Closing her eyes first and taking a breath, Ellen looked to the face. Pug in nature, its features pressed beneath the weight of the extra skin that engulfed it. “He’s breathing, Dean.”
“And that’s good?” Dean banged his hand on the table. “We should have let this die.”
Ellen wrapped the infant in a blanket. “What should I do with him?”
“I don’t know right now.” Dean raised his hand and shook his head to leave the operating room. He glanced at Andrea and Jason who worked diligently on Melissa. The moment Dean reached the double doors he paused, as did Andrea and Jason, to the deep chesty rumbling moans they heard. For when Ellen lifted the baby into her arms, he released his first cries into his new world, and they weren’t an infant’s cries. They were the sound that made everyone stop.
^^^^
If it wasn’t for the hallway light reflecting off of his high top white tennis shoes, Ellen would never have seen Dean in that hospital room. She had looked all over for him and he was nowhere to be found. But, she had him in her scope. He sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. His knees brought close to him. “Dean.” She called out softly stepping into the room, being a shadow figure in the door. “I have to tell you this is the last place I looked.”
“I really want to be alone.”
“Really?” She walked in. “Tough. Melissa is doing good.” She took a seat on the floor next to him. “Andrea and Jason had to remove her uterus. She’s awake.”
“What have I done?” He rested his head on his arms again. “I was so wrapped up in the science of it. I failed to think of the human side of it.”
“That’s not true. You didn’t know. Melissa knew what she was getting into. You tried to stop this.” Ellen wrapped her arm around his back and placed her chin on his hunched shoulder. “Besides, Melissa is in her room now holding the baby. Not rejecting him.”
“Did you look at him, Ellen? Really look at him.”
“Yes I did. So he’s not the most attractive child in Beginnings. I’ve seen worse. Look at Jenny Matoose’s baby.”
That made Dean smile, he rubbed his forehead against his arm and lifted his head, resting it on the bed behind him. “What kind of life is that child going to have?”
“The same kind of life every other child in this community has. He’ll be loved. The children in this community will not see him any different. Our society won’t allow that. And another thing, we don’t know what will happen to the baby. He may grow to look normal. We just can’t make those judgments now.” Ellen reached for his hand. “Come on, why don’t you get out of this room. Walk me home.”
Dean shook his head. “I’d like to stay here just a few minutes more.”
“All right.” Ellen smiled at him. “I’ll leave you alone. But Dean, if you need me, just find me. I owe you.” She started to get up and his hand reached out to her.
“I need you, El.” He felt her sit back down again. “Can I . . . just . . .” Dean fiddled with his fingers as he stared at them. “Can I just sit with you for awhile?”
Ellen quietly smiled. Slowly she ran her hand down his arm to his hands. His fingers slipped in between hers and he gripped them tight.
“Thanks.” Dean lowered his head, bringing his lips down, and softly pressing them to the back of her hand. He rested his face against his knee as they sat, in silence.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
September 15
It was a nod of approval from Frank that lasted most of the walk back to town from the living section. “Not bad. Small. But not bad. But I can’t believe you’re moving out on me.”
“You’ll love it.” Johnny smiled, walking with his father. “All those names in the hat and I won the drawing for the one bedroom house. Cool huh?”
“Cool.” Frank grinned. “Well, I’m gonna leave ya. I wanna stop to see Brian before El. I got that big meeting this after . . .”
“Can I talk to you for a second. Please?” Johnny asked.
Frank saw the seriousness in his son’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“Not really wrong, probably a good thing. I wanted to tell you first. Brace yourself.” Johnny took a deep breath.
“Christ.” Frank griped sounding so much like Joe. “Who’d you get pregnant?”
“Wow.” Johnny smiled. “That’s good. How did you know.”
“Oh, my God. It’s true. John. I’m too young to be a grandfather. You’re too young to be a father.”
“I’m eighteen.”
“Too young. Who?”
“Denice.”
Frank had to think. “Denice? Isn’t she involved with Curt?”
