Paul Gillebaard - USSR Hoax

Tom lifted both hands, palms up. “Seriously, nothing happened. I didn’t even touch her. It was stupid to take her there in the first place, and I’m not sure why I did. I guess I wanted to test myself and see if I could stay in control.”

Anne glared at him. “Did you?”

Tom nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. As soon as I closed the door, I realized it was a mistake. I was an idiot for even taking a chance on jeopardizing our marriage. In fact, after I closed the door, I was too scared to even take a step into the room. I held onto the doorknob as I apologized and said she had to go.”

“What did she look like?”

“Does that matter?”

Anne’s patience was clearly being tested. “What did she look like?”

Tom swallowed hard. “She was a blonde.”

“Attractive?”

After a long beat Tom shrugged and reluctantly answered, choosing his words carefully. “I guess so. I’m sorry. But please believe me, nothing happened.” Tom reached for her hand and squeezed. “You are everything I want in a woman. I love you so much.”

Looking toward their son, Anne chewed on her lower lip. “How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”

“Sweetheart, have I ever lied to you?” Tom let go of her hand and reached for her chin, once again turning her face toward his. “Look into my eyes. You know me. Am I lying?”

Anne’s dark eyes studied his intently.

With conviction, Tom said, “Nothing happened. I promise.”

“Promise?”

Leaning in close, Tom placed a soft kiss on his wife’s lips. “With all my heart.”

Anne looked back at Peter and pursed her lips, apparently contemplating what to do. “You should know that I heard differently, but I’ve got no proof. So I have to believe you, because I want to, and I don’t want to lose you. But if I ever find out you’ve cheated on me, I’ll never, ever be able to forgive you. You will forever ruin the trust I have in you. You will lose me. And Peter.”

Tom wondered what she’d heard. “I know. That’s what scared me in that room.”

Anne turned and grabbed his hand. “So no more bringing women to your room.”

Tom squeezed her hand. “Only if it’s you.”

Anne smiled, but it was still a Cheshire-cat sort of smile. Tom knew he wasn’t out of the woods yet on this. Only in time would he regain her full trust. Honesty had always worked with her so far.

Tom moved over to her chair and snuggled in close. They exchanged a passionate kiss. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too. Very much.” She drew a sharp breath. “Joan…told me this afternoon that she is concerned that David has been unfaithful to her, so when I heard…well, never mind. It’s just gossip.” Anne started wiping her face with the back of her hand. “I must look like a mess. I’m going to go freshen up before getting dinner ready.”

Quickly standing, Tom offered his hand to help her up. As she straightened, Tom extended both arms, offering her a big hug. Anne smiled and wrapped her arms around him. They both hugged tightly in silence for a moment before she whispered in his ear. “So, do I need to get a blonde wig?”

What a loaded question that was. Tom had no idea how to respond. As they pulled apart he simply shrugged and flashed a sly grin.

“Maybe I will if that’s what it takes to keep my man.” She winked before turning toward the door.

Once at the sliding glass door, Anne called out, “Oh, by the way, how’s Sam’s flight going?”

“All’s well. They’ll reach the moon later tonight.”

Anne smiled. “Great.”

After his wife entered the house Tom placed both hands over his face in relief, falling back into the lounge. I am never going to do that again. What an idiot you are, Tom, almost losing everything. When he removed his hands he saw his son by the chair.

“Are you okay, Daddy?”

Tom moved one of his legs to the ground and patted the lounge, welcoming Peter to hop on. “Your daddy is one lucky man to be married to Mommy and to have a wonderful boy like you.”

Peter climbed onto the chair and settled between his father’s legs. The boy looked up at Tom with loving eyes. “I am lucky to have you as a daddy.”

Tom grinned proudly. “We’re both blessed, Son.” Tom moved his other leg over slightly to give Peter more room. “Just remember, always treat girls nice. They’re like pretty, delicate flowers that you must take care of and cherish.”

Tilting his head, Peter obviously didn’t understand the metaphor. “Okay, Daddy.” His son changed gears unexpectedly. “Daddy, when are you going to the moon?”

Tom wondered what prompted the query. Though he had talked about it with his boy, the moon mission had not been discussed for weeks. With the decision if he should take on the operation and fly on Apollo 16 looming over him, Tom pondered if his son’s question was driven by a higher power. “I’m not sure, Son. Do you want Daddy to fly to the moon?”

A worried look appeared on Peter’s face. “Will you come back?”

Tom held his son’s hand and spoke in a reassuring tone. “Son, I would never take a trip if I couldn’t come back to you and Mommy. I love you both too much.”

Peter’s face relaxed. “Okay, I want you to go to the moon and get me a rock.”

Tom chuckled at the innocent request, especially considering he might be stealing some rocks. “I doubt I can do that, Son.” He stroked Peter’s chin. “But I know I will be thinking of you when I’m there. How about I blow you a kiss from the moon? Your own moon-kiss.”

That seemed to satisfy the boy. “Okay!” All of a sudden the boy jumped off the chair and ran toward the sliding glass door. Dino dropped his bone and quickly followed.

“Where’re you going, Son?”

“I want to show you something.”

Tom watched Peter struggling to slide open the stubborn door. Once it opened, the boy charged in with Dino close behind. Tom called out, “Peter, close the door.” Not hearing any response, Tom started to get up to prevent the air-conditioned air from streaming out when Peter reappeared at the doorway carrying something. The boy came outside without the dog. He used all of his might to close the door. As he hustled toward his dad, Tom still couldn’t make out what he had.

Peter hopped back on the chair and placed a stuffed Snoopy toy on Tom’s lap. “You can take my Snoopy to the moon. He’ll protect you.”

Tom lifted the stuffed animal and studied it. The cartoon character was wearing a white spacesuit, similar to the Apollo suit. It even had a big clear plastic bubble helmet around the dog’s head like an astronaut’s. Seeing the toy was the sign Tom needed. Right then, he decided to take on the operation. “That’s a good idea, Son. Maybe I’ll do that.”

Peter got off the chair. He walked back to his toy truck in the yard and resumed playing.

Curious, Tom called out while still holding the toy, “When did you get this, Peter?”

Without turning, Peter answered, “Mommy gave it to me today.”

The only astronaut Tom knew who had early access to the toys was Chris Riddick. Doubting that the man’s ex-wife passed the information on to Anne, Tom was convinced Chris must have been the one who told Anne about Connie. Though Tom’s blood started to boil at the thought of Chris divulging the secret, he sighed with relief that he had listened to the angel. If he’d left out the fact he had escorted the girl to his room, a fact Anne already knew, then she definitely would not have believed that he did stay true to her. Tom turned his head and looked at the imaginary angel on his shoulder. “Good call, buddy.”

TOM STARED AT the picture of President Kennedy hanging in Dick’s office while his boss locked the door behind him. Tom was amazed America was on the doorstep of making a reality of the young president’s crazy vision of landing a man on the moon and getting him back safely. Tom shook his head thinking the success of Apollo 11 could lead to him walking on the moon.