by Chad Josey
“Before?”
“The end. Sorry. Sometimes, even when I say that, I catch myself.”
“But, we talked about that before, that you’ve accepted your fate of being left behind.”
“Well, yes, but Joe, we all have a role to play here. My role is to recruit and make sure the recruits go. In return, I can get anything I want here until the end. That doesn’t mean that I haven’t lost sight of my fate either.”
“You’ve not spoken to anyone about trying to join Salvation?”
“It’s pointless. If Salvation makes an exception for me, then next they make exceptions for all the others.”
“You’ve never told me how many people are like you?”
“I am not sure of the number, but many people have performed my role across the world for decades.”
“Decades… huh, I still can’t get over we’ve been on the Moon and Mars all this time.”
“And, I hope you’re seeing why I’ve been so strict telling you not to speak to anyone? First, they would think you are crazy and would not believe you.”
Joe listened nodding his head.
“Or, maybe they would believe you and ask too many questions. The next thing we know, Salvation is compromised, and everything will be lost.”
“Trust me. I’ve been struggling with wanting to tell. At first, I realized you’re right; people would think I am crazy. But, then it hit me. Mass chaos would happen.”
A crooked smile appeared across Gabriel as he nodded his head as Joe spoke.
“I mean look at the chaos caused by the scare of Ebola or the presidential election cycle. Could you imagine what would happen if people knew they only had less than five years to live?”
“Exactly, Joe. By the way, now can you see how easy it is to manipulate people through fear?”
“Yeah, I guess. But, what do you mean by that?”
“Uh, never mind. I think your question about being paid, made me get all philosophical for a moment.”
Joe scrolled down the iPad reviewing the instructions. “So, do I need to bring any paperwork, passport or anything?”
Gabriel belted out another high-pitched laugh as he peeked through the metal window blinds. “Sure, bring your passport. That has to be one hell of a passport stamp on Mars, huh?”
Joe laughed in return. “Yeah, it could be little Marvin the Martian stamps.”
“Yes, bring them. You will need these to get into Mauritius. We will want to keep up the appearance you and Mary are there on vacation.” Gabriel left the window for the door. “Okay, I’m going. We will talk again before then. Go home. Give Mary this gift and enjoy your Christmas together.”
Joe reached to shake his outstretched hand. The eventual banging of the door down the hall followed after Gabriel left Joe’s office.
Christmas? Will this still be celebrated at Salvation? Mauritius?…
Joe returned behind his computer and opened Google.
Where is Mauritius?
PRESENT - Stony Brook, 1:17 p.m.
Christmas Eve
1,727 Days Prior to Impact
DECORATIONS, MUSIC, AND LAUGHTER filled Main Street in downtown Stony Brook. Last-minute Christmas shoppers lurched around the pedestrian lanes. Stereotypical men wandered shop-to-shop staggering through the crowds like the set of a zombie movie.
Joe walked a straight line through the chaotic array of shoppers. They flowed around him like a salmon swimming upstream in the swirling rivers in the Northwest. He was on a mission to find Mary the absolute best gift.
Before leaving the lab, Joe had printed pictures of Mauritius from the Internet. His plan was to place them inside a card as her present. Guilt pushed him further into the maddening gathering of shoppers.
Fresh thoughts flooded his brain. Tonight, Joe was finally confessing part of the plan to Mary. Guilt, however, ate at him for not telling her of Salvation. He was concerned about her reaction; this haunted him.
Joe pushed his way through the rugby scrum at the front door of Stony Brook Floral & Gifts. Early shoppers thoroughly had picked-clean both card aisles. Gone were the sparkling Christmas cards. A hodgepodge of random ones, most unrecognizable as belonging to Christmas, remained.
Well, this won’t work.
He grunted under his breath. The rush of snowy, cold air hit Joe as he pushed his way out onto the sidewalk. Cars zoomed by on the two-lane street. Pastry smells from the next-door bakery made Joe hungry. The temptation disappeared when he spotted a jewelry shop across the street.
