When Zoë closed the door, Grace leaned back in the chair, recalling her conversation with Conner last night.
She couldn’t believe that he wanted to tell their girls about Solomon, even after she told him how Jayde had been feeling. Jayde was too unsettled, and Grace didn’t know what this news would do to her. She knew they couldn’t wait long. But making Jayde feel secure came first.
Second was her business. Her meeting with the mayor to declare her committee interests was scheduled for Friday. She already knew where she wanted to be—on Education. She had only days to prepare.
She shifted her chair to the computer. Pressing one button, she opened the Education Proposal file and sat back as the Word document filled the screen. Yes, New York had changed her. At home and in her office, she was determined to be in control.
Chapter 32
Starlight sauntered into the Bel Air Hotel as if she’d been there before. Her eyes scanned the capacious space. Spotting the silver letters for the Bel Air Club, she glided across the vestibule past women in designer dresses and men in thousand-dollar suits. She kept her face stiff, as if she were totally unimpressed. But her skin tingled with the excitement of being in the midst of Los Angeles’s elite.
Her heart hadn’t stopped pounding since she received the call from Senator Bonet. For days, she imagined where the senator could take her career.
Even though it was early evening, the light in the bar was dim, providing added privacy to the movers who shook the city. It took a moment for Starlight and the senator to spot each other. Starlight walked slowly. No need to be anxious, she thought as she took in the senator’s red Chanel suit. Her hair was fastened into a tight bun.
Starlight held out her hand as the senator stood. She wanted to gush but held back her words, letting the senator speak first.
“Starlight, it is a pleasure.”
“The pleasure is mine,” she said in the tone she’d been practicing all morning. The senator had to know immediately that she was fit for Washington.
Starlight sat first, and the senator followed.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”
“Not at all.”
Starlight smiled as the senator closed a folder in front of her. Indeed she’d kept her waiting. Ten minutes—just long enough.
A waiter approached. “May I take your order?”
Starlight looked at the cup and saucer in front of Senator Bonet. “I’ll have chai tea, please.”
The waiter nodded and left them alone.
“Thank you, Starlight, for meeting me. I know you’re quite busy.”
“As are you, Senator.” Starlight rested her arms on the table, making sure her back was straight.
The senator leaned forward, mirroring Starlight’s stance. “Then let’s get to the point. I want you to work with my daughter.”
Starlight’s eyes asked the senator to continue.
“I don’t want to go into much detail, but Summer has had a difficult time.” Senator Bonet sighed. “You would think that with my position and her father and brothers being doctors, it would be easy for her. But she’s a wanderer. We don’t understand the problem.”
You’re her problem, Starlight wanted to say, thinking how familiar the disappointed expression that the senator wore was. “How old is Summer?”
“Twenty-four.” Senator Bonet stated the number as if her daughter didn’t have much time left.
Starlight wanted to scream, hearing her mother’s voice.
“Anyway,” the senator continued, “the only time Summer says anything positive is when she talks about you. And when she came home from the conference the other day …” Senator Bonet paused, trying to finish the sentence with her hands. “There’s hope.”
“Of course, Senator Bonet. We all have to find our passion.” Starlight pulled the words from her heart. “Sometimes a person has to begin a number of paths to find the right journey. But each step has to be taken.”
“I like your passion, Starlight. Can you help my daughter?”
“I know I can.”
Senator Bonet pulled a yellow pad from her briefcase. “Let’s make some plans.”
They developed a schedule. When Starlight told the senator what she could accomplish with Summer within weeks, the senator was pleased. “I appreciate this, Starlight.”
“This is why I believe …” Starlight paused. She didn’t know if Senator Bonet was a Christian. Should she say God? “This is why I believe I was put here.” As she spoke, she made a mental note. Lexington would have to find out the senator’s beliefs so that she could sprinkle her sessions with the right words.
Senator Bonet leaned forward. “Starlight, I promise that when this works, you’ll have the keys to any doors you want opened.”
Starlight reached across the table, and shook the senator’s hand. She smiled as she wondered if the keys would fit the door to the White House. There was no stopping her now.
Chapter 33
One day twisted into the next as the Monroes returned to their schedule of school, work, tennis practice, dance practice, homework, dinner, and all the other tasks that filled their days. Conner and Grace embraced their work, working late into the night—together in their home office.
Pilar and Solomon were covered through simple sentences.
“Did you speak to Solomon today?” Grace asked every evening.
“Yes.”
“How is he?”
“Fine.”
That was all she wanted to know.
A week after they returned, as they ate Chinese take-out, Grace felt as if their lives were almost back to normal. Grace watched Jayde as she chatted with Conner about her boyfriend’s cousin.
“Donald plays Ping-Pong, Dad, so I was wondering if we could put the Ping-Pong table back in the family room.”
Grace tried not to smile. She could tell Conner was considering the request.
“And, Dad, do you think I could get a job this summer?”
Grace shook her head. She didn’t want any part of that discussion.
