Core Beliefs - Chapter 21 - Road Trip

Core Beliefs - Chapter 21 - Road trip.

Matt Lehman had not felt such powerful momentum since he had formed Cor-Digital. His focus was intense as he juggled business, new relationships, and a whole new level of discovery.

And then there were the moments when all focus was lost, and his mind was filled with images of Ling, her eyes, smile and lips on his stole his breath and for moments Matt was oblivious to the world around him. He would sigh a smile and once more shoulder his responsibilities and forge ahead.

***

The next four weeks brought new developments on every front. Chris made changes to the beam generator based on the knowledge Dr. Kumar had offered.

Charlotte shifted into high gear with the big house. She had decided on a name for the magnificent structure. It would be called “Armonia House,” a place dedicated to harmony.

Doug continued to handle the grunt work of running power and data cables from the control room to the silo, often with Ellie’s help.

They had not finalized where to position the experiment, but Chris’s instincts said the deeper, the better. Doing so made things more difficult for Doug because to reach the bottom, he had to climb up and down a host of steel ladders while carrying materials.

Chris called Matt. “We need an elevator in the silo. Somebody is going to get hurt climbing these ladders while hauling hardware.”

“Call Charles and see if he can help,” Matt said. The thought that anyone would be injured while working for him sent shudders through Matt.

***

Matt’s nephew, Charles, recommended a construction elevator. It was portable and assembled like scaffolding. Charles checked around and, within a week, located a unit being sold as part of an equipment auction in Dallas.

Chris successfully bid for the unit. They had it shipped to a truck dock in Kansas City. Chris and Doug rented two large trailers and picked up the assembly. It took two trips, but by the third week of March, it was half erected.

Eldridge wasn’t much help. He worked from dawn to dusk getting the wheat planted. Planting was a family enterprise. Ellie, Emily, and Elvin all had their tasks.

It took almost two weeks, and on cue, a good series of rain showers came through. The soil water levels had been down, but the rain helped get the crop off to a proper start.

***

Matt focused on the five companies in St. Louis and realized that, although they were functioning well independently, poor intra-company communication hindered their collaborative efforts.

Several opportunities had been missed—the kind of projects Matt would have steered through the process and into action.

He handpicked seven people, formed an intra-corporate council, and appointed Marcus Corush as its chair. Matt outlined the function and duty. The team was tasked with developing intra-corporate communication, establishing a method to evaluate project needs, and determining whether disciplines from multiple companies would benefit the effort.

It was a little rocky at first, and Matt met with several individuals, explaining that the new council simply did what Matt himself had done. More importantly, he said, “It should be understood that a request from the council is the same as an order from me.”

The message got through loud and clear, and the program started generating new projects.

Matt and Ling called each other three to four times a week. Most of the time, it was just about making sure the other person was okay. They tried twice to arrange a get-together, only to have an emergency surgery ground Ling in Houston, and on the other date, Matt was tied up chasing special materials for the silo.

***

As the end of March approached, Matt got a call from Marcus Corush.

“Matt, we have a preliminary prototype for the imaging unit for Wheatley, and Dr. Chang will be flying in Thursday.”

Matt’s heart skipped a beat. “Marcus, I will be there, hell or high water.”

***

Thursday, March 27th, arrived. The meeting was to be held at the Inter-Mol facility, and Marcus had all hands on board.

Matt arrived early and reviewed the various hardware components and got explanations from the technicians and was particularly impressed with what Clarence Chambers had done with some of the miniaturization. Marcus arrived right on time with Ling, and they got comfy around the large table.

Matt and Ling sat on opposite sides of the table. Matt realized they were paying more attention to each other than to the presentation. He had missed a whole minute of conversation, winking and smiling at Ling.

Oh shoot, this isn’t right, Matt thought.

“Marcus, I need to talk with Dr. Chang for a moment. Let’s hold on a bit. We’ll be back in a minute.”

