by Alex Howell
The General then stood up to leave and glaring at a still seething Mason, announced sarcastically, “Alright its been fun folks, but I’ve got to meet some of my disgusting friends in the Pentagon that Mason is so fond of.”
In that moment Mason felt a real urge to jump up out of his seat and slug Thomson right then and there. The only thing that stopped him was Raina seated next to him grabbing his hand and pressing hardly on it as she whispered, “Mason please—don’t worry about it. Just let it go. It’s not worth it.”
To Raina’s relief Mason appeared to gain some semblance of control and the General left them without further incidence. After the General left, the group sat in silence for a moment until Luke finally spoke up, “Alright—you heard Thomson. Pack your things. We’re clearing this place out.”
MEANWHILE BACK AT STANFORD. Clara Walker was just getting back to her dorm to find that the dormitory mostly deserted. There were other students present for the summer session but at the moment most were either asleep or elsewhere. Sighing to herself she proceeded down the empty hall to her door.
Fumbling with the lock she thought she heard a noise in the distance—a scraping sound, which made her slightly jump. She looked out the hallway window and realized the wind had caused a tree branch to grate against the side of the building.
‘Get a grip Clara’ She thought to herself.
She then stepped inside, shut the door behind her and plopped down on her bed. Unzipping her backpack, she started to pick up one of her text books but realizing that she had been literally studying all day long she muttered, “No… That’s enough—no more books.”
Grabbing the remote from her nightstand she then turned the TV on just in time to hear a startling news report. A news correspondent was walking through a New York hospital visiting patients who had been exposed to some kind of virus. The word visiting would be a bit of a misnomer however since all of the patients were isolated, quarantined and separated by thick walls of glass.
The reporter was speaking to a doctor outside of the glass partition, asking, “So you think that most of these patients will recover?”
The doctor nodded, “Yes—I believe so. They were exposed to just a very low-grade version of the virus and most were treated fairly quickly after the fact.”
The reporter questioned, “What about the two that have already passed?”
The doctor sighed, “It’s all very tragic, but those two it turns out already had sufficiently weakened immune systems—one was a recovering cancer patient and the other was suffering from lupus—and it seems that the small trace element of Ebola they were exposed to was just enough to finish them off.”
The reporter looking away from the doctor and back to the camera, concluded, “Very sad indeed.”
The reporter paused before continuing, “It could be said that nothing short of the worst of humanity could have brought about such an insidious attack.”
The reporter turned back to the doctor and continued, “But it could also be said that the best of humanity came forth when it came to saving lives in the aftermath.” The reporter then asked the doctor, “Do we know much about how the main thrust of the terrorist plot was foiled?”
The doctor answered, “From what I’ve heard it was a group of special forces that came in to stop them—not sure what branch but several eyewitnesses recall a team of military personnel of some sort, descending on the scene to deactivate the device.”
Taking this bit of information and running with it, the reporter turned back to the camera and remarked, “Who are these mysterious special forces who came in right in the nick of time? I’d say that whoever these unsung heroes are—they are very special indeed.” With the TV still blaring, nestled under her covers and thinking of her father, Clara was falling fast asleep.
21
Love Speaks Louder than Words
M ason arrived at his house in Baltimore shortly after dusk, and as he opened the door to his home, he saw that it was already replete with darkness. A darkness that mirrored the despair he felt in his own heart.
Stepping inside Mason asked the onboard AI in his home, “Give me light…” The house AI then dutifully complied in response, turning the main overhead light in the living room on.
Sitting down on the couch, Mason slumped back and stared up at the ceiling. His frustrations were about to boil over. If it wasn’t bad enough that he was being suspended from his own team, the strain of it all was affecting his relationship with Raina.
She seemed to think that he needed a break, and told him as much when they parted. Raina believed that perhaps some time off from work would actually do Mason a lot of good. She was always looking for the proverbial blessing in disguise. He admired the way she could always find a silver lining to just about anything that happened, but for this one Mason couldn’t be convinced that any good would come of it.
He may have dropped the ball, but he wasn’t out of the game yet, and he wasn’t ready to give up on finding the terrorists responsible for conducting biological warfare upon innocent American citizens. Raina thought that he needed a break—but a break to do what? Sit on the couch and mope?
He’d been in his house all but five minutes and he already couldn’t stand it. Being alone with his own negative thoughts could sometimes be hell on Earth. He needed something to take his mind off of the troubling sensations of emotion that seemed to reverberate through his skull.
Picking up his phone and scrolling through his contacts he immediately went to Clara. It was a little late to call her—almost midnight, but he hoped that she would pick up.
And sure enough, after a few rings, he heard her voice asking, “Dad?”
Mason greeted her, “Hey kid!”
Clara who had just been roused from sleep, groggily replied, “Was sleeping…”
Mason feeling bad for disturbing her rest, offered, “Oh you were asleep? Sorry Clara, I’ll call you in the morning.”
Clara rejected this idea however, “No—no. It’s fine. I’m already awake now. We can talk.”
