CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN – STEVEN RIP
The short absence in baby William told Dwarg that it was possible to leave Aggie, but considered the transition as far too risky - there was so much at stake. Aggie had apologized for her demanding behaviour, but things may have gone wrong, she may have died, and Dwarg had no idea of the rejection powers of a baby Human. All of the planning and calculating, in fact his mission may have come to a useless end. Luckily, he knew exactly what to do to repair the baby; he had had ten years of experience with Robert Kellor’s heart. At least Aggie had the nous to rescue him from the baby just as he felt mysterious forces seeking his expulsion.
At the time of Aggie’s command, Dwarg was delving into the memory files of many and various Humans. He found common instances of “voices from God”, “voices from within”, entities, poltergeists, episodes of “alien abductions” and a hodgepodge of other happenings where the Human became a subject of some external (or internal) manifestation. Most events were of no great consequence – others were. Joan of Arc, a predecessor of Aggie’s past schoolteacher said she got her directions from a voice from Heaven. Nikita Tesla, Isaac Newton, Galileo, Einstein and James Chadwick, seemed to be unusually gifted. Vincent van Gogh – Dwarg already knew of that entity. Prominent religious and occult leaders often took directions from voices and commands not of this world. It could even be argued that Aggie would fit into this category; Dwarg was indeed an entity – a Whisp. He knew of only one other definite intruder and that was the mysterious Smota. How many others were or are in the Aura and where would it all lead to? In any event, he had to prepare for his final exit from Aggie – one good thing he knew for sure now; she would not perish as a result of his departure.
Aggie’s first batch of assignments had been completed. She had papers and pages of theorems which the university had accepted and some were even published. Her thesis was very cleverly written and gave tantalizing hints as to the dissipation of elements under certain conditions, without actually giving complete formulae which would neither negate nor prove the theory. Conversely, she would offer a solution to a proposition using a thinly veiled vehicle of connection.
She had kept a dialogue with Professor Lorenz who, under the auspices of the University of Edinburgh – and with the cooperation of the University of Oklahoma - proposed to conduct a trial using some of Aggie’s analytical reckonings as to particle disappearance.
She was formally invited to attend the experiment at CERN Geneva, the trial commencing on the twelfth of July next.
Megan was a very good companion and organiser on many of Aggie’s trips around the country. She would arrange flights, accommodation and rental cars, be a driver, secretary and sometimes cook for Aggie. Aggie was never arrogant or demanding and the arrangement worked well.
After two days at the Jefferson Laboratory, where Aggie manage to “sit-in” on some experiments with the particle accelerator , she invited Megan to come and visit Aunt Claire and Uncle Dan – Richmond was not far away. “You’ll adore Jade, he’s the king of guinea pigs and he promised to drive me in a space shuttle to Pluto one day. If you like we can pay a surprise visit to your brother while we’re there.”
“Would you believe it Aggie,” said Jade, proudly displaying Butch who didn’t seem to mind being perched on his carer’s shoulder, “he hasn’t limped or been sick since you were here – and he’s been a conjiggle to seven more families – I think.”
“How are the markets Jade, still selling plenty?”
“Sure am Aggie, I seem to sell the bigger guinea pigs better – and I’ve got regular customers every time I set up the stall. They don’t even want to know the names I give to the critters, they just point to which ones they want. They even bring their own boxes and cages – they must have plenty of kids or have big families that like pets.”
“And do these customers speak English?”
“Not too good, but we use sign language – I think they are from Mexico or somewhere. Hey Aggie, dad took us to an Indian Reservation in Canada – wow it was great. I didn’t even know that we were a tribe till your dad’s funeral. Now dad has taught me a lot of stuff about it – I remember you doing a dance and dad promised that next vacation we might go back and I can learn more. All the kids at school are so jealous of me – I still want to be an astronaut but I’d like to be a Brave as well – just like your father was.”
