Shadow Storm (Quantum Touch Book 3)

by Michael R. Stern

  When he caught sight of Fritz, he relished the chance to tell him that he had just gotten off the phone with the Gates Foundation, which was going to put up $20,000 to fund scholarships over the next decade. “It’s not a lot over that many years,” George said, “but if we invest it well, we can make it grow.”

  Teachers all around were listening. Fritz said, “Any teachers who are available, the team selection will be tomorrow after school. George, can we use the auditorium again?”

  “Well, they left it kind of messy yesterday. I’ll have to think about it. I’ll let you know in the morning.”

  Fritz raised his eyebrows and leaned toward George’s ear. “You’re on the team, George, remember? The president likes this idea. The Gates people are ponying up. We need to get this done, and where else can we do it?”

  Huffy and puffy showed up. “Well, all right. But tell the kids to tidy up before they leave. Not a bad investment to ask of them.”

  The teachers who were near enough to hear cheered him. Fritz agreed, especially, he said, since they would also need the auditorium for the tournament.

  “Oh, that’s right. I forgot.”

  AT DINNER that night, Jane said the president had asked her to prepare a presentation for the cabinet on Wednesday morning. Then the president would brief the Congressional leadership. She needed to talk to the numbers crunchers to estimate costs, so she would leave on Sunday but be back at the end of the week.

  “We’ll be here early Saturday to help set up for Thanksgiving,” Ashley said. “My mother used to set the tables way ahead and put tablecloths or sheets over everything to keep dust and dirt off. We could do that and also do all the shopping. I can store stuff in my shiny new refrigerator. All we need is a list of what to buy and stuff to do.”

  Linda teared up. She could enjoy the holiday and all the family visits that would only be starting without having to worry about getting everything done. She might even be able to finish a paper due before the end of the year. Once the baby arrived, the house would be full, and it would be tough for both her and Fritz to concentrate on work.

  “Are your families upset you’re not going home for Thanksgiving?” Linda asked.

  “My parents are going to my brother’s in California, and they understand that I can’t take the time right now,” Jane replied.

  “I told Mom that the next time I come home to visit, I won’t be alone,” said Ashley. “They’re going to my sister’s for Thanksgiving. My mother hates turkey, my brother-in-law doesn’t care, and his folks are too far away to day-trip. So they will settle for roast beef.”

  His mind wandering, Fritz half listened to the talk of family and holidays. With a baby, visits and vacations would be forever different. His own childhood Christmas memories ran through his head. Am I going to be a good father? The reality of fatherhood brought him back. They were all looking at him.

  “Welcome back,” said Linda.

  “Sorry, just thinking.”

  “I’d offer a penny for your thoughts,” Ashley said, “but I know I’d be overpaying.”

  TEAM SELECTION ended the week, and as Fritz headed to the auditorium, he gave quiet thanks that he had heard nothing about Pakistan on the news. He had also heard nothing from the president, and he hoped that was also good news. Maybe we’ll stay out of trouble.

  The noise coming from the auditorium had reached its normal level—raucous. The closer he got, the noisier it became. In the ten minutes after classes ended, the entire auditorium filled. The ninth graders had placed the captains and coaches around the room. We should have seen if we could have used the gym for this, Fritz thought. When the kids saw him enter, a deafening cheer shook the seats. He waved his thanks as he took the stage and the microphone.

  “Hey guys, it would help if you sat down.” Fritz noticed some teachers looked unsure of what to do. “Teachers who have not yet been given a team, we’ll do that in a few minutes. Captains, are you ready?” Susan joined Fritz at the podium.

  “Mr. R, we’re ready.”

  “Okay guys, go. If you have questions, Susan will be here to answer them.”

  The selection began. Most of the captains were or had been Fritz’s students, and that would be a great help. The teachers watched as their teams formed. Matt Christopher was Ashley’s team captain. He reached into a hat and picked Rachel Downey. Ashley covered his face. But when Nicole Ginsburg ended up on another team, Fritz thought how good that would be for the girls. Like putting twins in different kindergartens. Ashley’s nightmare had taken a different form, competition between two kids joined at the hip.

