Caeli's grandmother, whom she affectionately called Jaddah, was much more sympathetic. She had been touched by tragedy herself, believing her first husband and daughter had died during a bombing in her home city. She understood how the widowed girl must have grieved and took her in to love and care for as she would her own daughter, who would have been only a few years older than Caeli's mother if she had lived.
After Caeli was born, she and her mother lived happily with Jaddah for several years before tragedy struck again. Caeli's mother died while Caeli was in grade school. Jaddah Mesi, Caeli's only known relative, then raised Caeli alone. Caeli lived with her grandmother until her senior year of high school, when Jaddah was killed as another knot in the endless string of tragedies that seemed to follow Caeli through her young life.
Unfortunately, Salma missed the opportunity to meet Caeli's grandmother and was out of town when she died. If she had met her, they naturally would have discovered their connected heritage much sooner. Salma certainly would have recognized her mother, even after all those years. Salma was the daughter that Caeli's grandmother mistakenly thought she lost in the bombing.
Captain Ben Erickson, the officer who discovered the connection, was the man now standing beside Salma, his wife of three months. When Caeli was reintroduced to him a few months ago, she mistakenly thought Ben was in his early to mid-fifties, though he was only forty eight. Caeli explained to Ben that it was the air of confidence and experience that he displayed on the job that made her think he had earned those additional years of wisdom. Ben was not at all offended, especially since Caeli phrased her apology in such a complimentary way, and he readily forgave her the minor misjudgment. They took a quick liking to each other, and now Ben was a welcomed and loved addition to her family.
"Salma, if you don't mind terribly, I am going to steal your husband away. Otherwise, Caeli will be unfit to travel. Besides, if we hit the road now, we will reach the lake with plenty of time for Ben to brag about his fishing expertise before breakfast, and he might even be able to catch our lunch. Have fun. Be safe. Call when you get settled at your hotel. We will see you on Friday," Vin steered the parting toward a quick end.
After a final round of farewells, the guys headed toward the parking lot while the two women made their way through the security checkpoint and over to the boarding gate. Their flight to Hawaii was scheduled to leave at six o'clock, just as the sun would begin to rise.
Salma was flying down to present her latest research at the annual medical conference. Her presentation was scheduled for Tuesday morning. Outside of that, Salma would have the rest of the week to enjoy the sun, shopping, and beaches with Caeli, at least until Friday. Friday's culmination of the conference would include the awards luncheon, which Salma had to attend because she was the guest of honor. She was being recognized for her innovation in treating blood diseases. Ben and Vin were going to fly down early Friday morning to attend the ceremony, stay for the remainder of the weekend, and share a return flight with their wives Sunday evening.
Salma and Caeli were seated next to each other on two hard, plastic chairs in the waiting area. Caeli, who had skipped breakfast due to her lingering nausea, was now snacking on one of her favorite, new indulgences. It was an energy bar that Lara, whom Caeli had known since high school, introduced her to shortly before her trip to New York. The bars were specially designed for a woman's unique chemistry. Supposedly, the ingredients somehow worked in the blood system, letting them deliver nutrients more efficiently resulting in higher energy to the consumer. Caeli didn't care how they worked; she enjoyed any chocolate coated snack and welcomed the extra burst of energy. Caeli made sure to include a good supply of the bars in her luggage and carryon bag.
There was still twenty minutes before their scheduled flight, so Salma pulled a rolled up magazine out of her carryon bag and handed it to Caeli. The title on the front cover identified the periodical as the Hematologist Quarterly. In the lower right quarter, the cover flashed a headshot of Salma and a blurb about simple cures for complex blood disorders. It enticed readers to learn about Dr. Salma Erickson's groundbreaking research.
"Salma, that is so cool! You didn't tell me your article got published," Caeli exclaimed happily.
She flipped the booklet to page twenty six where the article began and continued for four full pages. Caeli read every word. She was trying to learn as much as she could about Salma's work. It held a particular interest for her.