“Tell you what Jade, you should start studying about rockets and space right now. This is something you may find interesting – NASA is working on a new propulsion system that will be up and running shortly. They are going to power space vehicles that go so fast that it will be possible to fly to Mars in two weeks instead of six months. It’s a little complicated to explain exactly how it works but that would be a good project for you to get involved with. Here, I’ll write it down for you – it’s called a Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) – it’s a mouthful, but if you learn it, you can show off to your friends. NASA is also working on things called ion thrusters, which is also worth looking at.”
“Claire tells me you’re off to Europe again Aggie, on some sort of research experiment” said Dan “your Aunt Edna told me all about you guys being thrown out of an art gallery in Paris and Megan getting mugged – can’t get enough of it?”
“You know Uncle Dan, France is really a beautiful place – it’s different, but once you get into the countryside, it’s awesome and we had a great time. I’ll be going over with Megan in July to Geneva, compliments of the UO. It won’t be so cold this time. I know Megan is really happy to go, I think she is interested in a certain person who works in a restaurant there.”
Megan smiled. “As my dad and Darren keep saying, there’s nothing wrong with a little mix of business and pleasure. It’s just a shame that Edna won’t be coming with us, anyway Ed seems to be occupying her time more and more.”
Dan entertained them that evening with some compositions he had written over the last few months. He explained how the visit to the Reservation had revived his interest in cultural music.
He had the full backing and blessing of Chief Atian who encouraged Dan to go further with it - “Daniel, it is reasonable that the dances and the music should develop as we develop. Our heritage is important, as is the very nature of our culture. We can dance to the traditional rattle and drum at the powwows but there is no reason why we cannot also dance to the music of the present. Dan, make your music pure, and make it honest. As you write and play notes, remember from hence these came and why you have created them.”
“Dan, may I possibly have a copy of these sheets? I would love to play them on the piano when I get home – are you teaching Darren to play this?”
“Yes and no. Yes I’ll photocopy one for you and no (and please don’t tell him this), I’m flat out teaching him basic guitar cords, let alone this composition – maybe we can collaborate on some of the pieces later on Megan, that’s if you’re not too busy gallivanting all over the world.”
Dwarg had fluxed back to Aggie’s consciousness for an instant, only to find that the topic being discussed was music – unfathomable and illogical Human interests. He promptly found a new chain of Human memory cells and went off exploring again before Aggie even realized he was active.
Later that evening, Darren called by for a visit and was delighted to see Megan again. “So this is the special Aggie that everyone is so impressed with – so charmed to meet you young miss.”
“Likewise Mr Redcliffe, and may I firstly say a thank you for all your help with getting the coroner to release my dad – I heard there was a lot of red tape to cut through. Uncle Dan thought you were very tactful and professional. Aunt Edna and I were so glad when we heard.”
“A pleasure Aggie, please call me Darren. I am sorry for your loss, your father was a good man.”
“He was a good man and a good father and his spirit lives in me. I’ve accepted his physical passing. I guess we share a similar emptiness - I’m aware of your m
other’s sad accident and I know Megan still misses her at lot.”
“I must admit I miss her as well – thank you, and thank you and your aunty for taking my sis under your wings back there in France. She was frantic as to how Pop would react. She had been saving up for that trip for a long time, but everything worked out OK in the end. Did I hear correctly that you’re currently an undergraduate at the UO?”
“Yes, the UO has bent over backwards to help me. I can’t remember how many examinations, boards and assessments I’ve had to get through to reach this level.”
“The Deputy President of the university has pushed and sponsored me. My problem is time, and I have compulsory credit hours to fill up before looking at graduate levels, but Mrs Conaghan seems to have a knack of finding shortcuts for me.”
“And what exactly are you into?”
“Nuclear, subatomic physics - I seem to have a leaning in researching the make-up of the physical world and what keeps it all together.”
Claire’s scones and cakes were heartily eaten over the next few hours Megan and Darren reminisced of childhood days. “You know Aggie; there is a big photo of your father in the great hall at the NASA Training Centre in Houston. I’ve seen it quite often, our mom’s photo’s there as well. Sometimes when I get the blues, I just hop on a plane and visit that place, it somehow helps. It’s a shame that our Pop is just not interested in going – I really think he doesn’t want closure.”
