Unity (Part 2) - [Erik]

Sara looked over at Mike. He saw her, but kept staring at the road ahead. They’d been driving for half an hour without speaking a word to each other.

Sara couldn’t take it anymore and broke the silence, “I’m glad we have some time alone.” Her tone begged Mike to respond in kind.

Mike glanced at his wife and forced a smile. He said, “Me too” and then went back to staring.

A few minutes passed.

Mike thought about the voice and he thought about telling Sara. He took a deep breath and held it for a second. As he did, his cheeks puffed out like a trumpet player. Then he let the air out through his nearly closed lips with enough force to blow up a balloon.

Sara looked over at Mike again, “So what’s the plan? Where are we going?”

“Like I said, I thought we could just go for a drive. You know…drive and talk.”

Sara let out a frustrated laugh, “Alright, let’s talk. You start.”

“Sara, I really don’t know how to tell you. I have something. Look…do you promise to take me seriously here?” Mike’s voice shook, “Something wonderful has happened and I want to share it with you.”

Sara was startled by Mike’s sudden desire to talk. Months of arguing about not spending enough time at home and the days with barely any talking at all seemed about to end.

“Sure. Well…I could use ‘wonderful.’” Her words assured Mike that everything was going to be alright, but Sara was scared.

Mike got excited, “Okay, I can’t really explain it in a way that you will understand, so I’m going to have to show you.”

“Show me? Where are we going? What are you going to show me?”

“I told you, we’re just going for a drive.” Mike sighed. He reached for Sara’s hand then continued, “Just listen.”

Mike’s sweaty hand didn’t help to calm Sara, but she agreed, “Alright. I’m listening.”

Mike hesitantly reached for the radio, turned it on, and static filled the car. He raised his voice above the noise, “We’re gonna have to wait a bit. I’m not sure how long…sometimes an hour, sometimes just a few minutes.”

Sara squinted. “I thought you didn’t want to listen to the radio.”

“I know. I don’t. I’m not listening to the radio, it’s static. Just trust me. It’ll all make sense. Listen to it.”

Sara’s heart pounded. She listened for about a minute. The static was unnerving. She rubbed her forehead and thought to herself, this is the perfect soundtrack to the last few months. I can’t take this.

“Mike, I don’t like this. You’re scaring me. What the hell is going on? I want to help you. I know you’ve been going through something, but I’m not going to drive around listening to static with you while you tell me that somehow this is going to make sense. Pull over. I don’t want to do this.”

“Babe, just listen.”

Sara cut him off, “No. I’m not going to listen. Pull over.”

“Babe.”

“Pull over Mike.”

“Alright, but you have to listen okay?”

Mike pulled off the road and parked by a playground.

“Now turn this off.” Sara reached for the radio.

Mike grabbed her wrist. He grabbed hard. “Don’t. You have to listen. I’m serious. You have to hear it.”

“Let go.” Sara started to cry. “You’re hurting me. Let go.” She opened her door and moved to get out but couldn’t break free of Mike’s grasp.

The static stopped. Sara didn’t notice. Mike did.

Then the voice spoke, “Sara.”

Mike’s eye’s got wide. He let go of Sara and shouted, “There he is. Did you hear it? He said your name. He said your name. Listen, he’s going to talk to you too.”

Sara fell out of the car and stumbled to her feat. She screamed at the open door, “What’s gotten into you? You’re acting crazy?”

The voice spoke again, “Sara.”

Mike leaned across the center console of the car and caught Sara’s eyes, “See. There he is. He’s been speaking to me too. It’s wonderful Sara. Listen to him. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“What are you talking about Mike?”

“The voice…I’m talking about the voice. Tell her. Listen, he’ll tell you. Please. I’m sorry I grabbed you. Please, come closer. Listen. Sara. Listen.”

Sara didn’t move.

The voice spoke, “Sara. Please listen. Mike needs you.”

“What is that Mike? What are you doing?”

“Mike’s not doing anything Sara, except trying to tell you the truth.”

“How are you doing that Mike?”

“I’m not doing it Sara. This is what I wanted to show you. Don’t be afraid. Listen to him. Everything will make sense if you just listen.”

Sara’s curiosity bested her fear for just a second. She took a step toward the car and leaned in. There was a strange stillness.

A moment passed.

As Sara listened, it was as if the volume was turned up on the sound of kids playing and wind dancing in the trees.

Then the voice spoke, “Unity is the key…oneness. Do you understand?”

Sara took a deep breath. As she did, her jaw quivered and tears filled her eyes. She did understand. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard those words. But now they were coming from a voice in the car radio. It was one of the most beautiful, calming sounds she’d ever heard. And she knew, looking over at Mike with a giant grin on his face, she knew that everything was going to be alright.

Sara’s legs weakened. She fell to her knees and said, “Yes. I understand. Tell me more.”