"What now, Henry?" The President asked.
"That General the Russians were being trouble with. He took his entire division and one hundred of Russia's top of the line aircraft, and crossed the border into North Korea. We saw a Chinese division moving, too, and asked the Chinese what was going on. They said one of their Generals had decided to join The North Koreans also.
The Russians are madder than hell! They blew up their bases before they left, but the Russians inform us they'll have them up and running by the time we're ready to start sending in ships. But 150 top of the line aircraft isn't going to make it any easier for our air boys."
"No, it won't," The President agreed. "Maybe I can get some more help from our Asian associates while I'm in Japan." He turned to his secretary. "Mary, see what you can arrange for the open days."
The secretary nodded.
"Sorry, my dear," he appologized to his wife, "but I think you'd better stay home this time."
"Yes," his wife said, looking to Sing hovering in a corner. "There's something you've got to take care of. It's not right to torture that poor child so long."
"No," The President agreed, "it isn't. Gentlemen, I think we'd better get rolling. Now that this excitement is over we need to get on to other things."
As they went out into the hall the childrens' nanny came up. "I know you're off to cause all kinds of trouble," she remarked, "but before do, could you stop in and see the children for a few minutes, especially your oldest? He seems awful moody today, and won't explain why."
The President put his hand on her shoulder and nodded. A quick glance to the others sent them on their way while he attended to family business. He found his son in the playroom with the other children. "Hey, everybody!" The President cried. There were immediate cries of joy and hugs were exchanged. "Why don't you guys go meet your little brother?" The President suggested. "I want to have a talk with Forrest."
The younger children hurried off and The President motioned his son to a chair. "Something wrong, kiddo?" he asked. "Mrs. Jolly says you're in a mood today. What's goin', kiddo?"
The young man smiled. "Really, nothing, father, just life. Nothing that can be helped."
The President smiled. "Give!" he insisted. "Look, son, I know it's hard growing up here with the public watching every move you make, that it would be far easier if you had another dad who was younger and spryer and had more time for you."
The young man sat bolt upright. "No way, dad!" he answered rather coursely. "I wouldn't trade you for anybody in the world! Hell, who's dad can sneak them onto an air base and take 'em for a ride in an F20? Or, get The MVP from The World Series to come and teach him how to throw a fast ball? Not because your dad's The President, but because your dad's his best friend. And who else's dad could walk into The Senate Office Building and punch a senator right in the nose and tell him never to call his wife a pompus fat assed bitch again? I was the hero in school for weeks after that one! You're the greatest, dad! You make more time for us than any of the other kids in school have with their parents. It's just, well, I wish other people knew how great you were. One of the kids in school says his father hates you because you're taking his brother off to war, over the wives and children of a few common soldiers who should have known the risk of going into such a dangerous area. That you shouldn't be allowed to do it. That you're just bloodthirsty and cruel. It hurts when other people don't understand you, that you don't want to send those people over there more than anybody else. But you know what has to be done and will do it. I just hate it when people hate my dad." The young man fell silent.
The President patted his hand on the chair. "Your dad sure does have a temper!" The President remarked. "But I have to admit that felt awful good! Though my hand hurt for two weeks! But there's some things that can't be changed, son, no matter how just the cause, no matter how much you try to tell people there's going to be some that simply don't want to do what's right and will belly ache. That's the way people are. I don't much worry what people think of me, as long as I know what I'm doing is right, and as long as you know that, kiddo! Don't worry about it! Don't let it bother you. There'll always be people like that. And Hell, if somebody was sending YOU off to war, I'd probably feel just the same way. You can't blame a father for loving his son. Come on, kid, I gotta get ready to take this trip, and I can't go worrying that my favorite soldier has lost heart and is out of the fight."
The young boy jumped up. "On duty and standing by, sir!" he snapped, "ready to confront the emeny!"
The President laughed, took his son, and hugged him. "Go see your little brother!" he remarked, "And tell your mother how well she did! I'll bring you something from Japan."
"Just come home safe, dad," the boy answered.

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