by Douglas Young<\/p>\n
\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cThe UFOs are back!\u201d Hampton exclaimed as soon as Helayna answered his call. \u201cWDUN\u2019s reporting a whole heap of \u2019em were just seen flying over the north end of Sam Benton County around Pitts Peak. We\u2019re hearing a slew of sirens, and Macon just called to say a bunch of cop cars just flew by his house with their lights flashing and all heading north.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh my gosh,\u201d Helayna replied, putting her hand to her mouth. \u201cThat\u2019s where they were last night.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Hampton agreed. \u201cErvin and Macon are already en route to Pitts Peak, and I\u2019m getting in the car to head there myself. Wanna\u2019 come? You\u2019re right on the way. I\u2019ll call and tell \u2019em to meet us at your place.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019d really love to, but I don\u2019t know if my parents\u2019ll let me out this late, and all of a sudden. It\u2019s already eleven o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, as excited as you were talking about UFOs in psychology class this morning, at least try. Since I\u2019m cranking up the car, you\u2019ve got about fifteen minutes to persuade your folks before I get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay. I\u2019ll do my best,\u201d Helayna agreed.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She jumped from the bed to her closet to figure out what to wear. After trying on a couple of shirt-and-pants combinations, she settled on her third choice before combing her hair and quickly applying some makeup. She then raced downstairs to the den where her parents sat. Her mother was knitting while sporadically tuning in to a TV program, and her father was reading the local newspaper.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, have y\u2019all heard? The UFOs are back!\u201d a somewhat breathless Helayna announced. \u201cThe radio says a whole mess of \u2019em are now at the north end of the county.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat are you so dressed up for, darling?\u201d her mother inquired.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHampton\u2019s coming to pick me up to go to Pitts Peak so we can see what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSays who?\u201d her father asked, still holding the newspaper.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cPlease, Daddy. This is only the biggest thing ever to happen in these parts. Everybody was talking about last night\u2019s UFO reports at school today \u2013 including the teachers. Mrs. Nunnally even let us spend half of psychology class discussing it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, that\u2019s sure the right class for it, all right,\u201d her father retorted.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Daddy. Even Sheriff Cumming was a witness.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, well, Alfred Cumming didn\u2019t get my vote,\u201d he noted while turning the page.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMomma,\u201d she implored, \u201cplease let me go. Everybody\u2019s already on the way there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll the more reason to avoid the roads,\u201d her father declared. \u201cSo many young folks racing to Pitts Peak sounds like a perfect storm for an accident \u2013 and we\u2019re supposed to get a thunder storm any minute now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sighing and putting her hands on her hips, Helayna looked plaintively at her mother.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWho all\u2019s going, honey?\u201d her mother asked gently.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, just everybody. Hampton, Ervin, and Macon are driving here now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, now they are all nice boys, sure enough,\u201d her mother said to her husband.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He lowered the newspaper to look at his wife before checking his watch and turning to his daughter.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s already after eleven,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBut it\u2019s not a school night,\u201d Helayna implored. \u201cAnd it\u2019s Friday. So we don\u2019t even have to get up for Sunday school tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll the more reason way too many kids\u2019ll be on the road,\u201d he retorted.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDuh, Daddy. It\u2019s a Friday night. So most everyone\u2019s out anyway,\u201d she pronounced. \u201cDwight\u2019s at the movies right now with Melea. Lord only knows when he\u2019ll get home. You don\u2019t have a problem with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s an eighteen-year-old senior too. You\u2019re a sixteen-year-old sophomore,\u201d her father noted.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s just because he\u2019s a guy.\u201d Helayna frowned.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll right, since you brought up the sexes,\u201d her father replied, dropping the paper in his lap, \u201care there any other gals going in this here group of yours?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Helayna paused, blinked, and looked at the floor. Her father raised the paper again.