Book2:KigdomIteDreams (第198/246页)

ewasseated.Hehelduphiswinegssandtoastedtotheirreunion.Thefoodonhisptehadthoughtfullybeentobite-sizepie,whichhecouldeasilyeatwithhisfork.Sometimes,hewouldusehisfiouchthefoodtoknowwheretheywere.Hekeptasmileonhisadeverynowandthenwouldholduphiswinegssandofferatoast,buteveryonecouldseehisheartwasnotinit,thatbehindhissmilewasdeepandworryabouttheenormouscrisisfaghisKingdogginnandSamanthatriedtolightenthemoodandcrackedsomejokes,hopingtodrawthemoutintoversation.Buttheughterthatbrokeoutsoointosileerafewtries,thetwoofthemgaveup.Justthen,Yoko’scellph.

    “Yes,thisisYoko.Who’scallingplease...oh,Richard,howareyou...Dimitri?Yes,heishere.We’rehavingdinner...really?”OhersideofthephoneRichardwassaying,

    “JamazandIwerepatrollingtheareaaroundthebakeryinourtruckawomaninadarkpurplesuit,standingbythebackdoor.Wewatchedherforawhilebutshedidnotmoveawayfromtheshadows,sowewalkedovertoquestionher.WediscoveredshewasRomiandofferedtodrivehertoDimitri,butsheinsistedontalkingtohimfirstbeforeshewouldgetintoourcar.Shewashighlyuardanddidotrustus.CouldyouaskDimitritotalktoher?”

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    “Ofcourse.Wedidn’texpectherbacksosoon.”YokohandedherphooDimitri.

    “HiRichard,thisisDimitri.LetmetalktoRomi.Romi?Thatwasfast.Wedidn’texpectyousosoon.I’lskRichardandJamaztyouoverhere.Heknowsthepce...What?Anemergency?Youhavesomethingimportanttotellme?Askthemtyouoveratonce.Seeyouter.”Dimitriclosedthecellphone,hisexpressionsolemnandpuzzled,wwhatcouldhavehappeheKingdom.Ashorttimeter,themaidcameintothediningroomandsaidtoNovel,

    “Madame,OldJohncalledfromthefrontgateandsaidamancalledRicharddroveadycalledRomihere.Shesaidsheisafriendofyours...”

    “Yes,yes”saiderruptingthemaidbeforeshecouldfinish.“AskOldJohhemin.Theyaremyfriends.”

    Sayingso,shehurriedtothefrontdoortoweleherguestasshewasthehostessandowhehouse.Thebeautiesfollowedher.Atthefrontgate,carlightsfshedandasmalltruckdroveuptothefrontdoor.RichardjumpedoutaothepassengersidetoopenthedoorforRomi.Thisdipidatedtruckcouldowopersons,soJamazstayedbehind.NovelkissedandhuggedRomiandthebeautiescameforwardtoweleher.Theyallcrowdedaroundherandwalkedherintothehouse.YokosmiledatRichardandgavehimathumbup,praisinghimforajobwelldone.Richardher,smiling.Thenhejumpedintothevan,circledthewaterfountainanddroveoffquicklythewayhecame.

    NovelledRomitothechairbesideDimitrisoshecouldtellhimabouttheemergency.Shehandedheragssofwinesaying,

    “e,drinksomewineandsoothyournerves.”

    “Youhaveealongwayandmustbeveryhungry”saidDimitri.“Havesomethifirst.Whatyouhavetosaywaitawhile.Don’thurry.”Romitulpofherwiookupherknifeandforkandquicklybega.WhenDimitriheardthesoundofsilverwarekoe,heknewshewasdone,sohesaid,

    “Good.Let’shearwhatyouhavetosay.Slowly.Don’thurry.”Romidrankanothermouthfulofwine.

    “Thesestfewdays”shesaid,“MedusadiscoverednewmovementsoofCyclops...”

    200页

    “ElenaandIjustcamebatheKingdomthisafternoon”interruptedElena.“Howeit’sbeenafewdaysintheKingdom?”

    “Timepassesatdifferentspeedsindifferentspaces”expinedDimitri.“That’suandable.