Strange Deeds Under A New Moon (standard:science fiction, 6895 words)
Author: Crews	Added: Dec 03 2005	Views/Reads: 3230/2340	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A mystical legend encourages 1930's teenagers to do drastic things, with amazing results.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

to make a special trip to see him. 

Here is my grandfather's story: 

It was March of 1939. The country was still in the midst of the Great
Depression even though President Franklin Roosevelt's “New Deal” 
programs had been in effect for some years. For many the government 
programs, while easing some of the pain, were far from being a cure for 
the nation's ills. Unemployment still hung around fifteen percent and 
would continue that way until World War II broke out in Europe in 
September. Growing up at this time was hard for Alex, Gracie, and Russ. 
It was even harder on their parents. They could remember the prosperous 
times of the 1920's, and when they lost their jobs, they felt like it 
was their own fault. The Great Depression was physically hard and 
emotionally draining. 

Alex, Gracie, and Russ had quit school the year before to find jobs. All
three had been close friends since childhood but now were finding 
themselves going in different directions as adulthood approached. Alex 
had found employment under the public works program and was working 
steady. Gracie had not found a job. Most employers were more interested 
in hiring men, the breadwinners of the family, than a small teenage 
girl. It would not be until the fall, with the start of the military 
buildup for war, before she would find employment. Russ was fulfilling 
his life's dream by playing baseball. He was starting his rookie season 
with the local professional team. No one could hurl a fastball the way 
Russ could. All the team's pitching coaches said he was the best 
looking southpaw they had ever seen. The batter could actually hear the 
ball sizzle as it zoomed by. Just when a hitter thought he could handle 
the speed, Russ would throw a devastating slow curve ball. Most batters 
were through with their swing by the time the ball crossed the plate. 
Everyone knew that it was just a matter of time before a scout from a 
big city team came and offered Russ a chance at the big league. That 
was until Russ tried to catch a line drive back to the mound with his 
bare hand. He heard the tendon in his index finger snap with the force 
of the impact. The team doctor told him to take a few weeks off and see 
if it would heal enough to start throwing pitches again. Russ was angry 
at his misfortune. Not only was he hurt and off the team, but a scout 
was due at a game later in the week. Now he would not be able to 
showcase his talents and, for the moment, had ruined his chances of 
making it in the big league. 

Alex and Russ were always vying for Gracie's attention. She was a petite
young lady with golden hair, eyes of blue, and the sweetest 
disposition. In the past few weeks, Gracie and Alex had grown closer as 
Russ concentrated on his baseball career. On this cool winter evening 
she had actually reached for and held his hand as they strolled down 
the sidewalk. She let go of it when they saw Russ approaching in the 
distance. “What're you two up to?” yelled Russ as he came running. Alex 
faked a right cross to Russ's stomach, “Looking for you. How's the 
finger?” 

“Oh, it's still bigger than my thumb,” asserted Russ. He held the
bandage appendage up for all to see. Gracie took a long look and asked, 
“Does it still hurt?” Russ winked at Alex and replied, “Only when I 
hold it up like this.” Gracie drew back in concern, “Oh, I'm sorry!” 
Alex and Russ burst out laughing. “Good old gullible Gracie. That's why 
we love her,” shouted Russ. With her face turning red she yelled, “Russ 
Marcum. That's the last time I'll ever feel sorry for you!” With a flip 
of her hair she spun away from the boys and crossed her arms in mocked 
annoyance. Gathering himself, Alex asked, “What's the Doc telling you?” 


“He says it's just wait and see. There ain't much that can be done,”
sighed Russ as Gracie turned her attention back to the boys. “Hey, 
guys, look at the old Waller home,” she interrupted while pointing at 
the dilapidated house. The Waller place always had a strange and eerie 
look to it. Old Man Waller had kept to himself over the years and this 
contributed to all types of weird stories being told. Folks in town had 
him being everything from a spy in the Great War to a member of the 
Kaiser's royal family. Of course, it did not matter that he claimed to 
only be a retired coal miner who had moved to town years ago from West 
Virginia. Everyone was convinced he was hiding the truth about his past 
and his hermit-like life only added fuel to the fires of town gossip. 

