by Stan Schatt
“It’s going to be bloody,” Paul’s father added.
Mister Thornton looked at the teenagers at the table.
“I thought we would be safe here, but now I don’t know. What do your friends say?”
Mister Hargrove glanced at the three of us. At first, he was reluctant to speak frankly while we were there. Then he made a decision to speak his mind anyway.
“I’m not sure. There are splinter groups who might go after foreigners in neighborhoods like this one. Do you have any weapons?”
“Just a pistol,” Mister Thornton said. “I’m not sure we should move Matt just yet.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Dad interrupted. “Do what’s best for everyone.”
I looked at Dad. He was always brave, but I wondered how his heart would handle any major relocation.
“I think we should return to this topic after dinner, when we can talk more openly,” Mister Thornton said.
“We’re not children,” Taylor said. “We have a right to know what’s going on.”
“As soon as we can figure out what’s going on, we’ll let you know,” Mister Thornton said.
Paul didn’t say anything. He just looked at his father. I watched everyone talking but didn’t say anything either. Taylor studied Mister Hargrove, waiting for his reaction. I wondered why everyone took his advice so seriously. Maybe he was more than just a businessman in the export business.
“I agree with Tom. Let’s have a nice dinner and save all the unpleasant business for later.”
Mister Hargrove said it with a finality that didn’t permit any argument. He was used to people agreeing with him.
Everyone was quiet at dinner. Afterwards, Mister Thornton told Taylor to take Paul and me to the den where there was a large, digital TV and a number of very soft leather chairs. I hated the idea of not hearing our fathers discuss the revolution.
“They still treat like babies,” Taylor said with obvious anger.
I nodded my agreement.
“Paul’s father has a lot of friends in high places who always know what will happen. He’ll figure out what’s best for everyone,” Taylor said.
“He’ll know exactly what to do. He always does,” Paul said with absolute confidence.
“I’m not sure I want someone else deciding what’s best for me,” I said.
I didn’t share their faith in Mister Hargrove, although I suspected there was a lot more to the man than most people realized.
“Does your father always carry a gun?”
I turned to Paul who was startled by the question.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I know he does. You can see where he carries it.”
“How do you know it’s not just his glass case?” Taylor asked.
“I just know.”
I noticed that Paul hadn’t answered. Taylor was surprised by my absolute certainty.
“I think you’re wrong. I’d know if he carried a gun. He’s over here a lot. Even if he does have a gun, what does it matter? A lot of people carry guns in Cairo. Our driver always is armed. My father always carries a gun to protect him when he travels out of the city. It’s not a crime.”
Paul just looked at me and smiled.
“You’re pretty observant,” he said and then turned to Taylor.
“Have you thought about my idea that you run for Treasurer? I think you’d win by a landslide.”
Taylor actually blushed. I wondered just how close they were. Meanwhile I heard the men’s voices grow louder in the dining room. Once in a while I heard Paul’s mother’s voice, but for the most part it was a male dominated discussion. My ears perked up when it sounded like Dad’s voice rising above the others.
The argument continued for several minutes, and then the men lapsed into silence. Soon the three men joined us in the den. Mister Thornton apparently was going to speak for them.
“Mister Hargrove’s friends tell him that the demonstration tomorrow is likely to grow violent. They’re more worried about the central city where there might be millions of people than they are about neighborhoods like ours. Still, there’s a possibility that some of the Islamic splinter groups might decide to take out their anger on us.”
“What are we going to do?” Taylor asked.
“There’s really no safe place in the city,” Mister Thornton said. “The four of us really have to stay here for several reasons including our business, as well as, Matt’s health. That’s no reason why you three have to stay here as well.”
“I’m not leaving my Dad,” I said forcibly.
“Actually we need you to lead Taylor and Paul to a place that’s bound to be safer.”
“You want me to lead them?”
I couldn’t see myself leading Taylor anywhere. I doubted the girl would listen to me, and Paul probably didn’t think I was smart enough to tell him what to do. He was startled but remained quiet. I saw him exchange a look with his father. The two made eye contact, and Mister Hargrove nodded. That was all Paul needed to make up his mind. Dad turned his attention to me now.
“Olivia, the safest place for the three of you is our dig. There’s plenty of food there, as well as, a place to sleep. No one will think of going there during the demonstrations. There’s not even a paved road. The dig is not scheduled to begin until next week. You can come back when this mess is over. I’m sure it will blow over in a day or two. There’s cell phone coverage there so we can keep in contact.”
I studied Dad and saw he was resigned to our leaving. I knew it was probably the right decision from a rational point of view, but it didn’t feel right emotionally. I didn’t want to leave my father while he was still not well.
Taylor also had misgivings. She protested, but Mister Thornton told her she would have to go to the site of the dig. As I listened to Mister Thornton argue with Taylor, I realized I was probably a lot more self-reliant than my half-sister. Maybe I could be a leader, assuming Taylor didn’t argue with me. Paul looked like he would follow whatever order his father gave him.
