by Mary Whitney
Anne waited patiently for her turn to cross the street, but her face fell upon seeing him. She soon forced a quick smile. “Good morning, Mr. Langford.”
“Good morning, Anne,” he said with a tip of his hat. “It’s nice to see you again. What are you doing here?”
“I’m going to a hearing,” she answered. When she heard her words, she decided it was unnecessarily curt, even if Langford had been rude the last time they talked. “It’s a hearing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Exciting stuff.”
“Sounds fascinating.” He chuckled. “So, how you’ve been? I’ll be seeing your father this weekend.”
As Anne uneasily relayed only the most mundane details of her life, Trey studied the scene from a distance. He scanned the surroundings and caught a glimpse of Stephen McEvoy exiting the Cannon Building. Trey’s whole attention turned to McEvoy as he bounded down the stairs headed for his waiting car. Trey’s eyes widened when the senator abruptly stopped and stared at Langford and Anne.
Trey knew there were many reasons why McEvoy would take interest in a conversation between the two of them. Langford was his opponent, and she was an intern in his office; the two shouldn’t be talking. Yet something else beyond suspicion radiated from McEvoy. He glared at Langford, his fists were clenched, and while he stood motionless, he looked like he might launch himself onto Langford at any moment. Only after Anne waved good-bye to Langford and hurried down the sidewalk did McEvoy cross the street to his car.
As Trey watched him climb in and drive off, he tried to make sense of what had just happened. It seemed odd for McEvoy to be so interested in Anne and Langford. Of course, he should be suspicious of her talking with Langford, but something was off. Why did he look upset? Why did he stick around until they stopped talking? He was a busy guy; he had staff to worry about things like this for him. Why did he care?
In a minute, Langford was back across the street and at his side. “I didn’t find out much.”
“What’d you talk about?”
“Her schoolwork. She wasn’t very forthcoming. I left it telling her I’m scheduled to speak at the CU commencement. I might see her there.”
“There will be fifty thousand people there.” Trey shook his head. “How are you going to see her?”
“Maybe not then . . .”
“You know, McEvoy came out of the building as you two were talking. He stared at you the entire time.”
“Really?” Langford said as he adjusted his hat in thought. “Why does he care if I talk to one of his interns?”
“I really don’t know . . .”
In early April, the Washington, D.C. forecast was finally warm enough for the starlet, Jennifer Hamilton, to fly in for a special event. At seven that morning, she stood stark naked on the back steps of the U.S. Capitol. Two miles down the National Mall at the Lincoln Memorial, the immense statue of President Abraham Lincoln had a fine view of her bare ass. Scattered around her on the steps, the camera and makeup crew checked the lighting and angles and tended to her tresses and face.
“I’m not sure what angle you’re going to use. But someone needs to tell the PETA people they’re probably going to have to do some airbrushing because I only got waxed yesterday. I’m a little red and bumpy.” She playfully wiggled her bum in the direction of President Lincoln. “You know how that is.”
More than one of the crew members around her averted their eyes so they could roll them—as did the PETA representatives.
The savvy PETA communications director hurried the crew along. “We’ve got to get this shot in before the cops arrive. And I need time to get you ready for the hearing. We should go over your testimony.”
“But I wanna look good,” whined Jennifer.
“You look great,” said her publicist. “And we should do this quickly. You don’t want to be arrested.”
A PETA rep chuckled. “If there’s a problem with the photo, we’ll just slap the ‘I’d rather go naked than wear fur’ banner right over it.”
In a few hours, everyone was happy. Jennifer’s photos made a splash in the media, drawing attention to the animal rights cause and her naked assets, and PETA was pleased with her impassioned testimony before the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus.
Not everyone was pleased, though. Megan and Patty stormed into Stephen’s office.
“We have to meet now,” Megan demanded.
“I’m busy,” Stephen said as he pointed to Greg on the sofa.
“This is important,” Patty retorted. “Greg, go get Anne.”
“Uh . . .” Greg’s eyes shifted between Patty and Stephen. “Isn’t it kind of obvious if I do that?”
“Oh, who cares at this point? It’s her last day in the office, anyway,” said Patty.
Stephen signaled to Greg to follow Patty’s instructions. “Why does Anne need to be in here?”
“Because she should hear this. She is your girlfriend.”
“What do you mean?” Stephen was wary.
“Oh, you’ll see . . .”
A minute later, Anne was seated next to Stephen on his sofa with Patty, Megan, and Greg in chairs, and Lillian on the speakerphone.
“Jennifer Hamilton did a publicity stunt for PETA this morning, and she’s said some things about Stephen,” Megan announced. “We need to make a statement.”
Lillian’s voice blared out of the speakerphone. “Now, I don’t like some of their tactics, but I’m in complete agreement with PETA. I got rid of all the family furs years ago. I hope everyone knows that.”
“Nice to know, Mom. I’ll make sure the press hears, too,” Megan muttered.
“Cut to the chase, Megan. Just read the story,” Patty said while she rubbed her eyes.
