Chapter 14
1429 Words
“YOU"RE EARLY,” Ashley said, walking into Fritz"s classroom on Tuesday morning.
YOU"RE EARLY,Fritz returned his gaze to his notes. Ashley interrupted him again.
“Jane was up most of the night. I think she wants to be in Washington.” Fritz lifted his head when he heard the tone.
“Is something wrong?”
“I don"t know. She"s distracted, and I think she misses the action. It"s almost too domestic here.” Sadness was speaking, the same sadness that Fritz had seen briefly each time a woman had left Ashley"s life.
“She"s got a lot on her plate, Ash. And she"s tired. So are you. That"s probably all it is.”
“This is what I was afraid of. That she"d get bored here.”
“Ash, sit down. Look at me. How can she be bored? We, all of us, haven"t had a quiet moment in almost half a year. But if it worries you, you need to tell her what you think. You can"t be a loner when you"re married.” Ashley"s droop-eyed misery stunned Fritz. “You"re still getting married, aren"t you?”
“I don"t know.”
“Maybe you need some time by yourselves. No bombings, no babysitting. Just you and Jane. Ash, talk to her.”
His World History classes had already reached the 1800s. His train of thought about European wars continued as he discussed Napoleon. But he enjoyed most the discussion of the westward movement in his U.S. history course—wagon trains, steamboats and railroads. The rest of the year would be busy, but fun. At the end of the day, after a discussion of Marbury v. Madison, his ninth-graders didn"t leave at the bell.
Marbury v. Madison“What"s up, guys?”
“We have a surprise, Mr. R,” said Susan. “Then we"ll get the mail.” Heads turned to Ted, his pale cheeks turning a deepening pink.
“I spoke to Mr. Montgomery last night. He said the Phillies would donate $10,000 and that he had told a bunch of Phillies sponsors and will let me know how much they"ll donate. Mr. R, he didn"t say if, but how much!” Reserved clapping told Fritz the story wasn"t complete. “He said he"ll have a surprise for the final game. Some Phillies will be the pitchers. The class erupted. They were so loud, Ashley yanked the door open and ran in.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Ted, why don"t you tell him?” Before the story could be repeated, George scurried through the door.
“I heard noise. What"s going on?” The door opened again. Tom Jaffrey and Liz Chambers came in.
“Looks like you have an audience, Ted.” Fritz smiled.
“Does he have a fever?” George asked. The kids laughed.
“He"s fine, Mr. McAllister,” Fritz said. “But he has a good story. Go on, Ted.” When the story reached its punch line, the class cheered as loudly as before.
“I could hear you in the office,” said George. “I guess that"s very good. I"m glad everything"s all right.” He turned to leave, but Liz Chambers grabbed his shoulder.
“George, did you hear the story? The Phillies and their sponsors are donating.”
“Yes, well, um, uh, I must have missed that. I"m glad everything is all right.”
“George,” Liz said, “the kids did this. No teachers.”
“Yes, that"s very good.” He waved at the class staring at him.
“I"ll tell you about it later,” said Fritz. “See you then.” The principal left. The teachers looked at each other and started to laugh.
Fritz turned to the kids. “Thank you all. This is great for the school and the whole town. You know what? I think you should all go home now. The mail will be here tomorrow. And no homework.”
The teachers formed a greeting line and all four shook hands with the students as they left.
“What is wrong with that man?” asked Liz.
“Don"t worry, Liz. When has he ever been different?” Ashley said.
“I better go down and explain it to him,” said Fritz.
“George, what"s wrong?”
“I thought someone was hurt, or worse. That cheer came down the hall like a tsunami. Lockers were rattling.”
“I think the kids scare you George. Why is that?”
“Just getting old, I guess. I"ve been in schools now for almost forty years. And I worry about everything. Lois knows. She"ll tell you. Did you say the Phillies have donated?”
“Ted O"Neil spoke to the Phillies chairman, who told him the Phillies would donate $10,000. He told Ted that he had roped in the team"s sponsors, and he would call Ted to tell him how much they would give.” George was listening, wide-eyed. “And for the championship, our pitchers will be Phillies players.”
George whispered, “This could be big, Fritz.”
* * *
WHEN FRITZ REACHED home, he watched the flakes gather and melt on the windshield before going in. A line of cars fronted the house, so the usual suspects greeted him when he walked in the back door. Ashley was in the middle of a story. Linda followed him to the hall closet.
He whispered, “Hi honey. I"m home.”
She smiled and kissed him. “They all like being here, Fritz. I"ll never get anything done.”
“I"ll pick up dinner and keep them occupied. Can you work in a bedroom? I think we still have an extra. Or the sunroom?”
“I don"t want to be rude.”
“Lin, they know how much you have to do.” He c****d his head. “Is anything going on?”
“The voices match. Hartmann appears to have been one of the Caballeros. Jane sent the other numbers to the NSA this afternoon. A puncture on the Wise woman"s neck was detected, like a needle. No autopsy results yet.”
“Did anyone mention the summit meeting?”
“No.
“Fritz, do you know what"s wrong with Ash?” she asked in a low voice.
“Fear of losing Jane.” Whispering, he filled her in.
“He really is nuts. I see her almost as much as he does. We talk. She"s crazy about him. But don"t tell him.”
* * *
WHEN THEY GOT home, Ashley said, “I need to talk to you.”
“Sure. Go ahead.” Jane sank into a cushion. “We need a new couch, Ash. This one"s shot.”
“We?” he asked.
“Of course, we. You"ll need one to sleep on when we fight. Isn"t that how it"s supposed to work? So what"s up?”
Ashley took a step back. “I want to know if you still want to marry me?”
Her eyes widened. “Why would you think I wouldn"t?”
“You just seem so distant. You stay up half the night, and you"re at the computer before I"m awake.”
“Ash, I"ve never needed a lot of sleep. You know what"s happening now. It"s my job.” She gazed deep into his eyes. “Of course, I want to marry you. But you have something else you want to tell me. Out with it.”
“I"ve lost girlfriends before. I mean, they died.”
“Have you ever told Fritz and Linda?” she asked, tears lining her cheeks, his pain so palpable.
“You"re the only person I"ve ever told.” He wiped his right eye. “That"s why I get scared every time you go into danger. Jane, I don"t want to lose you, and you have so little regard for your own safety.”
“And you, who faced terrorists and rescued me, twice, not to mention saved the president, are the epitome of caution?” She put her arms around his neck, and drew as close as she could to kiss him with a passion that lifted his spirit and his toes. When she loosened her hold, the sparkle in his eyes had returned, a gentle smile on his face. “Ash, I love you, and when this craziness is over, we"ll get to spend some real time together. I think it"s time you met my mother.”
- Writer
