The General's President (59 page)

He breathed deeply of the chill lake air. "We're on our way, Babe," he said.

She nodded. "We are. It's been a good trip all the way." Her look was fond. "I can't imagine it with anyone else."

He had nothing to add to that. His right hand on the tiller, he looked ahead, paying no attention to the shore diminishing behind them. It was time to change adventures, see what was on the other side.

EPILOGUE

The envelope in General Cromwell's basket had lettered on it:
For Jumper's Eyes Only
, and had been left unopened by his secretary. The return address on it bore no name. He was pretty sure the lettering was not Arne Haugen's, but the town was Duluth, Minnesota.

Cromwell snipped off an end, drew out the letter, and unfolded it. The letterhead was Arne's. He began to read.

***

Dear Jumper,

By the time you get this, Lois and I will have made the news again. I want to thank you and Kevin Donnelly for the most wonderful five months of my life. I came out of it loving my country and the rest of the world more than I'd ever known was possible. I hope Val comes out feeling the same way after two (or six?) years.

The media are going to call what Lois and I are doing suicide, and that's a reasonable evaluation. But we don't think of it that way. For a long time we've talked about going out on our terms, when the time came and if we had the chance. Her physical condition is well known, and mine should be too by now; my attorney was to release it. It's called Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. So anyway, now is the time.

So what we're doing is challenging the sea and all odds, in a small boat with a storm due, and the water too cold to survive in for more than minutes. No sharks though, just salmon and lake trout.

Our last hoorah! Then we'll find out what comes next: heaven, hell, nothingness, universal one-ness, or recycling. Unless, of course, we pull off a miracle, in which case we've agreed to die in bed.

I'd appreciate your giving a copy of this to the media. People may want to know what went on with us that led up to this.

It's been good knowing you, Jumper.

Love,