“Mommy, are you listening to me?”
She turned to Amber. “Of course, sweetheart. You said next year you want to play the clarinet.”
Amber nodded as she popped half an egg roll into her mouth.
Grace basked in the chatter and laughter that just a week ago she feared she would never hear again.
“So what do you think of the clarinet, Mommy?”
“That’s great, Amber.”
Her daughter grinned. “That’s what I’m gonna do. I won’t play the flute like Jayde. I’m gonna be my own woman.”
Grace laughed, letting her cheer join the giggles that already filled the room.
After dinner, Grace cleaned the kitchen, while Conner checked homework. When Grace finished her Bible study with Amber, she was surprised to find Conner in their bed, already settled with papers covering his lap.
“You’re working,” she said.
“I can go into the office so the light won’t bother you.”
She kissed him. “No, this is perfect. I want to review my proposal for the mayor.” She sat and leaned against Conner.
He lifted his hands to her shoulders and began to loosen the tightness that rested there. She moaned under his touch.
“Maybe neither of us should work.” His lips grazed her ear.
She smiled at his invitation. “I wish. But we have too much to do.”
He tapped her behind as she stood and went into her closet. When she came out, she posed at the door, wearing one of his pajama tops, a black and white checkered shirt that brushed the top of her thighs. With her hands on her hips, she sauntered toward the bed.
“How am I supposed to work now?”
She laughed and leaned over, but a second before their lips met, the phone rang. They stared at the telephone before Conner grabbed it.
Grace looked at the clock. It was after ten. Not too late if the call was from California. But if it were from New York
, it was late enough for bad news.
Conner spoke succinctly, answering, then questioning.
Her stomach twisted as she paced. She resisted the urge to run to the extension in the hall. She stood still when Conner began taking notes.
Conner blew air through his cheeks when he finally hung up. “Pilar’s in Jamaica Hospital.”
Fear would not allow Grace to move.
“Solomon is with neighbors. That was his friend Benji’s mother.”
Grace swallowed. She didn’t need to ask what was wrong. Symptoms didn’t matter. “What are the doctors saying?”
He shook his head. “Mrs. Downs didn’t know anything, but she gave me the doctor’s name. I’ll call in the morning.”
The boulder that held Grace in place lifted, allowing her to take steps back to the bed. She let the silence settle as she sat. She wasn’t going to say it first.
“Grace.” Before Conner said another word, tears burned her eyes. He continued, “I don’t know … when … but Solomon … I think …”
“There’s no more time.” The words creaked past her lips.
“We have to tell everyone. And the girls have to be told first.”
Her chin fell to her chest. “They’re not ready.” But the conviction she’d spoken with days before was gone.
He knelt beside her and lifted her chin. “I promise the girls will be all right.”
She nodded, needing to believe him, knowing she didn’t.
He pulled her from the bed, and they held each other. When Grace looked at the clock, it was almost eleven, and she wondered who had stolen their time. She broke their embrace, and Conner helped her into bed, covering her, settling her like she was his child. When he slipped into bed, he put his arms around her, holding her like she was his wife.
She could feel the tears on his heart; he wiped the tears on her face.
“Conner,” she said, through her sobs. “I think we need to pray for the children … tonight.”
Still lying down, they held hands and he prayed. Then together they said a prayer for Pilar.
Chapter 34
Grace entered the mayor’s outer office and was surprised that Marie, the mayor’s assistant, was not at her desk, although the opened folders and coffee mug with steam still rising told Grace she would be back.
She took a seat in one of the burgundy-cushioned wingback chairs and eased her briefcase onto the table while she balanced her Styrofoam cup in one hand. Settled, she took a sip and frowned as the hot liquid slid over her tongue. She’d asked for extra espresso in her cappuccino, but now she hoped she could swallow the drink.
She closed her eyes. How was she supposed to make it through this day when there was no sleep behind her and she dreaded the hours ahead?
This morning, she was ready to draw back on her agreement with Conner, wanting to wait to speak with the girls until they knew more about Pilar. But she changed her mind when she saw his expression when he came down the stairs.
“The doctors didn’t say much,” he had whispered as they stood at the door to the garage. He kissed her. “I’ll call you.”
She had nodded and kept her doubts about their girls inside.
When she turned back to the kitchen, Jayde was standing there watching, and Grace wondered what she’d heard.
“You’re the early bird.”
Grace didn’t open her eyes. Even when she whispered, Sara Spears’s voice was as grating as fingernails scraping a trail against a chalkboard.
“How’re you, Councilwoman?”
Grace opened her eyes and stared at the leader of the Anti Christian Coalition. “What do you want, Sara?”
She sat on the edge of the chair next to Grace. “I want an interview.”
Grace smirked.
“For City Talk, my new cable show.”
Grace shook her head. She opened her mouth to give an explanation, then simply said, “No.”
“Come on, Ms. Monroe. Surely you wouldn’t mind defending your views.”
