“Area Fifty-One is in New Mexico,” Henry corrected her.
“I’ve been told they are now referred to as UAPs—unidentified anomalous phenomena.” Frida choked out the wordanomalous.
“Oh, right. I thought I heard something about that.”
“And, my friend has witnessed such unidentified phenomena, or so he says.” Frida was enjoying teasing Henry. “Isn’t that right?”
Henry stifled a chuckle. “Yes, it’s true, but I didn’t see the lights in the sky. It looked more like swamp gas.”
“Around here?” Theresa questioned.
“Tempe Town Lake has quite an ecosystem,” Henry remarked.
“Huh. I would never have guessed.” Theresa massaged her forehead with the water bottle.
“Yes, the Army Corps of Engineers began a restoration program to restore portions of the Salt Riverbed,” Henry informed his new friends.
“Well, aren’t you a wealth of information, Mr. Pushkin,” Frida remarked.
“I’m retired. I bore easily,” he said, and grinned.
“But let’s get back to swamp gas. Have you seen it?” Theresa prodded him.
“Let’s just say I’ve seen a few things.” He raised his eyebrows.
The shuttle bus was nearing the roundabout. Theresa excused herself. “Give me a minute.” She quickly phoned her friend Lizzie Cricket in Washington, D.C. If anyone could help her figure things out, it was Lizzie. Theresa left a brief message, giving her the bare details about her aunt, Sunnydale, and her car accident. She swiftly walked back to where the couple was waiting as the bus pulled in front of them.
Theresa was slightly breathless. “I’d love to hear more. At least I won’t be the only goofball!” Theresa laughed. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like it sounded!”
“It’s alright. I’ve been called many things in my life, but I thinkgoofballis a new one. At least someone saying it to my face.” He gestured for the women to advance onto the bus.
One side had a row of single seats; the opposite had doubles. A brief awkward moment arose when they were deciding who should sit where. Theresa solved the issue and took a single seat across from a two-seater. Frida climbed into the window seat, and Henry took the aisle.
Theresa leaned in his direction. “Tell me more about the swamp gas.”
Henry looked around at the other passengers and made a gesture that said,I don’t think that’s a good idea. Theresa got the message. She was glad she found someone who took her seriously. Or were they simply humoring her? She didn’t think so. They gave her the impression they were genuine, and she could not wait to hear Henry’s swamp gas story. It would be a good distraction.
Henry leaned over and muttered to Frida, “Do you mind if I invite her to lunch with us? She seems in an awful state.”
“I think that’s super,” Frida whispered back.
“Theresa, Frida and I are going to grab a bite. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, that is very nice of you, but I wouldn’t want to impose.” She actually wanted to impose but was being polite.
“No imposition whatsoever,” Henry replied.
Frida leaned in. “Yes, please join us.”
Theresa let out a long exhale. She hadn’t realized how stressed she was. The massage from the day before was a long-gone memory.
The ride to town was a short one, and soon Theresa, Henry, and Frida were back in the heat. Thankfully, their destination was just a few steps away from where they were dropped off.
Just as they were entering the café, Theresa’s phone rang. “Excuse me a sec.” It was Lizzie, returning her call.
“Hey. Got your message. Are you okay?”
“Better. I’m just about to sit down to lunch with some new friends who may have some information about that place. I’ll call you later and fill you in.”
