The Second Tuesday Of September

by Jordan Solis

One by one, we followed the trail of an army.

The outside world had attempted its best to hold me back. But this was not my first tango with nature. Experience guided me through with ease. Difficult at first, the redwoods were but a small resistance as I was able to push my way around. At times, helped by other forces. I could not see through sweat and tears. 

Nothing was as strong as my will to finish the job. There were reports of an army nearby and it was something I could not simply ignore. Finding a name was my task. Finding this army was a potential bonus. The cold world creaked each bone in my nervous hands. A twitch followed by a spasm. Fear followed by an excited anticipation.

While distracted by the clash of words. Scratches had begun to spread across my arms and face. Gentle as the morning dew upon a leaflet. The pain was but a sliver of a thought. Nothing compared to what my Amy was going through. Just saying that name made me feel those loving eyes following my every move. Gray and with the slightest hint of relief.

Scared to even imagine what she might say or do to me when meeting again. I began to keep nature at a distance. Keeping harm away from body and mind. Good thing Amy didn’t want a name coming from there anyways. “Too wild!” She would howl. Always more of an untamed forest than the bit of land in our backyard we called the wild. 

Forrest could have worked. Or maybe Luna? 

Carefully passing through that same yard that connects each house around us. I pushed brush and branches away. Recognizing my past steps, I followed a trail of breadcrumbs left behind. This army of ants had an odd taste in food. Maybe it was because the neighbors had different plants? Good thing I had left them a buffet of snacks to pick from.

Amy and Grandma would say I wasted too much. Imagine how happy they would be to find out it was all already spoiled. Then again, that's only because I had forgotten everything in the car. So it was better not to mention it.

Focusing purely on their trail and my safety, I pushed with all my force on a strong limb. Making sure none of its foliage would hit me, I skillfully squeezed underneath it then held the branch so as to be as safe as possible upon release. Once on the other side, I let that branch swing full force towards the open world that had been behind me. 

At that moment, something was out of place for me. Just slightly out of focus and out of mind. I could tell something was there even before the branch had swung. It felt as if someone was nearby. As if I was being watched by a familiar entity. I could feel gray eyes following my every move.

Amy was a solid name to pick. 

WHACK!

"Oh god dammit Dad! Why'd you let it go like that?" His voice cracked just like the branch impacting against his face. Oh yeah. I had forgotten that my son was following me, whoops.

I tried my best to hold back laughter as he tried his best to hold back tears. Failing to keep a smooth composure, I danced and swayed through the roots and leaves. Stopping right in front of him. Frozen in a deep realization and prayer. Amy was going to kill me for hurting her sweet baby boy.

It was a good run. A little short for my taste but a damn good run. Luckily, Amy was so tired and distracted by the baby that she never noticed what had happened that day.   

"Sorry Jacky, it doesn't hurt that much right? Please don't tell mom! Promise me or you won't play any of those new games for a month!" shocked, he looked straight into my eyes and I saw it all. The shock of a father and the anger of a mother. Gray eyes that would make anybody beg for forgiveness.

"Wait, what? Why am I getting punished?  How does that make any sense? You're the one that wanted to look for ants and didn't warn me about trees!" His body tensed up and looked just as  red as the high five to the face he had taken. If only food worked on his anger the way it worked on his mom. I could have simply bribed him with tacos and the anger would be gone. But no, he prefers new video games that cost much more than tacos. 

Not wanting to pay up again. I went off as speedy as a cartoon. "Well... if mom grounds me then I'll have to start the projects she's been waiting for in order to make her happy. So if I start on those projects then...let's see...um...yeah then you'll have to help me and that means no game time for you!" Gasping for air, I revisited my lines in my head. Yeah, I think that made sense

 It took me a while to comprehend whatever gibberish I had clearly just made up. But Jacky seemed to take it all in before even I could and smiled. I recognized my dad's grin as he rubbed his face and nodded in silence. wiping away some tears that were forming.

Jack was also a good option. But would that make them a junior or the third?

We were on the path once again. Chuckling to myself, I could still hear the holy smack my son had just received. Following the remains of some breadcrumbs I had laid out. Jacky and I stared intently as scouts began to pop up, grab a bite and seemed to head in one direction. Ready to show and report on their findings. 

