If so,

If so,

September 13, 2024

They delivered my diplomatic credentials today via courier.

The same courier delivered me to the airport in Topeka.

Then to the airport in Miami.

Then to the airport in Barcelona.

Then to the train to Andorra.

My step father had been waiting for my arrival.

He had already signed his necessary paperwork for consent.

I had only to sign my license and then wait.

She arrived late.

Very late.

Nearly three hours late.

But, arrive she did.

She was beautiful.

She was 19 years old.

I was 14 years old.

She signed the marriage license.

Because, I posed no threat to her.

Because, by marrying me, she could not marry another.

Because I was an American and that gave her options.

Suffering from jet lag and I could keep it together for the brief ceremony.

I said, “I do.”

She said, “Je fais.”

We both smiled.

But not kissed.

Hands shook.

And agreements were finalized.

Séraphine Valérie Geneviève Boucher now took the married name of Johnson.

Then she took her leave.

By doing this, I helped avert a coup d'état in Vanuatu.

I had to locate Vanuatu before I agreed never to discuss Vanuatu.

Or discuss my wife.

To any of my 8th grade classmates.

It took nearly a day to get home.

I did not finish my algebra homework or my English essay.

For this, I received two days detention.

But I did read about my wife surviving an assassination attempt.

And calls for her to flee her country.

If so,

She has people who know where to find me.

I get out of school at three.