Imagination House
Thomas Calabrese -It was zero five hundred hours and time to leave. Jim Halloran had already packed his 2006 Toyota Tacoma truck with some his personal belongings last night so that he would have very little to do now except eat breakfast, say goodbye to his parents and get on the road before rush hour traffic started.
Jim had tried to explain to his mother and father why he felt compelled to leave his hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, but could not quite articulate his position to either of their satisfactions, maybe because he wasn’t sure himself. He had been in the Marine Corps for ten years with five deployments to various combat zones and only managed to make it home once a year for a couple of weeks at a time during his military service. There was no logical reason for him to feel so restless, but feelings and emotions don’t fall into the realm of logic and reason.
Once he was a few blocks from home with the entrance to Interstate I-70 in his sight, Jim pulled over and took a nickel from the ashtray, “Heads I go east, tails I go west,” then flipped the coin and entered the freeway with the sun to his back. He had no particular destination in mind and was in no hurry to get there. Jim kept looking for something that would stimulate his interest as he drove through the states of Kansas, Oklahoma New Mexico and Texas but after two days on the road,everything had just become a geographical blur.
Jim checked in to the Quality Inn in Kingman, Arizona just after sunset and the first thing he did was take a long hot shower, then call his parents to let them know where he was and that everything was fine. He fell asleep while watching the old police drama, Adam-12 on a local station and before long Jim was dreaming and half listening to the cop show at the same time. In his restless mind Jim was being chased by Officers Malloy and Reed down the streets of his Kansas City neighborhood while his parents were yelling at him from their front porch to give up. When Jim was cornered in an alley, Malloy yelled out, “Freeze,Dirtbag!”
“I’m innocent, copper!” Jim responded.
“You might be not guilty, but no one is truly innocent,” Reed laughed and fired two warning shots that nicked Jim’s ears.
Jim fell off the bed and banged his head against the nightstand and woke up. When he returned to reality, Jim looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was 1:30 am and as good a time as any to get back on the road. He couldn’t help but laugh when he thought that his life had become a concoction of memories from his past, excerpts from a 1960’s television show and an uncertain future.
He made it to San Diego County before sunrise on Saturday morning and switched from westbound Interstate Eight to northbound Five as the sky was transitioning from black to light blue. Jim quickly decided to take Highway One up the coast when he saw the Del Mar racetrack silhouetted in the distance,but in less than two minutes that thought completely slipped his mind and Jim drove past the Via Del Valle exit.
Next thing Jim knew he was in Carlsbad so he continued northbound and was approaching the Mission Avenue exit in Oceanside when a work truck in front of him lost a wheelbarrow. Jim swerved on to the shoulder and had no other option but to exit the freeway as the wheelbarrow bounced into the brush. As he was driving east on Mission Avenue and looking for a place to turn around and get back on the freeway, Jim noticed an elderly man with a cane leaving the Veteran Resource Center. The man stumbled and fell to the ground. He turned right on Barnes Street, parked, got out of his truck and rushed over to check on the man.
“Are you alright?” Jim asked as he helped the man to his feet.
“I got a little dizzy, I’ll be fine,” The elderly man answered, “I was just on my way to the bus stop. It’s at the end of the corner.”
“I can help you,” Jim offered.
“I don’t want to put you out,” The elderly man responded.
“It’s no problem, happy to do it,” Jim smiled.
“If you’re sure,”
“Absolutely,”Jim smiled.and walked with the man, prepared to offer a steady hand if he needed it. When they reached his truck; he opened the door and helped the man inside. In the process, Jim noticed a faded tattoo on the man’s forearm with the Marine Corps emblem and the words, The Chosin Few 27 Nov 13 Dec 1950. Jim guessed that this man was one of the brave Marines who fought and survived the brutal 17 day battle of the Chosin Reservoir in freezing weather during the Korean War.
“You can drop me off right up here, the bus will be here in about fifteen minutes,” The elderly man pointed off to the side where a bench was located.
