excerpt
But, distracted by the plates of food arriving on the buffet table, he nodded vaguely as if he had understood every word. “Fine, just let me know if you need help.”
When Lona finally entered the dining room, they were already eating. Despite her misgivings, Jennifer called her over and David jumped up and pulled out a chair for her.
“Thank you kindly,” Lona said, looking surprised at the royal treatment. She placed her plate of sausage and vegetables on the table carefully.
“We’d like to talk to you,” David said. She nodded. “And let’s be honest,” he went on, “some of the folks at this table have had some problems in talking with you in the past.” Hank glared at her and she smiled back. “But let that rest here. There’s something more important to discuss.”
“I’m okay with that. Tell me what’s on your minds.”
David described Paul’s situation briefly and she listened with interest. “Oh, that’s so romantic…I won’t breathe a word. But why are you all looking so worried?” When no one spoke, she said,”There’s more, isn’t there?”
David nodded. He described the passport and Jennifer’s plan. At this, Lona was shocked. Her fork landed on the plate with a clatter and Jennifer could see the blood rising.
Lona repeated, “You’re trying to get Volodya, Jennifer’s friend, out of the country?”
A chill passed through Jennifer. She cut in, “You sound like you know him. Do you?”
Lona gave her a long look, then picked up her fork again. “Why would you say that?”
“Geez, Jennifer, you’re really nervous,” said Hank. “None of us have met him—though I admit we talked about him a lot.” They all laughed. “Oh, yeah, we knew where you were on those white nights.” The crude snicker broke the tension and even though she was the butt of the joke, she relaxed. She turned back to Lona. “We’re asking you—and everyone at this table—to be part of a highly illegal act. Are you in?”
They were surprised when Lona gave an uncharacteristic wide grin and said, “Illegal is my middle name.”
“I just bet,” muttered Hank.
David went on, “Okay, that’s settled. We each should tell one other student about Paul’s departure only, please note, so that they can help with the head count problem until the end of the trip.”
Libros Libertad 