Core beliefs - Chapter 53 - A Charlie Christmas

Core Beliefs – Chapter 53 - A Charlie Christmas (Not a Misspelling)

Charley couldn’t pull himself away from the silo. The continuous research and an intoxicating pace of discovery kept his days occupied, and the task of designing a colony on an island far away, handed to him by his Uncle Matt, ate up most of his nights. In all his life he’d never felt so challenged and yet fulfilled. His life was beyond happy…except for one missing piece.

Charlotte insisted he stay at Armonia House. It was easy to live with the Martins; the kids were perpetually curious and energetic, Chris operated in genius mode constantly, and Charlotte always seemed ahead of the curve in every situation. There were times when Charley wondered if she was an escapee from Stepford or, at minimum, a psychic.

He worked late hours at the house, sitting at the computer in the library, the one with the most capacity and the largest monitor. His fingers danced on the keys and dragged the mouse as he drafted designs for a magical place.

Charley wasn’t sure where the ideas came from, but an endless stream of images poured through him onto the screen.

He had another reason for working late. That reason involved time zones half a world away. So, as Charley clicked away on the computer and the seconds ticked toward midnight, he dialed a number on his cell phone, filled with anticipation of who would answer.

Therefore, on that night, preoccupied, Charley had no idea that Charlotte overheard a portion of his animated conversation.

“Then it’s settled,” Charley said, “if your parents can’t make it home for Christmas, you’re coming here. It’ll be great.”

He listened while the other person spoke.

“I love you too,” he said, “and I miss you so much I can’t wait!”

***

Charlotte slipped into the kitchen and poured some milk, taking her time to sip it down. She had not meant to eavesdrop and hadn’t lingered as she passed the library door.

‘He’s kept this a secret for a reason,’ she smiled. ‘It’s not my place to spoil things.’ She slipped past the mostly closed library door and up the stairs to bed.

***

Two days before Christmas, the Martin family and Charley congregated around the kitchen table, finishing breakfast. Charley noted a new poinsettia centerpiece on the table. Charlotte had adorned every room, setting the whole house in a happy, magical mood, anticipating Christmas.

The kids were on winter break from school, and Charlotte planned to take them for some last-minute shopping. She commented that it would be nice when Jason got his driver’s license, then immediately backtracked, telling Chris that the driving age should be raised.

Chris chuckled as he sipped his coffee, waiting for Suchet to arrive. Suchet wanted to go over new formulas for the latest design of the antimatter power supply before the two scientists headed to the silo.

“I’ve got to go to Kansas City,” Charley said.

The announcement elicited surprise from Charlotte and Chris.

“It’ll be late before I get back.” He fidgeted with his half-eaten toast.

“Last-minute shopping?” Chris asked.

“Yeah, last minute. Something I need to pick up.” Charley took his dishes to the sink, rinsed them, and deposited everything in the dishwasher.

“Don’t wait up.”

He noticed Charlotte’s eyebrow sliding up.

“You be careful,” Charlotte said.

Charley headed for the front hall, lifted his coat from the peg on the coat stand, and hurried out the door, his nerves bundling tighter by the minute.

***

Hours later, he pulled into the short-term parking garage. The drive to the airport in Kansas City had him jittery, filled with excitement and anticipation. It took fifteen long minutes to navigate to Terminal C, the international flights terminal. Nerves wouldn’t let him sit; the anxiety notched upward, and he started pacing in front of the terminal exit.

An older TSA security guard approached. “Do we have a problem, son?”

“No, oh no, Sir,” Charley said. “I’ve been away from my girl for months, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“She’s arriving soon?” The guard rocked on the balls of his feet, his thumbs hooked into his broad black belt, the one that holstered his gun and nightstick.

Charley nodded, “Any minute.” His eyes flicked once more to the overhead display showing arrivals.

“You’re driving me crazy,” the guard said. “Calm down. Pacing won’t get her here any quicker.”

There was a serious look behind the man’s smile. Charley nodded and scouted the area for a seat where he could watch, spotting one in the front row and quickly claiming it.

His eyes scanned people as they exited customs. Thirty minutes after her plane landed, he saw the one he waited for.

“Charlie!” He leaped to his feet and dashed to her.

The pretty, petite blond, with the ultimate tan and beautiful blue eyes, lit into a giant smile the second she saw him. The collision as they rushed together nearly sent both crashing to the floor. Charley wrapped his arms around her and kissed her while scooping her into the air. He swung her in a circle, oblivious that others barely escaped being hit by her pendulum feet.

“Thank God you’re here,” he said. “Was your flight okay?”

He managed to set her on her feet but refused to let go.

“Bloody long,” her Aussie accent unmistakable, “but now that I’m here, it was worth every minute!”

Charley bubbled like one of Kansas City’s famous fountains and held her tight. It took more minutes of holding and kissing before they headed for baggage, collected a large duffel, and stepped toward the exit and his truck.

“Charlie,” he said, “I know we talked about going straight to Wichita, but would you mind if we stopped and said hello to my folks?”

“I’m not even on the ground for thirty minutes,” Charlie glared, “and you want me to meet your parents! I’m a mess. My hair, no make-up, I’m wearing dirty jeans and a dirty old, smelly shirt!”

“You look beautiful,” Charley said. “And besides, I looked worse when they saw me getting off the plane.”

She wasn’t convinced, but Charley smiled and gave her another kiss. “I promise it’ll be great.”

“I might as well find out if they hate me sooner than later.” She squirmed in the seat, folded her arms across her chest, and puffed at the strands of blond hair that had fallen over her left eye.

