“What ya doin,” Looking down at Siku I see a face of an angel. Besides the fact that it’s blue and furry she has that look of innocence that a nine-year-old should have. “Uncle Sammy what are you playin?”
“I’m playin a song that reminds me of you.” I replied. I strum my guitar playing the cords that ring in my heart. The Vaughn Brothers song, Tick-Tock, just seems the right thing to play after all the problems that we’ve faced over the years. I start to sing a few of the verses.
One night while sleeping in my bed
I had a beautiful dream
That all the people of the world got together
On the same wavelength
“That’s pretty Uncle Sam,”
“Thanks Siku now hush while I strum the rest of it.”
Now in this dream universal love was the theme of the day
Peace and understanding and it happened this way
“Damn shame that Stevie died too early.” Logan says while walking out on the porch. He starts to hum a few bars with me.
“Yeah Logan it is a shame. I tried to talk Lila to sing this at one of her concerts, but she said that she couldn’t even compare to him.” While I was strumming on the guitar I taught Siku and Logan the refrain to the song. So I started to sing the next verse.
The sick, the hungry, had smiles on their faces
The tired and the homeless had family all around
The streets and the cities were all beautiful places
And the walls came tumblin’ down.
In the background Logan and Siku were singing the refrain
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock people
Time’s tickin’ away
Remember that
Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock people
Time’s tickin’ away
Hank and Bobby walked up the drive from some errands at sat down with us. Hank pulled Siku into her lap. Siku gave Hank a hug.
People of the world all had it together
Had it together for the boys and the girls
And the children of the world look forward to a future
Now the group starts to get bigger with Scott and Jean with little Rachel joining us. Jean gives me a little peck on the cheek and says, “Thank You.” Now I notice that this sing-a-long is starting to be a healing moment for the team, and I had to try real hard to keep from being overwhelmed by it.
I had a vision of blue skies from sea to shining sea
All the trees in the forest stood strong and tall again
Everything was clean and pretty and safe for you and me
The worst of enemies become the best of friends
While the group starts to sing the refrain haphazardly I see Rogue, and Remy come out. Remy starts to sing with me for the next verse.
People of the world had it together
Had it together for the boys and the girls
Children of the world look forward to a future
Now it seemed that everyone in the mansion was just sitting there on the front porch enjoying a lovely day. Everything seemed to be whole again, and the dream seemed to be brought into focused just by this little song.
Before I got to the last verse the Professor comes out, and he starts to sing with everyone. I could see in his eyes the mistiness of someone whose about to cry. Then I looked around and noticed that everyone else was too.
When I played the last verse everyone was smiling even Bishop. The professor comes toward me, and places a hand on my shoulder and says, “Thank you Sam that song should remind us all that we can look forward to a bright future, and that we just need to bring people together.” Siku looks up at me then says what I think is the most defining moment of the whole day, “Group Hug!”
Everyone laughs and we all sing the last chorus. Later while I’m watching the sunset turning the skies into fiery colors I start to think to myself. “I don’t have to worry about the future I just got to make it better for Siku and all the children.” While I’m turning to head back into the mansion with my guitar I hear a faint whisper in the breeze.
“Don’t let them get you down brother.”
I smile and know that tomorrow will be a brighter day.