Quazum

PEACEFUL MEETING 164

 “What are you playing?” Lacy walked over to the computer where Quazum was pushing buttons with one hand and quickly typing out information with his other hand. Loud sounds were coming from the computer as Quazum concentrated.

“It’s just a new computer game,” mumbled Quazum.

Lacy examined the hi-tech graphics flashing on screen and asked, “Are we paying anything for this computer access?”

“No. It’s all free,” replied Quazum as he concentrated on the flashy screen. “At least it’s free if you know how to unlock the feed and unscramble the passwords.”

Lacy walked over and pulled up a chair. “You know? I’ve wanted to talk to you about your history and your father for a long time. I’ve just been waiting for the right moment, just a time when it felt right.”

Quazum was wearing a shirt, pants, shoes and hat over his invisible body. He continued pressing buttons and playing the fast action computer game when the lights finally flashed, and the computer screen lit up. “Congratulations,” said the computer. “You have topped your previous record score.”

“Looks like you got the highest score again, hunh?” asked Lacy as Quazum shut off the computer and turned to his mom.

“Yeah, I just broke my own record. No big deal.”

“Well, what I wanted to tell you is...” Lacy paused nervously and looked into the eyes of Quazum and pulled up a chair. “Quazmopolis was the moon in the Kepler Solar System that I was exploring, on my last mission.”

“You don’t have to tell me Mom. I understand.”

“That’s the thing. I really don’t think you understand,” answered Lacy as she looked up in the air thinking. “I was a proud member of the Space Exploration Agency, and I went on this big mission to Quazmopolis.”

Quazum looked curious as he listened.

Lacy continued trying to explain, “When we went on that mission, I was one of the leaders. We just wanted to find something... New elements of rock... Or maybe new life.”

“Yeah? So, what did you find?”

“I saw motion, and no one could explain it. Other scientists didn’t believe me. And I just had no proof.”

“So, you kept looking?” Quazum seemed confused as Lacy struggled to tell her story.

“I kept looking, and I found a possible cave under the mounds of heavy colored rock on Quazmopolis... And what I found was incredible.”

“You think you saw a new life form?”

“I saw an entire planet of life.”

Quazum looked confused, “I read that you were injured, with possible brain damage. And you were unconscious.”

“The rest of the crew saw nothing. And they thought I was seeing things. But I believe I discovered a tiny opening in that rock surface, which uncovered an unknown life form that human explorers had never seen. The rest of the crew just spent the week testing rocks.”

“But I read there was no recorded video of what you saw,” answered Quazum. “And no reports of any rock openings, or even motion detected by the solar jet.”

“That’s true. No one but me ever saw anything under the rock. And I had no proof.”

“Did you tell them? Did you tell anyone?”

Lacy then shook her head. “Space Exploration concluded the moon of Quazmopolis could never support life. It could never even support plant life.”

“It was an Aric Cactus plant, and they want to try to plant it again on the new mission.”

“How do you know all this?” asked Lacy, amazed with Quazum’s knowledge.

“I read about the mission online. There were lots of details about Quazmopolis and your last mission.”

“It’s posted on the computer? That’s all supposed to be top secret.” Lacy then got up and walked around thinking.

“So, what do you think about Space Exploration planning that new mission? What will they learn?”

“Who cares? It has nothing to do with you or your family. We don’t care what they’re looking for.”

“But I just want to go. I think I want to see what it’s like.”

“What are you talking about? That’s not something you can just decide to do. You have a home, and you can live a peaceful life here with me and Grandpa.” said Lacy as she stood up. “You are my son, and Gabriel’s grandson. You’re not going across the galaxy. Just get all that out of your head.”

“Mom, I don’t belong in Back-Bayou. I want to return to the moon I was named after, Quazmopolis.”

Lacy stared at Quazum deep in thought before Quazum returned to the computer.

* * *

Ben was sitting at home on his computer examining any information he could find about Lacy, but nothing was coming up. The computer continued speaking out. “No documentation can be found of Lacy Meaux in the southern area of California.”