Charley dialed his cell. “Hi Mom, I’m in KC and plan to stop by the house. Are you and Dad both home?”

“Yes, we’re here. Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m great.”

“Charles, you just sound so nervous.” Her voice carried the grand inquisitor tone that had ferreted out many of Charley’s mischievous deeds as a youth.

Charley took a breath. “I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”

It stayed quiet on the other end for a second. “Well…okay, we will be waiting.”

They pulled into the drive as Cynthia and Joe stepped onto the porch.

Charley said to Charlie, “Let me come around and open your door.”

She screwed her face into a ‘say what’ look.

“Please, just this once?”

“Make it quick.”

A giggle blurted from the scowl on her face. Charley jumped from the cab and dashed around the pickup, almost falling as he rounded the tailgate. Grasping the door handle, he tugged it open, reached in, and took her hand, helping her step to the ground, not that she needed help.

Slipping his arm around her waist, he guided her towards the steps. His mom and dad had descended and stood at the foot of the porch. Charley spotted the raised eyebrow over his mom’s right eye; the look he associated with the many times he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

He coaxed Charlie closer, close enough to shake hands.

“Mom, Dad, this is Charlie.”

Cynthia reached out her hand. “Hello, Charlie.”

“Hello, Ma’am,” Charlie replied.

Joe laughed, “Well, I guess it’s safe to say you’re not from Kansas, young lady.” He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go inside before we catch a cold.

“Cynthia dear, isn’t there hot chocolate on the stove?” Joe asked.

“Oh, yes,” Cynthia turned and headed up the steps.

Charley held Charlie tight as they stepped through two rooms to get to the kitchen.

“Charlie was the geologist on the island expedition,” Charley announced, “and since her parents weren’t going to make it home for Christmas, I invited her to come and join me for the holiday.”

“Charlie, that’s an interesting name?” Joe said.

“Well, really, it’s Charlene, but everyone’s called me Charlie since grammar school.”

Charley injected, “When anyone called the name on the boat, we both tried to answer. It got ridiculous; the crew deliberately called our names for no reason except to irritate us.”

“So why couldn’t your folks get home?” Joe asked.

“They’re part of a medical team in Africa, in a refugee camp. They just felt too many people needed their help to leave before the relief staff made it to the camp sometime after the first of the year.”

A yawn rolled over her face. She quickly covered it with a hand and blushed. “Sorry, long flight.”

“Where’d you come from?” Joe asked.

“Auckland,” Charlie said.

“Dad, she’s been on planes or stuck in airports for most of two days.”

“Oh my,” Cynthia said. “You must be worn out.”

“Nothing that another cup of hot chocolate and a hot bath wouldn’t fix,” Charlie said.

“That can be arranged.” Charley fetched her duffel, and she took her first hot bath in three days, soaking and singing.

Joe, Cynthia, and Charley carried cocoa into the living room.

“Well, son,” Joe said with a slight smile, “this is a bit of a surprise.”

“It was a challenge to get her to come and meet you. She was afraid that she was such a mess that you wouldn’t like her.”

Cynthia giggled, “But Charles, you could have given us a little warning that you were flying in a girlfriend. I mean, she is your girlfriend, isn’t she?

“Yes, mother,” he responded softly, “she is very much my girl.”

“Why not tell us about her, Charles?” Joe asked.

“Dad, I don’t have a good reason, except I really wanted you to meet her and see for yourselves how wonderful she is.”

Cynthia leaned over and hugged him. “I look forward to getting to know her and seeing the woman you see. I am sure she is absolutely wonderful.”

They were talking about other things when Charlie walked into the room, now refreshed, wearing khaki pants and a white knit top. Her hair was washed, dried, and pulled into a ponytail, and she wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings. The combination of the deep tan and sparkling blue eyes left Joe with his mouth hanging open.

“Here, sit by me,” Charley pulled her close to him.

They held hands and comfortably chatted with Joe and Cynthia about Charlie’s work, what her family was like, and about New Zealand and Australia.

At about 7:00, Charley said, “I told Charlotte that I would be back tonight, so we need to hit the road. Will I see you at Christmas?”

“Yes, you will see us,” Cynthia said. “Does Charlotte know you are bringing a guest?”

“No,” Charley laughed, “I figured I’d let you tell her.”

“You mean they don’t know I’m coming!” Charlie’s face blazed red. “Charley, that’s rude, not nice at all!”

Joe intervened, “Charlie, when you get to know this group a little better, you’ll find that they thrive on surprises. Your showing up is a piece of cake, so just go and have the time of your life. We will see you at Christmas.”

After hugs, Charley and Charlie were on their way.

Cynthia didn’t waste time. Before the truck was out of the subdivision, she was on the phone, and she and Charlotte laughed themselves silly as Cynthia described the afternoon’s events. Afterward, she and Joe sat on the couch, holding each other.

“Our boys are all grown up,” Cynthia sadly sighed.

Joe kissed her. “Yes, and you did a wonderful job raising two wonderful young men. I hope you know how proud I am of you.”

***

A little after 10:00, Charley pulled into the driveway of Armonia House. The house was lit to a tee for Christmas. Charlie sat speechless. The mansion grew grander as they rolled to the front.

“Wow,” she said, “this is worth the trip by itself!”

“You haven’t seen anything,” Charley replied.

Just as they stepped from the truck, the front door opened. Chris and Charlotte stepped out, down the steps, and strode straight to Charlie.

“Charlie, I’m Charlotte, and this is my husband, Chris. Welcome. Our house is your house. Come on in.”

