Fragments

by James F. David

  Mrs. Winamaki told Luis’s teachers about his ability and again a brief shower of attention followed. The school psychologist studied Luis and explained that he was “processing information into memory storage in a linear fashion” but could not “deconstruct the information into components and reconstruct it in new combinations.” Mrs. Winamaki understood that to mean that Luis had a photographic memory but no creativity. Luis’s social worker was equally fascinated but concluded that it didn’t alter his situation. Mrs. Winamaki soon agreed. Luis recorded reams of material and recited it perfectly, but never once offered an opinion on what he read. Luis had a gift every student in the world dreamed of, but it was wasted on someone who was incapable of an original thought.

  Luis’s appearance also added to his troubles—he looked different. He was short and his body was too wide, his head too big, and his lips small. He had been ugly to the point of being unlovable as an infant, and nature’s cruel program continued to run its course as he grew. When his permanent teeth erupted they were large and crooked, and his lips could cover them only with effort. With no one to pay for an orthodontist, puberty found Luis with a crooked smile, and then wreaked its havoc on his body. Acne ravaged his face, and his black hair took on a permanent oily sheen. Thick coarse hair sprouted on his face and body, which Luis could not be taught to shave properly, leaving him an ugly troll of a person.

  When Mrs. Winamaki found she was pregnant with twins, she and her husband decided to give up their foster child. Luis was no trouble to care for, but it was difficult to attach to someone who showed no interest in your comings and goings. He was as happy sitting in an empty room with a TV as he was holding Mrs. Winamaki’s hand during a walk in the park. Mrs. Winamaki gave the agency six months’ notice that they would have to find a new home for him.

  Two months later Dr. Wes Martin came to see Luis. He was excited by Luis’s ability but evasive when Mrs. Winamaki asked if he was going to be providing foster care. A month after that Elizabeth Foxworth came to visit. Mrs. Winamaki liked her instantly, finding her to be a warm person who seemed to care about Luis’s well-being.

  The Winamakis took Luis to the plane on the day he left for Oregon. They explained patiently to Luis what was going on and where he was going, reassuring him that he would like it there. There was no response. When Mrs. Winamaki hugged him goodbye, his hands hung limp at his sides. Mrs. Winamaki walked him onto the plane and buckled him into his seat; then she combed his hair for him, kissed his forehead, and left. She paused at the plane’s door to see Luis looking at her with emotionless eyes. She waved goodbye but there was no response. Mrs. Winamaki left the plane crying for them both.

  10

  NEW ARRIVALS

  Gil kept in the background and stayed out of the way. Two more savants would arrive today and the house was a hive of activity. Elizabeth double-checked the room the savants would share to make sure it was properly prepared and then left to pick them up. Acting like an expectant father, Wes puttered around, crabby from lack of sleep. Keeping away from Wes, Gil watched Wes’s team as they worked with their equipment, preparing it for another integration. Len was frustrated by a problem with the nitrogen lines, but declined Gil’s help, and there was nothing he could help Shamita with. As usual, Daphne was playing the piano and Ralph was parked in front of the TV, changing channels every few seconds, frustrated by Sunday-afternoon TV. Gil sat for a while, watching Ralph, thinking about how to get rid of him, but there was nothing he could do to Ralph here. He needed to get him outside, so he made a suggestion. “Slurpee.” Ralph’s head immediately snapped around.

  “Yeah, Slurpee.”

  Ralph got up and walked to the piano.

  “Hey, Daphne, you want a Slurpee?”

  “Cherry.”

  “OK, if they got it. I won’t get you grape.”

  Gil listened as Ralph found Wes at the kitchen table and pestered him for money. Wes forked it over willingly and called after Ralph to take his time. Gil watched Ralph go out the front and then waited a minute before going out the back door. There was no danger of losing Ralph, Gil knew, and sure enough when Gil came around the corner of the house he found Ralph halfway down the block talking to a neighbor. Soon Ralph said goodbye and took off with his long strides. Gil followed, watching for an opportunity and worrying at the same time. He had to get rid of Ralph, but if he killed him, Elizabeth or Children’s Services could shut down the project. If Gil did nothing he risked discovery. He wanted the project to continue—but how to deal with Ralph?

