Core Beliefs - Chapter 43 - New Beginnings

Core Beliefs – Chapter 43 - New Beginnings

Matt and Ling packed on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and drove Ling’s rental to Kansas City; Matt hadn’t replaced the Buick.

Ling paid careful attention as he drove, evaluating his reflexes and coordination. As time passed, she became comfortable, knowing he had complete control. They stopped briefly to visit Joe and Cynthia, appreciative of the chance to rest before heading for Wichita.

***

It was almost 7:00 p.m. when they pulled into the drive for Armonia House. Even in winter, the place could warmly welcome a soul, and Ling felt a special pull remembering the July party and that wonderful night with her man.

Matt hadn’t even pulled the car to a stop when the front door flew open, and the kids were running. Matt and Ling were greeted like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, all wrapped into one.

Charlotte and Chris were right behind, welcoming with hugs and kisses. Chris and Jacob grabbed luggage.

“Your room is the same as last time,” Charlotte whispered to Ling.

Ling smiled widely. “Matt, do you remember that room?”

He pinched her on the backside. “You better believe I remember it.”

Ling squirmed and laughed. The kids giggled.

Crossing the threshold to the room, Matt’s memories flooded back, how Charlotte had worked so hard to bring the home to this beautiful reality. This was reality, a reality he’d lost and found again.

He hugged Charlotte fiercely and kissed her on the cheek. “This is not just a house, but a home with a heart and soul.”

His emotions flushed to the surface. They gave him space and let him wander through the rooms.

“Have you eaten?” Charlotte asked.

“We had something at Joe’s, just a snack,” Matt answered.

“Let’s fix that.” Chris headed for the kitchen.

After a short tour, Charlotte led them to the family room.

***

Ling all but melted. Charlotte had designed it with one purpose: a place where families were together. No TV. Board games on the floor and comfy pillows everywhere. Books were stacked here and there, and pictures perched everywhere. A touch of envy emerged as Ling wished that a place like this had been part of her childhood.

Matt spotted the Monopoly game and challenged anyone who wanted to play. The kids were in, and soon, it was the whole house.

Chris joined just as they were doling out the money, two large pizzas in hand. They played for hours, wheeling and dealing. In the end, it was Charlotte who owned everything.

Ling watched the twinkle in Matt’s eyes as he interacted with the kids.

***

The next morning, Matt and Ling drove to the Wichita airport to pick up Ling’s mother, Susan. They waited at the terminal. When she appeared, Ling hesitantly stepped to her with Matt slightly behind.

Susan Chang was as tall as Ling, mature but still shapely. She had brown eyes and blond hair, which made Matt think it had been colored. Matt thought the heavy makeup and lipstick meant she had dressed up to meet them. He would find out later that Susan routinely spent significant time on her appearance.

“Hello, Mom, I’m really glad you came,” Ling said.

“Well,” Susan nervously said, “you were pretty insistent, and I figured I didn’t have any other plans, so why not come for a free meal?”

“Mom, I want you to meet someone. This is Matthew Lehman.”

Susan eyed Matt. Her expression made it clear she wondered what her daughter saw in this man. Her stare repeatedly drifted to his head. Matt’s hair was just starting to grow back, but not enough to comb. It also tended to spike in different directions, particularly where the highly visible Frankenstein-like scars ran across his scalp. Honestly, he was on the ugly side.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Chang. Welcome to Kansas,” Matt shook her hand.

They collected Susan’s bag and headed for the car. Ling’s rental was a Nissan and, though nice, was not fancy.

Susan glanced around, arms folded across her chest, obviously not impressed.

“Are you still doctoring in Houston?” Susan asked Ling.

“I’m on leave from the university and hospital, but I’m still associated with both.”

“You know, Ling is a really good doctor,” Susan said to Matt.

“I am very familiar with her work. She is a brilliant doctor and much more.”

“Yep,” Susan countered, “I’ve heard buttery words like that before. That’s until a man gets what he wants.”

The rest of the drive became coldly quiet.

They turned onto the drive and up the lane to Armonia House. Susan’s eyes widened as they approached.

“Wow! This is someplace. Is this like a bed-and-breakfast or something?” Susan asked.

“No, Mom, this belongs to-”

“Oh, look!” Matt shouted. “It’s Charlotte and the kids!”

Ling stared questioningly at Matt for a five-count.

Charlotte had already crossed the yard to the drive by the time Ling shifted the car into park.

Ling made the introductions.

“This is a real nice place you have here,” Susan said.

Charlotte accepted the compliment, glancing towards Matt. Jacob took the suitcase from Matt and carried it into the house. Charlotte introduced Janet and identified Jacob just as he disappeared through the door.

A chilled burst of wind coaxed them to hurry to the house. Charlotte invited Susan to take a short tour before freshening up.

Matt touched Ling’s hand. She heard him in her mind. “She will know and understand soon enough. Move with the current. You will know when the time is right.”