“It's all boarded up,” declared Alex as the three friends walked to the
picket fence surrounding the dwelling. “I wonder what happened to him?” 
mused Gracie as they tried to peer through the boards over the windows. 
Russ scratched his head and reflected, “You know, I think my Dad said 
something about him. I was busy with ball and didn't pay much attention 
to what he was saying, but I believe he said the old man had up and 
moved out of town.” 

“Well, it sure looks like he did,” agreed Alex as they made their way
through the fence and climb the steps to the porch. “This place always 
gave me the creeps,” offered Gracie as Russ tried to open the front 
door. “Hey, the door ain't locked,” declared Russ as it creaked open. 
“Let's check the place out.” 

“I'm not sure we oughta do this,” reflected Alex as Gracie and Russ push
through the door into the hallway. “Oh, come on, scaredy cat!” teased 
Gracie. They walked as quietly as they could on their tiptoes as they 
made their way into the living room of the house. It soon become 
apparent that the place had been abandoned. The furniture that was 
still in the house was covered with a light layer of dust and the room 
felt damp and smelled moldy. Russ brushed dirt off the couch and sat 
down while Alex and Gracie took a look around the room. 

“I hope it was cleaner than this when Old Man Waller lived here,”
declared Gracie as she grabbed her nose to keep from sneezing. “Well, 
he sure loved his cigars,” observed Alex as he opened a box that was 
sitting on the fireplace mantle. “There's at least a dozen boxes here.” 


“Hey, throw me one,” yelled Russ as he stretched out on the couch.
Gracie found a stack of books in the corner of the room and began 
looking through them. “Look at this book, fellows,” she said as she 
held up a big burgundy colored book. The title was “New Growth” and was 
embroidered in gold letters. “What's it about?” asked Alex as he lit a 
cigar. “There's all types of chapters in it,” replied Gracie as she 
flipped through the pages. “Here's one called the ‘The New Moon 
Equinox.'” 

While Gracie read the chapter, Alex and Russ gave way to small talk
about what it would be like to pitch baseball in the big league. 
Finally they turned their attention to Gracie and were struck by the 
amazed look on her face. “What you reading, Gracie?” whined Russ in his 
little boy voice. She eventually looked up from reading and said, “This 
is unreal, if it's true.” 

“Read it to us, my dear. Read it to us,” declared Russ as he now
imitated an English butler's voice. Gracie flipped the pages back to 
the first of the chapter and started reading. 

The book told of the vernal equinox that happens twice a year. There is
the Spring equinox and in the fall the Autumnal equinox. This is where 
the plane of the sun intersects with the earth's celestial equator. 
When this happens the length of day and night are equal throughout the 
world. Gracie read about how in the Northern Hemisphere this is the 
beginning of spring and the days slowly become longer in length than 
the nights. With the days becoming longer, it is as if they had a new 
beginning as they started dominating the nighttime. 

Gracie continued with how much the same was happening when a new moon
arrived. We can only see one side of the moon as its revolution around 
the earth matches its rotation. At least once a month the moon is in a 
position where light from its face cannot be seen from the earth. This 
is considered a new moon. Slowly, as if a new day is beginning, light 
can be seen as the moon enters a waxing phase. 

“Now here comes the weird part,” surmised Gracie. “When the equinox and
the new moon are on the same earth day, then ‘there can be a new 
beginning. There can be new life.'” Alex and Russ looked at each other, 
“What ‘new life'?” asked Alex. 

“It claims here that in ancient times people would cut animals feet and
legs off in sacrifice to the gods,” explained Gracie. “But when they 
did, the feet or legs would grow back just like new.” 

“Oh, God! That's got to be the craziest thing I've ever heard,” declared
Russ. “Maybe I could cut this finger off and it'd grow back new.” Alex 
joined in the laughter, “Then you could go back to pitching!” 

“Well, it says here that the ancients would sever their deformed hands
and feet and that they would grow back normal,” offered Gracie as she 
closed the book. “But it warns that it must be done between the exact 
time of the new moon and the spring equinox.” 

“If that stuff is true, it sure would be nice if this was the year when
you could do it,” reflected Russ as Alex was looking through the books 
on the floor. “Hey, here's an almanac,” he declared. “Let's see when 
the next one takes place.” 

Alex flipped through the pages until he found the month of March. “Oh,
my God,” he shouted. “The new moon is on the 21st and that's the same 
day as the spring equinox!” 