Ling was puzzled. He led her down the hall, found an empty office, and closed the door once they were in.

“Matthew, what are you thinking?” Ling said in a coy, sexy voice.

“My dear,” he said softly, “we have to decide. These people have put a lot of time into this project, and we are not giving them a chance to show you what has been accomplished.”

“I know,” Ling dropped her head. “I wasn’t being very professional.”

Matt pulled her to him and gave her a long, hard kiss.

“I promise you more, but right now, we need to focus on this meeting. It has the potential to accomplish so much good.”

“You’re right. I promise to behave if you do,” A pout on her lips.

Matt laughed and, with his special smile, said, “You have my word—for now.”

They returned to the conference room. Matt suggested they might wish to start over.

The presentation was fantastic. With help, Ling placed the headgear on her head, and although it was awkward and heavy, she could see the various images on the monitors as they showed Dr. Chang's actual neuron activity.

The images were variations of gray but permitted evaluation, not only for brain activity but also for the type of function—visual, auditory, and muscle movement.

She could also identify patterns as team members spoke. The imager was completely different from a CT scan. She was seeing the electrical impulses of a functioning brain.

After almost thirty minutes, and again with help, she removed the weighty headgear.

“I apologize for how clumsy the piece is,” Marcus said. “We are working on technology that should reduce the weight.”

Dr. Chang held her palm up. “Ladies and gentlemen, I can only express my thanks and gratitude to each of you for what you have accomplished. You may view this as a hardware project and a corporate initiative, but what I have seen and experienced is a miracle that will save and restore many lives. The results from today are beyond my wildest expectations. I can say with absolutely no doubt that you have moved neurology research ahead by years.”

She gazed at Matt. “I knew that your people were dedicated to building good products. Today, I am reminded that you also are committed to building products for humanity’s good. This is a special day, and I am totally amazed.”

Matt sensed satisfaction dancing about the room, and within.

The meeting moved to the next phase of development, and Marcus offered that first-generation working models might be available by the end of the year. Dr. Chang was delighted and shook everyone’s hand, personally thanking each of them for their efforts.

The meeting broke up, leaving Matt and Marcus as the only ones in the room with Dr. Chang. Matt moved and took the seat next to Ling and asked Marcus to sit.

“Marcus, what you have done to coordinate and direct this project is nothing short of phenomenal, Matt said.

“I have had some thoughts about the direction and operation of the five corporations,” Matt peered into Marcus’ eyes, “and I need you to think seriously about two things. One is what you really want to do with the rest of your life, and the second is who, in your opinion, are the best people in this organization.”

The touch of Ling’s fingers on his hand caused him to stop and look her way.

What a beautiful smile, tripped through his thoughts before looking back at Marcus.

“I don’t need an answer now, but this time next month, can we talk again?”

“Matt, I’ll do my best to give you honest answers. Anything else?” Marcus grinned.

“No,” Matt said. Ling’s fingers tightened slightly around his. Matt squeezed back.

“Thanks, Marcus, for everything you’ve done, and let me know if you need to talk or if I can help in any way.”

Marcus nodded, his eyes flitting from Matt to Ling.

“I think it’s time I left you two alone.” He pushed from the seat.

Matt felt Ling start to pull her hand free from his. He squeezed gently, holding on.

“Marcus, we’ll be out in a bit.”

Marcus left and closed the door.

“Matt, he saw us holding hands. I don’t want him to have the wrong impression.”

“I don’t care who sees me holding your hand or who knows that we are seeing each other, and it is all I can do to keep from shouting to the world what you mean to me.”

Ling dropped her eyes, and when she raised them, tears budded. “I’ve been dreaming and hoping to hear those words from you. What you just said means so much to me.”

He leaned toward her, awkwardly grasped, and tried to kiss her as they sat in the swiveling chairs. It was comical.

“This isn’t working,” Matt chuckled. They stood, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight, rocking gently.

For the first time in many years, Matt felt desire in his body and wondered if this, too, was possible. Alive, he felt very much alive.

