Core Beliefs - Chapter 19 - First Date

Core beliefs - Chapter 19 - First Date

It felt like Matt and his compadres were scrambling like roaches when the lights came on. Everyone hustled on their individual tasks, and that they all hustled to help each other succeed made Matt smile.

Chris and Doug collected the original experiment materials from the bonded warehouse and transported them to the farm.

The silo had been pumped out, and Doug, Eldridge, Elvin, and even Ellie had pressure-washed the walls and cleaned the muck from the bottom of the missile bay.

Matt remembered an exhausted Doug praising the Coblentz family. It brought a smile. Matt’s memory danced back to the day he met Eldridge and the almost instantaneous bond that had formed. “If ever there was divine intervention,” Matt sighed.

The silo team determined that some seepage was coming through the silo walls, and those were sealed. Matt was shocked to hear they had rigged a seat on a rope and lowered the thinner of the team members, Doug or Ellie, down the silo wall to apply a caulk type adhesive sealer to the places that showed signs of leakage.

It also appeared that during heavy rains, additional water came in around the top of the silo, Eldridge did some grading to encourage the water to flow away from the huge, thirty-five feet by sixty-five feet, seven hundred- and twenty-five-ton slab door that covered the launch opening.

Matt remembered looking up in wonder at the bottom of the massive door on the first trip into the silo. A lump had formed in his throat as the enormity of the silo and the enormity of the venture hit home.

The team had no intention of clearing the dirt from the top of the structure, and water remained a concern, so the pump was left in place to deal with any incidental water incursion.

Chris and Doug worked long hours stringing data cables, fiber optics, and power lines through the complex.

Matt spent hours reviewing the overall operations of the five corporations and the initial sale of stock to employees. The numbers surprised him.

“$963,000 for the first six weeks? And the projected revenue from monthly sales could be over $120,000?” He slid back in his office chair and rocked back. “Well,” he mumbled, “it certainly gives us a financial foundation for the new adventure.”

He didn’t expect M&E-LLC to produce any income, and a loss would work in Matt’s favor come tax time.

***

Matt called Ling and told her that he would be in Houston on February 20 and asked if she would like to get together. She said yes almost before he asked. It had been a challenge to take that first step, but deep within, he had a gnawing need to see her again.

***

Dr. Kumar had flown into Houston on the 20^th for the conference scheduled at the Hyatt resort on the outskirts of the city.

Matt got a copy of the conference itinerary via email from Dr. Kumar. New paper presentations on quantum physics and cosmic research filled Wednesday through Friday, and then Dr. Kumar’s weekend was free. The following Monday afternoon, there would be a review panel and discussion.

Matt smiled, seeing that Dr. Kumar held a distinguished position on the review panel.

***

Ling insisted that she would pick Matt up from the airport on the Thursday he flew in. He gazed in wonder as Ling strode across baggage claim. “Beautiful!” escaped his lips. The sparkle in her eyes, her lithe body that moved with grace and purpose, the lips, red and glossy. He knew he was blushing like a sixteen-year-old.

Ling smiled wide as she approached and wrapped him in a hug that in the same instant filled Matt with comfort and made him feel inadequate. She smelled of hope, joy, delicious.

“You look amazing,” Matt said.

Ling ducked her head, grinned, “I’m really happy you’re here. I’ve been looking forward to this since you called.”

His bag finally showed up. Ling drove him to the resort to check in—the same Hyatt Resort as Dr. Kumar’s conference—then to a restaurant on the shipping channel.

*** 

Matt dipped a chunk of broiled lobster into the drawn butter and savored the flavor. It had been so long since he’d eaten seafood. He held the fragrance and taste of the delicacy on his tongue for several seconds before chewing and swallowing.

“This is spectacular,” he gushed.

Ling chuckled and slid a portion of sushi onto his plate. “You have to try this.”

“I like my meat cooked.” Matt wrinkled his nose at the offering.

“Just a nibble,” Ling said. “If you don’t like it, you can stop.”

Matt sliced a quarter of the piece, gingerly brought it to his lips, and, after taking a deep breath, plunged the piece into his mouth. It took about four seconds.

“I love it!” He devoured the piece and looked longingly at her plate for more, which she promptly offered.

“You have family?” he asked innocently.

Her head dropped a tad. “Been on my own for as long as I care to remember. My family fell apart when I was young.”

Her honesty was refreshing. They shared stories about growing up. It was obvious to Matt that Ling’s path to success was no easy route. She had scratched and clawed her way up each step of the ladder. He also realized that, as a woman, she had fought male prejudices in the medical community. To him, her position at Wheatley and the Baylor Medical Center were achievements that deserved great respect.

Lovely, charming, and intelligent were thoughts that tripped into his mind as he listened and looked at this amazing woman, this woman who had undoubtedly saved his life.

 They ended the evening back at the resort, sitting in the lobby when, perchance, Dr. Kumar walked through. The Doctor saw Matt and came over.

Matt stood. “Dr. Kumar, may I introduce you to Dr. Ling Wu Chang?”

The three sat, and Matt mostly listened as the two doctors chatted excitedly about topics way over his head.

Dr. Chang had an early surgery and needed to get home. As Matt walked her to her car, they held hands, and Matt felt her grip tighten just as they reached the auto. He knew he wanted to kiss her, but whether from shyness or fear, he settled for a hug and a kiss on the cheek from her. Once again, she was gone.

The next morning, Matt headed to the Wheatley University research facility. Ling had invited him to see their labs and some of their research. He was fascinated by the core research and realized how progressive their theoretical concepts were.

“Ling, my people could gain so much inspiration from what you’re doing here!”

“I’ve already told my colleagues about the amazing things you are doing,” Ling bubbled as she recounted her visit to his facilities.

As they walked out, they held hands, and this time, Matt kissed her quickly on the lips. At first, he thought he had screwed up. Her expression was near shock, but then a smile appeared and spread across her face.

“Come back for more anytime,” she said, lacing the words with innuendo.

Matt thought she might be talking about visiting the lab, but mostly, he was glad that he hadn’t been slapped.

Her pager buzzed, and she frowned. “Got to go.”

He watched her rush back through the door, missing her, his heart beating rapidly, and an ache emerged in his chest. She was gone. He rocked on his heels, staring blankly at the façade. It took thirty seconds to return to reality. The sudden realization hit. He had places to go and things to do.

He flagged a cab for the resort, having tickets for himself and Dr. Kumar for a 7:30 p.m. flight to Wichita.