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, not that I know of,\u201d his daughter finally admitted, \u201cbut I can call Nela to see if she\u2019ll join us. Y\u2019all like her. Momma, you\u2019ve even said she\u2019s like a big sister to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow, honey,\u201d her mother spoke up, \u201care you sure her parents would let her out this late, and on a stormy night too?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s living with her boyfriend now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d Her mother asked as Helayna\u2019s father lowered the newspaper with raised eyebrows.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, she\u2019s eighteen and about to graduate,\u201d Helayna offered. \u201cShe\u2019s not the only nice girl I know living with a boy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHmpf.\u201d Her father shook his head and raised the paper.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI know several nice girls living with their boyfriends,\u201d his daughter declared defiantly. \u201cMaybe if Momma was eighteen today, she would too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYour mother would have never lived with some man!\u201d her father shot back as he threw the newspaper to the floor.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, yeah? Well, what\u2019s she been doing the last twenty-five years?\u201d Helayna asked as her mother quickly looked away with a grin. \u201cAnd I don\u2019t see y\u2019all in separate bedrooms neither.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As her father raised his index finger and started to reply, the doorbell rang and the sixteen-year-old ran to the front door. After stifling a smile, her mother leaned toward her husband, paused, and spoke.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDear, now Hampton, Ervin, and Macon are all real fine boys. We know each of them, and Ervin and Macon are even in Helayna\u2019s Sunday school class. This UFO thing\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0mighty exciting for the young folks, and who knows if this\u2019ll ever happen here again. If Helayna misses this, she\u2019s liable to regret it for the rest of her life and always hold it against us too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I want a little chat with these boys,\u201d he said before turning toward the front door and calling in a loud voice, \u201cHelayna, y\u2019all come in here, you hear?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hampton, Macon, and Ervin were led into the den by a beaming Helayna who looked back and forth between them and her parents. Her mother put down her knitting and greeted each boy warmly as her father stood to shake hands with them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, boys,\u201d he began, \u201cI hear y\u2019all are bound for Pitts Peak in search of the little green aliens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDaddy, please,\u201d his daughter pleaded as he waved her to be quiet amidst the boys\u2019 chuckles.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow I understand y\u2019all wanting to be part of something like this, but safety is paramount \u2013 always. So there\u2019s no need for anybody to try to outrun any space vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo sir.\u201d The boys agreed and laughed while Helayna looked at the ceiling and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNow who\u2019ll be driving Helayna?\u201d her father inquired, prompting her daughter\u2019s eyes and mouth to widen and her face to light up. The boys looked at each other as Helayna pointedly leaned toward Hampton.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAh, I guess I will,\u201d Hampton declared and Helayna\u2019s smile grew wider.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, Hampton.\u201d Her father put his finger to the boy\u2019s chest as his daughter put her hands over her eyes and sighed loudly. \u201cYou\u2019ll have some mighty valuable cargo in your car, and I\u2019m holding you\u00a0personally<\/em>\u00a0responsible for her safety \u2013 and I expect her home by one at the latest.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, sir,\u201d Hampton said in a serious tone before swallowing. Helayna\u2019s father extended his hand again and Hampton quickly shook it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cCome on, Daddy. Who knows how long the UFOs\u2019ll be out. I kinda\u2019 doubt they\u2019ve got a curfew,\u201d Helayna cried.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd I don\u2019t reckon much good\u2019s gon\u2019 happen after one in the morning,\u201d her father declared. \u201cNow y\u2019all have fun, be safe, and just be sure this little lady is back by one. And, remember, we know all your parents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so embarrassed,\u201d Helayna stated as the boys grinned.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think somebody should be mighty grateful her father is letting her out this late and ought to show some appreciation,\u201d her mother responded in a louder tone as her daughter rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, Daddy,\u201d Helayna said before kissing each parent. The boys thanked them as well while saying their goodbyes. Before they reached the front door, Helayna\u2019s mother spoke up.