Trouble in the White House

by Brenda Hampton

  I figured I was going to have to explain Ina’s appearance at the gala, but I was too tired to do it tonight. Even so, I quickly did my best to put Raynetta at ease. I wrapped my arm around her waist again and this time held her real tight so she wouldn’t pull away. I then moved her head to my shoulder and locked her legs with mine.

  “Now you won’t be able to run away when I tell you this.” I felt her body get tense. “I no longer have feelings for Ina, and what we shared happened a long, long time ago. It is my wish that you stop being so insecure. I don’t care how beautiful or intelligent a woman is, how perfect her ass may be, how luscious her lips may look, or how addictive her eyes may appear, she still has nothing on you.”

  Raynetta playfully punched my stomach and then lifted her head off my shoulder to look at me. “So, you think she was all that, huh?”

  “She was, but you’re so much better. Besides, I’m not interested in traveling back down memory lane, and I’ll choose you any day of the week.”

  “You’d better. And what man in his right mind wouldn’t?”

  “Exactly,” I said with my eyes closed. “Lucky me. I’m so lucky that I get to lie here tonight with my beautiful wife in my arms, while so many others are in anguish, crying over the loss of their children, and knowing that their kids will never be coming home again. So, yeah, lucky me.”

  “I know, baby. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Try to get some rest, and . . .”

  I was out. The last thing I remembered was Raynetta telling me she loved me.

  President’s Mother,

  Teresa Jefferson

  The very next day, things turned from bad to worse. Stephen was notified that two white cops had killed an unarmed African American preacher, leaving behind four kids and a wife. The incident had been caught on camera, but the police chief stated on television that he wasn’t going to relieve the officers of their duties until a thorough investigation had been completed. Just as the news hit Stephen, I was on my way to the Oval Office to chat with him about his ill treatment of Ina. I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized he was not alone in the Oval Office. As I stood near the door, I eavesdropped on his conversation with the head of the Department of Justice about making sure that those officers were fired and that the FBI investigated. He also made preparations to meet with the preacher’s wife and kids.

  After hearing that, I decided to cut Stephen some slack and save our conversation about Ina for another day. There was too much going on, and all day long, people had been tiptoeing around the White House, as if they were on pins and needles. When Stephen was under pressure, it was best to stay far away from him. I hoped things would settle down soon. He seemed excited about attending the Millennials Summit next week, and the atmosphere there would do him some good, because he was all about empowering our youth.

  I got a quick bite to eat before returning to the Queens’ Bedroom. I was so tired from last night. After Stephen had booted me out of his office, I had messed around with Frank until four in the morning. When Ina had called after leaving Stephen’s office last night, our conversation was brief. She hadn’t sounded too happy about how things turned out last night, and all she’d kept stressing was that Stephen had really changed. After entering my bedroom now, I lay across the bed and reached for my cell phone to call her back.

  “Good afternoon,” I said after she answered the phone. “Are you still at the hotel?”

  “Yes, but I’m leaving tonight.”

  Her response was flat. I could sense that she was upset about something, but it wasn’t my fault that things hadn’t gone according to plan. She should’ve stepped up her game. What a waste it was, asking her to come here.

  “I’m sorry that I didn’t have more time to talk when you called last night, but I had to take care of a little itch that needed to be scratched. What exactly did Stephen say, and why are you leaving so soon?”

  “Because it was a big mistake for me to come here. During my conversation with Stephen, I got the impression that he thought I was here to break up his marriage and use him for sex. I was seconds away from telling him about Joshua, but he was so mean and bitter about what had happened in the past that I never got to it. I told him that I had chosen someone else over him. In no way did he believe that, because he knows how much I was in love with him. This weekend has been a complete disaster for me. I just want to go home, find out where Joshua is, and get back to my regular life.”

  “I regret that you’re throwing in the towel already, but that’s your choice,” I said. “And as for Joshua, I thought he was at a friend’s house?”

