Rainbow

“Isabella Elayna you are going to your grandfathers. He wants to see you.”

“Why? He’s never asked for me to go before.”

“I don’t know but he wants you and your cousin to go. So please just go and pack.” Isabella’s mom said as she looked at her from across the kitchen counter.

“Ok I’ll go but I’m taking my tablet.”

“Your grandfather said no electronics and you know that.” Isabel’s mom said as she stood to walk out of the kitchen.

“It’s not like I can get online. Besides I’m only using it to read my books. He’ll let me keep it for reading.”

“Good one baby girl. Now go pack before your mother comes back.” Isabella’s father said as he gently pushed her towards the hallway.

“Ok but I’m still taking the tablet.” Isabella said as she turned to leave the kitchen.

Adan grinned at his daughter as she stomped down the hallway. As she headed to her bedroom Isabella thought about her mother, she had been born Adalia Martinez with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. Her mom was only a year younger than her dad and way shorter than him. Her dad, Adan Youngblood stood 6’1 compared to her mom’s 5’3. Isabella could almost hear her dad make fun of her mom’s height. Her mom, Adalia would tell stories of how she would fight through all the girls to get her dad’s attention.

Isabella was just as stubborn as her mother, sometimes more. The only difference was that Isabella based everything off facts and her mother believed in stories. Of course, Isabella got her fact finding from her father, someone who based everything he saw or found off of facts. Born and raised on a thin line of facts and stories. Like her father she did her best to base everything she read or found off of some type of truth. As a child Isabella loved to read books about myths and fairy tales and most of the stories and myths she was able to decode. There have only been a few stories that she has not been able to decode. One especially that she knows her grandfather tells, but she doesn’t remember much of it, at least until she started writing it down the minute she got home. This time she’s taking both her spiral and tablet to make sure everything is written down; at least that is Isabella’s plan for the night. If anything maybe she could enlist the help of her cousin.

“Issy, are you ready yet?” Her mom yelled from the living room.

“Yes ma’am just packing a few things.”

“Not your laptop.”

“No, only my spiral and pen and my personal’s.” Isabella said stuffing her bags with clothes.

“Ok, oh and don’t forget your hair brush again.”

“I wont,” Isabella said running to her bathroom for her brush that she had almost forgotten.

Walking back through the bathroom door she heard a chuckle from her bedroom door. Looking over Isabella noticed her dad leaning against the door frame already holding her bag open. Isabella looked at him shock her head and tossed her brush into the bag.

“Let me get my backpack and please tell mom not to rush.”

“Your mom didn’t say anything I was just checking.”

“Sure she didn’t,” Isabella said placing her tablet on top of her spiral inside the bag.

She heard her dad’s footsteps lighten as he walked away from her room. Isabella took a minute to make sure everything was in her bag, even making sure that she had an extra spiral and lots of pens. She was determined to make sure the story was written even if she had to do it on the road home.

“Isabella!!”

“Coming,” She said turning off her light on the night stand.

Walking down the hallway Isabella stopped to peak in the almost finished baby room. Her dad had painted it blue the minute he had found out that her mother was going to have a boy. The rocking chair her mom had used with her was in the middle of the room. It was the only piece of furniture that was put together the rest where in boxes up against the walls. Isabella smiled at the memory of the day that her mom had asked her to help paint a teddy bear on the wall. Her mom, Adalia, had been so impressed with her daughter’s drawings that by the time she finished every wall held a bear plus five or six mini bears. But her mom had not been content with bears just sitting there; each one was in the act of doing something. One was catching a ball, another one playing soccer and Isabella’s favorite was the one that was sitting down in pajama’s holding a blanket in one hand and a baby teddy bear in the other hand. Isabella was proud of that one and couldn’t wait for her baby brother to be born.

When she first found out her mom was pregnant, Isabella wasn’t happy at all. Especially with Isabella being as old as she was, after all there would be a thirteen year difference between the two of them. Her mom, Adalia, knew she was upset so on one of her appointments; she made Isabella go with her. It had been fun for Isabella; her mom had taken her to lunch and then the Dr.’s appointment. Adalia knew that was the day they would find out if the baby was a boy or girl. When the sonogram session began Isabella was disinterested until she saw the baby moving and kicking, after that day it hadn’t bothered her very much anymore. Isabella walked past the pictures that hung on the wall of family and friends. When she came to the intersection, if she went straight then she would go into her parent’s room or turn to the left which lead past an extra room and bathroom. Passing those two rooms lead you into the hallway between the living room, den and her dad’s office.

.“She is growing up and I don’t think going to her grandfather’s for the night is something she wants to do anymore.” Adan said.

“Why not? I loved going to my grandparents’ house.” Adalia said looking at him.

“Yes, dear but it’s different now. Back then stories from the elders were what was in. But now everything is about electronics.” Isabella’s father, Adan said.

“I was hoping that she would be different. I think if she just sit and listen to her Grandfather, his stories would become a part of her life.”

“You never know, maybe this time it will strike her interest.” Adan said wrapping his arms around Adalia to comfort her.

“I know I just wish she would listen to his stories. If she listened to them instead of just hearing them maybe she would understand what he’s trying to say.” Adalia said leaning against her husband.

“Don’t worry about it besides all your worrying is getting the baby excited.” He said placing a hand on her kicking stomach.

Isabella watched them hug and saw the love that they had for each other. There were times that she was tired of them always hugging each other, but at that moment it didn’t bother her.

“Are you ready baby girl?” Adalia said over her dad’s shoulder.

“Yes ma’am I am and don’t worry there’s no laptop in the bag, just the tablet, spiral and some pens.”

“I know, I believe you?” Adalia said smiling at her.

“Good you two wait outside while I set the alarm and we’ll head to your cousin’s house.” Adan said walking them to the front door.

“Do I really have to go to grandfather’s house?” Andres said.

“Your grandfather loves when you go visit.” Alex, Andres’ father replied.

“Yes he does, but I don’t. Besides there is nothing to do out there, Grandpa has no cable or computer. All he has is the one phone that’s hooked to the wall.” Andres said sulking on the couch.

“Yes, but your grandfather doesn’t want cable or a computer.”

“But why? Doesn’t he know that he can talk to us faster that way. Plus he could get a hold of his old friends and family. I mean come on who in their right mind doesn’t have a computer now, even an old one.” Andres said following his dad into the kitchen.

“Don’t talk about your grandfather that way,” Alex said facing him. “You may not like the way he lives but he deserves your respect, ok.”

“All right, geez. I was just saying……”

“I know son, but your grandfather is from a different generation. Maybe one day he will get one, but for now he likes his quiet.”

“Who likes his quiet?” Maricella questioned walking into the kitchen.

“Your father does. I was explaining to Andres how much your dad dislikes computers and cable.”

“Well it’s not that he dislikes them. It’s that he sees no purpose in them.”

“How can someone think that a computer has no purpose? Doesn’t he know that he can find anyone on the computer?” Andres asked following his mom into the kitchen.

“I think your grandfather has his own way of getting a hold of people whenever he wants too.”

“I guess I should be happy he has the old T.V. I still don’t know what he does when a storm comes.”

“Andres’ are you really wanting this for your grandfather or for yourself? I know how you dislike going over there and being unplugged from your computer and game box. But I wish you would take a minute and listen to him.” Maricella said looking at him.

“Andres, when you go to your grandfather’s tonight do not bug him about the computer or cable. Do you hear me?” His father said walking into the kitchen as he finished buttoning up his sleeves.

“But……”

“No, ‘buts’ Andres. DO NOT bug your grandfather about this. If I hear that you mentioned it to him you will be grounded for a week.” His father says standing in front of him to block his escape.

“Do you understand?” Maricella states from behind his father.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good! Oh and your cousin Isabella is going too.” His mom says walking out of the kitchen into the living room.

“You didn’t say that earlier. Why does she have to go?” Andres said chasing after his mom.

“Why? Is that a problem? She’s your cousin and your grandfather wants to see the both of you.”

“I can handle grandpa but Isabella is gonna make it hard.” Andres said watching his mom go up the stairs.

Great Isabella my know-it-all cousin, with just grandpa and me, I would have been able to listen to his stories and act like I was paying attention. Then once he finished I get to go to bed, no fuss about magical stories that make no sense. At least it would be easier to ignore his stories that way. Now with Isabella there, she’s just going to question every single thing he says and I will have to sit and listen to everything they say. I just wish I could take Colin with me, and then I wouldn’t have to listen to them. Colin and I could ignore them together, which would be more fun.

“Hey Mom!” Andres yelled from the bottom of the stairs.

“Hey Son!” She said from behind him.

“Geez Mom! How do you do that? Especially in your high heels.”

“Many years of practice.” Maricella said laughing at Andres as he dislodged his body from the stairwell.

“Once I get my heart started I’ll remember what I was going to ask you.”

“Andres, you should know better by now about your mom’s stealth ability.” Alexander says walking to the hallway table to get his car keys.

“Listen to your dad I’ve gotten him a couple of times. Oh and before you ask Colin can go with you.” Maricella stated walking towards the kitchen.

“Really…..awesome! Wait, does grandfather know about this?”

“Yes,” She says from the kitchen door.

“I think when your grandfather and mom talked earlier. She told him there was a chance that you would want him to go.” His dad says grinning at him from the mirror.

“Cool, I’ll go tell him and see what he says.” Andres said running up to his room to grab his phone.

