"I'll do that. Goodbye Mr. President."
Frank and Dee Allison walked hand in hand down the street. Dee had been crying but now her tears had been dried and her expression was calm. There was a wistful light in her eyes. "It could have been so much different, Frank."
"Yes darling. My fault. It was my damn temper."
"But I was always ready to snarl back. A wife's job is to—"
He squeezed her hand. "Are you afraid, baby?"
"No—no. I won't be afraid as long as you're there to hold my hand."
He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close and they walked with the other people toward the Church.
The President of the United States put through a call to the Premier of Russia. Connections clicked into place across half a world and the Russian operator's voice came through warm and cordial. "Of course, Mr. President. The Premier's wire is always open to you. I'll ring him."