Once In Awhile
Page 18
After all the excitement of the last several hours, they were very subdued talking quietly in small groups.
Mrs. Gage’s phone rang. She listened intently and spoke in low tones. She closed out the call and addressed the group.
“May I have your attention? We have a few days before Blade must return home to school and I have a small situation that needs addressed. Anyone game?”
She laughed out loud as the cacophonous roar of glee erupted and the merry band of misfits rushed to surround her.
EPILOGUE
Carter was lauded in the halls of the White House for successfully taking down the leadership of this powerful and secret society. He was told he could write his own ticket. He kept insisting that he did not do this alone but was told that the success of his team still reflected on his leadership. Only he knew better. This more than anything in his life had humbled him. He had little to say about the operation and felt embarrassment when he got pats on the back. Alone in his townhouse apartment in Georgetown his mind drifted to the real power behind what happened, and he admitted to himself he was lonely – for them. He wondered what all of them were doing and if they ever thought of him. Of course, thumb screws could not coerce him to ever admit it. He found himself daydreaming. Suddenly he sat up from slouching on the couch.
“It might just work,” he mused. And felt better already.
* * *
Blade was back in school and had finally finished all his work from the weeks he had missed. He convinced CJ (which did not take much) to get a small place in town. When he was not on the road, he could come home to him. Blade would never know what that meant to CJ when he said it. He found a small house on the same street as Blade and his mother, Leticia, who also seemed to be very pleased with the new arrangement.
* * *
Mrs. Gage anticipated Granny’s desire to move to Memphis and asked her to come live with her. At first Granny was aghast at the idea.
“I can’t live here.”
“And why not?” Mrs. Gage challenged.
“Well, it’s… it’s – oh I don’t know. Why would you want me to?”
“You are good company. I don’t have to pretend anything with you. You enjoy a good chat and a belly laugh and an occasional glass of wine. Why wouldn’t I want you here?”
“Are you sure, Gabrielle? I do not want to be a bother.”
“Now stop talking nonsense. Call your neighbor and tell him you will be staying here for the time being and see if he will continue to watch your place for you, all right?”
“All right. This is very kind of you. I appreciate this.”
“You should know by now I never do anything I don’t really want to do.”
That was true, Granny thought and wondered what she had up her sleeve.
* * *
Judy and Andy had spent the time since their return letting their families know of their marriage. Judy’s parents were rather shocked at the news but hurried to hide it and welcomed Andy in true Arkansas fashion. Food and family were assembled in record time and the party began. Andy and Judy were both relieved and thought, one down, one more to go.
On the flight to Arlington, Virginia, Judy could feel the tension steadily building in Andy. When she commented on it, he brushed it off as nothing really. Just heading back into the bustling beltway. Her first clue regarding trouble was Andy’s hesitance to call his mother that they were in town.
“Let’s get settled first. I haven’t been back to my flat since I left to kidnap you.”
“Kidnap me?”
“Oh wait, didn’t I mention that was plan B?”
“And I played right into your hands.”
“Better than I could have dreamed.” He emphasized that with a tender kiss in the back of the taxi.
She was pleased to not be horrified by a bachelor pad. Instead it was a tasteful apartment in neutral tones and hardwood floors. She loved it. Because she knew he would, she had waited at the door for him to carry her across the threshold.
He hit the button on his stereo, took her jacket off and pulled her into his arms, “Dance with me, Judy.”
* * *
The next morning, Judy confronted Andy. “Call your mother.”
He sighed. “Okay, but just remember, I tried to warn you.”
He did not say much in the exchange except, “Yes, Mother.”
They made arrangement to come for dinner at 7. Judy asked what she should wear and paled when Andy brought out a tuxedo. He saw her look and got it.
“Get your coat.”
He took her to a shop near his apartment and picked out a simple black dress that fit her like a glove. He completed the ensemble with shoes and a wrap. Because he never paid attention to things like that, he had to ask, “Do you have jewelry?”
“Okay, Andy, you have successfully lifted my nerves into panic mode.”
