“Well, that seemed to go well, huh?”
“You did great.” Sal beamed. “Want to go out to dinner later when this is all over?”
“No thanks,” he said. “I think I’ll order some room service and
relax. I have an eight a.m. flight. Let me know what they say.”
“I will,” he said, hugging him. “Proud of you. So’s your mother.”
“Thanks,” Nick started toward the elevator bank.
“Hey, son,” Sal said, “in this army, where do I fit in?”
Nick looked over his shoulder. “Every army needs a general.” “I like that. General Harris. Nice ring!” he said as he walked back
to the ballroom. He opened the door to more applause, smiling and waving to some close friends as he wandered toward his seat. Benny Waitfore grabbed his arm, stopping him in his tracks. “Sal, can’t you hear them? They want you on stage.”
*****
Upstairs, Nick marveled at the endless twinkle of lights he could see from his window on the twenty-sixth floor. Room service had just arrived with his deluxe meal: a cheeseburger, fries, and iced tea. The attendant glanced out the window during his delivery and remarked on what a beautiful city Las Vegas was at night. Nick stood for a few more moments, marveling at the difference between Atlanta and the so-called Sin City, wondering if the trip had been worth the effort. He turned and rolled the cart in front of the TV and sat down. He reached for the remote just as the phone rang.
“Hi, son, it’s me.”
“What’s up, Dad?”
“I need you to get down here.”
“C’mon, I just got my food, and I am not in the party mood
tonight.”
“I need you down here, Nick.” “Can I at least eat first?”
“No, can’t wait. Get your ass down here. Now!” He spoke with such urgency that Nick knew Sal meant business. “I’ll wait for you by the elevators.”
Nick got dressed, took a bite out of his cheeseburger, washed it down with some tea, and headed to the elevator, happy now that