Peter sat in the center of the sofa assuming his friend would sit in the lounge chair. “I know how destructive boys can be.”
Blake held off taking a seat. “Can I get you a beer?”
“That’d be great.”
“Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
As Blake went off to the kitchen, a soft breeze blew in. Peter looked across to see the open sliding glass door leading out to the backyard patio. Fortunately, the screen door was closed to keep out the Texas bugs. Sitting on the deck by the doorway was a small tricycle and a bike with training wheels.
“Here you go,” Blake called out, bringing over two opened bottles of beer.
Peter reached up and grabbed one. “So where are the boys?”
“They’re upstairs cleaning their rooms. Let me go get them.”
Peter lifted his beer, toasting Blake as he hustled up the stairs.
Peter smiled as he heard the girls chatting away. He took a big swig of the cold beer before leaning over and rummaging through magazines on the coffee table. His attention was instantly drawn to an aviation magazine that had a full picture of Carlos Calma in his spacesuit. What magazine puts that asshole on the cover? He set his beer down as he pulled out the magazine and read the title. “A Space Hero?” What? Good thing there’s a question mark. He flipped to the story in the magazine and began to read. He quickly realized the article was full of bullshit, and must have been written by Carlos’s PR team, trying to convince the world he was not the cause of their failed mission to reach the ISS. Though Carlos wasn’t the cause, Peter knew he was far from being a hero.
He was about to toss the magazine back on the table in disgust but he spotted the name Krause Aerospace. In a corner of the article, a shaded box highlighted Carlos’s father. Peter scanned the short description about the business tycoon and was surprised to see one of the many companies Jose owned was Krause Aerospace. Interesting; maybe that can be my connection to get inside information. Peter looked out the window, rubbing his chin. He shook his head, remembering the old man was supporting his son’s lawsuit against the FKA. Then throw in the fact that he had punched the man’s son, Peter doubted Jose would help him out. He looked back down at the cover. I did save his son. Maybe if Jose knew the facts he might support me. He set the magazine back on the table, convinced he should at least give it a try.
His concentration was interrupted by tiny footsteps coming down the stairs. He looked over to see Blake’s cute, little four-year-old boy in a bathing suit, carrying a model jet.
“Well, hello.”
The boy shyly walked over to Peter and stuck out his hand.
Peter grabbed the small hand and shook. “Hello, I’m Peter. Nice to meet you.”
The boy didn’t say a word, as if he didn’t hear Peter, and started to play with his plane on the coffee table.
The model was an F-22 fighter jet, the same plane the young boy’s father flew in the Air Force. “That’s a cool-looking airplane. Did your daddy fly that plane?”
The boy kept on playing, ignoring Peter.
Peter smiled as he watched the boy, thinking back when he was the same age playing with the model of the Lunar Lander, pretending he was flying it to the moon just like his father soon would. More footsteps came down the stairs.
Blake called out, “Did you meet Matthew?”
Peter looked up to see Blake’s second child following his father down the stairs. “I did. He’s a little quiet.”
As if his son simply had a small bruise, Blake casually offered, “Oh, he’s deaf.”
Peter’s heart dropped as he looked back down at the boy, who now had a big grin as he continued to play with his toy. He was shocked Blake never mentioned it during their training. “Well, he had good manners, coming down and shaking my hand.”
Blake smiled as he brought over his oldest son. “Good. Peter I would like to introduce my oldest boy, Brian.”
The six-year-old had blond hair just like his little brother. “Hello, Brian.”
Brian tugged on his dad’s shirt, indicating he wanted to tell him something in secret. Blake bent down before his son whispered in his ear. Blake spoke calmly to the boy. “I think you left it outside.” The boy grabbed his dad’s hand and pulled him toward the backyard patio. Blake showed a patient smile. “We’ll be right back. He wants to show off his new rocket to you.”
Peter nodded in acceptance as they walked toward the sliding screen door. As they exited, Peter zoomed in on Matthew, who was now on his knees with his arm extended holding onto the jet. He was moving his arm in a wavy motion, in his imagination flying the jet. Peter got down on his knees next to the little boy. He opened his hand and pretended it was a jet. He copied the movements the boy made with his toy, following closely behind. After a few moments of this, Peter decided to take the lead. He flew his hand past the boy’s jet and was pleased to see the boy copy his moves, being a perfect wingman.
Peter beamed as he looked down at the boy. Even though the boy wouldn’t hear him he still spoke out loud. “You have piloting skills just like your daddy.” Peter noticed a shadow on the floor and looked up to see Anya standing with a proud grin, holding a tray of appetizers. He winked, guessing she was thinking of the day when he would be playing with their child.
Soon all four adults were sitting around the patio table under an umbrella socializing on the backyard wooden deck, the boys playing nicely in a nearby sandbox.
Anya held her glass of wine as she stared at the children. “Your boys play so well together.”
Suzy looked at Blake and grinned before turning to Anya. “Thanks. Of course like any siblings, they have their moments.”
Peter lifted his glass. “The advantages of being an only child.”
Blake teased his commander. “Oh, that’s why you’re such a demanding boss. You’re used to always getting your way.”
Peter set his glass down. “Hmm, I never thought about it that way; I guess you’re right. Now get down and give me twenty.”
They all laughed. Anya directed her attention to Suzy and Blake sitting across from her. “So how did you two meet?”
Suzy spoke up. “At college in California. We both went to UC Santa Barbara.”
Peter was familiar with the school. “That’s a pretty campus, right there on the beach.”
Blake grabbed an appetizer. “They have some great surfing spots in the area.”
Suzy continued. “My sorority was sisters to his fraternity. I always thought he was the cutest. Fortunately, after some hints he finally asked me out. We’ve been together ever since.” A curious look crossed Suzy’s face. “So how about you two? How does a Texas boy end up with a Russian girl?”
Anya answered. “Our fathers trained together on the USA/USSR mission in the ’70s. They became close friends, and over the years our families often got together. Since Peter is almost eight years older than me…”
Blake interjected, “That’s all?”
Anya smiled. “I had the biggest crush on him when I was a teenager, but he never noticed me.”
Peter cockily leaned back. “I had other fish to fry. But when I saw her years later as a grown woman, I couldn’t believe it. I instantly had a crush on her, but then she ignored me.”
Anya smiled. “Because I had other fish to fry.”
All laughed.
Blake started to get up. “I better put the ribs on the BBQ.”
Peter started to get up. “Need any help?”
“Nope, you sit and entertain the ladies.”