Ben pushed buttons on the screen and then asked the computer, “Where was the credit card of Lacy Meaux last used for purchase?”

Again, the computer spoke out, “No documented purchases have been made by Lacy Meaux.”

Ben touched the screen and began pushing new buttons and starting new searches. He finally opened a new full screen page and spoke into the computer, “Is there any record of a Lacy Meaux in the entire country of the United States?”

Screen flashed suggestions and unrecognizable names before announcing, “No documentation of Lacy Meaux with that name spelling can be found in the United States. Other variations of names can be...”

“Fine. That’s enough.” Ben then stood up and pulled out his personal computer phone. He searched in the phone directory and pushed buttons when the speaker phone finally began ringing. Ben continued pushing buttons and scrolling when a woman answered, “Hello?”

After quickly pushing buttons, Ben put the phone up to his ear. “Hello, this is Ben Thomas calling from the ‘Lottery Rewards Identification Center’, and I want to speak to the landlord of this apartment complex.”

“I’m the landlord...” said a confused voice.

Ben then responded quickly, “Great! Hi, I’ve got some great news for Miss Lacy Meaux... and I just wanted to get some information.”

“I’m sorry. Miss Lacy Meaux moved out a long time ago,” said her old landlord, Isabelle. “I’m Isabelle. Did Lacy win something?”

“Well, yes,” replied Ben as he searched for information. “It’s something I need to personally deliver if you can just give me some information.”

Isabelle was excited and opened up old files and searched for Lacy Meaux. She then read out, “Lacy was a scientist that worked with Space Exploration. She was on the news a few times... and she went on a mission to Quazmopolis.”

“Can you just give me information on when Lacy moved out of this apartment and where she might have gone?”

“It was right after she got back from a mission,” answered Isabelle. “I remember she was going to get married and get promoted at her job. But she just ran out of her apartment when she got back from some mission. She left all her furniture and clothes... but she never said exactly why she was leaving.”

“So, she left with her apartment still furnished?”

“She said she was going to a place called ‘Back-Bayou’... I’ll never forget. She carried out her bird cage and a little aquarium.”

“Would that be in Louisiana? The Back-Bayou?” Ben returned to his computer and began typing.

“I don’t know where that is really... What did Lacy win?”

Ben continued searching on the computer and began trying to hang up, “Uhhh. That’s information I can only give to Lacy Meaux. Sorry.”

“Well, tell Lacy I want her back,” said Isabelle. “Best tenant I ever had... And I’ve got a room opening up in just a few weeks.”

“Thank you,” answered Ben. “I’ll give her the message.” Ben finally hung up the phone and immediately continued typing and searching.

His computer finally began speaking up. “Land of one hundred forty-seven acres in Back-Bayou is today owned by Gabriel Meaux. Gabriel lives alone, and no information of family or nearby relatives is listed. No photos available.”

Ben continued searching roads and zooming into photos taken from satellites showing trees and areas of swamp before the computer announced, “Meaux property in the bayou is undeveloped and is not connected to phone lines or power cables. Local swamps in Back-Bayou carry fresh crawfish and catfish in the summer months, ducks and geese are hunted in the swamps during the winter. Alligator season begins in August.”

After reading and looking at the video taken of the marsh, Ben finally jumped up and hurried across the dirty apartment grabbing a suitcase. He rolled it across the room, threw some dirty clothes in, and immediately rushed out the front door.

Ben’s apartment manager, Francis, noticed Ben leaving and immediately followed him to his car. “So, do you have your rent money?”

“Here you go,” said Ben as he pulled out a stack of one hundred-dollar bills. “Take this along with my thirty-day notice.”

Francis held the money and looked surprised as Ben climbed into the car. “And you can have all the furniture. Just rent the apartment as furnished.”

“You’re moving out?”

“I’ve got a few things I need to settle. Good-bye Francis!” Ben hopped in and drove his car out the driveway and down the street. Francis seemed confused.

