Jesus Martinez: Aurora Texas 1967 - Part 4

"Okay grandfather, are you ready?" I wanted to finish my story yesterday. "Grandfather. We already went over this. You had yourself a full day of rest without having to worry about these things. And you are much stronger from it. Now you can concentrate on your story." Elias. I do not need rest to remember it. The story never leaves me. I relive it every day of my life. "Well anyway the rest did you some good. Look at you. You have color back in your face and you look much healthier."

Healthier. I am dying mensó. How could I be healthy? "Never mind grandfather. Don't get yourself all riled up. Manuel just says stupid things he knows nothing about." "Hey!" "Shut up. Now. Let's get back to your story grandfather. We're excited to hear what happens next." "Yeah. This should be a whopper" "Shut up! Go ahead grandfather. Close your eyes."

Okay. It is difficult for me to describe what I see next. I have never seen anything like it. By the look on my father's face neither has he. The back of the room has a wall of short and tall boxes. Each box has slots and buttons with little colored lights. On the other side are some chairs and a table against the wall with more slots and button lights. There are little picture frames on the table but there are no pictures. Two saddle horns are in front of two chairs but there is no saddle. Above is a large picture frame and this frame has a picture in it.

I can see a picture of Aurora from above but it is no painting. Like we are watching from the trees only higher. A bunch of people walk around picking up metal pieces like before. The fires are finally out. The people who were helping went home. A lot of out-of-towners are walking in and out of the general store. I bet Mrs. Evans is sure happy about that. Ninma speaks again, "I wanted to show you this first. We fly the vimana from this chamber. We can see where we are going and see where we came from on that monitor. You are looking at the village you call Aurora."

Ninma steps to the table and pushes a green button light. As soon as she pushes it the picture in the frame moves closer to town. The buildings get larger. Then it stops. I can see Mr. Evans standing outside the store talking with people. It is like we are looking from the sky. Ninma explains, "We can see anyplace from above. The monitor is receiving this picture from ... umm ... our eyes in the sky." She pushes another colored button, "We can even see right outside of our vimana." The picture changes and I can see the trees around the ship outside.

Ninma quietly says to my father, "I just wanted to show this because I thought it would interest Jesus." She asks me, "May I call you Jesus? I like the way your real name sounds." People call me Chuy but it is all right if you call me Jesus. I like it too. She smiles, "Thank you. Now shall we go to our conference chamber?" Alom opens another door and walks through. We follow Ninma and enter a large round room with a table and chairs in the middle. Plants are on small tables along the wall near each of the three doors. Music is coming from somewhere but I do not see any people playing instruments. The music is soft but sounds like many are playing.

Ninma raises her hand towards the table, "Please sit down and be comfortable." We sit in the chairs. They are soft and squishy. The covers feel like tanned leather. I rest my arms on the table. It is like glass but not as cool and does not feel the same. We hear a hissing sound and a door opens. Balam walks into the room. Another door opens and Insat steps in. Insat has a smile on his face. Balam does not. They both sit down opposite of us. Alom and Ninma sit on each side.

Ninma asks, "Are you hungry?" I remember about the penny candy in my shirt pocket. I start to reach for it to show her I already have something to eat. Suddenly Balam moves his hand to his side. Ninma scolds him, "What are you doing? He is only a child!" She turns back to see me pull out two pieces of penny candy, "You see Balam? Well. What have you there, Jesus?" It is a penny candy. Only it is broken in two. I hand her one of the pieces. You can have one if you are hungry. It's all right. Ninma and the others break out in laughter. Except for Balam that is.

Still laughing Ninma takes the candy and says, "Why thank you Jesus. So you say this is a penny candy? I have never seen one of these before. Is it sweet?" Yes and it is very good. You just put it in your mouth and suck on it. I happily demonstrate with my piece for Ninma. She looks at it and shows the others. Then she pops it in her mouth and has a taste. A big smile glows on her face, "This is very good Jesus. I like it very much. Thank you." She breaks off a piece and gives it to Insat "Hand this to Alom please. Careful. Tt is a little sticky. Alom. Please put that in a container. We will give it to Enki so he can make more of these."