“Are you sure?” asked Gracie as she looked over his shoulder. “Look at
the symbols,” offered Alex. “Russ, Alex is right,” shouted Gracie 
louder than she meant to do. “Tomorrow is a New Moon Equinox!” 

“Well, my dear, this has definite possibilities,” said Russ as he once
again tried to imitate an English butler. “The new moon is at 1:49 a.m. 
and the equinox occurs at, let's see, 7:28 a.m.,” offered Alex. “Are 
you sure?” questioned Gracie as she still tried to see over Alex's 
shoulders. “That means ‘new life' can take place between those times,” 
she reflected as she placed her hand over her mouth. 

“Well, why don't we try it out,” offered Russ as he flopped back down on
the couch. “We can get some critters and chop their little feet off and 
see what happens.” Gracie grabbed Russ' neck from the back and cried, 
“You're not going to hurt any animals!” Russ faked choking as Alex 
scratched his head and said, “You know, we could get a frog or two and 
try it out.” 

“Are you serious?” asked Gracie as she turned to face Alex. “Yeah, why
not?” he replied. “And besides, if it's true, we could sell it to the 
government.” Russ rose to his feet and smiled, “That's my buddy, Alex. 
Always thinking of a way to make money. I'd be happy just to have a new 
finger.” 

“Russ, you're not thinking of doing anything crazy?” asked a concerned
Gracie. “This could just be a bunch of hogwash.” Alex tossed the 
almanac back in the corner with the rest of the books, “Man, your 
finger is going to heal. You can't heal a finger that's not there.” 

“Ah, you guys know me better than that,” laughed Russ. “But let's try it
out. I'll go down to the river and get some frogs and meet you back 
here at, say, about three.” Alex looked into Gracie's eyes trying to 
see what she was thinking, “What do you think, Gracie?” She looked at 
Alex and then Russ, “Well, I could bring my mother's meat cleaver.” 

“All right, then,” declared Russ as he headed toward the front door.
“I'll see you guys back here at three. This is going to be fun.” 

Alex and Gracie met each other at two-thirty the next morning on the
corner of Main and Elm. This was where the old Waller house stood 
before it was torn down and replaced with a nursing home. Gracie had 
her mother's meat cleaver hidden in her shirt and Alex took a look 
around to make sure no one was watching. 

“Well, we're in the time of the New Moon Equinox,” reflected Gracie as
she adjusted her blouse. Alex eyes widened as he growled, “I feel the 
hair on my neck growing! My fingernails are becoming claws!” Gracie 
swatted him on his arm, “That only happens during a full moon, silly.” 

The two made their way through the Waller yard and went into the house.
Alex found an oil lamp and lit the wick. Gracie found the “New Growth” 
book and started reading it. Three o'clock came and went and Russ did 
not show. Before long Alex and Gracie were sitting on the couch and 
soon fell asleep with Gracie's head on Alex's shoulder. 

“Wake up sleepy heads!” yelled Russ as he entered the room. Alex rubbed
his eyes, “What time is it?” 

“Oh, it's around six,” answered Russ as he sat a box onto the floor.
“Sorry, guys, but I fell asleep and just woke up about an hour ago.” 
Gracie stood and looked in the box, “You got a frog.” 

“Yeah, I didn't have time to find but one,” declared Russ as he moved a
table to the center of the room. “Ah, the sacrificial altar,” smiled 
Alex as he joined Russ. “Did you bring the cleaver?” asked Russ as he 
held his hand out. Gracie reached under her shirt for the knife. “Be 
careful and don't cut any vital organs. They might not grow back,” 
teased Russ as Gracie gave him a disgusted look. She walked past his 
outstretched hand and laid the cleaver on the table. Alex brought the 
box over and laid it beside the blade. “Who wants to do the honors?” he 
asked. 

Russ grabbed the frog and held him up in the air. “I don't mind if I
do,” he declared. As he took hold of the cleaver Gracie turned away. “I 
can't watch this,” she said as Russ held the frog down on the table. In 
one swift motion Russ brought the cleaver down and severed a leg. The 
frog struggled in its pain, but Russ held him securely to the table. 
Gracie turned back to look and she and Alex gagged as blood flowed 
freely from the open wound. 