  “He is, but he’s not answering his cell phone. I’ve left him several messages, but he hasn’t responded. It could be that his phone needs to be charged. That’s happened before. I’m sure he’s okay.”

  “You can never be too sure, especially when it comes to kids. Don’t you have his friend’s parents’ number?”

  “I do, but I don’t have it with me. And even if I did have it, I don’t want Joshua to feel as if I’m calling there to check up on him,” she replied.

  “Well, good luck with that, okay? When Stephen spent the night anywhere, I always knew numbers, addresses, backgrounds . . . everything about the people he was with,” I informed her. “You younger mothers, as well as fathers, are too lenient for me. That’s why so many kids are getting into trouble, and it’s a damn shame what that boy did at that basketball game.”

  “I agree. It’s terrible. I’ve been watching the news all morning, and what happened is so sad. I also saw the video that shows what those cops did to that preacher. I can’t believe people are out here defending those cops’ actions. Something needs to be done, because this has been going on for a long time.”

  “Yes, it has, but I’m confident that the people in power who continue to turn a blind eye to these incidents will be forced to pay more attention and take action real soon. It’s not a good day for Stephen. Neither was last night. Whenever you get a chance, and when things calm down, you should reach out to him again. The timing may have been off. Deep down, I know he still cares for you. I can see it in his eyes.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not going to push,” Ina said. “I haven’t had much sleep, so I’m going to return Joshua’s call. He just beeped in on my phone. And then I’ll get a nap before I head back to St. Louis. Thanks again, Teresa. Joshua and I love you, and we hope to see you soon.”

  “You will, very soon. When you get home, give my love a squeezing hug.”

  “Will do.”

  After we hung up, I turned on my back and gazed at the high ceiling. My thoughts turned to Raynetta; I wondered where she was. We needed to finish up the conversation we had begun in the restroom last night. Ina might be out of the picture now, but there was still so much unfinished business between Raynetta and me. I got off the bed, grabbed my photo album, and went to find her.

  As soon as I strolled by the Lincoln Bedroom, I asked the Secret Service agent who monitored the stairs if he had seen Raynetta.

  “Yes, but it was about thirty or so minutes ago. She was on her way to the gym, but I can buzz Alex, the agent who has been covering her, to see exactly where she’s at. Give me a minute.”

  “Thank you,” I said, then waited patiently as he reached out to Alex.

  “Okay. I’ll let the president’s mother know. Thanks.” The agent looked at me, then pointed up. “She’s on the third floor, in the Solarium.”

  “Is she alone?”

  “I’m not sure. Alex didn’t say, but I can reach out to him again, if you wish.”

  “No, that’s fine. I’ll go see for myself,” I said.

  The agent told me to have a good day. I intended to do just that, especially when I stood at the entrance of the Solarium with my photo album close to my chest. Raynetta was sitting on a white lounging sofa, with a spiral notebook and a pen in her hands. The huge windows surrounding the Solarium brightened up the place, as did the numerous beautiful plants that almost touched th
e high ceilings. The Solarium was a very peaceful place to be. I assumed Raynetta wanted to get away from all the chaos on the lower levels.

  “Are you busy?” I asked, causing her head to snap up.

  “I’m always busy. May I help you with something?”

  I moseyed into the room, still holding the photo album close to my chest. “I’d like to think that we can help each other.”

  I sat on the other end of the long sofa and placed the album on my lap. I pointed to the spiral notebook in Raynetta’s hand and asked her what she was doing.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m working on a list of things I want to accomplish during Stephen’s term in the White House. I’m also reading some information regarding upcoming events. So, if you don’t mind, whatever you came to say to me, make it quick, because I’m really busy,” she said.

  Her attitude sucked. Raynetta hadn’t a clue how much I despised her. Her funky little attitude, which she’d exhibited ever since the day I met her, had a lot to do with it.

