They walked several blocks, hand in hand, before Devry interrupted their silence. “That observation that Solomon made was a good one. Maybe one day, he and I can go into practice together.”
Grace laughed and hoped that in the days ahead, she’d find a way to keep laughing.
It was almost noon when Grace stepped into her office, still smiling from her morning with Devry.
“The press conference is scheduled for tomorrow.” Zoë’s announcement made the smile fade from Grace’s lips. “But I have a better idea,” Zoë said. “My contact at Channel 2 wants an exclusive. You wouldn’t have to do the conference, and Channel 2 would feed the other channels after they air the interview.”
“Why would they want an exclusive? What did you tell them?”
“Just that you had a personal announcement.”
Grace shook her head as if she doubted Zoë’s words.
“Grace, you’re not just a councilwoman. You’re a Christian councilwoman. For now, everything you say is news.”
“Yeah, so they can attack me,” Grace said, seeing Sara in her mind. She sat behind her desk. An interview would be better than facing reporters who would be eager to put their own spin on the story. It was tempting.
“The interview is the better way to go,” Zoë encouraged.
Grace remained silent.
“You and Conner could do it together, like Bill and Hillary’s Sixty Minutes interview in ninety-two.”
Grace imagined Conner and her sitting shoulder to shoulder, mighty in their offense against her assailants. “Can I review the questions ahead of time?”
Zoë shook her head. “Channel 2 doesn’t do that.”
“So my choices are a full interview …”
“Under friendly fire,” Zoë interjected.
“Or a three-minute statement where I speak and then walk away. No questions.”
“But the reporters won’t make it easy. They’ll be shouting questions. It’ll be difficult not to address some of them.”
Grace debated the options. “I’ll keep it my way.”
Zoë twisted her lips. “I don’t agree, Grace. With an interview, the audience will be more sympathetic. They’ll feel as if they know you, and they’ll be able to relate to your pain. Then after the interview, I’ll really be able to work it. And,” Zoë paused as if she were about to make a major declaration, “it would keep Sara Spears away.”
More temptation. Grace wasn’t excited about facing her adversary, who would be slithering somewhere around the front row. “You make a good case, but the thing is, I’m not looking for sympathy. I don’t want to do this at all because no one belongs in my business. I’m going to make it clear that I’m being forced into this by the media.”
“You could do that in an interview.”
Grace shook her head. “I’m going to make this statement alone. Not with Conner, not with the kids. Just me facing the people who voted for me.” She paused. “And I want to look like the reluctant participant being bullied by the big bad media.”
With a final nod, Zoë said, “Okay. The press conference stands. I’ll prepare the statement. Do you want to give it to anyone ahead of time?”
Grace shook her head.
“It’s scheduled for two.”
Grace nodded as she thought about what awaited her. She wished she could do the conference earlier; she didn’t want Sara preempting her, leaking whatever she knew. But she’d just have to leave this in God’s hands.
Grace pulled a folder from her briefcase. “Here’s the education plan.”
“I’ll summarize it and include a bit in the statement.”
“Good. That’ll show people where the focus should be: on the public schools and not in my home.”
“Now I have something for you. Here are some résumés.” Zoë slipped the bios one by one across the desk. As Zoë reviewed the names, Grace tried to concentrate on her chief of staff ’s words. But her mind raced with images of Pilar, Solomon, and Sara. It was going to be a long afternoon.
Chapter 45
There were times when Lexington’s leer annoyed her, but tonight Starlight loved his gaze. She stretched her naked body, making it longer.
“You really are beautiful, Starlight.” His words came from deep inside his throat.
“Get naked with me.”
It took seconds for him to dispose of the starched shirt and navy suit. And with the smoothness of a sixteen-year-old, he lay atop of her. Starlight didn’t direct him the way she usually did. Tonight, it wasn’t his sophomoric moves that were going to please her. She lay moaning, wanting to edge him toward his peak. She wanted his quickness. She just hoped she could hold on.
She reached for the telephone. It took a moment for Lexington to notice.
The grimace on his face was between a frown and simper of arousal. “What are you doing?” His hands continued to fondle her.
“I have to make a call.”
“Now?”
“Now,” she said pushing his head so his lips would meet her chest.
He paused for only a moment before he returned his attention to her body. He moved with new urgency, excited about this twist Starlight brought to their union.
The telephone number was programmed into her phone in anticipation of this moment. She pressed the button, and as Lexington traced his tongue along her neck, she muttered an awkward prayer that her call would be answered.
She closed her eyes when she heard, “Hello.”
“May I speak to Pastor Walsh?” she breathed.
“Speaking.”
His voice was deep and rich, and she pulled an image of his face into her consciousness. “Pastor Walsh, this is Starlight,” she said positioning Lexington on top of her. She wanted to be ready. “Pastor Carey asked me to call you.”
“Ah, Starlight. How are you feeling this evening?”
She placed two fingers into Lexington’s mouth, sighing as he sucked. “Just fine, Pastor.”
