Goodbye Sky Harbor

by Mathis, Philip Brian

  “Well, have you heard from your sister at all? Do you happen to know anything about what might be going on with her and Creed?”

  “What did you hear?” Kuruk was curious to see what Creed’s parents might have already heard.

  “Well a couple of soldiers were asking questions about what happened at their school? This one Colonel was talking all this nonsense about wanting to interview the students who were present at the school when the missiles went off. What’s even stranger than that is that I haven’t seen them requesting to speak with any other kids here, and they haven’t returned Creed and Genesis and man I’m telling you, something just doesn’t feel right.”

  “Actually, I do have to tell you something.”

  “What?”

  “Now I can tell you that they’re not here, but they’re safe. Creed wanted me to tell you they were going to hid out until all this blows over.”

  “Where are they Kuruk?”

  “I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone, but I promise you they’re safe. And there’s something else.”

  “What is it?”

  “Look, this is going to sound…. well shit –” Kuruk paused. “So, the Army doesn’t give a shit about the school or the missile attack near the school.”

  “I don’t understand. Then why would they want to talk to our son, or your sister?” Mr. O’Connor asked.

  “I’m not sure how to explain it.”

  “Explain what?”

  Kuruk paused for a moment contemplating if it would be wiser to just make up a story, since either way the Army was going to end up looking like the bad guys anyway. He knew the substance of what he was about to say, and just couldn’t decide if he was ultimately dreaming or if someone was going to slap the shit out of him at any second.

  “What is it Kuruk?” Mrs. O’Connor insisted.

  “Alright, look. Your son has some amazing abilities. He can fly, he’s able to move objects with his mind, summon force fields, I mean, I know it all sounds silly, but I saw it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t be saying all this shit if it wasn’t true. I know…I know, it’s crazy to hear that, it’s crazy…I feel crazy even saying it – I – well, there I said it.” Kuruk had to pause just so he could catch his breath. Both of Creeds’ parents were staring back at him with extremely confused expressions. “It sounds worse when it comes out of my lips.” Kuruk eventually succumbed to the pressure of having to tell Creed’s parents the truth and just whipped out a joint he had previously stashed in his pocket. Without any type of consequence, he bravely lit it up right there in the parking garage. Kuruk was altogether wishing that he could disappear, that he could be miraculously salvaged from handling the next few questions that were surely on their way. He took a long drag off the joint and inhaled the smoke as long as he could.

  “Wait. Kuruk, what the hell are you talking about?” Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor were so thrown off from Kuruk’s wild rant about their son having abilities that they barely noticed the joint that Kuruk lit up.

  “Look, I know it sounds ludicrous. I really wish Creed could be here to explain; or better yet, show you guys what I’m talking about. But yeah, according to him it all started around the second day of school. I didn’t even know until the war broke out. I was on my way to retrieve Genesis once the bombings started. I saw them fly off with my own eyes. I know what you’re thinking. How’s any of that possible and please don’t ask because I have no idea. But that’s why the military is so interested in him.”

  Kuruk noticed his voice was getting louder while he talked. He momentarily paused and looked around for any military personnel who might’ve been walking around. He took another long puff off the joint and again hold it in for a second. He watched as Creed’s parents were still staring over at him, their mouths gazed open in disbelief while exchanging puzzled looks amongst themselves. Kuruk once again blew caution to the wind and offered the joint to Creed’s parents. They both nodded.

  “This makes no sense. I mean he’s a sixteen-year-old boy. He’s in high school for Chris sake’s. Abilities? What like superman?”

  Kuruk softly chuckled at the sound of Creed’s father desperately trying to make sense of this sudden discovery. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay honey, just calm down.” Mrs. O’Connor reassured.

  “I don’t know, this is just – our boy, with abilities? That sounds absurd, right? And why wouldn’t he have told us this himself Kuruk?”

  “With all due respect sir, I wouldn’t have told my father either. I mean puberty alone is a scary development. You think it’s frightening waking up realizing you just traded in your weenie whistle for a bologna pony with some extra hair on your nuts; and then just one day it’s like, oh hey, yeah I can fly too, I mean –” As soon as he realized the content that was freely flying out of his mouth it was already too late. Kuruk decided not to look up. Regardless if he had made a damn good point, it was just the wrong crowd to have that conversation with at the moment.

  “Alright, alright, that’s fine Kuruk, thank you for that colorful explanation.”

  Just then Mr. O’Connor stood up and began making his way towards the stair case of the parking garage. He spotted two soldiers walking around the area and promptly walked right up to them.

  “What is he doing.” Kuruk threw down his joint and quickly followed, with Mrs. O’Connor close behind.

  “Excuse me?” Mr. O’Connor shouted.

  “Yes sir, what can I help you with?” The private replied.

  “I need to see the colonel. Col. Mitchell; is he here? I need to speak to him right away.”

  “Well, what seems to be the problem?”

  “I don’t want to talk to you. I want to speak with Col. Mitchell, he’s the only one that would be able to help me out right about now.”

  “You can tell me, and I can make an official inquiry. I’d be happy to inform the colonel as soon as that’s possible.”