There were some larger black ones and there were some smaller brown ones. I pointed towards the smaller ones. Gesturing to Jacky that the target was acquired. We followed without making a single sound. Pushing the gates open, we went past the backyard into allied territory.

Surveying the allied base, the neighbors weren’t home so we safely continued on our way. Closely keeping by with a thirst for blood. I was ready to take them all on. Even if that meant bringing my own son with me.

The neighbors were never the best at maintaining their garden. But what we saw was a disaster. Rotting vegetables all over the small square bed. The ants had laid waste to our neighbors and they were not alone. The West had been lost to ants and aphids. There had been reports in the neighborhood group chat that the North was next.

There was no worthy name to be found here. Only despair.

We followed the scouts and carefully watched as they continued on. Past a swingset, past two trees, around a gnome, past two trees, past a swingset and through a gate. Being safe and responsible, we checked to see if anyone was home before entering the zone. “See anybody home Jacky? I don’t want the cops to show up.” The beautiful voice of my yelling wife rang in my ears. Her gentle imaginary hand struck the back of my head. 

WHACK!

The house was beautiful, well kept and had a homely feel to it. Very much to my wife’s taste. From the garden to the fences. Even had the same sky colored walls. “Anything Jacky?” He had snorted and held back a deep laugh. It almost sounded like he was crying. “Dad, you do know this is our house right?” I had no clue how we had gotten back. He sighed his laugh away and covered his face as I looked back at him.

Waving goodbye to the moment, I regretted my part in all of this chaos. If only I had done something sooner. These warriors were also farmers and their herd was growing alongside them. I should have listened to the warnings. These ants were an invasive species to fear. We were fools to believe we were safe at home. 

Oh how little we knew, a trojan horse delivered to us the day we announced Amy was pregnant. Purchased just a few houses up, spotted by gray eyes, picked up by slithering fingers. Dracaena trifasciata, the snake plant, the mother-in-law's tongue.

Marie was not a name I had considered. Mary was too similar.

"Hey Dad, why aren't you with Mom?" The anger died down as Jacky had snapped me back. Last I saw her, Amy had sheepishly reminded me of our son's birth. Trying to convince her, I mentioned how I held myself together throughout the entire procedure. “No you didn't, you liar.” Smiling, she made sure to remind me that I had turned pale and ended up being the one instructed to breathe. 

“But I was there the whole time, babe.” In my defense, I really was there the whole time. Just not entirely there.“You passed out five minutes in and woke up in the arms of a nurse. Only to do it all again and be placed in a bed remember!”

 She was right. I liked the bed and the food they gave me. She did not know about that part. Better not tell her anytime soon. I held her tight and kissed her goodbye. A little sad that she did not stop me like in the movies. But a tiny bit happy that I was heading towards fresh air. I couldn’t admit that to my son.

"I lost a bet against your Grandma Marie. But at least I get to pick the name!" Jacky looked towards the road that connected all the houses. We could hear children laughing not too far from where we stood. Those gray eyes focused on the future. Straightening up, tensing each muscle, he was preparing himself. Ready to potentially defend the newest member. He looked a little angry and annoyed, ready to pounce at any moment. "I think you should forfeit that win dad. Don't you remember all the times I was made fun of." Nope, nothing had come to mind.

I remembered the sounds of everyone being jealous of his cool name. But no such bullying of any kind. Nah, he was clearly messing with me. Certain that he simply did not want his sibling to have a cooler name. I thought that maybe he was worried about his popularity. Jacky was a good choice and the spelling was unique. I was proud of the name I had created for my son. 

But then again, I did make it up on the spot. I also used the same technique I had always used for names. Smashing two words together works most of the time. My cat growing up was named Cack. Jack and cat makes Cack. That was a wonderful name. Oh, no wonder I was the only one to ever call her by that.

Forgive me Cack! I didn’t know!

Fear was starting to become an understandable emotion. But some names can work. "Don't worry son, I'll think of something good." He just shook his head and stared at a wilting mint. "Dad look, I think that's one of the big ones!" He was right, the poor thing was crawling with ants.

One by one they marched up and down what were once green stems and leaves. "Look closely Jacky, this plant is dying. Its actual color is that dull grayish green. The brighter greens are actually the ant's herd." I watched as Jacky got closer and shivered. The ants were not touching the plant at all. How could they? There were hundreds or even thousands of aphids all over the mint. Each one a bright clear green, sucking the sap of the poor thing. 

