Right on cue Melissa closed the file folder she had been looking at and sighed dramatically. She looked through the sliding glass door at the bright sunshine and the waves rippling on the canal behind Helena's house. "Are we really going to sit here all day looking through files when we could be out there?" she asked impatiently, waving her hand at the beautiful spring day.
Helena looked up from her own box of files and smiled at her sister. Alan gave Melissa his own indulgent smile. Helena enjoyed seeing Alan and Melissa together. After five years on Alpha, Helena knew what a good man Alan was. He was just what Melissa needed. She turned to see John sigh as well and looked out the window. She wondered if he would take the bait.
John glanced at Melissa. "I had hoped we might run across something useful in Gorski's files, but it doesn't seem to be happening."
The four had risen at the crack of dawn and come to Helena's house to search through files for evidence they could use to protect them selves in the upcoming investigations.
"What did you have in mind, Melissa?"
Helena suppressed a smile of triumph. She knew well that once John focused on a problem he would work himself and everyone else around him until they all dropped from exhaustion. Any thoughts of rest or relaxing would have to be carefully planted. Today was special and she was determined to give John a break.
Melissa stood and walked toward the door, taking in the deep blue cloudless sky. "This is a perfect day for taking in a ballgame." She turned. "Cake, didn't you say John liked the Mets?"
Helena nodded. Melissa was playing the part perfectly.
Melissa turned to John. "Why don't I see if they're playing a home game today?"
John looked startled. "A home game? Spring training?" He hadn't even really noticed what time of year it was.
"Sure. They play pretty close by." Melissa reached over into her purse and pulled out her cel phone. She quickly touched the buttons and put the phone to her ear. When the connection went through she smiled. "Bobby? It's Melissa."
She laughed at his reply. "You lying old fart. You put in eighteen holes before you even thought about baseball this morning... No, I've been away and I'm a bit rusty, but I could still spot you three strokes and beat the pants off you," she laughed. "Yes, I bet you'd enjoy it."
Helena glanced at Alan. Mel's flirting was second nature to her, but Helena knew it bothered Alan more than he might admit. Alan was carefully avoiding watching Melissa, studiously searching through the box of files in front of him.
"Listen, Bobby, I've got a brother-in-law here with me who's absolutely starved for some baseball, and he's a big Mets fan... Yeah he's one of the moon guys...John Koenig... Yeah, that's him... I'll ask," She put a finger over the mouthpiece. "John, you interested in throwing out the first ball? They can make room for us in the VIP box behind home plate."
John gave a grin that filled Helena's heart. He suddenly looked like a little boy. "Sure. Can we get there in time?"
Mel nodded and turned back to the phone. "He'd love to Bobby... Four of us... see you soon... Yeah, I'm glad to be back home. Concetta has been taking good care of you, I hope... Good to hear it... Not for a while yet...I"ll let you know. Bye now." Mel hung up the phone and looked at her watch. "We can get there in time, but we'll need a fast car."
As if on cue Robert Thompson walked in the door, hearing only the last part of her statement. "Why am I not surprised, daughter," he chuckled. "Good thing I decided to bring this over when Helena asked me to check on her things in storage this morning." Robert tossed a keychain with two well-worn keys to John.
"My car!” John exclaimed. The delight on his face told Helena that John was still coming to grips with returning to Earth. He hadn't given a thought to his classic GTO yet. It had been stored with Helena's things when she emptied the house and rented it out.
Alan stood. "We'd better get going then."
John turned and looked at Helena who smiled at him. "Alan's right. We wouldn't want to be late for the ball game." She stood and moved to the kitchen, returning with a small wrapped box. "Looks like you'll need to open this now," she said, handing it to her husband. "Happy Birthday."
He looked completely surprised. "It's not.. well, I guess it is my birthday. How old am I anyway?" He tore into the box, and removed a Mets baseball cap. He looked up at Helena and smiled. "I have the feeling you planned this."
Helena tilted her head and smiled at him, then leaned forward to kiss him. "I just might have. We're home now, I think we need a bit of a break."
John looked around as if he were seeing the place for the first time. The room was filled with file boxes, a card table and four folding chairs. There were pizza boxes from the previous night's dinner stacked on the counter. He could still remember Helena's elegant decor from before, and was having a hard time believing this was all real. "I think you're right."