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd Macon and Ervin, we\u2019ll look for you in church Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d they answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd Hampton, we\u2019d be right proud for you to join us too,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThank you, ma\u2019am.\u201d Hampton replied.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBye,\u201d Helayna said loudly as she quickly ushered the boys out the door.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hampton held open his car\u2019s front passenger door for Helayna who grinned a little as she sat inside. Ervin and Macon got in the other car behind them and Hampton then led the two-car caravan toward Pitts Peak. Helayna noticed he would not go above the speed limit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m really glad your folks let you come along,\u201d Hampton said smiling at her.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, me too. Sorry Daddy\u2019s so old-fashioned and strict.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s all right.\u201d Hampton chuckled. \u201cMy parents wouldn\u2019t let Sonita go, and she\u2019s seventeen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAw. What a Debby downer of a Franny frowner,\u201d Helayna noted with a comical pout.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow about checking the radio for any UFO reports?\u201d Hampton asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Helayna immediately scanned the car radio dial but found no station broadcasting such news and left it tuned to the local National Public Radio station at the end of the dial.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAh, NPR \u2013 National Pretentious Radio,\u201d Hampton stated, prompting a giggle from his passenger.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cA lot of teachers sure swear by it,\u201d Helayna said looking at him with an expectant smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe prosecution rests,\u201d came the driver\u2019s reply, eliciting a full laugh and a clap from Helayna.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The traffic was extra heavy and mostly going toward Pitts Peak. Hampton and Helayna waved at classmates in other cars, and Hampton periodically scanned the dark, cloudy sky before stopping at a redlight.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, look who\u2019s right beside us,\u201d Helayna exclaimed before smiling at Hampton and pointing to the car sitting in the next lane. \u201cLo and behold, it\u2019s Zen, and it sure looks like she and Dotsie Phillips are heading toward Pitts Peak too. Ol\u2019 Zennie sure pooh-poohed the very idea of UFOs this morning, even saying they\u2019re impossible \u2018\u2019cause they\u2019re nowhere in the Bible.\u2019 And, as usual, she\u2019s gotta be louder about it than anybody else and thinks if she just keeps repeating herself that folks\u2019ll believe her.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s Zenovia Springs, all right. She\u2019s a bona fide double L, double E: loud, long, emotional, and empty. And maybe the biggest UFO skeptic in the whole school — at least, publicly.\u201d Hampton winked and laughed as he slapped the steering wheel. \u201cRoll down the window.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A grinning Helayna did so and waved at the other driver. When Zenovia did not notice, Hampton blew the horn, eliciting a startled look from Miss Springs as Helayna motioned for her to roll down her window.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Turning to her passenger before doing so, Zenovia gave Hampton and Helayna a tepid smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHeading to check out the UFOs at Pitts Peak, Zen?\u201d a smiling Hampton shouted.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, if you\u2019re lucky, maybe they\u2019ll give you a ride,\u201d a beaming Helayna added.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHa, ha,\u201d came the bored reply from Zenovia. \u201cI\u2019m only going so I can report the whole thing was just another big, fat nothing burger.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cBetter watch out, Zen,\u201d Hampton warned. \u201cIf these space aliens can travel here all the way from another solar system, they can easily hear who\u2019s bad-mouthing \u2019em.\u201d Helayna laughed loudly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOh, sure,\u201d Miss Springs responded. \u201cMaybe they\u2019ll take you with \u2019em for comic relief.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019d love to be abducted,\u201d Hampton retorted.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cMe too,\u201d Helayna agreed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI bet,\u201d Zenovia replied as she rolled up her window, the light turned green, and both cars advanced.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Checking the rearview mirror to confirm Ervin and Macon were still behind them, Hampton concluded, \u201cZen\u2019ll never own up to it, but I reckon she\u2019s every bit as curious about UFOs as the rest of us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOf course she is,\u201d Helayna agreed. \u201cPoor thing. I \u2019spect a big part of the problem is that church her family attends, a real holy roller affair. Remember how in psychology class today she quoted her pastor, \u2018the Rev. Bernard Turnbull,\u2019 saying how \u2018un-biblical\u2019 UFOs are?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hampton smiled and nodded. As rain began to fall, he turned on the windshield wipers and drove a little slower, leaning forward whenever the sky lit up with lightning.