Chapter 18

The Visitor

3:50 AM

The windows don't need to be open. That's only reserved for clichéd low budget

thrillers. I am always here. Even if you don't think I am. Remember those times at

Grandmother's house when you were five and the old Philco radio would go on by

itself? That was Grandpa sending a message to you. Why it always seemed to be

Glenn Miller's --"Chattanooga Choo Choo" probably was because he used to sing

that to you before he died. It's only the living that seem to have trouble with the dead.

The dead cope just fine. That's not to diminish anyone's pain. It's just that it's different

here. I look forward for the day when I'll have my family back. Or I should say my

extended family as well. Yes, I wore mod clothes when punk was all the rage. But you

know you don't hear The Sex Pistols' music turned into calming instrumental elevator

ditties. I could debate that with Joe for hours. But I didn't love her. I loved Audrey Miller

with the long red hair. (as you know from photographs of how it used to be.) So, I come

here because you've been having a terrible time lately and I want to see your face.

How handsome you are. You are a chip off the old block. I was always here, but you

couldn't find me because you weren't really looking within yourself. I do appreciate the

Zero Gravity guitar pick.

So sometimes we have to come in deeper, into your dreams and it is certainly difficult

to get inside your head. What with all these Torey thoughts of yours that are swirling

through your head like maple syrup on hot buttered pancakes. I am glad that you

found someone to love. You take it slow and you respect her or you will feel me

kicking your ass. She's really pretty and smart and reminds me of your mother. You

go ahead and keep thinking about engagement rings. Only, I wouldn't tell your Mom

or Dad about it. Dad. Yeah that's right. Walter is your Dad. And thank God you and

him finally met at a real pass early this morning. Staying with him and watching The

Maltese Falcon on TCM was how I raised you to be. If the bond you needed with

Walter was the death of a loved one then that is when death has a purpose. We're all

born of this Earth to die. No one wants to, even those that attempt suicide. Which

brings me to Josh. I hope with all my loving that I send to you that you help Josh

through this time. Every time you have to help him, that's what it feels like that you

"have to help him" and then you get angry with him for it. That's not right. Walter was

right it was my death that you were livid over. I was angry too when I looked over my

own body and saw what that drug addict had done knowing that I would never see you,

your Mom, or Megan again. And believe me when you are on this side of it, there is

no choice but to accept it. Josh is a good kid. Yeah he's geeky, but so were you before

you found music. He needs you, Drake. He might need you more than you need him

on an emotional level and I hope that you'll be there for him. Do you realize you have

sent 5, 985 signals to your brain about the sex you are going to have with Torey? It'll

happen soon enough, but I realize that's not going to stop you from thinking about it.

Five thousand, nine hundred, and eighty-six! You are a chip off the old block.

But I'm not this myth you are creating in your mind. Spidey Parker was a high school

nickname that never carried over, once my life changed and became more family

oriented. Your mother even called me "Sgt. Ringo", but that dream is not for you.

I'm Peter James Parker. To make me a myth would only hurt my memory. You'll

realize that in time.

Megan is quite the beauty. She's going to grow up stunningly beautiful. But she

doesn't think about boys much, except that new neighbor boy she likes to torment.

And yes her pranks and spying can be a little excessive, but it's her way of coping

without me. I visited with her first and she's my one in a million little girl.

You are very talented. Your music will get you out of San Diego. If you want it to.

Fame isn't all that is cracked up to be. But then again I only worked in an office as a

supervisor. How ironic that Walter Nichols has more TV exposure than I ever did!

Which was zero. If you have to make any choices, I want you to think long and hard

about those choices and how it might affect other people. I can see glimmers of your

future. What good would it be to tell you that in advance? You have to make the

choices. I go to all of your gigs. You were great at the junior prom despite your broken

heart but I knew (from those glimmers I told you about) that you and Torey were going

to get back together that night. Didn't she look breathtaking in her blue dress? And of

course the male Parker is irresistible to the ladies and I'm just glad that you picked

one with substance!

A nice rack and all that is fine, but there's more to a woman than her curves. Torey is

very beautiful too and what's more is that she loves you very much and that's why it

was very hard for you to decide to take her back (again). That Josh is an awesome

brother and your mother's ring certainly looks nice on her. Let her enjoy this ring for a

while before you decide to get "other" rings. It's all in the glimmers son. Make your

decisions wisely. It's all in the timing.

I want to hug my kids but all I can do is go through you and while I

can't tangibly feel you. My heart does. That also includes Josh. After all I'm Josh's

Dad too.

In a few weeks you and Josh will be high school seniors! The graduating class of

2006. I know you hate school; I can't say I was fond of it either. But in today's world a

high school diploma is mandatory! Hell nowadays a college diploma is mandatory,

but you will probably only see college in one to three ways. I'll let you figure out what

those ways are. Glimmers again. Oops, Josh just woke up, the poor thing, and

bumped into the wall. He's only going to take a pee. You were so sweet to send your

mother to bed and to play your acoustic guitar at his bedside as he tossed and

turned. And I don't just see your glimmers but Josh's as well. Be understanding and

kind. I think a cloud of sorts lifted after your talk with your Dad. There's no need to be

angry because Sp—no Peter is always here so stop getting annoyed with Josh if he

needs help again and again. Some people do. I know you'll do the right things. Not

that you won't make mistakes, you will. I can only hope that you'll make the less

severe ones. Enjoy your last year in high school, love your girlfriend the way I taught

you, keep your family in your heart, and never let go of your music. It's what connects

you to the universe. Will you remember any of this when you wake up, Drake?

Probably not. I see a glimmer of yet another sex jolt. Is this six thousand? There's

nothing wrong with your drive. I'm just glad that you actually love Torey.

The best kind of relationships are the ones that really are for keeps.

I have to get going now, but look for me in your heart, and if you look deep inside I'll

always be there. I love you, Drake.

Your Dad,

Peter James Parker

It was five thirty in the morning when Drake up from a compounded sleep and wrote

the lyrics (no music yet) for a song he called Glimmers. He had no idea on where

the thought came from it just did. It flowed out of him like maple syrup on hot buttered

pancakes. Like it was in his head all along and was just waiting for the right moment to

reveal itself to the world. Drake put his tablet behind his pillow, looked at Josh who was

still sleeping, as he nestled his head back and covered himself with a blanket.

It was going to be all right.

"I can see everyone's glimmers says the Glimmer Man." Drake Parker/2005

Notes: This story is to be continued in Part II of the trilogy