The Star Group

  “Which friends?”

  You know the ones, the six of you.

  “You mean Jimmy? Sal? Teri? Shena?”

  And Gale.

  “I hardly know Gale.”

  But she is one of the six.

  I was giddy. Cool, I knew her from the stars. Not that I really believed what was being spelled out, not in any absolute sense.

  “Then she does love me?”

  It is a mystery.

  “What is our mission?”

  To help humanity.

  “Why us?”

  All are born to help. But being from a higher world, you are especially qualified.

  “What are our special qualifications?”

  When you all awake to your true identity, they will manifest.

  “How do we awaken ourselves?”

  As a group, I will direct you.

  “When?”

  Soon.

  “Will the others believe in you?”

  Not at first. But they know me. I am their true friend.

  “But exactly how will you awaken us?”

  When you are all together, I will speak through you. There is a great power in your group consciousness. We will go to on isolated place.

  Something odd occurred to me.

  “Was Teri's dream accurate?”

  There was truth in it. I placed the dream in her mind, many times.

  “Did I get the idea for my story from you?”

  You are writing your own story.

  “We are the Star Group?”

  Yes.

  “When you say you will speak through me, will it be like this New Age channeling?”

  No. Channeling is dangerous. We communicate through a high form of telepathy. You will be aware at all times of who you are and what you are saying.

  “Why is channeling dangerous?”

  It produces distorted information. It also weakens mind-body coordination.

  “Is there a possibility of distortion with you?”

  Yes.

  “Why?”

  If you have a deep desire, it can distort what information I am able to bring through you.

  “Do I have such deep desires?”

  Yes.

  “What are they?”

  Your infatuation with Gale for one. But there are others. Be alert to them.

  “OK.” I paused. “But is there any danger in doing this thing you want?”

  Any knowledge can be used for constructive or destructive purposes. There is no danger in acting as my receiver. But the powers we intend to awaken in your group can be misused.

  “How can I be here on Earth and on your planet as well?”

  Time is an illusion. Also, the soul is multidimensional.

  “But are we exactly the same person?”

  It is complicated. We are aspects of the same being.

  “This method of communicating is tiring. My hands are exhausted. When will you be able to speak through me?”

  Soon.

  “Can you be more specific?”

  No. I do not wish to destroy your innocence.

  “I would like proof that you exist. Can you give me such proof?”

  In time.

  “Which is only an illusion?”

  It is an illusion that is real for you.

  “How long have you been monitoring our group?”

  Since you were born.

  “Did you help me shoot the pier this morning?”

  No.

  “Could I have died trying?”

  Yes.

  “Was it a foolish thing to do?”

  Very.

  Our little talk had taken over an hour, I had to get ready for graduation. Plus my hands really were hurting, and the muscles had actually begun to twitch. Still, it was hard to quit. I liked Mentor. Besides his strange knowledge, he had a subtle sense of humor.

  “I have to go now. When should we talk again?”

  Tomorrow night. Have fun at Disneyland.

  “Should I try to kiss Gale?”

  You suffer many illusions.

  I laughed. “I'm sure I do.”

  Shena is in a bad space. Care for her.

  I lost my laugh. The energy had changed, become somehow heavier.

  “Is there a danger to our group because of what happened to Shena?”

  Mentor seemed to hesitate. For a minute nothing would spell out. Then he merely repeated himself.

  Care for her.

  “I will do my best,” I said as I set the magnet down. “Bye.”

  I assumed my higher self said goodbye.

  Now the odd thing was that the whole communication did not freak me out. It was odd how calm I felt about it, as if I had known Mentor all my life. If what he had said was true, maybe I had. I didn't accept his explanation, even his existence, but I did not dismiss it, either. All I knew was that I wanted to talk to him some more as soon as I could. As soon as my hands felt up to it. I couldn't imagine actually talking for him, that was too far out.

  Anyway, I was a teenager and it was time for my all-night party. Mentor was abstract, Gale was real, and soon she would be sitting beside me. I had to look my best. Heading for the bathroom, I grabbed a pair of scissors and a hand mirror and my mother's best shampoo. I did have a new shirt and pair of pants set out for the big night.

  But I didn't have a car I just remembered.

  I jumped out of my shower, totally naked, and called Jimmy.

  “Hello?”

  “Jimmy. She said yes.”

  I heard him grin. “Did you ask her to marry you?”

  “No. But we're going to Disneyland together tonight. Can I borrow your car?”

  No doubt I was putting him out, way out. But he didn't hesitate.

  “Sure. I'll call Sal. I can go with him and Teri.”

  “What about Shena?”

  He sighed. “I don't know about Shena.”

  “Is she going to the ceremony?”

  “I don't know.” He changed the subject. “The principal asked me to give a short speech after Teri’s and Susan Meyer's.”

  Susan Meyer was our valedictorian, and the most boring person on the face of the Earth. From her pinched expression one would think she was constantly downloading massive files into her tight skull.

  “What are you going to talk about?” I asked.

  “You and Gale. How it took you four years to her out.”

  “Don't you dare! I'm going to be sitting beside her.”