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I visited her church — once,\u201d Helayna continued, \u201cand had to suffer through that preacher railing on and on about how women ain\u2019t got no place in the pulpit, as deacons, or even Sunday school teachers. Yeah, well, fellow, your church sure ain\u2019t got no place for me. So much for the Rev. Anal Retentive. I don\u2019t pay him no speck of mind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell,\u201d Hampton noted, \u201cif that\u2019s what folks at that church want, they should have the freedom to be that way. It\u2019s their church.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSure ain\u2019t mine,\u201d Helayna declared as Hampton chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Each time the sky lit up, both eagerly looked up only to relax when lightning was revealed, confirmed by thunder. Helayna spent more time looking at Hampton. As they got near the base of Pitts Peak, traffic slowed considerably since almost all the drivers sought to turn onto the narrow two-lane road to the top.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Helayna started to speak when an extremely bright light, much closer than lightning, shot over them, zooming silently straight across the sky in a flash, with no thunder in its wake. Helayna gasped and Hampton hit the brakes.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWoah! That wasn\u2019t like any lightning I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Hampton pronounced.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo way,\u201d Helayna said softly. \u201cGosh, I\u2019m starting to get kinda\u2019 scared.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThis is thrilling,\u201d Hampton gushed, looking at her with an expression of joy. \u201cWe just saw ourselves a genuine UFO! Isn\u2019t this incredible? Woo-hoo!\u201d He honked the horn a few times, inspiring the same from other drivers, including Ervin. \u201cAnd there\u2019s nothing to be afraid of, Helayna. No UFO ever hurt anybody. And look around. We sure got plenty of company. Heck, likely most of the sheriff\u2019s department is exactly where we\u2019re headed. Besides, as the Good Book says, \u2018Fear not.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay. But if it comes down to a fight between Sheriff Cumming\u2019s boys and the aliens, I know who my money\u2019s on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t you forgetting somebody? I\u2019ll protect you,\u201d Hampton smiled at her. \u201cLord, I better, or your daddy\u2019s liable to shoot me,\u201d he added, prompting her to laugh. As they finally began the drive up to the top of Pitts Peak, Helayna smiled at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the crest of the big hill, many cars were already parked near the edge of the county\u2019s highest point for the best view of the sky above a wide expanse of farmland. Hampton got the last space directly overlooking the valley below, and Ervin and Macon parked in the row behind them. When Hampton turned off the ignition, the rain had receded to a drizzle. Since he and Helayna forgot an umbrella, they rolled their windows down halfway to relish the cool early May night air while they eagerly surveyed the sky. A breeze enveloped them with the sweet scent of the thick, bright yellow Confederate jasmine bushes in front of them.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Many new arrivals walked to the railing by the hilltop\u2019s edge where the most devoted stargazers had weathered the storm under their umbrellas. Before long, Hampton and Helayna decided it was worth getting a little wet for a better view of a UFO and began to exit the car. But big drops began to rain down again. So they got back inside and rolled up the windows. Soon the rain was assaulting the car in sheets as lightning strikes danced ever closer, electrifying the clouds and setting off ever louder booms of thunder. Helayna rubbed her hands and felt a little chilly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When she was about to say something, an almost blindingly white light streaked just above them, lit up their entire view, and disappeared. Both of them jumped, but neither leaned forward this time. A few seconds later, lightning could be seen much closer before an almost deafening roar appeared to shake the car, causing both of them to jump even more and a couple of cars\u2019 theft alarms to blare.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A trembling Helayna hugged Hampton. He cradled her in his arms and stroked her hair.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt \u2026 It\u2019s only thunder. It\u2019s just thunder,\u201d Hampton repeated as he continued petting her head.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nothing was said as the car alarms kept honking until their owners raced back to turn them off at last. Despite Hampton\u2019s assurances, Helayna could feel him shaking a little himself, and he could not recall when she had ever been silent for so long.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThat \u2026 That wasn\u2019t thunder \u2026 or lightning that flew right over us and lit up the whole sky,\u201d she finally remarked in a low tone.