The Shox Gene Variant

by Bob Cooper

  Raina wasn’t convinced that the Senator would not discover what Dorthea was doing. When he did, Raina felt sure he would take it out on her. But she basked in the praise heaped on her by Dorthea.

  No sooner were they done with lunch when a reporter with a camera crew came over to the table. The Maître de moved the closest guests to other tables. The reporter conducted an interview from a list of questions provided by Dorthea. The camera captured the entire interview, and it was scheduled to be aired that evening on a local news network. After the interview, Dorthea paid the check and walked out holding Raina’s arm as the patron’s clapped.

  “Dorthea, thank you for doing this. If there is anything I can do, please …”

  “There is, my darling. Let me be your chief of staff. We need to prepare you for the next Presidential Campaign,” she said. Before Raina could respond, she drove off in a cab.

  Raina was stunned and couldn’t move. The doorman said something about getting her a cab, but Raina didn’t hear. She slowly walked back to her condo, ignoring the stinging sleet falling. Her political career had taken an unbelievable turn. Too bad her personal life was in shambles.

  ***

  Arriving at the condo, she checked her messages. There were none. She called Sue, and when she didn’t answer, Raina hung up instead of leaving a message. Changing into a pair of sweatpants and an old tee shirt, she poured a glass of wine and curled up on the couch under a blanket. Still dazed about the conversation at lunch with Dorthea, she called Dirk.

  “Hey, how are you doing? Plan anymore trips through the solar system?” she sarcastically asked.

  “Smartass. What have you been up to?”

  “Well, let’s see. I went to a holiday party and met the President, and I had lunch with Senator Carrington’s wife who thinks I should run for President on the Independent Party ticket, and then I did an interview that’s being featured on the news tonight.”

  “Did I hear you right? President?”

  “That’s right. She says I bring a fresh new perspective.”

  “I don’t know what to say. I’m so proud of you.”

  “Yeah, it still hasn’t sunk in, and the more I think about it, the more nervous it makes me.”

  “Think it through. You have a good head on your shoulders.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How’s Sue?”

  “Uh, we split up,” she said, trying to hold the tears back.

  “Split up? What happened?”

  “I screwed up big time. That holiday party I went to was at Senator Carrington’s home. He’s a staunch conservative. I was going to bring Sue but chickened out at the last minute.”

  Her voice began to waver as she continued. “I was afraid of what people might say about us. She left me,” she finished, crying.

  “Oh, Raina. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s all my fault,” she said, sobbing.

  He waited for the crying to subside. “Think about this. If you can’t deal with who you are at a party, what are you going to do when the eyes of the entire nation are on you during a presidential campaign?”

  Raina got the message. He was right.

  “I guess I need to think about that. I’m not sure I can handle the pressure.”

  “Does the Senator’s wife know you’re gay?”

  “I doubt it.”

  “I would start with telling her and seeing if she still thinks you have a shot.”

  “That’s a good idea. Thanks for your confidence in me. Take care of yourself.”

  “One more thing. Carina wants to visit you. Do you think you would have time?”

  “For her, no problem.”

  “She’s still confused about your sexuality.”

  “Okay, I’ll figure out how to talk to her.”

  Raina hung up when someone buzzed her door. She clicked the monitor. Sue was standing there. She buzzed her in. They stood there facing each other to see who was going to talk first. Sue’s eyes were bloodshot. Her clothes were disheveled as if she’d slept in them. Raina grabbed and squeezed her as tight as she could. Sue kissed her long and hard.

  “Come on in. I have a lot to say to you.”

  ***

  Annie was with Foster at the doctor’s office. The nurse came down the hallway.

  “The doctor will see you now,” she said.

  “I would like my girlfriend to be with me.”

  She looked at Annie. “That’s fine with me.”

  It seemed like the longest walk ever down to his office. They held hands as they entered. The doctor looked up. “This is Annie. I want her to hear this.”

  “Okay,” he said. Annie moved closer, and the doctor smiled at her.

  “Well, let me start with the bad news. You have cancer. It’s not exactly the strain your father had but similar.”

  Foster stared straight ahead and squeezed Annie’s hand so hard she almost yelled.

  “Now for the good news. This strain is curable with a newly developed gene therapy.”

  Foster said nothing. He couldn’t speak.

  “That’s great news, doctor. When can he begin treatment?” Annie asked.

  “I’ll set it up for next week. In the meantime, we need to boost his immune system.”

  He waited for a reaction from Foster. He was still speechless, so he continued. “There is a ton of paperwork to fill out before you leave. I’m giving you supplements to take three times a day and no physical assertion or sexual activity until I give you the okay. Any questions?”

  Foster looked at Annie and then at the doctor. “No sex?”

  ***

  Annie went back to the office. Gretchen and Aidan were at Guard HQ discussing the Nelson case. “Can you get my mother on the line, Joey?”

  “No problem.”

  She took the call in the office with the door closed.

  “Hi, Mom. I have some great news. Foster and I are back together.”

