Calamity

by Gail McCormick

  “Sounds like something you would do, but I suspect you would have found some other way to get funding if you had to.”

  “Well, maybe the application essay I wrote about stealing apples helped.” She stood up. “Now, scram. NIP insists on the makeup, heels, nearly bare body. Takes forever to put it together, especially the nail polish you mocked. You can get away with your outlandish t-shirts and jeans since you have tenure. They can’t fire you. I’ve already told you my job depends on my looks. And you’ve already triple checked my door and window locks. I’ll be ok.”

  Kyle remained seated. “Nope. I’m staying right here until you’re ready and taking you to the station myself. Then I’m getting my stuff and coming back and sleeping on your couch.”

  “Yeesh. Knight in shining armor. Alright marathon man, while I put my face on and change my clothes you can put the dishes in the dishwasher, wipe the table off and put the trash in the garbage can. Then slice an apple for me to take to work and wrap up that piece of pizza you insist I eat. Put it in the fridge. Should keep you out of trouble and bring you back down a peg or two. Watch out. Gonna turn you into a good ol’ boy yet.” She reached up and kissed his cheek.

  That was all he needed. “Trouble sounds good.” He drew her in and kissed her with such fervor that she went limp, her heart beating so rapidly that she could hardly breathe. She fought the temptation to kiss him back.

  He let her go, smiled and said, “Maybe you’d like help getting dressed too?”

  “Not on your life,” she answered breathlessly as she practically ran out of the room. She paused at the foot of the staircase, considered turning back to him and then smacked herself in the forehead. What am I thinking! I am not going to fall in love with this man. But she was, and she knew it. She had a hard time forcing herself to go up the stairs.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  SAME NIGHT

  NIP TV ANCHOR DESK

  MAKEUP COVERED THE LAST TRACE OF THE CUTS on Camellia’s face from the first attack. Her hands and knees weren’t exposed, so the latest injuries couldn’t be seen. She wore a linen jacket and a long red skirt with a matching pair of red leather ankle boots.

  “Good evening all,” she said when she was on camera. “I’m just back from a second trip to Siberia. You’ll see on the screen that the area where the Spooky Siberian was found was barely disturbed by its removal, so the bone couldn’t have been planted there previously without the ground showing more disruption. That lets Dr. Harden off the hook.”

  The site was displayed on screen.

  “We dug farther down and brought back more of its bones for examination. Whatever it is, it’s got to be huge.” She stretched her arms out as widely as she could. “We also discovered more apparently ancient creatures, one possibly a saber-tooth cat thousands of years old. Any of what we found could harbor unknown diseases. We’ve passed them on to experts for examination. There’s clearly more thawing going on now than there was when we were there even such a short time ago. And more pockets of escaping methane, far bigger holes in fact. It’s not the best news for sure. This time we managed footage of an explosion.”

  It was shown on the screen.

  “Very scary,” Camellia commented. “Moving on, here’s an important update about the attack on CNN’s Dan Lowell and his cameraman. I’m really sorry to have to say that Dan has a broken neck and back. He’s still unconscious. They say that even if he survives, he’ll be paralyzed. His cameraman is better off with a fractured wrist and sprained ankle that will heal. Fortunately, no one else was seriously injured. The good news is that the police were able to track the SUV that hit Dan and arrest the driver. He’s been ranting that CNN puts out fake news. It should be clear from this tragedy that politicians’ attacks on the media must stop. Authorities and reporters are doing the best they can. President Morris has managed to keep Washington on a pretty even keel, considering the current state of affairs with the disease. And we’ll do our best to provide you with the latest information which I promise will be the god’s honest truth.” She paused for emphasis.

  “Getting back to the Mystery Fever, here’s the latest information. The death count has slowed further but is now at least 8,900 worldwide, quite possibly considerably more.” She picked up a piece of paper and scanned it. “The estimate is now about 5700 deaths in the U.S. where by far most of the cases have occurred. There are still people under quarantine. Here’s news from Chakir in Puerto Rico.”

  The screen featured Chakir who was in front of Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital in San Juan holding a mic. There was a small group of people nearby.

