“Welcome Kari.” They both said in unison. “Karl is our genetics therapy specialist and Debra is his assistant.” Debra smiled as her and Kareena’s eyes met. Then they both turned back to their work.
“Next I’ll show you my personal lab. They walked through a door on the other side of the lab that led past the rest rooms and elevator then back out to the hall that encompassed the atrium. They passed through the atrium and into another large white room. “This is my lab, my pride and joy.” Nakoma said “And where I’ve made many exciting discoveries in the world of gene therapy. You will be working closely with me here.” This room’s walls were lined with similar tables, cabinets and drawers as the main lab, and it held some very sophisticated equipment.
“This is all very impressive Niki. Thanks again for having me. What’s on the other side of this wall?” “That would be the equipment that operates the lab and main house, such as the central air system, Security equipment. Etc. Etc. Now would you like to see where you will be staying?"
“Yes of course.” They exited back through the atrium and out past the stairs that went up to the main house. There was a walkway that lead down and around to the lower level of the patio and to the guest cottage. It was a two bedroom with a beautifully large picture window with a view to a large palm tree just outside and would allow just enough sunlight to filter through for Kareena to keep some live plants. It also overlooked the ocean. The kitchen opened into the family room with a granite topped island and light maple cabinets with plenty of storage. The bedroom was just off the family room and also had a large window overlooking the ocean. It was painted a sea foam green and the bedding and valances picked up the natural earth tones from outside. The large bathroom was just off the bedroom with gorgeous natural stone tiles. A large see through glass shower door, and spa tub. Next was a walk in closet with dressers and shoe racks. On the other side of the closet was another bedroom which was utilized as a study. The room had a beautiful desk and matching file cabinets. The leather chair looked very comfortable and the walls held two complementary seascapes. Kareena could see that no expense had been spared. Out side was a nice sized patio area with a couple of lounge chairs and small table. “It’s perfect Niki, I don’t’ know what to say. It’s so beautiful.” Kareena said as a tear threatened to spill over.
Kareena fell into a work pattern with ease and the lab staff all made her very welcome. She and Nakoma often ate dinner together and got along very well.
This particular day Kareena and Nakoma had taken lunch on the patio that faces the ocean as they often did. “You know Niki; I haven’t heard from Richard for quite some time, he never mentioned any thing about a voyage. Did he say anything to you?
“No Kari, he didn’t, but you know men like Richard, they never stay with one woman for very long. I wouldn’t get too involved with him if I were you! You can do much better.”
Well you know Richard and I are just friends, he’s good company. He’s not demanding of my time, I like that about him.
“Have you ever been in love Kari? Nikoma asked. Kareena gave Niki a thin grin, but said nothing. Nakoma looked at her and smiled.
“You will one day. There’s nothing like it in the whole world. You never forget your first love. Why don’t we go out somewhere for dinner Friday night. We haven’t really had a chance to have a real conversation, you know girl to girl. There’s always someone coming and going in the Lab or at dinner.” She saw Kari’s hesitation. “Come it will be fun, you know ‘Girls Night Out’. My treat, you know what they say about all work.”
“Okay, Niki, It sounds like fun. You pick the restaurant.”
They closed up the lab at six pm Friday evening. Niki asked Kari to meet her up at the house in an hour. That would give them both time to shower and change.
“I hope we’re not going anywhere fancy.” Kareena stated.
“No Kari just casual. A pair of jeans and a nice top should do the trick.”
They arrived at Caraba’s at 7:30pm. Niki had called ahead so they wouldn’t have to wait. The maitre d' greeted Nakoma. “Mrs. Barrett,… Hi! It’s nice to see you again, it’s been a while. I was very sorry to hear of Mr. Barrett’s passing.”
“Thank you, Paul. This is my associate Kari.”
Paul extended his hand and Kari did the same. “It’s very nice to meet you Kari!”
“Nice to meet you, Paul”
“This way ladies, I have a nice table for you away form all the hustle and bustle, as you requested.”
“Thank you Paul.” Nakoma said.
Paul placed the menus on the table and pulled the chairs out for the ladies. “Can I bring you something to drink?”
“I think some wine would do very nicely, what do you think Kari?” “That sounds great!”
They both looked over the menu as Paul went to get the wine. “Do you have a favorite Niki?”
Paul was back in no time with the wine. He uncorked the bottle and poured a glass. Niki did the tasting. “Mmmm, very good!” Paul poured both glasses and stepped away after placing the bottle on the table.
“No each time I come here, I try something different, but I hear the Lasagna is great.”
“That sounds like a winner, I’ll have that with a Caesar salad.”
“I think I’ll have the Veal Marcel and salad also.”
The waiter brought a cutting board with a small loaf of bread and took their orders. They helped them selves to the bread and toasted. “To the girls, maybe we’ll start a new tradition.” The waiter brought their salads.
“So Kari, tell me about your first love.” Kari looked at Niki startled. “Oh come on, when we were talking at lunch and I mentioned falling in love, you had the strangest look on your face. I could just see the memories flashing through your head.”