Mason replied, “Oh—oh okay.”
Mason was glad she was up for a bit of conversation. He could definitely use a distraction from his own dark thoughts. Initially however, Clara only brought him right back to them as she mentioned, “Hey dad—I just saw a news report about an Ebola outbreak in NYC. Did Onyx have anything to do with that?
Mason was hesitant to answer for a few reasons—first of all, such missions would be classified, and he usually tried to limit his daughter’s knowledge of them. He did so for her own protection more than anything else. If God forbid one of his enemies ever held her hostage, the first thing they would do would be attempt to pump her for information. In this sense, the less she knew of his work the better.
He also didn’t want to worry her with the risks of his profession, she had enough to worry about with her own life without having to constantly fear for her father’s safety. And even if he did tell her some of the details, he most certainly wouldn’t tell her over the course of a phone call which could be easily listened into.
So it was that Mason attempted to play it cool, not exactly denying, but not confirming either. When questioned by Clara about whether Onyx played a role he simply remarked, “Huh? What makes you say that?”
Clara continued, “Well on the news they said that some sort of “military personnel” were seen deactivating the device.”
Mason still playing dumb, questioned, “Really?”
Clara nodded, “Yeah—they said that they really saved the day.
Mason not quite expecting to hear this muttered, “They did?”
Clara confirmed, “Yes they did. The director of the hospital where the Ebola patients were sent said that it could have been a lot worse if the terrorist plot hadn’t been foiled. I just wondered if maybe…”
Mason was greatly encouraged to hear this more positive take on the actions of Onyx, but still not wanting to get into it on the phone, dismissed the idea, “I don
’t know about all that…”
Before decisively changing topics, “Anyway… how are you holding up?”
Whenever Mason was down in the dumps, and dwelling too much on his own problems and inadequacies he was always able to get some relief by transferring his concern from himself and onto his daughter. She gave him someone else to be worried about besides himself.
And now that he was talking to her he was in full parent mode, and soon he was delivering a full barrage of questions, “Have you been doing alright? Getting enough to eat? Enough to sleep? And minding your p’s and q’s like you ought to?”
Clara laughed, “Okay… What are p’s and q’s? And what’s with the sudden onslaught of questions?”
Mason chuckled, “Just trying to be a dad that’s all. You know I worry about you out there all by yourself.”
Clara felt like telling him there was nothing to worry about, but after her run-in with an abusive boyfriend and a sex trafficking ring last semester, she could no longer say such a thing with a straight face. She knew full well that there were indeed hidden dangers lurking in the shadows out there and that she needed to be cautious.
In the end all she could really say to such a remark was, “Thanks dad… I appreciate your concern but I’ll be alright.”
Although expressing her gratitude, Clara was growing weary of that very concern, and so decided to change the subject the best way she knew how, by inquiring with him about his girlfriend.
She asked, “So how’s Raina?”
Mason not wanting to speak much about that aspect of his life at the moment, gave a sullen, “Oh Raina… Raina… She’s fine.”
Clara laughed, “She’s fine? That’s all?”
Mason suddenly becoming defensive, agitatedly muttered, “She’s doing alright. I don’t know what else you want me to say about it, Clara.”
Clara persisted, “Okay—let me rephrase that. How are you and Raina doing?”
Mason was still not forthcoming, as he muttered, “I don’t know.”
Clara was now starting to get annoyed. She was always open with her father so she naturally expected him to be the same way.
She protested, “Dad! Why is it when it comes to my life you lay it on me like the Spanish inquisition but when it comes to me wanting to know more about your life you choose to shut me out? It’s not right! I’m serious!”
Mason realizing, he can’t keep things from Clara for long, then agreed, “Okay Clara…I’ll tell you.”
Mason took a deep breath, “Things are going well but I’m just still having a hard time getting over the loss of your mom….”
Clara understood the pain that Mason—the single father who had raised her since Bree’s passing—felt, yet she knew that it just wasn’t healthy. He had to find a way to somehow move on.
And she told him as much, “Dad—it’s nice the way that you respect mom’s memory but she’s gone. It’s not like you’re cheating on her or betraying her honor. And I know that if she could speak to us right now, she would tell you the very same thing.”
Clara paused a moment before continuing thoughtfully, “Wherever she is right now, I bet she’s looking down on you and cheering you on. She wants the best for you dad, and that means while you are still down here on this earth you need good relationships to help sustain you through this life. She would want that for you.”
Mason was stunned, his daughter was at times so shockingly profound it took his breath away.
He asked, “You think so?”
Clara nodded, “I know so.”
Raina then added, “If you are falling in love with Raina dad, just go for it. Don’t hide. Don’t be afraid. Just tell her how you feel and let it happen. There is nothing wrong with it.”
The way that Clara spoke, so loving yet so direct, instantly put him in the mind of Bree—she really was starting to turn into a little version of her mother. Mason was always proud that a little piece of his wife would live on in this way. Feeling both the pride and the tears welling up inside of him he told her, “I love you Clara.”