“Hey, Charley,” Chris yelled. “Park the rig and get the bags.”

The three disappeared into the house, and Charley stood dumbfounded in the cold as the door closed, wondering what had just happened. Befuddled but doing as instructed, he parked the truck, grabbed Charlie’s duffel and carry-on, and hauled them inside.

“Okay, Charlotte, which room do these go in?” He interrupted Charlotte’s explanation to Charlie that she’d talked with Cynthia and was aware a guest was coming.

Charlotte smiled at Charlie, “We have three empty guestrooms, or is there another room where you would want your luggage placed?”

Charlie glanced over her shoulder at the lost puppy dog expression on Charley’s face, and after stalling a few seconds, she said, “His?”

“You heard her,” Chris said. “Get the bags upstairs and then get your sorry hide back down here.”

Charley took the steps three at a time and stumbled at the top, just avoiding falling on his nose. Seconds later, he thumped down, joining them in the family room. They sat and visited for another hour before Chris and Charlotte went to bed.

Charlie and Charley lay on some throw pillows in front of the smoldering embers in the fireplace.

“Is this a fairytale?” she asked. “Your mom and dad, the Martins, everyone is so spectacular.”

“Yeah, they are,” Charley whispered.

***

The next day started early. Charlie and Charley had slept in the same bed, and that was all. Charlie was so tired that the minute she hit the sheets, she was out. Charley cuddled against her and fell asleep in minutes. In the morning, they awoke holding each other. They kissed tenderly but were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“I hate to wake you,” Charlotte was polite but firm, “but we have a very busy day, and I need someone to go to the airport and pick up Ellie and Doug. I just thought you might want to do it.”

“We’ll be up in a minute,” Charley said. “When’s their flight arriving?”

“A little over an hour.”

“Okay,” answered Charley. He held Charlie close and spoke more softly. “I really want you to meet Doug and Ellie. How about we get up?”

She looked at him, “The two geniuses?”

“Half of the Fantastic Four,” he chuckled, “I’ll tell you more on the way to the airport.”

She flipped over on top of him, “Okay, but I still expect some private one-on-one time, and soon.”

Charley laughed, “Me too.”

***

Thirty minutes later, they were downstairs grabbing cereal, and Charlie met Janet and Jacob. After another fifteen minutes, they headed out the door on their way to the airport.

Conspiracy was afoot. When Doug and Ellie walked into the terminal, they strode directly to Charlie and, before Charley could make introductions, they were calling her by name and hugged her, telling her how glad they were to see her. They talked as if they were lifelong friends, rarely giving Charley a chance to speak.

“Charley,” Doug said. “Get the luggage,” thumbing towards the conveyor belt.

It pissed Charley off, but he got the bags, and they headed back to Armonia House. It wasn’t quite noon when they parked beside the mansion.

Charlotte had lunch ready: cold cuts, chicken salad, and other sandwich stuff, plus lots of chips, dips, and veggies. Charlie noticed that Chris, Doug, and Ellie were off in their corner, immersed in animated discussions on computer lingo, things, and electromawhatists.

She looked at Charley, “Are they always like this?”

“No, but we all have some serious goals, and we don’t want to disappoint Uncle Matt.”

“Wow,” she said, “he must be someone really special.”

“He is,” Charley replied softly. “You’ll see.”

In the afternoon, Charlotte commandeered Doug and Charley and sent them to town for last-minute Christmas supplies.

Charlie, Ellie, and Charlotte got busy in the kitchen making pies and desserts for Christmas Day. The boys made quick work of the shopping and soon returned.

Around 4:00, a Lincoln Navigator pulled into the driveway. Charlotte stepped onto the porch, wondering whose it was, but Janet rushed past, hollering, “Uncle Matt! Aunt Ling!”

Charlotte hurried down the steps as Matt, Ling, and Susan got out. Susan set Timmy on the ground. He immediately started toddling around the yard with Janet chasing him. Ling and Charlotte hugged tightly.

“This is my favorite time and place,” Ling said. “There is no place I would rather be for Christmas.”

“You know this is a place you can call home anytime you want.” Charlotte blushed as they hugged again.

After the greetings, Matt spotted Charley and a lovely young woman standing on the porch.

“Who might this be?” he asked Charlotte.

“I think I will let young Mr. Lehman make the introductions,” Charlotte laughed.

As Matt and Ling ambled toward the porch, Charley and Charlie stepped forward to meet them.

“Uncle Matt and Aunt Ling,” Charley’s nerves crept into his voice. “I want you to meet Dr. Charlene Morgan. I’ve invited her to spend Christmas with us.”

Matt extended his hand. Taking hers, he could tell she was anxious.

“Hello,” he said. “Welcome. I am truly delighted to meet you.”

It was a simple greeting, yet Charlie knew he meant it.

“The pleasure’s mine,” she said in her rich accent. “I’m so thankful for the hospitality and warm hearts I have found here.”

Charlotte and Chris burst into laughs.

Charley stared, “What!”

“Well,” Chris said. “You did manage to keep it a secret that lovely Miss Morgan was a PhD.”

“Well, there seemed to be a conspiracy, and I had to save something back for Uncle Matt.

Ling hugged Charlie and said, “You don’t go by Charlene, do you?”

“No, ma’am,” she replied. “Everyone calls me Charlie.”

Ling smiled, “I think that’s wonderful. Charlie, let’s go in.”

The conversations were full and rich with story after story. Charlie told about surfing the Great Barrier Reef, looking back to see a Great White shark following her board. She said it was the one time she refused to fall, and that it was probably the most scared she had ever been in her life.