“Was it that obvious?”
“Oh yeah, it was.”
“You’re very intuitive Niki, but it was really nothing, a short romance that was never meant to be.”
“So tell me, does he have a name?”
“His name’s not important.” Kareena would never tell his name. It would only bring unwanted and unneeded attention to Rian. So she began. “The attraction was immediate, although at the time I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but I was so drawn to him. He was a collage boy and I was one of the town girls, never a good mix. It lasted four and a half months. Then my girl friend, Genna and I, came to Florida.”
“Who broke it off, you or him”
“It was mutual; we knew from the beginning that it was doomed. Our stations in life were to far removed. We made an agreement that neither one of us would give the other a hard time when it came time to part.”
“But it was very hard on you non-the-less. That’s why you came to Florida?”
“Yes, but that was a long time ago.”
“But you still hold him in your heart don’t you?”
“Yes, I guess I always will.” She didn’t want to start crying, so she changed the subject. “So, what about you, Niki? Tell me about your first love.
Niki could see Kari’s eyes well as she spoke of her past. She let the subject change over to herself to help Kari through her pain. “You know, I’ve never told anyone about Jacob. I’ve always felt that if I spoke of him, it would be like sharing him with others, and I was never ready to do that until now. I feel we are kindred souls Kari, you and I. You have a real down to earth quality about you. I feel I can trust you.”
“Thank you for that Niki, you know I would never betray that trust. So go on, …. tell me about Jacob.”
“I met Jacob at Ohio State. I was waiting tables in a near by restaurant and he use to sit in my section. The first time I saw him my heart about leaped out of my chest. My father had passed away the year before. My older sister was already going to college.
My mom was left with little means to take care of us so any college plans I had went right out the window. Jacob asked me out one week after that first encounter. We clicked right away. He w
as my soul mate, Kari. We moved in together after a few short weeks. I was able to sit in on many of his classes and loved them all.
Summers we both worked. It was his senior year. We had struggled financially but it didn’t matter, we had each other and only one more year before he started his internship. We got married and planned to open our own practice eventually. We wanted to work side by side; it was going to be wonderful.
“So what happened between the two of you?”
It was December when Jacob fell ill. It was the strangest thing. The doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong with him. He just kept getting weaker and weaker. The school research team even got in on the action. Of course there was the lack of insurance. Jacob’s family wasn’t well off. He would have been better off with no insurance at all rather than that poor excuse for insurance his father’s employer provided. At least then the state would have picked up the tab. By the time the doctors and Insurance Company finished with all their bull shit red tape back and fourth and the proper testing was finally approved for my Jacob, it was too late. They let it go on for seven long months. He lay there in that hospital bed suffering for two long weeks because the bureaucrats had their thumbs up there ass.
He had one lucid day, a week before he died and we made love in the hospital bed. We held each other and cried; five days later he was gone. I vowed right then and there that I would make the sons of bitches pay.
The pain and anger from Jacobs passing gave me the fuel I needed to pursue all I’ve accomplished till today. I’ve come up against many large obstacles through the years and I must say I’ve managed to conquer most of my foes.”
“Niki, I’m so sorry, you suffered so. I know how much love hurts, and my own experience has soured me on having a new relationship with anyone. But you went on and found someone else. You remarried.”
“Yes, but it wasn’t the same. My marriages have helped me achieve my goals financially as well as scholastically, but I’ll never find another one like Jacob Maguire, he was my life. But you Kari, are so young, you have your whole life ahead of you. It will happen for you when the time is right.”
“Well, I’m not really interested. I enjoy working with you and I enjoy my art and gardening. I don’t’ need more than that. Besides why would anyone want one as flawed as I. Someone with my medical problem doesn’t have a lot to offer. Now you on the other hand have so much to offer a spouse.”
“On the contrary Kari, you don’t see yourself very clearly do you? I think you are one of Gods gifts to the world. Your quiet understanding alone is a gift, not to mention your talent in art and in the lab as well.”
“Thanks Niki you really know how to make a girl feel special, and the wine doesn’t hurt either.” They laughed together, Kareena raised her glass, and Nakoma did the same. “I meant every word of it.” She assured Kareena.
“Kari, do you believe in God?”
Kareena shook her head. “It’s not a matter of believing.” “Then you don’t believe?”
“I’ll tell you what I believe in. I believe in me. I’ve seen the selfishness of others. I’ve seen how one is taken advantage of because they are good, or less fortunate. I’ve seen the good, give and give until they have no more to give and those ‘The Takers’ still want more. It’s been this way for thousands of years. They hide behind God and pretend they are doing good, but it’s just an excuse to go to war, and kill and put more money in their pockets.
Human nature doesn’t change. The only thing that really ever changes is the inventive ways the users come up with, to take advantage of the unfortunate. But in reality nothing ever changes and do you know why?”
“Go on.” Nakoma encouraged.