Andres grabbed his cell from the charger on his night stand and entered Colin’s number by memory as he pulled his backpack out. As he waited for his best friend to answer he started to stuff clothes in his bag. Even if Colin doesn’t go he still has too and it’s better to be ready then have his mom yell at him, again.

“Hey,” Colin says after the eighth ring.

“Hey dude, what are you up to?” Andres ask as he stuffs his toothbrush and comb in the front pocket of his backpack.

“Nothing much, did you wanna come over? Mom and dad are going out. We can order pizza and watch movies.”

“Wish I could but I’m going to my grandfather’s tonight.”

“Oh, sounds like fun.”

“Yeah right dude. Isabella is going and all I’ll be hearing is those two arguing. But I have a question for you.” Andres said sitting on the edge of his bed.

“What’s up?” Colin asked.

“You wanna go with?”

“To your grandfather’s, with Isabella?” Collin asked him.

“Yeah I know, not the best of options but it’s something.”

“Hold on Andy, let me ask my folks before they go.” Colin said before Andres could answer.

Andres heard muffled talking from Colin’s end and every now and then a ‘please mom,’ and ‘this way you want have to worry about me the whole night’. Andres smiled at himself imagining Colin doing his best to convince his mom.

Andres had lots of friends but none as good as Colin. The summer Colin’s family had moved in, had started off to be one of the most boring summers. At least until Andres had Colin had bumped into each other at the store and started talking. They found out that they had a lot in common and Colin learned that Andres had a pool in his backyard. Halfway through Colin’s first summer the boys became best friends and were inseparable.

It was exciting for Colin because once they started school he would know someone and wouldn’t be alone. On their first day of Junior High School Andres took Colin around and introduced him to his other friends, showed him the school and told him a lot about the people they were going to school with. Andres had talked about almost everyone except for one girl that they would pass and she would wave ‘hi’ to Andres.

“So who’s the girl that keeps saying ‘Hi’?”

“Oh no one/” Andres said not looking at Colin.

“Really, why does she keeping saying ‘Hi’ to you?”

“Yeah well.”

“Do you like her?” Colin questioned Andres.

“Are you crazy?” Andres states stopping in his tracks and looking shocked at Colin.

“Well, she keeps saying ‘Hi’ to you.”

“Dude, she’s my cousin. Besides that who’s going to like her?” Andres said as he started walking down the hallway again.

“Ohh, I didn’t know that, you didn’t tell me that. But I can see why guys would want to date her.”

“I doubt it, she’s too smart and all the guys agreed that they wouldn’t date her.” Andres said slamming his locker door.

Colin had never asked Andres anything else about his cousin after that. Which Andres had come to determine that Colin agreed with him on the issue of no one wanting to date his cousin. During the school year Andres and Colin both grew in height. Colin turned out to be an inch taller than Andres. So at 5’11 Colin looked taller but not by much, with Colin’s blue eyes and golden brown hair the girls tended to swarm them, a lot.

Both boys were good looking for their age so there was no lack of giggling girls that would walk or sit by them. Andres enjoyed the attention but Colin wasn’t too thrilled. After a while the girls learned to not chase Colin and just to talk to him, that’s when he began to show interest in them. There were a group of girls that where a constant for the two friends and when Andres and Colin celebrated their birthdays the girls where there to help. For a few months Colin enjoyed the attention and fun but he started to learn that he wanted something different. He wasn’t quite sure what he was looking for but he knew it wasn’t someone always agreeing or giggling at everything he said.

“Hey dude, my mom will agree only if she can hear from your mom that it’s ok.” Colin said bringing Andres back from his memories.

“No prob, give me a minute to go downstairs and find her.”

“Cool.”

“Since we’re going to grandpa’s he’ll probably want to do a cookout or something. Oh and we’ll do the bonfire thing so he can tell his stories.” Andres said as we walked down the stairs.

“That’s cool. I’ve never heard any of his stories. Are you sure I’ll be able to go?”

“Yeah,” says Andres reaching the bottom of the stairs. “It was his idea for you to go anyway.”

“Cool, oh my mom says to hurry they are about to leave like in ten minutes.”

“Hold on, Mom! Mom!” Andres said from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes Andres you bellowed!” Maricella said walking out of the living room.

“Colin’s mom wants to talk to you about him going with us to grandpa’s house.”

“Ok, let me have the phone,” Maricella said taking the phone from him, “Oh did you pack your bag?”

“Yes, I did its sitting on my bed.” Andres said.

“Go get it while I talk to Colin’s mom and make sure you have everything.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Andres said as he walked up the stairs to his room.

As he reached the top of the stairs Andres couldn’t help but look into his brother’s room. Even though Gabriel was at college, and even though it was in the same town, he couldn’t help but miss their talks. Especially when it came to having to visit their grandfather, Andres could almost hear him saying ‘just do it, once you come back home you’ll forget what he said.” It was true too, whenever Andres came back home he always forgot the stories his grandfather told him. Gabriel, on the other hand, would stay up late talking to their grandfather. He always seemed to ask him questions and they were always over the same story. However Andres never remembered hearing the story that Gabriel asked questions about. As long as Andres was at his grandfather’s house he could remember the stories. Yet, once they got home, he couldn’t remember what they were and why Gabriel was so fixated on getting an answer. Gabriel never talked about it when they got home and Andres was too busy being a kid and having fun to pay too much attention. Just like before Andres was too busy to concentrate on the issue long, after all this was going to be more fun than having his brother. At least that is what he hoped for.

Andres’ brother Gabriel was one of a kind standing 6’2 with black hair and hazel eyes with a slight all year round tan. It never failed that Gabriel was always with someone in High School. To Andres it seemed like there was a never ending line of girls that wanted to be with him. Most of the girls were only looking for his popularity but once they got with him they realized he wasn’t just a dumb jock. They realized that he was smart and for a lot of girls that scarred them off. But where that one left another fell into place. There were slight differences between Andres and his brother the first being that Andres stood 5’10 and had light brown hair instead of black. But they both had hazel eyes that all the girls loved. Andres’ skin color was just a little bit lighter than his brother Gabriel’s. Yet, when the brother’s stood side by side you could only see the difference in the height all their other features where similar.

Thanks to their father the boys had always known they would be tall. Alexander Johnson, their father stood 6’4 with golden brown hair and green eyes. He was as unique as they come in looks, but Gabriel and his father had the smarts in common. That’s actually what grabbed Maricela’s attention about their father. In school he was the football and basketball captain but he also held a 4.0 GPA in class. Their mother Maricela wasn’t the smartest person in class but she held her own. Standing at 5’4 with light brown hair and liquid brown eyes she stood out in a crowd. Their dad, Alex, said that it was her looks that he saw first but it was her heart that connected them.

It was a story that he told all the time of how he knew that she was the one for him. They both showed up at a party that a mutual friend was throwing. Everyone was having a good time until one of Alexander’s football buddies had started to harass one of Maricela’s friends. He saw how Maricela kept getting her friends to move away from his friend and she did her best to keep him away. But as the night wore on and the drinks flowed easily it got to a point that he was becoming physically rough with all the girls. Apparently that was when Maricella couldn’t take anymore and she punched him in the face. The party went silent more due to shock than anything else. But before the guy could recover from the shock of being hit by a girl, Alex and his friends intervened. Alex grabbed Maricella by her arm and escorted her and her friends out and he has stuck by her side ever since. Their father, Alex, says it’s to make sure that she doesn’t hurt anyone. He asked Maricela to marry him but she refused until they graduated college. That’s when their mother, Maricella, accepted.

It’s one of the stories that he had heard over and over as a kid. But somehow he didn’t mind that story as much. He wasn’t sure if it was because it was about his parent’s or because he has been hearing it for so long. To Andres it’s always been a story about his family and he is happy when he hears it.

“Andres, are you ready?” Yelled his dad from the bottom of the stairs.

“Yes, sir.” He said halfway down the stairs.

“Ok, Colin will be here in just a few minutes. His mom has him packing and I think I just heard your cousin come in.” Maricela said walking into the foyer.

“Here’s your phone. But remember once you get to your grandfather’s…..” Alex said.

“I know turn it off and give it to grandpa to hold until we leave.” Andres said putting his phone in his pocket.

“Isabella, Adalia come in where’s your husband at?” Maricela said

“He’s putting Isabella’s bag into the Tahoe.”

“That’s my brother always impatient to hurry up and sit down.” Maricela said hugging Adalia and Isabella.

“I heard that Maricella and I’m not always in a hurry. I only get in a hurry when you’re around, because I know how slow you are.” Adan said walking into the house.

“Uncle Adan, did you bring me anything?” Andres asked shaking his hand before his mother could say anything else.

“Andres, you know better than to ask that. But did you bring me anything?” Asked Alex as he shook Adan’s hand.

“Sorry, Andres didn’t bring you anything. No, Alex I didn’t bring you anything, but the info on the new system that’s coming out.”

“Really, did they finish the system already. I thought it was going to take another year for it to come out?” Alex said walking to the door of his office.

“Wait a minute, before you two get involved in work. We need to head out to dad’s.” Maricella said stopping Alex and Adan from falling into their normal routine of talking about work and forgetting everyone around them.

“We weren’t gonna do anything but talk babe.” Alex said smiling at Maricella.

“Uncle, even I know that’s not true. In about five seconds you and Dad will be lost in business talk.” Isabella said looking up from her tablet.

Everyone smiled at Isabella knowing that even though she was concentrating on her book she had heard every word. Alex smiled and winked at her and without a second thought Isabella put her tablet in front of her face and went back to reading. Andres moved closer to the door as he watched Isabella.

