The Only Exception

by Magan Vernon

  I let out a deep breath that I didn’t know I was holding in. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  I followed him along the rose-lined path to the front door. It was framed by white columns and a balcony sat overhead. Trey rang the doorbell and chimes that sounded like “Hail to the Chief” rang from inside. I thought the song was just reserved for when the president walked into the room, but it could have been for any political figure, or the governor was just very cocky. I didn’t want to think which one it was.

  I was surprised when a woman I recognized as Trey’s mom answered the front door. I figured they would have servants for that. She looked just like she did on TV with bottle-blonde hair, a big white smile, and a meticulously cut, pink skirt suit.

  “Trey, it’s so good to see you!” She gushed and then her green eyes trailed over to me. “And this must be Monica Remy, who we’ve heard so much about.”

  I was hoping all good things, but by the tone of Trey’s conversation with his dad that morning, I doubted it.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Chapman.” I extend my hand and she took it, shaking it briefly.

  “Oh, please, call me Mindy!” she said, taking a step back and motioning us inside.

  I followed Trey into the impressive foyer with wooden floors at my feet and a large, crystal chandelier above us. To my left was a grand staircase and to the right was a formal parlor with furniture that looked like it was straight out of a nineteenth century tea room.

  Trey scanned the room. “Where’s Dad?”

  Mindy rung her hands together. “He is in the study right now, but he should be joining us for lunch then you all can talk business.” She turned toward a small hallway, her heels clicking as she walked down it. “Nadia made hummus wraps and Niçoise salad.”

  Trey took my hand and we followed Mindy down the hallway until we entered a large living room. The room was so big it could have fit an entire college lecture hall in it. Floor-to-ceiling windows stared back at me, letting in the afternoon sunlight. There were two L-shaped leather couches and two recliners that faced a huge, brick fireplace that was framed with the two built in bookshelves, full of books. Above that hung a giant flat screen TV. I mentally wondered how much governors made and then remembered from my Internet search, that his dad was some sort of a hedge fund guy before he got into politics, and his mom came from money. I gulped, wondering what they thought of Trey’s redheaded girlfriend wearing a skirt from the clearance rack at Target.

  Trey dropped our bags on one of the couches and then put his arm around my waist, pressing his lips to my ear. “Don’t let all of this intimidate you.”

  “I’ll try,” I whispered, hoping his mom didn’t see us. She didn’t look at me with disgust exactly, but I didn’t want her to think Trey was dating a big slut either by putting my arms around him or even thinking about kissing him in front of her.

  He squeezed my side and led me to the dining room, which also had floor-to-ceiling windows that faced out onto the sprawling backyard. The white dining room table was covered in a linen tablecloth with a crystal chandelier reflecting off an array of white plates and clear bowls full of salad, fruits, and some things in small bowls that looked like tar.

  “Is it just going to be the four of us for lunch?” I asked, staring down at the assortment of food that adorned the table. It looked like it was enough for an army.

  “Yes, it is, I believe.” Mindy tilted her head like I just asked her the most off-the-wall question.

  “You remember, I told you Trigg is working on the East Coast and Tripp is at Dartmouth,” Trey covered nicely, sensing my faux pas..

  “Oh, heh, right, silly me.” I took a seat next to Trey and quickly put a cloth napkin on my lap. I needed to stop talking. I was already afraid to ask which fork I was supposed to use, and I didn’t want to make an even bigger fool of myself.

  Just as Trey and Mindy sat, the governor walked in. Just his very presence took my breath away. He exuded power with his navy three-piece suit, salt and pepper crew cut, and slightly orange tan. His facial lines were drawn in what looked like a permanent scowl, but when he turned and saw Trey a smile lit up his face that looked eerily similar to Trey’s trademark, political smile.

  “Trey, my boy, glad to see you here!”

  Trey stood up, and they briskly shook hands as if they were some sort of business partners instead of father and son.

  “And this must be the lovely Miss Remy.” The governor’s dark green eyes locked on me, and I instantly sprung up from my chair, knocking it back into the large china cabinet behind me. It caused a few of the crystal dishes inside to rattle.

  I winced and put my hand out. “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you, Governor Chapman.”

  He took my hand and shook it firmly, like I expected a politician would with the large, bleached grin still on his face. “No need to be nervous, Miss Remy, and please call me Kirk.”

  I nodded my head up and down rapidly like a bobble head. “Okay.”

  He let go of my hand and then walked to the head of the table, taking his seat. I waited until he sat down before I pulled my chair back from the wall and sat down as well.

  I watched the governor meticulously pick out a hummus wrap from a plate garnished with parsley and scoop some salad onto his plate. He put everything on it counter clockwise, and Mindy never took something until after the governor had already put it on his plate.

  “Miss Remy,” the governor’s deep voice carried over the table.

  I was so lost in the trance of watching the food being served that when the governor said my name I gasped and jumped in my seat. He had to think I was a bumbling idiot. I needed to keep my cool, but I’d never been in the presence of someone that probably had a preconceived notion that I was trouble.

  I cleared my throat and made sure I was firmly in my seat before I responded. “Yes, sir?”

