The Clearing Concluded

Standing on the cliff side staring at his now scotchless ice cubes, Old Doc determined that one more refill was in order. Just as he turned to go he heard in the distance what sounded vaguely like a flock of noisy birds coming from the direction of the Arboles store. He paused and looked into the darkened sky as the sound drew nearer. When in a matter of seconds an outrageous cacophony flew directly overhead it seemed so close that Doc was startled by his inability to see anything. This was a loud noise like a hundred squawking, screeching bats or banshees with their tails afire, but there was nothing, absolutely nothing visible overhead or anywhere else that Doc could see. He turned for a moment and stared in the direction of the receding sound, then raced back to his house.

They've done it, he thought, they've actually spooked away the spooks! There was just no other explanation for what he had heard and he needed to get to a phone and tell the group exactly that. No point in their hanging around the store after the ghosts were gone.

But, of course, no one answered his ring. The phantom chasers had again locked hands and formed their circle, beginning anew their quiet deliberations. They were not about to be interrupted by a late customer saying, oh great you're open, I'll be by for a six pack. Theirs was serious work.

Doc put the phone back in its cradle and grabbed his truck keys off the hook where he kept them. He was excited, there was no doubt, and he wanted to share that excitement with the others. He wondered as he motored down his long drive, if they knew they'd been successful. No matter, he thought, they will when I get
there.

Inside the store there was complete certainty the human souls had departed. What remained were animal spirits and they were proving to be reluctant, somewhat stubborn. Animals in life are creatures of habit and now even in death, they were leery of changing their routine.

"We are going to need help" said Sharman. "We need someone with stronger animal mojo. Who can we call on? Wait, I know. Who's that saint who's like the father of all animals?"

"You mean Saint Francis of Assisi? said Charly?

"Yeah, that's him" said Sharman. "Concentrate and ask for his help."

And the moment they did so the store's back door flies open and Old Doc comes blustering in. "Hey guys" he blurts at the circled foursome, "give it up, they're all gone."

Sharman's eyes open wide in astonishment. "Yes," she says, "they are all gone."

"Yeah, that's what I came to tell you," said Doc. "I heard them leave."

"I'm not talking about the people, Doc, they left awhile ago. I'm talking about the animals. They wouldn't leave until you got here. That says to me that you must be him, the..."

And now you know how old Doc became the new Saint Francis of Assisi, the father of all animals. Well, at least, that's how the woowoos tell it.