“Okay, when is your plane leaving?” He wanted to make the most of the rest of the day.

“I’m not due back until Monday morning.”

“Monday? Oh, I feel the need for a road trip!” he grinned and kissed her again.

“Road trip? Okay, whatever you want, Matthew?”

“Let’s get out of here.”

They met Marcus in the lobby and transferred Ling’s suitcase to Matt’s car.

“I took the liberty of calling Lucy and telling her that you were unavailable until further notice,” Marcus said, “but you will have to explain it to her when you get back. She is growing very suspicious of your impulsive behavior.”

“Me? Impulsive,” Matt chuckled.

Matt shook his hand, thanked him, and he and Ling were off.

At his house, he threw some things into a travel bag. Ling waited in the living room. Matt found her gazing at a photo of Elizabeth and Marilyn on the mantle.

“You must miss them very much.”

“Yes,” he said, “but it doesn’t hurt like it used to. I think they are happy for me. I’m not sure how I know, but I feel it from the inside out. It’s good now, thanks to you.”

Ling took his hand. Matt led her from the house, and they were on the road.

Matt called Joe.

“Hey brother, can you put me up for the night?”

“Delighted,” Joe chirped. “I’ll call Cynthia and let her know. We’ll be eating out.

“I’m not alone.”

“Oh, is Chris with you?” Joe asked.

“No, it’s not Chris, but it is someone you know.”

“Who?”

“Joe,” Matt paused, “you will just have to wait to find out. We will be there about 6:30.”

“You haven’t played games like this since we were kids,” Joe laughed over the phone.

“Maybe I’m having a second childhood.”

They hung up.

“Second childhood? Do you get to come out and play?” Ling asked.

“Yes,” Matt softly said, “but I would prefer not to play alone.”

They made the drive across Missouri and pulled into Joe’s driveway at about 6:15. Cynthia and Joe waited at the door.

The minute Ling stepped from the car, Joe blurted, “Well, I’ll be!”

Cynthia whooped, “Wow! How wonderful!”

Hugs got passed all around. Matt and Ling stowed their bags in separate rooms, and the foursome headed out to dinner.

Riding in the back of Joe’s car with Ling, Matt announced, “I’m in the mood for ribs,” as he squeezed Ling around the waist. Ling jumped, squealed, and whacked him on the arm.

“Do we need a chaperon back there?” Cynthia chirped.

“No, Ma’am,” Matt straightened, “I’ll behave.”

Matt ate most of a rack of ribs. He was more than a little bloated and, as soon as they got back to the house, begged for antacids.

“Matthew,” Ling chided, “you may feel like you’re going through a second childhood, but you still need to take care of yourself. Please, for me?”

Matt gazed at her and recognized he’d been a bit foolish, but he felt exhilarated and wanted to catch up on life. It dawned on him. That was what he was doing, making up for lost time and missed love. It sobered him. He knew he needed to be responsible.

Joe and Cynthia went to bed at about 10:00, and Matt and Ling sat together on the couch in the living room, cuddling together. Matt was still in his clothes, but Ling had changed to silk pajamas with long pants and a long-sleeved button-up top. They watched a romantic comedy, and somewhere around eleven, Matt realized that Ling was asleep. The realization came suddenly. He was holding in his arms a wonderful, beautiful woman.

Gazing at her, he lost himself in thoughts of her and hopes for his own life. He picked her up and realized that though she was not heavy, carrying her still took an enormous effort. He took her to Doug’s room, tucked her into bed, and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

Out of breath, he shuffled to the living room, turned off the TV and the lights, and walked back down the hall. He stopped at Doug’s door and knew he wanted to go in. After a moment, he continued to Charley’s room and, once in bed, fell asleep.

In the morning, Matt was roused by a kiss on the cheek and a “Good morning, handsome.” It was early, barely light outside. Ling was already dressed and coaxed him to get up and put on some comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

Matt was baffled but was soon dressed and joined her in the living room. Ling led him out the door, and off they went.

