As the Station Turns by Maura It was a cold wet day in Los Angeles County. The wind swept the rain sideways in the air as it fell toward the pavement below. Puddles of nature's waters formed in the streets promising to splash any passerby with their contents. The gray sky hid any hope of light above it. There would be no flag raised today. Today the doors to the station would remain closed; the group inside shut off from the world around them. The clouds that drifted above were a symbol of the turmoil that was brewing within the brick walls of Station 51. In the kitchen sat two men. One tall, dark haired, with deep penetrating eyes His features sculpted and drawn like a marble statue. It was hard to detect what was lurking behind those eyes from one moment to the next. Love, hate, anger, sadness, they could come at a moments notice, unexpectedly and sometimes unprovoked. He was young and wild, like an untamed stallion. Free as a bird, bound to nothing and no one. The other, blonde and blue eyed. There was softness to his face, an unspoken kindness that warmed the heart, a smile that could melt a glacier. He was the picture of stability and inner strength. But his still waters ran deep. He was a man of conviction, unafraid to stand up for what he believed in. And in this room the two came face to face, one against the other. They had once been like brothers, but now as if the coldness of the rain had entered their hearts anger brewed within them. All they had been through, all the pain, all the danger, standing shoulder to shoulder facing the burning fires of hell; it had all been but forgotten. What had come between them was bigger than the both of them. Emotions were running high. The slightest increase in tension might cause a major disaster. Who or what could intercede now? Was there a power great enough to stop the landslide that had begun? Would anything ever be the same in this world within a world? The two sat on opposite sides of the table, one staring coolly into the other's eyes. Their expressions never revealing more than was necessary to the other. Each had a strong resolve to see this through to the end. Each believing he had right on his side. Neither willing to back down or waver. Their backs straight and sure. Everything in their being dependent on the outcome. There was no turning back. It was too late for regret. It had to be seen through. Then through the icy stares a glimmer of warmth emerged. It started as a faint ember and grew into a full flame. The warmth produced began to attack the coldness in the heart of the conflict. Suddenly it seemed less important. Each man's own stubbornness began to give way to compromise and empathy. The mutual love that had been forgotten moments before resurfaced with its former strength. Kindness, compassion, decency took precedence now. They were bigger than their conflict. Life had bonded them in a way that no discord could ever break. Their eyes told the story. Each expressed regret and begged the other's forgiveness. Their demeanor softened. The warmth of a smile passed between them. Then he opened his mouth to speak. Words had not been spoken for what seemed years. Now they came forth and gave to the other an unspoken joy. "Alright Johnny, you keep the green pen. I'll use the black one." The clouds sailed from the sky as if swept away by the angels. The sun poured its warmth over the area freely. The gray was gone, replaced by a blue as bright as the ocean. The birds began to fly and sing their cheerful melodies to any of those who cared to listen below. And so the doors to Station 51 were opened, the conflict resolved, the warmth rekindled within. The flags were raised in triumph and happiness reigned once again. feedback for Maura |