To her relief, the hand-painted sign on the door confirmed she had reached her destination. There were a good number of people inside scurrying about under the yellowish fluorescent lights that hung from the ceiling.
Lisa pulled her car into the next available parking space and set the parking brake. Her Nike Air Walkers were the most comfortable shoes she owned and carried her to the front door.
The ordeal at the hotel had drained her physically and emotionally. She had showered and changed into comfortable clothing—an old pair of jeans, an olive-green T-shirt, and a pink “Breast Cancer Awareness” ball cap.
She entered the building, took two steps in, and let the door close. A table with a bank of phones resting on top was on one side of the room. A few people meandered around a table laden with a variety of drinks and snack foods on the other side.
Toward the back, others set up metal chairs in rows for the meeting. No one seemed to notice her. She felt as if she were a pig that had wandered into a Synagogue. The fluorescent lights turned the skin tone on her arms a strange hue, adding weight to her depression.
“Hi, Lisa. I’m so glad you could make it,” Rebecca Spencer said, as she walked up to greet her.
“Hey Rebecca.” Lisa reached out and hugged her. Seeing Rebecca made her feel warm inside.
Rebecca stepped back, holding Lisa by the hands. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“I look that bad, eh?”
Rebecca blushed. “No. It’s just you look so different from the other night, and so different from the rally. I—you know what I mean.”
Lisa giggled. “I know. I’m picking at you. When I put my hair up, or a cap on, people have a hard time recognizing me. Sometimes I think I could rob a bank while wearing a baseball cap and no one would know that it was me.”
Rebecca let go of Lisa’s hands. “I’ll have to introduce you to some of the members. First, would you like something to eat or drink? We’ve got a bunch of stuff over there—but no sauerkraut—sorry.”
Lisa closed her eyes and wrinkled her nose, shaking her head as if someone had stepped on her foot, then she forced a smile. “I really don’t need to eat sauerkraut. My organs won’t go bad on me. I will pile it on a Reuben sandwich though. I get most of my nutrition through my ATP cream. I try not to eat too much solid food, you know, to save money on toilet paper.”
“Really?” Rebecca said.
Lisa burst out laughing. “No, not really. The toilet paper thing was a joke.”
Rebecca giggled. “Oh.”
“Hey, I would like some water.”
The two walked to the table. Rebecca fished out a bottle of water from a plastic tub filled with ice, wiped the bottle with a napkin, and handed it to Lisa. She then selected a diet drink and a ginger snap cookie for herself.
“Over there—homemade brownies. I could go for one of those,” Lisa said.
Brushing crumbs from her lips, and talking with her mouth full, Rebecca said, “Wait, those are special brownies, and shouldn’t even be on the table. Somebody must have accidentally put them there.”
“Ooo, super-special-secret brownies. Do I have to get hazed or something before I can have one?”
“Nothing like that. These are for after the meeting.” Rebecca picked up the container of brownies, put on the lid, and burped the air out. “One member always brings these things. I’m not part of that group.” She placed the container on a shelf on a nearby wall.
Returning to Lisa’s side, Rebecca put a hand on the back of her arm. “The meeting starts soon, so I’ll introduce you to a few people first.”
Ben O’Brian was glued to the same spot where Rebecca had left him when Lisa entered the door. He wore a mask of indifference above his folded arms.
“Lisa, this is my friend, Ben. Ben and I attend the university together.”
“Nice meeting you, Ben,” Lisa said. “What are you studying for?”
Ben’s eyes immediately homed in on Lisa’s chest.
Rebecca frowned. “Ben, Lisa’s talking to you. Her face is not down there.”
“I know where her face is,” he retorted. “I was reading the print on her shirt.”
Hello, Captain Asshole. You’d better not talk to me like that, Lisa fumed to herself.
“Well, if they’re true, what are they?” Ben asked.
“If what’re true?” Lisa asked.
