The Invitation-kindle (4 page)

“I watched it several times,” Agent Colby says.

“Basically trying to portray me as a kook. My daughter got teased in school because of it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Yeah, so was I. She goes to private school now. So you see, Mr. Colby, I’m not making any money off of this. It’s costing me money.”

“Would you be willing to take a polygraph test about what you’ve told me here today?”

“Absolutely, provided that the questions are all on the topic we’re now discussing.”

“You wouldn’t have to answer any question that you regarded as off- topic.”

“Sure, I have no problem with that.”

“Well then, let me have a look at what you’ve given me today. Then I’ll call you, and you can let me know when it would be convenient for you to come in for another interview.”

“Where would this take place?”

“Right here in Providence, downtown. It’s, I think, less than six miles from here.”

“That’s fine. Just let me know.”

“Mr. Garrett, I want to thank you for your time here today, allowing me to come into your home, and for the material you’ve provided. I can assure you I’ll give it my personal attention.”

As both men rise, Phillip Garrett feels impelled to restate with emphasis his motivation for what he’s doing.

“Mr. Colby, I’m doing this because I believe it’s the right thing to do.”

“I get that general impression Mr. Garrett, but we always have to check things out.”

“I’m sure of that. Can I expect a telephone call from you?” Phillip asks.

“Probably tomorrow, so give me ̓till then, and we’ll talk further.”

“I’ll be home to take your call. You will want to talk further, Mr. Colby, after you see this DVD. Thank you for coming by.”

“Thanks again for your time, Mr. Garrett.”

As Phillip watches Agent Colby drive away, he feels himself unexpectedly flushed with a deep sense of relief. At last, he’s now on the record. He has essentially done what he intended to do for years. He has told the unusual story of his experience with Kenneth Myers, and told that story to nothing less than an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Whatever happens now is the responsibility of others. For Phillip Garrett, it feels as if a burden has been lifted.

Several days later, and far from the quiet suburbs of Providence, Rhode Island, the First Lady is arriving at the elegantly styled apartment of the President’s mother, Kathryn Myers, for lunch. Mrs. Myers is a woman whose reserved and congenial manner has won her the respect of nearly all who know her. A petite, seventy–two-year-old in excellent health, she is personable, and engaging. Having lost her husband when their only child Kenneth was a teenager, she never remarried.

The rude shock of his father’s death from a car accident left fourteen-year-old Kenneth emotionally staggered for a time. It was at this point in his life that his mother, always a woman of stoic strength, became for him a quiet, constant, reassuring presence. Her dignity and emotional grace through this difficult period would serve as a powerful example of personal integrity for him. Their common sorrow forged between them an enduring bond of mutual respect, and affection. The sizable inheritance left by Ken’s father would assure that both of them would have a secure future.

Long accustomed to seeing her son in the political spotlight, Kathryn Myers has learned to avoid controversy by maintaining as far as possible, a private life. Notoriously reticent, her steadfast refusal to grant interviews with the media has fostered in some the opinion that she’s aloof, and supercilious, but those who know her, see her as someone who simply refuses to relinquish her personal privacy. Living in the nation’s capital, a place where political gossip is pandemic, Mrs. Myers lives the normal, unassuming life she has always preferred. Though inattentive to most, she’s always delighted to see family, or friends, and is particularly pleased to have Carol as her daughter-in-law. The mutual affection between the two women is genuine. As Mrs. Myers finishes the last few touches to a table set for two, she hears the door bell, and a familiar voice.

“Hi, Kathryn. How are you?” Carol asks as the two women embrace.

“I’m fine, Carol. It’s good to see you.”

“You look great,” Carol adds.

“Well I try. Come on in. Let’s sit down.”

“Thanks. Wow, you’re place looks wonderful. I haven’t been here for a while. I’m sorry we’ve been so busy.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. I understand what kind of schedule you have.”

“I’m so glad to see you, Kathryn.”

“I'm just as happy to see you. Let’s have some coffee.”