Melissa honked the horn of the car and John took Helena's arm and they headed for the garage. Helena and her father exchanged a look as she walked out the door, and Robert gave her a thumbs up sign. Things were proceeding according to schedule.
Alan and Melissa were curled together in the back seat and Helena took the front seat next to John. The top was already down and they quickly pulled out of the subdivision. Mel shouted directions from the back seat and John headed for the interstate highway.
Port St. Lucie was quite a drive south, and John accelerated smoothly well above the speed limit. Melissa leaned forward between the bucket seats, treating John to quite a view down the front of her pastel pink t-shirt. She spun the old-fashioned dial on the radio, quickly finding the station she was looking for. She turned up the volume and settled back to the strains of Country music. John was mostly indifferent to music, usually settling for whatever station came in quickly and strongly. Helena smiled and placed her hand on his thigh. He covered it with his own and they drove on through the Florida sunshine.
The baseball field was just off the highway and they pulled in to the parking lot which was packed with cars.
"Who're they playing, love?" Alan asked. "Why is it so crowded here?"
"They're playing the Tigers," Melissa replied as John pulled in to a parking space at the edge of the parking lot. Melissa watched the crowd at the gate, puzzled. “This is not a typical spring training crowd,” she said. Then she spotted a sign over the entrance. “Welcome Garth Brooks”, it said. “Oh, now I get it,” she said.
John also read the sign as he stepped out of the car. “Is that someone the Mets just signed? I don’t recognize the name.”
“He’s a country singer,” Melissa explained. “He played with the Dodgers last year as a charity fund raiser. Looks like he’s playing with Mets this year.”
“This could be good,” Alan said, hopping out of the car and taking Melissa in his arms, plucking her from the back seat.
They joined the throng at the gate until a small dark-haired girl waved to Melissa from the office door. Melissa steered them toward the door. She met the girl with a hug.
“Casey! Good to see you.”
“Welcome home, Melissa. They told me to watch for you and let you in this way.”
“Thanks! Meet my family. This is my sister Helena, and her husband, John. And this is Alan.”
Casey shook hands all around and led them down a hallway past beige offices, all dark and empty right now, “I saw you all on TV the other night. I think it really sucks, what the government is doing to you. Melissa, you don’t think they’ll really send you to jail do you?”
Melissa shook her head and smiled with an air of confidence that her sister knew she didn’t really feel. “Not today at any rate,” she responded with a laugh. “So is Garth Brooks here? Can he play?”
“He’s here all right, and he’s not too awful bad a player. He can at least catch a ball,” Casey said. “He seems really nice.”
They walked out a glass door into the bright sunlight. The stairs to the stands were to their right past a chain link gate. Two men in Mets uniforms were standing by the gate signing baseballs. One looked up and saw the party approach.
“Hey, Melissa!”
“Hi Mike,” Melissa stepped forward into a bear hug.
“We’ve missed you while you were out playing space pirate.”
Melissa took his hand. “Mike, meet my family. My sister Helena her husband John—“
Mike nodded to her then took John’s hand and shook it vigorously. “The astronaut, yeah. Pleased to meet you.”
“And this is Alan Carter,” Melissa finished the introductions, putting her arm around Alan and looking at him with a wink. Alan shook Mike’s hand.
“Mike’s the team’s catcher,” Melissa added.
“And home run hitter,” John said with a grin.
“You follow baseball?” Mike asked.
“When I can, I missed the series last fall.”
“Oh, man, I wish I had. But this year we’re gonna go all the way.”
“Good to hear it.”
“So, John. You’re tossing out the first ball. Care to warm up with us? You too, Alan.” Mike moved the men off leaving Casey to lead Melissa and Helena to their seats.
Helena leaned toward her sister. “This is perfect. Thanks for helping. John’s in heaven.”
“No problem, Cake. He seems pretty uptight most of the time…” she hesitated but smiled and continued. “I know I’ve accused you of that before too. But are you sure he’s ‘Mr. Right’?”
Helena smiled. “He’s been under tremendous pressure while we were on Alpha. And in any circumstances he would work himself pretty hard, but yes, he’s the one. I’m sure.” She changed the subject, “How about you and Alan?”
Melissa gave a smug look. “We’re rediscovering each other.”