How can someone who has some of the same blood as me be so weird. I mean it’s true we only share half of the same blood but still. One good thing is that I don’t have to be alone with her at grandfathers.

“Ok, are we ready to go then, this baby is not gonna wait any longer to eat.” Adalia said rubbing her side where you could see the baby kicking.

“Just waiting on one more.” Alex said grabbing the keys to the Tahoe.

“Who” asked Adan as they heard a knock on the front door.

Andres grinned at the perfect timing that his best friend had. So when he opened the door he wasn’t expecting the surprise that he got. Standing behind his best friend Colin was his brother Gabriel smiling at the surprised faces he saw.

“Gabriel,” was the chorus heard from behind Andres and before he knew it, he was crushed in a hug between his brother and parents.

“What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until next week.” Maricella said finally letting go of her son to look at him.

“No, it’s this weekend, why? Are you guys going somewhere?” Gabriel asked looking at everyone that was standing in front of him.

“Well, we were going to drop the kids off at your grandfather’s and go out.” Alex said taking Gabriel’s bag from him.

“Oh, ummmm….ok. Guess I’ll just stay at home then.”

“Nope you can go out with us. But we still have to drop of the kids’ off first.” Alex said placing Gabriel’s bag next to the table in the foyer.

“Really? Mom you won’t say anything about me drinking?”

“No, because we need a designated driver.”

“Ok, cool.” Gabriel said grinning at his mom.

“Ok, Isabella, Andres and Colin get in the back. That way we don’t have to move around to much.” Alex said standing at the front door and rushing everyone out.

“Do I really have to?” Isabella asked looking at Andres and Colin as they got in the Tahoe.

“Yes you do, besides it’s only a few minutes away. I promise it won’t take that long.” Adan said as he held Isabella’s backpack.

“I don’t see why I have to go. I would’ve been fine at the house by myself.”

“Isabella Elayna, we have talked about this all ready. Just get in and no more, do you hear me?” Adalia stated looking at her daughter.

“Yes ma’am,” Isabella said looking at her mom. Once she was seated in the back her dad handed her backpack to her and closed the hatch.

“Ok, is everyone ready?” Asked Alex as he started the Tahoe and put his seat belt on and waited for Adan to get in the front passenger side.

“Yes everyone is ready.” Maricella said looking at Adalia and Gabriel and then looking back at the kids.

She smiled at Isabella and the boys before turning around to see that Alex had started to back out of the drive way. Everyone sat quietly while he drove out onto the main highway. Isabella and Andres knew that it would take just short of thirty minutes to get to their grandfather’s house.

“So Andres, you never told me where your grandfather lives.” Colin said looking

out the back window.

“He lives near Lake Morgan.”

“Really….Wow! Why?”

“I don’t know something about it being quiet. He likes the silence.” Andres says shrugging his shoulders at Colin.

“Really…why?”

“It’s his way of communicating with the world,” Isabella said looking up from her tablet. “He’s from the older generation of Native American’s in where they stay true to their ancestors or as much as they can?”

“I still don’t get it.” Colin said looking at Isabella.

“The older generation likes to live off the land. To them, as grandpa says, ‘keeps us close to the world’.” Andres said looking at Colin.

“So what does that mean?”

“It means he lives like our ancestors did or as much as he can. Living of the land with what he can grow.” Isabella said rolling her eyes at Colin.

“So what about meat and what he can’t grow off the land?”

“He goes to the store for most things. But what he can grow himself he does.” Andres said looking out the window.

“Is that why he doesn’t have a T.V. or a computer.”

“Yeah, he says they distract people from stopping and listening to the world around them.” Andres said glancing outside to gage how far they were away from their grandfather’s.

“But he tells awesome stories right. At least that is what Gabriel said to me earlier.” Colin said watching Isabella return to reading her tablet.

“I don’t know about that, most of the time I forget the stories.” Andres said.

“Why?”

“Not sure, I remember while I’m there. But by the time I get home I don’t remember any of them?”

“What about you, Isabella?” Colin said looking at her.

“As weird as this is, I forget too. It takes a little longer but everything seems to get fuzzy after a while.”

“Have you tried to write them down?” Colin asked looking back and forth at them.

“No,” said Andres looking over at Isabella.

“Yeah, well at least what I can remember, I have it copied to the tablet. But I also wrote it down on a spiral. I wanted to ask grandpa about it when we get there.”

“Right, no electronics when we get there.”

“Exactly, this way I can pull it out and question him about it.” Isabella said smiling at Colin.

“Can I see it?”

“Sure, but remember it’s only the parts of the story that I do remember.” Isabella said pulling out a blue notebook form her backpack.

“Thanks,” Colin said as he took it from her. As he opened the spiral he noticed how bright the pages had become in the dark. When he looked up he smiled at Isabella as she placed the reading light on the end of the spiral. While Colin started to read the story, he began to create images in his mind.

…………The friends had searched for the end of the rainbow for months. There were times that it felt like years had gone by looking for it. Once the hard part was over they stood just inside the edge of the forest afraid that what they were seeing was an illusion. Looking at each other they made a silent agreement to walk out and find out the truth. Once they were out in the sun and away from the protection of the forest the friends began to doubt everything they had found out. Walking together as one they headed to the pot that sat in the middle of the field. The closer they got they more they were able to see what was in it. The friends stopped about ten feet away from it. Each looking at one another and at the pot that held what they had searched for, for so long.

“I was wondering when you would finally come over.” The voice said from next to the pot.

“Ummm, who’s there?”

“The watcher of the rainbow, the one you have been looking for.”

“How do you know that?”

“I know a lot of things. For instance I know you can hear me but you can’t see me.”

………………………………………………………………………………………

”So what do we do now?”

“We find a way home.”

“How do we do that? I mean look where we are.”

“I know but we found a way here then we can find a way home.”

“Is that everything?” Colin asked turning the page and finding it blank.

“Well everything I can remember. I tried to write it down before it got to fuzzy.”

“Does he tell you this story all the time?” Colin asked looking at Isabella.

“No each time it’s a different story.” Andres said as he straightened up.

Colin looked at Andres and realized that he had been reading the story too. He looked at his best friend he wondered why he kept forgetting the stories. Not only did Andres forget them, but so did Isabella and she never forgets anything. During school even the teachers ask her where they had last left off the day before. How is it that she forgets something as simple as a story, when she can remember an entire five page speech? Andres on the other hand Colin thought looking at his best friend, forgets the combination to his locker at least once, if not twice a week. The thing is that Andres can remember the sequence to any computer or gaming system the minute he sees it. So he knows that Andres remembers, even the hardest games that are put before them. But how does he not remember simple stories that he has been hearing for years.

“Have you figured out why you can’t remember?” Colin asked Isabella

“Not sure been thinking about it every time it happens. But I haven’t come up with anything, yet.” Isabella said putting up her spiral.

“Does it hurt when you forget?”

“No it’s more of a slow fade. But after it’s gone, it’s as if it was never there.” Andres said looking at Colin and noticing that his cousin nodded her head in agreement.

Andres looked out the window and watched the lights go by thinking about what had just happened. It took him a long time to remember anything on those long nights. It was an even longer time to admit that he kept forgetting the stories. However now that she mentioned how the memories faded from her Andres just couldn’t believe it. Of all the things to have in common why did it have to be the oddest thing in his life. But then again maybe it was a good thing because now he had someone to talk to about this. Well that’s if they talked about it, let alone talk to each other. If one day they did it would be nice to have something in common other than just being related to each other.

Isabella watched Andres closely to see his reaction to the story he just read. She knew he knew the story too, but like her he forgot it just as quickly. He may even forget it faster than her but the thing is that he remembers the story even for whatever time, he remembers. Now if she can get him to cooperate they can get more of the story written down. The more that is written the better she is able to understand the story and why that is the one he loves to tell. Once she has the complete story she can start her research. Andres may help her if she asks him but then again he could always just laugh at her than help her. Colin wouldn’t look at her because he’s best friends with Andres but he may be willing to help her do the research needed. Well that’s if she decides to ask them about it and there’s no guarantee she’s going to do that. However, it is an option and they could help her remember the story plus do the research.

Colin watched Isabella out of the corner of his eye and saw her concentration face that he hadn’t seen for a while. He saw Andres on the other side looking out the window and he began to wonder what was going on. Here are two people that have great memories and yet neither one can remember anything. Colin began to wonder what would happen to him once he heard the story. Would he forget too or would he be able to remember what they forgot. What’s more important is why Isabella is so occupied by knowing the whole story. After all it’s nothing but a story, why is it so important to her to know the truth. Colin stared out the back window and started to think about stories he heard before. Some were told by his grandparents and some he heard about. Yet the overall statement is that they were stories and nothing more. They were all based of fiction something that someone made up to entertain other people. So what’s the difference between those stories and the one their grandfather tells. Colin decided to ask Isabella and Colin’s grandfather before they left tomorrow. At least he knows that’s a question he will remember, he hopes.

Sitting quietly listening to the murmur of her parents, Uncle, Aunt and cousins she looked out the window to see how far they had gotten. It only seemed like seconds as Isabella saw the lights from the stores go by. It all seemed to be rushing by, the headlights that came roaring up to them and then sliding past them on the left or the right. The further they traveled on the highway the faster the cars came and then left. Sometimes it was only one and at other times it was a long line of cars. They’re all doing the something as the one before it, always trying to beat the other car in a rush to get to someplace that will never move.

