Goodbye Sky Harbor

by Mathis, Philip Brian

  Despite his introverted persona, Little still managed to attract one of the most beautiful girls in Phoenix while attending college. Her name was Brandy Bussiere, who for the longest time, would work at the local bar around the corner from the college. They were quite the pair however both were excruciatingly polar opposites. Everything Brandy had hoped to attain in life was the exact opposite of everything Ronald would have to offer. Brandy was always the life of the party while Ronald would do everything in his power to avoid social interactions altogether. Brandy was also very loud and boisterous, while Ron didn’t raise his voice even when he would get upset. Regardless of the growing inconsistencies between them, it was his smile that ultimately forced together the boisterous bird and the gallant mouse. They ended up getting married and having six children; five of whom survived to adulthood. In 1983, after years of constant disappointments and failure to see eye to eye between the couple, they decided to call it quits. Brandy would eventually go on to remarry a lawyer from Mesa a year later. Sadly, right after the move, Little’s twelve year old daughter Cynthia was diagnosed with leukemia and ended up passing away a year later. This would eventually come to be known as the first of two abominations to ever happen in Ronald’s life. The second one would end up being the outbreak of the war.

  A few weeks after Cynthia’s death, Ronald began driving twenty eight miles towards Mesa every day. He’d drive around until he found the most beautiful flowers springing up from the ground and take them for his daughter at her grave site. Eventually Ronald remembered when Cynthia was six, she had fallen in love with a type of lisianthus flower that happened to be growing in her mother’s backyard. After an extensive search, he was finally able to find some seeds of his own and begin growing his own garden in the back of his house. The lisianthus was Cynthia’s favorite flower because of how both pretty and unique they looked. She would tell her Dad that when she had read about the lisianthus, she found that the flowers can sometimes be mistaken for roses, tulip or even a poppy. Cynthia thought the flowers looked how she felt. Growing the flowers in his own garden proved to be challenging for Ron as he found out they were very difficult to grow. After a year of persistence, he finally was able to get a few to bloom.

  Now two years after the war had ended, Ronald woke up at six that morning and started his day just like any other. He made himself a warm bowl of oatmeal before picking the day’s flowers. That morning Ron picked a few of the mixed purple and white colored lisianthus. He favored those the most. By the time the sun was rising, Ronald Little climbed into his pick-up truck and drove south towards the highway. He traveled east on 10 until he passed 60 before eventually exiting on Baseline Road. It wasn’t until about a mile down that Ronald first laid his eyes on a young man walking completely naked on the side of the road.

  “What the hell?”

  Ron’s first instinct was to keep driving on through, but he felt eerily strange about this peculiar scene. It was as if something inside of him was instructing him to stop. At first glance it appeared the young man didn’t seem to have a single blemish or scratch on him. What more was that he was being relentlessly followed by a medium sized Australian Shepherd. Ron had made a life of staying in the shadows and most importantly staying out of other people’s affairs. But for the first time in his life, Ronald’s curiosity was winning him over. He passed the young man before finally veering the truck up against the sidewalk. He waited until the gentleman caught up to his vehicle before rolling down the window and shouting out at the young man.

  “Excuse me. Hello?” The young man looked over. “Where you headed?” Ron continued.

  “I’m headed down here a ways.”

  “Well what’s your name?”

  “Creed.”

  Ronald couldn’t quite remember where he had heard that name before but was damn certain it sounded familiar.

  “Well Creed, where are you coming from?”

  “Phoenix.”

  “You walked all the way over here from Phoenix?”

  “Yes sir.”

  Creed finally approached Ronald’s truck and was leaning across the window.

  “Well young man, even though some people might be impressed at the sight of you out here like this, I’m pretty damn sure it’s still illegal to walk around naked in public. You know what happened to your clothes?”

  The young wanderer paused and peered down at his body as if he was realizing he was naked for the first time. His creamy mulatto skin was basking in the rising morning sunlight. His buttocks was glowing and the dark edges of his penis hanging between his legs for everyone to see. Up until this point he never gave any type of consideration to the fact that he was fully exposed. His only concern up until that point was getting to Genesis and eventually back home to his family. Creed wasn’t even sure how this whole situation was even possible to begin with. How am I even alive right now? That question alone kept replaying in his mind the entire time he had been walking. None of it was as important however, then catching one more glimpse of Genesis’ face. Another kiss of her bubble cream lips while feeling her wrapped tightly in his arms.

  “I’m naked.”

  “You didn’t realize you were naked son?”

  “I guess I didn’t give it much thought up until now.”

  “Well what do you say I take you right up the road to the drug store and get you some clothes and then possibly give you a lift to wherever you’re going?”

  “I guess I could use some clothes? I appreciate that.”

  “No problem, hop in then.” Ronald opened his door for the young man, but Creed paused and glanced down at the dog sitting valiantly next to him on the sidewalk.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “Would it be okay if my dog tagged along?”

  “Yeah, why not? The more the merrier.”

