Part 11 (1/2)

Jonah said he'd get the family, so I signed off. The next four days were sure going to be interesting, but like in the old Chinese proverb way.

9. Too Little. Too Late?

”We might be 'bout four days from Armageddon, or leastwise that's how it's going to seem around here,” I started out.

The whole family was gathered around the table this time, from Evangeline through Helen and Adam on through Grandpa.

”But you said the Nomes isn't our enemies, right, Clint?” Mamma asked anxiously.

”Right, Mamma. But it turns out they've got relatives of their own that there's a feud with. These boys play on a bigger scale than we ever figured, and we Slades have gummed up the works but bad.” Jodi and I went on to summarize what Rokhaset had told us. ”So unless we can do something to help 'em out, in four days the New Madrid's going to cut loose with a Big One and ain't nothing going to be left standin' for hundreds of miles, least of all the Slade homestead.”

The family sat there in silence. It was an awful lot to take in at once. And somehow it sounded a lot more fantastic here, in the comfortable electric lights of the family room, than it had in the blue-white glow of Rokhaset's domain.

”You think they can do that?” Father said finally.

I exchanged glances with Jodi. ”It's hard to say, Father. But . . . yes, I guess I have to believe it. What reason would they have to concoct such a silly story if they had a more reasonable motive for wanting the diamonds? We sure didn't show any sign of needing anything that outlandish.”

”Well,” Evangeline pointed out, ”y'all did say they learned how to talk with us from listenin' to the TV and radio. Lord only knows what they think is normal, Clint.”

I chuckled despite my worries. ”You got a point there, Evvie. Jodi?”

She tossed her dark hair back, then shook her head. ”I think Rokhaset's pretty clear on how we think. No way he'd waste his time making up some bobbe maisse like that one; he's got more important stuff to do.”

”Well, then, we give 'em all the diamonds we have left and hope it's enough.” Mamma said.

”Do more than hope, Mamma. Pray. If this doesn't work, those destructive cousins of the Nomes are going to cause the biggest disaster the States have ever seen.”

”What can we do, Clint?” Adam demanded.

”Grab our tools and get out there for when they start trying to get the road back. It's easy enough to wreck something, but they don't drive cars, and I'm not sure they'll know what has to be done to really make it driveable. And shut off the fence. They're not going to come after us now that they know us.” I felt my eyes trying to shut. ”But me and Jodi have to get some rest.”

”Lord, of course you do,” Mamma said. ”Why, it's been almost twenty-four hours you've been up, and most of that either hiking the caves or facing Mr. Rokhaset, which must have been about as scary as anything!”

”Get up to bed,” Father agreed. ”Need your strength later.”

Jodi and I didn't argue. We knew there wasn't any way we were staying awake much longer. I stumbled up to bed, feeling my feet get heavier with every step. The clothes I peeled off seemed to be made of lead, and I don't really remember hitting the mattress.

I woke up with a hoa.r.s.e shout, as the ground quivered underneath the house. ”JODI!”

”A CHORBN!” I heard the Yiddish curse echo all the way down the hall. ”What? Did they move up the schedule?”

By then, I was out of bed and down the hall, bursting through Jodi's door. The shaking was already over. ”No, no, that was just a little one. But Holy Mother, did that scare me!”

”And I was calm, you think? Oy!” She was still in the bed, nude from the waist up since the sheets had slid down when she sat up abruptly. The view was on the spectacular side. Her long, curly, l.u.s.trous black hair was spilling over her shoulders, framing her chest. Jodi was basically a slender woman, but not everywhere. I was a little transfixed, for a moment. Memories . . .

She looked me up and down, suddenly grinning. ”You look as nice as I remember, too, neshomeleh. But you might want to put some clothes on before your family decides we caused all that shaking and bouncing around.”

I looked down. I was nude from the soles of my feet up.

”Oops. Hey, look, I was startled. Gimme a second.”