“Yes.” Johnny answered.
“Is she leaving him.”
“No.” Johnny shook his head. “She’s staying with him.”
“So he doesn’t know.”
“He knows.”
“Who gets the baby.”
“We share.”
So confused Frank looked. “Wait. She’s having your baby, but staying with Curt. And you’re sharing the baby. Doesn’t any of this bother you?”
“No. We have an understanding, Dad. We understand that we both are involved with Denice.” He chuckled at his father’s cringe. “It’s a great situation. I’m happy with it. We’re all happy with it. With men outnumbering the women by four to one, it’s the way things are now. And in a community this small, we do what we have to do so that we’re all happy and get along.” Johnny peered to his watch. “I’ll let you go. Tell me you’re happy for me.”
There was no hesitation on Frank’s part. “I’m happy. Not that I’m going to be a pap, but I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks Dad.” Johnny smiled and pointed backwards. “I’d better go.”
“Me, too.” Frank said. “I’ll talk to you later.” After giving Johnny a proud father’s swat to the arm, they parted ways. He knew where he was off to next, to the nursery to see the baby he didn’t share with anyone. His child. As he walked in and went to the back. He slowed down when he saw Dean holding Brian. “Dean?” He stepped closer. “What’s going on?”
“Hey, Frank.” Dean handed Brian to Frank. “Raz sent word to the clinic that Brian was sick. But he’s fine. I checked him out. And you have perfect timing, because he’s up. He's usually sleeping this time in the afternoon.”
“How do you know?” Frank took his son.
“I stop in and see him too. I’m sorry, maybe I’m overstepping boundaries. I got kind of used to him.” Dean reached out grabbing Brian’s hand.
“Nah.” Frank cradled Brian’s head. “That’s all right. He’s a great kid.”
“Yeah.” He’s a . . . he’s a really great kid.” Dean’s demeanor slipped as he slipped his fingers from Brian’s. “I’m heading back to the lab. It was uh . . . it was nice talking to you, Frank. It was.” Dean waved and backed up. “See you at the meeting.”
“Hey Dean.” Frank called to him. “Thanks for checking on Brian.”
“No problem.”
Frank had a few more minutes he could spend with Brian. He paced around the nursery talking to him, playing with him. But for some reason, his eyes just kept peering up to the door, the door that Dean had left through. He kept seeing Dean’s face. The look he had, sadness, maybe some jealousy, as he held on to Brian’s finger. Frank didn’t know why, but it made him feel bad.
^^^^
It made Joe’s ears ring the snap that Henry did under his nose. Joe merely raised his eyes.
“Joe. Pay attention to me.” Henry stood before Joe’s desk with a clipboard.
“Henry. Do you see me reading this stack of papers. The Caceres plan?”
“Yes. But do you see me trying to rehearse what I’m going to say at the meeting?”
“I could care less about your rehearsing. I feel like I have to find something in here and I haven’t a clue what it is.” Joe lifted a sheet.
“And I feel like I have to be effective.” Henry stated. “You really don’t seem to care how I sound, do
you?”
“No.”
“I wish George was here.” Henry pouted. “He always listened to what I said. Well, with the exception of the wall. But I then again, I was right.”
“Yes, you were.” Joe tried pacifying him. “Now, if you’ll . . .”
“He should have listened instead of trying to stop me all the time.”
“He was trying to be . . .”
“Following me around. Yelling at me. Always sneaking behind to see where I was going. It was a complete lack of trust. He was . . .”
“Stop.” Joe held up his hand. “He followed you?”
“Yes.” Henry said. “Why do you think me and Ellen came up with that story. He was always there. No matter what time.”
“Why didn’t you tell me this?”
Henry gasped in irritation, nearly stomping his foot. “Joe.” he heaved a breath again. “Why would I tell you if you’re the one that told him to do it.”
“I never told him to follow you.” Joe said.
“Yes, you did. Ask him when he gets home.”