“Starlight, I understand you had quite a successful program with Pastor Carey, and I wanted to discuss what you could do for me.”
She closed her eyes as Lexington’s tongue traced the curve of her waist.
Pastor Walsh said, “When would be good for you, Starlight?”
She opened her mouth. Now, she mouthed to Lexington. Now. She rolled over and straddled him, looking into his eyes as she said, “Pastor, any time would be good.” She wondered if he could hear the quivering in her voice. She moved slowly, closing her eyes with her motion.
Sweat trickled from Lexington’s forehead, and he moaned.
Pastor Walsh said, “I have some time tomorrow. Can you come to the church?”
She moved faster and almost laughed at his words. “I certainly can come … to your church, Pastor.” She folded her bottom lip under her teeth trying to hold back the utterances fighting to break from inside.
“Starlight, are you all right?”
“Oh, yes, Pastor.”
Lexington moaned louder.
“Not yet,” she slipped.
“Excuse me?”
“I mean, we haven’t set a time yet. What time tomorrow … do you want me to come?” she squeaked.
She could tell by the pastor’s pause that he was trying to figure out what was happening on her end of the phone. She wondered what he would think. Would it turn him on?
“Ah, Starlight, why don’t we try two?”
“I’ll be there.” She put her hand over Lexington’s mouth as his eyes rolled back. “Good night, Pastor Walsh.”
She clicked off the phone, and tossed it behind her. Moments later, the room echoed with sounds of their ecstasy. When she collapsed onto Lexington’s chest, she wondered what she would do when she ran out of ideas. Maybe I’ll try a pastor, she thought.
She sat up and looked down at Lexington. And before he could open his mouth, Starlight said, “I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.”
Lexington balanced two mugs on a tray and closed th
e door with his foot.
“I think we scared Carletta this time.” He chuckled. “You should have seen her. She was hovering at her door, doing her best not to peek into the hall.”
Starlight waved her hand as she took her cup of tea. “She’s heard us before.”
He sat on the bed and let his robe slip from his arms. “She might have heard sex before, but tonight we made love.”
She moved the cup to her lips and gazed at him over the rim.
“Don’t you feel it, Starlight?” His fingertips traced a line along her face. “We’re great together.”
Outside she smiled. Inside she groaned and prayed that he wasn’t going to start talking about marriage again.
“We’re soulmates, Starlight. How much better could we be … really together?”
Why did he want to get married? But she let her smile convince him that her desires were the same.
“We shouldn’t put our focus on too many projects,” she said. His smile turned down, and she placed her mug on the night stand. “Let’s get through the Revival.” She put her arms around his neck and pressed her naked torso against his. “I wouldn’t want anything to interfere with our wedding plans,” she said before she kissed him.
His smile returned. “After the Revival.”
She lounged back on the bed, picked up her cup, and wondered how much longer he was going to accept her excuses.
“Speaking of the Revival, I have some information.” His tone was light and Starlight sighed, relieved. “We won’t be able to get ten thousand into the arena. It only holds eight.”
“Do you really think we can sell ten thousand tickets?”
He nodded. “We’ve sold six thousand tickets in the first week, and we still have four weeks to go.”
She clasped her hands trying to hold her excitement within. “So we need to find a way to get two thousand more people in there.”
“I don’t know how.”
She stood and paced in front of him. “There’s got to be a way.”
He stared at her nakedness.
She stopped moving. “Lexington. Look at me.”
He cleared his throat before he lifted his eyes, meeting hers. “I don’t know how we can get more in there unless we put chairs in the aisles on the balcony. But the city inspectors …”
She held up her finger, stopping him. “There’s room for extra chairs?”
He closed his eyes as if the memory of the space was behind his eyelids. “On the balcony. But the inspectors won’t allow it.”
“How many extra chairs? What does it look like? What about downstairs?”
“I’ll do some more work on this.”
“Find a way to get another two thousand people in there.” Before he could protest, she straddled his lap. “Come on, Lexi.” She planted short kisses over his face. “You can make anything happen.” She moved her lips to his. “After the Revival’s a success, it’s all about us.”
“I love you, Starlight.”
She smiled. When his eyes told her he wanted to hear the same, she kissed him.
Lexington’s fingers teased her skin, and goose bumps rose all over her. But the excitement she felt had nothing to do with him. It was about the biggest event of her life. The Revival was sure to change her forever.
Chapter 46
Grace moved in front of the window, though she kept her eyes outside on the steps leading into city hall. She didn’t expect to see any reporters. Most would park underground, then take the elevators to the press room.
She wondered if it would have been better to have the conference outside on Sixth Street. The city sounds of passing buses and honking cars would have been allies, drowning out her reluctant words.
There was a quick knock on the door, and Zoë walked in with a cup in her hand. “I thought you’d want some coffee.” Grace nodded and took the mug. “We have five minutes.”
“How many people are there?”
Zoë shrugged. “The room was half-full. But Sara Spears is there. Camping in her front-row seat.”