Ninma is struggling to speak with the candy in her mouth, "We brought here because we do not usually meet primates anymore." She gets frustrated. Bites the candy into little pieces and swallows. Ninma smiles and goes on speaking, "We could have just used our tool to erase your minds. Unfortunately that procedure sometimes causes side effects in your brains. Especially to ones so young as Jesus here." My father says, "I understand angel lady. You did not wish any harm to my son with your tool. May I please ask a question angel lady?" Ninma smiles, "You can call me Ninma." My father's head nods no, "I think it is better if I called you angel lady. If that is all right with you."

Ninma smiles again, "That is all right with me Marcos. Now. What is on your mind?" My father looks at me then back, "If you are God's angels what does God look like?" Ninma sits back in her chair, "That is what we are here to speak about Marcos." Balam looks to Ninma without moving his head, "Not too much information Ninma." She looks over in the same manner and says, "Do not worry Balam." She smiles again, "You may or may not understand much of what I say. If I speak of something that you do not understand just stop me and ask your questions."

"Our people came to this world long ago. Primates like you never existed when we first lived here. We came here to make a new home and lived peacefully. Then something went wrong and our females could no longer have children of their own. So we created people like you. We call you Second Breeds. Second Breeds are one reason why our people had two wars. We almost destroyed this world."

My father politely interrupts Ninma. He seems to have gained a little more confidence, "Please excuse me angel lady. I was taught that God created the heavens and earth. When He was satisfied then He created man. There is only one God angel lady. You speak like you did this all. You are angels but you look like us. You have no wings. You do not float in the air. I know nothing of these second breeds you speak of. I know nothing of your wars. To me Jesus Chris, God and the Holy Spirit are one in the same. Are you saying everything that I have had faith in all of my life is wrong? No angel lady. What you are telling me is very difficult for me to believe."

Balam rolls his eyes and says, "I told you Ninma. These primates will not understand." Alom tries to help, "Give her a little time Balam. This will not occur immediately." Balam huffs back, "Just do not let this take long. There are other alternatives." Ninma continues to look at us, "Patience Balam. Patience. Marcos. What you believe in is the same story I am trying to tell you. Many others believe in the same way only different. You believe in one God. What I am saying is that God is all of us." I think I understand. When we think of God we are just thinking about your people.

Ninma broadly smiles in my direction, "Precisely Jesus, very good. You are a very intelligent young male. Marcos. You should be proud of him." My father says, "I am. This story of yours makes me confused inside but I think I understand angel lady. If I were not sitting here in your ship, I would call you crazy. But after seeing what I have seen it becomes easier to believe your words. Crazy as they may sound." Ninma grins, "That is all I ask Marcos." My father still looks confused, "There is only one thing angel lady. Are you the leader of your people?"

Ninma answers, "No Marcos. Our leader is on another world close by. You cannot see it from here but most of our people live there. We are waiting to go home. We watch over your world until then. That is why we are here now. The only people here are the ones we left behind. Those we battled in war. We make sure they do not escape this world you call earth. What you saw in Aurora is something we are testing to keep watch over this world. They are new. Sometimes we lose control and they crash. As the one in Aurora did."

My father has a frown on his face again. Like he is trying to understand. While he is doing this I ask Ninma who the dead child was in the wreckage. Ninma thinks about my question then answers, "That was not a child Jesus. Do you know the little dolls that girls play with? Well that child you saw was something like that. Only we could tell it to do things. Like fly the vimana. We call them scruma. Scruma are not living beings at all. Your animals are more alive than the scruma are. We made them so we do not come into contact with primates like you and your father. Do you understand?"

Yes Miss Ninma. I understand. That. How you say? Scruma? Is not really dead at all. It never was alive to begin with." Ninma smiles again, "Right Jesus." Does this mean that your people will leave forever? Ninma answers, "It just means that are watching from farther away. Now. I must ask you and your father to promise me two things." She turns back to my father, "First Marcos. Promise me that you will not allow this to affect your faith in God. Your religious morals and values are the same that we believe in. There is nothing we would like more, than for you to live by those beliefs."

Ninma turns back to both of us, "Now for my final request. Promise me you will never mention you saw us or that you were here. It would probably be best if you never spoke of anything you saw in Aurora as well. One day you may not want others to know. They may think you have a troubled mind if you do. So will you both keep this a secret?" My father looks at me. I will not tell anyone papa. I promise. My father answers, "Yes angel lady. We will not speak of this to anyone. Not even to our closest relatives. Not even to my wife. You have my word as a gentleman."

