R. Ruggiero - Brushfire Plague

“What?” Cooper exclaimed.

“The news is that they’ve been hit by this thing, but not as bad as everyone else. They quarantined faster than anyone else and there are some rumors that they have a medicine that is working.”

“Famous Chinese discipline, eh?”

“Something like that.”

“Traditional Chinese medicine most likely too,” Angela added.

Dranko and Cooper both looked at her in surprise, as if they’d both forgotten she was sitting there alongside them.

“Sure, every virus or illness is different. Maybe they have something that is working that isn’t in the Big Pharma handbook. We don’t make anything that doesn’t turn a profit. On the other hand, they’ve kept stuff around for centuries.”

“She is an ER Nurse,” Cooper quipped to Dranko. He pressed his lips downward in agreement.

“Do we know what they’re bringing, exactly?” Cooper continued.

“Just medicine and food. A few doctors. And police.”

Cooper jerked his head up from his cup, “Police?”

“Yes, they say to help us keep order during the crisis.”

“What’s our Big Chief saying about this?”

“So far, welcoming the help.”

Cooper shook his head, “I never thought I’d see the day when we were the subject of relief. Hell, we are the ones who used to help everyone else.”

“Not this time,” Dranko intoned.

“Alright, what’s the other news?”

“The National Guard is getting deployed, as well. Portland is on the list. Should be here any day now.”

“That’s good news at least. What’s the latest news from across America?” He said, imitating the lilting voice of a newscaster.

“Pretty bad. Complete breakdown in some cities. The bigger ones are doing worse. Panic is a terrible thing. In some places, the violence is killing roughly as many as the illness.”

“You’re kidding me?” Angela gasped.

“I wish I were. Word is that electricity is starting to falter in lots of places. Too many workers not showing up.”

“Any word of any medicine that is working?”

“No. You either get it and die within forty-eight hours or you don’t.”

Light footfalls on the landing brought their eyes in unison to see Jake standing there, clutching a blue blanket up to his face. He let out a cough that was deafening.

“Dad, I don’t feel so good.”

Cooper’s coffee cup clattered against the table. Coffee spilled, staining the alabaster tablecloth.

Adrenaline shot through Cooper like lightning. His stomach felt like he’d been hit with a sledgehammer. No, no, no, not this. He vaulted to Jake’s side immediately. He wrapped him up in his blanket, carried him to his room, and laid him on his bed.

“We need to make sure you get rest, son.”

Jake’s eyes were full, unblinking, “I’m going to die. Just like mom.” It was a statement, not a question. Cooper flinched, taken aback.

Cooper cocked his head back to get a better look at him, “Don’t say that.”

Cooper’s insides roiled. He frantically wanted to lie to his son, to tell him he would be OK. He knew the power of hope was all his son had now. He knew something else: because he had never lied to his son, he would believe him if he did so now. He also knew belief and faith could sometimes work miracle cures. The thought tortured him; I might save him if I give up my principles. His mind crashed back and forth.

Finally, he found an answer.

He laid Jake down in his bed and pulled the covers over him, “Here’s what we’re going to do. The Chinese are sending us help because they haven’t been affected as bad as we have. We think it’s because they have some medicine that is working. I’m going to find some of the medicine and you’re going to rest as best you can. OK?”

Jake nodded. Cooper kissed him on the forehead and left the room.

Dranko and Angela remained at the table, transfixed where they’d been. Deep lines of concern crossed their faces. Cooper motioned them to follow him into the kitchen, where they huddled.

“How could he get this now? He was exposed days ago,” Cooper asked in a whisper.

“Maybe it’s just a regular cold?” Angela offered hopefully.

Cooper looked at her sharply, “I said ‘maybe’,” Angela responded, waving her hands, palms towards Cooper.

“Maybe it’s mutated. Maybe it takes longer to incubate in kids. And, it is possible Angela is right and it’s a normal cold. Those do still exist.”

Cooper pounded a fist into an open hand and talked through clenched teeth, “Don’t jerk me around. I don’t wish on stars or believe in the tooth fairy anymore. What I’m gonna do is everything I can to keep my boy alive,” he said emphatically.

Even Dranko, who had known him a long time, was unsettled by his vehemence. Unnerved, Angela involuntarily took a step from him. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Dranko recovered first.

“What do you want from us, brother?”

“First, I need some kind of bitter tasting root or tea. I’ve got to convince Jake he has the new medicine.” He paused and held up his index finger, “But, don’t lie to him. Just tell him it’s Chinese tea, which it will be. Then, I’ve got to pray that mind over matter works.”

He failed to see Dranko give Angela a wink when he was talking about the Chinese tea. Dranko didn’t have Cooper’s compunction about lies, even white ones.

“Second, get Calvin over here. I’m turning the reigns over to him once and for all. I’ve got to get a few things done.”

Dranko looked at him intently, “I’ve seen that look before and I like it. What do you have in mind?”

“I’m going to find out more about Admonitus. If there is something that can cure Jake, I’ll find it there.”

“What?” Dranko and Angela exclaimed simultaneously.

Cooper explained what the murdered lab technician had said to him and Julianne’s cryptic words. They listened in rapt attention, agreeing that it was worth an investigation.

Angela returned first, with Lisa from across the street who delivered a packet of crushed birch bark.

“This should do the trick. But, we think you should let us give it to him. Between the two of us nurses, we can convince him it will work. And, it just might.”

Cooper thought for a moment and then nodded, “OK. Can you two keep an eye on him today? As much as I want to be with him, I need to go check out this Admonitus company because I think they might know something. I’m hoping there is medicine or a cure there.”

Angela looked at Lisa and then responded for them both, “Of course, Cooper. We’ll have it covered. Keep your cell phone close and we can call you if anything develops.”

He placed a hand on both their shoulders and looked them each, in turn, in the eye, “Thank you.” He enjoyed, just for a moment, the deep satisfaction that came with friendship.

A knock at the door broke the spell. Angela set about brewing the tea, while Lisa went to check on Jake. Cooper glided to the door and saw that it was Calvin.

His face wore a jumble of emotions. Cooper stifled a chuckle as he opened the door to let him in.

He clapped him on the shoulder, “Relax, Calvin. You look like a hangman who showed up for work with dental floss in his bag by mistake!”

Calvin chuckled nervously, unsure of what to expect. Cooper motioned him to the living room sofa and they sat down opposite one another. Cooper leaned in toward Calvin.

Calvin spoke first, “I wanted to finish our conversation from earlier. I wanted to discuss some details about how we’d work together going…”

Cooper waved him off, “I’ll make this easy. You’re in charge. Of everything. I need to be free to attend to some other things anyway.”