Due Preparations for the Plague

It was a catechism that Lowell often rehearsed to himself. I must never never say that I’m not allowed to say.

“This key?” Lowell asks. This damned key to a Pandora’s box of secrets that he has no wish to know.

“It’s the key to a locker at Logan Airport,” Dr. Reuben says. “International terminal. Locker B–64.”

Lowell chokes.

“Are you all right?”

“That was the flight number,” Lowell says.

“Air France 64, yes. You can see a great deal of planning went into this. Don’t drive or take a taxi, take the subway. I’m quoting your father again.”

“And I must never never say why I’m not allowed to say.”

“Excuse me?”

“His rules,” Lowell says. “The necessary rituals of risk.”

“He felt hunted. I can tell you that. He was a man in mortal agony. That might make it easier to forgive him. Planning this gave him a little peace at the end.”

“So what is in the locker?”

“I don’t know precisely. A journal, I believe. And some papers, possibly classified ones. And some videotapes—I don’t know of what—but the tapes are of crucial importance. Crucial, your father said. I haven’t seen any of this material. I didn’t put it there. Your father put it there and gave me the key, and made me promise to hand-deliver the key to you.”

“When did he put it there?”

“I don’t know exactly. But recently, obviously.”

“My father was in Boston recently?”

“Yes. He saw you, he said.”

Lowell feels an oceanic surge of rage and grief. “He was good at watching. It was the thing he did best.”

“He himself always felt watched.”

“He was a control freak,” Lowell says. “A spook. A puppeteer. I don’t know why I thought the grave would stop him.”

“He was a tormented man,” Dr. Reuben says. “I think the key will tell you everything you need to know.”

Lowell sighs. “The key is to lock me in for life. I’m shackled to him.”

“You have a lot of anger locked inside you.”

Lowell laughs. “Oh shit. Wow. That’s clever. People pay you for that?”

“The key is under my hand on the bench now.”

“What if I throw the key away?”

“That, of course, would be up to you. But I would advise against it.”

“Sacred last will and testament. Honor thy father.”

“No. I would advise against it for much more pragmatic reasons. Because a message sent from beyond the grave, but thrown away unread, is going to haunt you. If you’re in an unstable state already, and I sense that you are … well, I know that you are. I know a great deal about you, naturally, because your father … Anyway, that sort of reactive impulsivity could be the coup de grâce, it could drive you over the edge. I’m going to put my hand back in my pocket now and I’m leaving. Please put your own hand over the key. There should be no need for further contact between us, but can I recommend strongly that you seek professional help?” He takes six steps and returns. “I would also request, however, that if you seek professional help, as you certainly should, you never mention my name.”

He walks away and does not look back.

Lowell places his hand over the key and sits watching the swan boats until the light fades.

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