by Utt, Kelly
“Yeah, it was strange,” I say. “I don’t dream much at all, really. I rarely remember my dreams. But I remember one I had last night.”
“Okay,” my mother-in-law says, sitting down on the foot of our big, king-sized bed to listen.
Will is nursing away happily, smiling and looking up at Ali as he fills his belly and she gently strokes the silky, red hair on the top of his little head.
“It was really simple,” I continue. “Which is part of what makes it seem strange to me.”
“Okay, go on,” Marjorie says.
“Much like in the dream about Dad from the night of the break-in, there wasn’t much setting or backdrop. It was just me on a deserted, two-lane road in the middle of the woods.” Chills run up and down my spine as the words leave my mouth.
“What were you doing there, George?” Marjorie asks.
“I was looking for Ali,” I say.
“What?” Ali asks, looking a little concerned.
“Yeah, I was calling out for you,” I say, turning towards my wife.
“Why were you looking for her?” Marjorie says, sitting up straighter now and looking more serious than she did a few minutes ago. I wonder if I should be worried.
“I don’t know,” I say. “I just know I needed to find Ali and I couldn’t.”
“That’s kind of unsettling,” Ali says.
“Well, the strangest part is that, from somewhere off in the distance, I thought I heard Ethan’s voice calling my name.”
Neither of the ladies in my life says a word. They’re processing and trying to make sense out of this.
“Is that all?” Marjorie asks. “Anything else you can remember?”
“That’s it,” I say. “I don’t know where I was. It kind of looked like Ithaca, but I can’t be sure. And I have no idea at all where Ethan’s voice was coming from. I wanted to get to him and comfort him, but I couldn’t see him anywhere. I just heard his voice. I thought it might be my imagination. And I knew I needed to stay focused on finding Ali.”
“Gosh, Georgie,” my wife says.
“I know,” I say. “Weird, right?”
Marjorie looks like she’s choosing her words carefully.
“I’ll go ahead and say it. This is probably something that shouldn’t be ignored,” she states for the record.
“Should we be alarmed?” I ask.
“I wouldn’t go as far as being alarmed,” Marjorie replies. “Sometimes dreams are just dreams without any deeper meaning. We’ll keep it in mind, but otherwise, I don’t think you need to concern yourselves yet.”
“Yet?” Ali asks, lifting little Will and leaning him on her shoulder to allow any air bubbles he may have gobbled in a chance to escape.
“Well, I just mean that we’ll remain aware,” Marjorie clarifies. “And we’ll be ready to connect the dots if we receive information which may be related. That’s how I handle intuition, anyway. It’s the best advice I can give.”
“Should I look it up on the internet or something?” I ask. “Aren’t there a slew of dream interpretation sites out there?”
“No need,” Marjorie says. “Most of those are utter rubbish, in my opinion. Intuition is relevant to the person or persons experiencing it. There’s no catalog or directory which can explain matters of the sixth sense.”
“Okay, then,” I say. “I just wanted to let you know, Marjorie, in case you thought it was important.”
“I’m glad you did,” she replies. Then, after a deliberate breath, “George, have you been back to see Dr. Epstein since Will was born?”
This is the first time she’s asked. It’s been six months.
“You know,” I answer. “I haven’t. He tried to follow up, but I guess I’ve been putting it off.”
“Did you discuss hypnosis when you met with him?” Marjorie inquires.
This is my chance to tell them about the past life memories. No better opportunity than now. And no better audience. Marjorie could compare my experience to her own. And, of course, Ali should be one of the first to hear that I remember, with absolute certainty, how she and I lived together and loved one another in Ancient Greece. Just like Ethan said.
“We did discuss hypnosis,” I say simply.
“Did you tell him how Ethan made statements regarding what sounds like a legitimate past life memory?” my mother-in-law asks, respectfully.