“Sara,” she said, drawing out her name as if it had four syllables. “No.”
Sara shrugged and stood.
“Besides bugging me, what are you doing here?” Grace wasn’t sure why she asked the question. With her column in the Times and now her cable show, Grace was sure that Sara was always sniffing the halls for a story.
“I’m here to watch you, Grace. Make sure that you’re not appointed to any important committees.”
Grace rolled her eyes as Sara laughed, then disappeared into the hallway. She waited until she could no longer hear Sara’s chuckles, then pulled her proposal from her briefcase. She didn’t know why Sara thought she had that much power. She was nothing more than a horse’s behind. No one took her too seriously.
Still, Sara’s words made Grace want to review her proposal. Sara did have a few allies and Grace wanted to be prepared in case the mayor was one of them.
Ambivalent was the way to describe Grace’s feelings toward Mayor Haley. The second-term mayor supported some of her views—he had a major commitment to public education—but he opposed many of the issues she believed in, like affirmative action and prayer in schools.
“Grace, how nice to see you again.” The silver-haired, six-foot five ex-college basketball star gave her a two-palm handshake. Mayor Haley reminded her of Rhett Butler. But unlike Butler, Haley had more style than substance. “Have a seat.”
City Hall may have been sixty years old, but the mayor’s office appeared as if it had been decorated last week with designers hired straight from Architectural Digest. Grace wondered who paid for the mayor’s taste.
“Been looking forward to this meeting, Councilwoman. You’re a great addition to our city’s government.”
Grace smiled. “I’m glad you feel that way, Mayor. I’d like you to look over this.” She slid the plastic-covered folder across the oversized desk.
He stared at the papers, but only for a moment before he looked up. She was surprised by the puzzled frown he wore.
“Mayor, I’m sure you’re aware that I want to be appointed to the Education Committee, and with my experience, as well as my commitment to public education, I believe I can help make a difference in the public schools.”
The mayor leaned back in his chair and tapped the tips of his fingers together, squinting his eyes as if he were deep in thought.
“Grace, I didn’t know you were interested in the Education Committee.”
Liar! She widened her smile. “That was the major issue of my campaign.”
“Still, your older child attends a private school. I didn’t think your interest in public education was … well, I’ll just say it. Real.”
She wondered how the media would spin the story if she just reached across the desk and punched him. “Mayor, during my campaign, I explained that the only reason my older daughter is in private school is that the high school in our district hasn’t ranked well in the national standings. My younger child is in public school, and it is my intention to keep her there—by making sure she receives the same level of education and support that she would receive if she were in private school.”
The mayor nodded. “I understand, but, Grace, I’m not sure the people of Los Angeles will.”
“They understood enough to vote for me.”
“In your district. But I represent the entire city, and I have to make decisions that will benefit all.”
“I’m looking to improve the school system for every child, Mayor. No one in this city is more committed to our school system than I am.” She paused. “And anyone who has studied my record—without prejudice—knows that.”
She stared at him, daring him to say that he wasn’t biased when it came to her. He stared back, challenging her to bring up the real issue: school prayer. It was no secret that Mayor Haley was trying to block the school prayer public hearings led by U.S. Senator Sanford, one of the most powerful Republican figures in the country, from coming to Los Angeles. He had often said that this issu
e was the quintessential example of how the church should be separated from the state.
Finally, he said, “I’ve given a lot of thought to where each of the new council members would do the most good. With this being my last term, I want to make a positive impact.”
“We have the same objective.”
He nodded. “Then we agree. With your background and expertise, you’ll do much better on the Budget Committee.” He spoke as if she’d just been given a prize.
“With respect, Mayor, I don’t see how I bring anything to the Budget Committee when I served ten years on the school board. During that time …”
He held up his hand. “I know your record, Grace, and that’s why I’m pleased that you’re part of my team.” He paused long enough to toss her a Hollywood smile. “But the committees have been set up.”
“It doesn’t make sense.”
“I’ll review the appointments next year, and maybe then …” He waved his hand as if the motion finished his thought.
The intercom buzzed.
“Excuse me.” He lifted the handset, and Grace allowed her eyes to roam the walls of the large room, lined with photos of mayors emeritus. She’d studied most of them, knowing their politics and what they’d done for the city. She wondered if there was even one who chose the people before politics.
A few seconds later, Mayor Haley hung up and stood. “Grace, I apologize. My next appointment is waiting.”
She raised her wrist and took a long glance at her watch.
“I know we didn’t have much time,” the mayor said as he walked around his desk, moving to within inches of her. “But we’re finished, aren’t we?”
She looked up at him, straining her neck to take in his full height. She stood. “Thank you for your time, Mayor Haley.” She shook his hand.
His smile showed all of his teeth, and he pressed her hand between both of his. “My pleasure, Grace. And, let’s revisit this next year.”
Grace turned and took one final look around. At least on the Budget Committee, she’d find out who paid for this furniture. He might regret his decision.
Truth Be Told Page 23