Moments later the two women are seated enjoying their lunch. Their convivial strain of friendly conversation turns to a more serious subject.

“I saw Dr. Phelps last week,” Carol says.

“What did he tell you?”

“That I was healthy. That’s it.”

“Well, that’s good news.”

“It is good news,” Carol says.

“Did he say why you’re having trouble starting a family?”

“He thinks Ken is under too much stress. He said we need to find time for ourselves, to get away from Washington.”

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know. I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought the subject up.”

“Nonsense, I’m glad to hear you speak about anything that’s bothering you. It shows you have enough trust to confide in me.”

“Thank you, Kathryn. I do trust you.”

“I’m grateful to hear that. I think your doctor gave you good advice. What did Ken say about it?”

“He agreed. So we’re going to take some time off, once the Olympics are over.”

“That’s good. I think you both need that.”

“So we’ll be in Miami on the 20th.”

“Sounds exciting.”

“You’re welcome to come. We’re not staying any longer than the opening ceremonies,” Carol says.

“Thank you, Carol. It’s kind of you to ask, but you know I’m a stay at home type.”

“You like your privacy.”

“I do. I couldn’t live without it.”

“I can understand that. Not having a private life takes some getting used to.”

“I’m sure.”

“You know it’s true what they say about living in the White House. It really is a fish bowl.”

“I would think it’s the ultimate fish bowl,” says Kathryn.

“Well, I better get used to it. It’s a safe bet that Ken’s going to win reelection.”

“Does he think so?”

“He never talks about it. He’s trying to get his energy bill passed right now. Tell me something. What’s it like to watch your son being the President of the United States? You must be very proud.”

“Actually, I don’t think of him in those terms. I still see him as just being my son.”

“Isn’t that hard to do when you see him on TV so often?”

“I try to avoid that. I think you can be preoccupied with that kind of thing. It can take over your life.”

“I think your right. I have to admit, I take it personally when people criticize him.”

“That’s because you’re a good wife who supports her husband.”

“He’s the most remarkable person I’ve ever known. It’s such a privilege to be part of his life.”

“I’m sure he feels the same about you. Would you like some more coffee?”

“Yes, thank you. By the way, this lunch is delicious.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”

As coffee is poured, Kathryn resolves to tell her daughter-in-law something that no other living person knows other than herself.

“Carol, you said earlier that you trusted me.”

“Yes, and I do.”

“I have something I want to show you.”

After opening the drawer a few feet away, Kathryn pulls out an unassumingly plain plastic bag, and places it on the table.

“What’s that?” Carol asks.

“It’s the nightgown I use to wear when I was pregnant with Ken. I want you to look at it.”

As Carol holds the garment up to look at it, she notices the neat circular burn mark in the front.

“What’s this? Looks like it was burned. Was it in a fire?”

“No, there was no fire. I was wearing that night gown when that happened.”

“How did it get burned?”

“It happened forty-six years ago, when we were living in Connecticut.  Ken’s father, and I had just moved into our new home. We were so happy. I was eight months pregnant with Ken. It was July seventeenth, a Saturday night, 2:30 in the morning. I remember as if it was last night. I was sleeping. Something woke me up. There was a light outside the window. Then, I looked straight up, and I could see the sky. I was still in bed, but I could see the night sky. I thought for sure I was dreaming. I looked up, and saw the stars. Then one star got brighter, and closer. All of a sudden a column of light was shining on me, the purest, whitest light I’ve ever seen. That’s what made that mark on my night gown.”

“Was it painful?”

“No, just the opposite. I felt an incredible sense of wellbeing. I heard a voice telling me there was nothing to be afraid of. Then I looked at my stomach, and I could actually see my internal organs. I could see all that was happening in my own body.”

“That’s incredible. Were you afraid?”

“Not at all. It was both exhilarating and beautiful at the same time. I didn’t want it to end.”

“What was your husband doing?”

“Sleeping. There was no noise, and other than the light shining on me, the rest of the room was still dark.”

“You didn’t wake him?”

