Core Beliefs - Chapter 20 - New Man in Town

Core Beliefs – Chapter 20 - New Man in Town

On the plane, Dr. Kumar commented, “It appears you have extended your relationship with Dr. Chang since our correspondence?”

“She’s amazing,” Matt said. “I would probably be dead if not for her extraordinary efforts to save me.”

  Matt told Dr. Kumar about his breakdown and the wonders worked by Dr. Chang.

Dr. Kumar raised an eyebrow. “In my country, we do not talk about mental conditions. The stigma can hurtfully mark a family. I know it is wrong, but our society is rooted in old ways.” He paused, took a breath, and looked steadily into Matt’s eyes. “Your honesty and integrity ever more impress me.” He smiled as he added, “I am also very grateful that Dr. Chang helped you at such a time. We all need to be more open to helping those around us.”

They arrived in Wichita at about 9:00 p.m. and found Doug waiting at the airport to pick them up in a new Tahoe. Evidently, he had decided what to do with Matt’s paycheck.

  What surprised Matt was that Ellie Coblentz was with him. Doug drove them to the Elsberry house, where Charlotte and Chris greeted them warmly. It seemed that Doug was going to spend the night at the Coblentz place, and Matt was going to get to use his room. Dr. Kumar would have the guest bedroom.

This was Matt’s first trip to the Elsberry house, and he could tell Charlotte had things in order. Most of the furniture came from St. Louis, but there were also new items that finished the house with the impeccable style that Charlotte brought to everything she touched.

The adults sat down, the kids already in bed, and the four of them talked about the events of the last several months. Matt recapped the expenditures to date for Chris.

"Mr. Lehman,” Dr. Kumar exclaimed, “you have poured so much of your wealth into this project!”

“I’ll sell everything to see this through.” Matt’s words were spoken calmly. “Chris, give the Doctor an overview of the experiment.”

While Dr. Kumar and Chris delved into the technical details, Matt and Charlotte headed to the kitchen. Charlotte had retained an architect to help with the renovation of the new house. She rolled out the old plans for Matt.

Up to this point, Matt only had verbal descriptions of the property. Gazing at the drawings, the size of the house, the surrounding buildings, and the land came into focus. Matt realized what an amazing deal Charlotte had struck.

She showed where she proposed making changes to modernize the house, including adding bathrooms, enlarging certain areas, and updating appliances and fixtures. Matt mentioned that they needed to make allowances for state-of-the-art electronics, and other requirements.

At about midnight, everyone adjourned for the night.

***

The morning was cold, and Dr. Kumar had not brought a coat suitable for the weather. Chris lent him one, and following a quick breakfast, the three men headed for the farm.

No one had informed Dr. Kumar about the silo; therefore, he was not entirely sure where they were going. In fact, even Matt wasn’t sure where Chris was taking them.

It seemed Chris added about thirty minutes of driving time. Taking a number of dirt roads and, at times, in directions leading away from the farm.

When they finally arrived at the farm. Matt was caught off guard as Marcy raced out the door, down the steps, and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him on each cheek.

As they broke apart, “What was that for?”

“For being the most wonderful, generous, and caring man in the world, and for coming back to us. You don’t know how much we worried and how much I prayed for you!”

Matt, blushing, feeling very uncomfortable with Marcy’s words and actions, spotted Eldridge striding across the yard toward him. The giant of a man did not look amused.

“Did you just see what your wife did?” Matt shrank back.

Eldridge looked at him coldly. Matt was contemplating turning and running from what looked like a jealous husband.

The big man finally smiled. “Good thing she did give you them hugs and kisses, because if she didn’t, I’d have.”

Sudden joy flooded Matt. He stepped to the big man, and the two embraced, Eldridge all but squishing the air from Matt.

Everyone laughed, Doug so hard he couldn’t catch his breath, and neither could Matt.

It took a minute, but finally, the scene calmed, and Chris introduced Dr. Kumar to the Coblentz family.