For the next forty minutes, they paced around the neighborhood, talking about the houses and lawns. The architecture and artistic qualities were the things Ling noticed. Matt saw more of the functionality and durability of the structures.

At first, walking was not an effort, and Matt kept pace easily, but as the thirty-minute mark approached, he could feel the effort taking its toll and realized he was in terrible physical shape.

They arrived back at Joe’s, Matt’s breathing slightly labored.

“Do you do this often?” he huffed the words as he snatched a breath.

“I usually run,” Ling said.

“Ru…Run?” He glanced at the limber body in front of him and recognized how athletic she was.

“Every day,” she smiled.

“I must be a real disappointment.”

“No, I just want you to remember that for every twenty minutes of aerobic exercise, you add two minutes to your life. I want you to live a very long time.”

She was still taking care of him, and he liked the thought. He would have to do something about exercise, and figured diet would be close behind.

They said goodbye to Joe and Cynthia around 9:00 and headed for Wichita. Ling still had no idea where they were going and could only tell they were driving southwest.

Matt called Chris and didn’t get an answer. He thought for a minute and realized that Chris was probably underground in the silo, so he called Charlotte.

He was wondering if she would answer and smiled when she did.

“Hello Matt, how are you doing!” Matt could hear the sound of hammers and saws in the background and figured she was at the big house.

“Charlotte,” Matt raised his voice to override the background noise, “I’m on my way to Wichita. Do you think I could find a bed at your place this weekend?

“Of course, it will be great to have you.”

“One more thing,” he added, “I’m not alone.”

“Is Joe coming?”

“No, it’s not Joe, but it is someone I think you know.”

“Well, Matt, who is it?”

“Be patient. We will be at the house about 12:30 and will be hungry.”

As the line disconnected, he could almost hear the wheels in Charlotte’s mind whirring as she worked to figure out who his mystery guest was.

“You are a tease,” Ling said, “and that poor woman is going to fret until we get there.”

Matt grinned. “Charlotte does not fret. I will bet you that by the time we get there, she will have figured it out.”

They drove on through the gently rolling countryside, a combination of pasture, freshly plowed fields, and wooded areas.

“I’m used to the busy city,” Ling said. “Buildings, streets, and the 24/7 bustle. This open landscape is like a different world to me.” She gazed out the window. “So much room to wander and, amazingly, be alone. Just us and nature,” Ling said.

She laid her head back and watched as the miles rolled by. “This is so wholesome.” She closed her eyes and dozed off.

***

Matt gently shook her. “We’re almost there, and I need to talk with you.”

Ling slowly woke, straightened herself, and stretched. “I’m awake. What is it, Matthew?”

“Ling, you know about the companies in St. Louis, but there is more that I am involved with.” He took a deep breath. “I do not want any secrets between us, and I need to know if I ask, will you keep a secret for me?”

He gently added, “No matter how much you want, you cannot tell anyone. You will have to be on guard not to let any part of it slip.”

“Matthew, if you say this is something I must keep a secret, then a secret it will forever be.”

She had made her commitment. Matt was moved and ashamed that he had asked for this promise. At the same time, he realized why he loved this woman. It hit him solidly and deeply. He loved this woman. He smiled and said it once more to himself. I love this woman.

Ling looked softly at him.

“I love you,” he said.

Ling eased over, kissing his cheek. “I love you so very much.”

They pulled into the Elsberry house drive. Charlotte stepped onto the porch as Matt put the car in park. Ling still held Matt’s arm and had her head on his shoulder as he turned off the engine. Matt knew Charlotte could see them and had no reservations as he raised Ling’s face to his and kissed her. After a long, deep kiss, Ling pulled away. “Meet you on the porch.” She was out of the car in a flash, dashing toward Charlotte, who raced to meet her. The two women crashed into an embrace, and Matt could tell they were excited, babbling, and hugging, and he wondered what he had missed. He strolled casually to them.