  Jimmy laughed. “I think I'll leave you in doubt. That's the price you have to pay for borrowing my car on this night of nights. Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “Yeah. My parents are going to meet me there.”

  Jimmy paused. “I'm proud of you, you know.”

  “For shooting the pier or for Gale?”

  “For having the nerve to borrow my car.”

  I laughed. “Be here at five-thirty. We can't be late.”

  “I'll be there,” Jimmy promised.

  CHAPTER SIX

  THE GRADUATION CEREMONY WAS TO BE held outside at Whittier College, in the stadium. Whittier College's only claim to fame was that it had been the alma mater of President Nixon. Otherwise it was a pretty boring place, as was the rest of Whittier, which adjoined La Mirada, another boring place. No wonder Mentor wanted to take us elsewhere to awaken our souls. The local vibe was not inspiring.

  We had a glorious evening, clear skies and warm temperatures. Our school colors were blue and gold. I was not a knockout student but had earned enough A's and B’s to get a gold tassel. Jimmy and I kidded each other in the college parking lot as we threw on our gowns.

  “We look like priests,” he said.

  I tried on my hat or cap or whatever it was called. “We should be allowed to keep these gowns. They cost us twenty bucks.”

  “And when are you going to wear a graduation gown again?”

  He had a point. “I'm a nostalgic kind of guy.”

  “If things go well with Gale ton
ight you might be dreaming of tonight for the rest of your life.” He grinned. ““Do you have condoms?”

  “Get out of here! I don't just want her for her body.”

  “But you do want her body?”

  “Sure. But she's not going to sleep with me on the first date.”

  “She might; it's a special night. She might want to try to make it more special.”

  “You're crude.”

  “I'm a realist. Do you want condoms or not? I have an extra pack in my glove compartment.” He added quietly, “I haven't used them lately.”

  I looked around at the people pouring into the stadium.

  “We have to take good care of Shena,” I said.

  Jimmy looked at me strangely. “That's what I've been trying to do this last six months.”

  “Jimmy? Can I ask you a personal question?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Was it your fault?”

  He stopped. “I don't think so.”

  “What happened exactly?”

  He shook his head and locked up the car. “I don’t want to talk about it, not tonight.” He added. “Tonight is supposed to be fun.”

  I nodded as he handed me his keys. “Sorry, I just worry about you two.”

  He was not offended, that was the great thing about Jimmy. He could let the little things go. Unfortunately, he was mortal and could not drop the big things.

  But Jimmy asked me a weird question as we walked toward the stadium.

  “What did you do this afternoon?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  He studied me. “You look like you were up to something.”

  I shrugged. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

  Inside the stadium was crowded. Family members and friends were in the stands; our class sat on folding chairs on the football field, around a raised stage. The latter was decorated with flowers, posh chairs, and a huge banner. Jimmy left me for the stage and the other celebrities. Naturally I was searching everywhere for Gale, but I found Sal and Teri first. It did my heard good to see them standing hand in hand. Sal waved me over; he somehow looked more dignified than the rest of us in his blue gown. He shook my hand as I approached, like I had just won an Olympic gold medal.

  “I heard you popped the question and she said yes,” he said. “Good job.”

  “I paid her to say yes,” Teri said. She giggled when she saw my face fall. “Look at our sensitive boy. No, Daniel, I'm just teasing you.”

  I was still looking. “Have you seen her?”

  “Yeah, Gale's around.” Sal lowered his voice. “But Shena told me she's not coming. This evening or tonight.”

  The news stung. “When did you talk to her?”

  “I called her an hour ago. I offered to pick her up but she said no. She sounded horrible.”

  “I want to visit her before we go to Disneyland,” Teri said. “I can't stand the thought of her sitting home alone tonight. I’ll stay with her if I have to.”

  I appreciated Teri's willingness to sacrifice.

  “This is turning out to be a complicated day,” I muttered.

  Sal shook his head. “It's a big bad world out there.”

  Teri stared at him with such repressed emotion, it made my heart ache.

  “It doesn't have to be so bad,” she said. “We make our own choices.”

  Sal looked away. “A lot of choices are made for us.”

  I didn't want the conversation to sink down.

  “Hey, let's sit down,” I said. “The teachers are all pointing at the chairs. I think they want to get started.”

  The three of us ignored our seating assignments and sat together in the rear. This was brave of Teri since she was supposed to speak. Sal told her to get up there, but she just shook her head and gripped his hand.

  Gale joined us two minutes later.

  She looked much better than Sal in her gown. She looked, in fact, like everything I had ever dreamed of. Her blonde bangs peeked out from beneath her cap and her preen eyes sparkled with excitement. She still looked flushed, as she had that afternoon, with life and excitement. I hoped I played a small part in her enthusiasm.

  “We're going to have to step over people when they call our names,” she said.

  “I don't care if you don't care,” I said.

  “I certainly don't care.” She studied me. “I think long blue gowns suit you.”

  “Because they cover everything up?”

  “That's it.” Gale looked over at Teri. “What’s your speech about?”