Ninma's face is bright and cheery, "Thank you Marcos and you too Jesus. This makes me very happy. I do not wish for the alternative." Balam has a last word, "Are you sure about this Ninma?" She answers, "Do not be concerned. I know we can trust them. Now my friends it is late and already night outside. Are you hungry?" No thank you Miss Ninma. I am not hungry. I ate a burro and some peaches before we came. She looks confused but smiles, "You ate a donkey? Well no wonder you are full. You still must be tired. Would you like to spend the night here in our vimana? That is. If it is all right with your father."

I look to my father. Balam shouts, "Ninma!" She calmly speaks back, "It will only be for a short time. You and your troops will never even notice them." Can we spend the night papa? My father looks unsure. Then he begins to have one of his coughing spells. Ninma looks concerned and sends Alom over to help. She says words I cannot understand to Insat. He gets up and leaves the room. I explain that my father has these coughing spells once in awhile and that it should go away soon.

Insat comes back carrying a metal tool in his hand. Is that the memory eraser? Insat answers, "No Jesus. It is a tool to find out what is wrong with your father. It will not hurt him." Insat waves the tool over my father's chest then looks at it. He speaks to Ninma with the words I do not understand and sits back down. Ninma and Balam talk for a few minutes in the same words. Balam is not very happy. Then they all start talking at once. Their voices grow louder and soften again. Ninma quietly turns to my father, "Marcos. It appears you have a sickness in your chest." My father speaks, "Yes angel lady. It started about two years ago but it goes away."

Ninma is still concerned, "Yes but Marcos. This sickness may not go away. It might worsen." Balam softly interrupts, "That is enough Ninma." She pauses and continues, "We can repair this sickness but it can only be done where we live. If you are willing to go with us we can repair it there and bring you right back. Are you willing to come with us Marcos?" My father thinks for only a second and says, "I humbly thank you for your generosity angel lady but I must decline. It is not that I do not trust you. For you have shown us many wonderful things and have spoken in peace. But my family needs me to put food on the table. I cannot leave them." Ninma smiles, "I understand Marcos. Are you sure?"

My father nods his head yes and Ninma has a sad look on her face. Then her spirits quickly change into a smile, "Marcos. You have not answered your son. I think he asked if the two of you could spend the night with us. So. What is your answer?" My father looks at me grinning from one ear to the other, "Yes angel lady. We will sleep in your ship tonight." Ninma smiles, "Good! Now let me show you where you will sleep." Insat and Alom stay in their chairs and say goodnight to us. Balam sits stiff as a board and doesn't do a thing. Only his eyes move watching me get up. I think a little smile is on his lips. It's hard to tell. We follow Ninma through an open door and walk down the hallway into another door.

The room has a lamp with no flame. There are two flat bunk beds on the wall with no bedposts. Ninma walks over and opens a cupboard. She puts a metal jug and two cups on a little table. Then walks over to another wall with a door, "If you need to wash or excrete your waste just push this button." When she pushes the button the door opens. Inside is a washbasin and funny looking chair with a hole like an outhouse. Off to the side is an even smaller room with a glass door. I don't see any bathtub or water barrel. The room door closes. I look at my father.

He looks confused but still manages to say, "No thank you angel lady. We are fine." Ninma opens the front door and politely says, "Just make yourselves comfortable and try to get some rest. There is water on the table if you become thirsty. I will be back in the morning. Sleep in peace my friends." She leaves and the door closes behind her. My father and I speak everything that has happened. He tries to understand and starts talking about things that make me even more confused. Sometimes he speaks of things that do not make sense. Finally he says to me, "Well they do not act as if they mean us any harm. When you were speaking to them I even saw a smile on that Balam's face for a second."

"Anyway. We should go to sleep. It has been a long day. I know that you must be tired too even if you will not admit it. Now go to sleep. Take the top bunk and I will sleep here." I crawl up and my father lies down. I do the same when I get to the top. My eyes are tired. Next thing I know Ninma is opening the front door. It is morning, "I hope you slept well. Here take these. You must be hungry by now." We rise from our beds and are given a big thick cracker. I jump down and sit next to my father. We slowly take a bite and chew. It is light crunchy a little sweet and does the trick. I don't feel hungry anymore. My father seems to like it too. Ninma pours some water from the jug into the cups and gives them to us.