Helena had to laugh, “Mostly in bed, knowing you.”
“Bed, shower, sofa, floor, any other interesting places we can find,” Melissa said with a smile. She adjusted her sunglasses and leaned forward to watch the team warm up on the sidelines. Helena settled back, relaxing in the warm Florida sunshine and enjoying breathing the fresh air. It was still hard to believe they were home.
The men joined them shortly. There was enthusiastic applause as John was introduced and tossed out the ball. The game started and they settled in to watch. A few people made their way to the VIP box to speak to John, comment on seeing them on the news the other night and a couple of kids even asked for autographs. That was nice, but mostly they were allowed to watch the game in peace. That was also pleasant.
John and Melissa were definitely the biggest baseball fans, and they both protested calls by the umpire, cheered when the Mets got a hit, and leaned across Helena to discuss strategy and statistics. Helena simply watched, and enjoyed watching the crowd as much as the game, feeling a special glow that John was finally having a chance to relax. Alan kept the beer flowing.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Mets were leading. They simply needed to hold the score. Mike ran up to the fence. "Hey, Mel!"
“Yeah?”
“Some of us are headed over to Rudy’s for ribs after the game. You guys want to meet us there?”
Melissa looked at the others who nodded. “We’ll meet you there. Get them out quick.”
Mike nodded and headed for home plate.
The outs came quickly. The first batter hit a pop fly to center field and Derek Hamilton easily fielded it. The second batter struck out, never swinging at three perfect pitches. The third batter hit a grounder straight up the first base line and Todd Zeile easily scooped it up. The game was over and the Mets won it easily.
It took a while to get out of the stadium. They were stopped numerous times by people welcoming them back to Earth and offering their support. The attention felt good, but Helena was glad they would be leaving tomorrow for the privacy of Miller’s Bluff.
As they reached the car, John told Melissa, “We owe your friend Gina a lot. If the people here are any indication, public opinion is heavily on our side. That can really help in the senate hearings.”
“I still don’t see how they can charge us with anything,” Helena said.
“Legally, no. But this is much more about needing to find someone to blame. If public opinion is on our side, we’ll be much better off,” John said.
Melissa gave John directions to the restaurant over on U.S. Highway 1. It was an old filling station and garage which had been expanded and remodeled several times, but the ancient gas pumps stood guard out front like sentinels. Inside were picnic tables with checkered cloths and small tin buckets of roasted peanuts. The walls were adorned with road signs of all descriptions, and the front end of a 55 Cadillac hung over the cashier. A juke box was playing country music and several players and their families had already arrived.
There was a worn dance floor next to the jukebox. Melissa grabbed Alan’s arm and pulled him to the dance floor, pausing only long enough to feed coins to the jukebox before they began to dance.
Food was served family style, ribs, chicken and chopped beef, all barbecued in a smooth hot sauce that enhanced the flavor of the meat but didn’t overpower it. There was also potato salad, slaw and platters of corn on the cob.
Everyone seemed to know each other and people would come and go from the tables to eat between dances and games at the pool table. Someone started the Garth Brooks song “Two of a Kind” and the crowd roared their approval as Brooks sang along with his record. Alan and Mel were on the dance floor at the time, and sang along with the song while doing the two-step.
At one point in the evening Helena noticed that Alan was drinking Coca-Cola instead of beer. He raised his glass in a toast to her as she raised an eyebrow at him. “Melissa designated me the driver,” Alan explained with a smile.
“Do you mind?” Helena asked.
Alan shook his head. “Nah. Consider it my birthday present to him.” Alan glanced over at John who was getting batting points from two of the Mets. “I haven’t seen him look this relaxed in years.”
“Our problems aren’t over yet.”
“No, but at least we’ve got fresh air to breathe and a chance at a future.”
A new song started up and Melissa appeared at Alan’s elbow “Let’s dance, flyboy.”
Alan didn’t hesitate. He stood and swept Melissa onto the dance floor eagerly.
It was still early when the ball players began talking curfew and saying their goodbyes. Alan punched John in the arm and asked for the keys. John handed them over willingly and ushered Helena into the back seat. With the sun down the temperature had dropped. Alan closed the roof and he and Melissa secured it easily. Alan pulled the car out onto the highway and headed back to the interstate with Melissa directing him.
