Jan noted that his manner and appearance were in stark contrast to what she had seen earlier that day. In place of the flight jacket and aviator sunglasses he had sported then, GO now wore a light blue denim shirt and khaki slacks. His face was freshly shaven and every hair was in its place. As always he was sporting a smile. Only his eyes betrayed a hint of exhaustion and concern. As he took her hand and held it a bit too long, Jan noted that the confident gaze which had made him seem so strong, so commanding during their past meetings was absent. “I’ve not eaten yet,” he stated as he continued to hold onto her hand. “I was hoping that I would be able to prevail upon you to join me.”

Withdrawing her hand from his grasp with a jerk, Jan reached down inside and managed to pull out her award winning journalist smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

GO led Jan to a small dining room adjoining the kitchen, one that she guessed was used more often than the large, formal one that they passed. “I’m not sure what my housekeeper left me,” GO casually informed Jan as he pulled out her chair and held it for her. “But whatever it is, I am sure there’s plenty for both of us.”

Again, Jan flashed a forced smile. “Oh, no doubt.”

Taking a seat across from her, GO waved his hand across the table filled with bowls and trays of food. “Help yourself. We don’t stand on formality out here in the west.”

With her elbows on the table and her hands joined under her chin, Jan returned his smile. “That seems to be the only thing you people are not willing to make a stand on.”

Jan’s unexpected barb caught GO off guard. For the first time that evening his well practiced smile disappeared. Looking across the table, he studied her disarming smile and wondered if her comment had been the opening shot of a confrontation or simply a witty retort. Hesitantly, he continued spooning food onto his plate as he let her last remark pass. “You should try the green bean casserole. It’ll never win an award, but it will definitely leave you asking for more.”

“Gee,” Jan exclaimed as she reached for the bowl. “What an appropriate dish for you.”

Her comment struck GO like a slap in the face. This second insult left no doubt that the first had also been meant as one. Still, he continued on without responding. “If there is something you don’t see here that you’d like, please do feel free to ask.”

Jan looked up at GO and smiled. “I am sure you thought of everything, haven’t you?” before shoveling a forkful of salad into her mouth.