“I know you did,” Dan said simply, looking right into Peace’s Oscar winning surprised look. “Bull definitely does, and from the way Ed here laughed, I’m betting he agrees with us.”
“Hey, don’t bring me into this,” Polasky said quickly. “I was too old for playing secret agent anyway. I didn’t want to screw up and get you guys killed. I was excited about it at first, but then common sense started rearing its ugly head.”
“You saved our bacon at the restaurant,” Dan reminded him.
“It’s one thing to take out a couple of cheap street thugs,” Ed shrugged. “It’s a whole new ballgame assaulting a drug dealer on foreign soil. I ain’t saying whether Peace had anything to do with it or not, Dan; but who cares, Batiste’s dead. I don’t have to worry about assassination attempts in my restaurant anymore. Hell, I’ll bet that cop won’t be unhappy about his boat being dealt out of this little covert op either. Alls well that ends well.”
Dan had been watching Peace’s noncommittal face the whole time Polasky talked. He nodded when Ed finished speaking, and turned toward the door. “Say hello to Jill for me if you really do go up there today, you duplicitous prick.”
Polasky burst into laughter, as Peace started to reply; but thought better of it, as he watched Dan walk out of his sight. Ed came over and clapped a hand on Peace’s shoulder, still laughing.
“Come on down and we’ll have some coffee, JB. I was going to cook Nancy an omelet. You want some too?”
“Sounds good, Ed,” Peace grinned, not commenting on Ed’s, James Bond initials quip. “I’ll be down in a second. If Bull shows up, tell him I left already. He can abuse me tomorrow on the base. I’d like to use my Sunday for more enlightening activities.”
“I’ll get rid of him if he shows, but I think you already hashed it out with his emissary. I doubt he’ll show up too. I’ll have to turn on the TV in the kitchen and see what you’ve been up to.”
“I…” Peace began, but Polasky waved him off as he turned, and walked out of the room.
When Peace came into the kitchen, Ed and Nancy were watching CNN news on their 13” kitchen television between bites of omelet. Peace slid into the seat opposite Nancy, where Ed had set out a plate and a cup. Peace filled his coffee cup from the carafe near his hand, and scooped some omelet onto his plate from the heated serving dish. Ed looked over at him with an uncharacteristic look of awe on his face.
“Jesus, Peace, they found the whole enchilada down there in Pappy Batiste’s place. I’m not even going to bother asking you how you pulled all that off, and made it back up here in time for breakfast,” Polasky said, trying to peak under Peace’s shirt, with Peace good-naturedly fending him off. “I know there’s a big red S under there somewhere.”
Nancy had stood up and walked around the table. She put her arms around his neck, hugging him. “I’m just glad to see you. Are you alright?”
Peace patted her hand a little self-consciously. “I’m fine, Nancy. I don’t know what Ed told you, but…”
“Don’t start with me, young man,” Nancy cut him off, kissing his forehead before walking around to take her seat. “I know enough about Ed to know if he says you were in on this thing on TV, then you were in on it. It seems you saved the old goat from having to go out and get himself killed, trying to prove he’s still twenty.”
“I had no intention of…” Peace began.
“We know that now. We figured it out while we were watching your exploits on the Clinton News Network, after I knew you had already taken care of it,” Ed assured him with a sigh. “I also promised not to even consider such a goofball action again. Those kids you hang around with don’t realize what an extra thirty years does to a guy, even an ex-Seal.”
“I would never have dragged you into it. I told Bull to give me a few days to think things through, and before I knew it, he had already enlisted you. With the extra thirty years of wisdom, I figured you’d have just laughed in his face.”
“It’s hard to keep the limitations of age foremost in my mind at every waking moment, butthead,” Polasky retorted, as Nancy laughed and patted his hand. “Like I told Dan, reality was beginning to seep into my delusions of grandeur. You saved me from having to weasel out of the deal.”
“I…”
“Don’t bother,” Ed shook his finger back and forth in front of Peace’s face comically. “Too many coincidences, Nicky. What have I told you about plausible scenarios? I’m not saying your little cover story wasn’t first rate; but when guys like Dan and Bull start adding facts together in their minds, concerning remote possibilities, they will arrive at the most likely truth.”