"That's amazing. I didn't realize that so much could be extracted from such a simple thing as blood. You never cease to amaze me. You are so smart, Aunt Salma." Caeli had a great respect for Salma and her medical expertise.
"There is nothing simple about blood, though it may seem that way. Surprisingly, it is a fairly simple process to develop both good and bad things by the same methods that I used. Yet, I would never have been able to accomplish what I did without my anonymous donor and the rare qualities of that bloodline. That you even considered it, much less offered it, after your ordeal is commendable. You are a special lady yourself, Caeli."
Caeli smiled. Sometimes Salma reminded her very much of her late grandmother.
"You sound just like Jaddah. She also used to call me special. She often said that one day I would understand my purpose. Maybe finding out about you and then donating my blood to your work was it. Of course, at the time, I thought Jaddah was merely doting on her granddaughter. It wasn't until I read her journals last year that I found out how much she wanted to be around when I finally learned about my heritage; but she chose to give me the chance to live long enough to discover it instead. She was always protective of me that way. She always put others before herself; the same way you do. You have her generous and caring heart."
Caeli wistfully remembered her grandmother. Despite the fact that Salma and her mother had been separated when Salma was a young girl, Salma retained many of her mother's vocal traits and mannerisms.
"Thank you, Caeli. I am flattered to be compared to my mother, especially by you. I always enjoy hearing the way you speak of her. Knowing that she raised you lets me believe that I didn't lose her after all. I see her in you, too," Salma replied.
"I'm sure Jaddah would tell you the same thing. You should feel good about this. You have a special and unique talent. What's more, you have definitely found your purpose," Caeli added.
"I am very glad that my work will be able to help save so many lives. Although..."
Salma was interrupted as a young, red haired man walking along seemed to catch his foot against Salma's bag, spilling some of its contents into the middle of the floor. He appeared to stumble a few steps further before deciding to turn back and help her pick up the scattered items.
The man glanced briefly at Salma as he placed the last item, what appeared to be a small coin purse, into the bag and handed it back to her. He said nothing. Task completed, he quickly walked away. Before Salma could utter the first word of a thank you or an apology that her bag had been in his way, the guy was out of earshot.
"Guess it didn't bother him then. He must have been in a hurry to catch his own plane," Salma remarked.
She picked up the conversation with Caeli, not giving any further thought to the clumsy, young man.
"Anyway, I am excited about everything except the award on Friday."
"Jaddah used to tell me, when I refused to stand on the awards podium after a swim meet, that denying my accomplishment was the same as not having accomplished it. She said it was being unfair not only to me, but also to others who were measured by the same standards."
"Did that actually convince you to stand on the awards podium?" Salma asked.
"Well, no. But I wasn't ditching the award itself. I really do not like being in the spotlight; and I have more than one reason for that. However, that's not the point. My point is that you may not think the award is important, and that's fine. However, you deserve to be credited for your work. People need to be able to trust the person behind the work so they
can trust the work itself. In this case, that is why they are giving you this award." Caeli offered Salma a logical reason for accepting the award.
"I suppose I might as well accept it. After all, it's too late to back out now. I am glad you are coming with me. I would hate to spend the week alone, and I could not bring myself to impose on Ben. He doesn't care for the beach any more than Vin does. You know, I cannot remember the last time I actually got to take the time to stop and relax on a vacation."
"Never fear," Caeli replied humorously.
"Tour guide Caeli, at your service. I will make sure all the cheesy tourist shops know you by name before the end of the week. There will be a special spot reserved for you on the most pristine stretch of beach every day. If either of us returns home without a tan or sunburn then I will have failed you."
Both ladies laughed, their good moods helping to ease Salma's tension about her recently developed fear of flying. Caeli returned the magazine to Salma. As she was placing it in her bag, a voice came over the loud speaker announcing the commencement of boarding for their flight. They collected their bags and lined up with the other passengers. Each was ushered through the ticket line without incident.
"Oh, Aunt Salma, don't let me forget. I need to ask a favor of you," Caeli said with a grin.
