My Journal

By Harriman Nelson

27

Had a decent night’s sleep after all, even though I didn’t go to the Med Center as promised. And I  didn't call Seaview last night either. 

Emmie tried to make me pancakes this morning, but we both ended up going to the cafeteria before I headed to the office.

Things were almost back to normal and I happily read through the requests for Seaview’s services to determine the best ones to accept, at least the ones not on a set time schedule. I didn’t think Lee would keep her on alert much longer. At least I hoped not.

I heard a cough and the tapping of feet by my open door.

“Emmie!” I said, delighted.

“I thought you told me you made an appointment at the Med Center for this morning. They said you never showed. And Angie said you never mentioned it to her.”

“It was for noon.”

“It’s nearly 2 O’clock! You missed our lunch date as well.”

“Oh shit,” I said rubbing my hair.

“C’mon. We’re going to the Med Center, then to lunch. My choice.”

“Yes, dear.”

It was a short wait in the Med Center. I might be the boss, but it was really only a clinic, and there were other folks in line. I refused any special treatment.

So we sat and waited while the waiting room TV was tuned to a soap opera. Suddenly it was interrupted by ‘breaking news’.

“….This just in. Congress has defeated the revised SALT proposal. The president is speaking with the alien captain right now, Al he's become known, get it, Captain Alien, to inform him. It is unknown if the vote will result in alienation, no pun intended, of our visitors from any future trade agreements, but it is a sure bet that the promised technology in exchange for the little bit of sea water will be rescinded….”

“Damn,” I said, getting up. “Sorry, I need to get back…”

“But…”

“Don’t you understand?" I whispered, "this could mean that they might go ahead and take it anyway. War even.”

“Ohmygod.”

My cell phone beeped. It was from Lee, but it was no time to be filial.

“Mr. President…yes, I just heard. How did he…I see…well, that’s a relief…yes…as soon as they leave orbit? How is Melody holding up….yes, understandable…yes, leaving Numbers here is a good idea. Can’t say I like him, but…yes…we’ve got the TV on in the Med Center…well, no, I didn't go last night. It was too late, really. But I'm here now. No, I haven’t been seen yet….Emmie’s with me. Don’t laugh…yes, I feel fine…all right…goodbye.”

“Well?” Emmie asked, everyone in the waiting room wondering what the hell the president had told me.

“Wait,” I said, indicating the TV.

“…Live from the White House….”

It was from the Oval Office.

“My fellow Americans,” Lee said (without his eye patch). “It was with regret that I just informed our visitors of the vote in congress against the SALT proposal. The captain  has a few words…"

Lee’s father-in-law came forward.

“We had ho-ped that your seas would bring back life to ours. But that will not be. We have lived with-out all these years. We will con-tin-ue to do so. In years past we might have just ta-ken what we needed. But I have advised the leader of our world that it would not be ad-ad-vant-a-gous for us to do so. We must return to our world emp-ty handed of goods, but la-den with the good wishes by some of you who have wel-comed us. Es-pe-cial-ly by my son-in-law, who treated us with re-spect and compassion from the be-gin-ning. Your system of gov-ern-ment is odd to us, and it sorrows me to know that he will not always be your leader.”

He gave the floor back to Lee.

“Lt. Numbers will be remaining here ambassador.  Needless to say, the technologies that had been offered in exchange for the Salt have been rescinded, which is only fair. On a personal note, I must say ‘fair winds and following sea’s to my father-in-law and that my wife and I look forward to visiting her world at some time in the future.”

With that he nodded to the White House camera to shut down.

“….We’re taking you outside now, where its believed that the alien will take his leave of the president  and earth momentarily…ah, there they are…the First Lady is hugging her father goodbye, Lt., or rather Ambassador Numbers is giving his captain a salute of some kind, and into the shuttle the captain goes…”

In minutes the shuttle lifted off disappeared into the sky.

My phone buzzed.

“Yes, Ames…what do you have from the SEA radar? Yes…good…good….”I sighed and hung up.

Everyone was looking at me.

“They’ve left orbit. All of them.”

But everyone’s attention soon turned back to the TV and  the image of Melody crying on Lee’s shoulder as they returned inside.

“The First Lady is visibly upset…it remains to be seen if she will cancel opening the new hospital as scheduled for this afternoon….This is CNN returning you to your regularly scheduled program…”

“Admiral?” one of the staffers called out. “Dr. White will see you now.”

“I’m going with you,” Emmie said.

Soon I was subjected to several tests, none of which had anything to do with my injury. BP, glucose levels, blood work, etc. Finally a hands on exam, including an X-ray.

“Well, it’s not too serious.”

“Told you,” I said to Emmie.

“But,” White said, “you need to keep your hand somewhat immobile in order for the bruised tissue to heal.”

“I need to write reports, sign documents…”

“Frankly,” Emmie said, “I’m glad you’ll be sidelined from that. You spend too much damn time with your blasted journal too.”

“I’ll give you’re a special glove,” Dr. White said. “You’ll be able to use the tips of your fingers, but not very well, and I don’t recommend using them at all.”

“You can always dictate,” Emmie said.

“I can dictate official stuff, not my journal, damn it!”

“Well then,” White said, “why not get one of those speech to text software programs.”

“My journal handwritten! Well, sometimes I do use a computer and just insert the pages.”

“Well, I’m sure your office staff can help out purchasing the software and installing it. The programs aren't perfect, in fact, you have to ‘train’ them to your style of speech, but could be a big help…”

“Oh gawd,” Emmie said. “That might make him spend even more time with it.”

I simply glared at her.

“Here,” White said and put on the glove. “Sorry, it will be uncomfortable. I’ll prescribe a pain and anti- inflammatory…the desk will have some extra gloves for you so you can launder them when needed.”

And so here I am, pecking away, one finger at a time with my good left hand. Angie’s purchased the software and as soon as I’m done with this entry, Ames will install it.

Emmie put our lunch out on hold and expects me home in a few minutes. Practically ordered me to take the day off.

At least she’s ordered pizza.