Ling knew in her heart he was right, and though she was afraid, she knew she needed to try to reach her mother.

Chris came in as Charlotte finished the tour and got introduced.

“You got a right pretty house,” Susan said to Chris.

Chris smiled and glanced at Matt, who just nodded.

“Hey Matt, I’m heading to the silo. Want to come? Chris asked.

Matt glanced at Ling, who nodded for him to go. She knew this elaborate staging was to give her a time and place to confront her mom and herself.

Matt hugged her and slipped into her mind. “Remember, above all else, I love you.”

Matt and Chris headed out. Charlotte had coffee in the kitchen and showed the way. They sat at the table and chatted. Susan talked about how Ling had always been a trooper and had pretty much done as she wanted as a kid, and expressed surprise when Ling got several scholarships and took off for college.

“I don’t know that I saw her twice a year for the next seven years,” Susan said. “Always studying. Way too busy for me, and now that she’s all famous!”

Ling sat quietly, breaking on the inside.

“Why don’t I show you your room?” Charlotte said. “You can get settled, and then Ling can show you the garden.”

The two women headed upstairs, leaving Ling alone in the kitchen. Raw, her nerves, her emotions, everything frayed, trying to rip her apart. The constant yelling and fights still burned in her gut. Her father’s beatings.

Her older brother got fed up, joined the Army, and was stationed in Germany. When he got out, he stayed there. Never called, never wrote, and then he’d died in a climbing accident.

It hurt; it all hurt, and Ling felt her heart coming unglued.

Charlotte slipped behind her, leaned down, and hugged her gently.

“I don’t know the history between you and your mom, but I sense that it isn’t very warm.” Charlotte’s voice was soft and compassionate. “We all have things in our lives we regret. The sad part is we can’t undo what’s been done. The good part is that if we really want, we can start anew. Is that what you want to do?”

Ling nodded.

Charlotte handed her a Kleenex. “I am here to help if I can, but I think you have to be the one who pushes aside old barriers and lays the foundation for new bridges. I don’t think your mother understands how you feel, and though you may think you know how she feels. I think she’ll surprise you.”

Charlotte paused. “She will be down in a moment. I suggest you find your courage and be ready to let your heart talk, not your brain, not your pain. Ling, you are stronger than you know. You can do this.”

A few minutes later, Susan came into the kitchen.

“Would you like to see the gardens?” Ling had barely composed herself,

“Sure.”

They slipped on jackets and stepped out the back. Even in winter, the garden’s design was lovely to behold. The fountains were still running, and the evergreen shrubs and trees still gave the grounds color and style.

Ling told her mom about how the house looked when Charlotte found it and how she had transformed it into this beautiful place.

“It must have cost a boatload!” Susan exclaimed, gazing at the magnificent home.

“What’s this Charlotte do to get all the dough for a place like this?” Susan asked.

“She cares for their children and much more. Charlotte is an amazing woman.” Ling said.

“She doesn’t have to work?” Susan asked.

“No,” said Ling, “Chris works very hard, but he and Charlotte are a team, and he couldn’t begin to do what he does without Charlotte’s help.”

“What does that young man do?” Susan asked.

“He works for Matt.” Ling hadn’t intended to blurt it out, but the words popped out for God and everyone.

“You mean that man pays Chris enough for all this?” Susan’s mouth dropped.

“Mom, let’s sit down?” They walked to a wood bench nestled under an arbor. “Mom, Matt is the single most wonderful and amazing human being I have ever met. He is by far the most important person in my life, but I need to talk to you about something different.”

Susan’s expression made it clear she questioned where this was going.

Ling summoned all her courage. “Mom, for as long as I can remember, I have hated you.” It came out all wrong. Ling felt years of pain and anger in her words, regretting them instantly.

Susan started to stand, but Ling grabbed her arm and begged, “Please hear me out, Mother.”

Ling pleaded, and her face reflected her deep anguish.

Susan slowly sat.

“I don’t anymore,” Ling pled. “I want you to know that I do love you. I am ashamed of the way I’ve treated you over these years.”

Ling swiped her eyes, trying to catch her tears before they emerged. Her heart hammered in her chest. Every fear she’d held of this moment stomped across her memories.

“If I could take back every mean word, every disrespect, every deliberate hurt I have dumped in your life, I still would not be worthy of your forgiveness or your love.” Ling shuddered, tears budding.

“I can’t ever earn that now.” Ling’s voice was barely a whisper. “All I can do is tell you how sorry I am and beg you to give me a chance to show you that I do love you, care about you, and want you in my life!” Ling was emotionally exhausted. Her nose dribbled. She looked a total mess. She wasn’t alone.

***

Susan’s face reflected the broken heart in her bosom, torn to the quick by the words of a daughter whom she thought despised her. Now, as she listened and knew what she heard was real and true, it broke her open.

