Chapter
25: My Turn
Even if there were still many people who weren’t “excited” about the campaign,
you could see they had at least accepted it. They
may not have felt that it would “change the world” and wouldn’t think of going
out of their way to spread the idea, but felt, “Why not?” and wouldn’t hesitate
to admit that it certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing for the world to try to get
along, even if it was just for a day.
Of course, all that year, I had been warming up to it.
The kids were really excited about it -- they got to check in
with their Dad every day practically -- even if it was only
on email or on the phone. And
they were doing an amazing job with their Kindness Kids Network
and BetterWorld Clubs -- proving that kids can do a lot to help
us adults learn about things that matter.
I was having fun helping the kids, and I guess I really liked Artie’s team. I had always thought the most of Merle and Maya
and it was great to see them each find someone special. It did feel good to be working with them again,
in my small way, with the little East-coast errands I’d take care of for the Campaign
from time to time. And that amazing kid,
Jimmy -- he’s a sweetie-pie. We loved to
kid around together, and he seemed to get along really well with Mel.
I could almost see them together... maybe in about ten years, of course. And he was like a great big brother for Henry,
too.
And there they were out on the road singing together.
Artie and I used to sound so nice when we sang together. I did miss that. I did miss him. But Jesse was really sweet, too. Well, you can see that my heart was a mess.
It actually made it worse to know that nothing romantic was happening between
them. If they were romantically linked,
I would have to deal with it, one way or the other. But they weren’t. Jesse made it clear, all the time. And most of the time I would counter with an
assurance that Artie and I had had our chance to work it out. It’s like Jess and I were competing to see who
could be the bigger martyr. And we both
knew it. I knew it couldn’t last that way
forever. Something would give, eventually. But somehow it kept on.
Maybe I expressed my joy at rediscovering my voice a little too much a
little to often to Jesse when we checked in over the next few weeks, because,
coincidentally, when the Peace Troupe arrived in Pennsylvania, Jesse suddenly
developed laryngitis.
“You’ve got to come on tour with us, please, Sam,” she hoarsely pleaded.
The kids were insistent. “It’ll be great, Mom.
Grandma and Grandpa can stay with us, and on the weekends they can drive
us to see you and Daddy performing together while you’re in the tri-state area.”
Grandma and Grandpa seemed to be in on the conspiracy, too, because they
seemed to be all ready for an extended visit at a moment’s notice. Before the sun had set, I was in the car heading
for Pennsylvania. The next day I was up
on the stage with Artie.
I’d forgotten how it felt to perform in front of an audience. I’d forgotten how it felt to have Artie by my
side. Both experiences were wonderful.
Within a week, Artie and I were reconciled, and we felt more in love than
we had ever been.
During the month of November we were just an ordinary New Jersey family. I couldn’t believe it, but Artie agreed to take
a “vacation from peace” and just concentrate on being at peace with his family
until after Thanksgiving. Except for a
daily call to Jimmy, we were completely out of the “save the world” campaign.
And things were moving along in the world just fine without us.
We were watching the start of the evening news as we always did (it really
was inspiring each evening to hear the featured “Make a Better World” story) when
they flashed a picture of Jesse. We listened
unbelievingly as the announcer declared that it had just been discovered that
Jesse Gold of the One Day In Peace Campaign was really Jessica Martin, the niece
of the late Lord Reginald Martin III, the CEO of Global Missiles Unlimited, the
world’s largest missile defense contractor. The camera cut to a scene of reporters clamoring
around a Rolls Royce as a handsome British gentleman covered his face with his
attaché case.
“Troy Michaels, acting CEO of Global Missiles in Surrey England, had no
comment for reporters today when asked why the sole heir of Lord Martin’s estate
was a leader in one of the January 1 Peace campaigns.”
The camera then cut to a concert scene, but the audience was booing. “Lady
Martin was booed off the stage today while performing at the gala Thanksgiving
celebration in Texas...” We
were in shock. “We better call Jimmy and
see how everyone is,” Artie finally said.
Suddenly we didn’t feel very thankful, just very confused. Previous Chapter | Next Chapter Table of Contents | Preface | Ch 1
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4 |
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