Chapter 1: Mapping the Moment

Tara, a bold, fine looking woman who has a deep look of many years waits for Benjamin as he says goodbye to his son Richard and brother Mando. He is getting ready to leave for the “Moment”.

Benjamin says; Eh Dawg, I’ll be back soon. Thanks “A” (homeboy slang term like saying man) please check on Saleesa everyday and Richard. Keep me posted.

No problem Carnal (Bro) I got you.

Are you sure you know what’s really good?

Not really man, but I need to do this, it’s my calling for our familia (family).

Then I will go with you tambien (also).

We need strength and honor here amongst the family and my kids, and besides they are calling for me. You are the one along with your wife I know who will hold it together while I’m gone.

Ok Bro, I got this. Explain it all as you get it and I will allow no more inconvenience to our family.

I will Carnal (Brother), and I know you will hold it down.

His good friend Jonathan stops in to say goodbye and states … I’d go with you man but I have this afterschool teaching project this whole month, my apologies B (Ben).

No worries, keep on teaching, that’s what you do and our hoods need great dedicated educators such as yourself. I appreciate your support.

Then all of sudden …..

I love you Papa! Richard yells with tears. He doesn’t understand why his father has to go.

Don’t worry littleman, I’ll be home soon and Tio Mando will take care of you. I’ll miss you, and soon will tell you all about this and the questions I taught you to ask like a strong person.

Saleesa and you better take care of each other …

Ok Papa, We will be “Coo” (cool).

We will try to dream good and not dream bad anymore. 

She will, and we will be better soon Mijo (Son) …. I promise. 

The rest of the family gathers and wave goodbye as if Ben were leaving for a colorful trip.

Tara thinking to herself that it’s time to go blurts out … We must go, the “Moment” gets closer and we must be ready.

Ok, Coo. We out like the batter with three strikes.

This warm day in the West Coast is about to change different temperatures soon. They both jump in a classic fully restored 1965 Chevy Impala SS. It’s Ben’s project car but considered a lucky ride since he met his beautiful wife Dawn in it who gave him two great kids. She died untimely. The car is still his luck of all lucks and probably the best lucky thing he has …next to his kids, family and friends thus why he wants to drive the car around the states. No other collector would do that lol

They drive off and immediately he tells Tara;

Ok give me the rest of what you know.

Tara says; You need to understand that you were suppose to meet me and I you. To find a “Moment” in time is difficult like searching for a specific unwanted blocked out memory in your mind.

All I know is that he has to find this “Moment” or something, to change everything.

They are leaving Nevada thinking they are going to Piedras Negras, Mexico. Tara has her uncertainties and questions. She has a colorful personality with a dark past that sets her unsure but confident to navigate for what is in the journey. She has to settle some things that can only be resolved thru herself and the right doing of Benjamin and herself. Ben wants to know the whole story.

Tara starts, ok, ok, you started feeling something different as an infant if you can remember that far, but for sure when you were young like five years old huh. The curiosity dwelled. Why are things not fully right? What is up with that? Why can’t it be just straight forward without minor or major setbacks?

Maybe more than that.

We need to find out what the wrong is to make it right, then set it all straight. Did your father finally say something to you?

I believe now a curve of unusual luck has been spelled on my family. I never believed it until now under our dark hours with my baby girl Saleesa in the hospital and by coincidence  meeting you and your crystal light bulb. It appears to be destiny and the reality of this unusual luck.

Things can never go exactly right, always a curve, a twist in the situation but eventually it works out, either good or bad. There may be a reason for this.

My father finally admitted that he didn’t believe in spell casting or hexes so he said some “words” to some folks that practiced such activities and pissed them off at that time.

They did something or something happened even further that can’t be explained. He doesn’t remember what it’s about it seems to be blanked out of memory. We think that’s why a possible hex may have been casted or some shit like that.  Like the rest of our family, we refuse to believe it cause were confident, somewhat successful but suspicious and in this case unknowing people.

My Great Tia came with the family album book at family reunion and pointed out my other Great Grandmother. I saw her in your crystal light bulb saying: Help us change the “Moment” Mijo, No one can speak on it…or else… the “time window” is in your whelm now!

I’ve been dreaming and wondering. What the hell is a time window?  I need to know, and what really went down. I really need to know now!

Tara says: Hmmm …. Do you know our direction, or do I have to bug for a map?

What you know about Google Map, Wayz and shit? and besides you’re the one with the special powers to see the future, past, and the journey. Right? So Whatsup with you Gurly Gurl? What’s your story? Ben addresses playfully.

Tara evasively says; Don’t worry about me for now as we move forward you’ll figure it out, I’ll show us the way for now!

Ben says; Ok coo, don’t get all excited man I was just asking… Owee.

All you need to know for now is that I’ve been anticipating this time for awhile and it was no coincidence that you walked in my tent at that old ass carnival. … Says Tara with conviction.

I was distraught and that old carnival drew me in … is it still there? I didn’t see anything off the highway anymore? Ben asks

Tara has a blank face, smirks then says;

We need to stop in Arizona for a couple of words.  

Like that huh, ok, if it’s for the cause let’s do this, but I will need to know more soon. Ben remarks.

It will come clear in time. Tara says confidently.

So how did you know I was coming? Ben asks.

Tara said; I’ve been feeling your presence for some time but didn’t know who was there or what was the connection?

Now that you met me what you think?” Ben says conceitedly

I think the same, you full of something, but now I know… ”Shit!” Tara laughs.

