I stared at my radio. After remaining stunned for several minutes, I tried to figure out a logical explanation for what I had just experienced. That definitely wasn't a DJ. Did I imagine it? Or was I just incredibly mistaken? Regardless, I repeated the utterances under my breath to be certain I'd remember the voice's precise wording.

There's a Starman waiting in the sky.

A Starman-as in the David Bowie song? Was I just listening to Ziggy Stardust? No, that didn't sound like his voice. Plus, I considered the fact that I did not personally know David Bowie and he certainly didn't know me, either. The voice, I concluded, must have come from someone who knew me, unless it was coincidental that it spoke to someone else by my name.

Someday in the forest, Jamie, you may see.

The forest. No, he has to be talking to me. I took in a deep breath, beginning to come to terms with being dragged into something I knew nothing about-something unusual that wanted to meet me. Whatever it was, I had to keep it secret.

He said not to blow it.

Then, I thought of Nancy. We shared everything with each other. Considering she usually listened to the same station, it was probable she may have heard the voice, too-but what if she hadn't? Would it be worth the risk to tell her? And if she hadn't been taken into confidence, would the voice retaliate against me for divulging the secret?

On a whim, I ran to the kitchen and picked up the phone. But I hesitated, listening to the droning dial tone that urged me to make my call. I somewhat expected to hear the voice speak, as if it could carry itself on the transmission signals and threaten me.

However, as I recalled its slow and relaxed tone, I felt that it didn't have the power or desire to do so. Rather, my instincts told me it meant no harm, but either needed my help or wanted to help me-in whatever manner that would be. With new resolve, I began to spin the dial of our rotary phone, my patience waning with each number.

I nervously tapped my foot as I listened to the ring and waited, praying that Nancy's father wouldn't answer.

"Hello?" Nancy answered in a hushed tone.

A wave of relief swept over me. "Nancy, is your dad around?"

"No, he's in bed." I detected apprehension in her voice and it scared me. I didn't usually call so late and she was probably worried something was wrong. Her voice, though, indicated that everything was normal at her house and I began to feel foolish. "Is everything okay?" she added, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," I said, quickly. "I just-I was wondering if you were listening to the radio tonight." I cringed, imagining the puzzled expression on her face.

"Yeah, I was." She paused. "Why?"

Oh, no-she doesn't know. Now I had to give her a reason for asking and I couldn't think of anything other than the truth. "Did you hear anything...weird?"

"Yes, I did," she blurted out. "I heard a voice and I think it was speaking to me. I know it sounds crazy-"

"No," I gasped, letting my confined excitement take over me. "Hey, that's far out. So you heard him too! I thought I was going crazy."

"Me, too," she whispered excitedly. "Did it say your name, too? What do you think it was?"

"Yes, it did. I have no idea what it was, but I wonder if he's somewhere else. I haven't heard him on the radio again. Maybe if we switch on the TV."

"Right. Let's try it." I heard her set the phone down, so I followed suit and ran to the TV. Switching it on, the screen displayed channel 2's regular program: Johnny Carson interviewing a celebrity on the Tonight Show. I waited a few seconds before turning the dial to other channels, but only the same regular programming was returned. There was no sign of the voice or anything about a Starman.

I stood up and walked back to the phone. "Nancy, you there?" I received no reply, so I waited for her to pick up. Only a few seconds passed before I hear the shuffling of the phone.

"Did you find anything?" she said.

"No, did you?"

"Nothing."

Frustrated, we both sighed. Disappointment settled into the atmosphere as the possibility of never hearing the voice again was appearing true. But its words still lingered in my head, as I tried to piece them together. That couldn't have been the end of it.

"What exactly did he say to you?" I said.

"He said the Starman wants to meet me and not to blow it," Nancy replied. "And that it's 'worthwhile'-whatever that means."

"Yes! He said the same thing to me. He also said the Starman is waiting in the sky." I gasped, realizing where to search next. I ran to the window in front of the kitchen sink, still holding the phone to my ear.