I could see rows of ants milking the aphids for their sweet honeydew. Protecting them from predators. Seeing Jacky recoil in a full body scratch, I couldn't help but do the same as I stared at the creatures. "These might not be of any help towards plants. But they are still a form of base for the food chain. Some ants protect and herd them in order to milk them like cows. Look under the leaves. You might find where they corral them." Jacky inspected the mint with fear and curiosity. 

Turning over a leaf that could no longer hold the weight. His eyes widened as he found a squad of ants protecting and corralling their green cows. Keeping them away from us and danger. The ants looked up and rushed to fully hide their food source. Jacky began to scratch again but kept his eyes on them. I saw myself in his amusement.

Jacky was indeed a good name. Maybe the spelling could have been worked on?

I reached for a bubble filled spray bottle. The blue liquid inside sloshed with a heavy sway. A concoction of my own making, simple and very effective. Why pay for a tool when you can make it yourself. Dish soap and water are all I needed for this job. The more dish soap used in the ratio, the stronger the bullets that would pour out.

Amy nor her mom would approve of the amount of dish soap I had wasted though. Good thing they were a little busy at the time. "Don't tell mom I used the good soap." Jacky always understood my fear. I secured my targets, brought up my sights, aimed and carefully turned the nozzle. STREAM was too direct. OFF was too safe. SPRAY was just right. I curled my finger and began to press, prepared for ultimate destruction. Prepared to eliminate all the oil that kept the poor mint captive. Just like the commercials about the yellow quacking babies.

Duck sounded like a sweet option. Dawn was a better one.

The air smelled of  “APPLE BLOSSOM” as the ants dispersed. There were so many that they were running on top of each other. Flowing down towards safety, they started to leave and the aphids began to appear. My concoction was working and it had melted the safe away. Revealing the secrets kept within. That was it, the perfect name! 

WHACK!

A sudden impact across the back of my head. "Oh damn! They're fighting back Jacky! Take cover!" We ran behind a tree nearly falling as we stepped on jagged roots. Scanning the area in search of danger, we checked for wounds. Nothing but the cold breeze. I had even forgotten the name.

We looked again. Nothing, no flying creatures. No climbers on our legs. Nothing but my angry old man holding a lopsided stick and a phone. "Dad? Are you trying to kill us?" We both held our arms out in confusion. “Yeah Grandpa! Why’d you do that?” Without saying a word, he sped towards us like a bull ready to strike again. We felt safe hugging the tree and began to cower.

My old man suddenly stopped and smiled. "You idiots, Marie called. It's time to go!" The bottle fell from my hands as I shot straight up. Nearly tripping Jacky and nearly being tripped by my dad. This was it and we were ready.

The hospital was near but we had still filled the car with gas. Amy’s zebra striped key was already in place by the time Jacky and Dad had gone in. We were on our way. I slowly crept up towards the speed limit. Passing the vendor's stand to the North. Each street light was green as I prayed for no cops. The speed limit was well past us. Parking where designated, the nurses yelled for us to slow down once we had entered the hospital. One by one we marched our way through.

Saint or maybe Peter could work. 

I still had not decided on a name by this point. I had looked around for inspiration but would find my mind covered in oil. There was something there, But I couldn’t see it. There was too much going on. It was like I had ants all over me. Keeping their secret safe from harm by covering my mind in thoughts. I couldn't wait to hold you in my arms. Couldn't wait to kiss and hold your mom. I could easily wait to see your grandma but she was with you and your mom so I had to see her by force. 

Anyways, I remember looking towards your brother and it hit me. I sprayed the ants out of my mind and saw the aphids. The little green, secret stash. I stopped everyone and turned towards him. "Hey Jacky, don't get mad okay? Same combo, different style, and It's a good one! This time the spelling is just right!" He looked nervous but agreed to listen. “How does Jamie sound?” I’ll never forget how his eyes sparkled at the mention of your name. I admit, I was a little annoyed that he was relieved by the name. But that sparkle meant it was time to finally meet you. 

My Jamie, my Little Green. Now that was indeed a perfect name.

“Is that why you call me Little Green!?”