  Ralph talked to more people along the block, calling all of them by name. When he got to the corner he turned and walked up into a yard and out of Gil’s sight. Gil crept forward, peeking around a bush into the yard. Ralph was talking to a group of college students sitting on the steps of their frat house. Most were holding beer cans. The college students were raucous and laughing and Ralph laughed with them. Ralph told them about his Slurpee mission and said his goodbyes, then turned down the block. Gil ducked for cover until Ralph was on his way again, but then waited, now knowing what to do. Gil watched the students, picking out one that seemed to be a leader. He was good-looking, and the others deferred to him, laughing at his jokes. Then Gil suggested an idea to him. The boy’s face brightened, then he laughed, quickly sharing the idea with the others. Then they all laughed. Gil suggested more ideas that he shared and soon they were laughing and adding their own ideas. More beer was passed around and a party atmosphere spread across the porch.

  Gil was still waiting by the fraternity when Ralph appeared, a Slurpee in each hand. Again Gil made the suggestion to the leader, and he shared it with his friends, who erupted with enthusiasm, running down to intercept Ralph. After a little coaxing and a lot of laughing, Ralph followed them into the house.

  Wes was standing on the porch when the new savants arrived. Archie stepped out by himself and came to stand on the porch by Wes, but Luis waited in the car to be told what to do. Wes had to smile when he saw Archie, but he was careful not to let Elizabeth see him. The tall, gangly, bucktoothed redhead with the blue Mickey Mouse glasses would make Mother Teresa laugh. Wes looked around to make sure Len wasn’t near—he would have something to say for sure.

  “Hi, Archie. Do you remember me?” Wes asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Welcome. I’m sure you’ll like it here.”

  “I liked it where I was.”

  Elizabeth opened Luis’s door and asked him to get out and join Archie on the porch. Luis complied, then stood waiting for more instructions. Wes greeted Luis but knew not to expect a reply. When Elizabeth reached the porch she looked around, puzzled.

  “I can hear Daphne playing, so I know where she is, but where is Ralph? I can’t imagine he would miss this.”

  Wes hadn’t thought about Ralph for hours. He remembered giving Ralph money for Slurpees but then realized he hadn’t come back. Wes’s heart sank.

  “He went for Slurpees,” he said.

  Elizabeth nodded, then herded Archie and Luis into the house. Wes followed, then called to Daphne. Daphne stopped playing and turned to Wes, keeping her head down.

  “Daphne, did Ralph bring you a Slurpee?”

  “No. I asked for cherry and I never got it.”

  Wes turned to find Elizabeth listening, her concern now showing. Elizabeth turned and shouted up the stairs.

  “Gil? Gil, come down please!”

  Gil appeared at the top of the stairs, a smile on his face. “I didn’t know you were back. How are Archie and Luis doing?”

  “Gil, have you seen Ralph?”

  “He went for Slurpees. Isn’t he back yet?”

  Elizabeth turned without answering and went through the living room to the lab. Len, Karon, and Shamita all denied seeing Ralph come back. Wes felt his heart sink even lower. He had gotten so used to Ralph’s wanderings that he took them for granted. He had forgotten Ralph was emotionally and mentally a ten-year-old.

  Elizabeth signaled Gil down and pulled Wes
into the hall by the arm.

  “I think we better look for Ralph. It’s not like him not to come back.”

  “Elizabeth, I’m sorry . . .” Wes began.

  “I’m not accusing you of anything, so don’t be defensive. Ralph’s gone for Slurpees a dozen times and always come back. Let’s just find him now and talk about whose fault it is later.”