“I might as well take you home, why don’t you give me directions,” Jim responded.
“Don’t you have anything better to do than give an old man a ride home?”
“I don’t see an old man anywhere, what I do see is one of the illustrious Chosin Few.”
“You noticed my tattoo, huh? The man said, “Marine?”
“Yeah, of course where I served was a hell of lot warmer than where you were. I always wondered how I would survive fighting in cold weather,” Jim said, “I went to Bridgeport once for cold weather training and the whole time that I was there, I never stopped shivering. I kept praying; please don’t send me anyplace cold.”
“As Marines we went where they sent us and did what we had to. My instincts tell me that you would have done your duty wherever they sent you,” The old man surmised.
“Am I going the right way?”
“Just stay on Mission Avenue until you reach Douglas Drive then turn left.”
Jim felt pretty good for a chance, he had driven all the way from Missouri to California and this was the first time that he actually had a destination. After turning on to Douglas Drive, Jim turned right on North River Road and then made a left onto Sleeping Indian Road. After driving to the top of the hill, the elderly man pointed to a private road with a large sign, NO ACCESS PAST THIS POINT. Jim followed the road until he came to a large metal gate and the elderly gentleman reached in his pocket and pressed his remote control and the gate swung open, but Jim hesitated.
“You came this far, aren’t you a little curious to see what’s inside?” The Elderly Man asked and his energy level increased dramatically to the point that he looked youthful and vibrant..
“Sure, like you said I came this far.”
Green lush landscape and bright flowers bursting in color surrounded Jim as soon as he drove under the arch and the scent of intoxicating jasmine floated through the air on a gentle breeze. A palatial structure of multi-colored stone and dark wood was right before him.
A fountain with adjoining ponds stretched for a hundred feet in front of the imposing structure and three dozen powerful jets sprayed water high into the air in various directions. The streams of waters danced to their own melody as rays of sunlight created a light show of a dozen rainbows.
“You live there?” Jim was dumbfounded.
“No, I live over here,” The elderly man pointed to a small cottage, shaded by a big oak tree.
“Who lives in that big mansion?” Jim inquired.
“Nobody,” The elderly man smiled.
“Oh,” Jim was curious, but didn’t feel it was appropriate to pursue the issue.
“I own it, but it doesn’t fit my lifestyle anymore,” The elderly man said.
“What kind of lifestyle is that?”
“One of simple pleasures,” The elderly man, “I built that house many years ago when material possessions were a high priority for me and I needed to build monuments to my success and ego.”
“You must have been pretty successful,” Jim surmised.
“Depends on your definition of successful, if you are talking about houses, cars, boats, planes, bank accounts then I was definitely a success, but if you are talking about happiness and contentment then I was a failure.”
Jim drove over to the cottage and the man got out of the truck, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“ You’ve done enough, would you like to see the property?” The elderly man smiled.
“I would,” Jim smiled in anticipation and commented, “You look to be feeling better.”
“I always feel better when I am in own element, don’t you?”
There was a golf cart parked nearby and the elderly man got behind the wheel and waited for Jim to get in, “We haven’t introduced ourselves, Condor Lee.”
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I said Condor Lee, that’s my name,” The elderly man smiled.
“Jim Halloran,” the two men shook hands, “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone named Condor.”
“My grandparents were big into nature and were always studying wildlife. It was while our entire family was on one of its many camping trips that my father saw a condor fly overhead and followed it. Right below where the condor was perched was an enormous gold deposit and the Lee family fortune was born. They named my younger brother Bear and it turned out to be a good thing for him. When you are named Bear Lee, you either become a total failure or an overachiever, my brother chose the later. My sister Robin was named after the bird, she’s got the sweetest voice,ever. So what do they call you?”
“ Nothing as elaborate as you, just Jim Halloran.”
“There are no just anythings around here…everything is special in its own way,especially you, Jim Halloran..”