Isabella knew when they had turned off the main road and onto the road that took them to her grandfather’s house. The time almost seemed to stop as the traffic died down to almost nothing. Every now and then a car would come up but nothing too big or too fast. They unlike the other ones waited for the turn and when it came it wasn’t a rush to turn, but more like a leisurely stroll. It was something Isabella both loved and hated to see. On one hand she knew that it would be less then fifteen minutes to her grandfather’s house. However, on the other hand it meant that she was further away from the world she loved and knew.

Yet, the silence of the road and the darkness that surrounded the vehicle was almost peaceful. It was something that she didn’t hear in the city and on occasion it was something she missed. Watching the lights fade further and further becoming nothing more than the earth’s version of stars. In the daytime the surrounding heading out to her grandfather’s house was the same every time. A tree here, a house there and a dirt road that lead to nowhere, well at least that’s what Isabella thought. At night everything was the same color, so you really couldn’t see anything but the form of the tree, the outline of the road and the lights from the house. Isabella looked at the dreary darkness of everything they passed and wondered how it was that she liked the road so much. The silence and solitude of everything was almost too much to bear, sometimes. Yet there were other times that even Isabella was thankful to get away from everything.

As they traveled further down the road and closer to her Grandfather’s the houses seemed to grow farther apart. Once they turned on his road there were no other houses or lights. He had acres of land stretched out with trees, boulders and hills. Each time she comes she wondered how her grandfather was able to keep the trees so green and alive. After all living in New Mexico trees aren’t known for their staying power unless they’re part cactus. Yet, her Grandfather had beautiful, large, trees such as Birch, Cedar, Cherry and Elm trees. Yet, they weren’t the only trees on her Grandfather’s land, there were other trees with names that she couldn’t figure out. The tree’s them-selves were unique, you never saw a group of Cedar or Elm together. Each tree stood next to a different kind but they all seemed to intermingle, at least that is what Isabella thought when she looked at them. It was always the same driving up to her Grandfather’s house with the trees on the edge of the road standing as sentinels to a foreign land. They were always at the ready and there were times that they seemed ready to strike any and all that would come to hurt her grandfather. Isabella smiled at herself for thinking of the silliness of that thought, after all trees don’t move, unless you make them.

As they sat quietly each one thinking about what was going to happen that weekend. Andres and Isabella were wondering how many times they heard the story and why they kept forgetting it. Isabella couldn’t remember any other story being as important as the one she wrote down. Strange thing was that both Isabella and Andres remembered everything about those nights, they just couldn’t remember everything they talked about. In the silence Colin began to think about alternatives to remembering the story or stories. Maybe if Colin could figure that out then he could help Isabella and Andres do research on the stories. It would make an interesting combination for a research group. It would also help Colin in making sure that the stories are just that, stories.

“Hey, are y’all ok back there?” Gabriel asked turning to look at the them.

“Yeah, we’re just waiting.” Andres said smiling as his brother.

“Are you sure? You guys have been quiet for a while.”

“Yeah we’re just thinking.” Isabela said looking back down at her tablet.

“All right but don’t think to hard you may hurt yourself.”

“Ha ha, you’re so funny.” Andres said throwing his jacket at his brother.

“I know, by the way we are almost to grandfather’s house are you guys ready?”

“Yes!” all three said in unison.

Not only were they ready for the night to be over but they were ready to see if they could remember. Isabella was just as anxious to ask her grandfather some questions. What those questions were, she wasn’t quite sure but she would know when it was time. Right now she just needed to find a way to remember the story long enough for them to write it down and make notes. (Now she just needed to get with the guys and figure out how.) Just as Isabella was about to ask them about it the Tahoe began to slow, she looked up as her grandfather‘s house came into view.

They circled the drive around to the front door and Isabella began to smile. She knew that no matter how much she disliked the fact there was no internet access she loved her grandfather. Once the Tahoe had stopped and everyone began to pile out Isabella became worried that her grandfather would be upset at her for wanting to write the story down. The worry filled her and she looked down to make sure everything was put up. The cargo door lifted with such a suddenness it caused her to squeal.

“Are you ok?” Gabriel said looking at Isabella.

“Yes, you scared me.”

“I thought you saw me.” Gabriel said pulling bags out as the three kids jumped down.

“No, she was being weird again.” Andres said looking at her.

“Don’t call her weird,” Gabriel said throwing his bag at him, “From what I remember she’s the smart one, therefore she’s the sane one.”

“If you say so.” Andres said walking away.

Gabriel shook his head at Andres’ as he walked away. Gabriel handed Colin his bag, grinned and then stepped between him and Isabella. When Colin looked at Gabriel he gave him a sheepish smile, shrugged his shoulders and took after Andres.

“I know that Grandfather’s stories are ones you’ve heard over and over, but remember they are like a rainbow. You may not see them all the time and wonder if they’re real, but you’ll never know until you look for them.”

Isabella stared at Gabriel amazed and a little bit curious as to why he would say something like that. Gabriel smiled, winked and walked off with her overnight bag. As she zipped her back pack up and adjusted it on her shoulders Isabella began to think about what exactly Gabriel was talking about. After all how would he know what her plan was, unless he had done the same thing. Isabella closed the hatch door and walked slowly up to her grandfather’s house. Although it was a place she had been thousands of times the closer she got to the door it seemed different, it was almost as if the air was filled with anticipation. It was something she had never felt before and became fascinated by the idea of it and what was to come.

“What took you so long, mija?” Adalia asked as Isabella walked into the living room. Isabella saw her mom, Adalia and Grandfather standing next to the couch.

“I was making sure that I didn’t forget anything.”

“Hello there young lady,” her Grandfather said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

“Hi, Grandpa and it hasn’t been that long.” Isabella said as she hugged him.

“It’s been about three weeks, but if that’s not long for you. I would really hate to see what a long time is.”

“Dad, you know three weeks is only considered a long time when it has to do with their friends.” Adan said, as he and Alex walked towards them from the kitchen.

“Oh, hmmm…..so what do you consider a long time for your grandfather?”

“Ok, three weeks is a long time but when you’re doing stuff you don’t have time to count. I mean after homework, basketball, friends at school and family sometimes you just run out of time.” Isabella said starting to squirm under her grandfather’s intense stare.

“At least here she can’t get away with things.” Andres said to Colin as they walked past grinning at each other.

“Oh and what is it that she gets away with, Andres?” Their grandfather said stopping them in their tracks.

“Yes Andres what does she get away with?” Maricella asked walking through the back door followed by Gabriel.

“I didn’t say anything” Andres said looking at everyone.

“Really, I could’ve sworn you said something as you walked by.” His grandfather said as he moved towards him.

“No sir not a word.”

“So, where are the two of you headed?”

“We just came in to say bye to everyone.” Andres said walking to his mom and brother.

“And on that note I think we should leave.” Gabriel said walking over to his Grandfather.

“I’m glad that you came today mijo. I hope that you stay longer next time.”

“I’ll try Grandfather I may even try and stay a week.”

“That would be nice. I think it would be enjoyable not only for me but for you too.”

“I think you may be right.” Gabriel said hugging his grandfather tightly.

“All right you kids be good. Do what your grandfather asks of you.” Maricella said hugging Andres.

“Yes and we will pick you guys up tomorrow.” Adan said smiling at Isabella.

“When I come back Grandfather I’ll bring you something I think you’ll like.” Gabriel said walking toward the door, he turned winked at his grandfather and left.

As the rest of the family said goodbye for the night, Isabella couldn’t help but feel it was going to be a long night. She followed her grandfather out the front door to wave at her parent’s as they left. With her parents leaving Isabella wasn’t quite sure what she was feeling a mixture of wanting to run after them and have them take her with them or staying with her Grandfather. As Isabella stood there the knowledge that at the end of this day she would know the truth kept her cemented to her spot. Standing there watching the tail lights disappear into the dark Isabella had a feeling she would never be the same.

“Why don’t you boys go get some firewood for the pit. Isabella and I will get some things ready for us to eat.” Her Grandfather said as they walked back into the living room.

“Yes sir, but before we do that I would like to introduce you to my best friend, Colin. Colin this is my Grandfather, Sani.”

“Nice to meet you sir.” Colin said putting his hand out to Sani.

“I like that ‘sir’ but you can call me Grandfather. It’s easier to remember.”

“Ok,” Colin said a bit confused.

“Where’s the firewood at Grandfather?” Andres said heading toward the back door.

“It’s in the back where I always keep it. You may want to take the flashlight just in case.”

“Come on Isabella, I need your help with the food.”

“I’ll be right there but I need to put my bag up first,” she said walking to the rooms.

“You’re staying in your mom’s old room.” Sani said watching her walk to the rooms.

“Thanks I was just about to ask you that.”

“I thought you were.” Sani said turning towards the kitchen with a smile on his face.

Isabella shook her head as her Grandfather walked away. As much as she disliked coming to see her Grandfather, he always had this magic that surrounded him. The magic that he wove into his stories always brought her running back. Her Grandfather was capable of making even the mundane stories move and dance on their own. Sometimes he would even show them pictures to go with his stories. As Isabella walked into the middle bedroom she saw one of the paintings that her Grandfather had painted. She stood in front of it and could hear his voice tell the story. To her it was nothing but a simple story that she had heard from him over and over. Yet, when he added the picture to the story and held it up against the light of the fire. It was as if the pictures pulled you into the stories the images vivid and bright. Each picture was alive with the world in which they lived. Isabella once swore that she saw the images move, to her Grandfather’s voice. Standing there looking at the picture, she could almost hear the words repeat themselves in her mind.