Into the night, the talk continued, and Charlie started to realize how special this group was. She was continuously included in the conversation. She really felt as if she were a part of this family, sensing a strong kindred spirit that placed her totally at ease.

Charlotte told Matt about what Charlie’s parents were doing in Africa.

“I know you are very proud of them,” he said, “and I must say that I have a sense of shame that I give money, and we talk a lot about changing the world, but they are the ones actually giving of themselves to wonderfully benefit people’s lives one-on-one.”

Their eyes met. “My dear Charlie, I am torn between wishing they were here with us or wishing we were there doing what we could to help them. You and they have our deepest admiration.”

Charlie trembled. Emotionally, it went to her heart.

“I miss them so much,” she said, “and I know they’re following their hearts. I wanted to be with them, but they said it was too dangerous. So, when Charley asked me to come here, I felt like maybe I could keep busy, and it wouldn’t hurt so much. But it does hurt, and if it weren’t for how wonderfully you have treated me, I think I would be alone and heartbroken somewhere.”

Charley reached over and wrapped his arm around her. “We don’t want you to forget your mom and dad. We just want you to know that others care about you very, very much.” He kissed her. The look between them was powerful.

***

Christmas Day dawned bright. Charlie and Charley woke early, each in the other’s arms, and embraced closely. They had made up for lost time, and both were energized and ready to go. There was no knock on the door this morning, and they lazed and talked for a while.

“If you had told me how wonderful all these people were,” Charlie said, “I wouldn’t have believed you, but seeing and feeling for myself has made me understand that you are blessed, and because of you, I am truly blessed this Christmas.”

She kissed him playfully and glanced at the clock. It was almost eight.

“I have to get up,” she said. “I promised to help get the grub on!”

A short time later, they bounced down the stairs, the activities already in high gear.

Gifts were being exchanged. Charlie didn’t have any to give and felt embarrassed. She received one from Charlotte and Chris, and a very beautiful double-heart necklace from Charley.

Next, it was on to chores for the feast. Doug grabbed Charley and started setting the silverware and plates in the dining room. Jacob and Janet were straightening up the family room, and others were performing Charlotte’s assigned tasks.

Charlie apologized for being late and was greeted with cheek kisses and a “We understand” from Ling.

In the middle of the hustle, Joe and Cynthia came in. Charlie dashed to them, hugging both. “I’m so happy to see you.”

They handed her a small envelope. “Open it later,” Cynthia whispered. Charlie slipped it into her pocket.

A few minutes later, the Kumar and Coblentz families arrived. The kitchen filled with bustle as the final touches were added to the food preparation.

“How many are coming?” Charlie asked.

“I think we’re all here,” Charlotte said. “Yep, it’s time to eat!”

At 12:30, they set the meal, and all gathered in the dining room.

Matt addressed the gathering, “We look around, and in every face and heart, we see reason to give thanks. Christmas is a time of joy, fellowship, love, and reflection.

“As we count our blessings, I want us especially to remember those who are actually spending today being a blessing.”

His gaze roamed over every face in the room. “I dedicate this time and this spectacular feast to the honor of Charlene’s mother and father as an inspiration and example to each of us that wishing the world to be a better place is not enough; we are called to make a difference, and anything less is disrespectful to those who give themselves selflessly to others.

“To Harry and Annabel Morgan, may we soon be a help to them in body and soul.”

They all lifted their glasses high. Charlie could not express how much it meant to have this kind of acknowledgment for her mom and dad on this day.

With the usual routine followed, the kids filled their plates and were off to the family room, and the adults surrounded the dining table, which this year was expanded to the max with the Kumar twins joining the adults along with Elvin Coblentz.

“Maybe we’ll have to knock a wall down and expand the dining room?” Matt jokingly said to Charlotte.

“Over my dead body,” Charlotte said, “but I do have an idea that I think might solve this and possibly other needs.”

Following the fabulous dinner, people split into pods. Matt, Chris, and Charlotte found a place in the study with Suchet and Pavitra.

Doug, Ellie, Charley, and Charlie sat in a quiet area off the living room. Ellie shared the latest updates for the neuroimager and also how they developed a new multi-level encryption system for critical data storage. They also talked about married life and what it was like at Wheatley.

“The graduate work is brutal, but we’ve both learned tons,” Ellie said. “I’ll be ready to start residency in two years and hopefully will be certified as an MD in four. Doug has at least two more years to reach the PhD level in engineering and physics.”

Charlie found herself floored as she listened to the two talk about their studies and how they couldn’t do it without each other, reading questions and sections of text every night and making the other answer correctly. It was hard but fun because they both felt they had the ultimate support of one another, and when that didn’t work, they could call their mentors and soon were set straight.

A side benefit was that they each learned about the other’s field, which further enhanced their appreciation.

Leftovers and sandwiches were made for supper, and people trickled through the kitchen to pick out food and graze throughout the evening.

Matt and Ling, with Timmy, came over to join Charlie’s group. They sat down and listened as Doug and Ellie talked about the research they were doing for Wheatley. There were already two probable projects the University might market. Matt noted that one was software-related but totally different from the imaging software.

The other was a new unit for heart patients that would monitor and send a direct alarm if a heart attack occurred. Doug explained they could set it to locate the closest hospital with a transceiver and, via GPS, give the patient’s coordinates. Matt thought this could be worth manufacturing and asked Doug if the University would consider licensing it to one of his companies.

“I told them that unless you got the first option on it, the project might be delayed,” Doug said.

“Doug,” Matt looked sternly at him, “I don’t do business that way. You know, always honest and above board. When you go back, please clear that up. I’m interested, but I want it to be a fair arrangement.

