Story Time

by Linell Jeppsen

  “The little girl in my arms screamed in agony, and I stared at her in shock and wonder. Her eyes were wide with fright, but she seemed unharmed. Then I understood that I was the one who screamed in pain. The front of my coat was red and wet with blood. I moved the girl away from me and into waiting arms. I didn’t want her pretty dress to get dirty, and as I lay down to rest, I said, ‘Better…better, get that stain out before it sets….’

  “Then I was gazing up into the sky. I saw my brother Zack lean over me. Tears fell from his eyes as he held my hand. I saw Dr. Andy shove Zack to the side and heard him snarl, ‘Steven, get the sterile….’ Then I heard no more, but watched in sheer, total amazement as a hundred small, gray moons fell out of the sky.

  “They fell, and fell, then hovered above the ground. The lights went off and on behind my eyes as the moons opened and angels came to hover around me…beautiful, winged angels that surrounded me, and lifted me up into the arms of heaven.”

  Epilogue

  Steven Cummings –

  Andy showed up early, and I looked up in surprise at his happy, excited face. “Hey, get up and dress nice, I’ve got a surprise for you!”

  “What? You know I don’t like surprises, Andy.”

  “Shush. You’ll like this one, I know it! Now hurry or we’ll be late!”

  I rolled my eyes, but struggled up from my computer, and showered. For some reason Andy’s excitement was infectious. I couldn’t even imagine what he was up to, but I needed a break from writing, from retelling and remembering what had gone before.

  I stepped out of the bathroom and stood stock still, staring at the tuxedo lying on the bed. Andy strolled into the bedroom whistling, and grinned at the expression on my face.

  “What is this, Andy? I don’t really think we can afford—”

  “Never mind the price tag, Steven. It didn’t cost us a dime, okay? Just get dressed and be happy. All will be explained soon.” He strolled back out, leaving me in a daze of shower mist and confusion.

  Twenty minutes later, an air-car limousine pulled up in front of our apartment building. Wouldn’t you know it? It was Mario Andretti’s great, great grandson. He grinned, and quipped, “Going on holiday, then?”

  I rolled my eyes, and he laughed as Andy hustled me into the back seat. This really was a luxurious vehicle. Once many, many years ago, I had done an interview with a minor, but unbelievable wealthy, Arabian prince. I rode in the back of his Bentley, and had never forgotten the smell of that car’s leather interior. (Or the alcoholic reek of the prince’s breath, for that matter!)

  We flew for about twenty minutes and I looked out the window at the lights below. Turning to Andy, I tried again, “Andy, what’s up? You know I don’t like crowds.”

  He turned to me and his eyes glowed with excitement, “You’ll like this crowd, I promise. We’re almost there.” He looked out his window, and I strained to see past his right shoulder. Then I saw the amphitheater glittering below us in the darkness.

  “Is it a concert?” I asked in confusion. Andy was a great guy, but wasn’t too fond of loud music, even in the privacy of his own home.

  “You’ll see,” he said and grabbed my hand. The car landed with a soft bump, and we were out and running toward the entrance gates. Andy skidded to a stop, handing what I assumed was a ticket to the gatekeeper, who smiled and ushered us away from the main entrance and around to the back.

  I could hear the steady roar of the audience, and I heard the deep timber of a familiar voice. My heart skipped a beat. Could it be? I wondered, and felt my hands tremble with emotion.

  Then we were at a door. I heard Gary Anderson’s amplified voice say, “Steven Cummings and Dr. Andrew Grossman…”

  “What?” I gasped, and the door flew open. I saw Josh Anderson standing there and noted his grin at the astonishment in my face. “Come on, you guys…we’ve been expecting you!”

  He pulled us onto the stage, and I saw hundreds of faces staring up at us, waving, cheering, and singing. I turned and saw Naomi, standing by the love of her life, Michael Anderson. I saw her little brother Zack, still strong and fierce with love and pride. Steve Zakar stood close by and smiled at the expression on my face.

  Then, to the frenzied roar of the audience, a tiny silver sphere flew into the air above the amphitheater, along with a larger, gray rock…an Aluarian deep-space exploration vehicle.

  The silver sphere landed on the stage, and Uncle and Auntie stepped out. They were very old now and frail, but Auntie walked up to Naomi with long arms outstretched, and Naomi bowed her head and wept with joy.

  Uncle moved close to Michael Anderson, and I watched as the huge man bent down and enveloped the little alien in his arms.

  There was a hush from the crowd as the Aluarian Emissaries emerged briefly from their rocky cocoon. Tall, and slender, winged and ethereal, humanitie’s saviors waved shyly from the air high above the assembled masses, and then reentered their ship and flew slowly away.

  The crowd continued to cheer long into the night as they mingled together and sang songs and hymns from old earth. I was reminded of a time when I heard the words of an old preacher one Easter morning, so long ago and far away. He said, “Praise the Lord! Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.” Psalm 98:4

  THE END

  Thank you for reading Story Time

  by Linell Jeppsen

  Nominee for “Best Read of 2011” by the Paranormal Romance Guild

  Also available from Linell Jeppsen

  And keep a look out for her new novel ‘Onio’, coming in the Summer of 2012.