On a Beam of Light by Gene Brewer Page B

exhausted.
    “I can understand that. I hope we can help you feel better soon. “
    “That would be nice. “
    “Let me ask you first: Should I call you Robert or Rob?”
    “My family calls me Robin. My friends call me Rob. “
    “May I call you Rob?”
    “If you like. “
    “Thank you. Care for some fruit?”
    “No, thanks. I’m not hungry. “
    There were so many questions I wanted to ask him that I didn’t know where to begin. “Do you know where you are?”
    “Yes. “
    “How do you know that?”
    “Prot told me. “
    “Where is prot right now?”
    “He’s waiting. “
    “Can you speak with him?”
    “Yes. “
    “Good. Now—do you know where you’ve been for the past five years?”
    “In my room. “
    “But you couldn’t move and you couldn’t speak to us— do you remember?”
    “Yes. “
    “Were you able to hear us?”
    “Yes. I heard everything. “
    “Can you tell me why you couldn’t speak or respond in some way?”
    “I wanted to. But I just couldn’t. “
    “Do you know why?”
    “I was afraid to. “
    “Why were you afraid?”
    “I was afraid… ” He gazed off into some inner space. “I was afraid of what might happen. “
    “All right. We’ll get back to that later. Let me just ask you this: You seem to be less fearful now than you were then—can you tell me why?”
    He started to answer, then hesitated.
    “Take your time. “
    “There are a couple of reasons. “
    “I would like very much to hear them, Rob, if you feel like telling me. “
    “Well, all of you have been so kind to me since I came here that I guess I felt like I owed you something. “
    “Thank you. I’m glad you feel that way. And the other reason?”
    “He said I can trust you. “
    “Prot? Why now, and not before?”
    “Because he’s leaving soon, and I think he’s becoming impatient with me. “
    “How soon? Do you know?”
    “No. “
    “All right. But you were in the same situation five years ago. How is it different this time?”
    “Last time I knew he would be coming back. This time he’s not. “
    “He’s not coming back? How do you know that?”
    “He doesn’t like it here. “
    “I know, but—”
    “He told me you would take his place. That you would help me when he’s gone. “
    He was appealing to me with such intensity that I went over and placed my hand on his shoulder. “I will, Rob. Believe me, I’ll help you in every way I can. “
    With that he slowly puckered his face and began to cry. “I’m so tired of feeling bad. You don’t know how bad it is. ” His head dropped.
    “No one who’s not in your shoes can understand what you’ve been through, Rob. But we’ve helped a lot of people in similar situations and I think you’re going to feel better very soon. “
    His head lifted and he looked at me. He was no longer crying. “Thanks, dr. b. I feel better already. “
    “Prot? Where’s Robert?”
    “He’s kind of tired. But if you play a nice tune on your whistle he might be back later. “
    “Uh—prot?”
    “Hmmmmmmm?”
    “Thank you. “
    “For what?”
    “For giving him the confidence to come out. “
    “Did he tell you that?”
    “Yes. And he also told me this might be your last visit to Earth. Is that true?”
    “It is if you get Robert back on his feet. Then there wouldn’t be any need for me to come, would there?”
    “No, there wouldn’t. In fact, it might be better if you didn’t. “
    “Don’t worry—I know when I’m not wanted. Besides, there are a lot of other interesting places to go. “
    “Other planets?”
    “Yep. Billions and billions of them in this GALAXY alone. You’d be surprised. “
    “Can you give us a little time before you go back? Can you give us six more weeks?”
    “I can only give you what I’ve got. “
    “Will you at least tell me how much you’ve got?”
    “Nope. “
    “But prot—Robert’s life is at stake. Which is why you’re here, isn’t it?”
    “I told you before: I’ll give you some