Doug hung his head. “Yes, sir, I should have known better. It’s just that you have done so much for us, and I wanted to try to somehow pay some of it back.”

“Doug,” Matt said quietly, “I’m very proud of all of you. Nothing done to help any of you was ever meant to make you feel indebted. Quite the opposite, it was done so you could grow to be who you were meant to be, and I believe that each of you will be great people.”

They all had a renewed understanding of why this man was so special. Charlie sat amazed and realized why Charley would go to the ends of the earth and do whatever Mr. Lehman asked. It had nothing to do with money, power, or even family. It was because of the kind of man he was.

“Can I ask that we change the subject?” Matt asked.

They all nodded.

“Charlie, I know we don’t know each other very well, but I was sincere when I said I wanted to see if there was something we might be able to do for your mother and father. Please tell me about their work and what you think would help them the most?”

Charlie couldn’t help herself. She stepped to Matt, leaned down, and kissed him on the cheek.

Looking deeply into his eyes, she said. “I have ideas, and I will tell you what I know, but I think it will be best if, sooner or later, you talk to Mom and Dad and let them tell you. I’m sure they don’t tell me everything because they know I would worry about them all the time.”

She sat next to Charley and explained where her parents were and what she had learned. How hard it was to get supplies to them. The area had no natural water, and when water trucks couldn’t reach, everyone was at risk of dehydration. She described the political situation, the raids on the convoys, and the bogged-down international efforts. Only a few private agencies were able to secure supplies, and they had to pay huge bribes to do so.

When she finished, she quietly asked, “Can you help, Mr. Lehman?”

Matt smiled, “Yes, we can, and we will.”

***

It was a crowded house that night, with Joe and Cynthia staying. Doug and Ellie eventually headed to the farm, and the Kumar family left, allowing things to quiet.

It was almost midnight when Charlie and Charley made their way upstairs. While he was in the bathroom, she pulled the card from Joe and Cynthia, opened and read it.

‘Charlene, Joe, and I have always wanted a daughter. Even in the few minutes we had together, you became someone precious to us. Know that you have our love and that you can call on us for anything you need.

‘Whether Charley likes it or not, we claim you as part of our family.

Love,

Cynthia and Joe’

It touched her deeply. She quickly put it back in the envelope, placing it safely inside her duffel bag, and dried the tears that had collected in the corners of her eyes. She was sitting on the bed, semi-composed, when Charley came out of the bathroom.

“Do you know how lucky you are?” she asked,

“You mean Uncle Matt?” he replied.

“That too,” she answered, “but I was talking about your mom and dad.”

***

Charley was a bit confused but was thrilled that she thought well of them.

***

The next morning offered no time to sleep in. There were major meetings. Everyone roused out of bed by seven, and Charlie saw Matt and Ling as they finished their morning run. She watched as they sprinted the last fifty yards to the house and were only breathing slightly hard.

Charley had warned her that today would be full of meetings, and he wasn’t sure whether it would be appropriate for her to attend.

She didn’t quite know what to make of it all but said she would stay out of the way.

Chris came over as they finished breakfast. “Charlie, we are going to be spending most of the day going over things that we’ve been working on for a while. What I need you to understand is that what we will be discussing is confidential and sensitive. If you feel you can keep what you hear a secret, then Matt would like you to attend. If you feel it’s a little too spooky, then we can arrange for you to be entertained in other ways.”

Charley looked at Charlie, “This is serious stuff, and the fact that I haven’t told you anything should help you understand how important it is. I trust you, as do Chris and Matt, but the decision is yours to make.”

Charlie was troubled but knew that she wanted to be a part of Charley’s life, and this was definitely a part of his life.

“I promise,” she said, “what you say is secret, is secret.”

“Good girl,” smiled Chris. “The first session is in the family room at 11:00 a.m. Charley, you’re up.”

“I’m ready and eager.”

Charlie peered into his eyes. They sparkled with anticipation. She could almost feel the energy of his thoughts.

“My dear,” he said to her, “just be prepared for the ride of your life. I guarantee that after today, you will be changed forever.”

When they walked into the room at 11:00, many people Charlie recognized, and one man she didn’t. He was a tall, black man seated between Matt and Joe. Ling was there, Chris and Charlotte, Dr. Kumar with Doug and Ellie, and Charley and herself.

Matt made the introductions and said, “Charley, show us what you’ve come up with.”

Everyone knew Charley had graduated with a degree in Architecture; what some didn’t know was that he had minors in mechanical and electrical engineering. Charley turned on the projector connected to his computer, and on the far wall, a eight-foot-by-ten-foot picture of a large island in full color appeared. He zoomed it to show the entire three-island caldera, then rotated it in 3D to give everyone a clear picture of the area. He next overlaid grids showing topography and elevations, all the while explaining the terrain’s nature. He zoomed in on the large island and used animation to core through it, removing layers from the top down and explaining the nature of the rock and the relative strength of the lava.

“The generation of most of this information is Charlie’s work, and I’m simply the messenger.” Charley grinned.

Matt started the applause. Charlie was embarrassed but felt good to know she had actually contributed to whatever ‘it’ was. It was especially satisfying to know she had helped Charley.

Moving to a three-dimensional image with grids overlaid, he pointed out the larger of the caves and said, “I recommend we start here. This cave is about fifty feet deep and twenty feet high at the entrance and narrows as you go back, but here, about twenty-five feet in on the west side, there is a flat area that would be a good place to start boring.”