“We’re just happy…” Nancy began when the doorbell rang. She looked questioningly at Ed, who stood up with a smile.
“I’ll throw that big dumb secret agent wannabe right off the step,
Peace,” Polasky promised. “Just eat your breakfast. I’ll take care of BJ.”
Peace and Nancy both laughed at Polasky’s use of Bull’s initials, which were never spoken by anyone other than the older ex-Seal, at least anyone wanting to live. They heard Ed open the front door, and then Polasky laughed. He walked back into the kitchen with his hands stuffed into his robe pockets again. Moving off to the side, he gestured backwards.
“Look who’s here.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Unexpected News
Jill walked into the kitchen, dressed in white shorts with a pink halter-top. She spotted Peace, who had shoved back from the kitchen table in surprise when he saw her. Jill, with tears running down her cheeks, ran over and wrapped her arms around Peace. She slid into his lap, as Ed and Nancy exchanged knowing looks.
“Well, well, well,” Polasky laughed, sitting back down in his chair and taking Nancy’s hand in his own big mitt-like hand. “It seems there are a few other people out there besides Seals, and ex-Seals, who know when coincidences reach the realm of fantasy.”
Jill leaned away from Peace, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She kissed him lingeringly, with Peace returning it eagerly. The warm salty taste of her lips shook him right down to the soles of his feet. She pulled away gently, and stroked the side of his face.
“I’ve hardly slept since I called Dan,” Jill said haltingly, “He told me you didn’t have duty, and I know I was supposed to be out of touch this weekend, but I needed to tell you something. He said you were probably coming up to see me. When you never showed up, I didn’t know what to think. Then this morning I get up and the news is full of what happened in Ensenada. I… I just had to come down here.”
“I was going to come and see you today,” Peace replied softly. “I had some car trouble on Friday.”
Polasky snorted, and Nancy shushed him.
Jill smiled over at Ed.
“How about some coffee, Jill?” Nancy asked, getting up to take a cup out of the cupboard, and setting it down in front of Jill.
“Thank you,” Jill said as she kissed Peace, and then slid into the chair next to him. “That sounds wonderful.”
Peace filled her cup, and then moved his chair closer, putting his arm around her shoulders as she sipped the coffee. “I’m glad you came.” “Would you like some cheese omelet, honey,” Nancy asked. “We have plenty.”
“No thanks,” Jill replied. “I’m even having a little trouble with the taste of coffee lately. I can only drink it if I don’t take cream and sugar.”
Jill looked at Peace, smiling and taking his hand. “I missed my period, so I went to the campus med center. I’m going to have a baby.”
Stunned silence reigned as Peace, without a word, took her into his arms. He simply held her, feeling as if he were turning inside out. Jill’s pronouncement of his impending Fatherhood, made Peace doubt he had actually made it out of bed, and this was simply an elaborate dream sequence. Her arrival into his life had triggered a seemingly cataclysmic series of events in an impossibly short span of time.
“I hope you’re not angry with me,” Jill whispered in
his ear, as he continued to hold her tightly. “I know I should have been more careful. I… I just didn’t care. I…”
“Don’t, Jill,” Peace whispered back. “You’ve made me the happiest guy on Earth. We need to tell your folks, and set a real quick wedding date.”
“You can move in with us, Jill,” Nancy said quickly.
“Oh hell yea,” Ed stated, shaking hands with Peace, his whole face alight with the prospect. “We have all kinds of room in this place. Congratulations, Pop.”
“I’m glad this is my last semester,” Jill laughed. “Otherwise, I might be as big as a house by the time I graduated.”
She looked at Peace solemnly. “I told my parents right after I found out on Thursday. My Mom took it kind of hard; but my Dad just hugged me, and wished me all the best. I think he was a little disappointed for my Mom, because he knew she wanted me to have a big wedding. It’s a relief to see your face, and tell you in person.”
Peace took her hand in both of his. “You didn’t really think I’d be upset, did you?”