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNo ma\u2019am, indeed,\u201d he agreed. \u201cThis is\u00a0so<\/em>\u00a0awesome<\/em>. I never dreamed we\u2019d get this close to a UFO, and\u00a0two<\/em>\u00a0in\u00a0one<\/em>\u00a0night. We absolutely came to the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m scared, Hampton. I kinda\u2019 wanna\u2019 go home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not even midnight. You don\u2019t have to be home \u2019til one. Don\u2019t worry. I\u2019m gon\u2019 get you back in time. And you\u2019re not putting me out \u2019cause I can just come right back to meet up with Ervin and Macon again\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want you coming back, Hampton. Not tonight anyway. This is really scary.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHelayna, this is a once-in-a-lifetime amazing experience. Can you honestly say you wish we hadn\u2019t come here tonight? Man, you gon\u2019 thrill your children and grandchildren telling \u2019em about this. And there\u2019s nothing to worry about. Look. We\u2019re fine. So is everybody else. Just think how incredibly blessed we are to be part of this. I\u2019m so glad you could come.\u201d He squeezed her gently.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 When he no longer felt her shaking, he stopped massaging her head but still held her while Helayna\u2019s arms remained tightly wound about his waist with her head buried in his chest. Her legs were wrapped around his right leg and nothing was said. Soon the rain slacked off again, the flashes of lightning became much less frequent and more distant, and the thunder grew duller as it echoed from ever farther away. Helayna lifted her head to peak above the windshield and began to turn to Hampton when the phone in his shirt pocket rang loudly, causing both of them to jump and then laugh.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou can\u2019t deny you jumped too,\u201d she declared pointing at him.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay, but it\u2019s our secret. Especially don\u2019t tell your dad. It\u2019s Ervin. I\u2019ll put him on speaker. \u2018Hey, bud. Y\u2019all okay? No aliens take you away?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cTragically, no,\u201d Ervin answered. \u201cY\u2019all all right? You know, that was almost kinda\u2019 scary.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAlmost?\u201d Helayna asked loudly, eliciting laughter.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Helayna got a little spooked, but I calmed her down,\u201d Hampton got out before laughing.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cErvin, y\u2019all shoulda\u2019 seen Hampton jump at that thunder,\u201d Helayna nearly shouted before lightly slapping his chest as he and Ervin laughed. \u201cHe even jumped when the phone rang.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019d tease you, man, but we jumped too,\u201d Ervin confided. \u201cI \u2019spect everybody did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m just so grateful Sheriff Cumming\u2019s boys were here to protect us all,\u201d Hampton declared, prompting guffaws.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s just about stopped raining,\u201d Ervin noted. \u201cSo Macon and I are going out to the edge. Wanna\u2019 join us?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hampton was about to say \u201cSure,\u201d but noticed Helayna looking at him with big eyes, raised eyebrows, and no smile. Hesitating, and feeling like he could not look away from her, he finally answered.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOkay. Well, we may join you in a while\u2026. Maybe when it\u2019s completely stopped raining\u2026. I guess we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAll right then. Later,\u201d Ervin replied and hung up.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hampton thought he detected the slightest trace of a smile as Helayna blinked and sat back in the seat, but remained leaning on him. When he put the phone back in his shirt pocket, she took his right hand in both of hers. Soon he lifted it to drape his arm around her shoulder. She leaned her head against his neck and he rested his head on top of hers. Soon all the rain, lightning, and thunder faded away completely and Hampton lowered both front windows. The only sound was soft chatter from a couple dozen folks standing forty yards away at the railing. Not long after midnight, most cars were driven away and only crickets could be heard. Another breeze carried the aroma of Confederate jasmine, chased by fragrant traces of gardenias. Hampton no longer methodically searched the sky but stared lazily straight ahead. Helayna had never looked at a dashboard so long, but paid no attention to it. Soon almost all the cars had left, and only about ten people remained at the railing, half of them sheriff\u2019s deputies now smoking and laughing. Hampton lifted his head and Helayna followed suit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLooks like the show\u2019s over,\u201d he observed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She stared into his eyes with a smile he had not seen and he realized she was not going to say anything. As soon as he began to lean toward her, she met him halfway and they embraced in an open-mouthed kiss. Now neither heard anything but the sticky sounds of lips and saliva. Helayna no longer felt the slightest bit chilly as each breathed heavier. Hampton massaged her back as her fingers felt his head and ran through his hair. After many minutes, they finally opened their mouths for air. Helayna raised her eyes to his and chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cNothing,\u201d she whispered, shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAnd to think I thought UFOs were exciting,\u201d he remarked, prompting her to laugh. He pulled her to him to resume their kiss, now letting his fingers explore her hair as she put her arms around his neck. He leaned her down onto the seat and intertwined his fingers in both of hers while she kicked off her flip-flops and wrapped her legs around him. She started to moan when his tongue veered from her mouth to lick her chin and neck. She eagerly rubbed and squeezed his back as he kissed all over her neck. Looking out the window, Helayna was awed by the moonlight suddenly piercing the clouds as a fresh breeze showered them with a stronger scent of gardenias. She felt the sensation of being in a dream, enhanced by being able to direct it.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI guess if I gave you a hickey, your daddy\u2019d kill me, sure enough,\u201d he remarked, prompting a loud laugh from Helayna.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI bet Momma\u2019d come to our rescue. I can just hear her telling him, \u2018Now, dear, you know how teenagers are. We were once that age too.\u2019 Plus, news flash, Mr. Hampton: makeup can cover up all kinds of things.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cStill, I\u2019d rather not risk it,\u201d he replied, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her mouth again as she embraced him eagerly. After several minutes of their tongues gently bathing each other, Hampton opened his eyes to see Helayna\u2019s shut tight and quickly closed his again. When he finally lifted his head and took a deep breath, she giggled and nuzzled his nose. He rested his check on hers as they played with each other\u2019s hands. Neither felt a need to talk. The sound of crickets got louder, and Helayna put her arms around his back while slowly moving her feet up and down his legs. He enjoyed playing with her hair before wrapping his arms around her. Lying cheek to cheek, each felt the other\u2019s heartbeat. Only a timeless present seemed to exist as each felt an overwhelming excitement tamed by a hypnotic veil of relaxation. When Hampton itched his forehead, he noticed his watch and gasped.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u201d Helayna asked.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s 12:48! We\u2019ve got just twelve minutes to get you home. I\u2019m gonna\u2019 have to almost floor it to get you back in time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t panic. Daddy\u2019ll survive. Chill out, Hampton.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He quickly rose to turn on the ignition and headlights.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAagh!\u201d Helayna sat up against the door with her feet on the seat, arms crossed, and staring at him wide-eyed with her mouth open.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Helayna, but I really don\u2019t want to get either of us in trouble,\u201d he declared backing the car out of the parking space and rapidly heading to the exit.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe you,\u201d she exclaimed and kicked his side.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOw! What was that for?\u201d He looked at her surprised but relieved to detect the faint outline of a smile.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou seriously don\u2019t think you could take my old man?\u201d She bit her lip to hide a laugh.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He veered onto the highway and sped up considerably. Now scanning the road for police cars, he looked at his watch again and pushed the gas pedal harder.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI really think Daddy\u2019d rather have me back in one piece and a little late,\u201d she noted dryly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Helayna. But I don\u2019t want to get you in any trouble \u2026 and I\u2019d really love to see you again and for your daddy to let me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She moved over to him to put her arms around his chest and press her cheek against his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI want to see you again too,\u201d she declared and kissed his cheek, causing him to smile again and sigh deeply. She giggled and sat against the seat with her hand on his thigh. Soon he slowed down to take her left hand in his right and she leaned her head on his shoulder again.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI think we\u2019ve got enough time now.\u201d He smiled and met her gaze. Turning back to look at the road, he felt not the slightest unease that she continued looking at him with an unbroken smile. Neither spoke the rest of the way home.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 After they drove up the driveway and parked in front of her house, Hampton pointed to his watch and beamed.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cGot you back with three minutes to spare \u2013 woo-hoo,\u201d he bragged and then extended his cheek for her to kiss.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou think you\u2019re getting any sugar for breaking up such a romantic evening under the moonlight \u2013 and UFOs \u2013 to risk my life flying back home like a bat out of Pitts Peak? Fellow, you got another thing coming.\u201d She chuckled.