She’s not trying to intrude. She genuinely wants to help. Before I can answer, Roddy appears in the doorway. He has Leo on one hip and Ethan on the other. All three of them are smiling big and looking proud.
“Good morning, family,” Roddy says cheerfully.
“Good morning,” we say back.
“Two very helpful boys we know made pancakes, eggs, and bacon for everyone,” he announces.
“Come and get it!” Ethan says enthusiastically.
“Yeah, come ‘n’ get it!” Leo parrots. I swear, that boy thinks the sun rises and sets with his big brother.
“Good job, babies!” Ali says. “Did you make enough for all of our guest?” They look up at their Papa Roddy to be sure before they answer. He lowers his eyes and nods assuredly.
“Yes, Mommy,” Ethan says. “Plenty for everybody.”
“Come ‘n’ get it!” Leo says again.
“It’ll be brunch,” Roddy clarifies.
“How can we say no to that?” I ask, smiling at our boys. They’re growing up so well.
“Alright then,” Marjorie says, taking little Will back from Ali and walking towards the bedroom door. “Let’s give Mommy and Daddy a chance to get dressed. We’ll meet up at the big dining room table.”
I nod at Marjorie to let her know we’ll finish this conversation later. Once she and the boys exit and close the door, Ali and I quickly get out of bed to join them. I jump in the shower since I can get in and out within ten minutes or less. I figure I might as well go ahead and get ready for the day. Ali has a much longer and more intensive process for getting ready, so she decides to wash up a little for brunch and then wait until after we eat to go through her full routine. The people staying at our house right now are our closest friends and family members. No one will mind if Ali isn’t runway ready on this lazy Sunday morning. The funny thing, though, is that my wife always looks drop-dead gorgeous. Even when she hasn’t done her hair and makeup. She’s a true natural beauty. Her quiet confidence and steady presence surely add to the effect.
By the time Ali and I arrive to gather around the big farm table with our guests, everyone else has crawled out of bed to join in.
Liam is showered and looking ready for whatever the day may hold. Us military guys are good at that. We’re trained to wake up early and be ready for anything. Liam isn’t much for sleeping in. I’ll bet he’s been up for hours.
Nicky, Luis, and Sara, on the other hand, don’t look as perky. I assume that’s because they’re tired from traveling yesterday and from staying up much later than usual last night. They’re still in their nightclothes. They look like a picture perfect family though, bleary eyes and all, because they’re wearing identical blue and white striped cotton shorts and white t-shirts. Sara appears especially proud to sport the matching set with her dads.
Taye and Malcolm look tired, but not as tired as Nicky and his family. Taye is former FBI, so he’s trained to be up and at ‘em much like Liam and I are. He and his son are showered and looking good in t-shirts and khaki shorts. Taye is wearing a New York Giants shirt and Malcolm is wearing one bearing the logo of the New England Patriots. Apparently, they have a friendly NFL team rivalry going on.
Everyone seems in good spirits. Nicky and Taye both have to get back for work tomorrow, so they’ll be packing up and heading out before long. We have an awfully nice group of family and friends here. I tell myself to take a moment and bask in the friendly, good energy that’s flowing. I don’t want to take it for granted. Not everyone has good people like we do.
We eat together. And the food is delicious.
When brun
ch winds down and the kids leave the table to play, the conversation turns towards the business Liam and I intend to start together. I’ve been hesitant to talk much about it, mostly because Liam and I have a lot to sort out. I figure we need to be clear in our own minds before we involve anyone else. My uncle and I haven’t even agreed on the big details yet, let alone the small ones. That’s what we will work on while he’s here on leave. But I suppose it’s understandable that our folks would have questions after hearing the announcement Liam made at the party last night. Taye is the first to ask.
“So, Liam,” he begins.
“Yep?” my uncle replies.
“What’s this business you mentioned? I’m curious what you and George are getting into,” Taye says.
“Well, that’s a good question,” Liam says with a chuckle while looking at me. “What are we getting into, George, buddy?”
