Melt (32 page)

“I asked you over tonight to talk about Asa,” Kelly said.

Pippa frowned. “You’re going to tell me it was all a dream and I should forget about it.”

Kelly sat beside her on the bed. “Not exactly.”

“I know you don’t believe it. Nobody does. Dr. Lund didn’t believe it. Jordan didn’t believe it.”

“That’s not entirely fair. You didn’t give Jordan or Dr. Lund the complete story. Even so, Jordan did make the effort of finding you an archaeologist.”

Pippa nodded. “I appreciate that. She’s okay.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Are you still in love with her?”

Kelly stuttered, eager to avoid any further conflict with Pippa.

“It’s okay, you know,” Pippa assured her. “I’m not jealous.”

“You’re not?”

“No. I think it’s awesome. You two were made for each other and it’s so romantic, your meeting here again after all that time.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that, Pippa. Very mature of you.”

“So are you still in love with her?” she asked again.

Kelly sighed. “Yes. But I don’t think anything’s changed. I think Jordan may be beyond my reach.”

“If you love her, you shouldn’t give up.”

“I won’t give up. I honestly think she cares for me, but there’s something that holds her back.”

Pippa looked at the floor and shook her head. “So both of us struck out today.”

“Pippa,” Kelly said, sympathetically, “Asa’s story still lives in your memory.”

Pippa nodded fatalistically. “Yes, but I really thought I was going to get some proof.”

“Science might still have something to say about it.”

“What do you mean?” Pippa asked. “There’s no evidence to look at.”

“Yes, there is. It’s in you. Your DNA. Asa’s genes, her children’s genes and the genes of any Norse survivor who was assimilated into the native population still exist in contemporary, living Greenlanders. DNA, a wise woman once told me, contains the complete story of evolution. It takes dedicated work by patient scientists to tease out the pieces of the story. I have no doubt you have the patience and dedication to do that.”

“Thanks. But a body would have been better.”

Kelly laughed. She handed a manila folder to Pippa. “But until a body can be found, I think this may make you feel better.”

Pippa opened the folder to see the photo of the cave runes. “This is a nice picture,” she said, unmoved. “It’s too bad Dr. Lund couldn’t have seen the real thing. Thanks.”

“I’ve written the translation on the back.”

Pippa turned the photo over and read the transcription that Kelly knew by heart:
For Torben, son of Asa.

Pippa stared and read it again. Then she looked up with eyes open wide in amazement. “Oh, my God!” she squealed. “Oh, my God! Is this really what it says?”

“Yes. Mrs. Arensen translated it for me. Apparently she’s totally reliable on runes.”

“I can’t believe it!” Pippa looked as if she were going to jump up and down, her face one big joyful smile. “So it’s true! It’s all true! I knew it!”

Tears appeared in her eyes and she flung herself at Kelly, who accepted her hug.

“I’m so happy,” Pippa said, her voice muffled by Kelly’s shirt.

When she pulled away, she wiped the tears from her eyes, looked at the photo once again, then closed the folder and wriggled with glee. Kelly was happy to see her rapid change of mood. As Jordan had said, there are a lot more dangerous things to believe in. Let her have her dream. At least somebody should.

“This isn’t scientific evidence,” Pippa said, “but it’s enough for me. And like you said, maybe someday I can prove it.” She clutched the folder to her chest.

“I don’t think you ever told me the end of Asa’s story,” Kelly said.

“She went to live with the Thule, she and her daughter and one of the boys from the village. They had a good life there. She survived and she was happy.”

“I like that for the ending of a story. It sums up everything that matters in a simple phrase. She survived and she was happy. What more is there?”

“I have to get home,” Pippa announced. “Thank you so much for this!”

“You’re welcome.”

Pippa darted to the open window, slinging one leg over the sill.

“I don’t know why you don’t use the front door,” Kelly said in exasperation.

Pippa grinned and dropped down to the ground outside.

Kelly returned to her computer where she was working on her photo spread of the amazing glacial sinkhole. Chuck thought she could sell it to
National Geographic
or
Nature
or some other magazine and generously wanted her to take the byline. If she could pull it off, that kind of exposure would be quite a boost to her career.