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At his crestfallen expression, Helayna could not help laughing. \u201cOkay, big boy. I\u2019ll do you even better.\u201d She gave him a full embrace and a deep kiss. When she caught him sneaking a glance at his watch, she slapped his arm.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSuch a big scaredy cat,\u201d she remarked shaking her head. \u201cOkay. I guess I better run inside real fast so I don\u2019t turn into a big fat pumpkin at the stroke of one, huh? Such a serious, silly boy. But I reckon you\u2019re a keeper.\u201d She put her index finger to the tip of his nose and then tickled his belly button, prompting him to squirm and grin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t believe I got to make out with the gorgeous Miss Helayna,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cAw, come here.\u201d She beamed and kissed his lips.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHey, before you go, Helayna. I\u2019m really curious. What attracted you to me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chuckling, Helayna thought for several seconds, blinked, and then smiled broadly.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYou smell so good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHuh?\u201d he marveled with raised eyebrows and his mouth slightly ajar.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, you smell better than any boy I\u2019ve ever known.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he blinked incredulously, she laughed, kissed his cheek, and got out of the car.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWow.\u00a0That\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0my biggest appeal to you?\u201d he asked with a confused expression.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dropping her head to keep from laughing, she looked up at him with a wide grin.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cYep. It\u2019s your finest quality, Mr. Hampton,\u201d she pronounced before blowing him a kiss and prancing up the front porch steps cackling.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As he cranked the car again and began to drive away, Hampton\u2019s smile slowly evolved into a chuckle and his mind eagerly rewound the entire evening.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seeing the light in the den still on, Helayna walked there to find her father in the same seat reading a book.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cLook who\u2019s back by one,\u201d she remarked with a satisfied smile, outstretched arms, and a triumphant curtsy.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell done, young lady, and kudos to Mr. Hampton. His status as a good boy officially remains intact.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cSo what would you have done if we were late?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, we\u2019ll just have to keep y\u2019all in suspense about that to keep you in line.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t see Dwight\u2019s car in the driveway. But you gonna\u2019 say anything to him? Nooooo. So much for equality in this house, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhen you have young\u2019uns, you and your husband can have whatever rules y\u2019all want.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWhatever.\u201d She rolled her eyes and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cY\u2019all see any cute little green fellows plop down from the heavens, did you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cOoh, not one, but\u00a0two\u00a0<\/em>UFOs flew right over us.\u00a0The<\/em>\u00a0two brightest lights I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cHow \u2019bout that? Well, I\u2019m just right glad they didn\u2019t take you with \u2019em \u2019cause I\u2019m sure you\u2019re a far sight prettier than any of them alien gals.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She kissed him. \u201cThank you for letting me go, Daddy. I did have a wonderful time and I really do appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWell, I didn\u2019t want you missing out on a real big time with your friends, and I sure didn\u2019t cotton to get a whole world of grief from you \u2013 and your momma \u2013 for not letting you go. I know how exciting things like UFOs are to young folks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThanks, Daddy. But, you know, I can think of a few things even more exciting than chasing UFOs.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by Douglas Young \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u201cThe UFOs are back!\u201d Hampton exclaimed as soon as Helayna answered his call. \u201cWDUN\u2019s reporting a whole heap of \u2019em were just seen flying over the north end of Sam Benton County around Pitts Peak. We\u2019re hearing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1800,77],"tags":[1565,1801,1123],"class_list":["post-15844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-egophobia-86","category-english","tag-douglas-young","tag-egophobia-86","tag-english"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6DakB-47y","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15844"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15844\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15845,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15844\/revisions\/15845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/egophobia.ro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}