Claire Gulliver #02 - Washington Weirdos (28 page)

Claire felt herself blushing. “Oh, dear, here I was thinking I was a harbinger of bad luck to your family and now you tell me I was a tool of the Guardian Angels. Really though, I just thank God I was able to help.”

She smiled a little nervously. “Do the girls know all the details? About Neil?” That worried her. They were so innocent, it didn’t seem right that they should be exposed to the wickedness that almost took their Grandpap.

“No. No the standard story was bad enough. We don’t want them to have nightmares for the rest of their lives.” Then he shrugged. “Little good it does to try to protect them with the whole world going crazy and right on the television in front of them. There was no protecting them from that. But they know that you’re the heroine and that you saved their Grandpap’s life.

“Which is why David and MiMi asked me to visit you.” He reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a creamy business size envelope with her name on it. “This is for you from David and MiMi.” He handed it to her and smiled as she struggled to open it.

It was only three months ago she was at the Lickmans’ and she thought that week would haunt her forever. But that was before 9/11 overshadowed it all.

Claire scanned the letter and then picked up the little plastic card, looking at the front and back and then back at Mike.

“They wanted to reward you for what you’ve done for them, for our family and for Vantage Airlines. It isn’t often that one person makes a contribution of such magnitude as yours. They felt an exceptional reward was warranted. MiMi wanted me to tell you they were sorry it took so long to do this, but she said she was sure you understood.”

Claire nodded. Of course, Vantage had been fortunate none of their planes had been involved in those terrorist attacks, but all the airlines were impacted. The decline of travelers was minor compared to the safety issues involved.

She looked at the little card, turning it over in her hand once more. It looked like a credit card but it was embossed with the Vantage Airline logo and stated it was a VIP Diamond card. According to the letter it would get her first class complimentary travel on all Vantage Airlines and on many of their affiliates. It would give her standby priority, over all Vantage employees and she would have all the privileges of their Club rooms for her lifetime. It was hard to digest what that meant. It seemed to be an incredible reward.

“There have only ever been three of those cards issued, and this is the fourth. The last time one was made it was for MiMi’s father when he retired. So we all hope you will appreciate it, and use it often. We want you on our airplanes as often as you’ll come.”

Claire didn’t know what to say. It was a grand gesture. Too grand! Actually, she had been thinking that she might never travel again. But of course she wouldn’t tell the Lickmans that, or Mike Watson.

Mike bent over. “And Maggie and I wanted to do something for you, ourselves. Amy and JoJo thought this would be the perfect gift for you.”

He set his black satchel on the counter. He opened it and scooped up a little white ball and set it on the counter.

“Tuffy-Two, for you!” he exclaimed proudly.

“Oh, how darling.” Claire reached for the tiny stuffed animal. It was perfect, just what the girls would think to give her.

Then it moved. Two bright black eyes peered up at Claire. She actually jumped back, startled to find it was alive. She couldn’t help herself. She tentatively extended a finger and a tiny pink tongue licked it. She was in love.

“Oh, he’s so cute. He doesn’t look real.”

Then she looked up at Mike. “Tuffy-Two? Is he related to Tuffy? Is he a West Highland Terrier?”

He nodded proudly. “This is Tuffy’s nephew, or something like that. By the way, Tuffy is back to his normal self and I understand you had a role in saving his life too. So you see, Claire, we’re all very grateful to you and we hope you’ll remember that every time you see little Tuffy-Two here wag his tail at you.

“Mrs. B, Mrs. B, you have to see this,” she called out loudly enough to reach the back of the store.

She was cradling the tiny dog under her chin while he wiggled and struggled to get closer in order to lick her all the better, when Mrs. B arrived.

“This is Mike Watson, JoJo and Amy’s father.”

Mrs. B’s face lit up and she put out her hand to shake his. “I’m so glad to meet you. I’ve certainly heard all about your wonderful girls. I feel like I know them.” Then turning to Claire, “And who is this?”

“This is Tuffy-Two. The girls sent him to me as a gift. Isn’t he just adorable?” Then her face clouded. “But what will Thoreau think?”

Mrs. B shook her head. “Don’t you worry about Thoreau. I’d be willing to bet that she will think this puppy is for her. And before you know it, she’ll be raising him as if he was hers. I can’t wait to see if she can train him to use the litter box.”

They all laughed. Tuffy-Two had just become an integral part of the bookstore.

Claire’s mother, Millie, decides to retire from her job to pursue her love of cooking. As a reward for her many years of service her bosses enroll her in the prestigious 5th Annual Italian Culinary Retreat being held outside Florence Italy. Claire’s mother is thrilled at the gift, but doesn’t intend to go. She says a few classes at the San Francisco Culinary Academy will be good enough, and she only has to take a bus to attend.

Claire and her mother’s friend Ruth, disagree. They think she has to go, arguing that the money spent on the retreat will be loss if she doesn’t use it. Finally, she caves when Ruth agrees to attend the school with her, and Claire promises to go to Florence and Venice with them.