  When Acey didn’t respond right away, she felt awful about blurting it out like that knowing what was going on between her parents.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so insensitive.”

  “Annie, I’m happy for you.

  Annie told her the whole story. “Have you talked to Dad?”

  “I did. I said some things I shouldn’t have.”

  “Mom, he’s not cheating on you.”

  “I’m sorry you had to get involved with our problems. Do you really know this woman?”

  “What do you mean? I’m the one who vetted her. I did the background checks before we hired her,” Annie said.

  “I’ve done a little digging myself. I looked up her old address in Seattle. All the records show that was her address all right, but when I looked at a satellite map of the area, the location showed a vacant storefront.”

  “Mom, maybe she lived upstairs. I did a complete check on her, and the records show she is who she says she is.”

  “Can you do a little more digging? I’m not comfortable with this woman.”

  “Only if you promise to make up with Dad.”

  Acey let out a sigh. “You’re right. I’m acting irrationally. I’ll call him tonight.”

  “Thanks, Mom. Take care.”

  “I love you.”

  ***

  Aidan and Gretchen were driving back to the office when she asked if they could stop by her apartment to pick up the files she took home. The uncomfortableness must have shown in Aidan’s face.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to bite you,” she said, laughing.

  He pulled up in front of her apartment. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here.”

  “Come on up. I want to show you something.”

  “What?”

  “Come on. I want to show you something.”

  They went into her apartment which was furnished with contemporary furnishings.

  “I like what you did with the place.”

  “Thanks. What I want you to see is in here. C’mon, follow me,” she said, pointing to t
he bedroom.

  “What is it?”

  Gretchen laughed at Aidan’s childlike nervousness.

  “Come on,” she said, pulling him in.

  The queen-size bed had a yellow bedspread with an assortment of pillows arranged randomly. The scent of Jasmine made him dizzy. She took his hand and had him sit on the bed and disappeared into the walk-in closet. She came out with a painting that she propped up against the dresser mirror. It was a portrait of Aidan done in acrylics. He was in his office leaning on the edge of his desk in a contemplative mood. The background was dark with rays of light shining through the window.

  “It’s beautiful. I didn’t know you could paint.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she said, sitting next to him.

  Before he knew it, she pushed him down and kissed him. Her hands raked his hair as she opened her mouth to kiss him again. Aidan squirmed, but it felt so good he couldn’t resist. She began unbuttoning his shirt, continuing to kiss him. Slipping her hand inside his shirt, she ran her hand on his smooth chest.

  What the hell am I doing, he thought, pushing her off.

  “Gretchen, I can’t do this. Please stop.”

  “Nobody’s going to know.”

  “I’ll know. I’m going out to the car. Get what you came for and let’s get back to the office,” he said.

  On the way out, he thought of Acey. Maybe, she’s right. I should fire her. As he waited in his vehicle, Annie called.

  “Hey, where are you?”

  “We’re on our way back. What’s up?”

  “There’s a news feed I want you to see. I saved it on your tablet.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “You’ll see when you get back.”

  “Okay.”

  Gretchen got into the car as Aidan hung up. She looked straight ahead and didn’t say a word. Neither did Aidan. As he pulled into his parking spot, Gretchen was half-way out the door.

  “Wait,” he said.

  She sat back down.

  “Look, what happened back there …”

  “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again,” she said, without emotion.

  Aidan looked at her, trying to decide if she was sincere in what she said.

  “Okay. Then let’s forget about it.”

  She nodded with a strained smile and walked into the building and straight to her office. Annie noticed. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yeah, fine. What’s this feed you want me to see?” he asked, uncomfortable with what had occurred.

  In Annie’s office, she flipped on the monitor and started up the feed.

  “It’s from Washington. An interview with Aunt Raina. It’s about twenty minutes long. Listen to the whole thing and tell me what you think.”

  Aidan walked out shaking his head. “My sister-in-law? President of the United States?”

  14

  Raina put on a robe and went into the kitchen while Sue showered. It was early evening, and snow was falling at a record pace. There was a weather advisory in effect, and the city was in a state of shutdown. Opening the cupboard, it was well-stocked with wine and vodka.

  She made a promise that if Sue came back, she would change.

  “What do you have to eat? I’m starved,” Sue said, drying her hair.

  “Not much,” Raina answered. “But I have a lot of booze.”

  Sue queried the food processor which listed the foods it had and the meals it could make. She pushed the buttons for a cheese sandwich.

  Raina watched as it came out of the food dispenser. “That looks pretty good.”

  She chose the same meal, and they sat next to each other at the table.

  “How about some wine?” Sue asked.

  “Thanks.” Swishing the wine around in her glass, Raina pressed it to her lips and took a sip. I have something important to say. Hear me out.”

  “Okay.”

  Raina’s face turned serious. “I’m not ashamed of who we are. I know my actions don’t show that sometimes. I have always been a private person. I don’t often go to gay rights rallies. As you know, I don’t share my feelings with just anyone. You know more about me than my own family.”

  Raina took Sue’s hand. Sue looked up at her.