"What do you need?"
"I will tell you as soon as we get seated."
As they were walking down the jetway toward the plane, Salma was mildly vexed by a rude, young man who bumped against her, causing her to miss a few steps before regaining her footing. He continued at a trot without even acknowledging the encounter. But, again, the incident was quickly forgotten as the ladies made their way to two first class seats, paid for by the awards committee sponsoring Salma's trip. Caeli didn't think that Salma realized it was the same rude redhead as before.
There were no departure delays and, within fifteen minutes of boarding, the large plane taxied and took off. They were finally on their way. It was going to be a lengthy trip, approximately ten hours in total. Two of those hours would be spent as a layover in Honolulu before catching a smaller, connecting flight that would carry them the remaining distance to Hilo, their tropical destination.
CHAPTER 6
The plane was aloft no more than twenty minutes when they hit the first pocket of turbulence. The fasten seatbelts light was still on, so nobody was moving about. The air currents were strong enough to jostle all the passengers' belongings and tray top items. The plane bounced roughly for several minutes before a final thud near the middle of the plane was the dramatic finish to the show. The flight smoothed out, and the tension among the passengers dissipated.
"Ladies and Gentleman, this is your Captain. It seems we have reached the end of that little pocket of unexpected turbulence, and no further disturbance is anticipated. Radar looks clear for the next several hours. Please note that the fasten seatbelts light has been turned off, and you should feel free to move about the cabin. Flight attendants will be coming by soon with breakfast service. Please enjoy your flight on Enchanted Air."
"Salma, you can let go of the seat now. The turbulence is over. We've flown out of it," Caeli told Salma using their silent, mental communication.
It was best described as a form of telepathy, but that would not do it justice. It was more than that. It was a connection, an almost physical, yet imperceptible, link between two people. Using this link was a talent developed, in varying degrees, by members of two special bloodlines. Salma and Caeli's family happened to be one of those lines, and coincidentally, Vin was from the other. Therefore, this form of communication had become a very handy skill for the three of them over the last six months. They continually explored new and stronger uses for it. Talking silently to each other seemed almost second nature to them now. They had even recently been attempting to allow Ben to participate, though he did not possess the gift himself.
Salma was still sitting stiffly, pressed tightly against the back of the seat and clinging to the armrests for support. Caeli placed her hand on one of Salma's and eased it off the divider between them, holding it in her own. Salma was finally able to release her tension and relax herself into a normal sitting position.
"Thanks, Dear. I know it seems silly to be frightened by a little bumpy air. Ever since that incident on the ridge when Vin lifted Ben and I out of harm's way, I have had a strong aversion to flight of any kind. Quite frankly, strong winds even make me nervous," Salma answered in the same unvoiced manner.
"That's understandable. After what you went through, it is perfectly natural to develop such feelings. Try not to think about it. Besides, the pilot said it should be smooth flying from here."
Caeli glanced down and noticed a red line on Salma's left arm, about an inch above her bare elbow.
"Salma, you're bleeding. Did you hit your arm on something?" The mild concern on Caeli's face was the only indication the other passengers might notice. None of them could overhear their conversation.
"Not that I remember. Oh wait, that young man in the jetway. When he bumped into me, I felt a sting on my arm. He must have had a buckle or something on his luggage that snagged my arm. It's only a scratch. I will be fine." Salma quietly responded as she retrieved an alcohol wipe from her bag. She cleaned the thin red cut to ensure that it would not get infected. Afterward, she put it out of her mind.
"Well then, let's talk about something more interesting. Tell me how married life is treating you. You seem quite happy. Have you and Ben found any outdoor activities to enjoy yet?" Caeli asked verbally this time.
"Shame on you! You ask the most inappropriate questions." A strong blush came over Salma's cheeks.
"I can't help it, Salma. You two are perfect together, and it is nice to see how happy you are as a newlywed. Besides, the thought of Ben seems to have successfully taken your mind off other worries. You don't seem nearly as tense," Caeli laughed openly, and Salma joined her.
