She said to me, "It's for you, Sam. I--I think it's the President."

"Or the man who sounds like him," Spookie said.

I took the phone. "Sam Kent speaking." I listened, rubbing one tingling

leg against the other. I nodded. I said "Yes, sir" several times. I

hung up.

"I've got to go to the White House," I said to Joy and Spookie. To Joy

I said, "Sorry about--"

"Never mind. You go on."