The Girl With Aquamarine Eyes (27 page)

“Let’s skip the cordial small talk.” Dr. White grumbled. “What
do you want to know about Heaven?”

Dr. Killmore pulled the opposite chair out, and sat down. He
reached into his pocket, pulled out a video tape and slid it across the table. “This.
Take it home and watch it.”

Dr. White picked up the tape and studied it.

“I’ve got it on tape, Dr. White. Watch her hands glow. My
patient was dead, stone cold dead, until she put her hands on him. He’s alive
and well now, see it for yourself.”

Dr. White smirked at the neatly-dressed physician. “Have you
lost your mind? I only took care of her broken legs. I have no idea what you’re
talking about, besides, she disappeared after that.”

Dr. Killmore leaned in close. “She can heal people, it’s
right here on the tape. This is why your patient never returned for cast
removal, or physical therapy. She’s up and walking as if her legs were never
mangled to begin with. I’m going to find out how she does it. I will harvest
her cells, inject them into my patients and cure every ailment known to
mankind.”

“Have you gone mad? Her guardians will never allow you to
turn her into a guinea pig.”

“Never mind how I’m going to do it. This girl will bring me
to a new medical frontier, unknown to mankind. Think how many people she can
heal. But I need your help with the research.”

“And you have this on video?”

“See it for yourself.”

Dr. White thought a moment as he studied the tape. Suddenly,
his eyes widened. “Count me in. Get the girl one way or other, but don’t screw
up.”

“You can count on it.” Dr. Killmore assured him. “Go home
and watch the tape. It’s something you’ll never again see in your lifetime.”

“What do you plan on doing with her, once you get her?”

“ I’ll take her into Mexico, from there, we’ll leave the
country. They’ll never find us.”

Dr. White clutched the tape until his fingers reddened. “I
better be able to find you, got it? I’ve got the tape now. If you plan on
disappearing, I’ll blow this whole thing wide open. Be sure to stay in touch.”

Without a backward glance he slipped the video into his
jacket pocket, stared long and hard at Dr. Killmore, and quickly ducked away
from the annoying café.

* * *

Tommy returned to the pool and sat beside Heaven.

The sun was setting, its glowing orange mass silently
dipping beneath the waves in the distance. It had been a perfect day, until the
strange conversation with Bice. At least Harmon had sent him enough money for
car repairs. He was anxious to have his car again, and return to work soon.

“What was that all about?” Heaven asked.

“Nothing important. I have something to ask you though.” He
blushed a pale shade of red.

“What is it, Tommy?”

He took her hand and held his breath. “Heaven, would you go
to the prom with me?”

“Prom? What is a prom? Is that like the mall?”

He laughed and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. “It’s
a school dance, where you wear a beautiful dress, and I buy you flowers.”

“I don’t know how to dance.”

“I’ll teach you.”

She suddenly leapt up, grabbed his hand and pulled him to
the patio table. “Harmon, I’m going to the prom! Hurry, I need a beautiful
dress!”

Bice glared at Tommy. He was tempted to chase the boy back
to the study, and shake some sense into him. Better yet, he’d throw him in the
pool and be done with him for good. The least he could’ve done was ask one of
them first, not spring it on Heaven without their approval. He’d already warned
the boy not to try to get too close to Heaven. It was now obvious the boy would
do as he felt.

“Sounds fun.” Harmon replied. “When is the dance, Tommy?”

Bice whirled around and glared at Harmon. “We need to talk
about this first. Privately.”

“They’ll be fine.” Harmon insisted. “We’ll be their
chaperones. Let them have fun.”

Bice slammed his drink down, glared at Tommy and stormed
back into the house.

* * *

Bice watched through the curtained window as Tommy finally left.

He’d passed the time pacing back and forth in his room,
glancing out the window every few seconds. Harmon was finally making his way
into the mansion with Heaven. He could wait no longer. He raced downstairs
toward the study.

“Have you lost your mind?” He demanded as he stormed into
the room. “The kid is already asking too many questions. Now you’re letting him
take Heaven to the prom?”

“Questions? What kind of questions?”

