Prologue
“ ‘We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish the CONSTITUTION for the United States of America.’ ”
The words that my grandmother had just spoken echoed perfectly off the many bookcases that surrounded us. She had closed the book and brought it close to her heart while bowing her head. I bowed my head as well to observe the moment of silence we always held. Thank you God and everyone else before me who fought to bring this great country back on track to what it formerly was. I thought then lifted my head and saw the elderly woman placing the tattered book back on its shelf. It sat there limp with its title nearly gone, but it had so much life and power pulsing in its pages. I knew that power would never fade.
Curiosity began to plague me for I knew all too well that my grandmother never needed to read the Constitution’s Preamble from a book. She had memorized it long before now. My next words sat on the tip of my tongue while I stood there and wondered if I should let them be known. I noticed a certain glint in her eyes, but I couldn’t read into what they were trying to reveal to me. The meaning was hidden deep.
“Go ahead and speak your mind, James,” she said softly. Her tone was warm and tender, but I detected traces of her Presidential authority that encouraged me to have my say.
“Grandmother, I’m wondering…” I trailed off as I struggled to bring forth the words. It seemed as if I were afraid that she might ridicule me for asking, but that thought seem disappeared when she gave me a signal to continue. “I’m wondering why you continue to read from this book. Why continue when you already know the words?”
I jerked the book from its shelf to show her what I meant then cringed shortly afterwards as a few other books fell to the floor. I quickly bent over to pick them off the floor, but snapped back up in a standing position as soon as a laugh was expelled from her throat. She took the aged book from my hands and flipped through its pages.
“James, when I speak the words I do feel the great meaning of them, but when I read them while I speak that feeling intensifies. I can’t really explain it…but there is a special reason why I choose this particular book. Do you know why?”
I shook my head as my expression began to show my confusion when she held the book out. It was opened on a particular page.
“Read the words out loud, please,” she directed.
“ ‘This book was written and owned by Kyle Henry,’ ” I quoted.
“Do you know who Kyle Henry is?”
“No,” I replied sadly while I found it odd that she was smiling.
“I guess you haven’t gotten that far in your American and family history education, but I’ll tell you he was a great man.” She pressed the book firmly into my hands. “And you will have to find out how great he is yourself.”
She placed an arm around my shoulders and began leading me out of the room. A deep silence hung between us as we walked towards the exit of the Library of Congress. I pulled my jacket tightly around my torso while using the thick book as a semi-shield from the harshly brisk wind. Out of the corner of my eye I could see a limousine pull up to the sidewalk while a Secret Service agent was walking behind us. The sun was lowering itself behind some buildings in the western horizon while the street lights flickered on and began to brighten. Before my grandmother pulled me into an embrace I saw my father get out of the car.
“James,” he called.
I pulled away from my grandmother then ran over to my father. He pulled me into an one-armed hug then let me go quickly.
“Go to the car. I’ll be there momentarily,” he said then walked past me. I turned slightly then waved good-bye to my grandmother then got in the car while leaving the door open. I smiled at my mother then began to relax in the car seat.
“So how was your day?” she asked me gently.
“It was alright. The new building for the Library of Congress is stunning. I’m glad that is finally completed.”
“Maybe I could visit it with your father sometime,” she said mostly to herself. My mother soon noticed the book in my lap. “What are you going to be reading?”
“I don’t know to be honest. I only know that is about a man by the name, Kyle Henry.”
“Well, you’ll enjoy reading it. I’m sure of it.”
I nodded then settled even further into my seat. Moments later I heard the car door slam shut, cutting off the draft of cold air. The sound of the engine revving as it pulled the vehicle across the asphalt was a good sign to me. No need to keep up an image for anyone. I could hear the soft murmurs of my parents discussing a new bill to be passed in the near future.
The car slipped into a smooth and easy stop into the driveway of our home. My little sister ran over to me and wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Big brother, how are you?” she squeaked.
I smiled as I knelt down eye level with her. “I’m doing alright, but I believe it is your bedtime, is it not?”
She looked down with her bottom lip slightly protruding outward. “I want to see you and mommy and daddy.”
I chuckled softly. “It is fine, but I’m going to be heading up to my room to start reading this book, alright?”
She nodded then hurried over to our mother. I turned slightly and then my smile widened. “I’m glad to see everything is where it needs to be,” I whispered then averted my gaze. “Mom, Dad…I’m going to go ahead and head off to bed.”
“Alright then…” my mother said with a sigh.
“We’ll see you in the morning, son. Good night,” my father said gently.
“Good night and sleep well.”
I went up to my room then locked the door. I tossed the book onto my bed then studied its tired appearance. For the first time I noticed the faint, silver lettering on its cover. I swiped it off my bed and narrowed my eyes to attempt to read the words in the dim lighting. “Extinct Constitution…” I whispered. “Hm…”
I collapsed onto my bed and began looking through the book’s contents. There were many maps and pictures that had caught my eyes. I had stopped occasionally to look at them. It was amazing how it was depicted in the sketches. Excitement and enjoyment began to sprout in me. I found the first page then began reading.