He did not respond and picked out a strand of pearls and matching earrings. “Those will do.”
They dressed in silence and did not speak on the drive to his family home. Judy’s intake of breath when she saw the lights of the grand home as they rounded a curve in the drive, had him looking at her.
Eyes narrowed, she said, “You could have said something.”
“It is not who I am. It is who she is.”
“Will she like me?”
“No.” Before she could protest, he continued. “She doesn’t like anyone.”
He took her hand as they got out of the car and a valet drove the car away. Andy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Judy put her arm through his. “Don’t leave me alone in there.”
“Not a chance, doll. You are my world now.”
* * *
When Danny Mac found out Angelo had left his life in Brussels, he made arrangements for him to use one of the church’s apartments they used for families in need. He had already secured employment with a computer company and was saving for a deposit on his own place. He had settled into the community and was feeling pretty good about life.
The church had their monthly fellowship dinner and decided to also welcome their elder, their preacher and his bride home from their adventure. Granny let Kenann know she would be staying with Mrs. Gage for the time being.
“Granny, why didn’t you say something? You could have the other apartment in our house.”
“No, you kids need your space.”
“Oh, Granny.”
“Why don’t you all just keep both sides and turn it back into a single dwelling?”
Kenann appeared to consider this for the first time. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I may need to do some remodeling. Want to help?”
“If I can fight international terrorists, I think I can knock out a wall or two.”
Kenann laughed and pulled her into a hug.
“How’s my girls doing?” Danny Mac brought them tall glasses of sweet ice tea.
“Granny had a great idea about us turning our apartments back into a full house. What do you think?”
“What will we do with all that space?”
“We can have people in for parties and if we have kids, we will need the extra room.”
Granny noticed the paling of Danny Mac’s skin and grinned to herself. This man who can face down deadly enemies, is scared of a baby.
He cleared his throat. “Sure, sounds great. Why not?”
Kenann looked at her big tough guy and laughed, “My minister mercenary!” and kissed him on the cheek. He shoved her head back with the palm of his hand and they grinned at each other. She looked around and realized, “Where’s Mrs. G?”
Granny answered. “She sent me on and said she would be along later. She had some business.” They all laughed.
As if on cue the International Woman of Mystery breezed in the door. Jake held out his hand to her and she went straight to him smiling. Kenann couldn’t help but notice several of the widows from the church frowning into their pecan pies.
Blade ran through the door of the fel
lowship room trailed by a smiling CJ Baer and Leticia. After several minutes of mingling, the group found their way together around a corner table. Leticia asked for everyone’s attention.
“I know all of you love Blade like your own. But I am his mother and I deserve to know what is going on.” Her tone was not unkind, but it was very firm.
To the last person they hung their heads. Mrs. Gage reached across the table and put her hand over Mrs. Daniels.
“You are absolutely right, Leticia. I have no real excuse. He has become such a part of our group I guess we forget he is still a little boy.”
Blade protested, “Mom!”
She gave him ‘the look’.
Jake took over. “Leticia, it is a rather long story, but we have been involved in chasing down some bad guys over the last few months. Blade has been a big help.”
“My little man?” She turned to Danny Mac. “Danny?”
“Yes, and I take full responsibility.”
She sighed and looked at Blade. “Now, what do you say?”
He squared his shoulders. “I wanted to help Danny Mac. He was in trouble. Then, I found out I liked it. And I’m good at it, Mom.” Leticia looked at the others. They nodded in agreement. Danny Mac affirmed. “He is.”
“Well, all I can say is you better keep him safe.”
There was a collective sigh of relief. They all knew this could have gone very badly. And they also knew they would have deserved it. She then wanted to hear all about their adventures. She laughed, she cried, and she thumped Blade on the head. They were caught up in the story telling when they became aware that the room had grown quiet.
The group looked up and their eyes were drawn to the front of the room. Carter stood in the doorway flanked by Judy and Andy. No one moved. Carter moved to their table. Andy and Judy remained in the doorway. With the light from the hall at their back, they looked like avenging angels
“Come along misfits. It’s time for a Council of War.”