Into the light and back part 12

The working day was exhausting for Auggie. He was not prepared to admit, that often his job was more stressful than before, because of his lack of sight. It took him longer to read files, to type letters or to find information on the internet. This day was one of these days, when his disability started to weigh on him. Although he had been completely blind for so many years, there were still moments, when he wished to get his sight back. And now, after the experimental surgery he had had, and the retina problem, it was even less probable that he would ever see again.

Auggie rested his head in his hands whilst his elbows remained on the edge of his desk. He was tired. And the story with Natasha and the Russian mob was spinning in his head.

He had reluctantly given in to Joan´s request to move into a safe house and now, he had to get acquainted with a new room and a new environment. Since he had gone blind, this was more than difficult for him. Before Iraq, and before he had lost his vision, he would not have believed, how difficult every day tasks could be without the ability to see.

Finding the men´s room in a restaurant, crossing the street, getting to the entrance of a building, shopping and many other things, had become difficult and very often they required a lot of assistance and help from others. Even after such a long time, Auggie could not bear the feeling of dependence. But he had no choice. He was blind and there was no way that this would change. At least not in this life.

Later that day, when Auggie sat on the couch of his safe house, he heard a beeping sound. It was his mobile phone. Barber had sent him a text message.

New message of your visitor

please call me ASAP

Eric

Auggie listened as the text message was read to him from the voice of his Iphone. He dialled Eric´s number and a few seconds later Barber picked up.

„Hey Auggie, good that you call me back so quickly. I have found another message of your Russian friend. She wants to meet again. Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Lincoln Memorial."

Auggie had listened to Eric, and now he had an idea. Joan had suggested to prepare a trap for the Russian lady and her Mafia friends. But the only way to get to them, was to find their hideout, their meeting point. Auggie was blind, but he was still a spy. Right now, he was considering a difficult but not impossible task.

„What about putting a GPS tracker on our Russian mob friend?" Auggie said and waited for Barber to reply.

„Well the idea is good" Eric said and then he objected „But how would we be able to do that?"

„I will try to attach that tracker somehow to her. It has to be a tiny one, one she would not easily detect or find". Auggie answered and then he explained.

„My blindness can be an advantage in this case. I have to find an opportunity to touch her, to take her arm in order to get that tracker onto her. I know, that she has not much appreciation for „blind cripples" but maybe she is not as cold and tough as she seems."

„So far so good" Barber said „But how will you get her to touch you or more precisely how will she allow physical contact with you?"

„I could ask her to lead me to a bench because I need to sit. I have blood pressure problems and need to sit down"

„That could be worth a try" Barber said and assured Auggie „But me and Hollman will be with you again and watch from the distance what is happening."

„That´s a deal" Auggie said and ended the call. Then, he slowly walked towards the kitchen counter, oriented himself a bit, by sliding his hands across the surface and finally found the fridge. He opened it and got himself a yoghurt and some mixed pickles.

Auggie needed to go to the supermarket to do some grocery shopping. He had asked the driver that had taken him to Langley in the morning. He needed a couple of things to fill the fridge again. So he grabbed his messenger bag, his cane and his mobile phone and made his way to the door. He had never been in this area before, so he would probably need some time to find the supermarket.

Auggie walked out of the door and moved cautiously to the right. He made a few steps and started sweeping his cane back and forth. The taxi driver in the morning had told him that the supermarket was about 350 metres away from his door. So he carefully counted his steps and when he thought he had reached the right place, he stopped. He heard people passing by and then he asked

„Excuse me, can you help me please? I am looking for th A&B Supermarket.

The older lady looked at him with a pitiful expression and replied „Oh, it is right here"

Auggie was desperate. Expressions like right here, over there and similar directions did not help him since he had gone blind. Therefore he asked „Would you be so kind and show me to the door ?"

„Sure" the lady said and grabbed Auggie´s arm

„May I take your arm please?" Auggie said and took the ladie´s elbow and let her lead him to the entrance of the shop.

„Thanks a lot" Auggie said with a smile when he stood at the door of the supermarket. He cautiously walked straight ahead, listening to the sounds around him. When he had made out the direction of the checkout, he walked towards the sound and asked

„Could somebody help me please to do some grocery shopping?"

The young man at the checkout looked at Auggie, saw the white cane and answered

„Yes, give me just a minute to serve the last customer and then I will be there for you"

Two minutes later Auggie walked with the young shop assistant through the aisles of the shop and bought bread, cheese, ham, fruit, coffee, salad, chips milk, beer, tomatoes, mineral water, yoghurt and a couple of other things.

When Auggie waited for his turn at the checkout, he noticed a young mother with her kid behind him. He heard them talk and the kid asked „Mum, what is the man doing with this long white stick?"

Auggie turned a bit towards the girl behind him and answered

„I am blind. I cannot see and so I need a cane to get around"

„What is the cane for?" the 4-year old girl asked looking at Auggie with curiousity.

„I need the cane to find obstacles in my way. It helps me to feel what is in front of me so that I

won´t run into things and hurt myself.

The mother of the little girl was a bit embarassed and said

„Jennifer, stop asking the man. He surely doesn´t like to be bothered by your questions"

„Never mind" Auggie said trying to face the little girl´s mother „Kids are curious, that is normal at a certain age. I don´t mind her questions"

„That is so nice of you" The mother said and then it was Auggie´s turn to pay his errands.

Since he could not carry everything home, he called a taxi to take him and his groceries home.

Back home again at the safe house, he checked his e-mails. There was one e-mail from Tash. She was supposed to arrive the next day in the USA. It would be easier for him to pick her up at the airport with a taxi since he did not know the area well enough to give her directions.

He wrote back to her:

Hey Tash,

Looking forward to seeing you in DC

See you tomorrow at the Airport

Auggie

Now Auggie was excited. He was looking forward to seeing Natasha. Well...meeting her would be the better term. But he was also nervous. He did not want anything bad to happen to her.

They both had to be careful.