The Flying Wallendas -- Pt. 2

A diehard pirate and buccaneer, The Financier made his money the old fashioned way -- by ransacking the pleasure yachts of the aristocracy from his renowned galleon, the "Parrot's Perch."  Able to access liquid assets at a moment's notice, The Financier is a big reason why The Flying Wallendas are able to fly at all.  No circus can operate for long without an underwriter.  He continues to serve as home base coordinator, advisor, and swashbuckler at large.  Should we miss our connection in Chicago on the way home, he will also serve as emergency chaffeur and hotelier.  Hopefully he will be wearing a shirt at the time (Sorry, Dad, only pic I could find of you while typing here at the airport.  Nice pecs.  Meowrrr.)

Which brings us to the most frightening member of this circus team, a shadowy figure who goes only by the name of "The Instructor."  She is pictured here mind melding with a newborn infant, implanting black ops military expertise in its susceptible little brain.  Posing as a pre-school teacher by day, the better to access impressionable young people and recruit them into her secret army, by night she throws law enforcement off her scent by making quilts and scrapbooking mementos from quaint family trips.  "She's quiet, keeps to herself mostly," say her neighbors and friends.  "No one would have suspected."  The Instructor also enjoys optimism, encouragement, and making wicked good lasagna. 

Again, putting aside the snidery for a moment -- Mom and Dad, I love you so much.  Your consummate talent and effortless grace under fire serve as endless inspiration to Allison and me.  A big part of the reason we feel up to the challenge of expanding our family in the first place. 

I've always thought that if I ever do write a book -- a big if -- I would like to dedicate it to my children, for whom; to Allison, with whom; and to my mother and father, without whom.  Thanks for making me possible, and then sticking around to see how I turned out.  See you on the other side.