“Hey, kiddo. I didn’t know you were stopping by today.”
“I thought I’d surprise you.”
“You succeeded. I was calling to tell Dorothy to cancel my morning appointments. My meeting was interrupted by the news from New York, and we’re running longer than I expected. I’ll be here for another hour or two, at least.”
“Oh.” I was disappointed that I’d come all that way, but it didn’t matter. I could talk to him later.
“Did you have anything in particular to talk to me about?”
I thought of Seth, but I didn’t want to tell him this way. “It can wait. Maybe I’ll stop by for supper tonight—oh, Mom said to call her when you get a chance.”
“I’d love if you came by for supper. I’ll tell Mom to expect you.”
“Okay. I should let you go.”
“Thanks for coming.” He chuckled. “Sorry I couldn’t be there.”
“It’s okay. I knew I was taking a risk in surprising you. I’ll come back another time, and you can show me the remodeling yourself.”
“Okay. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.” I remembered what the lady had just said a few minutes ago. “I love you.”
“Love you too, kiddo.”
Dad hung up, and I handed the receiver back to Dorothy. “I guess I’ll take off,” I said. “Next time I’ll call before I come.”
She smiled at me. “It was nice seeing you. Bye, honey.”
“Bye.”
I walked across the room and opened the door.
A loud, thunderous sound erupted. I turned, confused, not knowing where it came from. For a brief moment, I met Dorothy’s shocked expression, and then a blast, so loud and intense that it shook the very foundation of the Pentagon, threw me to the ground and made the walls around me explode. Then the most intense heat I’d ever felt—which seemed to be everywhere, choking the very air I breathed—rushed through me, swallowing me whole.
And then my world went black.
22
SEPTEMBER 12, 1861
WASHINGTON, DC
I slowly opened my eyes, blinking several times as the sunshine poured in my window, blinding me.
The day beckoned with a stunning blue sky, and the leaves on the trees outside my bedroom window on Lafayette Square fluttered in the breeze. I turned on my side, my thoughts a little fuzzy. I had a full day spread out before me. My father had asked me to host a dinner party for several close friends that evening. I had extended an invitation to Gray, and he had responded that he would come.
A slow smile spread over my face. But thoughts of Gray led to thoughts of Zechariah and Seth—
Seth.
I frowned and sat up, trying to remember what had happened yesterday in 2001. Why couldn’t I remember leaving the Pentagon and going home? Wasn’t I supposed to go to my parents’ house for supper? I couldn’t remember doing that either.
I couldn’t recall anything after saying good-bye to Dorothy.
Pressing my hands to my head, I tried to recall what had happened. I’d been at Dad’s office. We’d watched the Twin Towers burning on television. Mom had called, and then President Bush had addressed the nation. After that, I had spoken to Dad on the phone and then said good-bye to Dorothy.
And then, nothing.