“I don't think it worked,” muttered Alex just before the bleeding
stopped. The three friends looked in amazement as a light blue glow 
surrounded the nub of the frog's leg. A few seconds later a very tiny 
leg could be seen coming out of the severed limb. Within a minute the 
leg had grown to full size as the frog sat contentedly on the table. 

“Oh, my God!” shouted Gracie. “Can you believe that?!?” 

Alex finally realized that his mouth was hanging open. “Do it again,” he
laughed. “Why not?” Russ replied as he once again raised the meat 
cleaver and brought it down on the frog's other leg. In a couple 
minutes the frog was resting comfortably on the table with a fully 
restored limb. He even let out a satisfied croak. 

After several more times of chopping a limb and watching it grow back,
Russ put the frog back in the box. Alex pulled chairs up to the table 
and all three sat down and stared at the box. Breaking the silence, 
Alex proclaimed, “That is the most amazing thing I have seen.” The 
three friends discussed what had happened and who they should tell. 
Alex and Gracie wanted to call the sheriff, but Russ was not sure that 
would be the best thing to do. He finally declared, “Well, I've got a 
decision to make.” Gracie and Alex looked at each other and she asked, 
“What do you mean?” 

“I've got the opportunity to get a new finger,” offered Russ. Alex
thought for a moment and then reflected, “Just because it worked on a 
frog doesn't mean it'll work on you.” Gracie joined in the argument as 
she and Alex did their best to discourage Russ from taking such a 
drastic step. “But can't you see?” asked an annoyed Russ. “This is my 
chance to become somebody. My chance to live a dream!” Alex raised his 
hands in frustration, “But you can still have that dream. All you've 
got to do is wait until the finger heals.” Gracie chimed in, “Why take 
the chance? If you lose your finger you'll never pitch again.” 

The three continued their lively argument until Russ finally exclaimed,
“I'm gonna do this! You two can leave if you want.” He stood up at the 
table and grabbed the meat cleaver. Alex and Gracie rose and backed 
away. Russ gingerly placed his hand on the table and raised the knife. 
“I can do this!” he proclaimed as his eyes widened. Alex gathered 
Gracie into his arms as Russ shouted, “I might as well get me a whole 
new hand!” With as much strength as he could muster, Russ brought the 
cleaver down on his wrist completely severing the limb. He cried out in 
pain as blood squirted from the fresh wound. 

“It's not growing back!” said a distraught Russ through clenched teeth.
In the distance a chime sounded. Gracie clutched her mouth in horror, 
“Oh, no, Russ!! The church's clock just gave one chime!!” Alex felt the 
panic in his chest as he realized that the clock only gives one chime 
at the half-hour mark. “God, Russ, it's 7:30!” he shouted. “The New 
Growth was only good to 7:28!!” 

“My hand!! My hand!!” shouted Russ. “Oh, God, it hurts!” Alex took his
shirt off and wrapped it around the wound. “We've got to get you to the 
hospital!” yelled Gracie as they guided Russ to the door. 

Of course, the medical community of 1939 had no means of reattaching a
severed hand. Even if they could have, Russ' use of it would have been 
limited. All the doctors could do was stopped the bleeding, bandage the 
limb, and give Russ medicine for pain. The local sheriff came by to 
investigate the incident and left just shaking his head in disbelief. 
Alex and Gracie stayed with Russ until their parents came and took them 
home. As they were leaving the emergency room they could hear Russ' 
mother sobbing in the hallway. 

The three youngsters stayed in touch for awhile. Russ found it awkward
being around people. His once promising future had tragically turned to 
a handicapped life. Before the year was out he and his family moved 
three states away and eventually Alex and Gracie lost touch with him. 
At first, the two were traumatized by what had happened and turned to 
each other for comfort. Before long they fell in love. They were 
married on September 8, 1939; just one week after Hitler's German army 
had invaded Poland, thus starting World War II. 

The happy couple settled into a regular routine of married life. Both
gained employment at the local factory as the government made jobs to 
produce supplies to support the Allies in Europe. Alex was a good 
hardworking husband and Gracie was the love of his life. She loved Alex 
with all her heart and made a happy home for the two of them. The only 
thing missing in their lives were children. Gracie had been diagnosed 
as “barren,” and the doctors of the time could offer no hope for ever 
conceiving. She listened to the advice of every mother in the 
neighborhood and tried all types of methods to produce a child, but to 
no avail. Alex supported her efforts and tried to reassure her that he 
could love her a lifetime without ever having a child. Their life 
together marched happily forward until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on 
December 7, 1941. Alex and thousands of other young men were sent off 
to war. By spring of 1942, he found himself stationed in the European 
theater. 

