Coire Beliefs - Chapter 28 - The Party.

Core Beliefs – Chapter 28 - The Party.

Matt had been up to his ears in things to do when he arrived back in St. Louis. For over two weeks, he visited all the facilities, held meetings with the management teams and councils, and realized that he needed to fine-tune the management structure.

Meetings with Marcus Corush led to a list of those people Marcus held in the highest regard. Matt concurred, and with a call to Joe, Matt arranged for the incorporation of another corporation. This was an umbrella oversight group, able to represent him anytime he was unavailable. He knew the time neared when his focus would be elsewhere. Marcus would serve as chairman, and twelve others assumed duties as directors, including Joe, Chris, Charlotte, and Lucy Olenrude, Matt’s long-time personal assistant.

***

Sitting at his desk one morning, Matt froze. The reality of what he was doing smacked him full in the face. “You are losing control.” He wasn’t talking about his mental state, but about the fact that he had relinquished the vice grip hold on the companies that for a decade had kept him sane.

“Marilyn? Elizabeth? Help me.” It was a whispered prayer, which was oddly strange since he didn’t believe in God, but somewhere deep, a warm sensation stirred. Moisture budded in the corner of an eye. A tremble in his fingers.

Maybe I am losing it mentally?

Lucy tapped on the door, her eyes absorbing Matt’s appearance, but she said nothing and waited until he was ready.

“Yes, Lucy?” Matt pulled himself back together.

“Mr. Griffin from Carnegie Mellon is on line two? He says he would like to talk with you about a research project we are doing with Wheatley University?”

Matt smiled. “Thanks, Lucy.” He picked up the phone.

***

The month of May had a more relaxed pace. Charlotte said Armonia House was half done. Suchet and Chris were corresponding. Additional materials, including a clear high-pressure acrylic globe from a deep-diving submersible, were ordered for the silo.

***

Ellie graduated valedictorian of her class. The entire crew, the Coblentz family, Matt, and Joe’s family were there, as well as all the Martins.

Matt and Ling had two wonderful weekends together, and although it was still hard to say goodbye, they found that they could trust that they would soon be together again.

June was busier for Chris, Doug, and Ellie, with Suchet addressing Doug’s question as to why the event materialized five feet from the generator.

Suchet was convinced it was tied directly to the formation of the electromagnetic field. They began searching the data for anything that would help verify the theory.

Suchet also had Chris order niobium-titanium superconductor magnets and a chiller to cool them.

Matt talked with his nephew, Charles. Matt had a growing concern that the facility was too exposed and would eventually draw unwanted attention. Matt wanted a building they could place over the site to camouflage the activity. Charles took the plans for a standard metal building and adapted them to suit their needs. They could rent the cranes and equipment necessary to erect it, thereby avoiding the need for outside contractors to run around the grounds.

***

Eldridge and Elvin had their hands full caring for the crops. It looked like it might be a good harvest.

Chris rented a backhoe, and Eldridge showed Doug how to operate it. Charley and Doug started digging and pouring the foundation for the building. Charlotte came out several times and provided them with pointers on rebar placement and ensuring everything was level. The steel building manufacturer sent details for erecting the structure.

June ended with the steel building ready for pickup in Kansas City. The boys rented the heaviest trailers they could handle with their vehicles and, in five long trips, had the material on site.

July started hot and stayed hot. At the farm, they celebrated Independence Day with fireworks and homemade ice cream.

Matt and Eldridge walked through the wheat fields. Eldridge said he worried about the crops most in July. The wheat was just starting to turn, but the rain had been light in June, and if they didn’t get some precipitation, they would start losing the crop.

In the second week of July, they experienced several severe thunderstorms. Although the clouds dropped a lot of rain, they also dumped hail along with strong winds. There was damage to the crop, but Eldridge said it was the lesser of the evils, and he felt good about a fine harvest.

***

Matt got a call from Charlotte on the fifteenth. The Big House was complete. She was excited but not overly so.

“Why?” Matt asked.

“We have to move again,” Charlotte groaned.

Matt made calls and had everyone helping. They started packing things on the eighteenth. The newly purchased furniture arrived and was hauled in and placed according to Charlotte’s plans. By Sunday night, the move was complete, and as Matt walked around, he could see the vision Charlotte had created for the place. The house was beautiful, and behind it lay a wonderful party garden with lights, fountains, trees, and flowers.

“This is Armonia House,” Matt gazed at Charlotte. “You have created a paradise. All the work and attention to detail have come to fruition. I will give you time to rest, but I want a party!”

Charlotte kissed him on the cheek. “You will get your party, and we’ll all celebrate.”

***

Matt decided to buy the Elsberry house. His instincts told him that there would be times when more people would need beds than even Armonia House could provide. Besides, Charlotte got him a good deal on it.

***

Throughout the month, Suchet and Chris exchanged data. Suchet believed they could determine the answers they needed once they reconfigured the beam generator to allow for variations of individual frequencies and output strength.

The steel building took shape slowly but steadily. Eldridge made time to weld supports, but now he needed help. Combine crews were coming to harvest the crop. It would be an intense, non-stop week.

