It was after ten before everyone was settled in for the night. Jed decided to call Abbey as it was only eight back in Washington.
"Hi, sweet knees."
"Hi, yourself. You didn't call last night."
"Well, believe it or not, when Leo and I finished talking, I went straight to bed and fell asleep."
"WHAT? You actually slept on the plane? Now I can't believe that. Did someone slip you a sleeping pill or something?"
"Now, Abbey. Me sleeping on a plane is not too uncommon."
"The hell it isn't. I think I can count on one hand the number of times you have slept for any length of time on Air Force One, excerpt when you were sick. I wish I had been there to record it for posterity."
"Okay. Enough is enough. I did sleep and I must say I felt great all day."
"See what happens when you do what your body tells you what to do. It's amazing, isn't it?"
"Alright. Let's talk about something else."
"Okay. Where are you tonight?"
"Buenos Aires. Tonight and tomorrow night. Tomorrow is all day meetings and then tomorrow night is the State Dinner. Duhalde is married, but I understand his wife hates these functions and prefers not to come if she doesn't have to. Then we fly to Lima for two nights. Do you have your speech ready for Los Angeles?"
"Sort of. My staff is working hard. I borrowed Sam to help. I hope Toby doesn't throw a fit."
"Well, if he does, let me know. I'll rein him in."
"Thanks. That man just has an incredible way with words."
"Yes, he does. What's the title of your speech?"
"How the United States Assists Implementation of New Cancer Treatment Therapies Worldwide."
"That's a mouthful."
"I agree. Dr. Lang, the head of the National Cancer Institute, has been a tremendous help in putting this together. He's flying to Los Angeles with me and appearing on the panel that will take place after my speech."
"What time is your speech on Thursday?"
"2:00. I have decided to fly out tomorrow afternoon so I will be rested for the speech instead of flying out early Thursday. After the speech, I will stick around for the panel discussion, and then be a guest at their gala dinner Thursday night. Of course, Friday afternoon I will meet you in Mexico City. What time do you think you will get there?"
"It will be late. I think the final joint meeting is over at three and then it's a six-hour flight. So I won't be at the hotel until at least ten or after."
"Well, I'll keep the bed warm."
"You do that, sweet knees. I'll be looking forward to it. By the way, have you talked with Ellie since I left?"
"She's fine. Just up to her ears in work. She's been offered a research post-doc and she's trying to decide whether to take it or not."
"In what?"
"She wouldn't say, but she does say it's something she interested in. You know how closed mouth she is."
"How did we raise such a silent daughter when the other two are so open?"
"I don't know, but even the other two are different from each other."
"I know, but Ellie is so different than either Liz or Zoey."
"I know, hon. It's just genetics."
"And environment."
"Anything else going on? How is Leo?"
"I guess he's fine. He seems okay. We hit an air pocket on the flight over here this evening, and he hit the floor hard. But I called the Flight Surgeon to check him out and he said nothing was broken. The doc said he would be sore for the next couple of days, but other than that, he seems to be fine. I still worry about him, but if he won't let me lighten his load or ask for help, there's not much I can do to help him. He's an adult, Abbey. When he asks for help, I'll give it."
"I know, Jed. He's as stubborn as another man I know."
"And who would that be?"
"Oh, I haven't the foggiest."
"Well, let me know when you figure it out. In the meantime, I guess I had better hang up. My wake-up call is for 6:00 am so I should be getting in bed. Don't want to upset my perfect record of getting a good night's sleep, now do I?"
"Nope. I love you, Jed. Talk to you later. Good Night."
"I love you, too, Abbey. Sweet dreams."
"When I dream of you, they are always sweet."
They both hung up, knowing their love was crossing the thousands of miles that lay between them.