Bice leaned over the desk and met Harmon eye to eye. “He
noticed her wrist was healed already. And you, you are supporting it by letting
him take her. Do you want her found out Harmon? Do you? Do you know she could
be a threat to national security?”

“No, I don’t Bice, but I can’t keep her from living her
damned life.”

“I understand that, but we have to make a choice. If
something happens, and she does what she did at the hospital, what if someone
else sees it? Did you forget about the child that was dead? There was a
witness!” Angered, Bice slammed his fist on the desk.

“One woman might have seen it. She looked Spanish. Maybe she
won’t be able to explain what happened.”

“There are security cameras in every room at that hospital.
Did you forget how she stuck her face into one and painted it with her
lipstick? They know Harmon, they all know about her by now. What the hell are
we going to do?”

“I don’t know.” Harmon moaned. “I can’t wave a magic wand
and make those security tapes disappear. I can’t snap my fingers and make her
normal. I also can’t drive away a new friend. For God’s sake, Dreams just
bailed out on her.”

“Do you realize there will be a hundred or more kids in that
ballroom at the Prom? If one of them gets hurt, or chokes on the food and dies,
they’ll take her from us Harmon, they’ll take her!”

Harmon was beginning to worry about his manager. The man
looked like he’d step off the edge at any moment. “You’ve got to calm down, and
I know the risk. Again, I will remind you I will not keep her a damned prisoner
here, she needs a life.” Harmon shoved the stack of lyrics in front of him to
the floor, watching as they scattered about like fall leaves caught in a sudden
whirlwind.

Bice ran his hand through his hair and gazed at the ceiling.
“All right Harmon, you win. Let her go to the damned Prom. You better hope and
pray nothing happens to a single person in that room, you better hope lightning
doesn’t strike anyone in the parking lot, because if it does you can kiss
Heaven goodbye.”

He glared at the musician, and stormed out the door.

* * *

Tommy’s hands shook as he knocked on the door of the mansion.

It was prom night, and he hadn’t been able to sleep much the
night before, or all week for that matter. Nervously, he gazed at the corsage he
held. The flowers swayed and quivered despite his firm grip. Petals drifted
loose from the stems, and fell to his feet.

He hoped she liked them. He’d driven all over town,
determined to find the perfect flowers for his new friend. He’d finally settled
on an island bouquet, trimmed with bird of paradise, lilies and white orchids.

The mahogany doors were suddenly swept open. A man whom he
had not seen before, dressed in a fishtailed tuxedo, guided him to the
staircase and quickly evaporated down the dim hall.

“Hello, Tommy.” Bice slapped him on the back, a little too
hard. “You look nice. Heaven will be down any minute.”

“Thank you.” He coughed.

Tommy followed Bice’s gaze toward the glistening mahogany
steps. The vision coming down was beyond his mind’s ability to register, much
less comprehend. He fought the sudden urge to throw the flowers aside, and make
a mad dash out the front door and into the obscurity inside his worn out
vehicle.

She wore a floor length white satin gown. Her golden hair
was swept up in curls, several fell down each side of her face and down her
back.

She glided down the staircase, while Harmon proudly held her
hand. Bonita followed, carrying her matching purse and a stole.

Tommy watched as the angel floated toward him. He suddenly
felt dizzy. Waves of nausea threatened to consume him. They would laugh at him,
and call him a geek when he walked into the ballroom with this…Goddess
.

“Hello, Tommy.” Heaven smiled.

“Good evening.” He swept into a rigid bow, and fought to
regain his composure as he stared at his feet. Finally, he inhaled quickly and
righted himself. “You look absolutely stunning. For you.” He handed her the
flowers. They quaked to and fro in his trembling hands.

“Why thank you. Bonita, won’t you put them in a vase for me?”

“No, Heaven,” Harmon whispered, “you wear them.”

“Oh.” She took the corsage and placed it neatly behind her
ear, as she had done with the flowers so many times back on the island. It was
rather large and awkward, but very beautiful indeed. She was forced to hold her
head at an odd angle though, in an attempt to keep it from falling to the
floor.

Bonita quickly rushed to her aid, and slipped the flowers
over her wrist.

“Heaven, I have something for you.” Harmon pulled an object
from his pocket and handed it to Heaven.

