Little Black Book

The letter arrived along with the usual junk mail. It was Monday night and Leah couldn’t remember the last time she’d checked her mail.

She tossed the stack onto the entryway table and locked away the day’s horrors and decisions as Chief Medical Officer for the city’s largest Level 1 trauma center turned Coronavirus Ground Zero – Philadelphia.

Leftover shrimp alfredo and reading the mail was next. Tossing the junk mail, she opened the letter addressed to her with no return address.

One word…Moleskine.

She filed the word for later. Leah had a debriefing call on Covid-19 cases in her facility and the diminishing number of beds and staff.

“Burn them.”

“Bill, mute yourself before I do”

“Tammy, I know you want to save the world but we don’t have time or resources. Patients are dying by the minute and we can’t keep up with proper refrigeration protocol. If JHACO walks in, we’re done!”

Leah knew she needed to deescalate the call before it went further off the rails.

“What’s the problem?”

Tammy started, “The morgue is so full that the temp is too low for state mandates, we need to make room as soon as possible or risk disaster. There aren’t any available beds and we don’t know when the next shipment of ventilators arrives.”

“I’ll make a few calls to community funeral homes, nursing homes and our city council rep for a status on the machines”. Leah said. “Thank God” Bill yelled before he was banished to a breakout room. “I’ll let him out after I hear about the unconscious Jane Doe.”

Leah sidestepped the potential interrogation from Tammy and ended the call with the promise of catching up tomorrow. Leah remembered, Moleskine.

Arriving to work Tuesday morning, Leah was met by her Unit Secretary Rochelle to receive patient status reports.

“Mr. and Mrs. Dilliard are doing bad, the wife is getting through her ventilator session breaks barely, husband is only able to do 3 minutes at a time. 3 new Covid positives, Shanita is assigned to them. Mr. Sanchez is cussing at everybody and before I forget, Jane Doe is awake, she only says one word, Moleskine.”

Leah went to speak with Jane Doe.

“Hello, my name is Dr. Leah, what is your name?

Nothing.

When you came in, you were unconscious, can you remember anything?”

Nothing.

“Pain?”

Nothing.

“What is Moleskine?”

She began to cry.

“These are tears of joy. Moleskine saved my life.”

Leah was confused, “Saved your life?”

“My name is Sya. One night, I got too drunk. I woke up 24 hours later with a needle in my arm and the next three days in and out of consciousness as faces blurred around me. I was there for 3 months too high to even know my own name. One day a letter came for me with no return address; It only had one word.

Moleskine.

That night someone dragged me from that house and the next thing I remember is waking up here with this little black book with the name Moleskine engraved on the cover.”

“Is there anything in the book?”

Sya replied, “Nope. I think I’m supposed to tell my story, help somebody.”

“Who are these people?”

Sya replied “I don’t know who they are but I think they’re the good guys.”

Leah headed home, winding around Kelly Drive gave her time time to think of how Covid was worsening.

Her motion light activated and she saw something laying on her doorstep; a box. Cradling the box, she entered the house and locked the door.

Remembering Sya’s words “I think they’re the good guys.”

In the box, A little black book with Moleskine engraved on the cover.

She showered and went to bed early, she wanted to get to the hospital early to show Sya the book.

Leah’s alarm screamed for her to get out of bed. Moleskine. She obliged.

When she arrived, Rochelle was at the nurse’s station juggling doctor’s and God knows what else. Bypassing the chaos and heading for Sya, she reminded herself to check on Rochelle’s mother who was currently unemployed due to shutdowns.

Leah immediately knew she was gone.

Rochelle met her, “Mr. Dilliard passed, two of the new Covid positives are on ventilators, Mr. Sanchez is in ICU and Shanita is symptomatic.”

“Does Mrs. Dilliard know?” Leah asked. “Yes, Dr. Graham told her and sat with her while Mr. Dilliard transitioned. “You should visit her.” “I will, has the family of the new Covid positives been notified?” “Yes, we facetimed them earlier”. “They’ll appreciate that, I’ll check on Mr. Sanchez and start a collection for Shanita. When did Sya leave?” “Who?” Rochelle asked. “The Jane Doe.” “Oh, she left around 7:00am.” Rochelle reported.

Rochelle continued, “Between my mom and the kids being home, I can barely keep up. I was so pre-occupied, I didn’t even catch it. “You have more than enough on your plate, it’s ok.” Leah assured Rochelle.

Leah stopped by the security desk to check on Ms. Bridgette who was high risk, as expected, her doctor ordered her to stop working until the pandemic was over. Leah wished her well and continued to her meeting. Her phone gave two quick vibrations which signaled a text message. A one-word message read…Moleskine

It was time to bring in help. Sya was in the wind and Rochelle had enough on her plate.

Stacey; she ran to her office.

“What’s up?” Stacey asked as she concluded her call. Leah ran down the events of the last few days succinctly.

“ What do you think this means?” Leah asked

“I have a theory, give me a couple hours and I’ll get back to you.”

Stacey turned in her Cadillac of an office chair and began to work search engines like a race car driver works gears in a Nascar race.

Leah headed back to the unit floor and entered Mrs. Dilliard’s room to check on the recent widow.