  “Is it a requirement that if you want to be in the Army you have to be deaf as well?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Honey stop it.” Mrs. O’Connor interjected.

  “I don’t want to talk to anyone else but Col. Mitchell, and I want to speak with him right now. Do you understand me?”

  “I’m sorry sir, Col. Mitchell is on an assignment. Like I said, you can tell me what’s going on and I’ll make sure he hears about it as soon as possible. I’m sorry, that’s all we can do.”

  “What about his superior?”

  “Sir, there’s nothing we can do about it right now.”

  “Don’t play games with me, I know what’s going on. I want to talk with your boss.”

  “I’m sorry, but that is going to be impossible right now.”

  “A chain of command, have you heard of it son? There has to be somebody in charge here that I can talk to right now.”

  “Sir if you just calm down I can take down whatever information you want to give me, and I’ll make sure it gets to him as soon as possible.”

  “Look here –” Mr. O’Connor paused and looked down at the private’s name plate. The young soldier kept his eyes closely on the perplexed father. “Nelson? I want to talk to your superior right now. I don’t care if that means the general of the fucking Army; you get someone to talk to me right now.”

  “Sir, I’m warning you for the last time, if you don’t calm down I’m going to have to court martial you. Is that understood? Now, if you will settle down and go back to your cots, I will personally let the colonel know that you were requesting his assistance when he gets back. What’s your name?”

  “O’Connor.”

  “A first name?”

  “Pissed off.”

  “Alright honey let’s calm down and go back to our cot.” Mrs. O’Connor suggested.

  “Come on.” Kuruk conceded.

  Creed’s dad stood there staring at the soldier’s face with his fists clenched, contemplating if getting arrested would be worth it. At least then he might be granted communication
with someone of importance. Those thoughts were quickly thwarted as Mrs. O’Connor quickly wrapped her arm around Mr. O’Connor, and successfully guided him away from the unfolding drama.

  “Let’s go.”

  The young soldier stood there frozen, waiting cautiously for the pair to depart and make their way back to the cots. A small crowd had begun to cultivate around the temporarily heated conversation transpiring right in front of them. As soon as Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor walked away, the crowd soon began to disperse. Everyone except for Mr. Walsh who was staring on. As the O’Connor’s made their way back to the cots, Kuruk couldn’t help but feel bad since he was the only one with knowledge of Creed and Genesis’ whereabouts. He wanted to at least let Creed’s parents know where they were, but he had made a promise. Genesis had convinced him it was the only way to keep everyone safe.

  It would be a couple more days until Creed’s parents finally received any type of communication from the Army. Maj. Robert Thompson caught wind of what had happened and eventually called for them to meet in his office inside of the airport. Maj. Thompson was a ten-year veteran of the army. Like Col. Posey, he had attended West Point and graduated fourth in his class. He was also active in the war in Afghanistan as well as the two gulf wars. When he returned home he was stationed in Arizona under Gen. Baumgartner’s command.

  “Before we discuss anything further, I want to first apologize to you Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor for the lack of imperative correspondence provided to you regarding your son’s situation.” Maj. Thompson spoke with a reassuring eloquence.

  “Now I’ve been asked by my superiors to assist you guys with your son’s unique case.”

  “Can you just tell us where he is please?” Creed’s dad requested.

  “Well that’s actually why I wanted to speak with you guys. Your son along with the help of his friend, have successfully evaded our care and the airport entirely. We have no idea where the two of them are right now. We were hoping you could help us out. Maybe advise us to where they might’ve gone.”

  “They escaped?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And Genesis? I’m assuming you’re talking about Genesis, his friend?”

  “That is correct.” Maj. Thompson confirmed once more.

  “Well that’s just great. I mean, how would I know where the hell they are, I’m not even sure why he was escorted away by you guys in the first place. All I remember the colonel –”

  “Col. Mitchell?”

  “Yes, Col. Mitchell. He gave us some half-baked explanation to why he wanted to talk with our son, and then I haven’t heard from him since. It wasn’t too long after that when he came back wanting to speak with Genesis and again, haven’t seen her since. And now, not only can you give me zero information on what the hell is going on, you can’t even tell me where my son is?” Creed’s dad detested.

  “I understand your grievances Mr. O’Connor, and I apologize once again for the lack of communication. Now I can’t disclose any of the information leading to the implications surrounding Col. Mitchell’s inquiries. I am not authorized to discuss any private matters. Even if I knew all the particulars, I wouldn’t be able to disclose them without the consent of the colonel himself. We are however, worried about your son’s safety out there. It is not safe for anyone out there while this war is going on. We’d appreciate any help in getting him back to Sky Harbor, so we can all help each other out.”

  “So, you want me to help you retrieve my son, even though you can’t tell me why you’re after him in the first place?”

  “Sir, please. We mean your son no harm. Besides, wouldn’t you agree your son is safer under our care?”

  “I’m not so sure with all the secrecy going on around here.”

  “Mr. O’Connor, I understand, I really do. But the bottom line here, is that if we can work together and get your son back to the airport, I can get you the answers your looking for.” Maj. Thompson assured.

  “I don’t know where they would’ve gone honestly. If they’re not back at our house, then they might be at Genesis’ house.”

