The Invitation(69)
“Such as?”
“Well, such as the allegation that Ken Myers went to a Chinese hospital for a secret operation. There’s no factual basis for that at all.”
“Well, the CIA director called the evidence of Ken Myers visiting a hospital outside Beijing compelling.”
“I don’t know what evidence he’s talking about. I haven’t seen any evidence to that effect.”
“Finally, let me ask you this, Senator Merrick: do you think that what we saw the last two nights was a hoax, as CIA Director Stuart does?”
“No, no I don’t, John. No one can tell me that what we saw these past few nights could’ve been done by any secret group or government. What about Congressman Kearns? He’s been examined and reexamined for the last two days. Nobody can explain it.”
“And I should tell our viewers that we’re going to try to get Congressman Kearns on this show as soon as possible to tell us about his unusual experience.”
“John?”
“Yes, Senator Merrick, go ahead, Sir.”
“I just want to say, if there ever was a time when this country needs to put politics aside, it’s now. We are in the grip of an enormous national tragedy. What we need is healing and reconciliation.
What we don’t need is the kind of talk that we heard at this morning’s news conference.”
“Senator Merrick, thank you for coming in, Sir.”
“Thank you, John, it’s good to be with you.”
“You bet. We’ve just heard Senator Walter Merrick of Maryland giving his views on the news conference that was held this morning, saying that in his words ‘today is one of the most shameful days in the country’s history.’ So—”
As Kathryn turns off the TV, she asks Rita, “What do they mean they found something on a brain scan? What are they talking about? My son never had an operation done in China. What hospital are they talking about?”
“I don’t know, Kathryn. Don’t worry about it. Please, just try to rest.”
“Rita, would you please open that cabinet drawer over there, and give me the plastic bag that’s inside.”
After receiving the bag, Kathryn opens it, and pulls out the nightgown with the perfectly circular burn mark on it. She remembers that night long ago when she was strangely visited by the probing form of light energy that illuminated her pregnant body, and she recalls the sudden pulse of energy directed into the infant brain of her unborn son, the future President of the United States. Through her grief laden thoughts, Kathryn wonders if this could be related to the brain scan image mentioned on TV.
Rita sees her friend’s expression slowly change.
“What is it, Kathryn? Is something wrong?”
“It makes sense now.”
“What do you mean?”
Kathryn says nothing, and looks at the nightgown as if it’s very physical presence is a revelation. Rita is puzzled.
“Kathryn, are you okay?”
“What?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Is that your nightgown?”
“Yes it is.”
“Is there something about it? You seem to marvel at it.”
“Yes, yes there is, but no one would believe me. We’ll talk about it sometime. I promise. Rita, I’m sure you want to get home.”
“No, Kathryn, I don’t want to go home. I’m staying here with you. As a matter of fact, I’m staying here with you all night, and all day tomorrow. I’m not leaving you alone, Kathryn.”
“Thank you, Rita.”
“I’m going to make you some tea now.”
“Thank you, Rita. Thank you.”
As Rita prepares tea, Kathryn Myers is grappling with the realization that what happened that night many years ago, and what has happened the last few nights in Miami are powerfully connected. What could it possibly mean?
Chapter Twenty
It’s been five days since that terrible night in Miami. A new President has been sworn in, and has spoken to the nation urging calm as people all over the world struggle to understand the events in Miami. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in nearly every major city around the world demanding that their governments do more to protect the environment. Other political groups with different agendas join in the confusing mix, and use the opportunity to press for their interests. Though reeling with controversy, Washington, D.C. has a solemn duty to perform.
For the last three days the ornate, iconic space of the capitol’s rotunda has been the focus of a nation’s collective sorrow. Here, the slain body of an assassinated President lies in state. Tens of thousands of Americans have walked by his closed casket in silent respect, as a bereaved nation mourns its loss.