He added overlays that showed tunnels and rooms in bright blue, labeled as phase one. Each room is identified by type and use: sleeping, lab, storage, utility, energy, command and communications, and so on.

Altogether, he had nine rooms and hundreds of feet of passageway leading into the heart of the island.

Charlie thought of the years it would take to blast the rock loose. She was concerned because the lava was brittle, and blasting would create fractures over large areas.

Matt asked Suchet, “How long to dig this out?”

Suchet said, “Four months, two toolboxes.”

His answer was matter of fact and assured.

“Well done, Charles, what else?” Matt said.

Charley went into overdrive, adding water, power supplies, and ventilation. He then layered in the waste-disposal and recreation areas, cold storage, and food facilities, and indicated that this completed phase one.

Without pausing, he was on to phase two, expanding layers vertically and horizontally. Then he added individual living quarters, meeting and research facilities, expanded life support, and then, to everyone’s amazement, he said, “Phase three.”

In the caldera, domes appeared under the sea with farms, parks, concert halls, and many other features. They were spaced to allow the natural environment to exist freely and were connected to each other and the islands via tubes carrying people in transports and people movers. He ended by showing a rotating three-dimensional layout of the entire complex, including all utilities and facilities, and the logo Dlrow Wen above it.

Charley smiled, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I conclude my presentation.”

There was immediate standing applause from everyone in the room. Doug rushed forward and hugged Charley.

Charlie was clapping, enthralled by the vision that she had just witnessed. More amazing was the sense in the room that this was possible. She looked around and saw bright expressions and others nodding in approval.

After a few minutes, Matt quieted everyone. “Charley, this is beyond my wildest expectations. What you have presented today challenges us to a standard that will certainly bring out the very best of our talents.”

“Charlie,” he said, facing her, “I truly believe that you two were meant to meet and that your contribution has already been invaluable and will continue to be of the utmost importance. We are indeed glad you are here with us.”

Again, there was loud applause, and Charley walked over to her and whispered, “I think the right word is destiny.”

Emotions bubbled within, but seizing a breath, Charlie collected herself and simply clung to Charley to keep her weak knees from showing.

“Okay,” Matt said, “this is a fabulous start, but we have more to do, so let’s grab some food from the kitchen and be back ready to resume in thirty minutes with a response to Charley’s presentation.”

They broke, and Charlie had to ask, “The rock on that island won’t take blasting without fracturing. You’ll have cave-ins all the time.”

Charley smiled, “Be patient and learn.”

They grabbed food and even brought back cookies to the family room for the start of the next session.

Matt opened the floor for comments and questions.

There were quite a few, and Charley managed to cover most of the answers,

Ling had been sitting quietly, listening.

When she spoke, everyone paid attention. “I suggest it would be good to compose a list of every conceivable item that might be needed in a colony such as we have seen. Anything used in any capacity by anyone, from toothpaste to diving equipment. I think this would be something that Iyla and Kamna could help with.”

Matt smiled, “Suchet, how do you feel about this?”

“I believe they will attack the challenge with all the ability they have and will do a very good job.” Suchet’s voice bubbled with fatherly pride.

“Well, that’s settled,” Matt said. “Now let’s continue. Joe, would you update us on the purchase of the islands?”

Joe stood and walked to the center of the room.

“As you know, a Malaysian family currently owns the islands, and they are looking to discreetly sell. Through an emissary, we have been negotiating for the last month, and an agreement in principle has been reached that I think you will find pleasing. They have agreed to sell the islands and all rights as originally granted for the sum of 37.6 million dollars.” He chuckled as he continued, “Per our agreement, the payment is to be made in gold, unmarked and untraceable.”

There was laughter from around the room. Suchet and Chris had huge smiles on their faces. Charlie didn’t understand what made this so funny.

Looking at Chris, Joe continued, “I have already been assured that the gold could be ready in two weeks, but the major issue is how to ship it out of the country through customs. I think this will take a little more investigation before we finalize.”

“Can we trust this family?” Ellie asked.

“Yes, I believe so,” Joe replied. “They are a traditional family and value respect and honor very highly.”

Ellie responded, “Do you think we could arrange for them to complete the signing and the financial transaction on the island?”

Joe thought for a moment, “I think that might be a possibility. It could have advantages for both parties. Where are you headed, my dear?”

“I just thought we could rent a yacht, put certain equipment on it, and take a two-week cruise making gold as we go.”

Laughter erupted. Charley and Doug rolled on the floor.

Matt eventually rose and silenced everyone. “Ellie, I don’t know how you keep doing it, but I think we all agree that you have jumped out of the box and found a brilliant solution.”

“What box?” Ellie quipped. “I don’t see no stink’n boxes?”

Again, laughter erupted.

Charlie sat confused and whispered to Charley, “What do they mean, make gold?”

He leaned close and whispered back, “Patience, my love. All will be revealed.”

Matt instructed Joe to see if the arrangements would be satisfactory and to try to set a closing date in two months.

Next, he called on Suchet and Chris to report.

Suchet said they had made progress on designs, but their problem was a lack of hands in the silo to assemble the equipment.

“We miss our two superstars very much,” he said. “We do not want them to leave their studies. We do, however, need help in assembly and fabrication.”

“Is this something I can help with?” Charley asked.

“I really think you, and if she would like, Miss Morgan could be very helpful,” Chris said.

Charlie was again surprised that these men were offering her a chance to be part of whatever they were doing, but if Charley was doing it, she would gladly help.

Charlie nodded her head.

“That’s great,” Chris said, “let’s see what we can get done in the next few weeks.”