“We can go and see it next week Aggie, you’re scheduled to give a talk at the ... here, let me see... Centre for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signalling, Houston. I’m sure they will show us around.”
“Well time for me to git, people, thank you all for a great evening. Megan, say hi to Pop for me. Aggie, it was a pleasure to meet you – wish you were ten years older.”
In fact it was two days later when Darren rang Aggie. “Aggie, is Megan in hearing range? I’ve got some bad news about our Pop.”
“No she’s not around at the moment, what’s up Darren?”
“He’s had a stroke, he’s in the Frederick Memorial Hospital – it’s not looking particularly good – I’m at Richmond Airport on my way now.”
“Oh Darren, I’m so sorry, we’re in Washington, I’ll find Megan and get a cab to the hospital – meet you there.”
As the taxi passed the outskirts of Rockville, Aggie reassured Megan that her father was in the best of hands. She had phoned the hospital a few minutes earlier and the news was that Steve was in a stable, yet critical condition. He had collapsed in his office. Luckily all of his staff had been trained in Emergency First Aid (one of their conditions of employment) – and the resuscitation most certainly kept him alive until the paramedics took over.
The anxious and excited state of Aggie’s mind brought Dwarg back from his Human memory channelling. He told her that, in this situation, it would be quite impossible to enter and heal Steve. If there was brain damage involved, Dwarg’s could do nothing for him, perhaps may even cause further, if not, complete, brain failure. Aggie accepted this and felt helpless; all she could do was to console a sobbing and upset Meagan.
“This way Miss Redcliffe, he is stable at the moment, on life support but he’s not conscious. Your brother will be here shortly, he phoned. If you need help, just push the assist button on his bed. You can sit with him if you like, but there will be people coming in and out all the time, so please give them space as they need it. And this girl?”
“Oh this is Aggie, my adopted sister, we go everywhere together.”
“Miss Redcliffe, this may be a traumatic experience for a young person.”
Aggie responded, “Doctor, I have lost both my parents and my grandmother – I saw them die, I was at their funerals and I understand the principles of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – but thank you for your concern – I will be fine.”
Megan sobbed. “Is my daddy going to die, doctor?”
“We have further testing and monitoring to do, but to be honest Miss Redcliffe, I think you and your family should prepare for the worst – I am so sorry. We’ll talk later after your brother arrives. In the meantime, we have all the family facilities at hand – make yourselves comfortable. Do you wish the hospital chaplain to come by?”
“I’ll wait for Darren first, if you don’t mind.”
The hospital room reminded Aggie of her own experiences. Steve Redcliffe was strapped to a bed and was surrounded by machines, tubes, cables and hoses. The hums, hisses and rhythmic noises filled the air. Megan kissed him on the cheek and said “Hello daddy, it’s Megan – can you hear me?” No response, no increase or decrease of the readings and dials connected to him. “Please don’t die poppy, please don’t leave me alone – I’ll do anything, even go and work in your office, we all need you.” The tears fell from Aggie’s cheek – this was so pathetic and sad. Megan sat down next to the bed and held her father’s hand. Aggie sat behind her and put her arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him Aggie.”
Dwarg knew of this emotion – sadness/sorrow. He also knew of the feeling of frustration, which in this case he had combined. He communicated with Aggie again that he could not enter and repair this Human. At best, he could rearrange a few of his cells, but not near enough to heal him. What was possible however, was that Dwarg could impute and resurrect some of Steve’s memory. As there was no doubt that the Human was going to die, Dwarg could at least give Steve some fond, happy and gratifying thoughts before he expired. “Is poppy going to die Aggie?”
“Oh Megan, we all know we will have to die sometime and it’s all so sad. Maybe it’s the sometime for your dad. It would be nice if we could just put everything off till later, but if it’s his time now, the best thing you could do is to be thankful to have been a part of his life – I’m sure he would feel the same.”
Darren arrived and covered his mouth with both hands as he walked in the room. “I had no idea anything was wrong with Pop – have you spoken with the doctor Megan?”