“We’re in the very early stages of figuring that out,” I answer.
I notice Roddy hanging on my every word. Taye seems to be doing the same. I suddenly feel like I’m in the spotlight and I’m not sure I like it. They want more details, so I push myself to continue.
“We’re both aerospace guys,” I say. “Drone guys.”
“Or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle guys. Also known as UAVs, if you’re using the official terminology,” Liam adds.
“Right,” I say, smiling at my uncle. “Liam and I joke back and forth about whether to call the things UAVs or drones. It’s an issue of communicating the fact that an actual human is piloting the aircraft, just remotely. The word drone makes it sound so mindless. Some people get tense about the terminology.”
Marjorie stands up and leaves the table to tend to our boys. Then Nicky and Luis excuse themselves to go get cleaned up. They’re not interested in the nitty-gritty details of our business plans. Or, at least, they’re giving those who are most interested some space to discuss it privately.
“What do you plan to do with UAVs?” Taye asks, leaning forward.
“Yeah, what do you plan to do with them, Georgie?” Ali interjects, in a teasing tone. “I’d like to hear more about this myself. As your wife, that is. I don’t want to be involved with the business otherwise.”
Taye shoots Ali a look that says this isn’t something to joke about. It’s interesting to see Ali’s friend put himself in between us like this. I guess there’s a long-standing dynamic between the two of them which allows Taye to weigh in. I don’t think I mind, really. But I find it interesting. Roddy sees me considering the dynamic and makes eye contact to reassure me it’s okay. He’s known Taye a long time. Good to confirm that Taye has my father-in-law’s approval.
“We’re talking about private security applications,” Liam explains. “The whole thing is George’s idea. I’m just along for the ride.”
“Don’t sound so excited, Liam,” I say, playfully turning my palms up in mock outrage.
My uncle is sitting beside me. He reaches a hand over and places it on my shoulder.
“I’d follow this guy anywhere. And into anything,” Liam says. “Once I heard what he wanted to do, I knew I couldn’t let him do it alone.”
“Awe,” Ali says.
“I appreciate that,” I say to Liam.
“George is one of the truly good guys,” he continues. Taye and Roddy both nod in unison as my uncle speaks. “He’s itching to make a real difference in the world. His motives are pure.”
“I believe it,” Roddy says, smiling like a proud father.
I sure lucked out in the father-in-law department with Roderick Davies. I know my own dad would be glad to know Roddy is filling in some voids his early departure created in my life. Ever since Dad communicated with me in that dream the night of the break-in, I like to think he is, in fact, watching me and that he knows what’s happening in my life. I like to think he knows Roddy in some capacity. Or on some plane of existence. I don’t have to understand the details.
“What kind of private security applications are we talking?” Taye asks. “You know, guys, personal and residential security is my world. I’m interested.”
“Huh,” I say, glancing at Liam. “I hadn’t thought about it that way, Taye. You do have expertise which would be invaluable to us.”
“Are you saying you’re interested in working with us?” Liam asks Taye.
“I might be,” he replies. “Are you planning to use drones for residential security?”
“Yes,” I blurt, my mind racing as I consider the possibilities of bringing Taye into the fold. His involvement could really be an asset as we work to get this company off the ground.
“Wow,” Taye says in response.
“Well, not only residential security,” I clarify. “I mean, we can use the same technology for a variety of commercial applications. But residential security is where my heart is after what we experienced.”
My voice trails off. Liam hears it and places his hand back on my shoulder again. He doesn’t say anything this time. He just looks at me for a long minute. My uncle knows how to show support in the most meaningful ways. Such small gestures mean so much. I again think about what a good dad he would have been.
“The official answer,” I begin again. “Is that first and foremost, we want to build a drone surveillance system for high-end homes. Once we get that up and running, there are a number of applications for the technology which make sense to pursue.”
“The sky’s the limit if you will,” Liam adds. “Pun intended.”