  “No need to be scared. I’m not going to bite.”

  I swallowed hard, nodding profusely. “Oh, I know. I’m sorry. I’m just a bit nervous. I don’t usually sit down with a governor for lunch.”

  “There is no need to be nervous. Just think of me as any other guy.”

  That was easy for him to say. He wasn’t in my shoes. I also secretly thought he knew I didn’t vote for him and was waiting to take me down like he was vetoing a bill.

  “Okay, sir, I’ll try.”

  Trey put his hand on my leg and squeezed it under the table. That didn’t do anything to help my nerves. It just made every fiber of my body aware that his hand was on my leg, and his parents were still in the room.

  “Dad, I’ve told you that Monica is also a Political Science major, and she double majors in Women’s Studies.”

  Oh great, he had to bring that up. Now the governor probably had it in his head that I was a liberal feminist who burned my bras at pro-choice rallies.

  The governor nodded, tilting his head ever so slightly. “That’s an interesting choice of a double major. What do you plan on doing with that?”

  I fiddled with the napkin on my lap, my knees shaking. I knew what my answer usually was, but I didn’t know how he would take it. So I just blurted it anyway. “I want to do something with women’s issues in a non-profit arena. Possibly lobbying for NOW or a group like that.”

  I actually knew that NOW didn’t endorse the governor and was a huge opposer of his, but I couldn’t think of a women’s organization that supported him.

  “That’s a bold choice of a career path. Have you set up any internships or job shadows?” He didn’t miss a beat. It was like he already had his questions planned before I could answer.

  I looked at Trey, hoping he would save me, but he was busy stuffing his face with one of the orange globs on his plate.

  “Oh, no, not yet. I’m just trying to get through my sophomore year before I start looking.”

  The governor seemed to take that as a good enough answer, nodding and taking a bite of something on his plate.

  The rest of the
lunch conversation focused around Trey and his classes instead of on me. I was waiting for the big punch line, for someone to bring up the fight, but no one said a word. I could barely eat just waiting for the governor to ask what the hell I was doing with his son and kick me out. But the more I didn’t eat the longer I just sat there while everyone finished their meals.

  The governor clasped his hands together. “Well, it looks like you’re done, Trey. Would you join me in the study?”

  “Sure, Dad.” He flashed his political grin and stood up, leaving his plate in front of him.

  I reached over and grabbed the empty plate. “Don’t worry I’ll get your dishes for you.”

  Mindy laughed, her soft voice carrying over the table. “Oh, honey, don’t worry about that. Nadia will get them.”

  Nadia? The same lady who made the food had to clean it up? I set Trey’s plate back down slowly.

  Trey leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “Don’t worry, we shouldn’t be too long.”

  The governor was already up from the table and standing behind his chair. “Yes, hopefully this should be quick and painless. Mindy can show you to your room in the meantime.”

  “Okay.” I slowly stood up and faced the smiling men. I didn’t know what awaited Trey in the study, but I was just as nervous about what would happen after.

  Chapter 19

  I followed Mindy up the grand staircase and down a long, beige hallway that was lined with oil paintings that definitely weren’t like the ones they sold at Goodwill. Mindy made small talk, telling me about the paintings and random details about the house that I didn’t care about, like crown molding.

  She stopped at one of the last doors on the left and opened it. The light streamed in from a set of French doors that had to have led out to one of the many balconies I saw when we drove up. In the middle of the room was a cherry wood sleigh bed with a dark green comforter that matched the dark green walls. If it wasn’t for the extensive doors and windows, the room would have felt like a dank dungeon with the dark walls and furniture. My bags were already sitting on the bed when I walked in behind Mindy. I wondered if Nadia brought them there or if another servant did. I pondered how many they actually had.

  “And just over here is your en-suite bath. There should be plenty of towels in the linen closet, and Marcella just put in some new shampoo and soap.” Mindy extended a perfectly manicured hand to the open door where I caught the glimpse of beige walls and a granite countertop.

  “Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.”

  Mindy’s lips formed a tight smile, and she took a small step toward me. “Monica. You can stop with all the niceties. We both know that you’re just as nervous to be here as we are about having you .”

  I tried not to let my eyes bug out of my head. The perfect governor’s wife was nervous?

  She looked down at the wooden floor. “We were surprised when we first learned Trey had a girlfriend. He’s not like his brothers. Trigg has been with his girlfriend for years, and it seems as if Tripp has a new girlfriend every weekend. But Trey was always the quiet one. He took more interest in his schoolwork than girls.”

  She looked up at me and I nodded, unsure of what to say. Somehow I didn’t believe Trey was the quiet type, but maybe he came out of his shell at college.

  “It was as if no girl was ever good enough. Then you came along and we get reports of him getting in fights with his fraternity brothers.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disappoint you,” I muttered.

  Mindy put her hand up. “Honey, you aren’t a disappointment to us.”

  Say what?

  “Yes, we worry about Trey and his future, but we can’t expect him to be a saint. The truth is, while Kirk was upset about the video, I was just relieved that Trey finally found someone he was so passionate about that he would go to such lengths to defend her.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I was beyond speechless. I was expecting to be reamed out for corrupting her baby boy, but the woman was actually thanking me.