  Creed smiled and climbed in. He smacked his hand on the seat and without hesitation the Shepherd jumped into the cab. While the dog positioned himself in the middle seat, Mr. Little held out his hand.

  “Name’s Ronald. Friends call me Little.”

  “Nice to meet you Ronald.”

  “And who is this?” Ronald inquired as he reached out his hand and began petting the exhausted canine.

  “I actually haven’t gotten a chance to name him yet. We literally just met a few hours ago. He must be a stray.”

  “Well, that’s a beautiful breed. He’d be worthy of a good name.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “So, why you out here anyway? Where you headed? And you really don’t remember what happened to your clothes?”

  Creed gazed down at himself again as Ronald pulled back onto Baseline. The line of questioning was catching him off guard. Creed knew the only answers he had for Ron would likely lead to more questions; questions he just didn’t have the answers to himself.

  “I ugh –”

  “You know what? You don’t have to answer. It’s none of my business anyway.”

  About a quarter mile down the road, Ronald turned into the drug store’s parking lot off to the right side of the street.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked anyway. I’m not usually this curious. I guess it might’ve had something to do with you walking nonchalantly out here at seven in the morning and completely naked. But hey, a man is entitled to his privacy.”

  “It’s alright. To be honest I probably have more questions than you right about now.”

  “What, are you talking alien abduction or something?”

  “I don’t think so.” Creed smiled while Ronald drove around the parking lot until he came to the side of the store. He figured it would be best to keep Creed out of sight until he could get some clothes for him.

  “Well, let’s get you an outfit or two, then get you to where you need to go. Possibly get you some of those answers your looking for. What do you say?”

  “Thank you again Ron, I really appreciate it.”

  “Alright. So, tell me, I’m guessing about a thirty eight by thir
ty four as far as jean sizes, and an extra-large shirt? Possibly eleven and a half shoe size?”

  “Wow Ron, that was pretty spot on.”

  “Alright son, I’ll be right back.”

  Ronald opened his door and slid out of the seat. Both Creed and the Shepherd looked on as he eventually disappeared around the corner. Creed spent the next half an hour waiting daydreaming about Genesis and what she might be up to at that very moment. He was hoping she would possibly be able to help him figure out what exactly had happened to him, or at least calm his nerves. Creed couldn’t remember anything past his conversation with Capt. Romano in that small room in the back of a Starbucks. His growing thoughts were eventually interrupted by Ronald’s return. Creed was slightly startled by the sound of the truck door opening suddenly.

  “Alright, so I got two pairs of jeans just in case one of them didn’t fit. I got undergarments, socks and a couple of shirts I thought you might like.”

  “Jesus Ronald, thank you.”

  “I lied, they only had two styles of shirts, so you’re shit out of luck if you don’t like them. I also got you some generic shoes, but hey, they’re sporty. Anyway, well go ahead and get dressed, I’ll wait outside.”

  “Thank you again.”

  “Ah quit thanking me already, it was no problem. But you might want to hurry in case some idiot ends up parking next to us and mistakes me for some kind of pervert.”

  Creed smiled as he pulled the clothes out of the bag. He quickly pulled out the underwear and socks and slid them on. The first set of pants fit him perfectly, so he put the second set back in the bag. Creed then pulled out the t-shirt and noticed the piercing red Arizona Cardinals logo on the front. He pulled it over his head and peered back outside the truck window. “Alright, I’m ready.” Ron turned and opened his door while looking over at his young passenger. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks. Arizona Cardinals. I like it.”

  “Yeah, it’s a good team right there. Alright well, where to?”

  “It’s literally a few more blocks up Baseline.”

  “Alright, well let’s go.”

  Ronald backed his truck out of the parking lot and made his way back onto the street. He took a right onto Baseline and continued his journey east. Creed peacefully stared out the window, browsing the stores and cars they passed along the side of the road.

  “Are we still losing the war?” Creed asked.

  “The war?”

  “Yeah, last I heard we weren’t doing so good.”

  “Son, the war has been over for a couple of years. It ended before it really even began.”

  Creed shot Ronald a confused glance.

  “Two years?”

  “Yeah. I mean, you didn’t know that? Where have you been son?”

  “I don’t know exactly.”

  Ronald looked over at the befuddled young man sitting there solemnly in his passenger seat. It took everything in his own puzzled mind to resist inquiring any further. Creed stayed quiet as Ronald ended up passing his parent’s street. It wasn’t until they came upon another familiar street that Creed finally spoke up.

  “Turn right here.”

  “Right here?”

  “Yes.”

  “You got it.”

  The truck veered right and continued down the street until Creed instructed Ronald to stop in front of Genesis’ house.

  “You need me to wait out here for you? Just in case?” Ronald asked as they pulled up to the house. “No, I think I’ll be alright.” Creed replied.

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, you’ve done enough really.” Creed opened the door and exited the truck. He turned back to Ron who was staring back at him with a faint smile. “I really want to thank you for everything sir. I appreciate all you did for me. The clothes, the ride, just everything.”