  The three of them went out the door and Elizabeth gave directions on how to split up. She never finished, because Ralph was coming up the block. There was no mistaking his long stride and his rocking gate, but he was a spectacle. He was naked, with red blotches on his body. Several children were following, laughing and pointing, and neighbors were coming out of their houses and down to the sidewalk as he passed. Laughter could be heard as he got closer, with a few indignant voices mixed in. In her yard across the street Mrs. Clayton stood dumbly, the water from her hose raining onto the sidewalk.

  Ralph was stripped naked except for his shoes and socks. Concentric red rings circled each of his nipples, making them look like targets. A large red arrow had been painted down his abdomen pointing to his penis. His testicles had been shaved and painted bright red. Just above the arrow across his chest was the word “balls.” Wes would have been humiliated, but Ralph came walking up the street with his usual grin plastered on his face. Stopping at the bottom of the steps he smiled broadly.

  “Hi Elizabeth, are Archie and Luis here?”

  “Yes, Ralph,” she replied calmly.

  Anything but calm, Wes nearly shouted at Ralph. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

  “Did what?” Ralph said.

  “Took your clothes, and painted your . . . your body.”

  “Oh. I got nitiated. I’m a rat brother now—I mean frat brother.”

  Wes was furious both for what had happened to Ralph and for what this might do to his project. The kids following Ralph were congregated on the sidewalk and Wes shooed them away. Then he urged Ralph into the house.

  “Come on, Ralph,” Elizabeth said. “You better take a bath.”

  “Well okeydokey, Elizabeth.”

  Ralph turned and walked up the steps. When he did Wes could see his back had been painted with the word “asshole.” Above the word was an arrow pointing to his head; just below was an arrow that went down his back and pointed between his cheeks.

  Daphne met Ralph just inside the door, seemingly unaware of his nakedness or the paint on his body.

  “Where’s my Slurpee, Ralph?” she asked.

  Ralph stopped and folded his arms across his bare chest and leaned back, with his hips pushed out. His nakedness and painted testicles made it a bizarre sight. Suddenly Ralph’s hand shot out and up and he thumped himself on the side of the head.

  “How could I be so stupid?” he said. “I forgot it at my frat house. I’ll be right back.”

  Ralph turned to go but Wes jumped in front of him.

  “Please, Ralph. A bath first and then clothes.”

  Ralph looked perplexed for a minute and then broke into a huge grin.

  “Well okeydokey.” Then he walked up the stairs. Len and Karon came in watching his back disappear up the stairs. Len turned to Wes but before he could say anything Wes cut him off.

  “I don’t want to hear it, Len.”

  Len shrugged and whispered in Karon’s ear. She guffawed and then slapped her hand over her mouth and ran back into the living room. Len shrugged his shoulders at Wes, smiled broadly, and then followed Karon.

  11

  FRANKIE

  “. . . the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”

  Wes stifled a yawn, fearful Ralph would make a loud comment about him falling asleep. Once again he tried concentrating on the sermon. Pastor Young was a good speaker, his voice rising and falling, punctuating his points with a change in pitch rather than volume. The theme of the sermon was something about the uniqueness of humanity, the pastor arguing that God’s breath, in the form of a spirit, set us apart from the animals. If this had been an open forum Wes would have argued with him. The concept of soul was an unprovable hypothesis and simply wrongheaded from Wes’s perspective. He was an evolutionist and rejected mystic notions of soul and spirit. In his mind, natural selection was sufficient to account for the development of the great variety of species, and the crowning achievement of that process was the human brain. Ironically, it was that same brain that created gods and religion to explain its own existence. To Wes the only real human mystery left was the mind, and Wes was about to take a giant step forward in understanding it.

  The sermon ended and the offering plate was passed. Wes had money ready this time, but still Ralph said loudly, “Remember to put something in the plate, Wes.” When the service ended Daphne went forward and played, so Wes waited, being greeted by curious members of the congregation. After a few hymns, Elizabeth led Daphne to the exit, where she shook hands and spoke to the pastor. Wes couldn’t hear what the pastor said, but Elizabeth laughed. Wes realized he’d never heard her laugh before.

