THE GIFT

Chapter 6

After a few days, Melanie began to come out of her funk. “Good morning, all.” She said pensively, entering the kitchen. “Can I help?’ she offered to Sharon, who was standing at the massive stove frying bacon and eggs.

“Oh…hey, Hun.” Sharon relied cheerfully, “Naw Sug, I got it covered. Thanks anyway. Bubba bear gets gumpy if his eggs and bacon aren’t just right.” She blew a kiss to Curtis, who was sitting at the dinette table with James, sipping coffee and talking quietly. Hearing his pet name, he looked up just in time to catch her kiss….and blow one back.

James looked up to see Melanie. “Well, hello stranger.” He called out as he rose and crossed the room to embrace her.

“Hey.” She replied sheepishly. “Look…I am so sorry for the way I’ve messed everything up, I just…”

“Shh,” James comforted, wrapping his arms around her. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be just fine.” He reassured, still trying to convince himself. “We’ve been working on a plan, okay? Just relax and let us handle things.”

“Okay, I’ll try.” She smiled for the first time in days. “What’s the plan…or shouldn’t I ask?” She assumed they no longer trusted her.

“You can ask all you want, Darlin’.” Curtis announced from the table. “Come on over here and I’ll show you what we’re doin’.” He motioned her to sit next to him and look at his laptop. “In fact, your reassurance caused a worldwide patience…if you can believe that. “Miss Melanie” is a global phenomenon. It’s a massive expression of gratitude for keeping hope alive. You’re famous, whether you like it or not.” He announced. “And we’re going to use that.”

“How are we going to do that?’ she asked, her mood shifting from repentant to apprehensive. The O’Connors were famous, too.

Curtis held her gaze for a few seconds. “Matt…you’ll meet him… is organizing a multi-lingual, simultaneous release, worldwide…directly to all major medical facilities and every news media outlet on the planet…or at least as close to that as possible.”

“He can do that?” she asked, amazed.

“Our boy has connections you wouldn’t believe. He’s a horse trader, for sure. A lot of important people owe him favors, but he never rubs it in. Seems they need him more than he needs them…and they trust him. His fees prove that.”

“Multi-lingual, huh?” she murmured.

“Yep…better saturation that way.”

“Anyway…once he’s ready,” he said, looking at Melanie “you are going to go back online and alert the world to receive the formula. It’s just that simple.” He finished. “We want you to have the honor of pushing the button and freeing this bird.” He smiled.

“Oh no, I don’t think I can do that.” She protested “I get people killed, or at least endanger them when I do that.”

“Sug,” Sharon lilted, placing a plateful of bacon and eggs in front of Curtis. “You can sit there and hide from the boogeyman…let someone else carry your water for you…and live with that for the rest of your life in fear…or you can stop whining and step up. This is going to happen with or without you. You have a unique opportunity to do something monumental…or not.” She paused, holding everyone’s attention. “Personally, I think you’re made of better stuff. Don’t let me down.” She winked.

“Are you going to eat that, or should I have it bronzed?” She said to a stunned Curtis.

“Damn, babe. You’re brutal.” He proclaimed, grinning broadly and watching the back pockets of her jeans move in the way that always got 41 his interest. Curtis drew a playful hand back to give a playful slap to her enticing derriere, but with her back to him, she warned “Don’t even think about it.”

Melanie agreed to the plan. The rest of the morning was spent around the table working out the plan. She learned a few things about the strangers who were putting their lives on the line. She learned that they referred to each other as “Phantoms”. Curtis was Phantom One, Matt was Phantom Two, and so on. She thought it was a little silly, but it had its purpose. Military jargon de-personalized combat. Emotionally, it was easier to deal with Foxtrot Three being pinned down than it was to deal with your best friend Jeff being in trouble.

She was amazed at the extent of their network. Even though it was a small group, it was a comprehensive collection of critical professions. From doctors, lawyers, and engineers, to teachers, cops, adventure guides, and construction workers...and ranchers. The one common thread was that each of them had shared the rarified world of United States Military Special Forces. Curtis had carefully cobbled together an elite force for good. Their skills included every operational aspect imaginable, and a couple she didn’t know existed. The training their country had given them was second to none. They all felt it was their duty to pay it back…whether the government liked it or not.

She didn’t know that since her unplanned announcement, Curtis had called in some of the “Phantoms” to form a perimeter around the house and barn area. Gilley suits and night vision optics helped that greatly. They had arrived and deployed in the middle of the night. Not even James was aware of their presence. Now, half of the group was present and mission ready. The other half was on its way or were carrying out other aspects of the mission.

What she…and James, for that matter, were exceedingly grateful for was the total commitment these strangers were making in this unbelievably critical moment for humanity. Their loyalty to each other and the oath they all took was nothing short of heroic. Greed and the lust for power corrupt lesser men. Selfless honor and fidelity of spirit purify greater men. These were the greater men.