The Generation at the End, page 9
“I doubt that you have destroyed it. You may have jeopardized it by cooling off so quickly. Do you have her home address?”
“Yes. We traded all our personal information. I must be 100% honest with you, Cyrus. We barred our souls about several things Sunday night. Laura asked me how you and I really came to know each other. I told her some things must remain a secret. I could have been more gracious. It would appear she believes we are involved in some political shenanigan. Perhaps I may be your campaign manager or the like. I’m very certain Laura has no hint of our real relationship.”
“I’m quite certain myself, Ari. It may be of substantial value for you to compose a letter to Laura on your flight home. It might serve two purposes. You can give an account of your habitual fear of commitment and confess that our relationship is purely political. You could explain that it would be untimely to reveal it at this time. In essence that is the truth.”
“A capital idea, my friend. I was going to call her when I got home this evening. Writing is far more personal and intimate. I may end up calling her tomorrow. I already miss the sound of her voice.”
“What time is your hop to Baltimore leaving St. Mary’s?”
“I wrote it on the same paper I have Laura’s info. Let me see; it leaves at 10:45. Perhaps we should be on our way. I couldn’t leave without saying good bye to Celia, Cyrus.”
“It may very well be some time before you see her again. She’s probably in the kitchen. Perhaps she has a snack for you.”
Celia was at the dock checking on the runabout. Cyrus and Ari began a leisurely stroll toward the dock. Celia met them halfway.
“So you’re off to California, Ari. I must admit I will miss you. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done. What would we have done without you?”
“You are truly a charming hostess, Celia. I feel as though I am leaving home. I shall indeed miss you. Please take care of my good friend here.”
“The car from the airport is here, Ari. Do you have everything?”
“Everything except a piece of my heart, which I’m sure I will leave here, Cyrus.”
“I’ll walk with you to the car.”
“Please call me Friday morning, Cyrus.”
“May God be with us, Ari.”
Chapter twenty
10/1
By the time she reached Baltimore Laura was sure the exhaust leak was no more than a hole in the exhaust pipe. She really didn’t want to go in to work today. The thought of teaching Algebra 102 to a bunch of Sophomores who really didn’t care was almost painful. On the other hand, it might be just what she needed. For the tenth time in the last hour she found herself thinking of Ari. She went over the conversation at breakfast this morning. Laura could think of nothing she said to cause Ari to become so withdrawn. She knew in her heart there was more to this man than the game of seduction. Perhaps saying good bye was something Ari did not do well. Once more Laura told herself there was nothing to be gained by going over and over it in her mind. If Ari cared as much as he professed he would contact her soon.
10/1
Ari tried to relax and take a nap on the plane. Every time he closed his eyes there was a beautiful woman with her head tilted slightly to the right, smiling. He retrieved his briefcase from under the seat, took out his new Toshiba notebook and pushed the on button. He typed, “Dear Laura” and was transported back to Saturday night. Ari had very possibly kissed a hundred women. Why then, when he kissed Laura, was the slate erased? Had she bewitched him and wiped out the memory of all those other first kisses? Being with those other women had always left Ari with a feeling of fulfillment. Yet, there was this gnawing emptiness growing in his heart. Ari held his fingers above the keyboard then instantly clenched his fists. The memory of his refusal to let Laura drive him to the airport flashed in his mind and pierced his heart. Once more he addressed the keyboard. This time Ari performed the magic of transforming feelings into words by way of electronic technology. First, he apologized for being so immature and inconsiderate. Then he asked if he had overdrawn the account they shared. Could she possibly credit this letter to the account. Ari finished with the explanation he and Cyrus had agreed upon for their relationship. Try as he may, a life time of denial prevented Ari from closing with those, “three little words”.
The flight was unremarkable with a minimum of turbulence. As soon as he walked in the house Ari printed the letter, put it in an envelope and drove to the post office. There he had it stamped and mailed. The moment he returned to the house Ari called Laura. It was nearly 8:00 pm on the East coast. At the sound of Laura’s voice his heart swelled.
“Can you find it in your heart to forgive me for being so degenerate?”
“Only if you stop trying to deny your feelings. I’ve spent a miserable day wondering why you went from warm to cool for no apparent reason. Remember what we talked about Sunday night? We agreed how easy it is to hurt someone who really cares for you.”
“I agreed wholeheartedly then and even more so now. Please don’t consider what I am about to tell you as any kind of excuse. In my forty four years I have never told anyone how I really felt; not even my mother. Never before have I experienced the feelings I have for you, Laura. My heart pounds at just the thought of being near you. My greatest desire is to spend the rest of my life with you. Do you believe me?”
Do you love me, Ari?”
Ari knew he would have to answer in the next three seconds if Laura was going to believe anything he might say.
“I think so, Laura”
“Good bye, Ari.”
Ari held the phone to his ear for several seconds. If he didn’t close the cover on his phone, perhaps the hurt might be held at bay. Why was it so difficult to make that declaration? He whispered, “I love you”, into the phone. That wasn’t so hard, he told himself. A still small voice said, “now say it aloud”. He made no response.