Ben laughs and says; Ok you got jokes and I had that coming … it’s been awhile since I met a feisty Hyna (women) since my late wife.

You better quit with that slang Heyna shit. I’m a woman / person with skills and those caveman antics need to go. Tara exclaims.

Easy Gurly Gurl, my apologies. I didn’t intend on disrespecting but for the record, my wife had substance, skills, and she was a great Hyna, a Fine Ass Hyna at that! Ben exclaims into Tara’s eyes with compassion.

Ok, Ok hhhhHomeboy … Tara mockingly says.

Whatever, whatever. Ben plays it down with a smile

What’s the plan Tara? Ben says with concern and ready to go.

When we get to Arizona we’re going to a reservation or actually a casino. Tara says

We gambling and parting already … Yipee! Ben laughs with joy

Shut up for a minute man, it’s not like you’re gonna win anything with your sorry ass luck. Tara jabs

Ohhh SNAPs (snap of fingers)! Ben exclaims with humorous theatrical expression

Tara, pump your brakes Gurly … that may be true, but why you raining on my quick parade when you on the float too? Laughs Ben

This place has an old timer who knows stuff, vision in specific. Tara says seriously.

He thinks he’s done predicting or watching over visions but he’s has one more “trip” to call, then he can go back to the greeting door hustle. Tara finishes

You rough Sista. Ben says with a cunning smile

Tara says; He’s part of our dreams that we don’t see and he somehow sees a bird’s eye view of sorts.

How do you know this? Ben asks

Have you ever tried to remember blank faces in your dreams? Tara seriously says

Yes, but its hard to recall them. Ben admits

Exactly, but you’ve seen them, you just need to focus on them the next time they appear, they are calling for you to explain. Tara reveals

That’s crazy, how come I can’t just make contact? Ben says

Because they are placed there like a hidden safety zone that gets obstructed by the main theme, once you are able to look beyond the obvious you can see the real. Tara teaches

I’ve been tring to talk with our faceless person but I need you there to complete the puzzle or dream. He is there for both of us for some reason and reveal something. Tara states with clarity

Will he talk to us in person? Ben asks

He may with your corny charm. Tara says sarcastically

Another hit but you can’t sink my battleship! Ben laughs completely

Tara briefly smiles and says; Yea, yea he’ll talk to us, we know a mutual friend.

Networking, Connections, that’s what I’m talking about. Ben states.

Tara says nothing else for some time but glances at Ben every once and a while. Ben drives, sings and talks shit. Silence takes over since Ben decides to be quiet. They roll into Arizona and get ready to meet a person with answers.

So we’re here. Arizona Dope. There is all kinds of “Chingas” (stuff) we can get into. Ben says easily.

For real?! Good, turn in here and let’s prepare. Tara states

Prepare for what? We know his place, let’s go in and see what we are supposed to understand. Ben asserts

You may be right, but it may not be that easy. Tara says

Easy or rough, it still needs to be addressed and you have a mutual friend right? Boldly Ben says

Of course, it just may not be a good mutual friend. Tara admits

Uhnn que la (ah man) Ben rolls his eyes and expresses with humor

They roll up to the casino and see the person with answers at the front door greeting.

Hey he don’t look Native American!? He looks Chicano (Mexican American). Ben confirms and chuckles

Who said he was Native American and what does a Chicano look like?? Tara says

Ben laughs and says; Point well taken, we come in all different shades; YeaYuh! … Can’t Stereotype, that’s All Bad.

Stupid! Tara says with humor … Ok, Ok … His tribe name is; Askuwheteau meaning “He Keeps Watch” …but he goes by Joseph. Tara says quietly.

He Keeps Watch?  Whaaaat?! “Thats Whatsup!”  We need a person who can watch and help our scenario but he goes by Joseph? Ben throws out jokingly. Man, he got a cool name and he chose a less dramatic plain name, owee. I would of kept that shit intact.

What about “Brown Man Sees Dimensions” and stuff. Ben says with no disrespect but laughing to loosen up

That sounds like a song title meeting the Dimensions dummy! Let’s stick with his proclaimed name, respect it, and move on

Alright Bet (Ok, bet on it) It’Sall Good then, let’s meet him. Ben says with a vigor.

So Joseph met Ben years back when Ben was in his crazy party days. Joseph is an older Vato (dude) who was quite the partier himself. Ben didn’t realize this but “Brown Man Sees” remembers him with great surprise.

When he saw Tara he didn’t trip too hard even thou they had history and they would resolve that later. But he saw the one who altered many people’s lives… Ben.

Why? Ben was too drunk and high to remember but the Big Dawgs made money when he was around. They had a long consistent streak going on with him there. Ben didn’t mind because he was always taken care of with all the luxuries one could want from the “clicks” (party crew/gangs).

Everyone around him “Came Up” (rose up) Ben was the only one who didn’t really win but was always included. This was coo with him. The Big Dawgs wanted him to stay just because of his fun positive demeanor and energy of luck posed on others. Ben left with no word and they lost “mad cash” (a lot of money) after he left.

They scoured the country to find the “Man with Unusual Luck” who only helped others and not himself. Joseph found Tara in her dreams and eventually was Ben’s faceless person in his dreams requesting his presence because he knew something more than giving luck to others.

They met at the Wild Horse casino which was a great spot to gamble and chill. What was really going on? Why were they paired and how will they will have to work together to unveil something phenomenal and detrimental to the existence of their lives and ultimately others.