The Lost Theory by Michael Kelley

Author:Michael Kelley [Kelley, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626348851
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Published: 2021-09-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 34

THE NEXT MORNING A CHINESE aid delegation entered the Deeksha in a military coup—international aid arriving to take credit for assisting those injured and displaced by the earth. The invasion was led by a general in the People’s Army, a square man with a square face, square jaw, and square body. He carried himself like a brick fortress. There was nothing soft about the general.

He marched into the great room of the Deeksha, where the not-to-be-called-restaurant had been, with his entourage of army men and one young female assistant who held a movie camera that strained her strength. The general, bearing a sidearm, commanded her to start filming. The other men appeared unarmed.

One of his men stepped forward, barking, “The honorable and esteemed General Liu Feng.”

I was never sure with the Chinese which was the first name and which was the family name; they often seemed inverted. This added international degrees of difficulty to my trouble with names. Thank God Juno had just one name.

The general stepped forward to his spot, both standing at and waiting for attention in his uniform of dark green trimmed in red, with medals of many colors. His cap was emblazoned with a red star. His impressive dress allowed him to puff up his chest, and his gun made him deadly serious.

The family, still dressed for yoga, instinctively flanked Juno for a confrontation that she treated like the arrival of unexpected guests for tea. I was on her left flank with the twins, and Boy was on her right with M. We had moved abruptly from shavasana to armed conflict.

The general and his gun spoke in harsh tones in Mandarin while Juno responded in lyrical English, sometimes gracefully flourishing her hand for emphasis. Protecting us with her invisible wand.

The general demanded something in Mandarin.

Juno replied, “General Liu—welcome! How kind of you to personally offer assistance. There is no private place to speak, as we are now a refugee home with over three hundred guests.”

The general, displeased with Juno’s response, angrily told the camera girl to cunt. He meant cut. I almost laughed, but he might have shot me, or M might have kicked me in the balls.

Juno was the only one to break ranks, giving him a wry smile.

The general demanded in Mandarin.

Juno did the hand-waving thing. “I am so sorry again, but there is no room here for you to stay with your men and lady. But I’m sure one of the local hotels still standing will be able to accommodate you, or you can buy tents if you did not bring them.”

The general demanded in Mandarin.

Juno replied, “That is another kind offer that I must humbly refuse. I wish I could be more accommodating of your requests.”

The general, for our benefit, then spoke English and right out of the little red book. “You are still Chinese, and we all serve the Party and the People. I must insist that I take charge here.”

Juno responded, “Yes, we are all Party people, but the

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