  “But you probably have some homework or something to catch up on. I’ll leave you be and send Trey up when his meeting is done.”

  With that she was out of the room and left me standing there. Dumbfounded.

  ***

  I decided that since I had some downtime I would try and call my mom. At least let her know where I was.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mom. How are you doing?”

  She breathed into the phone and I heard crinkling noises in the background. “Oh I’m fine! I’m just cleaning. But I can take a break for you. How was the barn dance?”

  I sighed, plopping down on the bed. It was like lying on a cloud. It had to be the softest mattress ever. Not like my parents’ guest futon. Trey had to have thought I was some sort of pauper compared to the grandiose of the Chapman place.

  “It was okay. Trey ended up getting in a fight with some guy, so now we’re at his parent’s house to get away for awhile.” That seemed like a good enough reason. I imagined the governor had every resource on speaker phone to make the whole thing look like a set up and pay off the jerk from the dance.

  “You’re at the governor’s house?” Mom couldn’t contain the excitement in her voice. She squealed like a little girl.

  “Yes, Mom. I’m in his house. I had lunch with him and his wife, and they asked about my future career choices.”

  “Uh oh. Feminist Monny didn’t come out, did she? Did you cause a scene?”

  “Mom,” I groaned. “I’m not that bad.”

  “Mon, you know I love you and your strong headed opinions, but it never hurts to tone them down once in awhile.”

  A knock came at the door.

  “Come in,” I yelled, pulling the phone receiver away from my mouth.

  Slowly the door opened and Trey inched his way in. “Is this a bad time?”

  I shook my head and pulled the phone back toward my mouth. “Mom, Trey’s here. I’m going to have to call you back.”

  “Okay, well have fun and behave!”

  I set the phone on the bed just as soon as Trey sat next to me.

  “So, how did it go?”

  He grinned. Not his political smile, but the one he usually had right before he made a smartass comment. “Did I ever tell you how sexy you are when you’re nervous?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m serious.”

  “And so am I.” He got on all fours, crawling on the bed until he hovered over me. “The whole time we were at the table I kept thinking how cute it was when you would stumble for an answer. It’s not like the bullheaded Monica that I’m used to.”

  I leaned up, resting on my elbows, so I was just inches from his face. “Everyone gets nervous sometimes.”

  He moved his hand to the side of my face, cradling my chin in his palm before caressing my cheek with his thumb. “But you’re usually the exception. My cool as a cucumber liberal. It was nice to see your soft side.”

  “I can bring out the bullheaded side if you miss it. Especially if you don’t tell me how things went with your dad.”

  He groaned and slid back from hovering and then rolled on his back to lie beside me. “He just asked me some questions. We talked about it, and now everything is fine.”

  I turned to my side to face him. “He couldn’t have asked you those questions over the phone?”

  He sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “He said he wanted us to come here, so he could see if there was really something between us. If I really loved you, or if this was just something to pass the time.” He finally let his gaze trail to mine as he turned over, leaning on his side. “His words. Not mine.”

  “And what did he figure out...”

  He leaned in, and I could make out every freckle on the bridge of his nose. He was beyond beautiful, and he was in bed, next to me. I couldn’t stop thinking about all the things we could be doing in the bed besides talking, and the butterflies did somersaults in my stomach just thinking about it. “That this
is as real as it gets.”

  I bent forward, parting my lips ever so slightly when the clicking of heels knocked me out of our almost kiss. Trey sprang up from the bed, standing with his back to me and his hands fumbling at the front of his pants. I rolled over and sat up just before Mindy walked in.

  “Hey Mom,” Trey said, cool as a cucumber.

  “Hello, dear, I was just seeing if you wanted to give Monica a tour of the property. Your father has a conference call, and I have book club, so I didn’t want you to feel like we were completely ignoring you.”

  “That sounds great. Thanks, Mom.”

  I stood up, and Trey took my hand as we followed Mindy out of the guest room and down the grand staircase. I guess it was frowned upon for us to be in the room alone together. I hadn’t actually been with anyone in that way in quite a long time. I wasn’t a virgin, by any means. I had a few boyfriends in high school and there was a three month long relationship at college, but I wasn’t a slut either. After the incident at Taylor, I didn’t have any feelings for another guy and couldn’t think about a boyfriend, or want to be with someone in that way. But Trey brought out new feelings in all the right places, and I was getting anxious to explore them.

  Trey led me out the back patio door to a large veranda. A big pergola hung over us with different vines and plants, all meticulously kept. The back yard faced the east and the sun glimmered over the large infinity swimming pool that looked like it spilled over onto the green grass.

  “As you can see, this is the back yard.” Trey spread his arms out and walked to the side where an outdoor kitchen was set up, complete with a stainless steel grill and even a full-sized fridge. Just to the front of that was a large patio table with eight bronze colored chairs around it.

  “I think this is nicer than my whole house,” I muttered.

  Trey put his hands down. “Don’t say that.” He took a few steps back to me and put both my hands in his, looking into my eyes. “I didn’t bring you here to show off my parent’s house. You know this isn’t me. I’m not some braggart.”