Gracie wrote to Alex as much as she could. Her letters were a source of
great strength to him and with the end of the war in September 1945, he 
found himself on the way home. Alex and three other hometown heroes 
finally arrived in February of 1946. The whole town came out to show 
their support for the returning troops. All Alex was interested in was 
hugging Gracie and kissing her red ruby lips. In Gracie's arms he felt 
the safest he had in three years. The two resumed their married life 
with Alex obtaining employment at the local automobile factory. As they 
entered the 1950's both had become respected citizens in the community 
and were well known for their charity work. They settled easily into 
the cold war way of life that had embraced the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. 
All was happy and normal until there was a knock on their door one 
Thursday evening in March of 1958. 

Alex opened the front door and immediately recognized Russ. He looked a
little older but there was no mistaking the silly grin. Gracie gave 
Russ a big hug as he came into the house. She retired to the kitchen to 
fix drinks while Alex ushered Russ to a seat in the living room. 

The three old friends sat and talked about old times and what they had
been doing since the last time they saw each other. Russ had started 
his own bicycle shop in a nearby town. All his family had passed away 
and he had become somewhat of a loner. He had never married but had 
come close on one occasion. They all laughed when Russ said his 
biological clock was ticking and he needed to settle down soon. After 
taking a sip of his drink, Russ asked his friends “Do you like my new 
hand?” When Alex and Gracie looked uncomfortable at his remark, he 
laughed, “Oh, come on guys. It's all right. I accepted this a long time 
ago.” Gracie straightened her dress and asked, “What's it made out of?” 


“Some new plastic,” replied Russ. “It oughta been made out of gold, as
much as it cost.” Alex sat his drink on the table and asked, “Do you 
ever think of baseball?” Russ sipped his drink again and answered, 
“Yeah, all the time. I love the game. But more than that, I would love 
to have my hand back again.” For a few moments each were lost in their 
own thoughts until Russ asked, “Do you guys know what day it is?” 

“It's March 20th,” replied a perplexed Alex. “I know it's March 20th,”
smirked Russ as he rubbed his artificial hand. “I mean, do you guys 
know what day it is?” Alex and Gracie looked at each other and shook 
their heads. “Today is a new moon and it's the spring equinox,” 
declared Russ as he handed his empty glass to Gracie. “What are you 
saying?” asked an apprehensive Alex. Russ leaned to the end of his 
chair, “Well, according to the almanac I have a widow of opportunity 
between 9:50 a.m. and 10:06 p.m.” 

“You're not thinking of trying something stupid?” asked a concerned
Gracie. Russ smiled and reflected, “Of course not. New Growth is not 
stupid. You guys remember what happened to the frog.” 

“Yeah, and I remember what happened to your hand, too,” offered Gracie
as she collected the empty drink glasses. “You try something like that 
again and it's no telling what could happen.” Alex leaned forward in 
his chair, “Gracie's right, Russ. Besides you don't have a hand to cut 
off and grow back.” Russ settled back into his chair, “You're right, I 
don't. But I've done a lot of thinking about this. You know it's been 
nineteen years and a day hasn't gone by without me thinking about what 
went wrong and how to fix it.” As she was headed toward the kitchen, 
Gracie turned and said, “Well, you can just take any crazy idea you 
have and go somewhere else with it.” 

“Why did you come here after all these years?” asked Alex. Russ rubbed
his forehead and replied, “Well, you two were my partners in crime when 
I lost my hand and I thought you would be willing to share with me in 
getting it back.” Gracie came back into the room and sat down beside 
her husband, “It's like Alex said, it's not going to work. You don't 
have a hand to grow back.” Russ smiled, “Yes, it will. A little after 
ten o'clock this morning I did a little experiment on a frog.” Alex 
gave a nervous laugh, “You can't leave those poor animals alone, can 
you?” Russ ignored the remark and continued, “You see, I figured that 
with a limb already missing there would have to be New Growth of the 
whole animal. If you just cut a piece off, it'd only grow back the way 
it was. You'd still be missing the part that was originally cut off. 
Does that make sense?” Alex rubbed his chin and replied, “I think I see 
where you're going with this.” 

