Page 8 of Empty Heat
“It can even be heard from space,” Lev continued. “But not by the human ear. The sound is several octaves below our range. Its signature can be detected by machines. It can also be heard underwater. But also only by machines.”
I couldn’t help but grin.
Rhodes glanced at me, then at Lev, nodding.
I liked the idea of the ocean sending its whistle to space. As if it was sentient and looking for a kindred life form. It reminded me that everything on this planet was alive and coexisted together in a world of natural wonders.
I looked up at Lev. “Thank you for telling me that.”
“I’m happy to share my knowledge of this island with you any time,” he replied. “I work in this area, so I’ll be around.”
It was almost like an appeal to come to him at any time. It felt personal. I told myself the workers here would be trained to offer polite and friendly conversation to patients. In this specialized facility, they would all be instructed toward healing protocols.
I wondered about Lev. How had he come here? How had he known about this place to even apply for a groundskeeper job? With the name Omega Island, I would have thought mostly omegas would be hired on for such tasks. I knew there were alpha therapists here, but beyond that I thought the staff would be mostly, if not all, omegas.
Slowly, we walked back toward my cabin. I’d long since drained my fruity drink. I was about to suggest lemonade on the porch when Rhodes spoke.
“Would everyone like some lemonade? Lev, would you like to join us?”
I looked to Rhodes in surprise.
He raised his eyebrows at me. “If that’s all right with you, Callum.”
“Yes. Oh yes. Of course. If Lev is allowed a break.”
“I work my own hours,” Lev replied.
“Oh. Perfect.” It felt right. I did want Lev to have lemonade with us. I wasn’t done hearing him talk, or looking at him, for that matter. He drew me to him like he was a safe place. Not my therapist, not my surrogate, but just a guy who worked in this Eden-like escape.
We all got comfortable on the front porch and shared a pitcher of lemonade. It took me back to childhood summers when everything seemed endless and full of possibility for a kid with a bike and the whole day spread before him.
For a while, I forgot all about the morning’s exam and my problems and the awkward reasons I was here.
“Tell me more about this place.” I addressed Lev, not Rhodes, though I knew Rhodes was taking it all in, probably analyzing every word I said and my every move.
Lev leaned his head back, his escaped locks casually falling about his ears. He stuck his legs out straight, kicked off his sandals and relaxed. I loved how he could be so at ease here, his life in serenity, his job something he loved.
He began to talk about all sorts of things he knew about the Caribbean, from how only two percent of the region was inhabited to the fact that it knew only two seasons, wet and dry. Wet was also referred to as Hurricane Season.
I was ashamed I had done no research on the region before coming here. I’d been more focused on my condition and whether I might find healing than anything else about this retreat. But now Iwasinterested. Lev made everything he said sound exciting and new.
After finishing his glass of lemonade, Lev got up, stretching, and said he had to get back to work.
“Bye, Rhodes. Bye, Callum. I’ll see you around,” he said.
“Yes. I hope so,” I replied, feeling a bit of heat rush to my cheeks.
* * *
After a lovely lunchof chicken salad sandwiches and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, Rhodes sat with me in the living room.
“We need to talk about your exam.”
“I know.” I’d been waiting to hear his assessment. Normally, I’d get an exam and meet my doctor in his office to hear his thoughts.
But Rhodes treated everything very casually. I realized the low-stress atmosphere of this place was a priority. This felt more like a friendly conversation than a nerve-wracking doctor’s office visit.
“Previously, I had gone over all the notes from the various doctors you have seen. From my own exam, I concur with Dr. Sedonis, the heat doctor who recently diagnosed you with a small birth canal. That includes the entire area of your anus and rectum. You would not ever notice this except when you have sexual intercourse. Then, you might feel some or a lot of discomfort during the entire process.”