“The words printed on your shirt, ‘The Rumors are True.’ What rumors are true?” he said in the same disrespectful tone.
Lisa micro flashed a scowl before regaining composure. She took a slow drink from the bottle and licked her lips. “Don’t concern yourself, little boy, because you’ll never have the pleasure of finding out.”
Tension thickened as the two engaged in a silent standoff.
“Ben, go over and save us some seats. I’m going to run Lisa around the room real quick,” Rebecca said, pulling Lisa to the side and away from Ben.
“Gee, is he always that warm and cuddly?” Lisa asked.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s a sweet guy, and he’ll do anything in the world for me. But lately, he’s really been on edge.”
“I’ll cut him some slack. God knows I’ve been a basket case myself of late. I hope he gets over whatever it is eating at him. I don’t like seeing other people unhappy. It only makes me feel worse about myself.”
“I think I understand what you’re saying. Look, forget about Ben. Let’s meet a few more people here,” Rebecca said, and went to the nearest member and introduced Lisa.
The introductions came and went. Lisa put on her best face and pretended to not have a care in the world. She wasn’t very good at remembering names and told Rebecca so. Rebecca said not to worry, and that over time, she would be able to put the names and the faces together.
The crowd consisted of a mixed variety of young and old. Rebecca introduced Lisa with the trailer, ‘You know, the woman from the rally.’ Most acted as if they were genuinely pleased to meet her.
Four members came dressed in Full-Zombie attire. Rebecca told Lisa that was the only way those four appeared outside their homes. They were the most radical members of the Chapter.
A few minutes before the top of the hour when the meeting was scheduled to begin, a handsome young man walked up to Rebecca and Lisa, adjusted imaginary sleeves at his wrists, and introduced himself.
“Bond, James Bond.”
Rebecca laughed. “Yeah, in your own mind. Lisa, this is James.”
“Bond, James Bond,” James took Lisa’s right hand and kissed it.
“A charmer, I like that. I’m Pussy Galore,” Lisa said, wearing a big grin.
James froze.
“All right, you two. Cut the crap,” Rebecca said. “James is our resident technical geek. He’s got more cameras and electronic gadgets than the federal government.”
“James Calhoun, writer, director, and international spy,” he said, regaining his composure.
“Sounds more like a more respectable description for a peeping Tom,” Lisa said.
James laughed. “Where did you find this girl? I’m in love.”
“Be careful what you wish for, Hot Lips. You might get burned,” Lisa said.
“Ouch,” James said.
“Okay, let’s sit down before I have to turn a hose on you two. The meeting’s about to start.”
Ben was near the middle at the end of the row, with two empty chairs next to him. He got up and let Lisa and Rebecca pass, and then sat down, and placed his arm around the back of Rebecca’s chair.
Lisa leaned over. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, who is that guy sitting by himself in the back?”
“I’m not sure. He’s not a regular,” Rebecca whispered.
“I had this feeling earlier someone was watching me. I noticed him looking my way, but every time I tried to make eye contact he turned away.”
Rebecca touched Lisa on the hand. “Well, you are the most attractive woman here. Who could blame him?”
>
“No, he’s not admiring me from afar. Something’s not right with that guy. He’s creeping me out.”
The meeting came to order. Martha Robinson, the local Chapter president, welcomed the new attendees. Lisa and two others raised hands when she called their names. Lisa glanced toward the back of the room not long after, and the strange man was gone.
Officers with different responsibilities took turns and spouted boring facts and figures about contacts made for the month, contributions received, bills paid and pending, and future rally dates. Lisa’s mind wandered through the whole process. Fatigue eventually set in, bringing aches to her lower back and nether regions.
The meeting finally came to a blissful end. Ben popped up from his chair, clearing a path for Rebecca and Lisa. Some of the members said their goodbyes and left for home, some hit the food table one last time, and others gathered in smaller groups around the room.
A plump woman wearing brown slacks, flat shoes, and whose hair was in dire need of washing, retrieved the brownies from the shelf. A pack of men and women with a similar taste in fashion followed on her heels.
