The Sky Is Falling

Dana said tactfully, "I'm sure you know how difficult it must be for him, Mrs. Kostoff, and - "

"As I told you before, I'm making allowances, but he's trying my patience."

"I understand." Dana looked over at Kemal. He was still staring down, his face sullen.

"I do hope this will be the last incident," Mrs. Kostoff said.

"So do I." Dana rose.

"I have Kemal's report card for you." Mrs. Kostoff opened a drawer, took out a card, and handed it to Dana.

"Thank you," Dana said.

On the way home, Kemal was silent.

"What am I going to do with you?" Dana asked. "Why are you always getting into fights, and why do you use words like that?"

"I didn't know she spoke Serbian."

When they reached Dana's apartment, she said, "I'm going to have to go back to the studio, Kemal. Will you be all right here alone?"

"Word."

The first time Kemal had said that to her, Dana had thought he had not understood her, but she quickly learned that it was part of the arcane idiom spoken by the young. "Word" meant "yes." "Phat" described members of the opposite sex:p rettyh ota ndt empting. Everything was cool or sweet or tight or rad. If there was something they didn't like, it sucked.

Dana took out the report card that Mrs. Kostoff had given her. As she studied it, her lips tightened. History, D. English, D. Science, D. Social Studies, F. Math, A.

Looking at the card, Dana thought, Oh, Lord, what am I going to do? "We'll discuss this another time," she said. "I'm late."

Kemal was an enigma to Dana. When they were together, he behaved beautifully. He was loving and thoughtful and endearing. On weekends, Dana and Jeff turned Washington into a playground for him. They went to the National Zoo, with its spectacular array of wild animals, starring the exotic giant panda. They visited the National Air and Space Museum, where Kemal saw the first Wright brothers plane dangling from the ceiling, and then walked through Skylab and touched moon rocks. They went to the Kennedy Center and the Arena Stage. They introduced Kemal to pizza at Tom Tom, tacos at Mextec, and southern fried chicken at Georgia Brown's. Kemal loved every moment of it. He adored being with Dana and Jeff.

But...when Dana had to leave to go to work, Kemal turned into another person. He became hostile and confrontational. It was impossible for Dana to hold on to a housekeeper, and sitters told horror stories about evenings with Kemal.

Jeff and Dana tried reasoning with him, but it had no effect. Maybe he needs professional help, Dana thought. She had no idea of the terrible fears that plagued Kemal.

The WTN evening news was on the air. Richard Melton, Dana's personable co-anchor, and Jeff Connors were seated beside her.

Dana Evans was saying, "...and in foreign news, France and England are still locking horns over mad cow disease. Here is Rene Linaud reporting from Rheims."

In the control booth, the director, Anastasia Mann, ordered, "Go to remote."

A scene in the French countryside flashed on the television screens.

The studio door opened and a group of men came in and approached the anchor desk.

Everyone looked up. Tom Hawkins, the ambitious young producer of the evening news, said, "Dana, you know Gary Winthrop."

"Of course."

In person, Gary Winthrop was even more handsome than in photographs. He was in his forties, with bright blue eyes, a warm smile, and enormous charm.

"We meet again, Dana. Thanks for inviting me."

"I appreciate your coming."

Dana looked around. Half a dozen secretaries had suddenly found urgent reasons to be in the studio. Gary Winthrop must be used to that, Dana thought, amused.

"Your segment is coming up in a few minutes. Why don't you sit here next to me? This is Richard Melton." The two men shook hands. "You know Jeff Connors, don't you?"

"You bet I do. You should be out there pitching, Jeff, instead of talking about the game."

"I wish I could," Jeff said ruefully.

The remote from France came to an end and they switched to a commercial. Gary Winthrop sat down and watched as the commercial ended.

From the control booth, Anastasia Mann said, "Stand by. We're going to tape." She silently counted off with her index finger. "Three...two...one..."

The scene on the monitor flashed to the exterior of the Georgetown Museum of Art. A commentator was holding a microphone in his hand, braving the cold wind.

"We're standing in front of the Georgetown Museum of Art, where Mr. Gary Winthrop is inside at a ceremony marking his fifty-million-dollar gift to the museum. Let's go inside now."

The scene on the screen changed to the spacious interior of the art museum. Various city officials, dignitaries, and television crews were gathered around Gary Winthrop. The museum's director, Morgan Ormond, was handing him a large plaque.

"Mr. Winthrop, on behalf of the museum, the many visitors who come here, and its trustees, we want to thank you for this most generous contribution."

Camera lights flashed.

Gary Winthrop said, "I hope this will give young American painters a better chance not only to express themselves but to have their talents recognized around the world."

There was applause from the group.

The announcer on tape was saying, "This is Bill Toland at the Georgetown Museum of Art. Back to the studio. Dana?"

The camera's red light came on.

"Thank you, Bill. We're fortunate enough to have Mr. Gary Winthrop with us to discuss the purpose of his enormous gift."

The camera pulled back to a wider angle, revealing Gary Winthrop in the studio.