Even though there wouldn’t be much writing involved, the project was daunting. It was so hard to pick just three or four photos to include. How did Chuck do it? she wondered, staring at the screen. He could sit down and look at two dozen photos and boom, boom, boom, he’d made his choices. The picture she was viewing was one of those she’d taken from inside the sinkhole. It was gorgeous with its many hues of white and blue and the undulating patterns of the ice, a delicate sparkling sculpture with water pouring through it, drops catching shards of sunlight along the way. No denying this one was incredible. She scrolled to the next one, one of the stills she had captured from the video Chuck had taken. She wanted to use at least one photo that showed her inside the sinkhole. This one was her favorite. She was hanging freely at the end of the rope, her camera in one hand. She zoomed in to look at her face. She wasn’t looking directly at the camera. She was looking up at the rim, slightly to the left where she knew Jordan had been standing. Her face was radiant, overwhelmed with all of the wonder of that moment, the exhilaration of this magnificent natural phenomenon and the joy she had felt to be sharing it with Jordan.

She was reminded of that photo from her fourth birthday, of how happy her mother looked in it. This photo was like that, capturing a moment before disillusionment. She shook her head. As she had said to Pippa, she wouldn’t give up on Jordan. But she wasn’t optimistic. If Greenland couldn’t do it, what chance did Denver have?

Hearing a light rap at the door, she turned and was shocked to see Jordan in the doorway, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt and quilted red vest, smiling tentatively.

“Jordan!” She jumped up.

“Hi. Are you busy?”

“No. I mean, yes, but nothing that can’t wait. What are you doing in town at this time of night?”

Jordan stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. “I came to see you.” She looked nervous.

“Oh?” Kelly was completely taken off guard.

“I think I owe you an apology.”

She took a step into the room, glancing at the floor and shuffling her feet.

“For what?” asked Kelly.

“For all the mixed signals I’ve been giving you. For the way I’ve manipulated your emotions and taken advantage of you.”

Kelly was confused. It sounded like Jordan was talking about something other than the last two weeks.

“The only excuse I have,” she continued, “is that you scare the shit out of me. You represent everything I’ve tried to protect myself from most of my adult life. Loss of control, irrationality, losing my head…over love.”

Kelly was shocked by Jordan’s sincerity. She knew how hard it was for her to open herself up emotionally. “And now?” she asked, taking a step toward her.

“Now,” Jordan replied with a pained smile, “I realize how foolish I’ve been. I let some ancient mistake rule my life. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen if you let yourself feel deeply? A broken heart? But what’s the point of keeping it intact if you’re never going to use it?” Jordan was emotional, her voice breaking. “I’ve been so afraid of humiliating myself, of people laughing at me. I was always afraid of losing their respect…like before with Marquette and everybody at Cornell. Like Sonja. She was mocking me. She had me in the palm of her hand. I mean, I thought she did. But, you know, it just doesn’t matter anymore. Nobody cares. Nobody has cared for ages. Nobody but me. And the truth is, it didn’t even matter to Sonja in the end. It’s just as Malik said. She admires me…still. They all do. Me too. I feel so proud of myself. For standing up to her and for going into that pit. I was terrified of both things, but I did it anyway and it felt fantastic!” She gestured with her hands as she spoke, impassioned, but not entirely coherent. “That’s why I’m here. Because of all that. Because fear has to be faced or it will strangle you. It will keep you from living your life.”

“Jordan, I really don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I know. I’m rambling. Anyway, I just needed to say I’m sorry. Right away before I chickened out. And…” She averted her gaze and clenched a fist as if steeling herself. “God, Kelly, I’ve spent a decade bashing your heart and I don’t expect it to have come through that without a few scars. But one thing I know about you is how generous and kind you are.” She stepped closer and reached for Kelly’s hand. “I really want to be with you…if you still want me.”

Kelly gripped her hand more tightly, looking into her anxious eyes. She didn’t fully understand what had happened to cause this emotional turnaround, but whatever it was, it had brought Jordan here with a sincere apology and a touching vulnerability. Maybe she wasn’t expressing herself so well, but it didn’t matter. Kelly could see it all in her eyes.

“Yes, Jordan, I do still want you.”

