“No, that’s okay. We deserve it. We’re pretty two-faced when it comes to nuclear policy.”
“But what I was saying is that I thought we had an understanding, you and I.” He paused and waited for Merewether to look at him. “You said you would help me get some of our pilots through your training. Your TOPGUN.”
Merewether tried not to roll his eyes. He’d heard this pitch before. He’d thrown Yushaf a bone and said he would try to get some Pakistani pilots into the next class that took foreigners. And he had asked. He’d been told it was impossible. “It is very difficult—”
“Of course it is difficult. That is why I asked you. You are in the right place to make it happen.”
“I’m not the Secretary of Defense—”
“Yes, but you are the Undersecretary of Defense. It is up to you if you wish to make it happen.”
Merewether stubbed out his cigarette on the bread plate. “It is not up to me—”
The waiter placed large white plates in front of them on the crisp linen tablecloth. They were silent until the waiter left the table. Merewether picked up one of the heavy silver forks and played with the spinach salad. He hated spinach.
Yushaf ate his tomatoes in the beautifully presented tomato salad with vinaigrette dressing. He was making great progress with Merewether. He could feel it. He cut one of the tomatoes and began speaking. “Another TOPGUN class has commenced since we last spoke.”
“How do you know that?” Merewether asked, annoyed.
“You serve a meal, but you don’t invite my country to the table.”
“Your country makes things difficult sometimes. You’re not always trusted.”
“We have had training from your military on many occasions. We have American-made weapons and airplanes, at least as many as you will allow us. We wish to follow in your footsteps in training and maintaining our forces. Yet we do not get the support of your military that other countries with the same commitment have. You do not allow us to defend ourselves.”
“Don’t get dramatic on me.”
“Why were our pilots not invited to this class?”
“There are too many American pilots waiting to get through. They don’t take foreign students at all.”
“Because we are a Muslim country, no doubt.”
“Oh, please. Don’t play that Islam crap with me—”
“Perhaps if we were a small Jewish state you would let us attend.”
“Where do you get that bullshit?”
“Israelis have graduated from TOPGUN. Do you deny it?”
“A long time ago.”
“No, it wasn’t. Are you saying it is impossible? It can never happen?”
“Never say never.”
Yushaf pressed. “When do you think I should start planning to have our pilots come to America?”
“Don’t push it,” Merewether said angrily.
“I am sorry,” Yushaf said, leaning back and putting down his fork. “I don’t mean to push.”
“Why is this so important to you?”
Yushaf backed off. “It’s just that I had heard about the class starting…”
“I’ll see what I can do. It won’t be easy.”
“If you are able to help my country, I would certainly do my best to help you as well.”
“Meaning what, exactly?”
Yushaf looked innocent. “Meaning nothing. Meaning perhaps whenever you Americans want us to return the favor and train your pilots in Pakistan, we would be happy to accommodate that.”
Merewether smiled sarcastically. “I’m sure that would be just what they need.”
Yushaf glanced around. “I must get back to the office.” He stood and turned his back to the door so he was squarely facing Merewether and no one else could see his face. “Thank you for taking the time to share a meal with me. Please don’t forget my request. It can benefit both of us.”
“Right, whatever. See ya.” Merewether picked up the pack of cigarettes and the lighter. He lit another cigarette and placed the lighter down on the table. It was heavy. He picked it up and examined it. He looked at its bottom. It had an imprint: 18k. Merewether forced himself not to look around the restaurant as he slipped the lighter into his suit coat pocket.
5
Luke walked out onto the porch of their small house as the sun set in front of him over the western mountains. The collar of his gray fleece was turned up against the chill. He couldn’t see Thud yet. Luke still had the newspaper tucked under his arm, anxious to show it to Thud. He unfolded it and sat in one of the wooden chairs on the porch. He read the article again. He stared at the picture that accompanied it. He found himself sweating at the possibility that someone else had already thought of the idea. He felt as if he had to move on his plan within minutes or someone else would surely think of it and jump in front of him, someone better placed, with better contacts, and piles of money.
Katherine came out onto the porch and sat in the chair next to Luke’s. She leaned her head against the wooden backrest and put her feet up on Luke’s leg. “Is Thud coming?”
“Should be here any minute.”
“Think he’ll want to get out?”
“It’s hard to walk away from TOPGUN.”
She nodded and sighed. “The cool air feels good. I’ve been so hot lately.”
“It sure does.” He rubbed his hand on her leg. “How you feeling?”
“Okay.” She looked at him. “What do you think he’ll say?”
“I don’t know. It’ll probably sound desperate to him.”
“It is kind of… I don’t know…” she said, pulling her legs up under her. “Audacious.”
“Here comes Thud,” he said as he saw a battered Explorer turn into the long driveway.
Thud pulled up in front of the house and turned off his engine as the dust cloud settled around him. He stepped out and closed the door. Michelle got out on the other side. “Hey,” Thud said, seeing them on the porch.
They stood up and waited to greet him. “Hey.”
“How you feeling?” Thud asked Katherine.
“She was just worshiping the porcelain god again,” Luke said.
Katherine ignored him. “I’m okay. Getting better, I hope.”
“Michelle had it really bad with Quentin Junior, but she was okay with Alicia.” Thud walked up the steps. “I have a theory. It’s the sex of the kid.”
“I’ll have to see.”
“I don’t agree, by the way.” Michelle smiled.
Katherine hugged Michelle as she climbed the steps to the porch. “I’m so glad you came.”
“I had to. Luke made it sound important.”
“It is.”
“You’re not selling Amway or some shit, are you?” Thud asked, frowning.
“How did you know?” Luke said as they sat. “I was going to work up to it, but you broke the code right away.”
“Can I get you all anything?” Katherine asked.
“Let me get it,” Luke offered.
“No, I’ve got it. Anybody?”
“Coffee?” Thud inquired.
“Sounds great,” Michelle said.
“Sure,” Luke agreed.
“Coffee it is.” Katherine nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
“So what’s up?” Thud asked as he put his feet on the porch railing.
“Look at the sunset,” Luke said, gazing toward the distant mountains in the west.