  “Things have calmed down here though we still have people in this hospital with 977 deaths so far,” he said. “Families have been vaccinated, so we think this might be the last of the cases. We certainly hope so!”

  As Chakir reported, Stacey handed Camellia a note.

  The screen returned to Camellia.

  “Thank you, Chakir. That’s good news. And now I have major breaking news. You’re going to find this really hard to believe. The FBI has caught the man who shot Barbara Logan. You might not have heard about her death before. She was a Georgetown University professor. He’s behind bars. He’s confessed to the murder and claims Senator Trotford hired him to kill me with money provided by some Russians. Dr. Logan was shot by mistake. He says Senator Trotford didn’t want his collusion with the Russians getting out. We understand the FBI plans to investigate the assailant’s story.” She paused to button the top two jacket buttons. “It’s cold in here, guys, no matter how hot it is outside.” She patted the closed jacket. “But back to our coverage of the disease with another update. The vaccine supplies are proving adequate to meet the demand. We’re expecting that new cases and deaths will slow even further. And it looks like the other Supreme Court justices will be okay. But Ralph Meecher’s daughter Nancy has died. She’ll be buried next to him. On another subject, the Europeans and other world leaders are urging the U.S. to do something meaningful about climate change immediately. And a finished bill has been released with funds to diminish climate change damage. The vote will be day after tomorrow. All the Democrats plan to support the Save The Arctic Act as well as a good number of Republicans. Hang on, and hold your breath. Good night friends. Back tomorrow. Count on it. Stay cool,” she added. “Somehow.” Heck, they should all come into the studio and freeze with her.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE

  SAME EVENING

  SUJIN’S LIVING ROOM

  BROOKLYN

  THE SILENCE WAS OPPRESSIVE. Sujin hadn’t bothered to turn on a lamp. The sun had gone down, and it was gloomy in the apartment. She was dressed in a plain black tunic and held her tiny baby girl wrapped in a long pink gown. Bobby sat on the floor in the corner, pushing toy cars and trucks around listlessly. His wood blocks lay on the floor in a jumble. The new teddy bear was propped against the wall next to him.

  Camellia walked into the room with Kyle, both loaded down with packages. Kyle had Anatoly’s rocking horse under one arm. “Sorry we’re so late. I couldn’t get here before the program was over,” she said.

  “What on earth is all that?” Sujin asked.

  Camellia spoke to Kyle. “You could put the packages over there and turn on some lamps. And turn up the a/c.” She pointed to a table near the couch and turned to Sujin. “Gifts from Frank’s friends at NIP.” She handed an envelope to Sujin. “Careful. There’s something valuable inside. Give me Hope and check it out. But first, here’s a really special present.” She had retrieved the puppy from Owen, and took it out of a small carrier. She knelt down and handed it to Bobby. “A nice boy only a little older than you wanted you to have this. His name is Dong Woo but you can change that if you want.”

  Bobby’s eyes lit up as he took the puppy and cradled it in his arms. “No,” he said. “Daddy would like that name.”

  “And there are two gifts from Kyle for you.”

  “How about this?” he asked, a
s he set the rocking horse down on the floor next to Bobby. “Want to try it?”

  When Bobby nodded, Kyle picked him up along with the puppy and set him on the saddle. He started the horse rocking gently. Bobby held onto the horse’s head and pushed to make it rock faster.

  Camellia separated the biggest package from the rest and set it beside him. “Hey fella, how about a hug for a lady in exchange for this?”

  Kyle helped Bobby off the rocking horse. He didn’t respond, but did let her hug him while he continued to hold the puppy. She pulled the wrapping off the package.

  “See, it’s a fire engine,” she said. “From Kyle.”

  Bobby still didn’t respond.

  “Yes,” she persisted. Something you’ll love, a bright red fire engine. It has a removable ladder and two firefighters.”

  Kyle knelt down on the floor next to Bobby. “Look, you can move their arms and take off their hats. And you can even take off their boots,” he said as he handed one of the firefighters to Bobby. He took it while still holding the puppy and pulled off a boot. “And the siren works.” Kyle pushed a button. There was a shrill noise.