“Those big weddings are overrated anyhow,” Ed told her. “Hell, Nancy and I took off for Tahoe one Friday, and tied the knot at some Elvis Love Chapel.”
“Ed!” Nancy exclaimed, smacking his shoulder playfully, as Jill and Peace laughed. “We did no such thing. It was a nice little place called Chapel of the Chimes, I think.”
“The point is, we’re still going strong after all these years, and we didn’t bother with some nuptial circus,” Polasky replied. “I’m glad your folks took the news well, Jill. They won’t be sorry with your choice of husbands. He ain’t much to look at, but he can sure carry a tune.” They all laughed at Polasky’s dig.
“Want to go over to Dan’s with me, and tell them the news?” Peace asked. “He’s pissed at me, so maybe he can call Bull up again, and we can have a little barbeque. We’ll stop at the store and get a bunch of steaks. I wish you and Nancy didn’t have to work today, Ed.”
“Are you kidding?” Polasky replied. “Sundays are gold for us. You young people need some time to bust each other’s chops anyway. Stop over at the restaurant later when you get back from Dan’s, and tell that big ape, Bull I said hi.”
“I will,” Peace promised. “Let’s go to the store after we finish our coffee, and pick up the steaks. By the time we get over there, they’ll be back from church. We’ll have time to talk, and then see if Bull can bring Holly over. Maybe I can get back on their good side before they have any more time to stew about my supposedly slighting them. “
“Okay, but why is Dan mad at you?” Jill asked, as she sipped her coffee.
“It’s a long story, involving his need to continue as my guardian angel. Sometimes it doesn’t work out.”
“You’re his best friend. That’s why he’s pissed,” Polasky retorted. “He’ll get over it. The barbeque is a good idea. I hope he’s calmed down enough to think things through. I know Bull won’t hold a grudge. He may torture you for the next few months at the base, but he’ll be pleasant as punch off duty.”
“Great,” Peace sighed. “I’ll probably be lugging that albatross up the mountain tomorrow. I better stop and get a bottle of Bushmills too. He’ll be more attuned to reconciliation after he sips a couple.”
“Just don’t get bombed. You’re going to be a Father now,” Ed reminded him primly. “You must put those childish things behind you.”
“I’ll drive, Ed,” Jill laughed. “No more drinking for me. Besides, maybe if Peace has a few, he’ll play for me at the restaurant.”
Polasky’s eyes lit up again, as he turned to his wife. “Oh baby, change that Sunday business from gold to platinum. First we’re grandparents, and then we make a fortune.”
“We close up early on Sunday,” Nancy reminded him.
“A couple hours with Peace on the piano for the after dinner crowd, and we won’t even have to open up tomorrow,” Ed replied smugly. “Jill will have to get back to LA early anyhow.”
“I could go back in the morning.”
“Now you’re talking,” Peace said enthusiastically. “We’ll stay at the place by the base with the old rock and roll theme. I’ll…”
“You’ll do no such thing,” Nancy broke in. “Jill can stay here with you. You think Ed and I never played house before we were married.” “You two didn’t stay at your parents’ home,” Peace argued.
“With the events happening since you two met up again,” Ed pointed out, “I believe we will have to adopt a more unorthodox outlook on your relationship. You two are like a runaway express train. I’m with Nancy, I don’t want my soon to be grandchild hanging around some fleabag motel.”
“Runaway express train?” Peace repeated.
“What would you call it, 007?” Polasky retorted, while Nancy and Jill laughed. “Ever since this young lady walked into my bar, it’s been like one of those Speed movies.”
“I guess you’re right,” Peace admitted, “but it’s time to slow the express down.”
“Exactly my point,” Nancy added. “We’ll close up the restaurant together, and come back here. Do you play pinochle, Jill?”
“Yes,” Jill nodded. “I love to play cards.”
“Me and Peace will kick you ladies’ butts,” Ed declared.
“You will not be teaming up with your photographic memory card cheat, Mr. Polasky,” Nancy stated.
“Card cheat?” Peace smiled. “I thought card counting was supposed to be part of the game.”