What the hell? Let’s see what they have left.
Joe jaywalked to the store dodging a bicyclist and a speeding white pickup truck. Traffic was not his concern. Inside, the shop was peaceful being only half-full with shoppers. Joe collected his thoughts.
I’ve not given Mary any jewelry since our wedding. Maybe I'll get her a ring… what the hell size does she wear? Joe scanned the illuminated glass display of sparkling jewelry.
“Hello, Merry Christmas. My name is Cathy, may I help you find something for your wife?” the female clerk behind the display case said.
“Hi, Cathy, Merry Christmas… is it that obvious I’m looking for a ring for my wife?” Joe smiled at her.
“Well, I’ve been here for years. Nine-out-of-ten times, if a man is in here on Christmas Eve, it is for something for his wife,” Cathy said smiling back at Joe. “Do you know what type of ring she likes?”
The display case was overwhelming with its choices. “Mary only has the diamond wedding ring I gave her… I imagine she would like anything.”
“Oh, Dear. As much as I would love to sell you a ring, if you don’t know what she likes, you’ll be guessing and throwing away your money. What about a necklace? That’s a little easier because she can match it with different outfits.”
Joe appreciated her honesty. “Okay. You’re the expert here.”
“What kind of style does she wear? What about her job, is it corporate? Does she like to dress up?”
“Well, she works at the high school. She is on the teachers’ union committee. They travel to Albany a couple of times a year,” Joe said as he scanned the necklaces next to the rings. “And, we go out to dinners from time-to-time, but she never dresses too fancy.”
And, oh yeah, we’re getting ready to board a rocket to blast off to Mars… you got anything for that?
“Okay, that helps. Something practical but not too upscale… here are some nice pearl necklaces she may like.” Cathy walked Joe over to the display case at the end of the showroom.
As Joe followed, a twinkling light reflected off a heart-shaped, diamond-encrusted pendant inside a glass case on the wall behind her.
“What is that?” Joe asked.
Cathy turned to where Joe pointed. “Oh, it’s beautiful, isn’t it? Would you like to see it?”
Before allowing Joe a chance to respond, Cathy took the keys attached to her hip and unlocked the glass case. She pulled out the piece of jewelry and placed it onto a black velvet cloth on top of the glass display case above the rings. The heart-shaped pendant was about the size of a quarter; its twinkling was mesmerizing.
“This is a one-of-a-kind piece in our collection. It’s beautiful with twenty blue diamonds. White diamonds create the heart outline. This entire piece is thirty-two karats.”
Cathy may as well have been speaking Greek to Joe. He did not care. The pendant was hypnotic.
“The chain is pure twenty-four karat gold, and if you push here… it opens. On the inside, there is space for two pictures… one of you and one of her, or one of you both and the other of your children.”
“Oh, we don’t have kids.”
“Well, a picture of each of you works. It’s a beautiful piece. Here, let me show you something similar.” She pointed at the pearl necklaces.
“How much is this?” Joe asked as he held the sparkling diamonds.
A shocked expression overcame here. “This is a very exquisite piece. We’ve had it here a few years because i
t’s so expensive.”
Look, Lady, I’m leaving Earth in a few weeks. You can have my house for God’s sake. I don’t care.
“Seriously, though… how much?” Joe asked in a calm manner.
Cathy punched the keypad of a small, solar-powered gray calculator near her. After a few moments, she spun it around as she smiled. Joe recognized the smile, knowing she knew there was no way he could afford the price shown.
One-hundred-and-twelve-thousand dollars did not deter him. “I’ll take it,” Joe said slamming the glass case with the black credit card Gabriel had given him for expenditures Joe needed to prepare for Salvation.
“Really! Wow.” Cathy flashed a huge, shocked smile. The commission on this one sale alone made for a fantastic year-end bonus. “Oh, it is so beautiful, and your wife will love it.”