10/2
The sun came up Tuesday morning like it does almost every morning in California. Ari watched it rise from a lounger on the deck where he spent a lot of the night. If love is so wonderful, why did he feel so terrible? Thoughts of going to the school were his only gratifying thoughts. Dr. Ari Soshyant had a disciplined mind. When the need arose, he could close out the world around him and become totally focused. That is, until now. Try as he may he could not shut Laura out. Great, he told himself. I’ll just call Laura and tell her, out loud, that I love her. Then I’ll get on with my life.
When he arrived at his desk, at Stanford, there were eleven voice messages on his phone. None of them were from Laura. Several were from colleagues, one was from a post graduate and one was from a lady he had met briefly about a week ago. Ari returned the phone calls except the one from the lady. If it wasn’t Laura he just wasn’t interested.
Wednesday and Thursday were no better. Ari tried to lose himself in his work. Occasionally, he would become completely engrossed in an experiment or an article in a medical journal. Suddenly, Laura would come crashing into his brain, uninvited. Ari would become sidetracked and utterly miserable. He was truly looking forward to the call from Cyrus on Friday morning. So much so that he became a bit concerned by 9 o’clock. It was noon in Maryland. Had Laura confided in Cyrus. Ari chided himself for even thinking something so absurd. Cyrus would not let any relationship Ari might have interfere with the project.
Ari had mixed emotions when the familiar number appeared on his cell phone. He was overjoyed to hear from his friend but remorseful to realize it was Laura’s brother he was talking to.
“How are things in Palo Alto, my friend?”
“As well as can be expected, Cyrus. Is that gash healing properly?”
“The wound is healing nicely but it’s still very tender. I bumped my head on the medicine cabinet door this morning… Ouch! I worry when I hear you anything less than one hundred percent positive, Ari. Is there a problem?”
“Nothing concerning the project, my friend. The problem is personal and I might as well tell you, if you haven’t already heard. Laura and I had a total falling out. It was entirely my fault. It has to do with a character flaw I’ve had as long as I can remember. I would like to sit down and discuss it with you at length. Now, of course, is not the time or place. I can’t tell you how miserable I’ve been this week, Cyrus.”
“I’m so sorry to hear of your misery. Laura spoke very highly of you, Ari. It’s been a while since we’ve seen her so happy. I can’t help but think there is a silver lining to all this. Are you prepared for this evening?”
“I’m leaving school early. There are just a few last minute details to address. If you don’t mind my asking, which day will the actual event take place.?”
“Portland tomorrow and Los Angeles on Monday. I don’t mind telling you my anxiety level will be at condition, “orange” for the next few days. I am having a difficult time explaining to Celia why I’m so jittery. I’m certainly looking forward to the phone call from the leader of , “team one” on Monday evening. Please remember the anonymity in regard to the team. Is there anything I can do for you, Ari?”
“I’m quite certain all will go as planned this evening. I’m afraid my emotional state will take some time to improve. Laura should have received my letter by now. Perhaps it will induce a response. Thank you for your concern, Cyrus. Will you please call me Tuesday morning after you speak with the team leader?”
“You know I will, Ari. Keep the faith, my friend; both in yourself and Laura, and in the project. Please don’t hesitate to call me anytime, for any reason or no reason.”
“You may rest assured I will do my best on all fronts, Cyrus.”
“Of that I am sure.”
Chapter twenty one
10/5
The trucks arrived just a few minutes past 6 o’clock. Ari reminded himself one more time not to expect any introductions.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I have taken the liberty of preparing some refreshments. Perhaps you would like to wait until we are finished with the task at hand.”
Only the man, Ari assumed was the leader of the number one team, spoke. The leaders of the other two teams identified themselves as such but, otherwise remained silent. The leader of team one was adroit without being abrupt.
“Thank you, sir. We had dinner in town just a short time ago. Perhaps we can accept your kind offer after we have finished. So as to avoid any confusion may I inform you of our mission as we understand it?”
“By all means.”
“There are, in essence, three objectives. One is to gain a thorough knowledge of how to safely handle a deadly virus. The second is to remove the seal from 55 fifty five gallon drums, which are filled with water and, third, add the proper amount of the virus to the water and reseal the drums. If this coincides with your understanding we can proceed.”
“That is precisely my understanding. If you will follow me please. I have set up some chairs in the lab.”
“Let me begin with a warning I will probably repeat from time to time. As you may know, virus exists on a microscopic level. Enough of this virus to cover the head of a pin can kill all seven of us with plenty left over. I make that statement to erase any misgivings that just a small amount isn’t lethal. It is lethal in any way you may come in contact with it. Wear your protective devices and clothing any time you are even near it. If it should come in contact with any part of your clothing or breathing apparatus inform your team leader immediately. He will spray you with the powerful disinfectant that will be provided.”
Dr. Soshyant paused to allow the information to be absorbed.
“Please do not hesitate to ask any question you can think of. It would not be prudent to assume you may find out later. Please feel free to interrupt me at any time. I will now put on all of the protective clothing in the proper manner. It is a tedious and time consuming task to do it correctly. Stop me any time you are not one hundred percent sure you can duplicate the procedure. The equipment you will wear is a fully encapsulated Level A suit. The suit is an SCBA. Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and comes with a low wattage communications device. The experience will be similar to scuba diving without the water.”
