Counsel from a Friend

“Hello? Stacey, make sure James gets a valet on his way home. Station a driver at the front too.”

Self-driving cars were common and those that could afford new vehicles all had them, yet right now Brian Roberts wanted to have an eye on him. Things were not alright. Those contemptuous scientists were draining his spirits with their secrets and outrageous reports (the TV was still on with them now blurbing about potential monster threats), the public was fighting Stony Summit for putting all employees into dangerous work settings without care, and he was now realizing James, whom he should have paid more attention to before, was probably not getting the therapy he needs. Plus that board meeting at 11 o’clock. A lot was on his mind.

But first, he needed to delegate helping James Jordan to the director of G.U.L.E.A. and his team. He had felt personally responsible, GULEA was his pet project, but James’ condition needed to be handled by someone that could give more devoted time. Why that man wasn’t doing more was also another thing to discuss. He dialed up the phone. 

“Huh? Hello?”

“Good morning, I have a question for you.”

“Oh yes, I heard a little bit about the news. Lots of my staff been calling me. I didn’t actually watch it live though.”

“No, that’s not what I called about. How is James doing? I have seen or heard about him in a while.” A lie but he felt like putting him on the spot.

“Oh! Him, yeah, well I haven’t personally met with him recently either. I’ve made sure he got the rest of his payments.”

This man. Brilliant and daring with planning expeditions and details, but not phenomenal at handling people.

“Look I know you are so busy with many details I can’t imagine so is there someone that can check on him you can be in charge of? I want to make sure he’s doing well mentally.”

“Oh, yeah, I can get someone.”

He thought for half a moment and gave Mr. Roberts the name of one of his team members and then promised to tell her to check on him. Once they set a report date, Mr. Roberts hung up and continued with his schedule.

James was in his apartment scrubbing a pot. At least he had; the pot was now spotlessly shining in the dish rack with a few other dishes. The whole sink itself was smelling fresh and clean while to its side was the gas stove where James was now wiping every drop of grease. This is what he did when he was too upset to do what he wanted and too anxious to do nothing. For the last couple of weeks, James had been pushing his remorse aside and trudging by quite well and undisturbed. He can get over bumps in the road. Left arms are extraneous and everyone has to face death in life. Why shouldn’t he be fine now? No, he should be fine. He is fine. And he still acts fine, even if he ignores the solemnity his routine has been carrying. And then he goes hoping for answers just to get slapped with more confuzzlement.

Nothing feels so weird than to see your firsthand experience gossiped and discussed by unrelated parties posing as experts on the situation. That’s why he hadn’t watched the news for weeks at least until this morning. And claiming an alternate Earth? It’s like they were trying to make a joke out of it. But then again that would explain so much he couldn’t wrestle with. The darkness in the darkness. What in, or out of, this world ambushed them that night. Sometimes he felt he wondered why he lived that night as much as what made everyone else die except 

He was moldering over many thoughts like these when his phone rang. Wiping his hands on a paper towel, he answered the phone debating if he should hang up after the first sentence. 

“Hey, James. This is Carol from G.U.L.E.A. and I have some good news.”

What could this be?

“Your friend Eli Cole--he made an unexpected turnaround.”

James’ heart stopped. Two days ago when he checked, which was pretty regularly, Cole was still in sore straights. To be honest he expected him to die too but--

“The doctors are super surprised but he woke up from his coma and will likely be able to talk to you tonight. Actually, he personally requested it after he sees his family and rests.”

James was now astounded. Now he was more excited to go there than he’d ever been to see anything in his life. This felt like an escape to someone who actually understood. 

“I called the hospital today not knowing what had just happened but they say you can see him at 7 pm and for no more than fifteen minutes.”

He’d take it. “Uh uh yeah I can do that,” he managed to stammer out.

“Oh, and also, how have you been today?”

“Oh umm great!” 

He was too distracted to carry on a conversation. Soon he hung up and spun around his kitchen in shock. No way! He and Cole went back for a long time. They were friends since junior year in high school and it was him that got him connected with G.U.L.E.A. after James decided to try exploration after the Marines. Now he’ll probably quit exploring and, come to think of it, still needs to figure out a different job. But that’s not important right now. 