“What are you up to?” Matt asked Eldridge.

“Working on the tractor, getting it ready to get the fields ready for plantin’. I got Elvin helpin’ me.”

He smiled at his wife. “Marcy and Emily are going to get lunch ready.”

***

Chris’s truck and Doug’s SUV made the cross-country trek. When they arrived at the site, Matt noticed a lot of scrub piled around the entrance stairway. Eldridge had stacked a couple of dozen big round bales of hay near the entrance. Matt realized the generator and gas storage were probably tucked behind the bales.

Chris parked about twenty yards short of the entrance. “We’ll walk the rest of the way.”

“Where is your facility?” Dr. Kumar turned in circles. “Is it hidden in the woods or over the hill?”

Doug had slipped ahead and disappeared. The sound of the generator firing up broke the quiet.

Dr. Kumar spun and stared in the direction from which the noise originated. A clanking sound was soon added to the mix. A patch of scrub shook before folding back to one side. The lift began to emerge from the ground.

Matt hadn’t seen the elevator work and was fascinated as it rose from the depths with Doug riding it up.

Chris and Ellie were already walking.

“Better hurry, or you’ll be left behind,” Doug hollered.

Matt and Dr. Kumar hustled up the mound, and once all were on board, Doug hit the down button.

The rooms were well lit, even if it was with the strings of construction lights. Dr. Kumar twisted to view every inch of the interior as they descended, his eyes wide in amazement.

At the bottom, Chris led the group to the first blast door. It was closed, but as Chris pulled, the huge door swung smoothly on its hinges.

Dr. Kumar gasped as he perceived the thickness of the steel silo entry door. “What is this place?”

“There’s more,” Matt said, “so be patient and enjoy the tour.”

They went through the blast portal to the second massive door on their left. Doug grabbed it, threw his weight into the tug, and pulled it open. It required more effort. They proceeded down the lit passageway, with its rusty surface and steel ribs, and came to the entrance of the control room.

Stepping in, Matt could tell that a major clean-up had been undertaken. Around the room were assorted tables, some with computers and others with lab and electronic equipment.

Emergency lights had been mounted on the wall, and new fluorescent lights dangled from the ceiling.

“This is the control room,” Chris said.

He pointed out each element and its function. “We only really started setting this area up two weeks ago and still have massive amounts of work to do before we’re ready to attempt to recreate the event.”

Matt, Doug, and Ellie stood to one side while the two scientists bantered back and forth over the function and philosophy of the experiment and the hardware.

Matt watched closely as Dr. Kumar became more engaged and animated. He was at one moment questioning Chris about why he had done something a particular way, and the next praising him for solving a problem that the doctor would have struggled with.

Matt felt the two men were communicating and, at times, almost communing.

Matt sneaked a peek at his watch and interrupted the conversation.

“Would it be appropriate to break for lunch?”

“Yes,” Chris said, “after I show Dr. Kumar one more thing.”

Chris led everyone down the metal spiral stairs to the lower level of the control room. There on a table, still in its crate, was the beam generator.

“This is the main element responsible for creating the event.” Chris gently eased it out of the crate, Doug slid the crate off the table, and Chris delicately set the device down.

Dr. Kumar walked over and reached out, touching it almost in a caressing manner. He sighed, “Never in my life have I been in such awe. I am most honored to have the chance to work with you and must say that my admiration for what you have accomplished is beyond my ability to adequately express.”

“I guess that means you like what you see?” Matt asked.

Dr. Kumar stepped forward to Matt, extended his hand, and as the two men shook, he said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you have permitted me to be a part of your team.”

“It’s good to have you on board.”

Somewhere deep inside, that mysterious sensation trickled through Matt, the one that time and again told him he had chosen wisely.

They made the trek back to the surface, this time using the stairs. Chris and Dr. Kumar took one car, and Matt rode with Doug and Ellie.

“How are you coming with the silo?” Matt asked Doug.