* * *

 “Bam! Bam!” Gabriel fired his g*n into trees as he raced across the marsh. The sun was rising slowly in the distance, and the temperatures felt normal.

Gabriel walked slowly next to the swamp wearing heavy boots when an ugly rat ran across the mud. Gabriel quickly held up the g*n, aimed down at the rat, then stopped. “I ain’t wasting no shells on you.” He then lowered his rifle back down and continued walking slowly and listening.

Wind blew lightly, and the moss in the trees began to shake. “You can’t hide from me today, Quazum. I know you’re out there.” Gabriel slowly turned his head looking out for a motion. “I’m going to find you if it takes all day.”

With each sound coming from the old swampland, Gabriel pulled the shotgun up to his shoulder and stared down the barrel. “Come on! Just give me a sign, Quazum. Anything. This really ain’t fair.”

“Pow!” Gabriel fired a shot from his g*n at a target next to a tree, but nothing moved.

Lacy was sweeping dead grass from the porch when she heard the g*n fire. She looked annoyed and yelled out, “I told you Dad. No firing shots!”

* * *

Ben drove slowly into the parking lot of a Back-Bayou neighborhood store, Grocery Mart. He climbed out of the car and walked inside looking around. He then walked up to a cashier and asked politely. “Hi, I’m looking for a girl named Lacy Meaux? Can you tell me if she may have shopped here any time in the last few years?”

“I don’t know a Lacy Meaux. Not out in these parts,” answered Nancy the cashier as she stacked groceries.

Ben then pulled out his phone and held up an old picture. “She used to work for the Space Exploration Agency, and I know she grew up here in the Back-Bayou.”

“No one ‘round here named Lacy,” answered Nancy. “I know that.”

The store manager noticed the conversation and walked over to see the picture. Ben turned his phone to the manager and asked again, “Do you know this woman?”

“I don’t know any fancy dressed women around here.”

“How about her father? His name is Gabriel Meaux.” asked Ben. “He’s a man now around his mid-fifties? He owns some property in Back-Bayou?”

Nancy finally laughed, “Maybe you talking ‘bout the ‘swampland’ man?

“Do you know where he goes?” asked Ben. “Or where he hangs out?”

“Meaux is one crazy old man living alone deep down in the bayou. I ain’t seen him in a while.”

Manager then laughed, “Yeah, no power, no phones. Brews his own whiskey and lives off the land. Comes in town once a year for new bullets for his guns and new fishing lines.”

“No one knows nothing about him,” said Nancy. “He could be dead for all we know. His swampland is just a hundred old acres in the wild marsh.”

“It’s a hundred forty-seven acres,” responded Ben with a polite laugh. “Well, thank y’all very much for all your help. I’ll let Gabriel Meaux know I talked to you if I see him.”

“Tell him we say hi,” said Nancy as she and the store manager laughed.

“I will,” replied Ben with a wave as he walked back to his car. Ben looked around nervously as he backed out and began driving down the old road looking at “Warning” signs.

Ben made turns and continued down the bumpy road taking directions from the computer, “The old Back-Bayou swampland owned by Gabriel Meaux is coming up on the right. In one hundred yards make the left turn onto the dirt road.”

The dirt driveway was hidden behind bushes with “No Trespassing” signs along the street. The computer then spoke out again, “Turn left, and drive down the gravel road for about a quarter mile.” Ben then turned off the car computer and made a slow turn onto the dirt and gravel driveway. At a slow pace, he drove through mud and puddles of water.

Ben finally stopped when he saw the road dip into a wet three-foot ditch across the path. He got out of the car and saw a snake moving across the med from side to side. Ben crossed and walked up to an old rusty wired fence and climbed under the wire looking around nervously.

* * *

 “The sun ain’t setting, and this has got to be the hottest day of the year,” said Gabriel as he carried his rifle through the swamps. He looked up into the trees and studied the tree bark and low-hanging leaves. Gabriel continued walking carefully through the swampy area. Sweat dripped down his face, and he wore light shorts and a t-shirt, with muddy boots. “I don’t care if this takes all day, Quazum. I just need to get one shot.”