James managed to focus on the rest of his projects: looking for potential jobs and signing up for interviews. One of them looked quite promising. He left early after checking the clock for the twelfth time. He was always punctual to everything and for certain this was no exception. His cab pulled up to the front doors. After getting out he half-mindedly shut the door looking ahead. Chills ran up his spine. As he entered, his mind only shifted for a moment at the recollection his medical appointment was coming up to get a new arm. His folded sleeve caught a few glances while walking past all the waiting chairs. Without hesitation, he strode right up to the help desk slightly worried they would change their minds. Unnoticed to his right was a mounted TV displaying headlines about some global summit discussing how to explore ‘Biosphere II’ for expected threats. 

The lady behind the desk was very helpful. Upon learning of the room number he directed himself into an elevator and down the hall. Finally, he came to the room and knocked on the door. He heard a weak voice welcoming him to enter. Opening the heavy door he saw his old buddy all bandaged up in a bed. The decor was pleasant with a colorful painting on one wall and bright yellow pillows on the window bench. Cole, a little more wrinkled as usual and without his glasses on, was squinting over at him.

“Who’s there?” he wheezed.

“Just a random fella dropping by I guess,” he teased and then, realizing he may be lightheaded still, “It’s your friend James Jordan.”

A wide smile came over Cole’s face and he chuckled, “James! I recognized your voice right away. It’s good you’re here; I needed to see you.”

“I’m sure. It’s been a while. I mean I was worried you wouldn’t wake up.”

“Oh, thank you. And I’m sure I’ll be fine. It was one miracle I survived, another I’m awake, and no doubt more to come to finish the job. I wouldn’t be too worried,” Cole winked.

“Oh,” James sighed in relief and laughed, “So you’re feeling okay?”

“Yes, and actually I wanted you here to ask the same thing.”

“Me? I’m fine. I was let out weeks ago and I’m told I get a new arm finally in a few days. I’ll have to drop by while I’m here after I do.” He swung his left shoulder forward to show the absence of his arm.

“That’s good, that’s good. But really, are you feeling fine?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m getting by.”

“Okay. But you don’t seem all the same. How are you?”

“Uh-” James muttered, a little flustered trying to figure out was Cole was getting at.

“Are you handling what happened back there alright?”

“Yeah, I mean, well I don’t know. I got this though.”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“Well, I’m fine. So don’t bug me about it. You’re the one lying in a hospital,” James defended.

The two of them sat in silence for a moment. All that could be heard was the whirring of the medical machines. It started to bug James.

Hoping to switch the subject back around he asked, “How are you handling this?”

Cole sighed thoughtfully and replied, “I don’t know. I just woke from a coma. I haven’t had time to think about it. That’s why I was worried about you. You have and you know more than me. How bad was it?”

“I don’t remember…I think I blacked out after tripping on something.” 

“Hmm, it’s all fuzzy for me. Honestly, all I can pull out is I woke up and then remember feeling electrified and a searing burn. They found me just a few feet beyond the edge ya know like the burned circle. Had it not been for all the wet rain the fire might’ve spread so another reason I’m lucky.”

“That’s the thing! So much doesn’t make sense,” huffed James, “I’ve got a lot to process, but it’s hard to not know what event you need to process. I have to wrestle with both that all those men are gone but also the mystery. Why did they die? How did they die? Why… why didn’t I? Something was there and I don’t know what it was or where it is…”

Cole eyed him carefully. Where he got this determination at this moment in his condition is anyone’s guess. But what he said was this, “James. I know you’re hurting. You’re right. I’m in a hospital and from the outside I look pretty beat up. But, dude, this event was destructive and it’s hurt you as much as it’s hurt me—and I’m not referring to your arm. For me, I got put in a coma and my body burned up--broken apart. James, you were lucky that your body wasn’t destroyed but you’ve got to realize that your soul is as beat up as I am. If you’re struggling to live (as I am in a hospital bed) then you need healing. It’s okay to need that. Go find a therapist and do more than get by in your shabby old apartment. Go fix your injuries. Heal.”

James was stunned. This wasn’t the visit he predicted or the energy was expected from this guy who’d only been conscious less than 48 hours, yet he knew he needed it. Maybe he needed the visit as much as his friend did.

“Eli, you’re right. I’m sorry. Thank you for your concern.”

Just then a nurse walked in to announce they were getting beyond 15 minutes and that ‘the poor man’ needed rest. 

“Thanks, Eli. I hope you get well soon.”

“Same to you, Jimmy John,” Cole winked.