“It’s secure and clean, but there’s a lot of work needed to get it ready for the next attempt at the experiment. We had a time getting the stuff off the walls and floor.”

“It’s a fungus,” Ellie chimed in, “very unique. I think it might be able to be grown to generate methane for fuel. The output is phenomenal, and under the right conditions, a tremendous volume of gas could be produced in a small area.”

Matt listened, fascinated as this country girl rattled off concentration numbers and purity levels one after another. He was so engrossed that he didn’t realize they had rolled up to the farmhouse.

“Gotta’ go help Mom,” Ellie said as she stepped from the Tahoe.

Matt tugged on Doug’s sleeve. “Is what she had said legitimate?”

“Uncle, that little lady is the valedictorian of her senior class this year and is smarter than me and Charley put together. Don’t let the country clothes and appearance fool you. She is one special cookie.”

Matt smiled; he could see that Doug was serious, and he suspected that the young man was smitten.

Lunch was good. By the time the meal was finished, Matt was ready for a nap, but there was more to be done.

The afternoon was spent on a full tour of the silo. When they first stepped into the missile bay, Dr. Kumar gasped, “I now know what this facility is!”

“Oh? What is it?” Matt asked.

“It is perfect! There is no better place I can think of to carry out the type of research that we are discussing.”

Chris led them down the stairs to the next level. Matt knew there would be a big hole in the middle, but he was not prepared for the seven levels they encountered as they made their way toward the bottom. Chris pointed out that there was also a floor above where they came in. Each of the floors wrapped around the silo in a circular pattern, with the outer silo wall on one side and an inner silo wall on the other.

There were access portals to the silo itself. They opened one, and Matt and Dr. Kumar peered in.

Matt finally grasped the magnitude of the core. Chris apologized that the stairs were the only way up and down. It looked like the service elevator for the silo had never been installed. Chris advised that, in order to properly utilize that part of the facility, it would take significant legwork.

Dr. Kumar discussed aloud the possibility of various labs on different levels and again emphasized how perfect the structure was.

It took most of the afternoon to navigate the silo, and by the time they climbed back to the tunnel to the blast portal, Matt was exhausted and could tell Dr. Kumar was winded as well.

They said their goodbyes to the Coblentz family, and Chris drove Matt and Dr. Kumar back to town. Chris and Dr. Kumar sat up very late, deep in discussion, reviewing the experiment and the available data.

Matt joined Charlotte and the kids in the living room and played a game of Monopoly. Jacob was particularly good, and after about two hours, he won.

Janet said she had read the “Hobbit” and really liked it and was keeping it in her room. She was reading “The Lord of the Rings” but was having trouble with the names and the funny letters.

“Bring me the book,” Matt smiled. He spent the rest of the evening, up to bedtime, helping her with the names and the Elfish runes.

He glanced up once as Janet sat on his lap to see a warm smile from Charlotte. He felt incredibly great, the happiest he had been in over a decade.

***

The next day, Sunday, Matt let Chris take Dr. Kumar back to the silo. They had decided that since they were not ready to retry the experiment, it would be best to review the data in more detail.

Matt, Charlotte, and the kids were going to see the Big House. Matt shared the same sense of awe as others as the beautiful old house appeared before him.

“Magnificent, Charlotte, this is a place like in dreams and movies.”

“It can be,” she said, “but it needs about $100,000 worth of renovations.”

Matt and Charlotte walked through the house, with Charlotte pointing out her thoughts on the rooms and outlining what she felt should be done. The kids were, as usual, running here and there, enjoying the vastness and all the places to let their imaginations run wild.

Charlotte had arranged for some temporary heat to prevent damage during the winter. She also interviewed contractors to choose the best for the job.

Matt was more than impressed as Charlotte pointed out the walls that would have to be reinforced and where the plumbing would have to be relocated. Then there was the electrical wiring, which she felt strongly should be totally replaced to eliminate all the old aluminum wiring.

