Among  Us

             Dr. Amos Callaway smiled across the desk as Maddie Blake continued her tale of alien invasion.  He knew her well--had brought her into the world twenty years ago, seen her through all the usual childhood illnesses, applauded when she was accepted at a prestigious New York City actor's school. She'd always been wildly creative.  But telling stories like this wouldn't do.  "Maddie, it's not possible."

            She met his eyes in desperation.  "I know that. But I'm telling you, that man is not my grandfather.  He looks like Grandpa Tom and talks like Grandpa Tom, but he isn't."

          Callaway came around the desk and took the girl's hand.  In these days of assembly line medicine, he loved being an old country doctor whose patients were also his friends.  "Maddie, when we started the experimental treatment, I told you it could have side effects: loss of appetite, mood swings and the like. You agreed that it was better than dying."

         "This isn't a mood swing!  Even at his lowest, he was warm and affectionate. Now...there's nothing." She paused, then went on a little hesitantly. "Remember that meteor shower six months ago?  It came out of nowhere. Even scientists and astronomers were surprised.  The...the debris landed less than a mile away in Lem Haskell's cornfield."

         Callaway stilled for a moment, then chuckled.  "Well, now. I finally understand what this is all about. Apparently, we watched the same movie on the TV last week. Wonderful film for it's time."

        "What are you--"

        "Invasion of the Body Snatchers.  Kevin McCarthy and Dana Winter checking for pods in basements and watching blank bodies become people they knew. Perfect replicas--except for emotion.  And of course, the film took place in an isolated community.  Like ours."

        Maddie shook her head.  "Doc, I know the difference between Hollywood and reality.  Please...I know you're busy, but can you--"

        "Bring him in," Callaway said, walking her out.  "Maybe we just need to adjust his meds.  And maybe," he added with a wink, "they're working your imagination too hard at that fancy actor's school."

        "Maybe," Maddie replied, still doubtful.  She paused then, compassion softening her eyes.  "How's Mrs. Callaway?"

        "Better," Callaway replied, beaming.  "Much better now."

         The moment Maddie and her grandfather arrived, Callaway's nurse whisked them into his office. Callaway whisked Maddie right back out.

         He stared in dismay at "Grandpa Tom."  "You must learn human ways, Faldour.  We are emotional beings."

        "It is difficult," Faldour said.

        "But possible," Callaway returned earnestly.  His dear Hannah was living proof.  "If you remain distant, Maddie will take you to another doctor, and tests will confirm that you are not of this world.  There will be consequences."

         Faldour looked away, seeming to remember his dying planet. Pure energy, he and the last of his kind had arrived during the meteor shower in search of a home. Instinct had led them to Callaway--and his dying wife.  Callaway's initial terror had vanished the moment Faldour had offered what science could not.  As he'd watched in amazement, a glowing being had slipped painlessly into his beloved Hannah, extending her life and sparing him a heartbreaking goodbye.  Now...now there was even a flicker of emotion.

        "You must try harder, " Callaway insisted.  "You must succeed."

        That evening , Callaway stood with a young wife at her terminal husband's bedside.  "I'm sorry," he murmured.  "We've exhausted every--"

       "Please," she sobbed.  "There must be something you can do."

       Callaway paused, suffering the same pangs of conscience he'd had before "treating" Maddie's granddad.  Then he considered the eleven glowing beings in hiding, gentle souls who simply wanted to live in peace...as his patients did.  He was a physician. Hadn't he vowed to use any means possible to save lives? Weren't organ transplants commonplace now?  And in essence...wasn't this just another kind of transplant?

        Callaway drew a breath then softened his voice.  "I know of an experimental treatment...but there would be side effects, possibly lack of emotion, which might not return."

        "Anything," the woman whispered.  "I love him. The kids need him.  When can we start?"

        "Tomorrow," Callaway answered, squeezing her hand. "Bring him to my private clinic tomorrow."

                                                                                      * * *

Hope you enjoyed AMONG US.  It originally appeared in SUN Magazine under one of my other pseudonyms. All rights reverted to me on publication.

I hope you’ll visit again to read more light romances, mini mysteries and science fiction shorties.   Until then...

                                                                       My Best Wishes,

                                      Lauren