Charlotte reached out and hugged him. “I am so happy for you. Ling is the most wonderful visitor you could bring me.”

The girls giggled, laughed, and hugged more. Matt felt contented and had no need to say anything. He simply enjoyed, happy in the moment. The girls finally untangled, and Matt asked, “Is there something I need to know?”

“Only that you are the luckiest SOB in the world!” Charlotte said.

“I know,” Matt smiled.

He unloaded the luggage and put it in the two guest rooms.

“I didn’t have time to fix anything,” Charlotte said, “but there’s a nice sandwich shop down the road.”

They ate and were back at the house by the time the kids got home from school. Both demanded hugs from Matt, excited to see him. Charlotte eventually coaxed them to their rooms to do their homework. The adults headed to the kitchen to chat.

“It’s time I told you why we are here,” Matt said to Ling.

Charlotte slipped out, and Matt started telling the story about the event and the possible meaning of the phenomenon. He emphasized that they had agreed it was too dangerous to hand it over to the world. He told her everything, including Dr. Kumar’s involvement.

His voice was calm, but his eyes were bright as he said, “We are almost ready to start the process of real research and discovery.”

“Unbelievable,” Ling mumbled.

Matt promised to take her to the lab in the morning so she could see for herself.

“Matthew,” Ling interrupted, “I have always wondered what it was like to see dreams come true. I watch my patients as they struggle to recover, and on Thursday, you show me a way to make healing happen in a way and on a scale that was previously only a dream. Today, you tell me that you have discovered a new phenomenon and that it has the potential to change the world, and you are committed to making it happen, and if good cannot be found, you will destroy it to protect the world?”

She heaved a breath, her mouth moved for a second, but no words emerged.

“You are not just a dreamer,” Ling whispered, “you are a dream weaver.” The words came hushed. “My head says to be careful, but my heart tells me that I should help you every way I can, with every fiber of my being.” Their eyes met. “Just tell me how.”

Matt gazed at this woman, who became more beautiful by the minute.

“Be you. Be honest with me and don’t put me on a pedestal. I make mistakes. I will never be perfect, and what I need is someone who will love me even when I totally screw up.”

They got up and embraced silently, except for the whispers of their breath and the beating of their hearts. It felt like time stood still, and nothing else in the world mattered.

They walked in on Charlotte in the living room. “I called Marcy and asked if Doug could spend the night there,” Charlotte said. “She’s delighted to have him; says he’s becoming a great influence on Elvin and Emily.”

“What kind of influence is he on Ellie?” Matt asked.

“Marcy says that Ellie strides around full of pride and happy, and as Marcy puts it, she thinks Doug has had an especially good effect on her girl.”

Charlotte giggled, “She didn’t mention that Doug and Ellie are, at times, inseparable.”

“Young love,” Matt whispered.

“Marcy sent Elvin to tell Chris that you’re in town and to knock off early and get home.”

Matt glanced at his watch. It was near 4:00 p.m. “Let’s go to the big house. You can bring me up to date, and I really want Ling to see what you’re doing. We can call Chris and have him meet us there.”

The kids were always ready to go to the Big House. Soon, they were pulling onto the long drive. Matt could tell that Ling had the same feeling he had when he first saw it. Charlotte apologized for the mess and warned the kids that there were nails and splinters all around, so they could run outside as fast as they could, but not inside.

They were walking through, and Charlotte updated Matt on the progress. She rolled out a new set of plans with artistic renderings. Matt visualized how the rooms would look.

“What you see now is the peak of the demolition,” she said. “Starting next week, we begin putting things back together.”

“What do you think the timetable is likely to be?” Matt asked.

Charlotte flipped the plans to a page that showed the Gantt charts for every phase. There must have been seventy color-coded lines denoting each room and each step of the construction process. She pointed to the end of the farthest line. “Here.”

Matt looked; the date was July 15th, 2008.