  “Yes, you are busy, so I will do my best to make this quick. Meanwhile, you don’t have to be so nasty toward me. Is it possible for us to have a pleasant conversation every now and then?”

  She was straightforward. “No, and let’s face it, Teresa. You don’t like me, and I don’t care much for you, either. I don’t know what your motive was for inviting Ina to come here last night, but whatever it was, it doesn’t seem that it paid off for you. I won’t be distracted by your ongoing shenanigans. And if you continue on, you’re going to live a long, lonely life without your son.”

  Her words made me grin. “Since when did you become a psychic and think that you could predict the future? See, that’s just one more thing that I have never liked about you, Ne-ne. You’re always talking about Stephen distancing himself from me, and for as long as I can remember, you’ve been trying to create a wedge between us. You never accepted how close we were, and less than a month into your relationship with him, you tried to convince him what a hateful person I was. You didn’t even know me, yet you passed judgment on me, as if you had known me all your life.”

  I went on. “You even threatened to leave Stephen if he didn’t cut his ties with me, and to this day, you’re still making predictions, hoping and praying that my relationship with my son diminishes. That only spells out part of the reason why we can’t get along. And what kind of mother wants a daughter-in-law who constantly lies to her son, keeps secrets from him, takes his money, in addition to money from others, to set up her own bank account, just in case things don’t work out?”

  From the weary expression on her face, I could tell I had her attention. “I don’t know—”

  I held up my hand to cut her off. “Wait a minute, please. I’m not done yet, and before you respond, I am well aware of the money that was given to you by Stephen’s number one enemy, Mr. Christopher J. McNeil to assist in bringing my son down. I know all about your meetings with him. And the last time I checked, the account you set up has over two million dollars in it, doesn’t it? Then again, there could be more, since you’ve been adding Stephen’s money to that account too.”

  Raynetta pretended as if she wasn’t nervous, but no question about it, she was. She sucked in a deep breath, then did her best to explain her actions.

  “If you were made aware of my meetings with Mr. McNeil, then I assume you know that I told him to go to hell. I made it clear that I would never betray Stephen, and in the process, I kept the money he gave me for Stephen and me to have. As his wife, there is no reason for me to steal Stephen’s money. What’s his is mine. We share everything, and he has access to my savings account as well. I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but I promise you that there aren’t any secrets between us. I have no reason to lie to him about anything. And no matter what I say or do, you will always hate me, because you are a crazy bitch who has nothing else to do with her life, so you keep interfering in mine.”

  “Yes, I’m a crazy bitch who loves her son and will do whatever to protect him,” I assured her. “You can say what you wish, but Stephen has no knowledge about that bank account. He doesn’t know about your secret meetings, and even though you decided to renege on Mr. McNeil’s offer, you still took the money. Stephen wouldn’t approve of that, and you know it. He also wouldn’t approve of you lying about your birth control pills, so you can stop pretending that you’re such an amazing, innocent wife who does no wrong. I know better, and I have known better for quite some time.”

  Raynetta closed the spiral notebook and placed it on the table. I definitely had her attention; all she could do was cross her arms and continue with her lies.

  “If you think I’m such a horrible person, why haven’t you said anything to Stephen?” she asked. “You haven’t, because you know how much I love your son. You know that he loves me too, and if your main concern is to see him happy, it would be wise for you to cease this vendetta against me and to do it now.”

  “Love? Girl, please. You haven’t a clue what that means. I’m the only person who truly loves my son. I haven’t said anything to Stephen, because I needed to let many more cards stack against you. I also wanted to give you a few choices, so let’s start talking about the real reason I’m here.”

  I scooted close to Raynetta, then opened the photo album to a page with a picture of Joshua when he was first born. I pointed to it, with a wide smile on my face. “See, that’s my real baby right there. His name is Joshua, and from the day he was born, I knew he was going to be something special.” I flipped the page to show Raynetta Joshua’s pictures from when he was age one and two. “Isn’t he adorable? Look at those cute little cheeks and to-die-for dimples. His eyes are more telling than anything, and when I tell you this child look just like his father, I mean it. He really does.”