Even though he had around fifteen or twenty the one that she stood in front of was the one that mesmerized her the most. The vivid colors glowed in the light, no matter what light was shining on it. This picture is the reason that Isabella was so adamant about knowing the whole story from beginning to the end. In that part she was lucky because it’s the one her Grandfather told the most often.

“Issy, are you ok?” Her Grandfather called from the living room.

“Yes sir, I’ll be there in a minute.” Isabella sighed and walked to the bed.

“Ok,”

She placed her bag on the bed and opened it up to pull out her notebook, pen and tablet. At least they would be ready for her when she got back to the room later that night. One last look at her stuff and Isabella turned and headed out of the room. It didn’t take long for her to cross the living room and reach the kitchen. Isabella joined her grandfather at the island and stood there watching him gather plates.

“Mija, get into the pantry and get the buns and the chips for me.” Sani asked Isabella without looking at her.

“Ok, is there anything else you need?”

“No, I’ve got the plates and hot dogs. I think that should be it.” Sani questioned as he walked out of the kitchen door to the patio.

“What about the cheese, mayo and stuff?” Isabella asked grabbing the hot dog buns and potato chip bags.

“I pulled that out too. It’s already on the table.”

“Ok,” Isabella said trying to grab everything in one trip.

“So what’s up with you and your Grandfather?” Colin asked.

“Nothing, it’s just sometimes I think that he doesn’t like me or understand me.” Andres said not looking at Colin.

“Hhmm….”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Colin said stepping out onto the porch. “So where’s the wood at?”

“I don’t know probably closer to the pond.”

“He has a pond here?” Colin said stopping in his tracks.

“Yeah, don’t be surprised. Remember Issy and I told you that he tries to live off the land as much as he can.”

“Oh yeah.” Colin said looking at Andres.

“Hey, grab those two flash lights for me. Trust me we’re going to need them.”

“Ummm…ok.” Colin said handing him a flashlight and following him off the back porch.

“Colin, dude put your light on.” Andres said walking forward into the trees.

“Why?”

“I wanna make sure I don’t hit you.” Andres stated as he moved his flash light from side to side.

“BOOOO!” Colin said with the flashlight under his chin.

“You punk!” Andres said punching him in the shoulder.

“Ouch dude! Really you had to hit me?”

“Yes I did.” Andres said smiling at him.

“So why don’t you really like to come and see your Grandfather?” Colin asked as he rubbed his arm.

“Honestly?”

“Yeah,” Colin said as he stepped over a fallen branch.

“Well, because he has nothing to do here. There’s no TV, no internet, no nothing and then to top it off he won’t let me bring anything.”

“That doesn’t seem too bad. I remember going to my grandparents’ house when they didn’t have cable. I actually had fun.” Colin said walking behind Andres

“Yeah what did you do?” Andres asked walking around a boulder.

“We played games and my grandfather taught me how to play dominoes.”

“That’s cool and I would love it if my grandfather did that. But NOOO, he tells us stories and old stories on top of that.” Andres said walking around a tree laying on the ground.

“That’s not too bad.”

“Yeah but when you’ve heard them over and over and over again. It gets annoying, trust me.”

“They can’t be that old.” Colin said slowing down behind Andres.

“Just wait and see.” Andres said reaching the wood pile first.

“How many do we take?”

“As many as you can carry.”

“Ok,” Colin said grabbing at the fire wood.

“I know Andres dislikes coming to see me.” Sani said without looking at Isabella.

“It’s just that he misses playing his games and being on the computer. He doesn’t understand why you don’t have those things.” Isabella said as she avoided looking at her Grandfather.

“I just want him to realize that there’s more in this world than electronics and games.”

“I know and to tell you the truth Grandfather, even I miss the internet.” Isabella said as she watched her Grandfather’s expression.

“I understand but even you realize there is more out there to life than electronics, don’t you?”

“Sometimes but not always.” Isabella said shrugging her shoulders, “You miss new movies and stories from the news.”

“True.” Sani said nodding his head.

“Grandfather, where are the matches?” Andres asked from the patio.

“I’ll get them for you.”

“Ok.” Colin replied.

“Can you bring the rest of the food for me?” Sani asked Isabella walking out of the back door with the matches in his hand.

“Yes, sir,” Isabella said smiling at her Grandfather.

As Sani walked out to the patio to help the boys, Isabella began to grab at the bags of chips and think of her Grandfather. He was tall for their family, actually he was one of the tallest at six foot-one. He had long black hair that was spotted with grey and midnight black eyes. As Isabella watched him and the boys start the fire she couldn’t believe that his age had yet to catch up to him. Most people that reached the age of seventy-five were worn down by life but not her Grandfather. Sani was a strong man that had done many things in his life, the only problem is that she wasn’t quite sure exactly what he did. On most occasions when they stayed the night he told them the stories. As far as Isabella knew he never once told them anything about what he use to do in his life. Watching her Grandfather Isabella decided that she was going to ask him about his past. Something, as far as she knew, that’s never been asked when they have came to visit.

“Isabella is there anything else you need to get from inside?” Colin asked disrupting her thinking.

“Yeah I think I left the buns.”

“Ok,” he said walking inside before she could respond.

“Andres, can you go and get us some drinks from the fridge?” Sani asked his Grandson.

“Yes sir, is there anything that you want special?”

“No, just bring a variety so that we can all chose. There should be a big bowl in the cabinet by the sink. You can use that to bring them out.”

“All right be right back.” Andres said hurrying into the house.

“Do you need anything from the table Grandfather?” Isabella asked.

“Yes bring me the hot dogs, we can start cooking some and when the boys get back they can finish.”

“Ok,” She said handing the trey to him.

Isabella watched him grab a two prong poker, place two hot dogs on the end and hand it to her. He did the same for a another one he held and then showed her how far too hold them from the fire. It didn’t take long for the boys to join them and Sani repeated the process for each one. As they sat with the fire in between them they began to talk and laugh about the little things. Some of them were stories about their parents that the kids loved and laughed about the most. It was something that everyone enjoyed and their Grandfather loved the laughter that he heard as each story was told. Standing next to the table Sani listened to the kids talk and laugh at jokes that were told, it was something that he missed from having his own kids around.

Isabella laughed at the stupid jokes that Andres and Colin where saying to make her and their Grandfather laugh. It was something that Andres was good at, no matter the situation. At that moment she was glad her cousin was there and she knew that all the laughter was helping their Grandfather. Siting there at the table Isabella could understand the want to live away from town. Even with the boys laughing and being loud there weren’t any sirens or people yelling, it was just them. As Isabella realized this for once she was happy that she came to visit.

It didn’t take long for the food to be eaten and the night to become darker and more inviting. Their Grandfather and Andres took in the leftover food to the kitchen and Colin headed towards the rooms while Isabella sat by the fire. Well maybe not so inviting, after a little time sitting on the porch alone Isabella became uncomfortable in the fact that she thought someone was watching her. Starring out through the fire she swore she saw a pair of eyes staring back at her. Isabella couldn’t tell what it was but she knew that the green eyes staring back at her were not human eyes. The longer she stared at them the closer they got to her and the more terrifying they seemed.

“Hey Isabella, what are you looking at?” Colin said standing behind her.

“Jesus dude, don’t do that.” She said jumping out of her chair and hitting him in the arm.

“Sorry,” Colin said rubbing his arm,” What are you looking at?”

“I don’t know I thought I saw something behind that tree.” Isabella said pointing to a small evergreen tree at the edge of the house.

“Really, I don’t see anything.”

“I did it disappeared when you scarred me.”

“Ohh,” Colin said grabbing a flashlight of the table and walking to the edge of the porch, “Well let’s go check it out.” He said stepping of the edge.

“Are you crazy? I’m not going out there.”

“Come on I’m going with you.”

“How about you go by yourself and if I hear you scream I’ll go get help.” Isabella said backing up to the door.

“Chicken!”

“Dang right I am.”

“Really, you’re not gonna come with me, Miss Explorer of the year.” Colin said shinning the light at her.

“Explorer of the year only during daytime hours.”

“Fine I’ll go by myself.” He said heading into the dark.

Standing there Isabella began to worry, after all what if what was out there wasn’t friendly. I mean how much trouble can she get into if he comes up missing. Slowly she began to move to the edge of the patio, constantly looking back at the door in hopes that her Grandfather would come out. Just a few more slow steps and Isabella was at the edge of the patio, anxiously waiting for Colin to get back.

“Colin! Colin! Do you see anything?”

“No, just a lot of bushes and trees,” He said coming back around to the patio.

“Are you sure?”

“Yup, I looked everywhere, but didn’t see anything. Are you sure you saw something?” Colin asked looking at her with questioning eyes.

“Yes, I’m positive. What you don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s that I didn’t see anything out there.” Colin said pointing the flashlight to the trees.

“Look at my arms I’ve got chill bumps. Besides that do you think I would’ve jumped ten feet in the air with you just saying ‘Hi’?”

“Well you might have.” Colin smiled at Isabella with his sheepish grin.

“Please,” She said rolling her eyes at him.

“Is there anything else you want me to get from outside, Grandfather?” Andres said handing him a full bowl of chips.

“No, I think we brought everything in.” He said walking to the cabinets next to the sink.

“Ok,” Andres said walking to the door in time to see Colin head to the rooms.

“Give me a hand, Andres. It’ll go a lot faster and then we can head back outside with the others.”

