Ron Roy - White House White-Out

Josh stuck out his tongue into the cold December air.

What are you doing? Ruth Rose asked him.

Trying to catch snowflakes, Josh said. Im hungry.

Dink laughed at his friend. Youll freeze your tongue off, he said. Dinks full name was Donald David Duncan, but his friends called him Dink.

Josh looked at his two best friends through the falling snow. Really?

Ruth Rose nodded. She liked to dress all in one color, a different color each day Today it was red, from her boots to her gloves to her knitted cap.

Bummer, Josh said.

The kids were in Washington, D.C. It was the week before Christmas, and they had taken the train from Connecticut with Dinks father. While the kids were sightseeing, he would be doing research in the Library of Congress. Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose had visited the National Zoo first and had just left the Washington Monument.

How much farther to the White House? Josh asked as they trudged through the snow. It was six inches deep, covering the sidewalks, lawns, and most of their boots.

Ruth Rose pulled out her guide to Washington, D.C. She opened to a map of the city. Were right here, on Seventeenth Street, she said. They were headed toward their hotel on K Street.

Heres the White House, Dink said. He put a gloved finger on the map. Only a few more blocks.

And theres our hotel, Ruth Rose said, moving her finger on the map. Its only a little way past the White House.

When we get back, Im having steak for supper, Josh announced. With a mountain of mashed potatoes and a giant piece of chocolate cake for dessert.

Dink rolled his eyes.

Look, theres the National Christmas Tree! Ruth Rose said. She pointed to the right. Through the falling snow, they could make out the tall tree. Its thousands of Christmas lights glowed like jewels through the dim, snowy afternoon.

Wow! Josh said. That must be the tallest Christmas tree in the world! Lets go see it.

They turned right and walked about two hundred yards to the base of the tree. A few tourists were there taking pictures. A couple of little kids were trying to build a snowman.

Guys, look, Dink said.

Josh and Ruth Rose turned around and followed Dinks gaze. Only a few hundred yards away stood the White House. Even through falling snow, the building was easy to see. The front was surrounded by a curve of black fence. Lights shone through dozens of windows.

Gosh, its so white, Josh said.

Its the oldest public building in D.C., Ruth Rose said.

I heard Lincolns ghost walks around inside, Josh said.

Ruth Rose grinned. Ooooh, Josh believes in ghosts, she said.

I wish we had time for a tour, Dink said. He looked at his watch. Its four-thirty and I told Dad wed be at the hotel by five.

Ruth Rose consulted her book again. The next tour is tomorrow at noon, she informed the boys.

The kids hiked through the snow toward the White House. They stopped at the tall black fence and stared through the iron bars.

Ruth Rose opened her guidebook again. She read a paragraph:

President Zachary Thornton and First Lady Lois Corcoran Thornton are the White Houses current residents. They share the White House with the First Ladys daughter, Katherine, and their many pets.

Wow, it must be awesome to live in the White House, Josh said. He put his face up against the fence. Think of all the rooms you could play hide-and-seek in!

How many rooms are there? Dink asked Ruth Rose.

Ruth Rose looked in her book. One hundred and thirty-two, she said. But most of them arent open to the public.

Just then a dog came bounding through the snow inside the fence. The dog was tall and gray, with long, skinny legs. It was wearing a red sweater with cutouts for the legs and tail.

A boy and girl about the same age as Dink raced after it, both covered with snow. They saw Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose looking through the fence.

Their dog trotted over and stuck its snout between the rails.

Dink noticed some words stitched in white on the dogs red sweater. The words said first dog.

Is your dog friendly? Dink asked the two kids.

Sure, the girl said. Natasha is a greyhound, and she loves everyone!

Dink noticed red hair sticking out from under the girls hat.

Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose took off their gloves. They put their hands through the fence bars and patted the dogs sleek head.

My name is KC, the girl said. This is my friend Marshall. Were trying to teach Natasha a Christmas trick. But she doesnt like the snow, so shes trying to escape.

Im Dink Duncan, and these are my friends Josh and Ruth Rose, Dink said. Were here with my dad. We live in Connecticut.

The five kids all shook hands through the fence. All the hands made it confusing, and they burst out laughing.

Are you the presidents daughter? Josh asked KC.

Nope, Im his stepdaughter, KC said. He and my mom got married last year.

Sweet! Josh said. So whats it like living in the White House? Do you get to do any cool stuff?

She gets to do anything she wants! Marshall piped up.

KC poked Marshall. She looked through the fence at Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose. Would you like to come in?

Dink gulped. In there? he asked. In the White House?

KC grinned. Sure. My folks arent home, but I know they wouldnt mind, she said. I just have to get you clearance.

Wicked! Josh yelled.

Ruth Rose laughed. Just hide your food, she told KC. Josh will eat anything.

Dink glanced at his watch. Um, we cant stay long, he said. My dads expecting us back at our hotel in a half hour.

Which hotel? KC asked.

Its the Royal Grove on Sixteenth Street, Ruth Rose said. Thats not far, right?

Nope, just a couple of blocks behind the White House, KC said. Youll make it in plenty of time.

So how do we get clearance? Josh asked.