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"Todays the day, remember? My report on the reservists Bush called up to active duty My first honest-to-God important story "

"Oh Right "

"You dont sound very excited, Katie "

"Its five-thirty in the"

"Oh I thought youd want to watch the broadcast Sorry I bothered you Bye "

"Tully, wait—"

It was too late The dial tone blared at her

Kate cursed under her breath and hung up the phone She couldnt seeht lately She and Tully had so little in common these days there wasnt much to talk about Tully didnt want to hear endless "mommy" stories and Kate could only stand so reat anecdotes The postcards and calls fro

"Shes on Sunrise this , remember?" Kate said "She wanted to remind us "

Johnny threw the covers back and turned on the television They sat up together, listening to Norvilles report on the buildup of hostilities in Iraq and the presidents response

Then, suddenly, Tully was on the air She stood in front of so to an impossibly fresh-faced kid with a thick red crew cut and freckles He looked as if he could have been wearing braces and a lettero

But it was Tully who demanded attention She looked trim and utterly professional and beautiful Shed tamed her curly auburn hair into a sleek, sophisticated bob and applied just enough makeup to accentuate her eyes

"Wow," Kate whispered When had that transformation occurred? She wasnt overblown Tallulah anyhties She was reporter Tallulah Hart, as beautiful as Paulina Porizkova, as professional as Diane Sawyer

"Wow is right," Johnny said "She looks gorgeous "

They watched the rest of the broadcast Then he kissed Kates cheek and headed into the bathroom Within moments she heard the shower start