Condor Lee drove to the top of the hill where they had an unobstructed view of the property. Every hedge and bush was meticulously cut into images of birds and animals, “Your gardeners are very good,” Jim commented.
“I call them landscape artists,” Condor Lee responded, “These are their masterpieces.”
Both men stepped out of the cart to get a closer look at a particularly interesting horticultural sculpture of an eagle when a pack of dogs that included a Pitbull, German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback and various mixed breeds came charging at them from behind a hedge. Instead of running for cover, Jim bent down to welcome the advancing horde and when they arrived, he began playing with the dogs in the grass.
“Most people would have been scared when a pack of dogs came running at them,” Condor Lee commented.
“Why would I be scared, they’re not vicious,” Jim smiled as he rubbed the stomach of the powerful Pitbull.
“And you made that decision in less than a second?” Condor Lee said.
“You learn to assess threats very quickly when you are in combat,” Jim answered.
“Dogs are excellent judges of character; the fact that they like you only reinforces my initial opinion of you.”
“If you Google unconditional love, a picture of a dog pops up,” Jim added.
As they drove back to the cottage, the dogs followed, “Why don’t you stay awhile?”
“You don’t want that to happen, I could get used to a place like this,” Jim said, “then you’ll be stuck with me.”
“So what’s wrong with that? Philosophers say it is all about the journey, but there is also something to be said for reaching your destination.”
“Thanks anyway, Condor,” Jim said, “but I better be on my way.”
“Suit yourself, drive carefully,” Condor smiled.
When Jim tried to start his truck, all he heard was click, click, click and commented, “I checked everything before I left.”
“You can’t always plan for the unexpected,” Condor said, “Sometimes things just happen for a reason. Embrace the unforeseeable rather than fight it.”
“I’ve got AAA road service, I can get it towed to the nearest garage,” Jim suggested.
“It’s Saturday, you’re not going to get much done until Monday even if you do leave. My friend will be here on Monday and he is an excellent mechanic and he’ll know exactly what to do.”
Jim stared at his truck and rubbed his chin as he pondered his decision,.“I haven’t had company for dinner in a very long time, please join me,” Condor encouraged, “Besides, you really don’t have any place you need to be?’
“Now that you mention it, I guess I don’t,” Jim said.
After a delicious dinner of unrivaled excellence that consisted of rainbow trout, asparagus, mashed potatoes and a desert of pineapple upside down cake, Jim leaned back in the high backed chair in the large dining room, “I’m glad my mother isn’t here.”
“Why is that?” Condor asked.
“I wouldn’t want her to hear me say that was the best meal that I have ever eaten.”
“Maria, could you come out here?”
Maria Rivera was a middle aged Hispanic woman, “Yes Condor.”
‘”Jim wanted to tell you something.”
“Ma’am, that was a great meal, thank you very much.”
Maria smiled, “I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, it is always nice to hear kind words.”
Jim remembered what Condor said about that there were no just anythings on the property and re-phrased his compliment, “You are a true culinary artist and this meal was a masterpiece.”
Later that evening, Condor Lee and Jim took the elevator to the third floor where a massive suite with a panoramic view of the San Luis Rey Valley to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west overwhelmed Jim, “Every time I think I can’t be more impressed by what I’ve seen or experienced, something tops it.”
“Remember these are only material things and their true value decreases dramatically over time,”
“Permission to speak freely?” Jim asked
“What’s on your mind?” Condor answered.
“I can kind of understand why you’re not into material things, but what I don’t understand is why everything around here is five star plus if you feel that way. Do the people working around here feel the same as you?”
“Never under-estimate the power of positive thinking,” Condor added, “It is about effort and motive. The people here have learned to expand their boundaries beyond normal limits. The results are just a byproduct of that powerful and positive energy.”
“Interesting,” Jim replied.
“Get a good night’s sleep and I’ll see you in the morning,” Condor suggested, “Are you an early riser?”
“My dad used to tell me; if the sun rises before you do, then you’ve overslept.”
“I attend the sunrise service at the Mission on Sunday, you’re welcome to go with me,” Condor offered.
