn’t, it was the end.
“I love you.” Lori said to Timothy.
“I love you too,” Kevin replied, half in jest and half in sincerity.
Timothy gushed with laughter because it was all so surreal. He might be living his final moments with his best friends and what lay ahead beyond death was as every bit as a mystery as it was before he connected with the sun. There were no grand answers nor would there ever be any; it was all about hope and positive vibes. Yes, that was the key to a good and worthwhile existence.
Ten seconds…
Five seconds…
“Ah!” A collective groan erupted when the TV’s went dark.
No. We’re all good. We’re all going to be fine. Timothy scanned the room. It was still illuminated by a few lights. He pulled Lori toward him and squeezed her tight.
*
Broadcasting was restored the next day. The eruptions had missed the Earth but not orbiting satellites. Scientists dismissed Timothy’s band of sun worshippers as rain dancers. “There is no proof we avoided the storm because of prayer. It is most likely our models were inaccurate.” The bald scientist kept shaking his head from side to side when the reporter pressed him to explain why the models could have been inaccurate.
Chao-Zing felt smug satisfaction. Science was pressed to dismiss their beloved factual data as inaccurate when it wasn’t. Will the metaphysical ever become science? What more will it take to convince them?
Frustration and elation competed. She couldn’t help but feel happy when Kevin hugged her. This wouldn’t be the last time she would feel his comfort and warmth, not by a long shot. She finally had a man beside her who believed in her, even when she had lost everything. Still, how much longer could she afford to present free lectures? She put her house on the market the next day and moved in with her lover. Even though her life was getting smaller and compartmentalized her universe sure wasn’t.
*
> “I don’t know what to say. Sure, I’ll think it over. I’ll have my answer for you by the end of the week.”
Timothy ended the call and turned to Lori. “Do you like California?”
“I like life.” She placed her hand in his. “You can take my life to wherever you want to go.”
The decision wasn’t so easy for Timothy. A health and mental wellness firm offered him a job as their spokesperson. In time, they estimated, he might even become their chief executive officer. He had no experience in this world and almost feared the too-good-to-be-true offer was just that.
Subsequent checks confirmed the firm was not only reputable but viable. Taking the job would further Timothy’s dream to provide non-profit aid to those in need.
He discussed the pros and the cons with Lori at his favourite sunrise spot the next morning.
“I think the hardest thing to let go of is this spot. What if this is the magic which keeps me in tune with the cosmos?”
“I don’t doubt it. But are you really tethered to it? What if it kind of operates like cell phones do, wirelessly?”
“If it does, I’m as vulnerable as those satellites that got fried.”
“It’s ultimately your choice. I will support you.”
“After facing the ultimate pressure cooker, I suppose this isn’t such a leap. I just hate to leave Kevin and Chao-Zing behind.”
“They’re in love, like us. They’ll get by.”
“I suppose they will.”
Timothy agreed to take the job on the condition that no indigent person would ever be turned away from services because of money or insurance.
“They think I’m some kind of mogul,” Timothy gushed to Kevin at a small celebration party.
“I have no doubt. For a few hours, you brought the entire world together. There was no terrorism or war. If you can do it, I have no wonder any firm would be salivating to scoop you up.” Kevin sipped at his beer. He slapped Timothy on the back. “I’m going to miss you.”
“Maybe you don’t have to.”
“Huh?”
“You’re right. I can call my shots with this firm. I’m going to demand they hire Chao-Zing to teach eastern religion and science there. After what happened, westerners are in dire need of education.”
“Huh. That would be great, Tim, but what about me?”
“You can be her TA, or my right-hand man. Don’t worry. We’re a package deal.”
The next day Timothy ironed out a contract with Well for Life. All Timothy would be leaving behind would be his beloved spot in the woods.
“I feel like I’m taking a risk.” Timothy sipped at veggie juice as he conversed with Chao-Zing via phone.
“At least I won’t be prodding or prying into it. I’m going to leave it alone for science’s sake.” Chao-Zing chuckled.
“But seriously, if that spot was somehow my source of power or inspiration, how can I ever leave it? And those voices, if they didn’t belong to humans whose, were they?”
“The very Earth, I think. I believe it called to you in its time of need and you responded to that call.”
“So, it can mimic voices and laughter? What a weird universe.”
“I can’t confirm how it did it, Timothy. But it does seem logical.”
“Then how can I leave it behind?”
“You completed your task. Now you have another calling in California.”
“I suppose so. But I’m just a man.”
“And the universe will respect that. Have faith, my friend.”
“I will. I may lose things again, I may go through many cycles, but in the end I’ll never lose faith. I’ve learned that lesson.”
Timothy disconnected the call and bid goodbye to his former life. It wasn’t nearly as difficult as he imagined. Lori was already in California and waiting for him. He loaded the car and then Helena. It seemed the spunky cat was just raring to go.