Lisa clung to Rebecca while Ben fumed on the other side. James joined the three, bringing another guy who appeared to be about his age.
“Lisa, this is my friend, Harry. Harry, Lisa,” James said.
“His name is Harry Lisa? I don’t think I like that. Makes me want to shave or something,” Lisa’s cheerful banter came across forced.
Harry politely chuckled. “Pleased to meet you.” His blue eyes sparkled below his red hair and above his freckles.
“Nice to meet you too,” Lisa said. She realized she was overdoing it and felt like a moron. She was trying too hard to be accepted, and it was beginning to show. “Okay, I’m sorry. I’m going to cut out the cutesy bullshit.
“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t know if joining the group is going to help me in accomplish my goals. I want the laws applying to the Non-Dead to change now, not ten years from now. It is a self-serving desire, and you may think it’s unrealistic. That doesn’t matter to me. I appreciate everything the N-double A-N-D stands for, and all that you, the Living, are risking. Legislation must be forced to the front burner. I want to get my old job back and salvage as much of my life as possible.
“Unfortunately, everything I’ve tried so far has failed. I’m ready and willing to try my hand again. I don’t have much left to lose. Anyone have any ideas?”
“The next rally is three weeks away. That gives us some time to come up with something,” Rebecca said.
“I’ve been thinking if we can catch that preacher Hatfield in some sort of scandal we could turn the election around. Spencer is getting a big boost from his church and their affiliations. The Democratic candidate, Adam Gray, is barely on the public radar. Spencer and Poundstone are both members of Hatfield’s church. If Hatfield goes down, Spencer will go down. And even though Poundstone isn’t officially supported by the church, it’s sure to pull him down too,” James said.
“What do you suggest?” Lisa asked.
“I don’t know. We need to catch him molesting children, or animals, or sleeping with a woman—better yet a man. Ben, think you could bed that bastard?” James said.
“Hey,” Ben protested.
“It’s a joke, Ben. Lighten up,” James said.
“We need a scandal. It has to be something that exposes him but doesn’t make us look equally wrong when we trap him in the act,” Lisa said.
“Lisa’s right,” Rebecca said. “We don’t want this thing to backfire on us. That’s all the media will concentrate on no matter what he’s caught at.”
“I think I know a way,” Lisa said. “I’ll go to his church Sunday morning, make a profession of faith at the end of the service, and join the church. If Cecile B. Demille over there can get it recorded, we can put it over the internet. We’ll have him saving the soul of a Non-Dead. That does nothing to harm our cause, it only strengths it. It weakens Hatfield’s position as a minister.
“What’s he going to do, un-save me later? If he makes a stink it will make him the hypocrite. This could shut down the Republican engine long enough to swing the election our way.”
James raised his hands. “Yeah, that sounds great. I can hollow out a few Bibles for hidden cameras. We’ll get volunteers to position themselves in strategic places in the church and record it.”
“What if you’re stopped from entering the church?” Rebecca said to Lisa.
“I’ll try to sneak in after service starts. I’ll dress in disguise so no one from the rally will be able to recognize me.”
“What makes you think you can pull this off? Do you have any acting credentials to go along with your suggestive T-shirt collection?” Ben said, a slight sneer in his tone.
Lisa wanted to slap the expression off Ben’s face. “I don’t have to do much acting. I was raised a good Southern Baptist girl, and I have been a believer all my life. I may not know why God allowed this damn virus to attack the Earth. And I may not know why Bob was taken and I’m forced to live somewhere between living and dead. But I know a fart from a quantum fluctuation didn’t create this universe by accident.
“Everything has a purpose. I don’t claim to understand it all. In fact, the first thing I plan on doing on Judgment Day is to kick God in the nuts for taking Bob and turning me into a fucking zombie. Despite all I’ve gone through, I remain a believer. So, on Sunday morning, only the premise will be contrived. My heart and soul will be genuine.”