Doug and Ellie reported and explained the new encryption program with optional DNA, fingerprint, and retina-scanning to access critical data for the various projects. After they described the system, everyone agreed it should be implemented with appropriate access levels. There were a few other comments, but for all practical purposes, the meeting was over.

Matt came over to Charley, “I think Miss Morgan should see the silo tomorrow. I will be going out at ten in the morning.”

This silo thing still mystified Charlie, and she knew that if she asked, Charley would simply tell her to be patient.

The meeting broke up, and Matt, Joe, and Marcus spent some time alone before Marcus left.

It was a quiet night, and the next morning, Charlie got out of bed and left Charley sleeping. She showered and went down to breakfast to find Matt, Ling, Ling’s Mother, Susan, and Timmy eating breakfast. She found some cereal and milk and joined them at the table.

“Charlie, how do I reach your father?” Matt asked.

“There is a shortwave radio in the camp. They use that for most communications.”

“That’s no good,” Matt said. “Anyone can intercept radio signals.”

“Could Ruben come up with something?” Ling asked.

Matt slipped his cell phone from his pocket and, in three minutes, had an answer.

Charlie thought, ‘This man pulls rabbits out of his hat.’

“The package will be there in a week,” Matt said.

Charley came strolling in and sat down. “Have I missed anything?”

“Only a beautiful sunrise,” Ling said.

At 10:00, they loaded into Matt’s Navigator.

“Ling made me buy it,” Matt said. “It seems she objects to me driving around in some flimsy tin can of a car that could get dented by a plastic pop bottle.”

They arrived at the farm and found Doug and Ellie sitting on the porch with Elvin and Emily. Matt noted how the kids had grown. Elvin was as tall as his dad, just not as heavy, and Emily was sprouting quickly. They congregated on the porch and talked for a few minutes. Matt wanted to make sure that Charlie knew who was who.

Eldridge strolled across the yard from the barn with Marcy on his arm. They climbed the steps, and the conversation quickly turned to this year’s crops.

“Thought I’d try planting winter wheat,” Eldridge said, “harvest it, and turn around and plant corn for the summer. Corn prices are up. They’re makin’ gas out of the stuff.”

“I trust your judgment, my friend,” Matt said to Eldridge.

They shook hands, big grins on both faces.

“About time we headed to the silo,” Matt said. “Eldridge, let me know if you need anything for the farm or anything at all.”

“We’re doin’ fine.” Eldridge had his mile-wide smile plastered on his face. “Especially when the kids all make it home.”

It took two vehicles to carry the crew to the silo. Charlie watched the fields roll past as the vehicles headed out along the fence line, arriving at the steel building in short order. Charley led her inside the building.

Charlie saw nothing that made the place special. It was mostly empty except for some crates stacked to one side. The whirl of equipment startled her as the elevator pushed the trap door open, rising out of the floor, Chris at the controls.

Charley took her arm, guiding her towards the elevator, “Get ready for Wonderland, my love.”

They reached the bottom. Matt asked, “Anything in the old control room?”

“Just some hardware,” Chris said. “The latest neuroimager prototypes and the computers holding the primary program for the neuroimager. We keep it as a backup to the mainframe in St. Louis.”

“Come on, Charlie. Good a place as any to start the tour,” Matt said.

They took Charlie to the control room, and Doug and Ellie explained about the equipment and what it could do. Then it was off the other way to the silo.

Five floors down, the words “Open Sesame” made Charlie truly feel she had stepped into Wonderland.

Ellie led the way to the main lab, where Suchet gave her an overview of the equipment, computers, and technologies they would be working with.

Charlie stopped him, “You are telling me that you can change any stuff into any other stuff?”

“No,” Suchet said. “We can convert any material into a specific list of other materials, but we are adding to the list almost daily.”

They went into the workshop. The pearlescent walls and ceilings enthralled Charlie. She wandered in wonder, oblivious to the people around her.

“This is where you will spend a lot of time,” Suchet said. “We are in the midst of putting together two more toolboxes and other prototype units. Most of the components are made by various manufactures. Separately, none of the designs provide any clues to the part’s final purpose. In fact, it is only after Chris, Doug, Ellie, and I add our secret ingredients that the pieces can function.”

“You’ll focus on two items,” Chris said. “The toolbox and the power supply.”

“Toolbox?” Charlie’s bewilderment was evident. “What’s a toolbox?”

“This way, if you please,” Suchet said.

Charlie hung close to Charley as they strode down yet another passageway. They stepped into a room where Doug and Ellie were hunched over a robot-looking machine with tractor treads.

“How goes the programming?” asked Suchet.

“It’ll be complete in a minute,” Doug said, “and you can send it on its way.”

Chris turned to Charlie, “This is a toolbox. It is what we used to form these rooms and passageways.”

“It bores through the earth,” Charley said, “and in the process, forms a titanium sarcophagus about the space. Later, we come back and add the utilities and the electro-luminescent film finish that you see.

Matt asked, “What mission do you have planned for this unit?”

“The largest chamber yet,” Chris said. “We’re going to burrow five-hundred and fifty feet out and down to a depth of three-hundred fifty feet. We will form a room, one-hundred fifty feet in diameter by one hundred feet high.

“Interesting,” Matt said. “Why?”

“Seems Dr. Kumar has spotted a unique waveform that he wants to investigate, and if his hypothesis is correct, you will have something very special indeed.”

Matt smiled, “Well, what are you waiting for?”

“Not us anymore,” Doug said.

Chris picked up a metal cube from a nearby table and carried it to the back of the unit. With a push and the plink of a metal plate closing, he said. “Power is ready.”