  “Susan, I promise never to go anyplace without you. I promise I will not be ashamed of who we are.”

  “Those were exactly the words I wanted to hear. I love you so much,” Sue said.

  They held each other until Sue said, “I saw you on the news. You were very professional. Is it true they want you to run for President?”

  “Yeah, I guess. I had lunch with Senator Carrington’s wife, and that’s what she said. She wants to run my campaign.”

  “I’m so proud of you,” Sue said. But then she broke out in a long laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’ll be the first lady. I guess I can remodel the White House the way I want.”

  Raina raised an eyebrow. “I can just see the Rainbow Flag flying right next to Old Glory.”

  They laughed, continuing with different decorating scenarios before they ran out of wine.

  As they turned in that night, Raina remembered her conversation with Dirk.

  “Before I forget, Carina would like to visit us.”

  “That would be great,” Sue said. “Let me know when and I’ll take some time off.”

  ***

  It was late when Acey called. Aidan watched the com link buzz deciding whether to answer it. The argument was fresh in his mind, and he tried to calm himself.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Aidan.”

  “Acey.”

  “How are things going?”

  “Fine.”

  “How are you coming with the Nelson case?”

  “Did you call me to make small talk or do you have something to say?” Aidan said, losing his temper.

  “I thought we could have a rational conversation, but I see that you’re still upset.”

  “Upset? Who me? Why should I be upset? You accuse me of messing around with my employee. Then you leave early in a huff without saying goodbye.”

  “Hey, I had business to take care of,” Acey yelled.

  “Yeah, you always have business to take care of. How do I know what you’re doing when you’re away? For all I know, you’ve been cheating on me,” Aidan yelled back.

  “That’s not true, and you know it. I’ve never cheated on you.” She took a deep breath. “Look, let’s discuss this when I get back.”

  “What’s there to discuss? I’m not firing Gretchen. And I’m not cheating with her. But since you accuse me, maybe I should.” He disconnected, throwing the com link across the room.

  He sat on the couch, seething. Pouring a tall whiskey, he sat back and gulped it down. Pouring another, he picked up the picture of their wedding. Annie was six years old then. He turned it face down. Closing his eyes, he fell into an uneasy and troubled sleep.

  ***

  Dirk and Carina stopped at the office after school and were talking to Joey when Gretchen came in from an appointment.

  “Hi, Carina. How are you doing?”

  “Fine. Where’s everybody?”

  “Out in the field. Annie should be back soon.”

  “Oh, this is Gramps, I mean this is Dirk Saunders, Acey’s grandfather.”

  “Please to meet you, sir. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “All good, I hope. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Annie walked in, threw her briefcase on a table.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” she said, kissing her great-grandfather.

  “I thought we’d stop by and say hello. Norma is picking me up here, and we’re going out to dinner. Can you take Carina home?”

  “No problem,” Annie answered. “I wanted to talk to her about the Nelson case anyway.”

  Gretchen’s ears perked up. “So do I, come to think of it.”

  “Norma is outside waiting,” Joey said to Dirk.

&nbs
p; “Take care. I’ll see you all later,” he said.

  “Let’s go in the conference room, and we can talk,” Annie said.

  “Have you had any more dreams about Jonathan?” Annie asked.

  Carina became visibly uncomfortable and squirmed in her seat. “Not about Jonathan.”

  “About who?” Gretchen asked.

  She didn’t answer right away. “It’s okay. You can tell us,” Annie said.

  “Aidan,” she whispered.

  “What did you dream about Aidan,” Gretchen asked.

  “He was in the fire again. But this time he couldn’t get out.”

  Annie felt a chill. “Was this part of the mansion fire dream you had before?” Gretchen asked.

  “No. I don’t know where he was.”

  “Did you tell Aidan?” Annie asked.

  “Yes, I told Captain Tom and Uncle Aidan. They didn’t seem too worried about it.”

  “I’ll talk to him when he gets back. Anything else happening?”

  “Nothing else. Oh, Mom said I could visit Aunt Raina in Washington. I’m going during winter break. She’s going to take me to the White House.”

  “I saw her interview on the news. She’s a smart lady,” Gretchen said. “Who’s taking you?”

  “No one. I’m old enough to travel myself.”

  “Well, I know you’ll have fun and learn a lot,” Gretchen said.

  “It’s getting late. I’ll take you home,” Annie said.

  “Go ahead. I’ll close up,” Gretchen said.

  When everyone left, she contacted her father.

  “I learned the Bayberry girl will be visiting family in D.C. soon. That will be the ideal time to grab her.”

  ***

  Annie waited in the lobby for her father. She had told him about Foster’s cancer and that she loved him. Foster wanted to meet Aidan, but Annie didn’t know why he chose a day when he would be going through his treatment. Aidan walked in and looked around for Annie.

  “Over here, Dad,” she said, waving to him.

  “I brought you some coffee. How’s he doing?”

  “The treatments aren’t too bad. They inject nanobites into him. They’re programmed to attack the cancer cells. He has two more sessions to go.”