  Dong Woo barked. They all laughed. Bobby looked up at Kyle, and for the first time, he smiled.

  Sujin had been watching them. “I know he’s up too late, but I couldn’t get him to sleep. And honestly, I couldn’t sleep either. She looked at the envelope she’d been holding in her hand and opened it. “Oh, my god, oh my god, it’s a document showing a trust fund set up for a million dollars!” she exclaimed. She turned to Camellia. “You didn’t. You shouldn’t have! I can’t possibly accept this.”

  “Yes, you can, and yes you will,” she said firmly “It’s from all the people who love you and Frank and from this goofy man here.” She pointed to Kyle who was crawling around on the floor with Bobby, pushing one little car behind another. “It’s the very least we could do,” she persisted. “Take it for Bobby and Hope if that makes it easier. And continue to help Frank’s parents.”

  “They’re moving their things from the hotel and are going to stay with us,” Sujin said. “But I’ll never be able to thank you enough. I haven’t even had a chance to thank you for adding the extra air conditioner. The men who delivered it didn’t know who had purchased it, but of course I guessed. It’s been a godsend.”

  “Just hand me Hope.” Camellia reached for the baby. “That’s thanks enough.” She gathered up Hope, looked down at her tiny face and smiled.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

  LATER THE SAME NIGHT

  CAMELLIA’S TOWNHOUSE

  OUTSIDE

  CAMELLIA WAS CARRYING PEPPER SPRAY IN HER POCKET. The recent assaults had made her wary. After Kyle dropped her off and headed home to pick up his things, she realized she had forgotten to fill Fuzzball’s heavy ceramic water bowl a second time, so she went below to collect it.

  She bent down and retrieved the dish. When she stood back up, she sensed motion behind her. She shifted slightly to one side as a man lunged at her, a knife raised in his hand, aimed at her back. She twisted around far enough to grab his wrist. Taking advantage of his forward motion, she hauled him closer and slammed him into the concrete steps. He was stunned, but conscious. When he tried to get up, she swung the cat’s bowl, still held in her other hand, and smashed him in the side of the head with it. This time he fell to the ground and had a harder getting up. She took the pepper spray out of her pocket, blasted him with it, and kicked him in the groin. He crumpled. Looking down, she recognized the man with the tattooed arms who had harassed her in front of the NIP building and Riverside Church. She pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed 911.

  “I’ve been attacked,” she explained and gave her address. She sank onto the bottom step and wrapped her arms around her body to keep from shuddering. “I’m in shock again,” she thought. Within minutes a squad car arrived. The officers already knew about the previous incidents, so they weren’t surprised when she handed them the note her attacker had dropped when she decked him. It had the usual words cut from magazines and said, ONE LESS ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE. They helped her stand up, and spent the next fifteen minutes listening to her explanation about what had happened. By then the assailant had started to move, so they hauled him to his feet, cuffed him and took him away.

  When they left, Camellia picked up the broken pieces of the ceramic bowl and dropped them in the garbage can. She went back inside, filled a new bowl with water and brought it down, hanging onto the stair railing as she went since she was still shaken but not about to let it hinder her. Fuzzball was huddled under the steps, having witnessed the whole incident. She reached in, pulled him out and hugged him. She was relieved that he didn’t scratch her. “It’s all over now,” she said. “Sure is a good thing I bothered to put myself through self-defense training. And by god, this time I’m going to keep myself together.”

  CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

  LATER THE SAME NIGHT

  LIVING ROOM

  CAMELLIA’S TOWNHOUSE

  “I’M HOPING YOU HAVE AN EXTRA PILLOW AND BLANKET,” Kyle said as he walked into the living room and put a duffle bag down next to the couch.

  “Sweet heavenly days. You meant it,” Camellia said.

  “Of course I meant it. You know perfectly well I meant it. I could probably also use a sheet.”