“Thanks for the offer, I’m not that religious,” Jim replied.
“Not everyone who goes to Church is religious. Some are just looking for something to believe in, others are hoping to hear something new and different. There are even a few who want to be in the same place with others who have the same questions about their existence.”
“Which one are you?” Jim asked.
“It changes from week to week,” Condor smiled, “But I always go in with a positive attitude and keep my mind open for possibilities.”
“I gratefully accept your invitation.”
The mattress was plush in the right places and firm in others and the sheets and pillowcases smelled of vanilla and lemongrass. In a few minutes, Jim’s body gratefully surrendered to a deep and restful sleep and he began to dream. He was home and his father was on the ladder above him, cleaning the gutter of leaves and debris.
“Hold it steady son,” Jim Sr. cautioned.
“I got you, don’t worry,” Jim responded.
One of the rungs on the ladder snapped and his father fell backward. Jim caught his father inches before his head slammed against the concrete patio and smiled, “I told you not to worry,I had you.”
“Thanks son,”
“I was in the right place at the right time,”Jim woke up and repeated ‘right place at the right time’. Those words seemed very appropriate at this point in his life.
When it was time to go to Sunday service, Condor and Jim walked to a large building. Condor pressed a button on a keypad and a roll up door opened. The building was filled with classic and expensive automobiles.
“Once again I’m amazed,” Jim feasted his eyes on the vehicles, then walked over to one that was of particular interest, “1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT 2+2 in Highland Green, commonly called the ‘Bullitt’ car.”
“Not the original, but an exact duplicate,” Condor reached into a lockbox and pulled out a set of keys and tossed them to Jim, “You drive.”
Jim was like a kid at an amusement park driving the iconic vehicle to the San Luis Rey Mission. After the services, Jim’s cellphone rang, “It’s my mom.”
“Take your time, I’ll wait by the car,” Condor said.
“Hello mom,” Jim said.
“Your father had a near accident,” Mom said.
“What happened?” Jim was hesitant to hear the details.
Mom started to explain, “Your father was cleaning the ladder and he fell…”
Jim interrupted, “Did a rung break?”
“How did you know?”
“Lucky guess…how is he?”“
He said he saw you when he was falling and you caught him,”Mom said, “ I can’t explain it,but I don’t care because he’s alright and that’s the most important thing.”
“Yes it is, I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you and dad, never forget that.”
When Jim got back to the Mustang, he was confused and enlightened at the same time.
Condor commented, “Remember when I told you some of the reasons why I come to Sunday services?”
“Yeah, “
“I forgot to include that I also like to pray for miracles,” Condor winked.
That night, when Jim went to sleep, he had a dream about one of the Marines that he served with in Afghanistan, Corporal Sean Tucker. Sean was in his bedroom and holding a pistol in his hand, contemplating suicide. In the dream, Jim saw a phone number on the wall and when he awakened, he immediately dialed the number and for the next hour, Jim and Sean discussed their time in the Corps and their lives afterward. Jim promised to stay in touch and left these words with Sean, “Hang in there, you can never tell which day is going to be the one where everything turns around for you.”
That positive energy translated to actual events. The next day Sean received a phone call from the Pipefitters Local in Charlotte, North Carolina informing him that he had been accepted into the apprenticeship program.
Soon after that his estranged wife, Katie returned home from her mother’s stating that she still wanted to save their marriage. In the afternoon, the bank that was holding their delinquent mortgage sent a certified letter stating that they had made an error that going back several years and he would be receiving a significant refund after his account was paid in full. Sean breathed a sigh of relief when he realized how close he came to not seeing this day. Why did he have this feeling that Jim Halloran had something to do with his good luck?
On Monday morning, Joe, the man in charge of restoring and maintaining the automobiles arrived on the property. After listening for a couple of seconds as Jim tried to start his truck, Joe stated without hesitation, “Ignition switch isn’t making contact, I can fix that.”