“So, yesterday I cut his leg off,” Russ declared. Gracie put her hand to
her mouth, “Russ, how can you be so mean to a helpless creature?” Again 
ignoring Alex and Gracie's indignation, he continued, “So, today after 
ten he was missing a limb just like me. That's when I killed him.” 

“You killed him?!?” mouthed a surprised Gracie. “Why did you do that?”
Alex asked. “Well, the way I saw it, the whole animal would have to be 
made new,” explained Russ as his voice rose in excitement. Gracie took 
a long look at her husband and then asked, “What happened?” With a 
broad grin on his face Russ replied, “The blue glow came and this time 
covered the entire frog. Within a minute he was sitting up looking at 
me!” 

“He came back to life?!?” asked Alex and Gracie at the same time. “Yep,
he did,” declared Russ as he set up straight in his chair. “He was 
alive and the missing leg had grown back. Everything was made new!” The 
three silently reflected on what Russ had revealed. After a few moments 
Russ asserted, “So, today I'm gonna get my hand back.” 

“Wait a minute, Russ!” protested Alex as he stood up from his chair.
“You're not thinking of doing something foolish, are you?” Russ pulled 
himself to the edge of his chair and declared, “I'm going to die today 
and be made new again.” Before Alex or Gracie could react, Russ raised 
his shirt and pulled out a pistol that was hidden under his belt. 
Raising the gun to his right temple, he cocked the hammer. 

“No, Russ!!!” shouted Gracie. He smiled and said, “I love you guys. I
always have.” His face turned serious and then he pulled the trigger. 
Gracie grabbed Alex as they both shouted in horror. The bullet pierced 
Russ' skull and he collapsed onto the floor as blood splattered against 
the wall. Gracie buried her head in Alex's chest as a red pool of 
liquid formed around Russ' head. She sobbed and shook with fear as Alex 
stood transfixed by the sight of the lifeless body lying on his living 
room floor. 

“Look!!” whispered an amazed Alex. Gracie turned to see a light blue
glow encircling Russ. The glow spread to all the blood that had been 
spilled. Slowly the droplets and the pool disappeared as the blue light 
returned to Russ' body. The glowing slowly intensified to where Alex 
and Gracie were forced to look away from the brightness. In a flash the 
light was gone and when they looked so was Russ. 

“Oh, my God,” mouthed Alex as he walked to the place where Russ had
fallen. He was examining the spot when he heard Gracie cry out in pain. 
Rushing to his wife he barely caught her before her head hit the floor. 
She struggled to a sitting position and shook her head to clear her 
senses. “Are you OK?” cried Alex. “I think so,” replied Gracie as she 
rubbed her stomach. Alex helped her to her feet and gently wrapped his 
arms around her head. “You scared me to death!” he whispered in her 
ear. “Alex, look at me,” demanded Gracie as she backed away from him. 
He stared at his wife in disbelief as she continued to stroke her 
swollen belly. 

“You look pregnant!” said Alex in total disbelief. “I feel pregnant,”
offered Gracie as she waddled to a chair to sit. Alex put his hand on 
her stomach and smiled at his wife, “You've got to be four or five 
months.” Then, with the full realization of what had happened sinking 
in, they both said at the same time, “Russ!” 

“What in the world happened?” asked Gracie as she looked into her
husband's eyes. “I don't know for sure,” replied Alex as helped his 
wife to her feet. “But I believe Russ was made new all right. He's a 
baby in your belly!” Gracie grabbed her stomach and grunted. “What's 
wrong?” asked a concerned Alex. “Oh, nothing really. But I think I felt 
him kick,” said a smiling Gracie. 

“But I'm confused,” pondered Alex. “The doctors said you could never get
pregnant.” Gracie thought for a moment and then offered, “I guess if 
Russ was going to be made new, then whatever caused this, decided to 
make me new where I could have a baby. I can't think of any other 
explanation.” Alex watched his wife try to maneuver toward the kitchen 
and then declared, “We're taking you to the doctor tomorrow. We're 
gonna have a baby!” 

The next day the doctor was at a lost to explain how Gracie could be
pregnant. All her previous tests had clearly shown that she would never 
be able to conceive. After mildly scolding her for not coming to him 
earlier in her pregnancy, he declared her in good health and worked out 
a prenatal plan. 