  “No problem Creed. I just hope everything works out for you.”

  “Yeah me too.”

  “Oh, and hey, don’t forget your dog.”

  “Yes sir.”

  The Australian Shepherd looked up at Creed standing there, wagging his tail excitedly. Creed slapped at his knee. “Come on boy.”

  In a flash the shepherd sprinted out of the truck accordingly. Creed then shut the door and started making his way towards the driveway. Ronald opened his window as the young man made his way around the vehicle.

  “Hey, so did you think of a name for that dog of yours there?”

  “Actually, I did. I was thinking of naming him Little.” Creed announced.

  Ronald smiled really big. The same smile that once made his ex-wife weak in the knees.

  “That’s a really good name Creed.”

  “I thought so too.” Creed reached out his arm and waved. Ronald gestured with a recompensed wave himself before reversing the truck out of the driveway.

  “Take it easy.”

  As Creed made his way to the front door, Genesis had been sitting at the dinner table going over paperwork for college admission. The moments that transpired next for Genesis, felt like a wildly solace dream. There in the living room, she felt like there was an illuminous shadow standing directly behind her. Genesis turned her neck quickly only to be met with the same dismal background that had been staring back at her for the last two years. Before turning back, she heard a loud knock on the door that briefly suspended her soul in mid-air. Genesis stood there for a second, wondering if the knock was even real, or it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Regardless she stood up and made her way towards the front door. She turned the knob and pulled the door open. There on the porch, staring straight back at her was Creed. He was standing there wearing a ridiculously bright Arizona Cardinals shirt, appearing the same as the fresh sixteen year old boy that she had fallen in love with. While Genesis stood there frozen in shock, Creed figured he’d ask the most important question he could think of at that very moment.

  “Please tell me you’re not seeing anybody? Cause apparently, I’ve been gone for a while and I just thought about that possibility while I was walking up here, and it would really suck if you were in a relationship and all that. So anyway, are you seeing anyone?”

  All the thoughts that had previously ran through her mind back when they had first kissed came barreling back in her head. The moment was insurmountably surreal for her. It didn’t take long however for the shock to recede and the dam to break. Genesis finally darted out of the house like a drugged out maniac and grabbed onto Creed’s body with every intent on never letting go.

  “Creed! No way. Is it really you?”

  “It’s really me.”

  “Oh my God.” Genesis stood there yelling while wrapped in Creed’s arms. “How in the hell? Am I dreaming? Please tell me I’m not dreaming.” She continued.

  Eventually Genesis eventually released her grip and looked straight into his golden eyes like she had done time and time again.

  “You’re not dreaming.”

  “But how?”

  “I wish I could tell you, but I have no idea.”

  Genesis smiled and pulled Creed tightly against her body once more. “I don’t even care. I’m just glad your back.”

  The couple stood there for a moment before the realization that this wouldn’t last forever started streaming through their heads. It didn’t matter however, as they were both just smitten that they could hold each other one more time. Genesis let go and looked up, pressing Creed towards her as their lips met, almost as if like the very first time.

  “So, I’m assuming you’re not seeing anyone?”

  They both laughed hysterically for a moment while they stood there, still not wanting to let go. The moment was quickly interrupted by Kuruk who had by now, made his way towards the front door.

  “Holy shit. What the hell?” Kuruk bolted out of the front door and threw his arms around Creed.

  “Is it really you?”

  “It’s really me.”

  “Dude, what the -.”

  The three of them stood on the fro
nt porch just shell shocked.

  “How in the –” Kuruk laughed. “Seriously, how is this–”

  “It appears we have a lot to talk about.” Creed cut in.

  “Well yeah, let’s get you inside first.”

  The three friends made their way inside the house and Kuruk closed the door while yelling out.

  “Hey Dad, guess who’s back from the dead?”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  After the war had ended, Col. Posey’s expectations of being promoted and ultimately hailed a hero for his part in the successful turnaround of the war, were vigorously denied for reasons unknown to him. The Army simply acted as if Col. Posey and his covert operation never even happened. Regardless of the disconcerting short-comings of his desired intent, he was still offered a head of operations at Luke Air Force Base, replacing the deceased Gen. Baumgartner; a position the colonel haplessly accepted. It didn’t take long for the colonel to get situated in his new position. Ironically one of Posey’s first assignments upon command, was to accompany the base’s chaplain to Capt. Romano’s house to deliver the bad news. Throughout his visit, Col. Posey couldn’t even look Rey’s husband or her kids in the eye. His condolences were apathetic at best as he lied through his teeth about his commendations of the heroic captain. His narrative sounded piteously rehearsed while he continued with his deceitful explanation surrounding the circumstances of the captain’s remaining moments at Sky Harbor. The chaplain then offered to pray with Rey’s husband, but was promptly refused. Col. Posey was literally counting the seconds as it was probably the most painful thing he had to do. And it wasn’t for the reasons one might think.