“I thought your degree was in psychology?” Matt stopped her.

“It is,” she laughed, “but my dad was a general contractor, and I grew up around building projects. It almost broke his heart when I didn’t go into the family business.”

“Once again, I am overwhelmed by your multitude of abilities and can only say that you amaze me.”

Charlotte blushed and kissed Matt on the cheek. “You still don’t know how precious you are to us.”

Matt smiled and walked on as Charlotte continued the discourse on changes and modifications.

They finished out behind the house, looking at the backyard and the prairie beyond.

“Charlotte, don’t try to do it all yourself,” Matt said. “Get the help you need. Hire designers to flesh out your ideas, and if you need more than one contractor to get the job done, then hire two or three.”

He gazed into her blue eyes.

“You should be the dreamer and cast the vision. Let others do.”

Matt stood and looked at the structure; it was already beautiful, but he imagined what Charlotte could do with it if given a chance. “You have no budget limit. I want you to make this dream come true.”

Charlotte’s face paled for a second. Her eyes crinkled a tad as moisture pooled in the corners. She gave Matt another hug and kiss.

“I promise you will fall in love with this home by the time I’m done with it.”

They headed back to the Elsberry house and waited for Chris and Dr. Kumar to arrive. Matt had 7:00 a.m. tickets that would get them back to Houston in time for Dr. Kumar to make his panel discussions.

Matt hoped to see Ling again, and when he told Charlotte about their date, she smiled. “You and Ling spending time together is a good thing.”

Matt called Ling and told her he would be back in Houston on Monday, asking if she would have time for lunch or supper. Ling said she had multiple surgeries and could break free for supper but needed to stay near the hospital.

Happy sensations zapped Matt when he heard her voice, and his heart leaped when she agreed to meet to eat.

***

On the flight back, Dr. Kumar was a different man. Instead of the skeptical and questioning Professor Matt had met in India. This man was enthusiastic, and as he put it, on fire for this project.

“Mr. Lehman, I would prefer it if you would call me Suchet. I feel as if in these few days I have found more family, and the next time you come to India, you will meet my wife and children!”

Matt knew Dr. Kumar was married and had children from the report Charlotte had prepared, but this was the first time they had been mentioned.

“I would love to meet them,” Matt said. “I hope that will be very soon.”

“Mr. Lehman.”

“Call me Matt.”

Suchet paused and smiled. “I am honored. I must tell you that in all my life, I have felt that I could not find true purpose. I sense I have found it.” He lowered his head before continuing softly. “I will also say the people I have met, your friends and associates, are as fine as any I have ever been allied with. I am grateful beyond any words I can say.”

The rest of the flight was quiet. Matt reflected on the week’s events, and Suchet seemed lost in another realm.

***

Matt lazed around the resort for most of the day and called Ling at about 5:00 to see if things were still on. She said that it would be about 8:00 before she was free, and she really didn’t have time to clean up. Could they dine casually close by? Even a burger would be fine.

Matt thought about it and asked where he should pick her up.

“The main entrance at Baylor Medical. Meet you in the lobby.”

While it was freezing in Kansas, it was almost 75 degrees in Houston. He obtained a city map from the concierge and began searching for places near the medical center. There were restaurants, fast-food places, and all the usual fare. Matt spotted a park close to the medical center with a lake and fountains. The idea bloomed like so many did, and in three breaths, he had a vision for what he wanted the night to be.

He made a couple of calls to ensure the park remained open at night. He asked the concierge about caterers and was recommended one. Another call confirmed they knew where the park was, and he arranged for a meal to be staged near the fountains.

At 7:30, he rolled up to the hospital and handed the cabby $50.00 to wait for him.

He sat in the lobby, constantly glancing at his watch and counting the minutes and seconds, growing increasingly nervous, his foot tapping in time with each passing tick.

At 8:05, she appeared out of a side door for staff only, still in her white smock and scrubs. Matt gazed at her and thought she had never looked more beautiful.

