Part Twenty-Five

The morning sky was gray, with a hint of brightness in the east. As she walked up the ramp to the 5:20 a.m. ferry, Peggy peered over the side and noticed again the low tide and thought to herself that it would be nice to stroll on the beach and search for interesting stones and sea creatures. Life had become so busy all of a sudden.

She went to her favorite spot, along the left aisle of the ferry, and saw that she had gotten there before Raoul. Presently he came up the stairs from the car deck, dressed in his usual motorcycle leathers and carrying his white helmet.

"I was accosted by well-wishers," said Raoul. "It seems everyone who has ever been to Washington, D.C., is an expert on what to do there."

"What have you heard?"

"Walt says we're crazy if we don't rent a motorcycle and go touring the Civil War battlefields," he said.

"I got a call from Marjorie, she wants to take us to a photography exhibit at the National Gallery," said Peggy.

"Add it to the list," said Raoul.

Just as they were getting settled and pouring themselves tea, Kelly Flinn and Ferdinand plopped down across from them.

"I heard you were going to D.C.," said Kelly. "The seat of government."

"Is that a statement of fact or an editorial comment?" said Peggy.

"Take your pick. But whatever you do, I highly recommend the Holocaust Museum. Have you been to it?" said Kelly.

"I would find it very difficult. My father's side is Jewish, you know," said Raoul.

"You didn't tell me that," said Peggy.

"We haven't gotten around to discussing religion. We've had too many other things to argue about."

"You can sometimes hear free jazz concerts at the Smithsonian," said Ferdinand.

Just then Florence and Luke were walking by. "Did someone say Smithsonian?" asked Florence in a voice that was way too chipper for 5:30 in the morning. They sat across the aisle, next to the booth where the bicyclists were practically undressing. Peggy suspected that the main reason people rode bikes onto the ferry was to show off their little tights and clingy jerseys.

"We're going to Washington," said Peggy.

"You might catch the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival," said Florence. "The food is awesome."

"It will be over by the time we get there," said Peggy.

"Are you going on the White House tour?" asked Luke.

"Oh I did that once, during the Clinton administration," said one of the cyclists, a young woman who was brushing her hair.

"It's different now," said Raoul. "You're lucky if you get to see the garage."

"Are you kidding?" said Kelly. "They won't let you near the garage."

"Actually, you can request a tour through your Congressional representatives," said Luke.

"So much for that," Peggy said. "Most of our representatives are Democrats, and they can't even get themselves into the White House."

"That's nonsense," said Raoul. "Democrats can visit between 7:30 and 7:35 a.m. on Mondays."

"Our government inaction," said Kelly. "Get it?"

"I'm afraid so," said Raoul.

"When do you go?" asked Florence.

"We are supposed to be at a hearing on coastal planning issues on July 18," said Peggy.

"Raoul, are you going, too?" asked Florence.

"Yes."

"You two should have a swell time."

Peggy could imagine little wheels turning in Florence's head.

"I can recommend an amazing Italian restaurant, called Galileo's," said Florence. "Luke, maybe we should plan a trip there."

"Sure. Hey, wouldn't it be funny if we ran into Peggy and Raoul," Luke said.

"That does it, we're getting an unlisted hotel," said Raoul.

"Sounds romantic," said Florence, winking at Peggy. Everyone suddenly looked at Peggy and she felt like crawling into her tea cup.

"Look, we might get some sunshine after all," Raoul said, pointing out of the window. An orange band of light spilled through an opening in the clouds. They all looked.

Thank you.