The Night the Sky Fell Read Free

 
    Peyton intervenes, “Banks, I saw the shooting stars last night!” Julie looked towards the pavement as Banks smiled and acknowledged Peyton.
    Banks learned Braille at the school and the teacher and staff offered him a position as a teacher’s aide. Most of the current students were patients of Dr. Abrams. Banks greeted all students with comments accompanied with touches on the shoulder. Julie spoke with another student’s mother as Peyton made his way to his seat. Before he sat, the seeing teacher spoke with a seeing mother and her infant. The baby made a gurgling sound. Peyton perked up, “Mom, is that a baby I hear?”  
    Julie answered, “Yes, Peyton.”  
    Peyton added, “That’s what I want for Christmas.” Peyton made his way to the baby as Julie followed in protest. The seeing mother guided Peyton to feel his way to the baby. Peyton’s finger neared the baby’s lips.  
    The baby’s mother assured, “It’s okay, Peyton.” Peyton inserted a finger through the baby’s lips as the baby bit Peyton.  
    Peyton complained, “Ow! Sharp!” Banks guided Peyton back to his seat. Banks, tell me Indian legends at lunch.”  
    Banks offered, “I’ll let you read my grandfather’s secret legend book. I translated it from Tlingit to English Braille.” Peyton was seated as Banks waved goodbye to Julie who stood out in the hallway. This was a depressing day for Julie Powers. She waved back to Banks and yanked out her flask. It was time for Julie to feel better. She took a swig.  
    The only time that Julie moved up a notch on her happiness scale was when she saw Banks and Peyton together. She saw a powerful connection between the two. This led to a momentary elation. She asked herself wouldn’t it be great to always have Banks around? She could think about other things like her daughter Tricia or even Stan whom she had not had sex with since Peyton’s birth. She considered Banks more than a school aide to Peyton. She considered him a friend.
    Banks believed that friendship was based on two peoples’ agreement to use one another. He got the notion from white people while going to high school. He overheard implied bargains between students. If favors were not returned, then friendships would be broken. He never wanted that to happen with Peyton. Sure Peyton could become annoying at times but that was part of the bargain. Banks would wait for the right time and cleverly strike for what he wanted. He knew Julie Powers approved of him. He wasn’t sure about Mr. Powers but white mothers usually ruled the roost.  

    The tourist season was a flutter. All the cruise ships were in Juneau and the mosquitoes of July welcomed the tourists. At Juneau’s highest points were emerald trees rising to the heavens and the area was impassable. The road ended at Skyline Boulevard where the wealthiest of the wealthy lived. The Powers and the Abrams lived next door to each other. Each lived in a posh two story house with a circular drive way. The Governor could not afford to live here. No Indians lived here. This was white wealth and privilege. This was Banks’ coveted dream. Sometimes he would drive up in his pickup truck and park where no one could see him. He would peer out from the trees and looked at the Powers’ house and pined quietly. He felt like this was Gatsby territory.
    Inside the Powers’ house one would conclude correctly by the conspicuously Catholic adornments that the residents belonged to a Catholic Church. The Abrams’ house was not conspicuously Jewish. Both houses had a teenage daughter.  
    In the Powers’ house, Peyton read the Indian Legends book in Braille. He took a few nuts from a bowl directly in front of him. His hand reached for a glass of soda near the nuts. After licking his fingers and wiping them clean on his shorts, he continued to read.  
    Tricia studied Peyton from the second floor. She removed her gum and shoes and slinked down the stairs. She was almost sixteen with bosom