“I will, but I never . . .” Joe shut up. His mind immediately took off and he didn’t feel like explaining his mind’s destination to Henry. “I . . . remember now. I did tell him.” Joe lied.
“Joe.” Henry shook his head. “You better get in the mind set for this meeting or you’ll be no good. Here, listen to my tactical plan.” He held up his clipboard.
Pen to mouth, eyes on Henry, Joe looked like he was paying attention, but his mind was elsewhere.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“May I, Joe?” Henry stood well rehearsed and ready, waiting for everyone to settle into their prospective seats in Joe’s office. He spread out a hand drawn blue print. “Infiltrating the installation. This is the compound.” Henry showed. “Now Frank, you need to know how you and Dean are going to get into the air filter system. I have it mapped out for you. You will enter through the main air duct. That runs parallel to the elevator shaft. That’s you in. Open the elevator, make sure that it is lowered, and climb up approximately two stories.” Henry’s hand glided across the map.
“Wait a second!” Dean interrupted. “Are you telling me we have to climb up two stories in a shaft, with twenty-seven, below us. I’ll fall.”
Henry, very serious ignored Frank’s rolling eyes and spoke to Dean. “No you won’t Dean just don’t look down. That’s your easiest part. Now once you get to the vent.” Henry showed them. “You climb through. Frank, this vent is big enough you shouldn’t have a problem. Crawl fifteen feet and you will see a floor vent. That is where the main fan is. Lift that grate. Lower Dean down to approximately ten feet before the fan and wait. Simple enough. The blower should come on every fourteen minutes. That’s when you release it. When you have him by the rope, hold tight, Frank, so Dean doesn’t fall. Because if he does, he fall right onto that main blower fan and that weapon he made won’t be the only thing spraying through their ventilation.”
Dean cringed. “Oh that’s gross. And Thanks Henry, you just gave Frank a better way to off me.”
“Sorry.” Henry shrugged.
Shaking his head, and see Henry sit down, Joe couldn’t believe the lame bland instructions were what he pretended to listen to. “Dean. You’re up.”
Dean slowly stood before the room. With a gulp Dean pulled out his notes. “I hate going last. I have to follow Henry, and Joe, and loud Frank. And everyone wonders why they think I’m boring.” He heard everybody moan and shuffle, and mutter ‘come on with it’. “All right, all right.” Dean cleared his throat. “The weapon is done. After many successful tests, Ellen and I feel we have our potency and all we have left to do with it is mix the final batch. Which we will do tomorrow and fill the gas can grenades, and attachments for the 203's. We increased its strength and rapidness to three and one half minutes. So just to prepare you for the visual, I want to let what are to expect . . .” For the first time ever, Dean saw he had Frank’s complete attention. Frank leaned forward seemingly enjoying and waiting on the weapon news. “Immediately they will develop a massive headache. They will start to sweat, blisters and lesions will appear as the blood burns them. They will convulse, vomit, and probably excrete blood from every known body cavity. Their internal organs will turn to mush, and they will die after only a short three minutes of hell.” The room went dead quiet, except for Frank who had that gloating laugh.
Frank loved it. “Oh excellent. We get to use grenades with that stuff in there. That’s better than blowing them up. And it won’t hurt us?”
“No.” Dean answered. “I built it around a mutated form of our virus, so we’re immune and they aren’t. Also, it isn’t airborne in case anyone is wondering.”
Joe was. “How can you be sure?”
“Tests. Ellen and I worked with tissue samples, and figured out the lasting exposure to be forty five minutes. And just to double check, we brought those three field workers into the lab for a tour. You know to see if it was airborne.” That was the one thing that brought moans from everyone. “Please, like you gentleman care about them. That’s all.” As Dean folded his notes he noticed Henry raising his hand. “Yes Henry?”
“What did you call it?”
“Call it?”
“Yeah.” Henry said. “What did you name it. It has to have a name.”
“No it doesn’t.”
Joe stood from behind his desk. “I disagree. It should. What do you want to call it.”