“Okay,” said Megan. “This is from the AP story, but it’s been picked up everywhere. It starts: ‘Hollywood starlet Jennifer Hamilton lent her body and her name to the cause of animal rights today.’
“The story goes on from there, but here’s our problem. Jennifer says, ‘I’m going to ask my boyfriend, Stephen McEvoy, to pass a bill or something. He can do that, you know. He’s a senator, and he would do that for me.’ ” Megan looked around the room with a raised eyebrow. “Thoughts?”
“Go get her to shut up,” Patty demanded.
“I’ll call Jennifer and tell her to knock it off,” Stephen answered without hesitation. “Then I’m out of here for the rest of the day and can’t be reached for comment. Tell the press I have no plans for introducing such a bill, and per usual, I don’t comment on my personal life. You know what to say, Megan.” He looked at Anne, who held his glance for only a second before looking away.
“Of course, I know what to say, but I’ve got enough on my plate right now. I’m sick of the questions about how we’re putting family money into the campaign. Langford’s new ads bashing us for it are getting a ton of coverage,” said Megan, shaking her head. “The Republicans are now going to have a field day with this.”
“Okay. Everybody leave. I’ll call her,” Stephen said as he loosened his tie.
“You want me to get her number from the receptionist?” Greg asked unwittingly.
“Nah, I still have it in my cell.” As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized how horrible they sounded. He immediately turned to Anne whose expression had turned icy.
“Are you okay with this?” he asked softly. “I just have to leave her a message. Maybe there’s a bright side . . . maybe we could spend the afternoon together?”
“No,” she replied, chilling the entire room with her tone. “I have to work on my thesis.” She rose at once and was the first one out the door.
While the Jennifer fiasco blew over in the media that day, Stephen spent the afternoon in his home office, but he couldn’t work. Guilt weighed on him. Once again, he’d put Anne in an awkward situation and himself in the doghouse. She hadn’t returned any of his messages; something she’d never done before.
When his moth
er came to visit him, he was glad to have the distraction. “Hi, Mom.”
“Stephen, you don’t look very happy.” She sighed.
“I’m not.” He stared out the window, shaking his head. “And neither is Anne.”
“Of course she’s not happy. I can understand. If you don’t mind, I think it’s time we talked about you two.”
Stephen slumped in his chair and turned it to her as she sat down. “What about us?”
“Well, you know I was opposed to your relationship from the very beginning, though I liked her.”
“Yeah?”
“But I’ve been watching her over the months. I wanted to see how she would handle the stress of being with a politician. Would she have the necessary mettle?”
“And?”
“And I think she does. In fact, she’s dealt with every situation very well. She’s grounded and keeps a cool head.” With more than a touch of reproach in her voice, she said, “And despite the difficult circumstances and unsavory . . . characters you’ve had to deal with—like Helen, for example—Anne has taken it all in stride. She’s even agreed your responses have been politically necessary. Given her age, I’m rather impressed.”
Stephen felt guilty for Jennifer’s antics, but he also reasoned he couldn’t be held responsible. “But what about today? She didn’t like my response to the Jennifer problem.”
Lillian pursed her lips disapprovingly. “Today? Well, everyone has their breaking point, dear. You treated her poorly. You didn’t acknowledge that the situation was uncomfortable for her or that it was your fault.” When he didn’t immediately respond, she shook her head and continued her reprimand. “And your comment that you were sure you still had Jennifer’s number was very inconsiderate.”
He winced at his own words. “Okay. You’re right.”
“If your father had done that to me, I’d have given him the cold shoulder as well.”
Throwing his hands up, Stephen justified the rest of his actions. “But what else was I supposed to do? You agree it was right to ignore Jennifer’s comment? I never comment on my private life, and I certainly couldn’t say the truth. ‘No, I’m involved with someone else whom I love dearly.’ ”
“Oh, I agree. In fact, I think Jennifer saying you’re her boyfriend is actually helpful to you. It’s a deflection from you and Anne. But Stephen, it’s time to come clean. You two need to out yourselves before someone else does.”
He took a moment to comprehend what his mother said. “What? After all of this trouble to keep it under wraps? You want us to out ourselves in the middle of the campaign?”
“Yes. As soon as possible. I want you to publicly admit it. Admit all of it in an open forum and move on with the campaign. It’s the only way—politically and for the health of your relationship with Anne.”
Chapter 23
Stephen calculated all the possible outcomes if he were to go on the offensive and disclose his relationship with an intern. He grimaced at the thought, but his mother didn’t allow him to speak.
“I’d counsel you,” she said in the same tone she used for all of her political admonishments. “And as your mother, I’d prefer it if you disclosed your relationship by announcing your engagement. The public will be more forgiving of a relationship with an intern if you intend to marry her. They might even like the love story.”
“Engagement?”
“Oh, I know,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Normally I’m not so direct, but I feel I must be.”
“Well, I . . .” He considered the frankness of their conversation and decided to tell her everything. “I’d be happy to ask Anne to marry me tonight . . . if I thought she’d say yes.” A wry smile formed on his lips.
“Why wouldn’t she say yes?” She laughed as if it were something easily dealt with. “It’s obvious you’re in love with each other.”
