'I think so, mate. I hope so.'
He had a big smile on his face.
'She's magic, man. She'd make my head spin.'
'Tell me about it.' I sat down to finish my coffee, with a sly check of Baby-G. It was seven fifty-seven. Three minutes and the kids could be leaving; still over ten before the call.
Dakota came into the kitchen, very excited about the day's program.
'Hi, Nick. Are you and Sarah hanging out with Daddy today so you can see us sing? It's going to be so cool!'
Josh tried to calm her down.
'Wow, chill. We don't know yet, we're waiting on a call. You'd better say good-bye to Nick now, just in case.' With that he went back into the TV room to usher the others into the kitchen.
Dakota came over and gave me a hug. It must have felt as strange for her as it did for me. I was holding back; I didn't want her to feel the weapon.
'If I don't see you this afternoon, I'll call you all soon--with Kelly,
OK?'
By now the others were coming through, more interested in what they were missing on the TV than in saying goodbye.
Josh was getting them organized.
'All go upstairs and say good-bye to Sarah. Holler through the door if she's in the shower.' Off they scrambled.
I heard their shouts, and hers in return.
Josh was on the doorstep with Maria. It looked as if she was finished until this afternoon. Good: one less to worry about.
It was eight o'clock. Things could start getting scary soon. I made sure my work cassette was in, and stayed there. At least Josh's holster wasn't full yet; it never was with the kids around. I heard the hiss of air brakes outside.
'The bus is here, kids, let's go!' There was a thumping on the staircase and one in my heart as I walked into the hall to stop them, hand now reaching under my shirt.
They saw me.
'Bye, Nick, see you this afternoon!'
The phone rang and Josh came past me, back into the kitchen, sounding exasperated.
'Come on, kids, get your bags. Bus is waiting!'
Through the open kitchen door, I saw him answer the phone. I was standing in their way as they were about to turn left toward the door that led from the hallway into the TV room. I put my hand around the pistol grip. I knew it would work; people don't fuck about when it comes to their children.
Sarah was at the top of the stairs, weapon strong, five steps behind. The worse scenario I could imagine couldn't be stopped now. She was walking down the stairs, pistol behind her, in case one of the children looked back.
I slowed the herd.
'Hey, hey, don't go yet. I think your dad wants you all in the kitchen. He's finding out if Sarah and I are coming to see you all sing today.' They turned left through the door to their dad. I had eye-to eye with Sarah. She was nearing the bottom of the stairs and was placing her weapon in her trouser band.
'Remember what I said.'
She nodded as we both went into the kitchen with the last of the kids.
He got to the end of his call and the kids were all over him, wanting to know.
'Right, we're on at ten!' He beamed.
The kids cheered and we both cheered with them.
'Well done!' I had a big smile on my face.
'Thanks a lot, mate.
Brilliant!'
He remembered the bus.
'What are you guys doing here? Go, go!' He shooed them out toward the front door.
I heard the hiss of the bus's air brakes and the chug of diesel as it dragged itself down the road. Josh came back into the kitchen and collapsed onto a chair with a loud sigh, pouring himself some more coffee as he looked up at Sarah.
'Come back, Geri, all is forgiven.' He looked at me.
'Great news, huh? To tell you the truth, I'm quite looking forward to it myself.'
Sarah laughed, more out of relief than anything else.
'Say, do you guys have a camera?'
We didn't.
'No problem, we can pick one up from a store. I'm quite looking forward to going downtown. I miss working the team, man.' He took another slug of coffee.
'This job is driving me crazy, know what I'm saying? I've got to get back on ops.' Tilting his head back, he killed the coffee.
'I'm going to make a call to arrange parking. It's a nightmare up there.'
Sarah stood up.
'I'll finish getting ready and pack.'
I followed her out to the stairs and passed over my weapon.
'In the bags.'
I was back at the coffee percolator as Josh finished his call. I motioned to see if he wanted more, and he nodded. The phone went back on the wall and he came to the table.
I took a seat beside him.
'We'll just have to wait now while she puts her face on.'
He smiled as he unfolded the newspaper. I started to flap as the Washington Post was laid out on the table top, but the chances of the story still being in there after three days were pretty slim, especially given the amount of column inches devoted to events at the White House.
'Anything interesting?'
'Hell no, just the normal shit.'
He turned the paper around to show me the front page: pictures of Netanyahu and Arafat in town yesterday. The subject was a bit too close to home for me at the moment.
He turned the paper back as I asked, 'What do think, mate? Think it will work? You know, the peace deal?'
He started to give his views on the summit. Not that I was listening, but I wanted him to talk, which was why I'd asked the question in the first place. The more he was gob bing off, the more I could just sit there and nod and agree or throw in the odd question, but at the same time get myself revved up for the job. I was in my own little world, so relieved the call had brought good news.
I heard Sarah coming down the stairs. It brought me back to the real world. He was now honking about all the roadworks and the D.C. traffic as Sarah came into the room with our bags and my jacket. She may not have had time for a shower but she'd made up for it with eyeliner and lip gloss.
Josh stood up, looking at his watch.
'OK, let's saddle up!'
I picked up our two bags while Josh ran upstairs. He didn't say why, but we both knew that it was to fetch his weapon.
A bleep came from the pickup and the lights flashed. Josh jumped into the cab, and Sarah and I went around to the passenger side. As I opened the door a toy racing car fell out. Crayons, a coloring sheet from McDonald's and other kids' crap littered the foot well I put our bags in the back; our weapons were inside now, and would stay there.
Sarah picked up the toy from the sidewalk and climbed in. I followed;
there was room enough for three in the front seat.