“Umm…..ok.”

They worked in silence for a while, Sani was putting leftover food in bags and Colin started rinsing plates and bowls off and placing them in the sink.

“What was that?” Andres said jumping at Isabella’s scream.

“If I’m correct that was your cousin being scared by your friend,” Sani said smiling at him.

Andres began to laugh at the idea of Isabella getting scarred. After all to Andres an awesome day is one in which his cousin is thrown from her horse.

“So why do you and your cousin not get along?” Sani asked dragging Andres from his thoughts.

“It’s not that we don’t get along….”

“It’s not?”

“Ok, it’s not that we don’t only get along.”

“So what is it exactly?” Sani asked walking towards the sink.

“I don’t know, she’s smart and I’m not. Everyone always talks about how awesome she is and everything she does. And I’m nothing important.” Andres said looking out the window into the dark.

“So your upset that no one talks about you?”

“No I’m upset that everyone thinks she’s perfect.” Andres said looking at his Grandfather.

“I don’t think she’s perfect and I don’t think you’re imperfect.”

“You’re just saying that,” Andres said smiling at his Grandfather with tears in his eyes.

Not being able to do anything but grin, for once Andres was happy that someone thought of him as something more than ‘just Isabella’s cousin’. It seemed in that moment, however brief, Andres and his Grandfather connected. Sani understood that connection, because it wasn’t long ago that he thought of Andres as a smaller version of himself, Sani maybe older in age but he still held a child’s heart. Sani remembered playing with his friend’s and picking on girl’s that he knew. Each time the memories brought such joy and happiness. Yet, where ever the memories started they inevitably all followed the same line and ended at the same memory.

“Hey what are you two looking at?” Andres said walking towards Colin and Isabella.

“Isabella, said she saw something in the woods. So I went to look but I didn’t see anything.” Colin said looking back at Andres.

“There’s not supposed to be anything in the woods is there Grandfather?” Isabella asked without looking away from the trees.

“Nothing but the roaming dogs,” he said walking up to her and placing a hand on her shoulders.

“What was it that you saw, mija.”

“Honestly Grandfather I’m starting to think I was seeing things. Either that or my imagination was running away with me.”

“Well just for my benefit, what did you see?” Sani asked looking into the trees.

“I was sitting in the big chair looking out and enjoying the quiet. When I looked towards the big trees here and thought I saw a pair of green eyes staring back at me. The longer I looked the more it seemed to move closer to the edge of the patio.” Isabella said looking up at her Grandfather with a questioning stare.

“And then it left?” He asked never looking down at her.

“I think it left when I scared her,” Colin said standing a few feet behind them.

“And that’s when you went to look for it?” Sani asked looking at Colin.

“Yes sir, but there wasn’t anything out there when I went to look. I went four trees down and three over but I didn’t see or hear anything.”

“You stopped and listen?” Sani asked looking back at Colin.

“Yes, I came back when I heard Isabella call my name.”

“Hmm…..,” Sani said stepping of the patio into the trees. “Why don’t you guys go get some cold drinks and pick your chairs, I’ll be right back.” He said staring into the dark.

“Ok,” Andres said turning to head to the chairs with Colin and Isabella.

Sani heard their footsteps get lighter and knew when they had gone into the house. The further he went into the trees the less noise he heard. Soon all he could hear was the whisper of the breeze on the branches. As he walked further in he knew that something had been their looking for him. Lucky for him and his granddaughter it wasn’t anything bad or evil as she may have thought. When Sani felt the presence he was hoping for he followed it further in. The closer he got the stronger the presence could be felt and just when he thought he passed it. He came upon the edge of the pond and there sitting on a medium sized boulder was someone he hadn’t seen in over ten plus years. As Sani walked closer and closer the presence began to smile and just as he reached the boulder Sani’s old friend opened her eyes and grinned.

Chapter 3

“I wonder where grandfather went.” Isabella asked starring out into the trees, her eyes constantly searching.

“He’ll be fine, after all this is his land and hasn’t he always told us that only invited people are allowed on.” Andres said looking up from his drink.

“What,” Colin said looking at him confused.

“It’s just something he used to tell us when we were kids to make us feel better about staying here.”

“And you believe it?” Colin asked looking at him.

“Back then…now, not so much.” Andres said looking at Colin.

“But lately it feels different. Even you said that you felt different here.” Colin said looking back at Andres.

“You did.” Isabella asked looking over at Andres.

“Yeah, it just feels weird.”

“Everyone feels that way!” Andres said standing up and walking over to the cooler.

“I don’t.” Isabella said looking back at the trees.

“Really you don’t feel the mystic wonder that floats around. Especially when he starts to tell his stories.” Andres said eyeing her from his chair.

“Maybe when he tells his stories but nothing other than at that time.”

“Yeah right,” smirked Andres getting up and walking across the patio to the kitchen door.

“All right if I admit that I feel something will you be happy?”

“No, but at least you’ll be telling the truth.” Andres said leaning against the door frame eating chips.

Isabella glared at him from her chair but didn’t say another word. They sat in silence, each one in their own thought. Colin thinking about everything that had happened and how different his best friend acts when he gets around his family, well at least his grandfather. When he’s at school and home Colin see’s Andres as the happy go lucky kid that always seems to attract people. But at his grandfather’s he seems out of place. Then there was Andres’ cousin who was not only smart in school, but she knew things outside of school that would shock others. Colin sat on his chair and looked between Isabella and Andres as he soaked in what he had just heard. He watched Andres ear the rest of the chips in the bag and walk back into the kitchen to put the empty bag in the trash. While Andres was in the kitchen Colin glanced over at Isabella and watched her hair dance different colors as the light of the fire glowed. Colin looked up at the noise that was coming from the kitchen and from what he could see whatever Andres was getting was fighting back. Colin couldn’t help himself but laugh at Andres and the difficulty he was having. Once the fight was over Colin saw Andres slowly walk back to the kitchen door like nothing happened.

“I wonder where he’s at?” Isabella said standing and walking to the edge of the patio.

“Who knows?” Andres said walking across the patio to the living room door.

Colin sat and watched Isabella standing perfectly still almost as if she was straining to hear her grandfather. That’s when Colin noticed her golden brown skin and how it glowed in the light of the fire. Without realizing what he was doing Colin stood up and migrated his way to stand next to her. As close as he was Colin was able to see how soft Isabella’s skin looked and how her liquid brown eyes searched the tree line.

“You know that your grandfather is ok.” Colin said looking at the tree’s.

“Yeah I know and honestly it hasn’t been that long. But with what I thought I saw I just don’t like him out there alone.”

“Come on Issy, of all people our grandfather would be the last one to get hurt.” Andres said walking up to them.

“I know but he shouldn’t be gone this long.” Isabella said looking back at Andres.

“It’s only been about ten minutes.”

“Really?” Isabella asked glancing over to Andres. “Yes, I looked at my watch when he left, just to be sure. I figured we would give him another twenty minutes and then go look. Does that sound good?”

“Yes and that helps me to relax….a little.” Isabella said looking back at the trees.

“I figured it would.”

“Come on I’m getting hungry with all this waiting.” Colin said bumping Andres.

“All right, but I think we put everything up.”

“You coming?” Colin asked looking at Isabella.

“Yeah I guess I should. It’ll be a better way to distract me.”

“Good idea.” Andres said walking ahead of them.

“What’s left to eat?” Colin asked following him to the fridge.

“Well just the leftover hot dogs that we made. But he said something about having a frozen pizza for us earlier.”

“Really?” Colin asked surprised.

“Yeah, he said he knew the food wouldn’t be enough for us.” Andres said going to the freezer.

“I’ll start the stove…. ummm what do I put it on?” Colin said looking at him.

“Well it says 375 degrees.”

“Ok!”

Isabella sat down and watched the boys get the pizza ready. Even though she was occupied by their noise, she still worried about her Grandfather and what was taking him so long.

Sani walked up to the patio in a hurry, hoping he hadn’t scared his grandchildren into thinking something was wrong. However, the closer he got the more he could hear laughter coming from the house. Sani stopped halfway to the fire and walked over to the window to see what was going on. He was surprised by the sight he saw, sitting at the table was Isabella, Andres and Colin, for the first time they were laughing and having a good time. It was something he hadn’t seen since they were little and he was happy to see it. As he walked to the door Sani could hear conversation clearly and he heard Isabella question how long it had been since they had seen him.

“It’s been about thirty minutes.” Colin said looking at his watch.

“Ok, let’s go!” Isabella said standing up.

“Where are you going?” Sani asked blocking the path out of the door way.

“To look for you, where’d you go?” Isabella said hugging him.

“I went all the way to the pond and back just to make sure no one was there.”

“Did you see anything?” Isabella asked with fear in her voice.

“Remember there is nothing on my land that you need to fear.”

“So was there something out there?” Colin asked looking at Sani’s reaction.

“Nothing that you need to worry about.” He said smiling at them.

“But there was something out there?” Colin asked again.

“It looks like you guys were hungry again.” Sani said trying to avoid the question.

“Yeah the boys got hungry, as usual.” Isabella said happily.

“Well let’s clean up a little and we will get to your favorite part.” Sani said walking into the kitchen.

“Do we really have to do the stories this time?” Andres said almost whining.

“Yes, besides your friend hasn’t heard my stories yet.” He said smiling to them as he gathered the plates from the table.

“Ok tell it to Colin and Issy and I can go take a nap or read a book.”

“I wanna hear the story too.” Isabella said placing some bowls in the sink.