Grace’s sigh wasn’t one of surprise. What was surprising was that when she’d searched the newspapers this morning, there was nothing about her pending announcement. Still, over coffee, she and Conner had pondered just what Sara knew. It had been four days since she’d called, and her silence was more ominous than when she was prancing in public.
Her cell phone rang, and she took it from her purse.
“Sweetheart, it’s me. How’re you?”
She inhaled. “Okay. It starts in a few minutes.”
“I wish I was there. I could have waited out of sight.”
“With reporters, there is no such thing.” Grace chuckled. “If I’m asking them to keep my family out of the news, we can’t give them a picture of us leaving this place.”
Zoë tapped her finger against her watch.
“Conner, I have to go.”
“I’ll be praying. Call me.” A short pause. “I love you.”
He hung up before she could respond, and Grace took a final sip of her coffee. Zoë took her hand. They bowed their heads and prayed. When they finished, Zoë said, “You’re going to be terrific, like always.”
Grace smiled her appreciation, then walked through the connecting door to the press room. The murmurs silenced when she entered.
Zoë took a front-row seat as Grace positioned the microphone. She raised her head and looked into the crowd that eyed her with curious expectation.
She recognized many of the reporters—most had followed her campaign. Several of her fellow council members filled the last row, though she knew it was curiosity rather than support that had brought them.
Grace glanced at the front row. On her right, Zoë sat, sitting straight and filled with confidence. Then her eyes moved to the left and met Sara Spears’s.
Grace cleared her throat. “Thank you for joining me. There are two issues I want to cover. One is on a personal level, and the other is professional. I will begin with the professional.”
After much discussion, Grace and Zoë had decided to make the announcement about Conner and Solomon last, making it easier to escape uninvited questions.
“As you know, my major goal during my freshman term is to work on our schools. There are many programs that I want to implement, including developing an initiative for the governor focusing on bringing prayer back into the classroom and special abstinence and drug education programs.
“However, due to the fact that I am newly elected, I will not be able to sit on the Education Committee.” She paused and looked at Sara. Though a smile spread across her face, Sara folded her arms. “Still, I will forge forward with the programs that are important to me. To that end, I have established the Education Improvement Foundation.”
Grace explained the foundation, which was yet to be formed but would implement her ideas—away from the political arena. When she glanced up, Grace noticed that some of the reporters’ pens moved across their pads, keeping up with her words. But most were leaning back in the fold-up chairs, waiting for the second part of this conference—the part that was clearly more newsworthy.
“I will keep you abreast of the foundation’s activities.”
She paused and shifted the papers she held in her hand—her segue to the dreaded part two of this conference.
“Before I make my second announcement, I’d like to say that I am speaking reluctantly. I believe that my personal life should be private. However, due to pressure from various media …” She paused again, and stared, holding Sara hostage.
This time, Sara shifted in her seat. Grace wanted to cheer. Her adversary was squirming, and she wanted to hold onto the moment.
Grace continued, “I am coming forward so that the truth is told. I ask that after I make my statement, My family be left alone.”
When she looked up again, the reporters were moving to the edges of their seats.
She took a deep breath. “Recently my husband and I were informed that he is the fa
ther of another child—a son, who until this point has lived in New York.” She spoke as if the sentence were one word. She continued through the surprised sighs.
“His son is part of our family, and we will provide for him in every way: emotionally, spiritually, and financially.”
The murmurings became louder.
“Of course, this will in no way affect my position as councilwoman. Professionally, I serve. Privately, please allow my family to work through this away from the public eye. Thank you very much.”
With her final word, a gentle roar began, growing louder with each second until the shouting was full blast. Reporters’ words rolled over each other as they hurled questions at her.
Zoë rushed to her side, eager to escort her away from the reporters. Over the rumbling, one voice waxed above the others.
“Councilwoman Monroe, do you believe it would be right for you to maintain your position, especially as a Christian, when it is obvious there is a lack of morals in your home?” Grace stopped at the sound of the scratchy voice. “And is it true that you’ve had a number of extramarital affairs yet you ran under a Christian platform?”
Grace turned around and glared at Sara.
“Come on,” Zoë whispered.
The rumbles had died to scattered whispers, and the intense stares burned through her as the reporters waited for her response.
“Let’s get out of here,” Zoë said. Her voice had deepened two octaves.
Grace shook her head. She couldn’t leave now and allow Sara’s questions to hang in the air.
“If you answer one question, you’ll be open to others,” Zoë warned.
Grace took a deep breath and followed Zoë from the room. But before they closed the door, one last question made its way to her ears. “Is this the reason you and your husband are getting a divorce?”
Grace leaned against the closed door. She looked at Zoë, who stood, shaking her head. But her chief of staff would never say I told you so.
Grace said it for her. “Channel 2 would have been better.” She paused. “Do you think we can fix this?”
Her smile was as fake as the Persian rugs sold on street corners. “Of course.”
Truth Be Told Page 29