In a matter of minutes, Jim’s truck was running smoothly and Condor said, “You can get on the road now.”
Jim didn’t want to leave and didn’t quite know how to phrase his request to stay, “I don’t have any talents like the people already here, but if you have anything I can do, I’ll promise you a hard day’s work.”
Condor smiled, “You have a very special talent, you are just not ready to accept it yet. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
Jim alternated working with the landscapers and assisting Joe with the automobiles while he was on the property. He also went with Condor to the Veterans Center to volunteer his services as well, but it was when he fell asleep that things really happened for him. Sometimes his dreams actually changed reality and other times they just gave him enough information to make contact with a family member, friend or even a stranger who was going through a difficult or stressful time and those well timed calls had a profound and positive effect on the recipient. On rare occasions, Jim would foresee an accident in his sleep and get there before it actually happened, like the time, he saw a third floor balcony overloaded with party-goers collapse to the ground at an apartment complex in San Marcos. He went there and told the people that he was a building inspector. Moments after the balcony had been cleared, it broke apart.
Henry Albert Garmon was abused as a child and when he was in high school he was diagnosed as emotionally disturbed with violent tendencies. He was one of those individuals who should have been locked up for life, but Henry Garmon fell through the cracks of bureaucratic incompetency and was released after five years in Atascadero State Hospital. He returned to San Marcos where his alcoholic father allowed him to live in the garage.
Henry quickly returned to his criminal ways burglarizing houses and doing strong armed robberies and when he stopped taking his anti–psychotic medications, the six foot eight, three hundred fifteen pound man became a killing machine.
Diane Sheridan usually ran the 4.9 mile loop around Calaveras Lake in Carlsbad at eight am with her dog Nolu, but today she had a seven thirty appointment at Toyota of Carlsbad to have an oil change and tire rotation on her RAV4 so she rearranged her schedule. Diane would run at six am then drop her vehicle off and catch a shuttle home. She would walk her dog, shower and a co-worker would pick her up at 10:30am for her shift at the Hilton Inn in South Carlsbad as an assistant manager. Diane had never come out this early so she was surprised with how dark it was when she drove into the parking lot. She took a small flashlight from her glove compartment and started off on her usual route.
Henry Albert Garmon saw the flickering light in the distance from his concealed position and eagerly waited for his potential victim to approach. When he saw that it was a woman running alone, Henry smiled in anticipation as he pulled the razor sharp hunting knife from its scabbard. In a matter of seconds, he would have his next victim..
Jim awakened from his dream, quickly got dressed, rushed to his truck and raced off the property. Condor smiled as he looked at his watch and saw that it was 5:40am. When Jim got to Calaveras Lake, he parked and raced off at a full sprint. Diane was happy that there was someone else on the trail when she saw someone running in her direction. When Jim got to Diane he literally dived over her and grabbed the wrist of Henry Albert Garmon a split second before he could stab the young woman. Jim smashed his elbow into the face of the deranged killer while fighting for possession of the weapon. Jim then jammed the heel of his shoe into Garmon’s knee and the large man screamed out and slightly released his grip on the knife.
Jim redirected the blade and stabbed the large man through the chest and held it firm until the violent predator stopped moving. Jim rolled over on his back and saw Diane staring down in disbelief, “Sorry about this, but he didn’t leave me any choice.”
After the police arrived and took Jim and Diane’s statements, she said, “I wanted to thank you for saving my life.”
“I’m just glad that I made it here in time”, Jim, quickly corrected himself, “I mean I’m glad I could help.”
Diane handed Jim her phone number written on a small piece of paper and held his hand for a few seconds, “Please call me….please.”
When Jim got back to the property on Sleeping Indian Road, Condor was waiting for him with a knowing smile on his face.
“What?” Jim asked.
“Never under-estimate the power of positive thinking,it can change the world and save lives, especially your own,” “Condor pointed to the mansion and it sparkled like a diamond in the background, “You are now an official resident of Imagination House.” The End
The End