“We’ve sort of talked around the issue. Maybe she’d say yes, with the condition we wait a few years.” He shifted his weight in his chair. “I hate to say it, but I think that’s a reasonable request—given her age and my past.”
“Hmmm.” She was quiet for a moment. “Well, your past has done you no favors. As for her age, I’d suggest you ask her after she graduates in May. Let her get one big rite of passage out of the way—that might help. And you don’t have to get married for a while, but you’ll at least be engaged. It’s a nice compromise.”
He cocked his head to the side as he focused on the urgency of her request. “But what’s the hurry? I get your reasoning for getting it out there—so we can all move on—but why the engagement and why so soon?”
“Well, all mothers want to see their children happily married. I’m no exception. And believe me—getting you and Patty settled down with nice women has been something I’ve wanted for quite a while now.”
“But what’s the urgency? Why can’t this wait? You just said we bought some time today with Jennifer’s little stunt. I’ve got Helen under control. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Oh dear,” she replied with a roll of her eyes. “I suppose you’re no different than any man. You don’t think of these things.”
“What do you mean?” He curled his lip, offended by her gender stereotype.
“Do I have to explain the facts of life?” She chuckled. “As soon as you two announce your engagement, everyone is going to think she’s pregnant. The sooner we get it out there, the sooner it will become obvious she’s not. If you announce your engagement by June, you’ve got five months before Election Day. People will see in just a few months she’s not pregnant, and they’re more likely to accept you as a real couple—not some shotgun relationship. If you wait too long, it won’t be self-evident, and the question will hang over the election.”
“Oh. I didn’t even think about that.”
“Now, I gave you Grandma McEvoy’s jewelry case. We could—”
“Mom,” he said with his hands in the air to stop her. “Give me some time.”
“Oh, all right.” She pouted.
“I’m sorry. It’s just something I want to do myself.” He snickered. “I know you’re excited to marry off your wayward son.”
“Maybe,” she said, cracking a smile. “I’m allowed to be happy after all the grief you’ve put me through.”
“That’s true. So do you have any ideas on how I get out of the doghouse?”
“I suggest you grovel. It usually works.” She rose and smoothed her skirt. “I feel much better after this little talk. Have a good night.”
“Good night, Mom.”
After his mother left the room, Stephen looked out his window, and his eyes settled on the scattered spots of pink, red, white, and peach peeping through the greenery. His mother’s roses had begun their first bloom of the year. There was no conscious urge to act based on the symbolism of spring, but he jumped from his seat after seeing them. In his father’s old credenza beside his desk, he found the jewelry case. He opened it and soon spotted the frayed silk box; his great-grandmother’s diamond sat where she’d left it. He held the ring up to the light, shaking his head in distaste. I hate it.
He placed the ring back in its box, and after a few taps of his phone, he heard a low male voice say hello.
Tipping his chair back, he looked at the ring and smiled. “Hey Phillip. I’ve got a project for you.”
The following month, Anne held her mortarboard and diploma in her hands as she hugged her mother. Folsom Field was crammed with over fifty thousand people attending the University of Colorado commencement, and it had taken her some time to find her family.
Her brother was next to grab her up in a big hug. “Congratulations, sis.”
“Thanks for coming,” she said, giving him a squeeze. “I know how boring these things are.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.” He smirked and rolled his eyes. “Even if I did have to listen to Dan Langford talk about family values—whatever the fuck that is.”
“Are you turning into a Democrat?” she asked in fe
igned shock.
“Hell no.” He chuckled. “But I might not vote for him if that’s all he ever talks about. Dad was so bored he kept looking at his watch.”
She laughed and turned to her father, patiently waiting for his hug. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground.
“Congratulations, Annie. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. She wasn’t prepared for the emotion overwhelming her. “I’m sorry to have been so much trouble lately,” she whispered in his ear.
“No trouble,” he said with a kiss on the cheek. “You’re just being you, and we love you for it.”
His accepting words made the tears multiply, causing her mascara to run down her cheeks. “I love you, Dad, but now I need to get myself cleaned up.” She wiped away the wet blackness and smiled.
“Go do what you need to do.” He pointed to an empty spot along a railing. “We’ll be waiting over there.”
Once she finished in the bathroom, Anne again searched for her family among the mass of bodies moving around the stadium. She found them right where her father had indicated, engrossed in conversation with another family. As she neared them, she felt a strong pull on her arm—a very familiar pull. She looked up to see Stephen.
He immediately took her into his arms inside a throng of screeching graduates and their families. Wearing a CU T-shirt and a Denver Rockies cap, he blended perfectly into the crowd.
Anne scolded him, albeit with a big smile. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to congratulate you, so I stopped by.” He beamed and stole a quick kiss before he brushed her nose with his. “I’m only here for a minute. Trust me.”
“How I do love you.” She sighed, throwing her arms tightly around his neck.
“I love you, and I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you. And maybe this isn’t the worst place for us. You’re pretty incognito.” She tipped his baseball hat farther down on his head. “Did you listen to Langford?”
“No way.” He grimaced.