Mister Hargrove asked Taylor and Paul to promise to listen to me since I was the only one who knew my way around the dig. Taylor wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but Mister Hargrove wore her down with logic. Finally, she agreed. Paul simply nodded his agreement.
I had almost hoped that Taylor wouldn’t agree. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be in charge. Spending all that time with Taylor would be very difficult, particularly if she argued over everything. Paul and Taylor together probably meant it would be two against one with me on the losing side. Mister Thornton said he would have his driver take us out to the dig early in the morning, well before the demonstrations were scheduled.
Everyone said goodnight, and I went to my room and closed the door. I sat in a chair and stared out the window. Although it was dark, floodlights lit the front yard. The flowers were in full bloom. Everything looked so perfect that I couldn’t imagine anyone disturbing the peaceful view. I was lost in thought until I heard a soft knock on the door and figured it must be Dad.
“Come in,” I said.
Taylor opened the door and stepped in. She closed the door softly behind her.
“What do you want?” I said.
“Can we talk?”
Taylor’s shaky voice revealed she was not her usual confident self.
“You already promised you would let me lead the group tomorrow. Are you having second thoughts?”
“It’s not about that.”
“Okay. What is it, then?”
“What’s going to be like at the dig?”
“That’s what you wanted to talk about? We have a trailer parked there. It even has air conditioning. There’s plenty of food. It’s comfortable enough.”
Taylor listened but made no move to leave.
“You keep looking at me. What is it? I already promised you I wouldn’t tell anyone we’re sisters. Your secret is safe with me. If you don’t tell Paul, we should be able to keep it secret.”
“I
believe you won’t tell anyone. That’s not what I really wanted to talk with you about. This is a lot harder than I thought it would be. You’re not making it easy for me.”
I couldn’t figure out what was on Taylor’s mind. She acted a lot gentler than usual. There wasn’t any hint of her usual sarcasm. She took a deep breath before continuing.
It’s about you and me.”
I was surprised.
“What about us? I don’t expect you to suddenly change and like me. I’m having trouble with it too.”
“I never could figure out why my Dad treated you so well. He’s always criticizing everything I do. Even when I get A’s, he’s not happy. He always told me I should be more like you.”
I smiled despite myself. I could imagine how Taylor must have felt. More like me? I couldn’t imagine what he thought was so special about me.
“And you hated that?”
Taylor nodded.
“Yeah. It made me very angry. I doubt we’ll ever be friends, but I really am going to try to get along with you. I thought about it a lot, and I realize it wasn’t your fault.”
I didn’t know how to react. Taylor’s words sounded genuine. She wasn’t papering over their differences, but at least this was a start.
“Okay. If you’ll try, then I’ll try too. I’m just not used to having someone else in my family. It’s always just been me and Dad.”
Taylor looked at the picture on the wall.
“I barely see Mother. She only wants me to visit her at Christmas time. The rest of the year she’s busy traveling or going to parties.”
“At least you have a mother. I never even had a chance to know mine.”
I felt like crying but didn’t want to in front of Taylor.
“It sounds like your mother would have been more of a mother than mine,” Taylor said sadly. “At least it sounds like she cared.”
We sat silently and studied each other.
“I’m really sorry about Tiffany’s note. I won’t let her do anything like that again,” Taylor said.
“I’m glad,” I said.
“I guess it could have been worse. She wanted to find one of those large black wood spiders and stick it in your backpack.”
“Did you know that I almost died from a spider bite a few years ago when I was on a dig?”
Taylor nodded. “Yeah. That’s why I told her not to do it. I really didn’t know what she wrote until just before you came in the room. I wonder what the class would think if they found out we’re sisters.”
“Don’t worry. I promised I’d keep it a secret, and I will. Besides, I don’t think anyone would believe me. Just look at us. We don’t look like sisters.”
Taylor smiled timidly, and then her smile grew until she started to laugh. When she laughed, I found myself joining her. We laughed until we both were gasping for breath.
When Taylor stuck out her hand, I took it. We shook hands solemnly, almost like we were sealing a diplomatic treaty. Then, very awkwardly we embraced. Taylor seemed embarrassed even though she made the first move. She broke away after a couple of minutes and said goodnight before closing the door behind her.
Chapter Eight
After breakfast, Paul, Taylor and I placed our small bags in the back of Mister Thornton’s limo, hugged our parents who gathered around us, and climbed into the back. Mister Thornton’s driver wore his hair very short, almost as if he were still in the army. He had a broad neck and very wide shoulders that made it clear to me that he was just as much a bodyguard as a driver. I noticed the same slight bulge in his jacket that Mister El Haziz had and wondered how much this man could be trusted.
Paul and Taylor were very much at home in the limo. I tried to act like it was the most natural thing in the world to have a refrigerator in the back, as well as, a storage area full of snacks. The car sped through well-kept suburbs where people were just waking up. None of the shopkeepers had opened their businesses yet, so traffic was sparse. I began to see tour buses as our car approached the Giza plateau. I knew they were heading to join the long lines near the Sphinx. Dad had used his illegal radar images to pinpoint an area that was on a diagonal from the Sphinx and the nearest pyramid, yet it was an area where there were no tourists.