We are almost finished with our crackers. We thank her for the water and drink. She tells us, "You must have been tired. You slept almost the entire morning. It is now around mid-day. Have you had enough to eat?" We finish our last bites and nod our heads yes. Ninma takes the cups, puts them down and helps us to our feet, "Good. Now I must have to say farewell. We cannot stay any longer and must leave now. If you follow me I will take you to a safe place outside." We walk into the hallway and she leads us to the little room we first came in.

Alom Insat and Balam are waiting there for us. Impatiently Balam says to Ninma, "We should have left earlier. Now there are primates all over the place." Ninma just says, "Do not worry. We can fly horizontally until we are out of sight then do a vertical climb." She says something else but it is with different words. The door closes behind us and Ninma pushes a button. The floor opens up and the stairway lowers. After the metal planks are open Ninma leads us down the stairway outside. Alom and Insat wave goodbye and we wave back. Balam just turns away and gets busy with something on the wall.

We follow Ninma to a clearing and run to the trees. When we get there she stops, "We had to move our vimana during the night. So we are not in the same place we found you. We are now east of Aurora. We have to leave before anyone sees us. Take care Marcos may you live in peace. You watch over your father Jesus. You are a fine young male. Now. You should quickly run through the trees until our vimana can get into the air. Do not stay here or you will get burned." She thanks us for keeping our promise says a last goodbye and runs to the ship. We stay long enough to see her disappear behind the door and run into the trees.

We keep running until we hear a loud noise behind us. We stop and turn around. Through the trees I can see their ship in the sky. Then all if a sudden it is not there anymore. We start walking. Nothing is said as we make our way through the trees. All I can hear is the rustle of brush and grass under our feet. Clearing the trees we find ourselves down the road from the cemetery. Lots of people are gathered there. They must be having a funeral. We go over to see what is going on.

When we get there I ask a woman what's going on. She turns to me, "That Martian died yesterday. We're giving it a proper burial." We get up closer and see Mr. Hayden the judge and blacksmith standing by the grave near a tree. Men are lowering the scruma's body wrapped in blankets down into the hole. The preacher is saying some words about God and heaven. The men pick up shovels and begin to cover the hole with dirt. I look at my father. He just smiles and begins to walk towards town, "Let's find my sack. That cracker was okay but the can of sardines will sure taste better."

I ask my father what we should tell my mother when we get home. My father thinks. He stops walking and says, "No doubt she will hear about what happened in Aurora. We will tell her we fell asleep in the trees watching all the gringos go crazy. Chuy. You better not tell anyone what you know." I won't papa. Then he grabs my arm, "Swear it Chuy. Swear it on your mother's grave!" Si papa! I swear I will never tell anyone! Not even mama. He says, "Okay." and we slowly walk to where the ship had crashed.

People made a dent but there are still a lot of metal pieces lying around. People are still walking around picking them up. I have mine in my pants pocket so I do not bother. We get to where the ship crashed and look closely. It is our first chance to see it up close. There's not much left, only a pile of twisted metal. Men are helping to clean up the burnt wood and metal pieces. They are dropping some of the metal down into the well. One of them calls my father, "Hey Marcos! The judge is paying two bits a day to clean up this mess! You should go see him for a job!"

My father calls back, "Hi'ya Billy! You think there will still be work tomorrow?" He answers, "Sure! We'll be here all week and then some! There's lots of work! Why not earn a buck off the ol' tight wad?" My father says, "Okay! Thanks Billy! I will go see the judge tomorrow morning!" He waves and we start walking up to where we were yesterday. We get into the trees and find where I put the sack down. In a while we find it on the ground. I sling it over my shoulder.

My father leads me back out to the edge of the trees behind some brush. Almost the same place we were yesterday. We sit down and he asks for the sack. He pulls out the jug of water and hands it to me. He reaches into the sack for the sardines. I open the jug and take a big drink. My father opens the can. We eat sardines and watch the gringos clean up. Okay. I am finished with my story.

"I don't know what to say, grandfather. I believe you but it is a pretty wild story. Most people won't believe a story like this." This is why I have never mentioned the story to anyone Elias. Not even to your grandmother. God bless her soul. "So what do you want us to do with the story after it is written down grandfather?" It is not meant for anything. It is only my testament.

I have kept this secret inside for many years. I wanted it released from my soul and imprison it on paper. This way I am free from its burden. It is no longer of concern. I am happy that it was told to my loved ones and not to strangers. Whether or not you believe me does not really matter. I know that the words are true and can now die in peace. "Grandfather? Grandfather, wake up!" "Oh no! Not now!" "Turn the tape off!"