  They walked back to the house like a family, Ralph, Daphne, Archie, and Luis leading the way, Elizabeth and Wes following, making small talk. But when they got to the fraternity that had initiated Ralph, Elizabeth paused.

  “Go with the others, Wes. I want to talk to Ralph’s fraternity brothers.”

  “Let me do it,” Wes said. He hated confrontation, but they would never be able to keep Ralph in the house and he needed to be able to walk safely through the neighborhood.

  “Is that your protective instincts showing? Don’t you think a woman can handle this?”

  “It’s not that—” he said defensively.

  Now she smiled. “I’m not serious, Wes. You should see your face.”

  She laughed again and Wes was embarrassed, but also pleased—it was friendly teasing. Still, Wes wanted to go with her.

  “No,” she argued. “They’ll take this better from me.”

  Reluctantly, Wes agreed, then followed Ralph and Daphne up the street. Strangely, he kept thinking of Elizabeth laughing—she had a nice laugh.

  Elizabeth rapped on the fraternity door several times before someone answered. Elizabeth took an immediate dislike of the fraternity brother. He was good-looking, and knew it, and his eyes said he wasn’t a bit sorry for what he’d done to Ralph.

  “What do you want?”

  “I’m here because of what you did to Ralph.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Elizabeth stared, unwilling to accept his lie. “What’s your name?”

  “Go to hell! Why don’t you go bother someone else!”

  “Like the dean?”

  Elizabeth watched his face. He wasn’t afraid of her threat; it seemed more of an inconvenience. Before he could respond someone pushed past him out onto the porch. He was tall, thin, and blond, with a ruddy complexion. He was clearly embarrassed.

  “I’m Ron Classen, chapter president. We’re real sorry about what happened. It just got out of hand—we like Ralph. Really!”

  Elizabeth was sure his apology was heartfelt. “Then why did you do it to him?”

  “When I got back it was almost over. They had been drinking. I guess it was the beer, but no one hurt him. He seemed like he was having a good time.”

  “He loved it!” the good-looking one said, coming out onto the porch.

  “Ron, I think your apology is sincere, but are you speaking for everyone involved?”

  “Yes! Sure. Everyone likes Ralph. We wouldn’t hurt him, and I promise it won’t happen again.”

  Turning to stare at the good-looking one, Elizabeth said “What about him?”

  “Billy, tell her you’re sorry!”

  Without a word he went inside, slamming the door.

  Embarrassed, Classen stammered another apology. “Billy’s got an attitude, but he’ll go along. If he messes with Ralph we’ll kick him out. We’ve
already got cause.”

  Elizabeth accepted Classen’s assurance—she trusted Classen. As long as most of the fraternity boys were like him there wouldn’t be any more trouble, but just in case there were more like Billy hiding in the nest, she thought it would be best to keep the savants away from the fraternity.

  Archie and Luis had adjusted well to their new room and ate well, so after a day Wes suggested to Elizabeth that they try another synthesis. To Wes’s surprise she agreed.

  They parked Ralph in front of the TV with a large Slurpee from the 7-Eleven. They wouldn’t need him for this run, because they had the new savants and Wes wanted him out of his hair. Daphne was almost eager this time, and Luis was as compliant as a robot. Archie, however, was reluctant. Elizabeth reassured him but he nodded agreement only after he learned he could keep his Mickey Mouse glasses on.

  Shamita, Len, and Karon got busy mapping the newcomers. Their routine was the same, except that they gave Archie a puzzle to work with the picture side down and the brown backing facing up. Elizabeth watched curiously as he put the all-brown picture together and then spoke softly to Len.

  “Why is the puzzle facedown?”

  “It’s not. It’s a picture of Los Angeles in summertime,” Len said.

  Elizabeth punched his arm. “That’s a stupid joke.”

  Len laughed at his own joke. “It doesn’t matter to him whether the puzzle is picture side up or picture side down. He solves by shape alone. We put the picture side down to make sure the colors, or images, didn’t trigger unwanted memory traces or emotional response. It would contaminate our map.”