Joe could not tell if her excitement was genuine for Mary or the sale as he watched Cathy place the necklace into a black velvet box, which went inside a light-blue jewelry box. She wrapped the box with a bow of small, dark-blue ribbon.
After signing the credit card slip, Cathy gave him the small bag with the store’s jewelry logo on the front. “Again, Merry Christmas. I’d love to show you more pieces after New Years.”
“Thanks, we’ll see. Merry Christmas,” Joe said as he took the bag and left.
Did I buy that out of guilt for not telling Mary about what’s happening? She’ll love it, I’m sure.
Joe continued down the sidewalk. The holiday decorations seemed brighter. The Christmas music seemed more cheerful. His fog of not knowing what to get Mary had lifted. He enjoyed the atmosphere.
The brightness of the festive ambiance dimmed as his momentary pleasure disappeared. At the end of the sidewalk was the Catholic Cathedral of Stony Brook. A sign with the letters Open on its doors compelled Joe closer.
Joe reflected on his purchase, on the news he needed to tell Mary, on the death of his friend. A rush of emotion overcame him physically forcing him up the stone steps and through the front door of the church.
By now, Joe had lived in Stony Brook for as long as he did in Texas growing up. In this time, he had never been inside this cathedral.
Every Sunday morning as a child, Joe had attended church with his mom and grandma. After moving to Stony Brook, he had only visited three church services: his grandma's funeral, Charlie's wedding and funeral.
Even though he grew up as a Southern Baptist, standing inside the Catholic cathedral felt familiar to him. He walked down the aisle separating two the sides of church pews and sat on the front row.
Joe gazed upward and stared upon the crucifix with a statue of Jesus. An eerie silence filled the empty sanctuary. A row of small, votive candles flickered beside the altar. The eyes of Jesus hanging on the cross looked down upon him.
So, Jesus, what’s your opinion of life on Mars? I don’t recall that exactly mentioned in the Bible? Not expecting any obvious response, Joe looked up and presented a smirk on his face to the statue.
All this time, people have been praying to you. And, for what? It’s all going to end here anyway and continue on Mars.
Joe watched as a frail, old woman shuffled to the table with the prayer candles. She had a noticeable hunch in her back as her shaking hands lit a candle. Her wrinkled fingers with brown age spots clutched onto a walker for support.
When she finished with her prayer, she made the sign of the cross with her right hand across her chest. She turned facing Joe to pass him.
“Merry Christmas,” the old woman said. Her voice cracked. Joe smiled and wished her a Merry Christmas.
Joe turned his attention back to the statue of Jesus.
Will there even be religion on Mars?
Joe had a bad habit of cursing after his years with Charlie. But, he knew two things: never to swear in church or in front of his grandma when she was alive.
Memories of Liz made Joe smile as a voice startled him from behind. “Good afternoon, my Son. Merry Christmas.”
A man wearing a black shirt with a white square on its collar stood in the sanctuary. Over the black shirt, he wore a white robe and held a Bible to his chest.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” the man said as he gave a quick laugh. “My name is Father Alvaro… Merry Christmas.”
“Oh… Merry Christmas to you, too, Father.”
Father Alvaro smiled and stepped up to the altar. After making the sign of the cross with his right hand, he floated over to the table and lit a candle as he prayed.
Joe sat in amazement. He admired the way in which Father Alvaro carried himself, especially against the ornate backdrop of the altar with its woodcarvings and golden trim.
“Excuse me… Father. Do you have a moment?”
“My Son, I’m about to step into the confessional, if you’d like to join me?”
“Uh… um… I’m not Catholic, so I— ”
“Oh, that’s okay. We’re all on the same team here,” Father Alvaro said attempting to welcome Joe.
Joe followed Father Alvaro. Each walked into the separate doors of the confessional. After closing the door behind him, Joe sat in uneasy darkness.