“How are you holding up, is there anything I can do?” “No sweetie, I’m fine. I’ll find a way.” Mrs. Dilliard sounded exhausted and defeated. Leah asked “Find a way for what Mrs. Dilliard?”

“I’ll find a way to get the money to bury my husband.” Leah was instantly saddened “I could get you a discount if cremation is an option for you.” Leah offered. “No! My husband always dreamed of our eternal rest and it didn’t include us chilling on the mantle”, she chuckled. Her laugh trailed off as she looked out the window. Leah would call Charmaine the Social Worker after lunch.

Deciding to head out early, she got home just as the sky transitioned from day to night.

Upon entering, her phone rang.

“Hello?”

“Moleskine” and the caller hung up.

Leah called Stacey who answered on the first ring.

“I just got off the phone with a contact that confirmed all of my suspicions. Moleskine is a long-established organization dedicated to helping the poor and disenfranchised since the late 80’s. A vigilante network with individual agents that can be activated at any time.”

“Here in Philly, like sleeper cells?” Leah asked before Stacey could continue. “More like helper cells activated when extreme need is identified. They only help a few times a year, contact is always one word, Moleskine. The benefactor is always left with an ancient looking little black book to tell the story and help the next person. You must pay it forward Leah, that’s why they left the book.”

They spoke for another hour before wrapping up and retiring for the night.

Two footsteps were all Leah heard before awakening to a figure standing in her bedroom. She considered screaming until the intruder sat down as if he were about to bestow the meaning of life.

“Who are you and how did you get past my security system?” Leah asked shakily.

“My name is Logan and I disabled the alarm easier than a child recognizes its mother for the first time.

“Are you from Moleskine?”

“Yes.”

“Did you help Sya?”

“Yes.”

“Have I been chosen?”

“Yes.”

“Why me, how did you find me?”

“We’ve been watching you, we always have.”

“We keep track of what we call “Helpers”. Helpers do just what their name implies.

You always pool resources and try to assist staff, patients and co-workers directly linking them to programs and people that can help. That is why you were chosen.”

I have an envelope with $20,000 to be distributed at your discretion to whomever you decide. Two conditions must be met to receive the money.

1. Never mention us.

2. Detail your gift distribution in the little black book then leave the book in a public place so others may read and be inspired to give or help in some fashion like you.

We’re everywhere. If you do not honor the conditions we will revisit you.

Do you agree to these terms?”

“Yes!” Leah agreed.

“We knew you would be perfect for the task.” Logan handed her the envelope of crisp $100 dollar bills, turned and walked out of Leah’s home to the Mercedes S-Class awaiting him.

Was I dreaming? Leah thought upon waking, she hurriedly showered and stuffed a bagel in her mouth for the drive to the hospital. She was greeted by Rochelle for morning report, Leah barely listened; she was focused on how to slip Rochelle the $2,500 to help with her mom. She would slide it through the slits of Rochelle’s locker in the lounge.

Leah knocked on Ms. Dilliard’s door, she was sitting in bed facetiming her daughter to discuss Mr. Dilliard’s funeral arrangements. They were $5,000 short and Mrs. Dilliard look worried. Her daughter Sheila suggested a Go Fund Me page which Mrs. Dillard shut down “We are not beggars!” “I know Mama but we need it” Sheila begged. Now was Leah’s chance. “Mrs. Dilliard! I have great news…You have been selected to received two awards to assist with the final arrangements. Both women were in shock. “That’s right, you were awarded $2,500 from the hospital and $2,500 from an anonymous donor!”

Mrs. Dilliard shouted “God is Good!” In unison, all ladies said “All the time!”

Leah hurried to morning meeting to see what needed to be done.

When she entered the room it was solemn. Leah greeted everyone before Diane, the HR Director stood to inform the room that 150 hospital employees were laid off yesterday. Ms. Bridgette the Security Guard was among the employees. Leah inquired if it would be possible to get her home address along with Shanita her full-time nurse that had recently received her positive Covid test result. They would have $2,500 coming their way by end of day…

James, Procurement Director reported “Inventory is dangerously low and it appears that reserves are decimated.” He sat to deter questions. “James, is it possible to privately purchase PPE?” “Yes I suppose.” he replied. “What can we get for $8,000?” Leah demanded. “I’ll have someone from my team check, anything specific?” James asked.

“Masks, gloves, face shields and a ventilator if you can.” Leah detailed.

“No promises, I’ll get started.” James scurried away.

Leah had one more gift to give, an important gift.

She pulled into the small parking lot and was buzzed through the double doors that were researched extensively to ensure the safety of the precious souls inside. Leah was greeted by her partner Star who owned a small daycare on the picturesque Kelly Drive. Her staff remained committed to opening during the pandemic to help parents that couldn’t work from home.

The last gift would help keep the babies safe.

Leah presented Star with the cash and rolled back onto Kelly Drive where she briefly pulled over and left the Moleskine book on a bench popular with runners. She said a small prayer and caught a glance of Logan running by the bench giving her a quick nod of approval as he disappeared.

Leah hoped Moleskine would contact her again, she had more to do.