“He can go about his business.”
“Obi Wan. Exactly.” He leaned heavily on the desk. “Okay. You have my attention. Whatever the traditionalists have in mind for me, I’ll give you a fair shot, too.”
“Thank you. Just so you know, though, what I just showed you wasn’t much more than a parlour trick. My aura simply pushed your aura. I can’t reach into your head and do psychic surgery to remove your tumour.”
“What about Uncle… ?”
“Uncle Palak is way beyond me in terms of what he can achieve with chakras and energy, but he’s no Jedi master, either. All I’m suggesting is using your own energy to facilitate healing. I’ll give him a call tonight and explain your situation. He’ll know where best to go from here. You have to keep an open mind, though. Your attitude is the key to everything.”
“The doctor said something like that, too. Ten minutes ago my attitude was becoming a problem; after this little demonstration, my attitude is not going to get in the way.”
“Good, because there may be incense and crystals and mantras and a few other things we use.”
“Bring it on. If I’m going to let them cut a bigger hole into my skull and try to remove this beast, and expose me to deadly radiation and possibly poisonous chemicals just to kill something that originated in my own body, then maybe it’s time I opened my mind to the mysteries of the Far East, too. On second thought, can you Feng Shui the loft, too?”
She laughed. “And maybe an exorcism while we’re at it?”
Oh crap! He hadn’t thought about how this would all affect Ana. “Hell no. Let’s just keep it simple. Thanks for the offer, though.” He returned to his chair.
“I was kidding, Boss. Don’t look so worried. It’s all positive energy work. No demons, no holy water, or crosses, or other symbols of misguided faith-based politics.” There was a light knock by large knuckles on the door. “I’d better get back to my office. I’m so sorry you have to go through any of this, Jerry. Just so long as you know you’re not alone.”
“Thanks, Mika. Auric-shoving or not, I appreciate having you in my corner more than you know. Now go get some work done. I’m still your boss and will need that report on my desk by noon.”
“What report?” She looked worried, like she’d forgotten to do a task.
“I’m kidding. Go home. It’s the weekend and Monday is soon enough to strap yourself to the desk and do whatever it is you do so brilliantly. Please talk to Danveer’s uncle, and we’ll set this all up after my planning scan on Monday.”
“You got it.” She smiled at him and he managed to muster one of his own. A second knock came just before she opened the door. Mika stepped back and Manny filled the doorframe, wringing big his hands and looking worn out.
“Good, you’re still here, Jerr. Carmella is on her way over after making a few quick stops, and I’ve been commanded to keep you in the building until she arrives. Twenty minutes, tops.” He stepped aside to let Mika slip out, and Jerry could see a cluster of people behind him, waiting.
“Of course. I’m feeling pretty strong, so I’ll be happy to stick around until she gets here. You okay, Manny?”
“It’s all still sinking in, mate. Still sinking in.”
“Yeah. Me, too.” He had a thought, a moment of clarity. “Would you mind doing me a favour, Manny? Something best done by you?”
Manny perked up a bit. “Just ask. I need something to distract me for a few minutes.”
“Could you please give Lee-Anne’s husband, Tom, a call and make sure she’s okay? Mika says she left in a bit of a hurry after I dropped the bomb on all of them.”
“Bloody hell. Consider it done. I should have given you a heads-up that she lost a sister to cancer last year, so your news hit her like a brick.”
“Oh, shit! Maybe I’d better call her myself.”
“No. It’s my fault. I’ll give Tom a call right now. You and Lee-Anne can have a sit down sometime early next week. Pick the restaurant and it’ll be on me. Expense it. She showed a lot of strength when her sister died, so maybe she’ll lend you some, once she gets over the initial shock.”
“How old was her sister?”
“Six minutes older than Lee-Anne. Identical twins.”
“Damn. If you’ll make that call, then I’ll make time for her, guaranteed.”
“Thanks.” He looked back over his shoulder. “I’ll swing by when Carmella arrives. In the meantime, the Hug Brigade is here.”
“I’ll see you then.” He looked out past Manny at Rolf, who seemed to be first in the makeshift line. “Come on in, buddy.” He moved back around to the single chair Mika had vacated. He figured that hugs and words of support would be easier without the desk in the way. When he thought about it, he was probably just better off standing. He got up and opened his arms as Rolf entered. No words needed to be exchanged. Rolf gave Jerry a long hug, then drifted off to let the next in line come in. It was the same with each of the ten staff who came by—two-pat man hugs followed by knowing exchanges of head nods, or long girl hugs with kisses on the cheek. By the time Carmella arrived, Jerry was so infused with love and hope that he just held his arms open and welcomed her into the fold. She, too, kissed his cheek.
“So how’s Ana taking all this? I’ll bet she wanted to be here, didn’t she? I would, if it were Manny.”
“She’s holding up pretty well. She’s my rock right now, and you’re right, she would have been here if I’d asked her. I just thought that people would have enough questions about what was happening with my health that having them pity the girlfriend I’m leaving behind would be a bit much for everyone.”
Carmella tugged Jerry’s chin down so she could glare into his eyes. “Two things, young man. One: no talk about leaving until you’re gone. That’s negative talk, and it isn’t allowed here. Two: you let that young lady help in any way she wants. She’s going to feel totally helpless as she watches you get sicker and go through the treatments, so where she can have the illusion of usefulness, you will give it to her. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay, make it three things. Never call me ‘ma’am’ again. Anything but.” She kissed him on the end of his nose and released his chin. “Now come along to Manny’s office. I put together a basket of stuff to get you through the next few days. Healthy foods as well as the kind you indulge in when you’re feeling blue, which is perfectly natural about now. Once you’ve got that in your hands, Manny and I are driving you straight home. No long-distance working, no traipsing around town, no dance lessons… just relax with that wonderful girl of yours. I’ll explain everything in the basket to her and put her in charge.”
“I’m good with that. Give me a couple minutes to grab a few things and I’ll meet you both in the lobby. Please.”
“No heavy lifting, young man. That’s why we have Manny.”
“No lifting, I promise.”
“Good. Come find us when you’re ready, hon.” She squeezed his arm and went off in search of her husband.
Jerry quietly closed the door, planted a gentle kiss on the Blake book and placed it on the desk. The blue glow lasted only a second before Ana was standing in front of him. She first saw his red-rimmed eyes and without a word stepped in and gave him a strong hug.
“Thanks, Shvibzik. We’ve only got a moment here, though. Manny and Carmella are driving me home where Carmella wants to have a chat with you about some stuff she’s bringing along in a care basket. Since they won’t be more than a few feet away from me the whole time, maybe I should just tell them that you’ve gone out.”