A moment later, a small door slid open between them. A crisscrossed, wooden screen revealed a light shining through from the other side where Father Alvaro sat.
“So, how can I help you, my Son?”
“Aren’t you supposed to say, How long has it been since your last confessional? Like they do in the movies?”
Soft laughter came from Father Alvaro. “Yes, you’re right, but you’ve already told me you weren’t Catholic… something’s on your mind isn’t it, my Son?”
Joe paused. “Well… I’ve been keeping a secret from my wife, but I am telling her about it soon. And, Father, it’s been killing me not telling her.”
“Are you keeping something from her that will upset her or hurt her once she finds out?”
“I don’t think she will believe me, but after that, I think she will be angry at me for not telling her sooner.”
“Do you think the reason you have not told her before is you’re trying to protect her from something?”
“Yes, and I was told not to say anything to her about it.”
“Sometimes, we protect those we love by doing things that most times we would never do. In God’s eyes, if you have committed a sin, and this is what you are not telling her, then you are sinning against God based on the marriage vows you took.”
Joe squirmed. “Oh, no, I’ve never lied to her about any of the questions she has ever asked me. I just never explained or told her any additional information about what I’m keeping from her. And, I feel so guilty not telling her.”
“If she loves you, once she gets beyond the shock of what you’re planning to tell her, she will understand your reasons.”
Silence filled both sides of the confessional.
“Thank you, Father. That helps me a lot.”
“You’re welcome, my Son. Is there anything else?”
“Well… um… yes. I grew up down South and attended a Southern Baptist church. It’s been so long now… ” A question bubbled from the recesses of Joe's consciousness. “How does the Catholic Church view the end-of-the-world?”
“Oh, my… that’s deep question for this time of year. I can tell something is troubling you if you’re asking me this.”
Father Alvaro cleared his throat. Joe leaned forward with anticipation hoping to receive any wisdom to help him with the burden of the secret he has carried for months.
“In the Book of Matthew, God warns us to beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves. This time of year is when you hear proclamations from so many claiming the end-of-the-world is coming.”
“Yes, but Father, if we knew for certain when the world would come to an end, shouldn’t everyone on Earth know about this?”
“Only Jesus Christ knows when he will return to Earth. First Thessalonians tells us that for the Lo
rd himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
Joe’s face was mere inches away from the screen. “But, what about the survival of mankind, how can we trust they will be saved?”
“My Son, the only way to Salvation is through Christ, our God in heaven.”
“Salvation?”
Joe fell back against the confessional. “Yes, by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior can you then be assured of everlasting Salvation with him in heaven.”
Father Alvaro’s voice replayed over-and-over inside Joe’s mind. Salvation. Salvation. Salvation.
After several seconds, Father Alvaro said, “My Son, I can tell you still have a lot of questions. I would love to see you come back and attend a service, and we can talk more.”
The father’s voice snapped back Joe’s attention. “Oh, okay, Father… thanks for listening.”
“My pleasure. Merry Christmas and peace be unto you, my Son.” Father Alvaro closed the small door between them blocking the light from the other side.
Joe exited the confessional. Several people stood close by waiting their turn to enter after Joe.
Clever way of telling me my time was over, Padre.
Joe returned to the front pew. The eyes of Jesus pierced through Joe’s mind with its anguish.
The only way to Salvation is through Christ, our God in heaven, huh? Okay, that’s it. I’ve come this far not to believe anymore. From now on, who cares about anyone else… it's just Mary and me… huh… my real Salvation is on Mars… hope to see you there, Jesus.
9:11 p.m.
SCENTS OF WARM CHRISTMAS sugar cookies wafted through the air complemented by the aroma of baked, honey-ham and potatoes. As a child, Joe remembered how his grandma made sugar cookies shaped as stockings after the family Christmas Eve dinner while everyone in their pajamas waited to exchange gifts. Joe had equated eating warm, Christmas cookies with opening gifts. Mary had continued this annual tradition for Joe.