  Camellia had changed into shorts and tank top. They had taken a cab from Sujin’s place, and Kyle had dropped Camellia off before he went home to pick up some things. That was when she went down to get the cat’s bowl. He’d returned carrying the duffle bag and wearing a t-shirt that read WE NEED BIRDS, below that WE NEED BEES and under that DENIERS NEED BRAINS.

  He noticed that the Beatles song “If I Fell” was playing in the background. “In love with you,” he finished the first line. “Good choice.” He raised his eyebrows.

  “You know I like all kinds of music,” she said as she went over and turned the radio off.

  “I’d sing the rest, but I can’t carry a tune worth a darn.” He pulled out an identical t-shirt in extra small from his bag and handed it to her.

  Camellia looked at the shirt. “Land’s sake, your students have made even more of them?”

  “Lots more. People keep giving them to me. Some are too angry for me to wear like the one that said “DAMN THE DENIERS.” That came from a bunch of MIT students. It was hand printed. I haven’t worn it, but at times I’ve been sorely tempted. I had ours made myself. I hope you like this one. Hope it fits.”

  Camellia stood up. “Only one way to tell.” She pulled off her tank top, exposing a sheer black bra and put on the new t-shirt. “Perfect fit. I love it. Better than chocolates. This does suit my fancy. Better watch out, fella. You’re beginning to get to me.”

  “Finally.”

  Camellia ignored that. “Come sit and share this tea with me.” She handed him the cup she’d been drinking from and sat down on the couch. “It’s herbal, no caffeine so it won’t keep us up.”

  “Staying up wouldn’t be all bad if we put the time to good use,” he said as he sat across from her on one of the green chairs.

  She knew perfectly well what he was suggesting but ignored that too. “I haven’t thanked you properly for helping today. You actually got Bobby to smile. Sujin told me that’s the first time since Frank died.”

  “I’d prefer something other than a proper thanks,” he said.

  His meaning about that was also clear, but she said, “The fire engine idea was inspired.”

  “You can guess where I got that from.”

  “Your sister’s husband. Of course.”

  “Well, I’ve had practice consoling heart-broken kids. Laura’s son was only three when Gerry died. But speaking of that, I finally have some good news. As you know, the Arizona wildfires have moved in a different direction. That’s away from my sister. Not so great for some people, but at least it’s a blessing for her.” He leaned across, took a sip of her tea and handed the cup
back.

  “That’s good to hear. But you didn’t have to add $25,000 to the check we gave Sujin.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Kyle protested. “Columbia salaries are good and speaking at conferences adds to that, not to mention sound investments. $750,000 came from your own bank account.”

  “She must never know that! Besides, NIP pays me a fortune. Celebrities garner unwarranted amounts of money. My $8 million a year is ridiculous. But at least I try to put it to good use apart from the damned clothes that are seriously overpriced. And speaking of clothes, thanks to you I’ve begun to realize I don’t always have to go with the sexiest thing I can find. That’s liberating. I guess I used to provoke some of the harassment by overdoing it. A crazy way to get even with men for what my dad did to us. I certainly have punished a bunch of guys. Now I feel like I might have some value apart from looking the way I’m supposed to look. Maybe I’ll even keep the two gray hairs I found. I might even accept the wrinkles I’m starting to see around my eyes. Too much southern sun did that.”

  Kyle smiled. “So, I have made a dent. I certainly have tried to get through to you that as far as I’m concerned, you’re perfect whatever you wear.”

  She poured more tea from the teapot sitting on the table next to the couch and handed the cup to him again. “There’s a line of bunkum. And if you don’t know what that means, it was named after Buncombe County in North Carolina and means hogwash.”

  “At this point you know I mean what I say.” He moved on. “But clearly you use your money for worthy causes like the Birds and Bees Foundation.”

  Camellia was dismayed. “How did you find out about that? It was supposed to be a secret!”

  “With my astronomical I.Q. as you call it, I do know what the word bunkum means. I’ve even bought a dictionary of Southern idioms. But to tell the truth, it was a fluke,” he admitted. “I was fact checking another article about the relationship between bee loss and climate change when I saw a reference to the new foundation. Obviously it had to be you with that clever title.” He drank more tea and handed the cup back to her again.