"Ok, you win. But you are a fine one to talk. You are absolutely bubbling with excitement. This vacation is already taking your mind off your job. You keep this up and Vin might insist that you not return to work at all. Why have you been working so much recently?" Salma fired back.
Even though Caeli was a happy person, she was also a diligent worker, much the same as Salma. And Caeli, too, enjoyed her work. Taking time away from her clients for herself was not something she did very often, at least, not until recently. After the life-changing ordeal months earlier, Vin encouraged Caeli to cut back on her workload, as he had done, and spend more time with him. Financially, they could afford to earn a little less. Though they were not abundantly wealthy, they were financially secure thanks to Kent's irrevocable life insurance check. However, Caeli was still having trouble making the adjustment. It was hard for her to say no to her loyal clients.
"One of my long-time clients had a big project, but it's finished now. However, you have reminded me of the favor I need. You see, there may come a time very soon when I am not able to work as much, and…"
"Not able to work? Why not? Are you sick? Has something happened that I don't know about?" Salma was suddenly concerned.
"No, I'm not sick; I don't think. Yes, something has happened. That's the favor I need."
"I'm confused. What favor?"
"Salma, I need you to run a blood test for me. Can you do that once we get settled?"
"I am sure I can. What am I testing for?"
Caeli's smile could have lit an entire room.
"You aren't? You are! How long have you known?" Salma asked enthusiastically, picking up on Caeli's implication.
"I am not certain. That is why I need confirmation. I took one of those drugstore tests this morning, and the readout was not entirely clear. I don't trust the results, though I'm still pretty sure. I would prefer to have a real test before I tell Vin on Friday," Caeli beamed.
"Oh, this is wonderful! Of course I will run the test for you."
"And not a word to Vin. Promise me! I want this to be a s
urprise," Caeli insisted with an uncontainable enthusiasm.
"Yes, yes, of course. So, tell me more. How far along do you think you are?"
"Sorry. I don't want to say anything else about it until I can tell Vin. It is only fair that he get to hear the details first. Besides, I would rather hear more about your work. Your article was fascinating. Do you really think the treatments you're testing will help stop the spread of the blood diseases you mentioned?"
"Oh, Dear, I understand and, yes, Vin should be the first one to share all the details. I am so excited for you. I will gladly do the test and, I promise I will say no more until you and Vin have talked. But, be prepared afterward because Aunt Salma can hardly wait to tell Uncle Ben! As for my work and the treatments, I sure hope so, and it was so incredibly simple. I can't believe nobody stumbled across it before. Think of all the good it could do for all those children who never had a chance at life; and the extensive, painful procedures that will no longer be necessary. Patients will be able to have simple blood work performed and, with no more than a shot in the arm or perhaps an infusion, a permanent cure might be possible. It is so overwhelming that I hardly believe it myself. Of course, there are still lots of tests and trials to be performed, but this could have such an enormous impact on people everywhere," Salma replied enthusiastically.
Caeli could see the passion that Salma had when she talked about her work. This was important to her. Caeli hugged her aunt impulsively.
"I'm so proud of you. I always knew that you would offer something to the world, even more special than the great care you give your patients every day back home."
They chatted for a while longer, and then Salma ate the breakfast provided by the airline. Caeli chose to sip on a glass of orange juice, not having much of an appetite and being informed that there was no bottled water because the supply had not been restocked. Afterward, both ladies settled in to watch the television screens on the backs of the seats ahead of them. Caeli soon tired of the movie and put on headphones tuned to the national news radio in time to catch the end of a story about protestors outside the hotel where the medical conference was going to be held. There was always somebody protesting something, but she would have to wait for a repeat broadcast to get more details. Salma was asleep forty minutes later while Caeli watched the other passengers through partially closed eyelids. She was still too keyed up to sleep and did not want anyone to think she was staring at them. She was intrigued to see such a variety of people.
Wrath of the Sea Queen Page 5