"Jamie, what's going on? Did you find something?"

I barely heard Nancy's eager voice in my excitement. Struggling to peer through the trees, I spotted a glimmer in the sky. The silvery body was larger and brighter than the other stars and I wondered if it was a planet-could just be Venus, I thought. But as I observed it more closely, I noticed it didn't have a consistent brightness. Instead, it flickered similarly to its surroundings. Though I was limited in my knowledge of astronomy, I knew it was different from the others.

"Nancy, look out your window," I said, still leaning over the sink with my face nearly touching the window. "I can see his light."

I heard a gasp on the phone line. "I see it, too."

"Notice how it's larger than other stars like a planet, but it sparkles like a star?"

"Yes, I do." There was a pause and I waited for her to say more, but nothing came.

"Do you think it could be this Starman?" I asked, my mind reeling with speculations.

"I don't know, Jamie," Nancy said. With those simple words, my hopes began to plummet. "We could be mistaken."

"But you heard him. Every word he said-even speaking your name. Don't you think that means something? The voice said he's waiting in the sky. This could be him."

"Calm down, Jamie." Now Nancy was laughing. "I didn't say I didn't believe it. I know what I heard, but we may be mistaken about this star. You have to admit it sounds a little far-fetched."

"But what if it's not? Look-he told me that someday in the forest, I may get to see what this is all about. I say we take up that offer. It's worth a shot."

"How would we even do that? I mean, okay-we go to the forest-then what?"

"Well, maybe he will see us and decide to show up. He may even be waiting for us. I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't sleep without trying."

"Wait-you're suggesting we do this tonight?"

"Yes, of course. Can you sneak out of the house?"

"I don't know..." Nancy trailed.

"Please," I said. "I'd really appreciate it."

Nancy groaned. "Okay, fine."

"Thank you! Oh, and don't tell your dad-he may have us locked up." I laughed, feeling a little elated by the secret adventure we were about to embark on.

"I can't come in the truck then. It's too loud. I'll have to come on my bike. Meet you at your house."

"Okay, that's fine. See you then-and hurry!"

After hanging up the phone, I ran to my room to slip on my shoes and exited out the back door. I paused for a second, listening for the engine of my mom's car just in case she came home earlier than usual. Then, I walked to the small shed in our yard and squinted in the darkness at the combination lock. When it budged, I wheeled my bike to the front yard and out the gate.

While I waited for Nancy, I gazed up at the peculiar star. I was afraid to turn my eyes away as if it would vanish into the black sky if we didn't reach the woods in time. If it was somehow connected to the voice, that was a possibility.

In the quiet night, I heard the crackle of bicycle wheels running over fallen twigs, and then the slowing tick of bike chains. I tore my eyes away from the star to meet Nancy halting at my side.

"I made it," she panted. "I just need a minute to catch my breath."

"Okay," I said, though I mounted my bike anyway. "I'm afraid we're going to run out of time."

"The star's still there, though."

"Yeah, but what if it doesn't last very long, like the voice? I'll just get a head start," I said, standing up to push on my bike pedal. I started off, figuring Nancy could catch up but heard her mumble and follow anyway.

After twenty minutes of huffing down the road and passing quiet homes, we arrived in the woods. It seemed to grow slightly cooler as we rode into the thick of the trees and approached the clearing. I even smelled the smoke from our campfire.

I jumped off my bike along with Nancy, glancing around for anything abnormal. I ran onto the grass past the campfire and looked up where it was clearest to see the sky. Still, the star was sparkling as ever.

"Okay, now what?" Nancy said when she spotted it.

I sat down on one of the logs surrounding the campfire. Nancy did as well, almost mimicking my movements as we sat expectantly. Then I replied, "We wait."

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What would you do if a voice talked to you through the radio? I'd probably hide under my bed covers lol!

For those familiar with the Starman lyrics, did you notice the references in their dialogue?

Thanks for reading! :)