“That’s fabulous,” he said.

Chris showed up a few minutes later, surprised to see Ling. Evidently, Charlotte had not mentioned her on the phone call.

They went to eat and then back to the Elsberry house.

Chris told everybody about how things were going and that the new elevator was working. They had started using it that day.

“We start preparing to set the equipment tomorrow in preparation for next week. Ellie suggested we suspend everything from above and place it so that the event happens with maximum open space. Doug rigged the support beams, so we’re ready.”

“This is exciting beyond my wildest imagination,” Ling said.

“Mine too,” Chris said.

“Mine too,” Charlotte added.

“Beyond all I ever believed possible,” Matt softly whispered, “but I truly feel we are meant to be here at this moment, and there is a purpose to what we are doing.”

It was getting late, and a tired Matt wanted to make an early start in the morning, so he decided to head to bed.

Ling wanted to talk to Charlotte for a few minutes.

Matt had just dozed off when his door opened. It wasn’t until he felt someone slipping into bed with him that he realized he wasn’t alone.

“I just want to be with you.” Ling whispered, “Even just to lie here with you is better than sleeping alone. I’ve slept alone too long, and tonight, I need your comfort.”

Matt rolled over and wrapped his arm around her. “I need you, too.”

The night was slow and long as Matt rediscovered feelings and emotions he had long suppressed. Ling responded to every touch and each caress. Passion filled her lips as they kissed. They were like magic together, and whether it was sheer desire or a pent-up need, they both found what they longed for.

Ling shook Matt at dawn. This time, she was not dressed for a run, quite the opposite. “Did you know that great sex is as good as a sixty-minute walk?”

Matt barked a loud laugh before clamping his mouth closed. “Oops, I should be extra quiet.”

“Don’t bother; they know.”

Matt laughed again. “Conspirators surround me.” It was another hour before they emerged and joined Charlotte in the kitchen.

***

The drive to the silo was about forty minutes from the Elsberry house. Charlotte had called Doug to let him know they would be out by 9:00. She had also checked online and switched Ling’s flight from St Louis to Wichita. She wouldn’t need to fly out until eight in the evening.

They arrived at the farm, where the entire Coblentz family promptly greeted them. It took about fifteen minutes for the small group to drive to the silo.

Matt watched as Ling peered from the car windows, swiveling her head in every direction. With the fields having been planted, they took a longer route, hugging the fence line, then followed the woods to the foot of the scrub-covered hill. Doug had driven down early, started the generator, and turned on the lights and fans. Chris drove right up to the scrub and parked.

Ling got out, looked at Matt, and motioned with her arm. “Where’s the silo?”

“You are standing on it,” Matt laughed.

That was the moment that the scrub started folding back, and the elevator came up from below. Ling looked questioningly.

“Missile Silo,” Matt said. “It’s all underground.”

Recognition flashed across Ling’s face. “Oh!”

They scrambled onto the platform, and Doug had them on the floor level of the access building in a few seconds.

Matt listened as Chris and Doug explained what they had done to prepare the silo for use. The two men had spent hours stringing lights and power cables, cleaning the walls and floors, and pumping out the pit of the silo itself. They went through the control room and described the equipment to Ling.

They finally came to a stopping point and took a break. Ling stepped to Matt and asked, “Do you understand what they just said?”

“Yes,” he said, “but I’ve heard it at least twenty times and have made them explain it in terms I could grasp. It’s like the acronyms in your paper, the ones I was clueless about until you helped me.”

“I see,” she said. “It’s all a matter of reference.”

Matt asked Chris to cue up the video, so Ling could see what started all the fuss.

She watched it through twice and could only stammer, “This is unbelievable.”

They headed for the silo. The new elevator was an old piece of equipment, but it was solid, and Doug had arranged for Eldridge to weld some supports to the silo walls. It seems he had mentioned something about not wanting Ellie to be in any danger.