“Look at the big picture, the picture that goes beyond the governments, beyond our wildest dreams. I hear the hopes and dreams of many, their faith in God, the prayers for him to give them strength. Those prayers are only answered if one takes it upon himself to answer his own prayers. To look deep inside himself and find the strength he needs to make his own dreams a reality. Some have the need to think it is God who is helping them, but I don’t believe that. There are two types of dreamers on this great earth. Those who struggle for their dreams with hard work and honesty, and service to others, and those who bring pain and suffering to others in order to gain what they believe is their rightful station in life. And nothing will ever change this.
Just look at what happens when there is a natural disaster or not so natural disaster. The good come out of the woodwork to help and to give. The ‘People’ always do. And where does all that donated money for the victims go? I would bet that about thirty percent of it goes to the people that need it and the balance? Who knows, but what I do know is someone is always lining their pockets." Kareena took a deep breath.
“Well that was quite a mouthful Kari.”
"Yes ... well, listen to me, it must be the wine. I never talk this much."
"I can see you and I think alike. There’s only one big difference between you and me.”
“What’s that?” Kareena asked.
“You are good, one hundred percent good.”
Kareena was shaking her head back and forth. She didn’t agree. “And I on the other hand have a streak of evil in me that wants to play with the big boys. Not for personal gain mind you, but for what I believe is their just due. If I happen to make a few buck in the process, well so be it. You will see what I mean soon enough. You know the party I have coming up in a few weeks?”
“Yes?”
“I have a couple of very interesting guests coming. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you meet them.”
“Please Niki, don’t’ try to fix me up with anyone. I just don’t have the heart for that right now.”
“Don’t worry Kari, they are just very important people who have helped me tremendously with financial backing for the lab. But I really do want you to meet them. You may change your mind about the wealthy. There are some exceptions to every case you know. I hope you will be there.”
“Don’t get me wrong Niki, I know there are a lot of exceptions. And I didn’t mean to imply that all wealthy people were takers.”
“I know that sweetheart, I know!”
“There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about Niki.”
“What’s that?”
“You’ve been very generous and I love living in the cottage. It’s so beautiful, but I’ve imposed long enough. And I think it’s time for me to find my own place.”
“Really? …. I had no idea you were unhappy in the cottage.”
“I’m not unhappy, but I just feel the need to have a little more independence. I hope you understand the last thing I want to do is hurt you Niki.”
“I don’t like it, but I do understand. If you must go than so be it.” Nikoma said with a false smile.
“Thanks for understanding. I’ll look at the classifieds tomorrow.”
The man watched as the two woman got into their car in front of Carabas. He followed them back to the estate. He drove a few blocks south and parked at the marina. He started the outboard and tendered out to the fifty-foot schooner that was anchored just south east of the cottage. He could see the cottage very well through the telescope that was stationed in the grand library on the vessel. The light was on in the bedroom of the cottage. He knew it wouldn’t be long before she went to bed. He knew her routine quite well by now. He would also be getting some sleep tonight as soon as he checked in.
“All is clear and quiet” he reported. The following morning Kareena sat on the patio with her O.J., cereal and newspaper. She opened the classifieds and circled a few listings. She made the necessary calls to set up a couple of appointments. After her shower she headed out. The man had been able to see that she was reading the classifieds through the powerful telescope. He had already eaten and showered, and was on his way back to shore. He waited and followed her as she set out.
Kareena had a light and carefree feeling today. She felt that she
was finally going to find the quiet she so desperately needed. She was glad that Nakoma didn’t fight her on the move. She liked her a lot, loved her sense of humor and the fact that she could have a nice one on one conversation with her, but sometimes she just felt overwhelmed by her. Kareena didn’t want to be rude but sometimes she just wanted Nakoma to shut up. Working with her was quite enough. Having her as a close neighbor who could pop in any time unannounced was quite another mater.
' I feel bad leaving her in a way. I know she’s lonely after her husband’s passing but I need my own space, and we will see each other every day at work. Yes this is the best thing. I have to think of myself and remember that I can’t fix the world even though sometimes I think I should try.'
The man followed her to both locations and deduced that she was apartment hunting. He would have to return the keys to the schooner to his friend and find a place that would suite his purpose if she indeed moved. 'Well', he thought 'All in a days work.'
In all the time he had been following her there was only that one close encounter and that had turned out just fine. He was actually growing fond of the girl. He watched her shake hands with the lady then take the keys in exchange for a check. He immediately scanned the neighborhood for his next home away from home.
Abduction
His instructions were clear. “It is imperative….do not allow the subject to come any where near the gathering. Take her to the prearranged location. Use the method previously discussed. Hold her until you receive further instructions.”
The affair was to be held at Dr. Phillip Barrett’s widow’s estate. The research was going well. Mrs. Barrett was carrying on as planned. She sent an invitation through the proper channels, for the Leaders of the Society to observe the latest developments in gene therapy. Mrs. Barrett’s claim is that her team of researchers had reached a major milestone on the path from the laboratory to the clinic. Her goal is to prove that the tests that have been successful in mice can indeed be applied to humans. “We haven’t cured a human being yet, but we have cured a cell. The theory is to transplant the cell into a human and cure the disease.”
Humorlost (Humorlost Book I of III) Page 14