The Pandora's Box part 7

[svetlanacat6]

 

“Lisa! ... Lisa, where are you? Lisa! Ah, Li... Lisa, what happens? You're awfully pale. Sit down. Tell me, what happens?”

 

“The... the plane, Napoleon!”

 

 

“Oh, I am Napoleon again?”

 

“The plane... You don't know, of course... You can't... The plane, Napoleon. It crashed. There was a storm, and...”

 

“Lisa, I don't understand a word. What are you talking about? What plane? Had we agents on the flight?”

 

“The flight to ... Boston, Napoleon. It crashed. Elena's flight...”

 

“El... No, Lisa, no. Elena and Sasha are still here. We talked a long time, yesterday afternoon. Their flight is scheduled for 11 a.m.... I intended to take them...”

 

“No, Napoleon, listen to me. They left earlier. Elena called me yesterday evening. Sasha... was so happy, he was so excited... He wanted to tell his father...”

 

“No, Lisa. You're mistaking. Elena would have called me..”.

 

“She asked me to tell you... Oh, Napoleon, they... they're all... All the passengers!”

 

“That's impossible, Lisa. It simply can't be. Elena and Sasha are here. I am going to call their hotel, and...”

 

“”I tried, as soon as I heard about the crash. I called the hotel. They... confirmed.”

 

“Have you... have you Illya's telephone number ? He... I... Oh, Lisa... I don't... If... if he doesn't know, yet...”

 

“You want to... You are going to break that... to him ? Napoleon, you can't do it. You...”

 

“Who else, Lisa? If he doesn't know... Who else? I... Call him, Lisa.”

 

¤¤¤¤¤

 

“Papa? You don't answer! Who is Napoleon?”

 

“Tonya...”

 

“Dad... daddy... you are angry? I... I... just... I just want... wanted to know who...”

 

“Oh, my Tonya, honey, don't cry! I am sorry. I didn't want to frighten you. I am not angry. I can't be angry at you, douchka. You know that. Look at me, Tonya. Tonya? I love you... If you carry one panther, I'll carry the other, and when we'll be back home, we'll wrap Sasha's one. Please, Tonya... smile at me...”

 

“You... you are not mad at me?”

 

“Of course not! Come here... You are going to take the two panthers, and I'll carry all of you!”

 

“I love you, papa.”

 

“I love you too, Tonya.”

 

“Daddy?”

 

“Yes, honey?”

 

“Who is Napoleon? Tell me, please. Sasha was reading and he had no time to explain. I asked mama, but I didn't really understand... Daddy?”

 

“Okay... Let's sit down on that bench. Put the panthers here, and come on my knees. So, what did your mama say that you didn't understand?”

 

“Napoleon... You know, now, I can pronounce it very well! And I can also spell it...”

 

“Tonya?”

 

“Napoleon was a French king who lived a long time ago. Right?

 

“Yes, you got it.”

 

“I understood that... But... Napoleon is your friend, too.”

 

“Yyyyes, Tonya, you are right Napoleon is... was my friend. My best friend...”

 

“Papa? You speak funnily... Are you sad? I don't want! Do you need a hug?”

 

“Yes, douchka, yes. I... I think I could do with a hug...”

 

“I love you so much, Daddy...”

 

“I love you too, Tonya.”

 

“Daddy? I would like...”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You know all my friends. You meet them. I want to know your best friend. I want to meet him.”

 

“Tonya... do you know exactly.... why mama and Sasha went to New-York?”

 

“Of course, yes! But...”

 

“But?”

 

“But I can' say it. You remember? It's a secret. You told me that I had to keep the secret.”

 

“Unless... unless it worries you. Does it worry you?”

 

“Yyyes... a little. If I tell you... you promise to keep the secret? Cross you heart and hope to...

I don't remember what...”

 

“It doesn't matter, Tonya. I promise...”

 

“Mama and Sasha went to New York to meet Napoleon. But... shhhhht! Oh, no! Look, daddy...Them, again...”

 

“Dr. Mallard? We were looking for you! Your neighbor told me that you were at the zoo... I am sorry to disturb you...but something terrib... er... something happened, and... we're needed. Perhaps Oliver could take Tonya home?”

 

“Daddy! No!”

 

“Tonya, douchka, Mrs Laney will take care of you... and she'll help you to wrap Sasha's panther? Okay? I 'll be back as soon as possible.”

 

“I couldn't say that with Tonya here, Dr. Mallard. A plane crashed, and all the passengers died. We've to go there.”