The elevator descended one level at a time, and Matt explained the purpose of each level in relation to servicing a Titan II missile. It was 157 feet to the bottom, but they were not going all the way to the bottom. Chris stopped the elevator on the seventh level.

“This is where we’ll set the beam generator,” Chris said.

Matt gazed into the open void in front of him and saw the cross member from which the generator would be suspended.

So, it comes to this, he thought. Am I overreacting? Is the fate of the world really in my hands?

They spent about another thirty minutes going over details and then headed back up.

When they reached the top, Matt and Ling walked up and out of the stairwell. Ling covered her eyes for a second, the sun blinding bright. She and Matt strolled over to the pickup truck, and Matt boosted her onto the tailgate. He joined her there. “Well, what do you think?”

“Do you really know what you are getting into?”

“Yes, no.” He gazed into the cloudless sky. “It’s not a light burden, but the wonderful part is no one is carrying it alone. Each person you have met shares the vision of turning this discovery into something wonderful, and each one is prepared to let it go and forget it, if necessary.”

He straightened his back and looked deep into her eyes. “Ling, I am surrounded by extraordinary people whom I trust completely. I know we will succeed because we cannot afford to fail.”

She kissed him. “I am so very proud of you, and my promise to help in any way is still yours.”

They drove back to the Coblentz farmhouse. Marcy had a good lunch ready. The table was crowded and loud, but it was so much fun that nobody cared.

Matt and Ling took a break from the commotion and walked out into Eldridge’s wheat fields. They saw row upon row of planted grain. Nothing had yet sprouted, but they sensed it soon would.

Matt turned and held her to him, looking in her eyes. “In a little while, I’m going to have to let you get on a plane and leave me. It may be the hardest thing I have ever done. Please tell me these past days are real and that I’m not dreaming.”

His eyes questioned, and he was desperate for her answer.

“Matthew, what I feel in my heart for you is more real to me than the ground we are standing on or the air that I breathe. You are my reality, and I loathe leaving you for even a few seconds. I know that you are my life and my joy, so when we are apart, just remember how much I want to be with you again.”

Holding him close, she whispered, “My dear, it is sad, but at this time, we both have missions that take us in different directions physically, but they cannot separate our hearts.”

Matt just held her; they swayed in the gentle breeze and smelled the fresh land about them, and life was good.

The two lovers strolled back to the house, and Matt pulled his phone from his pocket. “Let’s compare schedules.”

They realized that the weekend of April 19-20 was free. Matt said he would come to Houston. He drove her to the airport, and they reluctantly and emotionally said goodbye.

It hurt so much knowing they were going to be apart. Then, she was gone.

Matt drove back to the Elsberry house and found Charlotte waiting for him. She had set a new pot of coffee on the kitchen table and told Matt to sit.

Charlotte shared Ling’s confession at the hospital when he had his breakdown, how she had loved him almost from the first words they had spoken. She asked Matt how he felt, and he told her how hard it was to let her go. He was crazy about her.

“I begrudge every second that we are apart!”

“Matt, are you afraid?”

Matt thought about it and was confused. “Afraid of what?”

“Are you afraid that you could lose Ling, like Marylyn and Elizabeth?”

The thought of letting Ling out of his sight was painful but realizing there was even the remotest risk of losing her was terrifying. Matt’s hands trembled, and his voice quivered as he stared at Charlotte. “Yes.”

“Think about that,” Charlotte told him. “It’s good to care that much, but it’s bad if you let it cripple you and keep you from your purpose in life.

“Matt, I believe the last thing Ling would want you to do is not live your life completely because you were worried about her. She loves you because of the man you are. You don’t have to prove it, and you don’t have to change for her. Quite the opposite, being Matt is what she wants you to do most.”

Matt thought hard about what Charlotte said and responded with a broad smile. “How in the world did you get to be so damn smart!”

“Honest men are easy to understand,” she said.

Matt headed to bed, pulled a pillow around, and pressed it against his chest, but it wasn’t the same as holding the one he loved.