“I’ve had a talk with one of the doctors – he was honest and told me to prepare for the worst. Darren, he’s unconscious and probably won’t ever wake up. The stroke was bad and the doc said there was irreparable damage. Doctor Clutterbuck will be seeing both of us later, as soon as he checks all the tests and scans.”
“Hello Aggie, thanks for bringing Megan here.”
Two hours later, the doctor called Darren and Megan into his office. Aggie stayed behind in Steve’s room, holding his hand.
“I don’t propose to colour the situation here. Your father has suffered a severe ischemic stroke - a blood clot in his brain. To make matters worse, a haemorrhage developed inside the clot, it’s called a hemorrhagic transformation. Even if we had the facilities to give therapy at the time of the attack, chances of recovery would have been extreme. I wish I could offer some hope for further treatment or recovery, but you must know that he will not survive. Our resus equipment at this stage is only assisting his body to function. He has no cognitive skill and he is totally paralysed. I am so sorry to be brutal.”
“But he is still alive, isn’t he? as long as those machines keep helping him, he’s alive.”
“Megan, what the doctor is really saying is that Pop is brain dead, he’s not Pop anymore – he will never get better. We’ve got to understand that it’s time to say goodbye to him – at least we have the chance to do that. Thanks Doctor Clutterbuck, I appreciate that at times your job sucks.”
“Call me Eric. I never get used to it young man – go and celebrate his life – he was a fine man and we shared a few adventures at university. I knew him and your mother well.”
As they walked back to Steve’s room, Darren shook his head and said, “There’s so much that I still wanted to do with Pop – I wanted to take him on a balloon ride over Harper’s Ferry – we promised that we would walk the Grand Canyon trail – to drink Tequilas in Tijuana and to spit into the falls at Niagara.”
Aggie moved aside as Meg
an and Darren placed themselves on either side of the bed. Darren held his father’s hand and stroked his hair. “Goodbye old pop, thank you for a wonderful life, for everything you’ve done for us, you were the best father in the world, and I’ll never forget you.” He bent down and kissed him on cheek, then with tears in his eyes, left the room to sign the necessary documentation.
When he returned, Megan was still there holding Steve’s hand. Aggie was on the other side with her hand on his forehead.
A nurse came in and made some adjustments on the machines, and then left – she was expressionless. Steven Redcliffe was on his own.
Dwarg had managed to push some cells through the skin on Steve’s brow. These cells were activated and enhanced the memory units that Dwarg had planned to implant into Steve’s brain. Luckily the weak yet adequate flow of blood carried the cells to the directed site and in electrical flashes and activities, Steve’s mind was able to see the film that Dwarg had produced.
Steve saw how he was dying, he saw his life played out as if he was an outsider, he saw himself as a young person, then school, then college, then Eva, then his calling to the bar, then Darren, then Megan, then his firm, then the loss of Eva, then his close relationship with his children.
He was satisfied with all things given him in life - sure there were tragedies, but all in all, not too bad a life. Then he saw Eva, not back at university, not back just before she died, but now. She was a little older, but still had that look on her face – that wonderful look – somewhere between a smile and a laugh. She even fluttered her eyebrows and held her arms out to him.
He was frozen, he could not move. He fought with all his might, but could not take a step towards his beloved wife. He tried to curse and swear and to struggle against the invisible force holding him back. The more he struggled, the more difficult it became. In desperation, he tried something different – relax, easy now, just relax – just try to softly glide over to her – yes he was getting somewhere, he was getting closer to Eva. Her face glowed with pride as he made his way towards her – “Steve, Steve, you’ve made it, give me your hand darling.”
“Look at daddy’s face, he’s smiling! Nurse, nurse, my dad’s smiling, look Darren!” Darren gave the nurse a knowing look and she nodded back.
“He’s left us Megan. At least he wasn’t in any pain. I could have sworn I heard him say Evie, with his last breath – let’s think he has found mom after all these years.”
Aggie promised she would have extra maple syrup on her pancakes for breakfast...Dwarg loved maple syrup.