Dean shrugged, really not knowing because he hadn’t given that any thought. However, before he could say anything when his mouth opened, a conversation erupted among the men about what it should be called. Dean threw his hands in the air and retook his seat, allowing them to have their fun.
^^^^
“Phase out.” Dean stated in such a complaining manner. “Do you believe that.” Ahead of Ellen he led them into exam room three. “God!” He stopped cold.
“Dean.” She shut the door. “It could have been worse, they could have voted to name it melt down.”
“Ha. Ha. Ha.” He set the clipboard on the counter. “Next time I will name my weapon. Name it. Who thought to name it. Frank. You know, when I finish the carbo bomb, it’s gonna be called Dean-ami.”
Ellen snickered. “And you don’t like the name phase-out?”
Dean only looked at her through the corner of his eyes. “All right. Let’s do this inventory. Inventory.” He huffed. “Why are we doing inventory? Aren’t we busy enough. Don’t we . . .”
“Dean.” Ellen stopped him. “You have everyone believing we aren’t done with . . . Phase-out. We haven’t done anything but sit around for three days pretending to work. Inventory is not that bad.”
“My last days on this earth.” Dean opened a cabinet and bent down. “My last days and I have to count supplies.”
Ellen lifted herself to sit on the examining table. “What are you talking about?”
“Frank’s killing me.” Dean proceeded to count. “Killing me out there. Eight bags of sutures.” He looked over his shoulder at her. “Why are you sitting down?”
“Actually, I’m preparing to release your tension.” She giggled. “It’s all making sense to me now. At first I thought it was a ridiculous notion that Frank would kill you. But after what he said.”
“Twenty-seven syringes. Are you writing this down? What did Frank say?”
“No, I’m not and he said, that since everyone is doing this share thing, I should hook you up one last time. I guess by saying ‘last time’, he was all but admitting he’s killing you.”
“Thanks a lot.” Shaking his head, Dean returned to his counting. He had to wonder if she really thought he believed her.
“So are you ready? Let’s go. Hop on . . . up.” Ellen laughed as she patted the table.
“Seeing how I value the meaning of my life, I’m just gonna have to pass on the opportunity. But thanks anyhow.”
“That’s what I figured. But I just want you to know, I was more than willing
to do it. I knew you couldn’t though. It’s all right if you’re not up to it. Excuse the pun.”
“Ellen . . .” Dean turned back around and looked at her. That smug look on her face. That know-it-all smile. “O.K.”
The smile left Ellen’s face. “O.K.?” It was replaced suddenly by shock. “O.K.?”
“O.K.” Dean walked over to the examining room door and locked it.
Ellen knew at that instant he was calling her bluff, and knowing Dean as well as she did, she could more than easily, call his.
Over to the examining table Dean walked and stood before her. He undid her belt, slipping it from the loops and hanging it over her neck.
“Dean, these are Josh’s shorts, they’ll just fall right off of me if I stand up now.”
“Exactly.” Dean raised his eyebrow and lifted her shirt to hang outside her shorts. Any second, he thought, and she would stop him.
Like two cars playing chicken on a highway, she knew she wouldn’t be the one to veer off first in the game of who could make who fold. “Kind of makes it easier for you?”
“Kind of.” Dean grabbed the belt. “How do you want to do this? You want to go straight into it. After all, it is my last romp, right?”
“I’m leaving that up to you.” Ellen said smug. Feeling, for sure he’d back up.
“All right.” Dean took off his shirt and tossed it to the floor. “We’ll at least warm up some.” Thinking, how to get her to break, Dean, still holding the belt, pulled her neck to him. He released the belt and gripped the edges of the table. Jokingly he pecked lightly at her neck. He could feel Ellen giggle, and her trying not to be audible and give it away. He could feel her squirm and Dean laughed to himself knowing it was enough.
Just as he was about to quit, just as he was about to tell her he was kidding, the sides of his hands brushed against the nakedness of her thighs. Almost like a warm shock, the touch of her skin went through him, and his once tight lips parted to her neck. Ellen stopped laughing.
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 122