Second Chances: To See Beyond The Moon
Hoping to unearth information that will help their daughter handle her "new" gift of second sight, Rick and Laurie Simon find an old tribal burial site that will put a halt to a land developer's project. Can the right decision be made or will their family face vengeance and death?
(This is a work of fiction. No money is being made on it, and the characters from Simon & Simon/Six Million Dollar Man/Bionic Woman are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while. Many thanks to the many websites offering Navajo/English translations.)
"All right, Ceci…which state's economy is driven by real estate and tourism? 10 seconds"
The teenager stood up, then confidently answered, "California".
"That's right! Your team goes ahead by 10 points. Last question."
A.J. Simon saw his mother grin out of the corner of his eye, then caught sight of his brother Rick tensing in his seat.
"Worrywart", he whispered, catching Rick's attention. The older Simon smirked, then focused as Chrystal Austin handed the microphone to the other moderator, Coach Karita.
"Okay, name the two rivers which irrigate the farmlands around Phoenix." He asked the six contestants, 3 juniors and 3 seniors. At once Greg Lawson, captain of the senior team raised his hand.
"Yes, Greg. 10 seconds."
"The Gila and the Salt Rivers." He answered, then high-fived his teammates as the teacher announced, "That is the right answer, we have a tie!"
Immediately the auditorium at Phoenix Central burst into applause, and both teachers held up their hands for silence.
"If the tie-breaker's history, Ceci will take it!" Rick muttered, then relaxed slightly as his wife Laurie squeezed his hand. "But if it's art or geography…." She began, then was silent as the District Superintendent stepped forward to the podium.
"The tie-breaker to decide Phoenix's own "College Prep Bowl" is from US History. Each team will designate one person to answer the question. Mr. Lawson?" he turned to the senior.
"I will answer the question." He replied, then the official looked at Ceci. "Ms. Simon?"
"I will also answer the question." She answered calmly. At once A.J. tightened his grip on the arm of his chair.
"The first student to get this right takes the points and the game for their team. Good luck." The Superintendent added, then pulled out a 3 by 5 card from the question box.
"In California, the missions were founded by Father Junipero Serra. Who was the Spanish missionary who founded Tumacacori and San Xavier del Bac Missions?"
At once Ceci's hand shot up. Excitedly A.J. and Linny clutched at each other as the Superintendent nodded at her. "Miss Simon….10 seconds."
Suddenly pale-faced, the junior Simon stood, then blurted out "Padre Kino."
"That is right! Winners of the 25th annual College Prep Bowl are Tanya Jemalian, Carlos De Vega and Cecilia Simon!" Superintendent Wilson announced, nearly drowned out by the cheering from the assembled parents, families and students. As the audience stood and cheered, all six students congratulated each other, then received hugs and ribbons from the teachers. As soon as Dr. Wilson thanked everyone for coming, Ceci jumped off the stage, then rushed to her parents and enveloped them in a tearful hug.
"I am so proud of you, Ceci!" Linda told her. "You studied so hard for this." Surprisingly her daughter bowed her head. "I froze…I nearly didn't answer in time."
"Oh, honey, you did answer…that's what matters." A.J. patted her back. "At least you tried, and you answered something I didn't even know!"
"That's because you're a California transplant, A.J.." Rick came up to the three of them, then held up a hand. "Way to go, Champ!"
A grin appeared on the teenager's face as she high-fived him. "Thanks, Uncle Rick…and …where's Aunt Laurie?"
"Right here, sweetie!" Laurie Simon embraced her niece, then handed her a bunch of flowers.
"Oh…violets…thanks-I love them! Thank you!" Beaming, Ceci was soon surrounded by her brothers and sister, then her cousins. Chrystal Austin broke away from the other faculty member to embrace her student. "You did a great job, Ceci. I knew the extra study hall would help!"
"Chrissy, as soon as your folks get in, come on over to your Uncle A.J.'s-we're celebrating there!" Laurie said, then grinned as the young teacher nodded. "We'll be there as fast as my car will take us, Auntie!"
As soon as congrats and hugs were exchanged, A.J. broke up the group by announcing, "All right…party time at the house…last one there washes dishes!"
"Not going to be me…come on, Cec!" Ricky yelled, and all four junior Simons raced to his car and climbed in. Rick grabbed his wife's hand. "That goes for us, see you at the house, little brother!"
Laughing, the Simons all rushed to their cars, then one by one took off for the Simon's condo. Predictably, by the time A.J. and Linda got to the house, they found the barbeque going, the tables on the patio set up and Robin Whitecloud mixing up dip and salsa.
"There you are, Aunt Linda….where do you want me to put this?" she asked, pointing at the bowls of dips, vegetable sticks, pretzels and chips.
"Right here, honey, just let me get comfortable." Rick's voice preceded him as he came out of the kitchen, then settled in A.J.'s easy chair. Pulling up a snack tray next to him, he gave her an expectant smile.
"Pop, you are so bad…" A.J. shook his head as Robin giggled, then put a "sampler" plate at her father's elbow. Linda pretended to sigh. "Go ahead and put the rest on the kitchen table, honey. I'd rather the kids crumb up the floor in here then contribute to your father and uncle's mess in the living room."
"Honey, don't encourage him…hmmmm, is this Calico Dip?" A.J. snatched a cracker then scooped up some and sat on the sofa across from Rick.
"Get your own, little brother." Rick pretended to growl. At that Laurie came out with a plate like Rick's and set it down within her brother-in-law's reach. "Rick, be nice…here, A.J.. We'll call you when it's time to turn the steaks."
"Oh, no you don't have to, darlin'…" Rick started to protest, then stopped when Laurie leaned down and kissed him. "Well, all right!" he grinned, as she released his lips then turned and went out to the patio.
"Can't argue with that." He snickered, putting his hands behind his head and putting the chair back. The younger Simon just laughed. "You are so spoiled…well, make that, we are so spoiled."
Just then the sound of squabbling sounded, and Melly and Robin Simon came rushing into the house. "Daddy….Ricky and Ceci won't let us play with them and Andy and Katie!" Melly complained.
"They say we're too little, Daddy….we're not too little..will you and Uncle Rick play with us?" Robin added hopefully. Unable to resist the little faces, Rick reluctantly finished off a chip then stood up. "Sure, guys,….last one outside eats peas!"
"Peas…yum!" Melly squealed, then grabbed his hand and tugged him outside.
"Come on, son, can't let your sister and uncle beat us!" A.J. chuckled, then followed the others.
After several hours of playing games and eating, Rick finally begged off playing catch with his grandson in favor of sprawling on the sofa with a sleeping Melly, while A.J. and Linda cleaned up and Robin and Laurie packaged up the leftovers.
"Sweet, do you want to take this back to Ian? He'll be done …Robin?" Laurie began, then stopped, seeing her daughter shivering.
"Mom….I'm cold, something's wrong.." she replied, staring confusedly at her mother. At once Laurie put down the dish she was covering, then took Robin's arm and maneuvered her into a seat at the kitchen table.
"Okay, honey…just breathe deep…in and out….in and out…"she told her, looking her in the eye and speaking in a calm voice.
Obediently Robin did so, as her aunt automatically grabbed the phone and called their friend Rudy Wells, as A.J. went to get his brother.
"Robin…what is it…what do you see?" Rick came into the kitchen and immediately sat down next to his daughter, then took her hand. At once her eyes went wide with fear.
"No…Ian….don't take that curve so fast…stop!" she cried.