Precious cargo

Lots of people waited for their precious cargo yesterday. I saw Marcy and Rich Neher. Their precious cargo is pushing 90; she's Rich's mother. I saw the mother of one of my former students who was waiting for her daughter to arrive from Las Vegas where she's now an interior designer.

As I waited for my first shipment of precious cargo, I saw some coming down the concourse where their loved ones were waiting at home for their arrival. Justin Boeck came in from Texas with his wife, while Bart Cochran and his wife Tracie flew in from Boise.

I hadn't seen Bart for at least four years, so when my precious cargo arrived, they got a hug and an "I'll see you in a minute," as Bart and I did a little catching up. He's working with three other entrepreneurs who've started their own branch for a New York bank in Boise. He says it's been a "learning" year. We caught up enough that I told him it was time to make like a mom and be nice to my children. Debbie and Willie weren't far away; they were waiting for their luggage. Besides, they know from a lifetime of waiting that Mom has to talk to everyone.

With more precious cargo coming in sometime in the afternoon from one of those much-delayed flights from Seattle, we knew we had time to go stock up at the Gonzaga bookstore and to take in a lunch at the Davenport. Debbie had never been there, so it would be special, especially because it's about the prettiest place around when the holiday season rolls in. The Davenport has a bit of history in our family. Our Grandmother Brown used to stay there on a long-term basis.

Besides, when the kids were little, we started a tradition of going there for lunch on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Then, they had the nerve to close the place down for several years. Now it's back, better and more elegant than ever. So, we try to go there occasionally. Yesterday turned out to be the frosting on the cake for Willie, who had interviewed Seahawk great and former Oklahoma legislator Steve Largent the day before.

While traveling from Boise he had seen Mica Downs, one of the new Gonzaga basketball recruits who had broken his ankle. Willie saw him in a wheelchair. He also saw Dennis Franz, the former NYPD Blue star who now resides in Coeur d'Alene. He commented while leaving the airport that he was on a roll with famous people.

Well, the roll wasn't over. After stocking up on sweatshirts, tee-shirts and posters for the big Gonzaga game tonight, we were seating ourselves in the Davenport Peacock Room chairs when Patrick F. McManus, the famous homegrown author, walked in with his one-man McManus show actor, Tim Behrens. Of course, we had to visit.

Pat once more suggested we get together for lunch at Sandpoint's Connie's Restaurant and see how long we'd last before they kick us out. I suggested the Davenport might be even more appealing for our reputations. We agreed our lunchroom demise would have to come one of these days. Then, once more, I said, "I've got to pretend to be a good mommy to these kids." So, Pat and Tim went on their way to eat lunch far, far away from us.

We ordered and began eating. My cell phone kept ringing as we dined on sandwiches and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. It was Annie calling. She announced at 1:30 that she was booked on stand by for the 1 o'clock flight. Later, she called and said the 1 o'clock flight was now leaving at 2:20. I was in the lovely bathroom stall at the Davenport when the phone rang again. As I was sitting on the commode, she was sitting on the 1 o'clock flight that now would be leaving at 2:35.

"We'll see you in an hour," I said, while flushing. When precious cargo's coming in, you dispense with the rules of etiquette. Normally, I try to avoid cell phone visits in the bathroom, but this time was crucial. An hour later we were visiting with my former neighbor and well-known Democrat Bob Wynhausen when Annie came through the gates. All precious cargo had arrived.

It was time to head home, punch the cell phone keys at Post Falls and order those medium Second Avenue pizzas to be picked up when we arrived in Sandpoint. All went well from there, except Willie's 24-hour run on spotting and meeting famous people had ended. Now he has to settle for family, but that's okay too.

Besides, it's possible that next week he may even get to shake Steve Largent's hand when he comes to Boise to be installed in the Humanitarian Bowl Hall of Fame. Not a bad gig for an up-and-coming sports reporter!

One more thing: GO ZAGS!!!