“Of course you do.” Andres said looking at her from across the room.

“Mijo don’t be that way. Besides you never know when the stories will help you with life.”

“Please, Grandfather! The stories are so old that I don’t think they would help anyone.” Andres said standing his ground.

“They are part of your history and in this Andres I will not be moved. In all things you must learn your folklore, whether they be truth or not.” Sani said firmly standing in front of him. “Now I’m gonna go make sure the fire is ready and you three can get some drinks.”

“Yes sir.” Isabella said looking stunned at what had just happened

Sani walked away hurt at the idea that his own grandson would rightly refuse his story. Normally Andres would whine but still sit and listen. Sani knew that he could have handled that a different way but it was time that Andres understood that his heritage is a big part of him. The sad thing was that if Andres didn’t learn his heritage and past then it would be forgotten. Just like a rose in the desert it would wither and die. So, when someone did go looking for it, it would have already blown away with the sand. Sani began to add logs to the fire and think about what he really wanted his grandchildren to understand.

As he sat and watched the fire he was engulfed by thoughts of the past and the future. Completely wrapped in the things that he should’ve done and if he had done them, would they have changed his present?

“Grandfather are you ok?” Isabella asked timidly standing next to him.

“Yes mija, why?”

“Well you seem to have something on your mind.” Isabella said placing her hand on his shoulder.

“Mija, I always have something on my mind.”

“So why blow up at Andres?” Isabella asked siting in the chair next to her Grandfather.

“There are something’s that I want you to remember about our traditions.”

“Like what?” Andres asked siting down in the chair across from Isabella.

“Well for example how we as a people came to be.”

“But they are just stories and legends, Grandfather, history tells us different.” Andres said looking at the fire.

“Your right Andres, history tells us that there were people who crossed the Bering Sea to get to this land. Some chasing animals this way and other people just trying to get away. But what happened once they got here, can you tell me that Andres?” Sani asked looking at him, “Can you other two tell me?”

“No.” Isabella said looking at him from her chair.

“Our traditions, our legends, our stories, even our language have been lost to the new way of life.”

“What new way?” Andres asked looking confused.

“This way that you live and cannot be without, you have computers, televisions, cell phones, cable and internet.” Sani said looking into the fire.

“But it’s not that bad. You can talk to friends and family and get to know new people.” Andres said looking at his Grandfather.

“What’s wrong with the way I live?” Sani asked looking at the three of them.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Isabella said quickly. “Andres is just saying how much easier it is to get a hold of people, get information, read and see news and other things.”

“I understand your way trust me, I was once where you are. I thought that the new way, ‘the instant way’ was better than anything else.” Sani said looking at all the kids.

“Really!” All three kids said sounding surprised and somewhat astonished.

“Yes and I learned that the new way is not always the best way. Sometimes you just have to stop and listen not only to others, but to everything that is out there.” Sani said looking at them and smiling.

“We do listen.” Andres said almost hurtfully.

“Yes but you only hear you don’t really pay attention. Because once you do, than the stories I tell you will be easier to remember and understand”

“What happens when we do remember Grandfather?” Isabella asked with intrigue watching him.

“Then maybe one day you will be able to tell me if the stories are true or not.” Sani said looking into the fire.

Isabella watched her grandfather as his concentration on the fire became more intense. The kids were afraid to disturb him, so they sat quietly looking at each other and watching Sani. It seemed like forever siting there to them, than Sani began to talk and the story began. However, it wasn’t the story he had told them so many times before. Isabella knew that this was different, not just in the story but in the way it was told. Her Grandfather was not telling a story that she had heard but a story that was real and so she leaned back and listened, not only to the story but to the inflections in his voice….

The story that I’m about to tell you happened not that long ago and it didn’t happen to strangers. It happened to me and some of my friends and it was something I never expected to happen. My Grandfather for years had told me old stories and myths about a time I never truly believed existed. It was one of those times in which I was happy to get away from my parents but frustrated because I knew I had to listen to his stories. It was the same every year, a month with my Grandparents and then back home. Except for one year in which I was surprised to find out that I could take my best friend and his sister with me to my Grandparents house. My friend’s parents were going out of town and they didn’t want to leave them un-supervised. So the three of us went to my Grandparent’s house on top of a mountain ledge. There was only one way up there and one way out, so it wasn’t easy to get lost. When we got there my friends didn’t know what to think. They had never stayed with someone like my Grandparent’s before. The first night and day was difficult for them to understand that we went to bed early and woke up early. But they soon got use to the routine and in that time my grandfather would tell his stories. You see when new people hear and question them, everything becomes brand new and the old stories that were once boring become new and interesting. One story that my grandfather told us that summer made us think and question everything.

It’s oddly similar to one that I have told you about before and at the end of the story I want you to tell me what you would do.

This new story started off in a different way, after all how many people have ever been through a true rainbow. Yes I know that a rainbow is nothing more than the sun rays hitting the rain droplets just right, as to cause the illusion of a rainbow. However, has anyone ever seen the end of the rainbow and what is waiting there? You’ll find some that say yes they found the end, but there’s nothing there. I always ask them the same question,” There answer is always the same, ‘I glanced of course, there is nothing ever there.’ I want you guys to know that there is something at the end of the rainbow.

After hearing about my Grandfather’s story my friends and I decided to look for the end of the rainbow. We began as we always did heading out right after it rained. We chased the rainbow but it always ended the same, it was gone by the time we reached the end. My best friend and I began to think that it was the most ridiculous thing and I came to the conclusion that my grandfather was just trying to get us out of the house. However, my friend’s sister believed and was determined to find out the truth and there was no way I could let her go alone.

Colin glanced at Isabella for a moment and then looked away.

On the days that it rained, we left just before the rain stopped and searched for the end of the rainbow. I lost count after about the thirteenth time and yet we still looked. On the last week that we were at my Grandparents house it rained on a Tuesday. I remember that day and what we were wearing. I had on my blue jean shorts, a blue shirt and white basketball shoes. My best friend’s sister had on her blue jean shorts, a white tank top and her sandals. My best friend wore jean shorts, a black shirt and sneakers. That last rain fall is the one that worked; we were much faster that time. All three of us moved faster through the woods and the mud to catch the rainbow. When we got to the edge of the trees we saw where the rainbow was touching the land and there sat the chest. It seemed to almost float a few inches above the ground. The chest itself was three and a half feet long, three feet wide and at least two foot deep and full of gold.

“Come on Grandpa.” Andres said doubting him.

“I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true.” Sani said looking at him and smiling.

“Your right I don’t believe it.”

“Would you hush,” Isabella said looking at Andres.

“It’s ok, it’s good to doubt and question things. At least that way you don’t always believe what you’re told.”

“Especially when it has to do with a chest of gold.” Andres said looking at Isabella and his grandfather.

“You may doubt it but it’s true.” Sani said.

“Let him finish.” Isabella said angrily.

“It’s ok, mija. Like I said it’s good to question. But let me finish and then you can question and doubt.” Sani said looking at the three of them.

“Ok,” they said in unison.

“One last thing,” he said looking at all three of them, “keep an open mind and believe that anything can happen.”

The kids looked at each other in doubt but all shook their heads in agreement to listen. Sani knew they would doubt but at least now they would listen with an open mind. Well at least as open of a mind that their generation had.

“So what happened when you found the chest of gold?” Colin asked breaking the silence.

Sani smiled at him and started the story where he had left off..

We saw the chest of gold floating in the middle of the field and we stood at the edge of the tree line. We stood there looking at each other not sure of what to do. Eventually my best friend got up the courage and stepped out into the clearing. His sister was ready to step out behind him but he stopped her. Without looking at us he motioned for us to stay put and he would be back. We watched him walk up to the pot of gold and held our breath as he reached out to grab some of it.

The phone began to ring and all three kids jumped out of their seats. Sani laughed so hard that he almost couldn’t stand up to answer the phone.

“Hello.” He finally said after taking a deep breath and picking up the phone in the kitchen.

“You ok, dad?” Maricela asked concerned.

“Yes, I was telling the kids a story and the phone rang at the perfect time.”

“Ok, so how are the kids doing?” Maricella asked.

“They’re good.”

“Ok, we’ll try to be there around noon to get them.” Maricela answered with a yawn.

“Sounds good, or I could bring them to you.”

“That would be really good.” Maricela said surprised, “we could do a barbeque for you.”

“Ok see you at lunch then.”

“All right, bye.” Maricella said as she yawned again.

“Bye.”

Sani grinned as he sat the phone back in its cradle. He wanted to surprise the kids and he hadn’t known exactly where in the story he was going to do it. Fortunately for him his daughter called at the perfect time. Glancing at the clock on the wall he noticed that it was just after midnight. It wasn’t too late but if he planned on getting the kids home by lunch he had to get them up early.

“I hate to ruin all of our fun,” Sani said walking onto the porch, “But we need to get to sleep.”

“But why?” Isabella whined.

“Well we have to get up early. I’m taking you home tomorrow.”

“Really?” Andres asked in surprise.

“Yes, my daughter said they would barbeque for me.” Sani said smiling.

“And you two know how I love barbeque.”

“Yes we do.” Isabella said shaking her head at him.

“But what did your friend see at the chest of gold?” Colin asked from his chair.

“I’ll tell you later.” Sani said smiling at him and motioning for them to get up.

“Can’t you tell us now?” Isabella asked not moving from her chair.

“No, it’s after midnight and if I keep going you aren’t going to wake up on time.”

