July 7, 2019 

Buchannan Russell drags into William Bubba Shadetrees’ Idlewild cottage living room, “…At the Water is Life pavilion…” The talking heads on the morning news reporting sit in front of a Chromakeyed backdrop of Chicago river bridges.

…Death threats to promoters of Detroit Music Festival, citing higher ticket prices for white people…

His phone rings. Hey Sis. How you doin’?

Pookie, you gotta get back home. ASAP. Forget about them Juggalos and Alt Right people on the news and them kids in your garden for a minute. This poor little girl is saying they are Star Fleet Cadets. She saw your photo on your book cover and called you Captian Sisko. 

Cassie’s already on her way to you.

I’m telling people that what’s left of their space ship thingy is the set for a new TV series.”

Bubba says, “Looks like you won’t be helping me with the Packard, son.” 

Mrs. Shadetree is saying, “Your garden? Butterfly. I packed you a lunch. That’s not sorrowful anger. You’re feeling, parental annoyance. What’s wrong? Wait! I’m early. What’s wrong. Time displacement. You gotta go. Cassie’s on the way. I packed you a lunch.”

The rotary phone on the kitchen wall rings, she answers, “Shadetrees’. Good morning!

Hi Delores. 

People from the future. Really?

Spaceship in Ray Ray’s yard. I knew something about it. Yes!

No! I hadn’t heard anything about the funny talking white boy. Really? 

Federal agents? 

Say, you can’t find anything about it on the news?

When was the last time a movie set made the news?

I got another call. Y’all should just come up.

Bye.

Hi Cassie. He’s ready. How are you dear?

Benny. It’s for you, Butterfly.

Your coffee.”