“Of course, she does,” Jessica said.
“What’ll we do while they’re gone?” Dixie asked.
“Sleepovers,” Jessica said.
“That’s a given, we can’t go anywhere so, every night is a sleepover,” Darcy said.
“What about the daytime?” Mallory asked.
“The zoo,” Melanie said.
“Yawn,” Jessica said.
“The library,” Melanie continued.
“Honey, I love you but if you keep going, we’ll have to get you those glasses that set on the end of your nose and you can become a Nineteenth Century school marm,” Paulita said and they laughed.
“Well, I tried and I like the library and the zoo.”
“How about something a little more… alive,” Dixie said.
“The mall,” Mallory suggested.
“Better,” Jessica said.
“Paintballing,” Jessica suggested. Melanie’s shoulders sagged. Her limp and her somewhat compromised right arm made physical activity a challenge.
“No, I don’t like that,” Paulita said after seeing Melanie’s reaction.
“Well, what then?” Darcy asked.
“How about the arcade?” Dixie proposed.
“Not bad,” Mallory said and Melanie nodded approval.
“Okay, so, why don’t we go to the arcade and the mall the first day,” Darcy said and it was agreed. They talked and caught up on each other’s life for the next few hours while the travelers prepared to depart.
“When do you leave?” Will asked.
“In two days,” Justin replied.
“We take a private jet to D.C. then transfer to Air Force One,” Jozette added.
“Wow, Air Force One, you’ve hit the big time,” Warren said.
“Hey, you’ll be with us,” Justin said.
“Yeah but we’re just steerage passengers,” Warren quipped and there was laughter.
“What does that mean?” Belinda asked. Little Wolf looked at Jozette and she nodded.
“In the old days, Miss Belinda, when people traveled by ship…” Little Wolf started.
“Like the Pilgrims?”
“That’s right. In those times it was necessary for ships to ride low in the water or they’d tip over easy.”
“Then everyone would drown.”
“Yes, and they took on passengers, poor people, just to give weight to the ship and make it easier to steer.”
“So, they really didn’t like those people they just used them to get the ship somewhere safely,” Belinda conjectured.
“Miss Belinda, you are absolutely right.”
“Thank you, Little Wolf, for answering my question,” Belinda said then gave a twisted face look and crossed eyes to Jozette.
“Very nice, Lind,” Jozette remarked.
“You started it.”
“How did I start anything?”
“Because any time I ask a question you roll your eyes and make a face like I’m stupid.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You kind of do sometimes, babe,” Andy said.
“I do?”
“Yes, Jo,” Tatiana added and looked at Jozette who sighed.
“Sorry, Lind. I take it for granted that everyone knows what I know and I guess that’s not fair.”
“Okay, I’m fine and I always like it when Little Wolf explains things to me anyway.”
“Yes, he is so patient, we’re all lucky to have him with us,” Lexi said.
“Please, don’t, I have to live with him and he doesn’t need another reason to have a swelled head,” Julieta pleaded with everyone.
“I have a swelled head?” Little Wolf asked.
“Brave, sometimes it takes a bulldozer to get your head through the door.”
“Gee, don’t hold back, Maiden, speak your mind. She’s excitable sometimes, that Latin heritage I guess.”
“Oohh!!! You drive me crazy,” Julieta said with gritted teeth.
“Alright, kids, we love you both, Julieta you with your Latin temper and Little Wolf with your oversized ego,” Tatiana said as she put her arm around Julieta and pulled her close.
“Sorry, I lost my temper,” Julieta said.
“I’m sorry I bugged you, Maiden.”
“It’s a long flight to The Ukraine,” Dave said. “I don’t want someone pulling the emergency door to get out because they feel cooped up and can’t get away from each other.”
“We’ll be fine,” Jozette said as she pointed at Little Wolf with a look and he nodded understanding.
“Well, let’s lighten the mood and get ready for the trip of a lifetime,” Justin said.
“What should we call her?” Belinda asked.
“Madam President or Ma’am,” Jozette related.
“Not Ms. Lexington?” Belinda asked.
“No and don’t given any fashion tips to the President of the United States, Lind, please,” Jozette begged.
“You make it sound like I give everyone tips.”
“You do,” Jozette said.
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, baby, you do, I know you mean well and anyone would be wise to take your advice but not the President, please,” Justin said.
“Okay, if you think I shouldn’t then I won’t.” They all cringed thinking that Belinda did have some advice in mind having seen the President on television and having remarked about her hair in particular. “But her hair.”
“Lind, please don’t do it,” Jozette said. Belinda shrugged her shoulders.
“If you say so, then mum’s the word.” They listened but no one was quite sure that she’d keep quiet for the simple reason that it was almost impossible for Belinda to remain quiet even when she made an effort to do so. Belinda was a loving mother, wife and friend but she could not shut up if she had something to say.
“I need to see the ambassador, I’m an American,” Chip McCarty said as he stood nervously at the gate of the American Embassy in Moscow.”
“What is this about?” A man asked. There were two armed guards standing watch over a booth that checked cars and/or pedestrians coming and going. Embassy property was considered American soil. Once inside you were in America. Chip wasn’t being pursued by law enforcement or anyone else but he felt like it and was anxious to get inside. He had to tell someone what he knew… someone he could trust.
“It is urgent and I need to see the ambassador at once, please.” The man picked up a phone and began talking, whispering actually. Chip couldn’t hear. Maybe he was calling for security to haul the intruder away. No that was silly, there were two guys with rifles standing right here already.
“Someone will be here in a moment,” the man said and Chip relaxed a little. He managed to get his breathing under control and waited. A few minutes later a man in a gray suit came up and shook hands.
“My name is Harold Baylor and you are?”
“Chip McCarthy… Charles McCarthy.”
“May I see your passport?”
“Here,” Chip said and handed over the document that got him in the country and maybe out eventually… he hoped.
“This looks fine, Mr. McCarthy and why again are you wanting to see the Ambassador.”
“It is a matter of urgency and I need to see him soon.” The man looked Chip up and down then nodded.
“Follow me, Mr. McCarthy.” They made the long walk to the front door and entered. It was a huge building and Chip wondered why so much space was needed. Mr. Baylor took him into a room with large leather chairs and shelves with books. Art work decorated the walls and an attendant dressed in white arrived with a tray of tea and cookies.
“Can I see the Ambassador now?”
“It’s not that easy, Mr. McCarthy. Please wait here and I’ll pass along your request to the proper authorities.” As Harold Baylor started to leave Chip who had sat down then stood up and cleared his throat and Baylor turned around.
“Mr. Baylor, what I know, no one else does and I think it is a very serious situation. If the Ambassador will give me one minute, I think he’ll see that I bring dire news and he needs to act immediately.” Baylor thought for a moment then left. “Well, I can’t make them listen.” He perused the room and found a floor length mirror. He paused to look at himself then began chuckling. “I guess I don’t project a very dignified appearance. His hair was messed up, his clothes were dirty and he had a three-day beard. “I guess I’d look okay in Greenwich Village with an easel and a pallet but here I’m way out of place. I can’t believe they didn’t haul me away. I think I can see Mr. Baylor’s reticence.