She pulled her close and kissed her deeply, feeling the gratifying response of Jordan’s eager mouth. When they pulled apart, a smile grew on Jordan’s face.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. “What a remarkable woman you’ve turned out to be.”

Kelly pulled her in for another kiss, living the fantasy she had dreamed for so long. They stood close, rapturously exploring one another’s mouths until Kelly’s skin grew hot and desire coursed through her body. They were pressed so tightly against one another that she could no longer sense her boundaries. Jordan’s kisses grew rough and desperate, her breath ragged. Kelly backed her against the door, kissing her face and neck.

“I want you so badly,” Jordan breathed.

“That makes two of us.” Kelly reached between them and fumbled with the button, then the zipper of Jordan’s pants, and in a second would have had them over her hips if they hadn’t been shot apart by the sound of Mrs. Arensen on the other side of the door, speaking in a startlingly loud and lucid voice.

“Dr. Westgate,” she bellowed, “if you are staying at the hotel, the last shuttle will be coming in fifteen minutes.”

Jordan rapidly zipped her pants and opened the door. “
Tak
, Elsa,” she said, assuming a perfectly composed appearance. “I’ll be right there.”

Mrs. Arensen gave her a wary look before leaving. She turned back to Kelly guiltily, then stifled a giggle.

“She can’t stand a closed door,” Kelly said.

“Apparently I have to go. She’s not going to leave us alone.”

“I can come to the hotel later,” Kelly offered.

“Unfortunately the hotel is full tonight. I already checked, figuring I would stay over because it’s so late.” Jordan shrugged. “Well, at least we had a moment. And I hope I’ve made it clear where I stand.”

“Hmm,” Kelly said playfully. “You see, I’m not sure you have. I think I’m still a bit confused about exactly what you’re proposing.”

“Oh, come on, Kelly!”

“Seriously, you’ve got fifteen minutes to explain yourself.”

“You’re a sadist.”

Kelly grinned and waited. “Fourteen minutes.”

Jordan relented and approached her, taking her loosely by the waist. “I don’t need fourteen minutes. One will do. I’m crazy about you. I want you in my life. I think we could work terrific as a couple and I’m ready to try. More than ready. I’m ecstatic. The more I’ve thought about it, the more excited I am about the idea. I want to share my life with you.”

“That’ll do,” Kelly quipped.

“I know you didn’t really need me to say it. You’re like a witch with your mind reading. A very lovely and beguiling witch.” Jordan took a step closer so their bodies were touching. “Who has me hopelessly under her spell.” She leaned in for a kiss just as a loud, warning voice came from somewhere near the front of the house: “Ten minutes!”

“Talk about a witch,” Kelly remarked, frustrated. “I can’t let you leave now!”

“There’s no use,” Jordan said, sighing. “I’ll try to book a room for tomorrow night at the hotel so I can show you how I really feel about you.”

“There may be another way,” Kelly whispered. “If she thinks you’ve left, she won’t pay any more attention to me tonight.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There’s a little-known back way into this joint.”

* * *

A few minutes later, Jordan left the house, saying goodnight to Elsa at the door. She heard the click of the dead bolt as she stepped off the porch. Just like the old sorority house, she thought, walking to the street. And just like during those college days, she felt an air of adventure as she anticipated sneaking into a girl’s room. And what a girl!

She couldn’t have been happier. It had been so long since she had felt like this, full of hope and overrun with feeling. And more importantly, not resisting. Giving in to it. Welcoming it!

She turned left, taking the long way around to avoid the kitchen and Elsa’s sitting room. She made her way along the side of the house, keeping an eye on the windows to make sure nobody was watching. It was nearly ten o’clock, but was still broad daylight outside. People were in the street enjoying the balmy evening. When she reached the back of the house she left the street and ducked behind the house, keeping close to the exterior wall. The other side of the house, the side of Kelly’s room, faced the bay. Once she reached that side, she would be completely out of view of passersby.

As she rounded the corner, she stopped short, her nostrils filling with sweet, earthy smelling smoke as she nearly collided with Chuck. He stood leaning against the back of the house, a cigar in his hand, wearing an ancient looking Van Halen T-shirt, a Panama hat shading his eyes. He glanced casually her way, then he took a long puff before saying, “Evening, Jordan.”