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Wednesday - September 22

The president looks directly at me and notices that I'm in total disbelief about everything she's saying.

"I know this is difficult for you to comprehend, Dr. Bennett, but these five structures eliminated your congenital affliction. Not only were you freed from your agonizing suffering, but the proof of Dr. Dorsey's experiment sits right here before us. You, Dr. Bennett, are the proof... along with another."

"Ted mentioned "another" before, Madame President. Am I allowed to know who that "another" is, or do I just keep guessing?" I ask.

"There's no need for guessing, Dr. Bennett. Ted, if you would, please." The president signals Ted to go to the door. As he opens the door, my heart begins to race as I wait impulsively to see who is on the other side. When the door is completely open, I see a person, dressed in a white gown standing before us. I stand to get a better look, then gasp when I see who it is.

"Georgia?"

Ted assists Georgia to a chair next to me. When Ted makes sure that Georgia is comfortable, she slowly leans towards me and grabs my hand. Quietly I sit, staring at her, seeing Claire in her face and I begin to sob.

"It's all right, Jonathan," Georgia says, as she strokes my head. "Shush, darling. It's all right. It's all right."

After I bawl for about a minute, I look up at Georgia and ask her, "Is Claire alive? Please... tell me. Is she alive?"

Georgia smiles at me and says, "Claire, alive? Oh, Jonathan... I'm so sorry."

She grabs my hand, squeezes it tenderly, bends over, and kisses my cheek. I could only smile at her.

"Dr. Bennett," interrupts President Mansoor, "forgive me for intruding on your reunion with Mrs. Parks, but there's a great deal of many things that need to be done in order to save what's left of humanity. As of this moment, we have approximately forty hours left to reverse this plague, or we will be a lost civilization forever. Dr. Jensen, if you could please inform Dr. Bennett of what needs to be done in order to stop this plague, since our time is no doubt running out."

"My pleasure, Madame President," says Ted.

Ted gets up from his chair and excuses himself as he exits the room. As we wait for whatever Ted is doing, Georgia continues to hold my hand and strokes it like Claire use to. I smile at Georgia as I continue to let her comfort me.

After five minutes pass, Ted re-enters the conference room with an attaché case and a box containing some folders. Henry helps Ted put the box on the table, when Ted asks Henry, "Henry, would you please give each one of our guests a folder." Henry passes out the folders as instructed.

Henry lays a folder before me on the table. I lay my hand on it, reluctant to open it. The president says, "Dr. Bennett, if you would please open your folder and look at page two."

I open the folder and pull out page two. The page consists of formulas and dates, along with names, many names, including mine.

"So, what am I reading, Ted?" I ask.

Ted doesn't immediately answer. Instead, he opens the attaché case and takes out another folder. He hands the folder to Henry, who in turn hands it to Monica, who then hands it to me. I take the folder from Monica, open it, and begin to read its contents. When ten minutes pass, I close the folder, release a small sigh, and without hesitation say, "I understand." I push the two folders away from me.

"Now that you understand, Dr. Bennett, do you have any questions or concerns for us?" asks the president.

In silence, I nod my head no. Suddenly, chairs begin to move and everyone, except for Ted and me, exits the conference room. The door shuts, leaving us alone. While sitting, I can't stop thinking that what's about to happen, has to happen, or humanity will be gone forever.