  Teri glanced at Sal. “Making commitments.”

  Gale was interested. “In relationships? School? Work?”

  Teri let go of Sal's hand and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “All of the above,” she said.

  “Just don't mention me in your speech,” Sal muttered.

  “No problem,” Teri said.

  Gale peeked under my cap. “Did you cut your hair?”

  I shrugged. “Just a little.”

  “But I wanted to cut it. You promised me.”

  I pushed my cap back down. “When you see it later you’ll be relieved to know it needs a lot more attention.”

  “I heard your car's not working,” Gale said.

  “Where did you hear that?” I asked.

  “I just spoke to your parents.”

  “What?” I hadn't been able to find them myself.

  Gale grinned. “They're neat. I met them in the parking lot. They told me a lot about you and made you sound like a good catch. But I don't know, I’m kind of suspicious that they're prejudiced.”

  “What did they say exactly?”

  “That you've been pining away for me for years.”

  I acted bored. “They're confusing you with somebody else.”

  She poked me. I got the feeling she liked to touch. “What's her name?”

  “Their names. Not one of them is called Gale.”

  She acted offended. “Hey, you want to take me to Disneyland or not?”

  I nodded. “I do. Don't worry, I got Jimmy’s car.”

  Gale's face darkened. “I feel terrible Shena's not here.”

  “It's not your fault.”

  Gale shook her head. “I was there that night, remember? It was my fault as much as anybody's.” She paused. “I think Shena hates me, too.”

  “Shena doesn't hate anyone.”

  Gale stared at the stage. “I wouldn't be so sure about that.”

  Finally the ceremony got underway. We pledged our allegiances to the flag and sang the national anthem. The principal introduced our class – we all shouted and waved our caps – and then the class president said a few boring words. Then I got the shock of my life. He called Gale up to sing a song. She stood nonchalantly.

  “Did you know you had to sing?” I gasped.

  “Yeah.” She smiled. “You didn't know I could, did you?”

  “No. What else can you do?”

  She giggled. “You should be so lucky to know.”

  Gale walked casually on to the stage and nodded to another music student at the piano. The crowd applauded lightly as she stepped behind the microphone and then settled down. I noticed Teri smiling slyly. Gale began to sway slightly, even before she burst into song. The piano suddenly exploded in familiar chords. Elton John – ‘Crocodile Rock.’

  “I remember when rock was young! Me and Suzy had so much fun!”

  Our entire graduating class jumped up and started dancing. Obviously, with the song so near the beginning, the organizing committee hadn't planned on Gale's bringing down the house. But it was her moment and she seized it. By the time she was finished singing – she added a few verses – we were all soaked with sweat. Our families and friends didn't mind – they responded enthusiastically. Gale laughed and bowed and returned to her seat. I loved how everyone watched when she sat down beside me. She couldn't stop laughing.

  “This must be how you felt when you shot the pier,” she said.

 
“Did you ask if you could sing that?” I asked.

  “Yeah. McManus said no!”

  Sal reached over and patted her on the back.

  “For a white girl, you sure do have soul,” he said.

  Gale was still giggling. “I take that as the highest compliment. I'll pass it on to Elton John, in fact.”

  Susan Meyer, our valedictorian, had to follow Gale, which was not easy. She ‘brilliantly’ chose to talk about the economy, and the role young people would play in it. Everyone started talking. But I did manage to keep a straight face and remain quiet.

  Teri was next. Standing behind the microphone, she pulled her speech out of her pocket and seemed to study it. But then she folded it up and put it back, her expression serious.

  “I'm sure the last thing you all want to hear is another speech from an uninformed adolescent. I don't know anything about the economy or what our society needs to survive. I don't know much about the environment, either. I just hope we don't mess up this world so bad that it can't be fixed. I mean, I'm just getting out of high school. But what I do know is that I love a lot of people here.” She took in the whole audience for a long moment, and when she finally spoke her voice cracked. “And I'm going to miss them, miss their love. Thank you.”

  We were all stunned by the brevity of her speech but then we burst out in applause. In seconds Teri had blown away Susan Meyer’s speech. When she returned to her seat, Sal gave her a kiss.

  Jimmy swaggered up to the mike next.

  From his walk, I should have known I was in trouble.

  “Hi,” he said, “My name is James Yearn and my speech is short as well. In fact, I don't have a speech. But I do want to share something that happened to my friends and me today. Sal Barry and Daniel Stevens and I went surfing this morning, and as you might have heard, the waves are bigger than they've been in twenty years. Anyway, we were out on our boards when the biggest wave of the day rolled in. It must have been twenty five feet. It literally touched the bottom of the pier. Now Daniel had never shot the pier before, but something came over him right then. It was like he was possessed. He paddled into that wave and took off, standing up, his board aimed right at the pier. Sal and I thought he was a goner. The wave swept right over him, and we thought we'd soon be searching for his body. But what we didn't know was that Daniel had entered the greatest of all tubes. He had attained the highest state of nirvana that a surfer can reach. Only when he emerged on the other side of the pier did we know that by the grace of God he had survived and returned to us.”