“We will.” Isabella whined.

“It takes you forever to get ready and Andres doesn’t like to wake up early.”

“I promise we will.” Isabella said slowly standing up.

“I know you think you will, but you won’t. However I’ll make a deal with you.”

“What?” Isabella asked.

“I will tell you the rest of the story tomorrow.”

“You will.” Isabella and Colin said in unison.

“Yes, unless something comes up.”

“Ok,” Isabella said cheerfully.

“Now, let’s get you guys to bed.” Sani said ushering the kids into the house.

Once he got them on their way he went back out-side to clean the patio up. Laughing to himself as he picked up the cans of coke and thinking about how they had finally wanted to hear his story. All the years of him trying to get them to listen to his stories and now they do. Placing the pizza tray by the sink to rinse out later he started to think about why they decided to listen. Maybe, he thought, I should’ve invited the friend over sooner.

“What do you think about the new story he told?” Isabella asked the boys as they

walked through the living room to the hall way.

“Honestly?” Andres asked.

“Yes.”

“It’s different than the other ones he’s told. Not just a little different, but like a lot different.” Andres said stopping behind Isabella.

“Yeah that’s how I saw it too. I mean how could he have found the end of the rainbow.”

“Not so much that, but the fact that it’s about him is what makes it fell different. At least to me it does.” Andres said following Isabella into her room.

“I know and I know that I’m going to look it up, just to be sure.”

“So are you going to write it down?” Colin asked starring at the painting on the wall.

“Yeah, it’s one about him, so I know that it won’t be in any websites I look up. But I’m gonna check anyway.”

“If it’s not, then why look it up?” Andres asked.

“Just to be sure it’s not some story that he read.”

“You think he would do that?” asked Andres as he sat down in the chair next to the window.

`“No but you should check anyway. You can never be too careful, besides what if it happened to someone else.” Colin said staring at the painting.

“Well if it did and they wrote it down, Isabella will find it.”

“Yeah, I think I will.” Isabella said moving everything off her bed but the nook, spiral and pens.

“What are you doing now?” Andres asked watching her.

“I’m gonna write everything down that he said about the story.”

“All right, I’m going to bed then.” Andres said looking at the clock on the wall.

“No, stay here and help me remember. I can’t remember everything. So I need your help.”

“What don’t you remember?” Andres asked sitting in the chair.

“Here watch the movies on my nook. If I’ve forgotten something I’ll ask you.”

“Then why do you need me here or actually, why do you need us both here?”

“Because I know I forgot some parts and I need your help, please.” Isabella said looking at Andres.

“For the ‘please’ I will. What about you?” Andres said looking at Colin.

“I’m good here.” He said glancing from Andres to Isabella and back.

“What are you doing?” Andres asked as Colin went back to staring at the picture.

“Just looking, I’ve never seen a picture like this before.”

“Yeah, it’s our Grandfather’s painting. He painted it a long time ago.” Isabella said looking at the painting.

“It’s interesting.” Colin said looking back at the painting. There was something about the painting that mesmerized him. The foreground of the painting showed the end of the rainbow, and at the end of the rainbow was a chest. The chest itself wasn’t that remarkable other than the fact that it didn’t quite touch the ground. It hovered just above the ground with its lid open showing the golden coins shimmering. Near it was a small hill that looked like nothing more than a bump on the ground. In the background the trees that surrounded it were at a slight distance. They were far enough as to not overpower the main part of the picture but close enough that you know there was a vast forest behind them. It wasn’t the image itself that told you what was there or wasn’t there. It was more of a perceived idea of what you couldn’t see. Yet the most fascinating thing about the picture is that even when you looked away the picture seemed to shimmer and glow in the corner of your eye.

“Yeah, he painted it special for the rainbow story.” Isabella said looking at Colin and then down at her spiral.

He watched her for a second and then walked across the room to sit beside her on the bed. Colin knew what he was doing and was terrified that she would throw him off the bed. Yet he had to give it a try and see what would happen. Isabella looked at him, gave him a half smile, opened her spiral, and began to write. Colin leaned back and relaxed a little as he watched her write the story they had just heard.

Isabella knew that the most important thing was to get the story written, at least before they began to forget the story. Writing the story started off slow but the good thing was that she hadn’t forgotten yet. Even the sound of the tablet had yet to penetrate her concentration, especially when the sound had moved closer to her. She knew her cousin was next to her but she couldn’t stop at that point. As Isabella wrote the story began to flow from her memory and on to the paper. There were times that she didn’t think her hand could keep up with what her mind was telling her. Just as Isabella started to finish she heard the boys moving around. When she looked up they had her bag open and were looking in it for something.

“What are you doing?” She asked finishing her last sentence.

“Looking for the charger, the battery ran down.” Andres said as he rummaged through her bag.

“It’s on the side pocket.”

“Which side?”

“On the left side.” Isabella said watching him.

Andres tilted the bag and unzipped the side pocket, ‘ohhh,’ he said pulling out the cord. He looked at her smiled and walked to the bed side table to plug it in. Isabella watched him, shook her head and went back to writing. She continued to write but it became harder once the boys started to talk. At first their talking was nothing but back noise, but once she heard her name in their conversation she started to listen more intently.

“I don’t see why listening to the stories is such an issue?” Colin said leaning forward on the edge of the bed..

“I just don’t like too. Besides why listen to the past when you can look forward to greater things.”

“His story didn’t seem too bad.”

“That’s because this one is new. If you heard the other ones, then you would be like me.” Andres said standing up and walking to the door.

“I doubt that, I tend to like stories I hear or read.”

“Yeah, well….I don’t”

“Maybe you should, after all this is your history. You should be proud you come from such a rich history.” Colin said walking to the door and stopping beside Andres.

“Why? What does it matter to you? Besides you have your own history, why worry about mine?”

“Because yours is worth remembering, I don’t have anything awesome like yours to remember. All of my history is written down, yours isn’t.” Colin said starring at Andres.

“Whatever! I’m going to bed; it’s boring just sitting around here.” Andres said storming out of the room.

“Sorry about that.”

“About what?” Isabella asked putting her spiral down.

“About your cousin.”

Isabella laughed at his comment, “Why apologize about my cousin. Besides I’ve seen him that way before, it’s not anything new.”

“Yeah well.” Colin said looking at her. “I’m not sure why I’m apologizing, but I am.”

“Do you do this often?”

“Not really, only when I think the other person was in the right and he wasn’t.”

“Hmmm…so you do it a lot.” Isabella said smiling at Colin.

“Yeah, I guess so,” He said smiling back.

“Did you finish your writing?”

“Yeah, surprisingly. I thought it was gonna take forever.”

“Did you get to write it all down or did you miss some?” Colin said walking to the edge of the bed.

“I think I got it all. But would you look at it just in case.”

“I’d be happy too,” Colin said sitting beside Isabella on the bed.

“Good, you read. I’m gonna get ready for bed.” Isabella said handing him her spiral.

She jumped off the bed grabbed her overnight bag and walked out of the room to the bathroom. Isabella did her best to walk calmly but it was hard knowing someone was watching her, at least she thought he was watching her. Just as she reached the door she glanced back and saw Colin look down at the spiral quickly. Isabella turned around rolling her eyes, but she didn’t say anything, after all what was she supposed to say to her cousin’s best friend. Isabella closed the door to the bathroom and placed her bag on the stool, besides tomorrow everything will be back to normal and she can go back to ignoring them.

Colin sat on the bed in astonishment; he couldn’t believe he had got caught watching her. The worst part was that it was Isabella that caught him. He shook his head; he didn’t think she would look back that’s why he looked in the first place. Colin looked down at the spiral and began to read and before he knew it he was done. It was something in the way she wrote that captivated his attention. Colin smiled when he realized it was the same way her Grandfather lured you into his stories. He was excited to tell Isabella what he thought about it so he waited and realized the shower was running. At least that part was true, from what Andres told him, she would take a shower no matter what time it was. Looking through Isabella’s bag Colin found some sticky notes and a pen. Writing a quick note and wording it specifically he placed it below her last sentence put everything else in her bag. Standing up Colin placed her spiral in the middle of the bed and walked out of Isabella’s room. As he passed the door to the bathroom he heard the shower turn off and for a brief moment contemplated going back and waiting for her in the room. Standing their Colin suddenly became overwhelmed with sleepiness and walked to the room he was sharing with Andres. Lying down on the air mattress he instantly fell into a dreamful sleep.

It took Isabella a while to finish up her night time routine. By the time she left the bathroom she realized Colin might still be waiting for her. As she reached the edge of the wall she peaked around the corner to see if he was still there, to her surprise Colin was nowhere to be found. Cautiously Isabella walked into the room, just in case he was hiding on the side of the room she couldn’t see. Once she was completely in the room she realized he had left. Shrugging her shoulders she closed the door behind her and placed her bag on the chair by the wall. Walking to the head of the bed she pulled the covers back and crawled in. Once she was situated she reached for her spiral and pulled it close. Opening it up to where she had stopped writing she saw the note from Colin.

Isabella couldn’t help but smile at the note, besides despite the way he is sometimes Colin can be a nice guy on occasion. She starred at the note as she lay down and closed her eyes. It’s interesting that after all these years to think that her cousin’s best friend could be nice.

Lying in bed Isabella thought about Colin and wondered if there would ever be a day she could stand to be around him. On that thought she wondered if she would ever be able to stand her cousin. Lying back on the pillows she thought about the story their Grandfather told them and drifted off to sleep.