He stood, walked to her, and without hesitation, kissed her on the lips, not a long kiss but one that said more than, I’m glad to see you. She returned the kiss.

“Where are we going?” She asked as he opened the cab door.

“It’s just a couple of minutes from here.”

“That’s good. I’m afraid I may get called back quickly. One of my patients is not doing as well as we would like.”

Matt understood but hoped they would have some time to enjoy the evening. The cab pulled up to the park entrance, and Matt rushed around to open her door. He could tell she was confused.

“Matthew, there is no restaurant here?”

“Tonight, there is.”

A row of Tiki lights burned as they walked down the path toward the illuminated fountain. As they reached the end of a row of oleander bushes lining the path, Matt spied a table and two chairs, backlit by a beautiful sparkling sculptured fountain. A few feet from the table, two waiters stood behind a table with silver chafing dishes and a lit Sterno under them.

Ling spun to Matt and gazed into his eyes. He could see hers were moist, but her face glowed.

“How did you, why?”

Suddenly, she threw her arms around his neck. They kissed long and deep, and for the first time in years, Matt was truly alive.

Even though it was just moments before they broke apart, it seemed like the kiss lasted forever.

Matt took her arm and led her to the table. Though the air had a slight chill, he didn’t feel it. Taking his jacket off, he placed it around her shoulders and helped her to a seat.

The waiters were quick and placed the meal before them. Matt had instructed them to keep it simple. He didn’t know how much time they would have. The main course and sides, along with a dessert, were what he wanted, and that is what they provided.

It was delicious—a baked fish dish with scallops, accompanied by very tasty noodles and vegetable sides. There was also wine, and it was very good.

They ate and gazed into each other’s eyes, not saying much. Occasionally contemplating the joyous fountain but mostly lost in what seemed a perfect moment.

They had just taken the first bites of dessert when Ling’s pager went off. She looked at Matt. A sad expression made his heart melt, and he knew she had to go. He motioned to the caterer.

“The doctor needs to get to Baylor Medical Center immediately. Can you help?”

“I will take you in my truck.”

Four minutes later, they reached the hospital entrance. Ling gave Matt one more kiss and raced through the entrance.

He stood for a minute, hoping she would come running back, but he knew their wonderful night was over.

He ambled back to the catering van and peeled off two hundred dollars for a tip.

His flight out was very early the next morning, so he hailed a cab and headed for a hotel at the airport.

***

Ling called Matt in the morning, but he was on a flight, and her message went to his voicemail. He received it when he turned on the phone in St. Louis.

“Matthew, this is Ling. I just wanted to tell you that last night was the most special and wonderful night of my life, and I want you to know that you mean more to me than anyone ever has. I will wait with anticipation and everlasting hope for the next time I can be with you.”

Her voice was warm and full of happiness, and every word held him as if caught in a spell. He bumped into people as he walked through the airport, listening to her words over and over. Even in baggage claim, he almost grabbed the wrong luggage from the conveyer—twice.

***

At 3:00 p.m., Matt bounced into the office of the head of psychiatry.

He plopped onto the couch. “How are you doing, Doc!”

The doctor noted the behavior and replied that he was doing well, then asked what was going on in his life.

“So, doc, is it true you can’t really tell anyone what’s said in these sessions?” Matt chuckled.

“I can only reveal things if a patient were at risk of hurting themselves or someone else.” Doc's response was flat, without emotion.

Matt smiled and told the doctor how he and his team were working on things that could benefit the world. He wrapped up recounting his date with Ling. He could tell the doctor was contemplating his words, wondering if he was delusional or if it was real. Mostly, Doc seemed interested in how Matt felt about Dr. Chang.

“Doc, I have not been this happy and free since Marylyn and Elizabeth were alive, and I think they would be very happy for me.”

“That is quite enough for this session.” The doctor smiled. “Unless you feel the need to come in, I recommend you come back in three months for a follow-up, but as far as I’m concerned, you are on a good road.”