Perpetual Threat

An 'Ordinary' Family

It's a typical modern family scene with two daughters, a mother and father. These fairly ordinary people are enjoying a fabulous dinner in their early 1900's Victorian in southern Los Angeles, California, a settlement in which the father insisted living on and which the family had no objections.

"So how was your day, girls? Did gymnastics go well?" Their mother, Angela Diaz asked. Angela put it upon herself to know everything about her family and to be as close to them as possible, even if it meant making that dreadful small talk at the dinner table.

"Gymnastics was great!" said 17 year old Victoria Diaz, the older of the two girls.

"Yea!" exclaimed Sarah Diaz, the younger of the two at 15 years old. "The coach said my back flips and round offs are improving so much!"

"That's great sweetheart." said her mother smiling lovingly. Angela never admitted it, but Sarah was her favorite daughter. She loved them both, of course, but she loved Sarah just a little bit more.

"How was work, Dad?" asked Sarah.

"Yea, do you have to go on another business trip?" Victoria added.

"Work was a little tiring but altogether pretty good" Their father said. "And yes, unfortunately I do have to go on another business trip."

This was supposed to be an ordinary family, except they are not. In fact, they are far from it. Tom, their father, works for the CIA as an international spy. He thinks that his daughters believe him when he says he is off on another business trip, but they know that his story is far from the truth.

"Seriously?! Dad, do you have to go another business trip?!" Sarah demanded.

"I'm sorry girls, but this business trip is very important. I have to be there. You both have to understand that I hate having to leave so often, but I promise that I will be back in a couple days." Their father tried to explain, hoping they would understand.

"But you say that all the time and for every business trip!" complained Victoria.

"Every business trip is very important!"

"But-

"No buts, I apologize for the inconvenience but it is very important that I go."

After dinner, the girls asked to be excused because they had their own planning to do. Tom seemed to need to go on these business trips much too often for anyone's liking including his wife, but because she understood its importance she never complained. Tom Diaz was a diehard patriot who did whatever he could to make sure that not only was his family safe, but his country as well. He always wants to protect his daughters and he believes that keeping his secret will ensure their safety. Little does he know that his secrets and well all secrets have a cost. His daughters soon figure out the consequences of keeping secrets too, for they are not as innocent or as weak and helpless as they might look.