Ari donned the protective clothing very slowly except for the gloves. He then pulled on the boots. Next he strapped the SCBA to his back and adjusted the straps and tested the valves. Finally, he pulled on the gloves and secured them to his sleeves. Ari was a little worried no one stopped him or asked any questions.
“That pretty much concludes my demonstration of the protective equipment. Please remember that those who are wearing the protective suits must remain in the truck at all times. I must admit I am a little concerned there were no questions. “
The leader of team one stepped forward and asked if he might speak. The doctor assured him it would be quite alright.
“Your demo was most comprehensive, sir. In addition, every man here has been or is now a member of Navy Seals. Our commander thought it advisable to inform each member of the team of that fact in order to promote trust. The training was vital and very well done. Please be assured that no one meant any disrespect.”
Ari should have known Cyrus would not have picked a, “namby pamby” or a desk jockey for an assignment so critical. One by one each man fitted himself with the suit. Ari was more than pleased with the result.
The instructions on how to handle the virus, and filling the drums was completed without incident. An ingenuous hydraulic device was used to move the drums. Each drum weighed over four hundred pounds when filled. The device would be employed again to aid in delivering the agent into the reservoirs. Both trucks had a lounging and sleeping area in the front, behind the cab. The trucks would be driven nonstop as in a relay race.
“If you gentlemen would follow me into the lab once more I will demonstrate how to incorporate the virus into the drums. There are forty six, 30 milliliter vials of the virus in hermetically sealed containers. We will need only ten of them. Each vile is sealed with a liquid soluble plug. The plugs will dissolve in approximately sixty minutes. It is vital that the vials remain in the upright position. If they are allowed to lie horizontally the plug will dissolve. That is the only reason we are doing this without the suits. All of the fifty five gallons of water will be contaminated within minutes of introducing the virus. Are there any questions?”
The team one leader spoke up. “We have been instructed to dispose of the contaminated drums by fire. Is there any chance the fumes from the fire will be toxic?”
“I assume you will be following the same procedure for the hose?”
“That is true. We place the hose in the drum first. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it.”
“The chances of being contaminated by the fumes from the fire are virtually non- existent.”
“Thank you, sir. What say we sample some of those refreshments?”
Chapter twenty two
Dr. Andrew DeMoray was a man who didn’t like unfinished business. In his freshman year at Oregon State he took a class in sculpting. He chose a porpoise to sculpt as his project. When he began Med. School at Oregon State the sculpture was unfinished. When he began his residency at St. Vincents the porpoise was still unfinished. Twelve years later Dr. DeMoray finished his porpoise and gave it to his wife for her fortieth birthday. His inability to diagnose eight of his patients with the same symptoms plagued him like an itch that couldn’t be scratched. If there was a doctor who could help him with this dilemma it would be his favorite professor at Oregon State.
Dr. Franklin Page was just one year from retiring. He was one year from retiring four years ago also. Dr. Page had just poured his second, and last cup of coffee for the day, when his cell phone played La Vie En Rose.
The voice inquired, “You wanna try to guess who this is, or should I just tell you?” “Keep talking. You might even give me a clue or two.”
“I was one of your favorite students at OSU about twenty years ago,” Dr. DeMoray said, without exaggerating.
“What classes?”
“Anthropology for two years and Genetic Engineering for one.”
“Your voice doesn’t sound familiar and you could be any one of two hundred students. I give up.”
“If I played La Vie En Rose on my saxophone you’d remember.”
“Andrew?”
“Doctor DeMoray now professor.”
“My oh my, that was an excellent clue. How in the world are you? Where in the world are you”?
“I am well and happy, thank you. I am in residency at St. Vincents in Portland. How are you doing?”
“If I were any better I’d probably be arrested. To what do I owe this unexpected and very pleasant surprise?”
“I’m afraid it isn’t anything pleasant, Doctor Page. Several patients of mine, who were admitted within the past ten days, aren’t revealing a reason for them to be failing so rapidly.”
“Please don’t tell me they’re all suffering from flu like symptoms.”
“I’m almost hesitant to tell you you’re right. You have obviously had similar cases. What have you come up with so far?”
“Are you sitting down, Andrew? Wait a second while I get my clip board. You are the twenty fifth case I have been informed of this month. All of the cases are from Portland hospitals. Doctor Dorsey spoke to a doctor in Seattle a few days ago. They are unaffected as of the day of the call.”
“Lord, help us. If this isn’t an epidemic I don’t know what is, Doctor Page.”
“I’ve already spoken with Atlanta, Andrew. Their numbers are not overwhelming.” “How much research have you done so far?”
“I and my somewhat extensive staff have been on this now for nearly a week. There are many things we can say for certain didn’t cause the infirmity. This almost has to be a very sophisticated virus. No one here at the school can come up with any type of toxin or poison that could be ingested or breathed and not leave any residue at all. We can’t even conclude if it is air borne or water borne. Quite frankly, my friend and colleague, we are soundly stumped. Please promise me, Andrew, that you will call me if you discover anything at all.”