“Oh Harmon, a cell phone!” Heaven smiled, and gave him a
hug. “Thank you so much.”

The entourage swept out the door, and into the night.

* * *

Tommy inhaled deeply, as he swept open the double doors which led
into the dancehall. He offered his arm for Heaven to grasp. It was now or
never. The football jocks were probably already lined up inside, waiting to
throw plate after plate of food on him.

The booming music screeched to a halt as the pair strode
down the red carpet. Gasps rippled throughout the crowd. Students rushed
forward, and watched the stunning couple move toward the dance floor.

“Hey, it’s the geek.” A student called out. “He has a date!”

“Look at her dress.” Another girl added. “It’s to die for.”

“Way to go, Tommy.” A football player announced, as he eyed
Heaven with jealousy. “Wished my date looked like her.”

Tommy grinned with pride as they reached the dance floor. He
couldn’t believe it. Not one morsel of food was being thrown in his direction.
Not one foot was stuck out in the aisle in an attempt to trip him. He gazed at
Heaven. The ballroom lights lit up her eyes. She simply glowed.

The music started again. Soon, they were whirling and
gliding effortlessly across the floor, as the lights danced around them. A
crowd of students gathered to watch the beautiful girl and her handsome date
steal the spotlight.

* * *

Dr. Killmore impatiently drummed his fingers on the steering wheel,
waiting in the cover of darkness for the dance to end. His coffee had long ago
grown cold. He tossed the liquid out the window, wadded the cup up and threw it
to the floorboard.

Exhaustion was slowing creeping over him. Preparing the
basement for its new visitor after a hard days work had taken its toll. He
planned on keeping her in there overnight, and after Tommy arrived home and was
sleeping in late in the morning, he’d make his getaway. He’d been up too many
hours to leave the state, much less the country tonight. He stifled a yawn. He
knew he’d need a good night’s sleep for his plans to fall into place.

He raised the binoculars and squinted at the front of the
ballroom. Shaking his head in impatience, he glanced at his watch. It was
nearly midnight. The students would hopefully be coming through the doors any
moment. He was ready. He was more than ready. His fingers tingled in
anticipation.

Tonight would be his only chance. The last few days were
carefully spent planning each detail. The getaway car waited at home, its gas
tank full and the backseat packed with his luggage. The new passports were
carefully tucked into its glove box. Dr. White has seen the video, and was too
eager to meet up with him once they were safely out of the country.

A detailed note sat in wait on the kitchen counter, as well
as his credit cards and a large sum of cash. Things at home would be taken care
of for a long time, until it was safe for him to return. When he did return, he’d
be a hero.

He eased back on the seat, yawned again and waited.

* * *

Tommy and Heaven strolled to the refreshment area. A group of
teenagers followed them, leaving them little room to breathe.

Bice and Harmon hung back against the wall, silently
watching the pair. Harmon elbowed his nervous assistant. “See, no one has
dropped dead. Everything is going to be all right.”

“The night is not over yet.” Bice took a long drink from his
soda. “Far from over.”

Soon, a teacher walked up to the stage and was handed a
microphone. “I’d like to make an announcement, please.” All eyes soon focused
on her, as a sweeping wave of silence filtered throughout the dance hall. “The
King and Queen for this year’s prom are-drum roll please-Tommy and Heaven!”

A burning heat crept up Tommy’s face. His heart pounded as
he gazed at the crowd watching them, and clapping. The dull roar soon
evaporated into silence, but their hands were still moving. This must be a
trick. An elaborate hoax the football players had meticulously planned.

He gazed at Heaven. Afraid to exhale, he held his breath in
fear of breaking the trance he must be in. Her aquamarine eyes were filled with
excitement, as she stared at the sparkling crowns. He slowly let the air slip
from his lungs, and followed her stare.

The teacher was motioning them to come forward. Her arm
moved back and forth in slow motion, beckoning him to come claim his crown. The
roar of the crowd would surely shatter the crystal chandelier above the dance
floor at any moment.

He stumbled toward the stage in a dream like haze, all the
while waiting to awaken from what surely must be the mother lode of all dreams.