We all laugh, then get quiet as we continue to consider the implications.
“Georgie,” my wife begins. “Is this whole thing motivated by the break-in?”
“Kind of,” I say. “Yeah.”
“Awe,” she replies, placing one hand over her heart like she does when she’s especially moved. “I’m touched.”
“You and the boys are my whole world,” I say, reaching a hand across the table to take hers. “Being threatened like that really shook me. If I have knowledge and experience which could be used to keep you safe, why wouldn’t I be doing everything I can to make it happen?”
“I hear that,” Taye says solemnly.
“I don’t blame the police for not being able to do more,” I add. “It sucks that they haven’t identified the guy who died. And that they haven’t found the getaway driver. But they’re working with a ton of limitations. They can’t help any of that.”
“And George thinks maybe we can,” Liam says.
“That’s weighty,” Taye says. We sit together in silence for a few minutes, the sounds of our happy kids chatting and playing in the next room.
“There are, well, issues to acknowledge,” Ali begins, tentatively.
“Ali,” Taye says, turning towards his old friend. “I know where you’re coming from. I remember even back in college what a big heart you had. You want to see the best in people. You want to focus on the positive. On the bright side. That’s admirable and we all love you for it. But there’s a dark side out there that isn’t going away. George and Liam know that. They’ve seen it. I’ve definitely seen it, both during my time with the FBI and in the years I’ve been consulting on home security.”
“I know, Taye,” Ali says, glancing at me.
I’m glad Taye is saying all of this so I don’t have to. I nod at him, giving my approval for him to carry on.
“I’ll bet your Dad knows something about it, too,” Taye adds.
This is the first time anyone has verbalized what I’ve suspected about Roddy. I wonder if Ali has any idea about her father’s background. And I wonder how Taye knows. Roddy looks at his daughter steel-faced. He doesn’t say a word or move a muscle.
“There’s a certain reality we all acknowledge, for sure,” Liam says, breaking the silence.
“If we can save even one little boy or girl,” I say, my voice cracking and tears beginning to form in my eyes. This business means even more to me than I realized.
“George,” Taye says. “I get it. I really do.”
/> I smile and shake my head up and down, looking over at Liam before I speak. He jumps right in and does it for me.
“Taye?” my uncle asks. “Are you interested in going into business with us? We could use someone like you and think you’d be quite an asset.”
“Yes,” I say emphatically. “Taye, will you do us the honor?”
Ali grins and places a hand on her old friend’s back. “It would sure be nice to see more of you and Malcolm,” she says.
“You know what?” Taye replies. “I absolutely would. I thought you’d never ask.”
“This is amazing,” Ali says slowly. “Who would have thought?”
“It’s kind of perfect if you ask me,” Liam says.
“Now, I’m not sure I can move to Ithaca with the rest of you just yet,” Taye clarifies.
“Yeah, I don’t see that as a problem,” Liam says. “At least not right away.”
“It’s still early,” I confirm. “We can work all of that out over time. Liam and I do intend to home base here. But you’re not far away. I’m sure we can figure out a workable arrangement.”
“Nice,” Taye returns. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say.”
“Now, if you could make it out to Tahoe for a few days,” Liam offers. “That would be helpful. We’re going to do some serious planning while we’re out there. Any chance you could carve out a little time to join us?”
It sounds like a big ask. But I get the feeling Taye might be up for it.
“You know,” Taye says, smiling. “I just might. You leave tomorrow?”
“We do,” Liam says. “We’ll be out there for a while.”
“Let me see what I can do,” Taye replies. “Malcolm is with him mom next weekend. And, of course, I set my own schedule with the residential security business. I may be able to move some things around and combine a few days off with the weekend. How does that sound?”
“Sounds exciting!” Ali adds. “It will be like old times. Remember that summer we spent a lot of time hanging around Roger Brimmon’s river house and swimming in the Potomac?”
