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Washington DC was right in the middle of one of its traditional summer thunderstorms as we arrived. The Kennedy Center and Watergate buildings appeared like shadows in the rain. We approached on a path that followed the Patomac River.
For a while I wondered how the pilot would bring the aircraft down. Sudden gusts and updrafts caused the plane to shake, bounce, and twist like a feather in the wind. But the pilot managed fine, as had been the case on many previous occasions. Landing in Washington was nothing new for me and for the pilots, as were the thunderstorms and landing in the worst of them. Still one wonders.
As expected, the landing was executed apparently with the ease that comes with years of experience. The moment the plane was level, he simply let it plunk down. Everyone clapped and felt at ease as though this had been a great feat, which probably it wasn't since bad weather is nothing unusual for the northeastern sea front. I may have been the only one on the plane who didn't feel at ease, touching down in Washington at this time. Flashes of lightning illuminated the airport as we taxied to the gate. Were they a foreboding?
"Should we take the subway or a cab?" I asked Ushi. As it was, we didn't have to decide. Transportation had been provided for trade mission personnel and dependents. I came along as a dependent.
The trade mission was scheduled to last for four days and would end with a formal banquet to which Ushi had invited me and Sylvia. I had phoned home from Mexico, asking Sylvia to come to Washington. In order to make her time pleasant I booked us into the new Hilton that had just opened across the mall, close to the new Art Gallery that Sylvia had always enjoyed visiting.
Sylvia arrived after dark. Ushi and I went both out to the airport to meet her. Members of the trade mission had access to the State Department's car pool for the entire duration.
When Sylvia emerged from the crowd, I was awe struck. What a sight! She wore a brand new dress, dark, elegant, and very feminine. The fabric was slightly patterned, apparently hand-painted. It was a gracefully styled dress of a widely flowing design. It suited her well. It suited her nature. I felt it might have been the sexiest dress in all of Washington. What a surprise! She hadn't bought a dress like this in years.
She smiled when she saw me. I didn't know quite what to expect. We embraced each other, and held the embrace for a long time. Then she noticed Ushi.
"You must be Heather," she said to her, with the warmest smile.
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