  Thumping out in the hallway turned out to be football players, pads and all, en route to the auditorium. Al Kennedy climbed to the stage and apologized to Fritz for keeping the boys late, but he wanted to talk to them before they came over.

  “They made me stop. They were afraid they would miss the draft, so here they are. Do me a favor, if you can. Don’t let them stay too long. I have some things I want to show them for the game tonight.”

  “Will do, Al. How’s it looking? We gonna win?”

  “I hope so. If we win this one, and the Thanksgiving weekend game, we’ll go into the playoffs undefeated. But there would still be four more for the state title, if we get that far.” He started for the door but looked back. “Could be a great Christmas. Gotta go.”

  “Good luck, Al.”

  As the draft wound down, Fritz announced that they would continue pulling names until all the students were on teams. “Some teams will have an extra player. We’ll talk about the rules later. Football players can go as soon as they have their team assignments. And good luck tonight.” The auditorium converted to a cheering section.

  After Liz had assigned the teachers, she said, “I told them it would be up to them to schedule their own team meetings. They all know to come to you or me if they want a history teacher to work with them.”

  “Liz, that’s great. This is so much bigger than I expected. Thanks so much for your help. I think we have a lot of work to do.”

  She said, “Fritz, this is fantastic. We have almost half the student body involved. All working together and all excited. This tournament is going to be fun. George should be paying attention to what it’s doing for the school.”

  “After we get past the chaos, you know how much that annoys him, he’ll come around.” Getting George on the bandwagon would not be difficult.

  CHECK, CHECK, CHECK. Not much grading to finish. The tournament’s past the first hurdles. Teams chosen, teachers already setting meeting times with their teams. Fritz returned to his classroom to retrieve his briefcase and coat. The hallways were clear and quiet except for the footfalls of a single runner behind him.

  “Fritz, wait for me.” Catching his breath, Ashley motioned him back in Fritz’s room. “I had to get away. Nicole and Rachel. Fritz, do you know what they did?”

  “No idea.”

  “When they found out which teams they were on, they looked for someone to trade places and promised to buy that kid lunch.”

  Fritz laughed from his gut. “I assume you quashed that. If not, I will. Ashley, you’ll have a great time, even if they are miserable being apart. It will be good for them. Hey, Johnny Clayton’s on your team. He’s not just good on the field.”

  “Come to think of it, you don’t have a team.”

  “History department extra. I’ll be working with a few and troubleshooting all. With the baby, I’m not sure how much I can do anyway, so that will be good.”

  “Makes sense. Do you know what my kids want to name the team?” Fritz shook his head. “Ashley’s Animals or Gilbert’s Gorillas. I know they’re gonna make me crazy.”

  “Crazi-er,” Fritz corrected. “They might make you proud.”

  “Are you going to the game? Jane and I can save you seats.”

  “Linda won’t, so I’ll see if she wants company or solitude. But you’ll get to spend more time with the Dough Twins there, if you’re lucky.”
/>   “Shut up.”

  A BLACK SUBURBAN was parked in front of the house. His good mood disappeared. “What does he want now?” he said, turning into the driveway. When he opened the back door, Jane, sitting across from Linda, stopped in mid-sentence.

  “What’s wrong?” Linda asked, seeing his grimace.

  “Hi hon, I’m home. Nothing’s wrong. I saw the Suburban, and . . .”

  “Just me, Fritz,” said Jane. “But he said to say hi.”

  “Ash said you two were going to the game.”

  “We are. But since I’m going to DC on Sunday, I took a little time off today. There’s a lot happening, and I wanted to talk to Linda alone before I leave.”

  “Well, I have some tests to grade, so . . .”

  “No, I meant without Ashley,” she said. “Stay. Sit.”

  “Woof.”

  Jane said they had been talking for a while about her discussion with Ashley. Linda’s twinkle returned as Jane resumed talking. Jane told Fritz she had wanted to talk to Linda because Ashley had been friends with them for so long.

  “So, when June comes around,” said Fritz, “what are you going to do?”