Clara reciprocated, “Love you too dad—now go call Raina!”
Mason laughed slightly, “Okay…”
Clara insisted, “You promise?”
Mason smiled, “I promise.”
Clara giggled, “Yes! I got first dibs as bride’s maid!”
Mason nervously chuckled, “Woah—hold your horses’ kid! Nobody’s talking about any weddings yet!”
Clara laughed into the receiver, as Mason added, “And wait a minute—how in the world can my daughter be my wife’s bride’s maid? Is that even allowed?”
Clara giggled, “Bye dad!” Mason laughed, “Bye…”
Mason stared at his phone as Clara’s call disconnected and he was amazed. Before calling Clara, he was at the end of his rope, feeling as if he couldn’t go on. But then after he had called Clara, he was happier than he had been in a long time. He really didn’t know what he would do without her.
He sometimes felt a twinge of guilt that his daughter often had to play such a mature role—almost as a nurturer when it came to helping him sort through some of his problems. But yet at the same time, she was so good at it, it only seemed to come naturally.
At any rate, Mason knew a promise was a promise so he picked his phone back up and dialed Raina’s number. After a couple rings she picked up. Mason didn’t pull any punches as he asked, “Hey Raina, could you come over to my place. I think we need to talk.”
ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AT MASON’s HOUSE. Mason thought Raina was really taking her time to come over, it should have only been a 15-minute drive. But he figured maybe she was just taking time to get ready. In reality Raina had broke into tears as soon as Mason hung up the phone. The way he coldly told her, “we need to talk” she was certain that he was going to break it off with her completely and tell her that he doesn’t want to see her anymore.
Raina knew she had to face her fears however, so she finally got it together enough to get in her car and drive to Mason’s house. A part of her was really annoyed too. She thought to herself, ‘Okay, he wants to break up with me and he doesn’t even have the decency to come to me? I have to come to him. That figures...”
She then felt herself sliding into even further resentment as she considered all the times that she did indeed have to come to him —she had been chasing after him for practically all of the time she was with him.
Mulling it over in her mind, a part of her felt that maybe it was for the better. She couldn’t chase after someone who doesn’t want to commit forever—could she? This was the tempest that swirled through Raina’s mind as she rang Mason’s doorbell.
Mason promptly opened the door and told her, “Thanks for coming. Please come in.”
Raina was struck with how formal Mason was. Cold and formal’ she thought to herself. She dreaded what might come next. She felt like a lamb being led to the emotional slaughter as Mason led her into the living room and had her sit with him on the couch. She couldn’t help thinking, ‘Why did I ever get involved with this man? Why am I always such a sucker for these dark horse guys?’
Raina was indeed always drawn to men of sorrow and deep inner turmoil; she couldn’t quite explain it but all of her boyfriends in the past were all of this so-called “dark horse” type. For some reason she just couldn’t seem to help herself. Like someone seeking out birds with injured wings so that she could help them learn to fly once again, she was forever seeking out emotionally injured guys in the hope of rehabilitating them. But that wasn’t all there was to it was there?
Mason struggled to start the conversation, asking her, “So how have you been?”
Raina felt like getting right to the point as she directed, “Well—you can cut the small talk Mason. If you’ve asked me over here to break up with me just get on with it.”
Raina was surprised by the harshness of her own words and as Mason visibly recoiled from the mention, she immediately felt bad for it. Mason then made clear just how mu
ch she had misjudged the entire course of events by sputtering, “No—no. That’s not why I asked you here Raina!”
Mason took a deep breath, “I asked you here because I wanted to tell you how much I like being around you. Not to break up with you!”
This got Raina’s attention, and as she looked at him with wide hopeful eyes he continued, “I just wanted to let you know that despite all the times I may have seemed cold and distant, I’ve always cared about you.”
Raina sighed, “Mason…”
Mason then looked her right in the eyes and told her, “The truth is… I’ve never cared about anyone as much as I do you… not since…. since….”
Raina put her hand into Mason’s as she helped him along, “Since your wife passed?”
Mason nodded. He then cleared his throat, “But that’s enough of dwelling on the past. I need to move on and embrace the future.” He then looked at Raina and told her in all seriousness, “And I want to build it with you.”
And that was it, although she had marched over to Mason’s house ready to tell him off for how he had treated her, and had built up tremendous emotional walls to shield her from the pain in the event that he cast her to the side. Now all of those walls came tumbling down.
Before she had arrived, her mind was full of all kinds of words; admonitions and exhortations. But now that Mason had ramrodded right through all of her superficial posturing—now words were completely unnecessary as she leaned over toward him and he began to passionately kiss her on the lips.
The two embraced holding each other tight as Mason whispered into her ear the two words that she had always hoped for but had never really come to expect. Her told her, “I love you.”
The smile on her face was immediate, and as pleasantly surprised as she was to hear it, she didn’t hesitate to tell him right back, “I love you too”.