Susan knew too well all Ling had endured in their home and understood why Ling felt the way she did. Susan had not supported, encouraged, or protected Ling. She knew why the anger had been there. Susan had not been prepared to face her responsibility. The fear of her husband and their tattered life had blinded her. Now, she saw it all clearly.

“Ling, my beautiful Ling,” Susan choked the words out. “I never felt worthy of you. You were so bright, strong, and able. I was jealous and resentful. If there is anyone who needs to be asking forgiveness, it’s me.”

Pausing, she looked deeply into her daughter’s eyes, truly seeing her little girl for the first time since Ling was a child.

“You have always been my pride and joy, and I never stopped loving you. I just forgot how to say it and show it.

“I’ve lived such an empty life shutting you out, and it made me bitter. Please forgive me. Give me another chance. I need you so much it hurts, and I am in misery!”

Mother and daughter lunged into an embrace, echoing, “I’m sorry.”

They held each other for a long time, with frequent sobs and bouts of tears. They finally calmed, spiritually changed, freed of the demons and burdens that had haunted their lives, and though it was cold in the garden and cloudy skies rolled overhead, both felt a new light and warmth brightening from within. They rose and strolled around the garden, this time arm in arm.

“So, this Matthew—he’s pretty special, huh?”

“The most special and spectacular man in the world.”

“So,” Susan hesitated, “you two are together?”

Ling sucked in a breath and peered. “Mom, he is my life, and I am his. Our souls and spirits are bound in a way that I cannot explain, but I assure you it is absolutely real, and we will never be parted!”

The conviction in Ling’s voice and the sureness in her eyes drove any doubts from Susan’s head. “All I want for you is that you are happy. I think you are.”

“Mom,” Ling laughed, “beyond what any words could express, and having you here makes it that much better.”

“So, what does this Matthew do?”

Ling spent the next half-hour in animated gestures as she talked about Matt’s companies and what each did. She described the things they produced, making people healthy and the world better. She talked about the neuroimager, what a breakthrough it was, and how she would be able to treat people in new ways and restore abilities lost.

Susan was overwhelmed as her daughter went on and on about this man and all he had done.

When Ling finally came to a pause, Susan added, “And he’s made my daughter a very happy woman.”

They laughed, arm in arm, and started walking back to the house.

Charlotte watched and smiled.

***

After stopping for an emotional welcome by Eldridge, Marcy, and Emily at the farmhouse, Matt and Chris arrived at the silo. Instead of the scrub, the new steel building was up, and they went in through a regular door. It had a concrete floor and lights, making the interior bright, and scattered about were boxes of materials and building supplies.

“Looks a little different from what I remember, but I like it,” Matt said. “You’ve been busy.”

“You are about to find out just how busy,” Chris laughed.

They took the elevator down and made the trek to the control room. Matt was surprised to see the whole crew—Ellie, Doug, Charley, and, of course, Suchet—greeted Matt with applause.

“Well, Uncle Matt,” Doug said, “welcome to the most magical place on earth. Sit down, because we have got news for you!”

Suchet pushed a rolling office chair over for Matt. “I must tell you that what has happened here in the last month exceeds all scientific advancements in the last hundred years!”

Matt could sense the collective excitement as they related the numerous experiments and the extraordinary discoveries. It was not a jumbled presentation. Despite bouncing from one person to another, the information was concise and coordinated. Matt felt what he was hearing was off the charts, right into the realm of fantasy.

“Let’s see if I got it all,” Matt said. “You have converted any number of molecular materials into other elements or molecular compounds, and you believe that eventually, you will be able to create any element or molecule you want, even out of air. You also say that you have successfully generated an antimatter power supply that provides unending energy, has no contamination or byproducts, and is completely safe.

“Next, you tell me that you have isolated and are researching a way to manipulate gravity and that you think you will be able to literally use it to propel an object.”

Matt stood, scowled, and made eye contact with each person in the room.

“Gentlemen, this is all very nice, but what are you doing in your spare time?”

The crew stared, stunned, silent until Matt said, “Guys, I’m kidding!” A smile erupted across his face.

They got it; it was a joke, and the room boomed with laughter. They talked a while longer, and Matt asked, “Does anybody think the world is ready for the technologies you have discovered?”

All went silent.

“No,” Ellie said. “This would create huge problems and issues; bad people would do anything to get their hands on it.”

There was general agreement. They finished, and Chris and Matt drove back to Armonia House.

“Chris,” Matt said, “what this group has done absolutely floors me. Our challenge now is to think of ways to use these technologies for humanity without people realizing it is happening. That will be as difficult as anything you have tackled to date.”

“I see what you mean,” Chris said. “It is a daunting task, but if any group can find answers, this one can.”

“I know.” An assured smile slipped across Matt’s face. He had so much life and love about him, and he’d never been happier.