  “You missed the good stuff,” Linda said. “The clueless one struck again. He thinks that if things don’t change by then, and, this is important, if Jane hasn’t changed her mind, then maybe they can talk some more.”

  “That sounds reasonable, if a bit awkward, to me. Jane, you’ve only known him for a couple of months. But yeah, he shouldn’t put it on you.”

  “Fritz, do you remember the meeting here in September? I already told Linda, but I couldn’t keep my mind on what the president wanted to talk about.”

  “And Ashley couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

  “When we got back to Washington, I called my mother and told her I’d met the man I was going to marry.” Fritz’s eyebrows jumped. “I told her everything I’d learned about him, which even then was quite a lot.”

  “What did she say?” asked Fritz.

  “After all her important questions, like ones about his job and family, she asked me when I would bring him to meet them. I told her we’d come when he was ready, that I wasn’t pushing. I said I didn’t want the extra pressure. She said, ‘what extra pressure?’ I reminded her that she’s been after me to get married since before I graduated from college, which of course she denied.”

  The comment Fritz was about to make melted back in his mouth at the withering warning of Linda’s raised brow.

  Jane said, “So I never wanted to bring guys home, because she’d assume too much and push. My dad would be right behind her. They did meet one guy, though he wasn’t a boyfriend. Still the story tells you everything.” She laughed. “A fellow PhD student, bright and cute. I brought him for Thanksgiving. He lived in New Mexico and couldn’t afford to go home. My merciless parents never let up. He took a bus back to school the next day. Said he had a class to prepare for. She couldn’t understand he was just a friend.”

  “And you’ve avoided her ever since?”

  “As far as men, you bet.”

  “Are you going to take Ash?” Fritz asked.

  “Fritz, I haven’t been this open about a guy in years. I know how much you two care for him. So I wanted you to know how I feel. I’m not going to push him, but if he’s willing to go before June and it’s totally his suggestion we do, then . . .”

  When Jane hesitated, Fritz said, “Well, then, you better watch out for the competition. The Dough Twins can be tough. But seriously, did you get enough info from Linda, or do you want to grill me, too?”

  “I think I’m ok. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “In that case, how did the draft go?” asked Linda.

  “Great. There’s real excitement. The football team cut Al off in the middle of his talking about tonight’s game plan so they could get on a team.”

  “Are you going to the game?” Linda asked.

  “Do you want to?”

  “Of course I do, but I’m not. Bleachers are too hard on me. Go ahead, though. You’ll be home early. It’s not like we’re invading North Korea tonight.”

  “By the way, Jane, do you know what’s happened with the nuke?” Fritz asked.

  “Sorry, Fritz. I can’t tell you. But like I said, I’ll be very busy when I get to DC.”

  “I know I shouldn’t ask, but is that good or bad?”

  “Yes,” she said.

  JUST BEFORE KICKOFF, Rachel and Nicole walked by on the way to their seats, but they ignored Ashley and greeted Jane like a big sister. They asked her to come sit with them. They could visit at half-time, she said. Ashley groaned as soon as they were out of hearing. During the second half, with the team leading 21–0, Al substituted his younger players, who scored two touchdowns but gave up as many.

  Ashley and Jane drove Fritz home. When he saw a car parked in front, Fritz jumped out and ran up the steps. He banged the door open and shouted, “Lin, are you okay?”

  “She’s fine.” Lois McAllister’s voice drifted from the family room.

  “Everything’s fine, Fritz. Lois skipped the game. She didn’t feel like sitting in the cold. She called just after you left. We went out for dinner. Lois said she would be on the lookout for good locations for the bike shop.”

  “That’s great. Seeing a car outside scared me.” Jane and Ashley walked in. Feeling his stomach leave his throat and return to its home, Fritz said, “We won. But come to think of it, I didn’t see George.”

  Lois said, “I just talked to him. Turns out he never left the house. He’s had phone calls from all over the place about your tournament. He’s been grousing about the noise for three days, but you should hear him going on about what the kids are doing when he talks to other principals.”