Helena settled comfortably into John’s arms in the back of the car. It was dark and cozy and just a bit cool, so that the warmth of his body felt good against her bare legs. He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek softly. He rested his right hand on her bare thigh. “Thank you for today,” he murmured softly into her ear.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
“I did.”
The car was noisy, as all old convertibles are. Its frame creaked and groaned with each bump and dip in the road, and the wind roared in around the windows even though the windows were closed. Melissa leaned forward and turned up the radio. She had slipped out of her sandals and relaxed into her seat, painted toes tapping on the dash board. Alan’s hand had moved from the gear shift to Mel’s thigh once they reached the interstate. Both were singing along with a song about a little bitty town, and paying no attention to the occupants in the back seat.
John’s left hand moved lower, brushing her breast. She turned her head to look at him.
“They’re don’t even know we’re back here,” John said. He moved his other hand up her thigh to the hem of her shorts, his fingers caressing her softly.
“Just what do you have in mind?” Helena said softly into his ear.
“I’ve never been in the back seat of the car. Cozy, don’t you think?” His fingers traveled underneath the hem of her shorts.
“Quite cozy.” She smiled, enjoying his attention, but still wondering how far he intended to go. He brushed her nipple with his left hand and caressed her ear with his lips. A memory came to her and she laughed softly.
“What?” John asked.
“Remember when we were on the plane to Texas and you wanted to ‘relax’ me? Just which of us is going to be relaxed by this?”
She could feel John’s smile against her neck. “I remember that quite well.” He kissed her earlobe and added. “I intend just to get started here. When we get back to the hotel, we can both relax.” His fingers were moving further up her thigh, and despite herself, she was responding to his caresses. She shifted slightly and his fingers moved up to her panty line.
“I love you, Helena,” John said, covering her mouth with his before she could respond. His fingers found their way under her panties and began to stroke her. He kissed her deeply which prevented any stray moans from escaping, and she grasped his thigh. He was gentle and insistent, and she allowed him to continue to bring her to her peak. She moved her hand slightly and felt a responding bulge beneath the fly of his jeans.
The two of them lost track of time. Alan was driving fast but they paid no attention whatsoever. When a slight swerve and quick deceleration told them they were leaving the interstate, they pulled apart slightly and worked on recovering. Alan headed for Helena’s house and when John asked, he said it was to pick up the rental car. They would be leaving early the next morning and would want to leave the GTO at Helena’s in the garage.
Helena said she wanted to pick up something from the house, so when Alan opened the garage door with the remote and drove inside, they all got out. Alan and Melissa headed to the rental car that was parked next to them. Helena took John’s hand and led him into the house.
Alan started the car as they walked inside and Helena shut the door behind them and turned on the lights. John noticed the change immediately.
“Your stuff! Where did it come from?”
“I had my parents get it out of storage today. John, I wanted us to be at home, here, for the night.”
John could hear the other car leaving.
“They’ll pick us up in the morning.”
“You arranged all this?”
“I wanted us to celebrate your birthday in our bed, not some hotel room.”
John walked into the den. The furniture was all arranged the way he remembered it from the visits before Helena left for Alpha. There was a bottle of wine chilling on the counter along with a small chocolate cake, just big enough for two. He turned and smiled at Helena.
“Surprised?”
“Completely! I didn’t even remember it was my birthday. How did your parents…”
“They hired a team of movers. And they were all ready to come in when we left. I just wanted us to be at home here again. You don’t think it was a selfish birthday present on my part do you?” she asked, feeling just a bit insecure. She wasn’t sure how much of this she had done for John and how much she had done for herself.
He took two steps forward and pulled her into his arms. “I think it’s wonderful. And I already feel more like we’re really home. You are the most beautiful, most wonderful, most sexy wife a man could possibly have.”
She smiled and put her arms around his neck. “You can say things like that any time you’d like, Mr. Koenig.”
He swept her into his arms. “That will be quite often then. Now, if I remember correctly, the bedroom is this way.” He headed toward a closed door.
“You are quite right. Happy birthday John.”
He kissed her lips softly. “This has been the best birthday in years. I hope we celebrate many more right here.”
“So do I,” Helena replied, relaxing against her husband. She was more than happy to be home.
Maureen J. Long
October, 2000