Rise of Callisto

The rain stopped. After days with no let up, it was a relief to finally see the sun. Jupiter Davis is bringing in the last of the groceries when the phone rings. She sets the bag on the kitchen table, and answers the telephone. The voice on the other end is polite but unfamiliar. They ask to speak with Benjamin but he isn’t home yet. In fact, Jupiter isn’t expecting him until later this evening.

She asks for a message but the caller is quick to hang up once they learn Benjamin isn’t available. Jupiter hangs up the phone, and returns her attention to the groceries. However, she still feels angry. And trying not to think about something, is a sure way to get it stuck in the mind. Of course Benjamin wouldn’t be home until late. He never came home until the late hours of the night anymore. Not since they lost James Abner to the war.

For a little while she sits at the table remembering. The groceries can wait for now. For a time, she lets her heart ache, and her tears fall. Later, she spends the early hours of the evening reading quietly. While she reads, she waits for Benjamin to return. And she thinks that what they really need is some time away. Maybe a trip out to see Mary Elizabeth and the kids, would do them both some good. She is thinking about persuading Benjamin when the ringing phone startles her back to reality.

He is determined to find answers. For several years he’s been searching but to no avail. Many would have given up by now. However, he can’t afford to quit. He knows he is not where he’s supposed to be. In fact, he is certain about that now. A few days ago, he was content with his life. Not completely, but as much as he could be. Of course the last few years have been difficult. Rebuilding a life takes time and effort. Especially when one didn’t know one’s own name.

However, he managed to do it. His efforts finally started paying off, when he began trusting his own instincts. Over time, he became even more successful. Soon, he was the biggest name around. An impressive feat considering he was all but ghost.

Of course he was not in his own country. Therefore, he didn’t mind that he earned a new name while he adapted to his new home. They called him Callisto. And as time moved forward, his story became more like a tale. He personally had no use for glory or fame. He wasn’t cut from that cloth. However, he did like the sound of the rise of Callisto. There was something about the name that set well with him. At least until James Abner Thomas remembered his real name.

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