Doug broke off from the silo, giving Eldridge a hand. Elvin directed traffic and kept count of the wheat. Eldridge operated one of the combines and supervised the other operators. Marcy, Ellie, and Emily cooked to feed the crews, and Doug hauled chilled bottled water to every combine and truck. It took four days, from 4:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and people slept in their clothes. Tired and sweaty, exhausted and relieved, a record crop put weary smiles on every face.

***

Two weeks later, a huge affair took place at Armonia House. The promised party. Matt had expected to see the people he knew but was surprised to also see contractors who had worked on the house, as well as many others.

Sadly, Ling had surgery scheduled and was unable to come. Matt missed her to the point that all the surrounding jubilation just enhanced his emptiness.

There were teachers from schools, the architect and his wife, a local banker, and the principal from Ellie’s school.

Matt, trying to find a diversion, took a moment to visit with him. The fellow turned out to be very nice.

Matt explained how Ellie had helped them solve the problem with the Neuro-imager and that, by the end of the year, he hoped it would be available to hospitals and universities.

Ellie and Doug strolled the grounds and mingled, as did Marcy and Eldridge. Marcy had even coaxed Eldridge into a suit.

Later, the big man and Matt found a bench in the garden and chatted.

“The crop’s the best in years,” Eldridge said, “but the market is down a little. Still, I think we have a chance to make a profit. Matt, you’ve been too good to me and mine, and I want you to take more than 25%.”

“I made a deal,” Matt softly said. “I’m happy with it and intend to honor it, 75% for you and 25% for me.”

Somewhere around 8:00, Charlotte and Chris stepped to an area where a riser had been erected and rang a cowbell to get everyone’s attention.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Chris called, “I thank you for being here tonight. Many of you have helped return this house to a beauty and stature greater than it previously possessed. You may call it renovation and remodel, but I want to tell you that for us, it is truly a work of restoration.”

Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd.

“I have learned more this year about restoration than I could have ever imagined,” Chris said. “I have discovered that restoration isn’t the same as just putting something back together. It is more about committing yourself to making someone or something whole and complete.”

His eyes swept the garden. “As I look around tonight, I see people who have the heart and soul to restore. People who dream of making the world a better place are not afraid to expose their souls in order to reach those in need or those who are lost. I see people who are both dreamers and doers.”

Matt noted the passion and power in Chris’s voice. The words resonated within him.

“We do not sit and wait for opportunity. We create it and impose our will to cause that which is good to multiply.

“We are indeed blessed and privileged tonight because, as wonderful as this house is, it pales to the beauty in the human heart and the spirit of giving that each of you possesses.”

“If the waiters will please make sure the adults have Champagne and those underage have sparkling juice,” Charlotte said.

There was laughter as some of the kids tried to grab Champagne.

“Tonight, there is a toast to propose,” she said.

Matt wasn’t quite following, watching Charlotte and Chris step down from the riser, and watching another woman climb the steps with her back to him.

His heart leaped even before he saw her face. He knew it was Ling.

She faced the gathering. “A toast to a man who restores hope, brings joy and love to even those who have lost it. Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to salute Mr. Matthew Lehman.”

***

‘What’s the deal with the applause?’ Matt wondered. Next thing Matt knew, Ellie and Doug were escorting him to the riser.

Matt stepped up next to Ling and whispered, “Once again, I’m surrounded by conspirators.”

“I know, but we all do love you.”

The call for speech came from the garden, and Matt struggled to collect his thoughts. He felt a bit overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.

He raised his hands, and the garden fell silent.

“I have been fortunate beyond any right of any man. My life seems almost to take me to places and paths that are enriching and rewarding, but here tonight, I will tell you my greatest secret.”

The garden became still.

“It is not in money or power that I find any strength. It is in the hearts, souls, and relationships of true friends. My greatest strength is derived from the knowledge that some care for me so deeply and completely that they would risk all for me.

He paused, grasping the truth of the words. The sense of gratitude that rushed through him choked his voice slightly.

“I am not a man of industry or wealth.” The truth swept through him, and it was hard to get the next sentence out. “I am a debtor to those who care for my soul.”

He paused, his lips trembling. It had been thirteen-plus years since he had felt this way. That was not a good day, but this one was. His world had gone from dark to light, and as he spied familiar faces, he realized why.

“In everything I do, I will remember, first and foremost, I have a responsibility and a privilege to take that with which I have been wonderfully blessed and use it to make the lives of others better,” he smiled.

“When all is said and done. What we do with our lives is far more important than what we possess. I understand what it means to be restored. And I promise to honor those who made it possible by giving my very best.”

The crowd stood still and silent. Almost on cue, the audience burst into applause with some cheering.

Matt turned to Ling, wrapped his arms around her, and they kissed, oblivious to all around them.

Ling was the one who whispered, “Let’s get off this stage.”

Matt found himself besieged with well-wishers even before he was off the platform. It went on and on, and he wondered if he and Ling would ever get away.

Eventually, he felt the crowd ease, and Charlotte made her way to them.

“Second floor, turn to the left. The last suite on the right is yours.”

It didn’t take long for them to make their exit. Soon, Matt and Ling were alone.

“Were you surprised?” she asked.

“Totally,” he replied while they undressed each other.

The light through the window allowed them to see.

Ling gazed at Matt. “Damn, you look good.”

“It’s all for you and no one else.”

Matt had not thought the night could be any more perfect, but it was.