The tour buses all carried armed guards to protect the tourists from Islamic extremists. I knew our excavation site was so far off the beaten trail that most terrorists wouldn’t think of taking the dirt road.
Taylor’s driver followed the dusty road that dead-ended near a trailer. The three of us, all lost in our own thoughts, hadn’t really spoken during the trip. Paul was curious. I saw his eyes scanning the scene. He reminded me of his father because he never said very much, but he seemed to be aware of everything. I always thought he had a lot of depth. I looked at Taylor and realized just how tense the girl was. Her shoulders hunched forward, and her breathing was rapid. While this dig might be a second home for me, it must be strange and a bit scary for Taylor.
The driver opened the limo’s trunk and handed each of us a bag. He nodded to Taylor, climbed back into the vehicle and sped off.
“What’s bugging him?” I asked.
The driver’s abrupt departure surprised me.
“That’s not the way Mister Mohammad usually acts. I think he’s scared,” Taylor said.
And you’re not? I thought to myself but just nodded. I pulled out my keys and opened the trailer door.
“Come on in. Make yourselves at home. I’m going to put the air conditioning on. It shouldn’t take long to cool it off.”
I flipped the switch and then pointed to two small couches.
“Each one opens up into a bed. The sheets are already on, and the pillows are in the cabinet over there. I’ll use my Dad’s bed over in the corner.”
Taylor nodded and put her bag down next to one of the couches.
“Does it matter which one I take?”
“That one is fine. They’re both the same. Let me show you guys around.”
I took the next few minutes to show them where Dad stored the food, as well as, the small bathroom. I also pointed out the area set aside as a small office.
“You can see we keep extra flashlights and tools over there, as well as, what we need to measure and photograph anything important that we find. It’s really important to take pictures of exactly where relics are found before moving them.”
Taylor listened without saying a word. The world of archeology was new to her. She stared at everything like a tourist visiting a foreign country. Paul looked at me and waited for my nod before picking up some of the tools and examining them. He also examined the books on Dad’s desk.
“Is this dig related to Atan?” he asked.
I didn’t know how much to share with them.
“No, it’s a later dynasty.
Taylor clearly had no interest in the books.
“Is there any TV? Maybe we could watch the news.”
“No. We could have put in a satellite receiver, but there’s usually no time to watch anything. We probably can use our cell phones to pick up any breaking news.”
The three of us sat down and began using our cell phones. Paul quickly checked his email and then turned to some news sites.
“I think the demonstration is going to be huge,” he said.
Paul frowned as he continued reading.
“It says here that the Government is recalling some army units from the countryside because it expects trouble.”
“I hope nothing happens,” I said.
Dad had once told me that the Government called in units based in the countryside because the rural soldiers were more likely to follow orders when told to shoot city dwellers. That thought made my blood run cold.
Taylor spent some time going through her e-mail, smiling at certain messages and then rapidly texting replies. I rarely got much mail. There was a note from Aasuma. She said school was cancelled because of the demonstrations. Her father told her she wasn’t allowed to leave the house.
> Aasuma then wrote something that startled me. It was a single sentence: “Abdul has a gun. I don’t know who gave it to him. I think there’s going to be trouble today. He said he wanted revenge for the beatings he took. He threatened to shoot me if I told our parents.”
I thought about Aasuma and wondered if she would be safe. Things were happening so fast.
I saw Taylor checking her Facebook page. I once heard her brag about having five hundred friends. I felt a pang of jealousy because almost no one friended me. Dad considered social media nonsense and put me to work helping him translate if he saw me spending too much time on my computer or phone. Taylor was just so different.
Even coming to the dig, she wore designer tennis shoes to go along with her designer jeans. The school’s requirement that everyone wear uniforms had been a blessing for me since Dad didn’t understand why anyone needed anything other than a few pairs of jeans and blouses. He gave me a budget to buy clothes, but he never wanted to shop with me. Luckily, Aasuma was more than willing to help me pick out clothes. I doubted that a budget ever limited Taylor.
Paul was dressed casually in a tee shirt and jeans. He never flaunted his wealth. He picked up one of the flashlights and studied it.
I busied myself with loading fresh batteries into the flashlights that lay in a corner of the room. I gave some to Paul and we divided up the work. I examined Dad’s cabinet built into the sofa that converted to his bed. I saw masks and oxygen canisters although I had never seen Dad actually use that equipment.
There was still so much I had to learn about archeology. I read through the mail scattered on her father’s desk. At the bottom was a thin envelope already opened that didn’t have a return address.
I thumbed through it and saw it contained copies of the radar results Dad arranged. I spent a few minutes orienting the pages and then studied them. There definitely were passageways under this region. Some lines went in the direction of the Sphinx. I felt goose pimples. Dad actually unofficially started the dig without approval. He moved the rock that the explorer Henry Salt described in his manuscript and enlarged the passageway behind it, before putting the rock back in place.