“Is your assignment over?” asked her dad.
“No, I’ve been promoted to lead translator for the newly appointed Ambassador, Yuri Bulgrov, and I’m still his assistant.”
“How were the last nine months?” her mom asked.
A group walked past them and into the restaurant.
“Long and lonely,” Halston said. “But I did well.”
“We’re proud of you,” her dad said.
That made her smile. Dr. Dustin Devereux was one of most respected physicists in the world with a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, specializing in Electromagnetism and Plasma Physics, and a second Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Systems Engineering.
“Thank you, Daddy. Just don’t ask me any physics questions.”
Her mom laughed. “Same.”
Dr. Sonya Devereux, fluent in four languages, had been a translator for NSA. Now, her mom traveled the world with Halston’s dad, translating most of his conversations.
Halston’s dad would say, “I speak English and science while your mother speaks everything else. I wouldn’t last a day without her translating my work to the world.”
Her mom clasped her hand. “Let’s have supper.”
They entered the quaint restaurant.
At the host stand, Halston said, “Buonasera. Prenotazioni per Fontana.”Good evening. Reservations for Fontana.
The host eyed the handwritten reservation book. “Posti a sedere VIP. Proprio da questa parte.”VIP seating. Right this way.
They followed the attendant through the small dining room to a cozy salon with five tables. “Il salone è stato riservato per te. Il signor Fontana si è occupato di tutto, compresa una generosissima mancia. Buona serata.”The salon has been reserved for you. Mr. Fontana took care of everything including a very generous gratuity. Enjoy your evening.
After they were seated and handed menus, an attendant filled their water glasses. Once alone, Halston said, “Wolfie’s the best. I wish he was here.”
“He’s like a ghost,” her dad said.
Her mom smiled. “Both our children are like that.”
Halston took a soul-calming breath. She’d sat across from her parents so she could soak them up. Her gaze flitted back and forth from one to the other as they chatted away about life back home.
“Are you on vacation?” Halston asked.
“Mom and I are traveling across Europe with a team of experts from around the world,” her dad replied. “We’re speaking at several international conferences on the weaknesses in the world’s electrical grids and how bad actors can hack in and take control.”
Halston sipped the sparkling water.
“Mom’s our official translator.”
Her mom waggled her thick, dark eyebrows. “I’ll also be doing some therapy shopping. If I see a handbag I think you’ll like, I’ll buy it for you.”
“I love presents, and I haven’t bought myself anything in forever. Just keeping my head down and doing my job.” The server delivered their entrees, offered to grate fresh parmesan cheese. After attending to them, he left.
Halston savored the delicious eggplant. “How long is your tour?”
“Three weeks,” her dad replied.
“How can we contact you when we get back?” her mom asked.
“Text me,” Halston replied. “I won’t have my personal phone at work, but I’ll check when I get home.”