  “We’ve checked both houses and unfortunately they were not there.” Maj. Thompson revealed.

  “Those are the only two places I can think of.”

  “Have you checked the high school?” Mrs. O’Connor suggested.

  “We have ma’am.”

  “I mean, if they’re not at our house or Genesis’ house, they could honestly be anywhere.”

  “There is nowhere else you can think of? A place of some significance?”

  A brief silence fell upon the room. The major sat there patiently exchanging glances at both Mr. and Mrs. O’Connor.

  “I don’t know.”

  “How about you Mrs. O’Connor?”

  Dolores was struggling to take in all that was going on with the recent events surrounding their unique situation. “Well, the only place I can think of is Genesis’ grandmother. She lives in the Fort McDowell reservation. But I’m not sure if they would even know how to get there. From what I heard, Genesis and her dad had hardly visited the last few years. And even so, I’m not sure how they would manage to make it all the way up there on their own. It’s about a twenty-minute drive.”

  Maj. Thompson’s eyes widened as Mrs. O’Connor spoke. He stood up quickly and moved towards the door.

  “Give me one second.”

  “What? Wait. What’s going on?” Mr. O’Connor asked.

  The Major exited his office and could be heard through the doors having a mumbled conversation with someone out in the hallway. Within seconds Maj. Thompson returned with a sudden predisposed smile. “Thank you, folks. That’s all for now. We’ll definitely let you know when we’ve received confirmation on the whereabouts of your son.”

  “Wait, that’s it? You don’t possibly think that’s where they are, do you? I told you, there would be no way the two of them could make it out to the reservation without any type of vehicle. Especially at a time like this.” Creed’s mom confessed.

  “You’re probably right, but just as a precaution we feel it’s only necessary to look at all our options. Like I said. I’ll let you know any updates. Private Nelson will escort you back to the parking garage. Thank you again.” Maj. Thompson held out his arm to shake hands with Creed’s parents. They both looked back at the Major’s odd behavior suspiciously. Creed’s parents hesitatingly shook hands with the Major before walking slowly out of his office. While they made their way back outside towards the parking garage, Creed’s mom leaned into her husband’s arms.

  “Why am I getting a bad feeling about all this?” Dolores asked.

  Creed’s dad put his arm around his wife.

  “It’s going to be fine. We’ll figure this all out. I promise you.” He assured.

  CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

  It wasn’t until the second round of gun fire was discharged that Creed finally woke from his peaceful slumber. He just laid there in the living room frozen, while his eyes gazed around the room. Creed eventually picked his head off the floor and found Kushala looking out of her living room window. He turned to check on Genesis who was now sitting up on the couch, peering intently at her grandmother. The two of them had now been at the reservation for six full days. Creed still hadn’t heard anything back from Kuruk or his parents since their arrival. He figured though that Kuruk would’ve found a way to reach out if they were in any type of danger. Creed was in a seemingly everlasting peaceful state ever since finding refuge in the little Fort McDowell community. In fact, he felt that even in his brief sixteen years being on this earth, the last few days were some of the best sleep he had ever got, even if he was having to sleep in a simple cot in the living room. Creed never thought about the possibility of anyone finding him out there. He was beginning to feel confident that after a few days, the Army would no longer care about the matter and he could get on with his life. Additionally, Creed even felt good about the future; overwhelmed with the serene surroundings of his new First Nation family. He was
irrefutably accepted and engulfed by a beautifully mystic culture; which, he had only been able to read about in books.

  “What’s going on grandma?” Genesis asked.

  “I don’t know. I just heard a gunshot and it woke me up. I can’t see what’s going on out there.” Kushala announced.

  Suddenly the phone rang, making all three of them jump. Kushala dropped the curtains and walked over towards the kitchen. She quickly picked up the phone before it had another chance to ring. “Hello?” Kushala answered. Genesis and Creed looked over at each other with sudden unease. They both had a pretty good idea of who might be out there at this hour causing a raucous.

  “The Army? Why the hell would the Army be here?” Kushala said.

  The teenagers’ eyes grew wide when they heard Kushala confirmed their worries. “Shit.” Creed muttered. “Oh no, what are we going to do?” Genesis shouted.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, what do they want?” Kushala shouted into the phone. She paused for a second before turning towards the living room. Her eyes settled on Creed who had now arose from his cot and began putting on his shirt. “Hold on.” Kushala said. “Creed, why would the Army be looking for you sweetheart? Are you in trouble? Did you do something?”

  “He didn’t do anything grandma.” Genesis contested.

  “Well, then why is Sharon telling me there’s a small platoon outside calling out for him?”

  “Grandma, it’s a long story, but Creed didn’t do anything, he’s innocent. I promise you. But they can’t know we’re here.”

  Outside by the front of the reservation, Col. Posey stood with a long rifle in his hands while his men were busy searching the houses one by one. More and more residents began piling out of their homes as the commotion over the colonel’s presence became louder. A few of the male residents emerged from their houses wielding rifles and making their way to the surrounding area.

  “Look, we don’t want any trouble. We just want the boy.” Col. Posey requested.

  “What boy?” Someone in the crowd shouted.