“We never start a toolbox with anyone in the room,” Suchet said, “unless there is no other option, just a standard safety precaution. Let us go to the control room, and we can watch everything from there.”

Once back in the control room, Doug and Ellie quickly brought the video online. There were several views of the unit and two views from the unit. One straight ahead, and another that panned side-to-side.

Chris and Suchet reviewed strings of computer code as it flashed across a large screen.

“All green,” Suchet said.

“Activate stage one,” Chris said.

Ellie tapped a computer key, and the robot sprang to life, turning in place until it lined up with another passageway. It rolled forward, perfectly centered in the tunnel. Entering another room with silver metal walls, it pivoted to face a wall and stopped.

“Activate stage two,” Chris said.

Ellie hit another key, and the unit inched forward. As it approached the wall, Charlie was startled to see the wall start to dissolve and vaporize, and a shiny metal tunnel appeared, almost like the ones she had walked through.

“What’s the rate?” asked Matt.

“We have the bore rate up to fifteen feet a minute,” Suchet said. “The room rate slows as we reach larger diameters, and in this case, as we approach the outer diameter, the unit will only be enlarging by two inches per zone, per pass. We also plan to make the titanium shell heavier, fourteen inches for all parts of the room.”

“Twelve days, six hours, and twenty-two minutes?” Matt said.

Suchet nodded. “That is the number per my calculations.”

On one monitor, the camera displayed a hole where the toolbox had disappeared into the tunnel it formed. Another screen showed the continuing scene as the unit carved deeper into the earth.

“Let’s show Charlie the power supply,” said Doug.

She blindly followed them out of the control room and down another passageway.

“I’d be lost in five minutes,” she said.

They went through three rooms before stopping midpoint in a passageway.

“Nautilus,” Ellie said.

In the seamless curved wall of the tunnel, a door appeared, and in front of Charlie was a short passage to another room.

Charlie dragged her feet as she followed the others into the room.

Doug walked over to a three-foot-by-three-foot cube set in the middle of the floor. He sat on it. “This is an antimatter power system. It powers everything in the facility and has the capacity for five times more.”

Charlie leaned on Charley and spoke. “This is a wonderland, and I’m not even Alice.”

“I told you this would change your life,” Charley said.

“We will cover more as you get into the swing of things,” Suchet said.

“More?” Charlie mumbled, her eyes drifting to the faces in the room before settling on Charley. “There’s more?”

He nodded, “But I’ll be here with you. It’ll be fine.”

***

The tour was over, and they headed back to the Armonia House. All the way back, Charlie tried to rationalize the impossible technology and amazing people she’d seen and met. The world seemed to spin in front of her eyes. She stared at Charley. “Why me?”

His smile gave some reassurance. “I think you are a little overwhelmed at the moment. Let’s talk about it later, and maybe we can find ‘why you.’”

She leaned against his shoulder, silent, as the big SUV navigated its way to Armonia house.

Matt, Chris, and Suchet disappeared into the study as soon as they arrived at the mansion.

Charley led Charlie to the family room. Charlotte and Ling sat on the couch, looking at a folder filled with documents.

Charlie had just started to relax when Charley asked Ling and Charlotte. “Could you guys help Charlie with a problem?”

“Sure,” Ling said.

“Charlie saw an awful lot today,” Charley said. “It was different for her than for us. We saw things as they happened one by one, gradually. Today, we unloaded the whole nine yards on her, and she has a question.”

Charlotte looked at her, “What is your question, Charlie?”

It took her a minute to summon the courage to ask. “Why me? Why have I found you, and this place, and all the wonders of the universe? Why me?”

“I think we all have to find our own answers,” Ling said, “but with yours, I believe we can help.”

Ling told Charlie about how she felt the first time she heard Matt on the phone. How in the hospital, Charlotte had counseled her and guided her, and how, through it all, she had felt a sense of destiny, that this was meant to be, and there was a higher power at work.

Charlotte talked about how it started and the dinner where Matt told her about the experiment and that if she were not prepared to be a part of it, they would destroy everything and pretend it never happened. She explained that when she decided to accept the challenge, she knew it would involve risk and changes. She also felt they were being called to a higher purpose, and she could not live with herself if she did not try to make this dream a reality.

Charley held Charlie close. “I’d like you to ask yourself some questions. These are for you, and you don’t have to share the answers with any of us. The first is do you feel like you belong here?”

Charlie thought and closed her eyes. She searched her heart and her feelings, and almost instantly knew.

She looked around at each of them. “I feel like I’ve come home.”

“Second question: are you willing to commit your life to making the world a better place and give up all personal recognition and glory?”

Charlie again peered into her heart and thought that there was only one greater desire in her life than to honor her parents by helping the world.

“Yes,” she said.

Charley asked, “If we have to destroy all this technology in order to protect the world from itself, are you ready to give it all up?”

Charlie weighed the idea of protecting the world by taking away such wonderful gifts. Then remember that these same gifts could be used in the wrong, bad ways.

“Yes! I would help destroy it all before letting it hurt people!”

“Then you are here because you belong here,” Charlotte said, “and whether by fate, destiny, or love, this is where you should be.”

A huge burden instantly dropped from Charlies’ spirit.

“I think I’m still in Wonderland, but I feel good about it and really have no desire to escape.”

Wednesday through Friday of that week, Charlie and Charley joined the “Fantastic Four” in the silo. They quickly learned the ropes and worked as a team, assembling a new toolbox.

Matt and family had headed back to St Louis on Wednesday, and Armonia House returned to a normal routine.