Ben spread his hands. “Hey, I’m convinced,” and walked over to the food table. He muttered something about getting away from that bitch before he strangled her.
“Asshole,” Lisa said under her breath.
“Hey guys, it’s late, and Ben’s probably tired. I’m tired. James, get your equipment together and call whomever you can trust to help us. Let’s not let too many people in on this. We don’t want it to get out. Ben and I will be there. Don’t worry about him. He’s on our side, and he will be with me to make sure we catch it on camera,” Rebecca said.
“It’s settled then.” James adjusted the imaginary sleeves on his wrist. “Drinks at my place tomorrow at five. I shall have a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred. James P. Calhoun—you can find me in the book. Call if you need directions.” James bowed from the waist. Harry nodded goodbye and followed James as he turned and headed for the door.
“Lisa, I’m so glad you came.” Rebecca gave her a hug, pressing her nose into the side of her neck. “Your perfume is divine,” she whispered.
“Thanks. I’m jazzed now.”
“Maybe soon we can go on a weekend trip together. Go to Huston and do some shopping. Make a girl’s weekend of it. Stay downtown and party at night.”
Lisa pulled from the embrace and grabbed Rebecca’s hands. “My life’s in too much flux right now. I’m kind of worried this church thing might blow up in my face like at the rally. On the other hand, something inside me says we can make this work. Maybe I feel more confident because I’m not going through it alone. I didn’t realize how much I needed you and all the others to help. I don’t know how to thank you.” She tilted her head to the side. “I’m sorry for rambling. I’m used to getting things done on my own. I don’t like to depend on others.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I realize I can’t do this alone. I need help. I . . .” She stopped and waved a hand in front of her face to chase the tears away.
“You’re not alone anymore. We’re here for you. I’m here for you. Good things are going to happen. I feel it too,” Rebecca said. “We can go to lunch this week. Get to know each other a little better. Things are going to be just fine.”
“I hope so. I certainly hope so,” Lisa’s words trailed, and she let go of Rebecca’s hand.
Final goodbyes said, Lisa left the office, and returned to her car. Almost half the members remained inside, obviously having no better place to go. She had never cared to make herself part of a large group of friends.
*
Rebecca dried herself from her shower, put on a robe, and brushed her teeth readying for bed. Thoughts of the night replayed in her mind. Ben acted coldly before she left for home but did say he would meet her at James’ the next day. He was becoming more possessive of her lately. It strained their relationship.
After drying her hair and giving it a final brush, she went to her nightstand, and removed the photo of Lisa she had printed from the newspaper. It was hard for her to stop staring at it and get into bed. There was some kind of hold Lisa had on her. A connection, an allure, an enticement—unlike any feeling she had ever had for a woman before.
Rebecca eventually placed the photo back in the drawer and took off her robe. The light went out, and she crawled under the covers, pressing her face into a pillow and her naked body on the cool, soft sheets. It had been a long time since had sex, too long. Her last boyfriend, Kevin, broke up with her right before spring break her senior year in high school. They had been together two years, and she had no clue he was going to bail. She was devastated. When Ben came on to her in college, she’d been in no mood to trust her emotions to another hormonally charged young man. Still, she did feel an attraction too, but wanted to take things slower—a lot slower, before she shared a bed with him.
She rolled to her side and placed the other pillow between her legs, pushing her groin against it. What it would be like having Ben in bed with her? When she tried to think of it, Kevin’s face kept looking back. The wavy blond hair. The jet blue eyes. He had been her first, and only, sexual partner. Well, at least as far as intercourse was concerned.
Excitement rose as she pressed against the pillow. Her breathing became shallow. Lisa’s face replaced Kevin’s. What would Lisa’s full lips pressing to her mouth be like? How would that luscious body feel against hers? Rebecca’s short breaths gave way to a gasp as sweet release brought her fantasy to a wonderful conclusion.
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