Gabriel continued slowly following the strange footprints in the mud and looking around. No sound or movement could be seen across the swamp area of trees as Gabriel looked for any sign of motion.

“Tweet, tweet.” The sound from chirping birds rang from up above, and Gabriel immediately swung the g*n up into the trees and moved around pointing the g*n straight up.

“I got you now,” mumbled Gabriel with a smile. “I know you’re up there. Just come down slowly, and give up... before I have to shoot.”

Marshland colored green and black Quazum changed shape and color as he began crawling down the side of a tree towards Grandpa.

“Ha!” yelled Gabriel in excitement. “I knew that had to be you. There was just no getting away!”

“I give up,” answered Quazum. “Plus, it’s getting late, and I kind of have to go to the bathroom.”

Ben heard the talking voices and hurried around the trees, then stepped out with a smile.

“Mr. Meaux? Hello?” Ben stepped over mud as he approached. “I’m visiting from Space Exploration, and I just have a few questions. Mr. Meaux?”

Quazum spun around and saw Ben making his way down the path. He immediately stood by the tree becoming invisible and blending in. Moss covered the old oak trees around the swampland. Gabriel looked surprised, then ran behind a tree and out of sight.

Ben noticed the movement and continued down the path to where he heard the voices. “Hello?” asked Ben again. “I’m looking for a Mr. Gabriel Meaux. I just have a few questions?”

As Ben continued walking between the trees, he looked around curiously. “My name is Ben. I’m from Space Exploration and just wanted to talk to someone about a girl named Lacy Meaux? She’s just a girl I knew...”

“POW! POW!” Gunshots suddenly fired, and Gabriel stepped out holding his g*n up and looking down the barrel.

In shock, Ben held up his hands and said, “I’m unarmed. I just came to see if you might know Miss Lacy Meaux?”

“POW!” Gabriel fired another warning shot.

“Lacy Meaux is off limits to you and everyone at your Space Exploration crap,” yelled Gabriel. “Now get off my swampland!”

“I just want you to understand,” answered Ben politely. “Lacy is a good friend. I just need to talk to her.”

Gabriel then stepped out and held up the shotgun as he walked towards Ben. “Get off my land! This is your last warning!”

When Gabriel c****d his g*n, Ben finally turned and ran back down towards his car. “I’m leaving!” Ben looked back at Gabriel and was confused as he climbed through the old fence and ran back to his car. Ben started the engine and began to pull out.

Quazum then walked over to Gabriel and asked, “Why did you do that? He said he knows Mom. He might be her friend.”

“He’s got no business trespassing on my swampland,” answered Gabriel. “I could have shot him dead. He’s lucky. Now let’s go home!”

Gabriel then threw Quazum his hat and bag of clothes, and they began walking back towards the house. “I thought he seemed like a nice guy that was friends with Mom. I wanted to meet him.”

Gabriel was deep in thought as he walked and finally replied, “We don’t need to talk to no jerk from the big city. That’s why we’re out here! We want to keep the peace.”

The two walked quietly through the swampland and up to the fence. When Quazum saw Lacy in the distance, he ran up to the porch. “Mama, we saw somebody! And he asked about you!”

“Asked about me? No one even knows I’m here.”

“He said he knew you,” replied Quazum.

“He was some creep trying to get private information.”

“So why did you fire the g*n?” asked Lacy. “You should just say I’m not here.”

Gabriel looked confused as he walked up. “We didn’t know what he wanted! I just wanted him to mind his own business.”

“I told you not to shoot!” yelled Lacy.

“But they were just rubber bullets! Only meant to scare him.”

Lacy was mad as she put her arm around Quazum and made her way to the house. “That’s not the point. Now he’s going to get more people involved.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I think Grandpa just scared him off.”

“You,” answered Lacy as she turned to Gabriel. “You have just opened a can of worms.”