“With you, it goes beyond the skill part, mister,” Nancy replied. “Ed and I will be on the same team. He’s almost as good at it as you, so things will be a little more even.”
“Sounds like fun,” Jill said. “I don’t get to play as much as I like. Do you and Mr. Polasky play Trivial Pursuit?”
“Not with Peace we don’t,” Ed answered. “It’s like playing with the Microsoft Encyclopedia On-line Website.”
“Well, as much fun as this abuse is, we better get going,” Peace said, standing. “Ed and Nancy have a restaurant to open, and you have to help me get my friends to like me again.”
“I’ll do my best,” Jill agreed happily.
__
Nancy filled Ed’s coffee cup again moments after Peace and Jill left. She sat back down, taking Ed’s huge right hand in both of hers.
Polasky looked at her quizzically.
“What’s wrong, Nanc?”
“Nothing, I’m just so excited. I can’t wait for the baby to come. Think what it would be like to have a little one running around here. Do you really think they’ll move in with us?”
“Best not to get your hopes up, Babe,” Polasky replied, patting her hands. “Let’s take it slow. I’m as pumped as you are; but knowing how many variables exist in Peace’s life right now, makes me a bit on the cautious side. Jill seemed happy at our offer, and as long as Peace is a Seal, they’ll have to remain in the area.”
“If I start shooting my mouth off, and Jill gets some strange look on her face, just slap me down,” Nancy said earnestly.
“What the hell are you talking about, woman?” Ed laughed.
“I just don’t want to say anything that will make them go get a place of their own.”
“Believe me, Jill knows how Peace could be deployed at any moment,” Ed reminded her. “She’ll welcome your help with the baby if Peace gets stuck out of the country for months at a time.”
“Just so I don’t say or do anything to crab my chances of taking care of a little baby,” Nancy replied with a sigh. “God, I can’t wait. I’m so thankful you decided to take Peace in back when Dan brought him over. I can’t imagine how things would be now if you hadn’t.”
“Life would sure be a lot less exciting,” Ed agreed. “I can still picture the beat up, skinny little twerp, standing on the doorstep next to Dan. It was like adopting one of those African refugees they exploit on the tube all the time. No way did I ever consider, in my wildest dreams, Peace would ever make the grade.”
“You we
re pretty hard on him, you big bully.”
Ed laughed. “I knew what they’d do to him in the service. Besides, he was a lot tougher on himself than I was. Now, he’s bringing a baby into our lives. If I could figure a way to keep him alive, we’d have it made.”
“Don’t even talk like that,” Nancy admonished, sipping her coffee.
“Hey, you have to face reality, just like you did all those years I was in. Look at what happened at the restaurant. Our little Peace has become a lightning rod lately, and don’t think for a second he ain’t considering what his life style will mean to Jill and the baby.”
“Do you think he’d quit?”
“He can’t,” Polasky replied with a grin. “I’ve seen him at the base with Seal Team Six. I could see it’s in his blood, and that was before we found out he’s doing extracurricular stuff on the side.”
“How long do you think he’s been…”
“I don’t know, and I don’t want to know, Hon,” Ed interrupted her. “I don’t know who he’s with, and I don’t want to speculate. I’m just happy
I didn’t get in the middle of that deal down in Mexico.”
“I’ve never heard you talk like this,” Nancy said, getting up and wrapping her arms around Polasky from the back. “I saw the way you looked after you shot those men in the restaurant. You looked jazzed.”
“It did a number on my common sense for a while,” Polasky admitted, leaning back in Nancy’s embrace, “but when I considered how many people could have been hurt or killed, including you, it felt like I was dipped in ice water. I’m ready to be a Grandfather, a dangerous Grandfather, but still a Grandfather. Thank God Peace makes the decisions he does.”
“Hey Gramps, you want to celebrate the coming of our new Grandchild?”
Polasky stood up quickly, and swept Nancy up into his arms. “Oh hell yea, but that Gramps label really does sound nice.”
Nancy put her arms around his neck, and kissed Polasky with ardor.
“Yes, it does,” she whispered a moment later. “Very sexy.”
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