  Raynetta jumped up from her seat and snatched the photo album from my hands. She flipped through the pages, and when she came across a few photos of Ina, she looked at me with fury in her eyes, gritting her teeth.

  “Are you telling me that this is Stephen’s son?” she hissed. “That bitch Ina has his son!”

  “Calm down. That face you’re making right now is an ugly one. I know this is upsetting to you, but yes, the bitch has his son. Stephen doesn’t know about Joshua, and he never has to know, as long as you wake the hell up and give him the family he wants. I would be thrilled too, and all this hatred I have inside of me for you just may very well go away. Your fix to these little problems you have is very simple, and lying on your back a little more often isn’t such a bad thing, is it?”

  Raynetta ignored me and continued to look at the pictures. Tears welled in her eyes as she flipped the pages. Her hands trembled and her eyes narrowed when she glared at me.

  “I don’t know how you think this is going to damage my relationship with Stephen, especially when you’re the one who hasn’t told him about his son. I plan to tell him right now, and if you think you’re going to use this against me, you’re crazier than I thought.”

  “Maybe so, but do me a favor. Reach above your head and click the lightbulb switch on. Let me know when the bulb becomes brighter. Hopefully soon. You’re not going to tell Stephen anything, because if you do, he and Ina are going to spend a lifetime together raising their son. I’ll tell him about your lack of enthusiasm for having a child. And this thing with Mr. McNeil, of all people, is going to send Stephen over the edge. We don’t want that, Raynetta. He already has enough on his plate.”

  I continued. “If you love him as you say you clearly do, what is so wrong with you having his child? I already have a grandson. Now all I need is a granddaughter. Can you imagine how beautiful she would be? Girl, Stephen would spoil her to death. Jus-just sit on this for a while. Give it some thought and let me know how you’re feeling tomorrow. Better yet, after all of this sinks in.”

  I got off the sofa, knowing that this was a win-win situation for me. When I held my hand out for the photo album, Raynetta slappe
d it in my hand. Neither of us said another word. After all, there was nothing left to be said.

  First Lady,

  Raynetta Jefferson

  This whole situation was horrible. The news about Joshua had knocked the wind out of me. I didn’t know if I should scream, cry, or beat the hell out of Teresa for trying so desperately to ruin my life. Much of what she’d said was true, but the bigger piece to all of this was that I loved Stephen. I would never do anything intentionally to cause him harm.

  When Mr. McNeil reached out to me, it was a month after we had moved into the White House. Stephen and I had been having problems. Anyone in their right mind could have sensed that we had issues, and Mr. McNeil had thought that I despised my husband. He’d wanted inside information that could damage Stephen. He’d also wanted me to do whatever I could do to make Stephen step down and thus allow Mr. McNeil’s grandson, Tyler, to become president.

  The money he’d offered me couldn’t be ignored, and even though I had never planned to follow through with anything, I’d felt as if the money would be a big help to me, just in case I decided to leave Stephen. Basically, I wanted to have a safety net. I put the money into an account; then I told Mr. McNeil to fuck off. He was angry, and he even threatened to retaliate if I didn’t return the money. I told him that I wouldn’t return one dime, and that if he continued to bother me, I would tell everyone about his plans to destroy the president. After that, he backed off and pursued other options, which ultimately led to Tyler’s demise.

  Should I have told Stephen? Yes. Did he need to know that I didn’t want any children? Absolutely. In due time I had planned to tell him both things, but our marriage was so broken, I could deal only with repairing it one day at a time. Unfortunately, Teresa had beat me to the punch. She knew it all, and this wasn’t looking good for me. My so-called fix might seem simple to her, but it wasn’t to me. Only because, baby or no baby, Teresa would always hold this over my head. She would treat me like her little puppet, and I couldn’t let her do that.