Mark Spaid - Falcon Down

“Are you excited?” Ariel asked Warren.

“About meeting the President.”

“Yes.”

“I already met the President and I talked to him too,” Warren said.

“When?”

“Teddy Roosevelt in 1904,” Warren whispered and Ariel chuckled. They sat holding hands and she laid her head on his shoulder.

“I love you, Warren.”

“And I love you, Ariel.”

“I’m sure glad you came back with us.”

“I’m glad every day.”

It should be noted here that the group, that at the time included Justin, Belinda, Andy, Jozette, Dave, Tatiana, Ariel, Little Wolf, Julieta and Darcy went back in time to 1907, (see the book Voices for clarification) where they picked up Warren, Sterling and Mason and brought them back to the present. Thus, the cryptic phrase by Ariel ‘glad you came back with us’.

“Are you going to tell her about your work?”

“If I have the chance but I think I’ll let her bring up the subject.”

“Very wise… you know Dave and Sol are the only ones who can understand what you’re doing or what you’re saying when you get started.”

“I know.”

“Then why do you go on about your work when you know the rest of us don’t understand?”

“Justin understands the basic theory and Andy and Will to a lesser extent and of course Little Wolf.”

“It must be nice to be so smart.”

“It is.”

“Warren.”

“Sorry but thank you for calling me smart and it must be nice to be so nice.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You and how generous you are.”

“It’s easy to be generous when you have millions.”

“But some people have millions and keep it all. You help people who need it and that’s special to me. I’m proud to be married to you, Ariel.”

“And, I’m proud of my eccentric scientist husband.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It was but you haven’t answered my question.”

“Oh, yes, well, I would like to tell her about it because if I’m successful the military will take over quickly.”

“Why?”

“To weaponize it, the principle anyway. Sending high voltage electricity over long distances through the air opens endless possibilities for weapons.”

“I see and you hope to get to the President first and head off the military?”

“Something like that.”

“Good luck to my genius husband.”

“I’m going to quit while I’m ahead.”

“Good, now go get me a package of gum, please.”

“I’m off,” Warren said as he headed to the gift shop.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” Belinda said and left.

“Can you believe those shorts?” Jozette asked Andy softly.

“I can’t believe any of it.”

“She needs to look respectable; wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I know she’s gorgeous and likes to show off and I love that about her but not on this trip.”

“Good luck telling her that,” Andy said.

“She looks like an escort,” Jozette said. “It makes the rest of us look cheap and trashy.” Belinda was walking back and she’d been crying.

“What’s wrong?” Tatiana asked as she got up and went to her friend. Many years ago, Belinda had saved Tatiana from a dark period of depression after her baby died. Since then Belinda was something special for Tatiana. She always came to Belinda’s side in any argument and she looked after her physically and emotionally when needed. They sat down and Belinda lowered her head. Tatiana put her arm around her friend’s shoulder.

“What happened, Lind?” Jozette asked. Belinda frustrated Jozette at times but if anyone gave Belinda any grief Jozette was ready to do battle. Belinda looked up at Jozette and Tatiana with wet eyes.

“I was in the bathroom and these two women who saw me earlier were standing at the mirror and they didn’t know I was in the stall.”

“What happened?” Jozette asked.

“They said I was a cheap slut and a whore for dressing the way I did. They said they wanted to catch me alone and beat me senseless. Why would they say that?” Then she broke down crying. Tatiana hugged her and Jozette patted Belinda’s knee. Jozette had a look on her face and got up to find the two women.

“Jo, not now,” Tatiana said and Jozette sat back down. Belinda sat up and wiped her eyes.

“Do I look like a cheap slut?” Belinda asked. Jozette and Tatiana looked at one another.

“Cards on the table?” Jozette asked.

“Yes,” Belinda said.

“Not cheap, I’d say a high-class call girl… two thousand a night minimum,” Jozette said. Belinda looked at Tatiana and she nodded agreement.

“I didn’t think about where we were going when I was dressing. I am dressed like a tramp. I’m sorry girls. I feel awful now, Justin must be embarrassed to be with me.”

“Honey, Justin is proud to be with you every day,” Tatiana said.

“I look embarrassing to all of you but no one had the nerve to say anything.”

“Lind, have you ever seen yourself in a fit of anger. No one wants to risk that if it can be avoided,” Jozette said.

“So, I’m a crazy, screaming, lunatic, bitch?”

“Well, not lunatic,” Jozette said with a grin.

“Then I’m a crazy, screaming…”

“Honey, relax,” Tatiana said. “Don’t get worked up over this.”

“I do, sometimes don’t I?”

“You do,” Jozette said.

“It’s that Italian thing, I guess,” Belinda said in a moment of self-reflection.

“I don’t know what it is but it’s frightening to all around,” Tatiana said chuckling and Belinda grinned.

“But I can’t change, my luggage is on the plane.”

“We can fix that,” Ariel said and they looked up to see her standing a few feet away. “I was listening, sorry.”

“I guess I get loud sometimes,” Belinda said.

“Sometimes?” Ariel said and they all four laughed.

“There’s a clothing shop around the corner. Tatiana can help you find something and I have a credit card with a fifty-thousand-dollar limit.” They laughed again then Belinda, Tatiana and Ariel left to fix the wardrobe problem.

“Well, that crisis can be averted I see,” Andy said.

“Yes, thanks,” Justin said. “I saw what she was wearing laid out on the bed this morning but I was afraid to say anything.”

“I thought she was getting better about holding back her outbursts,” Jozette said.

“She is, it’s not like it used to be but she’s still Belinda,” Justin replied.

“There’s only one of her, that’s for sure.”

“Thank goodness,” Justin said and Jozette laughed.

“Here she comes.”

“What a change.”

“We’re back,” Belinda said and she had her trademark smile. Belinda now wore shorts between her waist and knees, a pretty blue top, modest heels, no sunglasses, stud earrings and less whorish makeup.

“Lind, you look very nice,” Jozette said.

“You do, Miss Belinda,” Julieta said as she walked over to Belinda and put her arm around the much shorter Belinda. At five two Belinda often resembled a little sister to the five ten Jozette and five eleven Lexi. Julieta was five seven and Tatiana five six. Jozette always thought that Belinda’s diminutive size played into her loud and bombastic demeanor. Like a runt puppy that yaps louder so it can be heard. She never told Belinda her runt puppy thoughts to avoid setting her off but she was certain it was a factor.

“Thanks, I actually feel better. The shoes hurt my feet and the shorts were so tight I couldn’t breathe.” There was mild laughter. “I’m sorry I was dressed the way I was earlier. I owe everyone an apology.”

“You don’t owe anyone an apology, honey,” Tatiana said as she gave Belinda a quick hug.