The ISIS Gambit

XVII

“Glad to see you both made it through okay,” Tamir Pardo said as he met Dani and Jackson at Tel Nof Air Force base outside of Tel Aviv. “Understand things weren’t the cake walk we expected.”

“I don’t think they knew we were coming but they certainly had more guards on duty than we expected,” Jackson replied.

“How did Yoni’s team make out?” Dani asked.

“They had the two fatalities that you know about and they had six wounded, one’s critical — all of them are already in the hospital and most should fully recover. The two fatalities came from one of the Gaza teams — I don’t believe you knew them.”

“No, I don’t know anyone on any of the teams we have down there.”

“Yoni’s team should be back later tonight or sometime tomorrow. We’re not sure yet so we’ll do the debriefing tomorrow after they’re back.”

“That’s fine. Thanks for the flight home from Haifa, Tamir,” Dani added. “I wasn’t looking forward to the drive home. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“No problem, you two have a good evening.”

“I’m sure glad Tamir arranged the flight out of Haifa for us. That’s at least an hour drive home from there and I really wasn’t looking forward to that. As it is, we’ll be home now in about fifteen minutes,” she added as they both got into her Cadillac.

“Yeah, well it couldn’t be all that bad riding in something like this,” Jackson commented.

“You think so, huh? Believe me, no matter how nice the ride — and it can be a very scenic drive — you’re still on the road for more than an hour, and there are other things I’d rather be doing than sitting in this car, though yes, this is a sweet ride.”

“And to think I kinda felt sorry for you when your last one got totaled in that barrage.”

“Ya like it? I’m still getting used to this one. We’ll need to stop at the market for dinner — what is for dinner by the way?” Dani asked.

“Been thinking about that. Since we’re going to have some jazz in the background…. ”

“And that you shall,” Dani added without missing a beat.

“Then I thought something with more of a New Orleans flavor, something like a jambalaya.”

“Oo, that sounds delicious! There’s a market just a few blocks from the apartment. We’ll pull in there, pick up what we need and get home.”

“I’m going to change while you get dinner going,” Dani told Jackson, leaving him in the kitchen while she headed to the bedroom. “I’ll be right out,” she added, seeing Jackson’s skeptical expression. “Honest.”

A couple minutes later, Dani emerged from the bedroom barefoot, wearing a pair of very short Levi’s cut-offs, revealing her long toned legs, and a casual two pocket buttoned down white blouse that she left completely unbuttoned though she tied it off above the waist. Her Lion of Judah Mezuzah pendant hanging clearly between the widely separated seems of her blouse.

“Told ya!” Dani announced walking into the kitchen. She looked classy as ever, comfortable and sexy as hell as she walked up to Jackson, giving him a rather passionate kiss. “Looks like dinner’s well under way.”

“That it is, and it won’t take very long.”

“Well then, let’s see, how about a little David Benoit? I like a lot of his music. Let’s see if you can’t guess where this one comes from,” she added, clearly enjoying herself.

After a couple minutes, Jackson exclaimed “if I didn’t know better, I’d say that’s something like Charlie Brown.”

“It is!” Dani replied with a huge grin. “It’s Benoit’s ‘Be My Valentine’ on his Jazz for Peanuts album! Thought you might like it,” she added as she continued playing.

“That’s amazing. You know, if you’re ever looking for a different career….”

“Nah, I told you, my sister’s the pianist. She’s the one who got me interested back before I was in high school. She’s a few years older than me and she was the pianist for what you would call the high school jazz band — it looked like so much fun that I knew I wanted to do that as well. I started lessons that winter and followed in her footsteps through school. She’s really gifted and plays throughout the states and here in Israel. I just play for fun and relaxation. Coming home after a day like we had today, it’s just so nice to sit back and let the music take you away.”

“Understand that, especially when things don’t always go as planned.”

“Yeah, that happens — and when they do, this is my escape.”

“Well, dinner’s about ready, you hungry?” Jackson asked.

“Famished! And that smells so good.”

As Dani got up from the piano bench her buzzer went off, announcing that someone was at the front door of the building.

“We expecting anyone?” Jackson asked.

“I’m not, are you? Go ahead and see who’s there.”

“Hello?” Jackson said into the security panel’s microphone.

“Hello, is Dani there?” came the reply.

“It’s Rivka, my sister. Buzz her in!”

“She is, come on up,” Jackson replied.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door and Dani swung the door open and gave her sister a big hug. “Rivka, this is Stonewall, who I’ve told you about.”

“Nice to meet you,” Jackson said walking over from the kitchen.

“You, too,” Rivka replied. “Dani’s told me a lot about you. Nice to finally meet you. I didn’t mean to barge in but I saw your lights on from the street so thought I’d make a quick stop.”

“Oh, I’m glad you did,” Dani replied.

“We’re just sitting down for dinner, and we have plenty if you’re hungry,” Jackson added.

“I couldn’t,” Rivka replied feeling somewhat embarrassed that she had barged in on her sister and Jackson.

“Stonewall, get another plate out,” Dani said matter of factly.

“Okay, if you insist,” Rivka added, “but I can’t stay long.”

“Its fine, Rivka. You’re not interrupting anything and we were just planning on a simple relaxing evening,” Jackson added as he began serving both of the sisters.

“Actually, I just came by to let you know….”

“Know what?” Dani asked hesitantly.

“Wow! This is really good,” Rivka exclaimed. “Dani said you could cook. I’ll have to come by more often.”

“Any time we’re home, feel free.”

“Rivka! Let me know, what!?!” Dani interrupted.

“We’re having a baby!”

“What!?!” Dani screamed. “That’s wonderful!”

“Congratulations!” Jackson added.

“I haven’t told Mom and Dad yet so don’t let it out.”

“Oh, I won’t! I’m so happy for you!”

“We’re excited, though, I won’t be able to travel to the states as much as I have. Looks like we’re going to have to start settling down a bit but I’m ready. I’ll still be able to play both here and in Jerusalem but I think I’m done with the orchestras in New York and Washington, at least for a while anyway.”

“Mom and Dad will be thrilled, and glad to hear you’ll be here at home more often!”

“Oh, I know, and we’ll be telling them shortly. Stonewall, that was absolutely delicious.”

“Thank you. However, before you go, I want to hear you on the piano — Dani’s really bragged about you.”

“Oh, really? Well, she’ll have to accompany me on that.”

“We can do that. It’s been awhile since we’ve played together but let’s do it.”

“What do you want to play?” Rivka asked.

“Let’s go with something easy. How about Love Song?”

And with that, the two sisters sat down and just dazzled Stonewall with a version of Sara Bareilles’ hit song.

“You two really are something else. That was incredible!” Jackson told them both.

“We have a lot of fun together,” Dani replied.

“We always have, but I need to run. Thanks for dinner — it was wonderful.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Dani, he’s a keeper,” Rivka said as the two walked together down the hallway to the front entrance of the building.

“Yeah, I know… Oh, Rivka! I’m so excited for you.”

“Well, I’m just as excited for you. I can see the way you two look at each other — it’s pretty obvious. Remember, don’t tell Mom and Dad — and don’t tell Tamir either!”

“I won’t. See ya later!”

“Well, that was a wonderful surprise,” Jackson said as Dani walked back in the apartment.

“It sure was. I’m so happy for them. Now, about us….” Dani added as she grabbed Jackson’s hand and led him out of the kitchen, untying the bottom of her blouse with her free hand.