“This is going to sound strange, but I was so absorbed with what I was experiencing, I didn’t want anything to interfere with it.”

“Did you ever tell him?”

“I told him everything the next day.”

“What did he say?”

“At first, he thought I was dreaming. I showed him the night gown. He had no explanation.”

“What happened?”

“Over time, I just stopped thinking about it.”

“Have you ever told this to Ken?”

“No, I wanted to, but I never did.”

“Why not?”

“I didn’t want to say anything when he was a child because I thought it would confuse him. When he was older, I don’t know. It seemed so incredible that it was just easier to not say anything.”

“But you chose to tell me.”

“That’s right. I thought about not telling you, but that wouldn’t be right. Carol, something else happened that night.”

“What?”

“When that light, or energy, whatever it was, was shining on me, I don’t think it was interested in me.”

“What do you mean?”

“It was more focused on the baby I was carrying.”

“Ken?”

“Yes”

“Why do you say that?”

“This light moved to my womb. I saw, and when I say I saw, I mean in detail. It was incredible. , I saw his heartbeat, his respiration, his blood flowing. Then, it…”

“It what?”

“It centered on his brain. I could actually see inside it. The complexity was amazing. Then, what looked like a tiny thread of pure blue light found its way into the middle of his brain. All of a sudden, there was what I can only describe as a pulse of energy. I guess that’s what it was. I remember it clearly because I saw him twitch when it happened. His arms, and legs jerked. I felt it. It was unmistakable.”

Seeing an expression of incredulous amazement on Carol’s face, Kathryn asks, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that you’ve told me something amazing.”

“I know, and now you’re the only other living person that knows it. I’ve had to live with this for forty-six years. If I told anyone they’d think I was crazy, but I know what I experienced.”

Carol, nonplussed for a response, looks in silence at the nightgown, and its unusual burn mark, as Kathryn continues.

“That’s part of the reason I generally keep to myself. It feels like I`m always concealing something.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Carol asks.

“One reason, to let you know that it might have something to do with you not being able to conceive.”

“Do you honestly believe that?”

“I don’t know, Carol, but I do know what happened that night.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Carol says.

“There’s nothing you can say.”

“I’m confused.”

“I know it’s hard to believe, and you don’t have to say that you do. It’s enough for me that I told you. I’m glad I did, but we have to go on living. So”

“Can I ask you, when Ken was born, was he physically okay?”

“My doctor said he was perfectly healthy. I know that doesn’t help to corroborate what I’ve told you.”

“I’m just trying to make sense of it.”

“Well, that’s what I’ve been doing for forty-six years now, unsuccessfully. Maybe you can figure it out.”

After a pregnant silence, Kathryn says,

“Look, Carol, it really doesn’t change anything. We’re all doing pretty well. You are happy aren’t you?”

“Uh, yes, of course,” Carol says haltingly.

“Now you’re distracted,” Kathryn says.”

“Oh, I’m all right. It’s just that… Wow.”

“I know.  Well, I’m sure you have to get back. Do you intend to tell Ken what I’ve told you?”

“I don’t know, not if you don’t want me to.”

“It’s completely up to you, Carol. I’m tired of living with this secret. Now that I’ve let it go, maybe,”

“Maybe what?” Carol asks.

“Maybe it will let go of me.”

Attempting to change the subject, Kathryn reminds Carol, “You know I’m coming for dinner on Sunday.”

“That’s right. I hope you can still make it.”

“I’ll be there. I may like my privacy, but an invitation to dinner at the White House is not something you turn down.”

“Especially when your son is the President,” says Carol.

“That’s true. I look forward to it.”

“Well, I guess I need to get back to the fish bowl.”

“I understand. I’m so glad you came.”

“It’s always good to see you Kathryn,” Carol says, as the two women embrace.

“I hope I haven’t frightened you with what I’ve told you today.”

“Not at all, thank you for sharing it with me.  And thank you for lunch. It was delicious.”

“You’re more than welcome, Carol.”