On September 6, 1958, Gracie gave birth to a healthy, and fully formed,
seven pounds and two ounces bouncing baby boy. When Alex first saw the 
baby he had no doubts that the child was Russ. Gracie was also 
convinced as to where the baby came from. They decided to not tell 
anyone the truth, but to keep the secret to themselves. 

The happy couple loved the child as if he was their own and was always
thankful for the miracle that came into their lives. Without hesitation 
they named him Russ. As their son grew they were constantly amazed at 
how advanced he was. He easily was a grade “A” student in school. It 
was as if he already knew the answers before the teacher taught the 
subject. Of course, Alex started him playing baseball at the earliest 
age he could. Before long, little Russ was dazzling everyone with his 
blazing fastball. As he grew into adolescence, universities all over 
the country offered him scholarships. But Russ' love was for baseball 
and so, he joined a professional team instead of pursuing a college 
education. 

It was not long before he was scouted by a big league team and shortly
thereafter, joined the major leagues. He threw his first no-hitter 
during his rookie season. After two more no-hitters over the next few 
years, he finally joined the ranks of the few who have pitched a 
perfect game. This assured, as if his career had not already been good 
enough, his selection into Cooperstown when he was ready to retire. 

In 1982 Russ was introduced to a beautiful young lady by the name of
Abebe. Before long they were dating and married the next year. The year 
1984 brought them joy as they were blessed with a baby boy. Even though 
his son was disabled with a withered hand, Russ showed he loved him and 
was as proud of him as if he had followed in his steps as an athlete. 

Alex and Gracie were very proud of their son and loved him very much.
They readily accepted Abebe as part of the family and grew to love her 
as a daughter. Later when their grandson came along, Alex and Gracie 
felt that they had been blessed beyond their wildest imaginations. All 
was wonderful until the winter of 1993 when Gracie became violently 
ill. After months of suffering she succumbed in June of 1994. 

For the first time in his life, Alex felt alone. Three years later when
he thought he was finally recovering from Gracie's death, tragedy 
struck. Russ and Abebe were killed in an automobile accident. Without 
hesitation, Alex took his grandson into his home and raised him to the 
man he is today. 

That is the story my grandfather told me about Russ, Gracie, and Alex. 

My grandfather turned his wheelchair away from me and stared out the
window, “I've never told anyone that story. I knew nobody would ever 
believe it.” I sat befuddled and not speaking for the longest time. 
“That was an amazing story, Grandpa,” I finally said as he turned 
toward me. “I don't know what to say.” 

“Well, there's nothing to say, except that in less than a week there
will be another new moon equinox,” he revealed as he reached for a book 
on his nightstand. “Look at this almanac,” he ordered as he handed it 
to me. I took the book and turned to the month of March, 2004. The 
equinox was scheduled to occur on Saturday, the 20th at 1:49 a.m. and 
the new moon would take place at 10:41 p.m. “What are you saying, 
Grandpa?” 

“Just that there will be an opportunity for New Growth between 1:49 a.m.
and 10:41 p.m. on that day,” he explained as I closed the almanac and 
handed it back to him. He smiled at me and continued, “It would take a 
lot of determination, but a person could actually grow a new hand 
during that time, if he wanted to.” 

I immediately glanced at my withered hand as the import of what he had
said sunk in. “Are you suggesting I chop my hand off?” I asked in 
disbelief. “Well, that's up to you,” he said as he once again lowered 
his voice. “All I'm saying is you have the opportunity to have New 
Growth.” 

After talking awhile longer, I left my grandfather and the nursing home.
Walking back to my house gave me time to contemplate the astonishing 
and marvelous things that I had been told. Over the next few days I 
debated as to what I should do. One moment I wanted to believe my 
grandfather. He had never lied to me before. The next moment I was 
concerned that what he had said could have been the fanciful whims of 
an elderly man suffering with dementia. 

The clock in my kitchen chimed as the hour reached 9 a.m. I looked at
the calendar for the hundredth time to make sure it was March 20th. My 
fingers gently stroked the handle of the meat cleaver sitting on the 
dinner table. I close my eyes for a moment and then with a deep sigh 
take a firm hold of the knife and raise it into the air. 

“Grandpa, I hope you were telling me the truth!” 

WHACK!! 

THE END


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