  “I always knew he had multiple personalities,” said Ashley.

  “Don’t you start, you troublemaker,” said Lois. “Or you’ll deal with me. And I’m very close friends with Rachel Downey’s mother.” Ashley fell to his knees and bowed to her. “Linda, now that they’re here, I’m going home. I want to leave you in good hands, so I hope Jane is sticking around. If you need anything, be sure to call.”

  “Thanks, Lois, but before you go, are you and George alone for Thanksgiving?”

  “No kids, this year, so we’re avoiding work and going to a restaurant.”

  “Don’t be silly. We have plenty of space, and we’ll have plenty of food. Come. Please.”

  “I’ll talk to George and let you know.”

  Ashley said, “We’re going shopping tomorrow.”

  “Linda, you may need me here just to help Jane keep you safe,” Lois said. “I’ll call before your supermarket trip.”

  After Lois left, Fritz asked Linda if she wanted anything. “I already had pickles and ice cream at dinner, but some soda would be nice.”

  Fritz headed for the kitchen. “You guys want anything?” he asked.

  “No, thanks. We need to get going,” said Jane. “We’ll see you in the morning. Do you want us to bring breakfast?”

  Linda said, “Breakfast sounds good, but not too early. I’m only moving in low gear.”

  WITH ONLY ONE more weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday became perpetual motion. When Jane and Ashley arrived, the men made breakfast, mostly for themselves. Ashley danced his way around the kitchen, and as always, made a mess. Fritz pondered his friend’s near giddiness as he cleaned up after him. Jane sipped her coffee, ignoring Ashley and her upcoming week.

  “Okay, that’s done,” said Ashley between a bite of sausage and a shovelful of scrambled eggs. “We’ll go shopping, and then we can set the table.” Linda handed Fritz a shopping list.

  Jane said, “Why don’t you two go. I’ll stay here.”

  “Are you practicing being away from me?”

  “Not really, but it’ll be a relief for a bit. You’re too happy.”

  “It’s all your fault. Should we buy dinner for tonight, or do you feel like going out?” Ashley asked Li
nda. “That’s okay, Jane, isn’t it?”

  “We just had breakfast. We can talk about dinner later. If you need to make another run to the store, then so be it.” Linda said.

  “Just GO,” Jane said. “Linda and I have important things to discuss.”

  “Oh, really. What?” asked Ashley as he pulled out a chair.

  Jane laughed. “Privileged information. You’re not on the need-to-know list.”

  “Ok, Fritz, let’s get going. Call if you need anything.”

  While Fritz and Ashley shopped, Linda and Jane readied the kitchen for the groceries. Linda asked if Jane wanted to talk about something specific.

  “No. Just wanted to get them away for a while. Ashley thinks he’s married to both of you. You could probably use a break.”

  “Truthfully, right now, if he’s here, Fritz is. So I don’t mind. But he’ll miss having you here. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so thoughtful.”

  “I’ll be back next weekend. For another week at least. Then we’ll see what the president plans to do. The baby is due right after that, so you may need Ashley gone for a while.”

  “I don’t know yet if my parents are coming, or whether they’re staying past Thanksgiving if they do. Fritz’s parents aren’t too far away, so this place is going to be pandemonium. I’m either going to need help, or I’ll have too much. This is new to all of us. I don’t think it’s hit Fritz yet. Probably won’t until it happens.”

  “Well, once I get back for Thanksgiving, I can be here through the holiday weekend. I may have to commute to Washington after that, but at the very least, I’ll be back and forth. So whatever you need, let me know. Especially if it means getting Ashley out of your hair.”

  “WHY ARE YOU so cheerful today?” Fritz asked Ashley

  “I’m building up a reservoir for when Jane’s not here. She’ll be back for Thanksgiving, but she doesn’t know for how long.”

  “I do hope the world stays quiet. I certainly don’t need anything new now. The baby’s too close. Besides, I estimated the number of questions we’ll need for the tournament. It’s thousands. Even if each kid only gets a couple per game. I’m going to need help compiling them and classifying them, easy to hard.”