When the Sun Stands Still in Quick's Run

When the Sun Stands Still in Quick’s Run

Summer Solstice ... when the sun stands still and the spotlight is on you, love is found in Quick’s Run. The pastor’s words resonated with Cheyne as she leaned back on Mechai’s arm which was resting on the oak and pine church pew. The pew was much like the elders of River Root Church, itself ... sturdy and patinaed by the elements of time.

Thinking back to when she first arrived to town ... The dusty green sign read, Population: 560. Ninety-two degrees was the temperature outside. As Cheyne parked her car on the street, she felt like she was in The Twilight Zone. She was in an area with no cell phone reception. Her mother’s hometown had fallen into disrepair decades ago when employment from surrounding areas had dried up. Now the streets were full of potholes. Entire blocks were empty with no houses – just empty lots of overgrown, itchy grass.

A helix of events had brought Cheyne to this time, this place. Her mother’s fond recollections of an organic, small-town life had captured her interest as an only child growing up in a major city. As an adult, Cheyne had been a news reporter before she was laid off. Cheyne decided it was time to return to her mother’s hometown to reconnect with her two cousins, Jacarra and Khoi. A week later, they won $1 billion dollars in the state lottery. In the following months, other town residents (or their relatives) also became lottery winners.

The media buzz was all about the money, “Residents of a small town hit the lottery multiple times!” However, the actual story was deeper than that. Yes, twenty families (or their descendants) did become millionaires overnight. Cheyne, Jacarra, and Khoi convinced ten of them to invest in the revitalization of Quick’s Run. Yet, the townspeople and their relatives - near and far - worked hard to renovate their small town in any way they could. Older people mentored the younger ones in construction, carpentry, farming, and business. People worked together to discover innovative solutions to real problems. All around town, vegetable gardens were becoming an oasis to families who had long suffered living in a food desert.

Over the past five years, Cheyne had visited Quick’s Run many times to see it returned to its splendor. She had no idea that she would be doing the heavy lifting with her steps being scaffolded by her ancestors all the while.

That was five years ago. Cheyne finally realized that this town was her home.

As services ended, the pastor reminded everyone about the free meal in the park at 3:00 p.m. All were invited to attend. There would be bottled water, barbequed chicken, hot dogs, fruits, and vegetables. Ice cream, popsicles, and natural smoothies would be the desserts. The food was prepared by the small businesses that would be joining the Quick’s Run community. Everything was funded by the Three Cousins organization and generous donors.

Cheyne and her cousins were so proud of how everyone had come together to rebuild the town by renovating old houses and building new ones. A huge luxury apartment complex was completed last month. It included modern lofts; small and large apartments; and tiny homes around the perimeter. Many of the town’s families were able to live there. During this celebratory weekend, the building also served as hotel accommodations for visitors.

Everyone returned to their homes for an afternoon’s rest before the Sizzling Solstice Celebration of food, games, and music. Cheyne arrived with her cousins, Jacarra and Khoi two hours before Mechai found them in line, waiting for food.

“Were you wondering where I was?” Mechai smiled at Cheyne as he planted himself in line behind her.

“Oh, we were so busy, I had no time to notice,” Cheyne stated nonchalantly.

Khoi chuckled as Jacarra chortled and turned to Cheyne directly, “Come on, Cheyne – you were scanning the premises nonstop to catch a glimpse of this guy and you know it!” Peeking around Cheyne, Jacarra greeted him with an exaggerated wave, “Hi, Mechai!”

“Hello, Jacarra,” Mechai responded with a dimple-deep laugh. After getting their food, Cheyne’s cousins suspiciously sat at a table filled with neighbors – leaving Cheyne and Mechai to grab an empty table, alone.

Laughing, Mechai said, “Your cousin is something else!”

“Tell me about it,” Cheyne sighed before laughing herself. “So ... why were you late to the celebration? You missed my big, fancy speech and everything. I guess you needed a long nap after Sunday services!” She began eating.

“No, I ran into a little old lady who asked me to change her tire. Then, I had to go home to shower and all.”

Cheyne instantly regretted giving Mechai a hard time when he was helping someone, “No worries ... My speech was about thanking the town for welcoming me and being receptive to my ideas. With a few special acknowledgements to a few donors, the church ... and you.”

“Me?” Mechai was surprised by her words.

“Yes, you,” Cheyne said directly, “I thanked you for being my sounding board for the past year – when I lost my contractor; helping me make sense of old property maps; and being a listening ear -- when I complained of how indecisive Khoi was about staying in Quick’s Run”.

Mechai reached for Cheyne’s hand, “Thank you for the acknowledgement, but you know I only help because I want to. Sometimes, you have to release what you hold tightly in order to receive more blessings. I want to be wherever you are.”

Cheyne was sure she was blushing as bright as the strawberry moon.

A concert of local performers entertained the townspeople for three hours. Then, clusters of people sat around a few custom-designed fire pits to socialize and share stories of their families, some people retired to their homes or accommodations for the night. Still, about fifty people participated in the midnight stroll under the stars. The mayor, pastor, deacons, and their families led the way as they were most familiar with the town. The starlit trek around town was complemented by the violin music of a local teenager named Vonn. The talented youth played instrumental versions of everything from classical to gospel and soul to country. A handful of teenagers snickered whenever they recognized a popular rap tune that Vonn snuck in right under the stuffiest deacon’s nose. Throughout the night, Vonn earned many tips and encouragement to continue on his musical journey.

Around midnight, much of the walking group had left in search of a good night’s sleep. About fifteen minutes later, Cheyne and Mechai had reached the edge of town. Vonn continued playing, lost in the music on his violin.

“Well, I guess this is it,” Cheyne said wistfully, as she was not quite ready to say good night to Mechai.

“It doesn’t have to be,” he said, “You want to go exploring?”

“Uh, NOW?!”

“That’s the best time ... but I understand if you are a little scared -...”

“Oh, I’m not scared ... I was only clarifying,” Cheyne said boldly.

Mechai took her hand and led her down an old dusty road which he said had once been an orchard of some kind. Vonn continued following along, oblivious to his surroundings until they all stopped, facing into the open mouth of a dark cave.

“Wait a minute,” Mechai said with a matter-of-fact curiosity in his voice, “This cave has never been on any maps – old or new – that I’ve seen”.

“Let’s take a peek,” Cheyne was doing her best to be adventurous.

“We’re not going in, right?” Vonn asked in a child-like voice.

“Turn your flashlight on,” Mechai directed after taking his out.

As the three shined their lights into the cave, many lost eyes stared back at them. Vonn began screaming as he sprinted off towards home. Cheyne dropped her phone and backed away to hide behind a massive tree.

“We don’t mean you any harm,” Mechai said in a slow, steady voice as he backed away. After an eternity of moments, four children came into the clearing. They all looked scared and tattered. One of the children began to cry, “Will you help us?”

Cheyne came out from around the tree, saying, “Of, course”. She bent down to retrieve her phone, and as she stood up sixteen more people came out of the cave.