by Carsen Taite
“Would you believe me if I told you I had nothing better to do?”
“Yes.” He gave her a hug. “Have a nice day working your brains out. See you Friday.”
Julia turned to Cindy. “And you, don’t you have somewhere else to be?”
“I don’t go home until you do.”
“Well, that’s probably a bad rule since I’m not going anywhere for a while.”
“Don’t you have plans?”
“Plans? Oh, you mean for tomorrow? No.”
“There are a few of us who get together. Holiday orphans. Nothing fancy, but it’s fun. You’re welcome to join us if you want.”
Julia was taken off guard. “Uh, thanks, I appreciate the offer, but…”
Cindy pressed a piece of paper into her hand. “No pressure. Here’s the address. It’s fun. You could use some fun. And it’s only for a day. Think about it. Now, let’s get these files back to your office. I assume that’s where you’re headed.”
Julia stood still for a moment, watching as Cindy gathered the files and led the way. She appreciated the kindness and was sorry she’d fumbled at the offering, but she wasn’t going to change her ways. Tomorrow would be a day just like any other. At most, she’d have a turkey sandwich. When they reached her office, she sent Cindy home.
Contemplating the files on her desk, she wondered what Addison was doing for the holiday. She’d mentioned her family, that her brother might be on leave. She searched her mind to remember everything she’d learned about Addison’s personal life. Addison’s mother was dead. Her father lived in Dallas. One phone call to the DOD and she could find out if Jack had returned home. She had that kind of access, but why should she be concerned about a woman who wasn’t concerned about her?
Because Addison’s assessment of her had stung. Disappointing. She could deal with anger, frustration, just about anything other than disappointment. Especially since Addison’s disappointment meant they were done. They’d parted after Julia drove her back to her house with barely any good-bye, definitely not a see you later.
“Are you trying to show everyone up by working through the holiday?”
Julia looked up at Noah who was standing in her doorway, his broad frame filling the space. The bonus of working here on the second floor was not having to deal with him very often. She’d never get what Garrett saw in the guy, but they’d been friends since childhood and in the eyes of many, Noah had earned the coveted spot at the right hand of the most powerful man in the world.
“I could say the same to you. Don’t you have a family?”
“Mona took the kids to her parents in the country. I may fly out for the day tomorrow. Haven’t decided yet. I’m sure I can find something to do here in the city.” He winked as he delivered the words, and she was reminded of the rumors she’d heard about his penchant for getting some on the side. Of course, in D.C. a philandering nature wasn’t a bar to power, and as chief of staff, Noah was practically guaranteed the second most powerful spot for the next four years.
All she had was the project on her desk. When that was done, she was technically unemployed. Sure, she’d had dozens of inquiries after the election. Everyone with a seat up for election in the midterms was already vying for her services, and they’d all be willing to pay top dollar.
She didn’t need the money, and after successfully helping Garrett get elected, she wasn’t in the mood to take on a House or Senate race despite the fact that picking the right candidate might put her in line to run another presidential campaign four years from now. Two years, four years, six. She’d spent her entire adult life measured in these increments, the project in front of her the only deviation. For the first time, she realized she was tired.
“I heard you royally pissed off Connie Armstrong.”
She looked at Noah, having completely forgotten he was still there. “I suppose I did. Nothing personal.”
“Everything’s personal. She’s always had a rocky relationship with Wes. You should check with me for pointers next time you have to deal with her.”
Never going to happen. But Julia wasn’t in the mood for a fight. She only wanted to finish her work, go home, and be alone with a glass of whiskey. She smiled sweetly and lied. “I’ll do that. Thanks. I thought the president went to Camp David. Why are you still roaming the building?”
“I have a few meetings set up for this evening.”
“About the nomination?”
He shifted. “Uh, no. No. Just some housekeeping details about the inauguration.”
He was lying and Julia wondered why. The inauguration committee wouldn’t be working late on the night before Thanksgiving. She was curious, but not enough to keep him here any longer. The sooner he left, the sooner she could finish and leave too. “Well, don’t let me keep you. Have a good Thanksgiving.”
When he was finally gone, she tried to focus on the files in front of her, but the words swam on the page. She was tired and frustrated and she didn’t need to be here to feel this way. She packed her briefcase and called for a car. She could be tired and frustrated at home.
*
Addison was already reaching for her phone when the plane screamed to a stop on the runway. She sent a quick text to her father to let him know she was on the ground and she’d be at the house soon. He’d wanted to pick her up, but since the only flight she could get was on Thursday morning, she’d insisted on using a car service. He was likely in the middle of trying to prepare all their holiday favorites, insisting that just because their mother was gone, they didn’t need to change the way they celebrated the holidays.
Truth was she hadn’t been home since the year after her mother died, three years ago. Offering excuses about work, she’d managed to avoid the emptiness that no amount of turkey and dressing could fill. She and her father had never been particularly close. An ambitious man, he expected the same of his children. Jack’s career as a Delta Force officer, now commander, had him bursting with pride, but she could never quite get it right. When she’d left her partnership at a prominent law firm to teach, he’d been astounded.
“You’ve got to be kidding me. With your experience, you could be anything, but you’re going to throw it all away on a gig at a liberal law school? Your mother and I had higher hopes.”
Her mother was alive when he’d made the pronouncement, but only barely. Addison wasn’t sure what infuriated her more, the fact that he’d written her off or that he presumed to speak for her mother. Mom would have been proud of her if she’d been a ditch digger, as long as she was happy. She knew her mother had loved her father very much, but she’d never understand how she’d been able to see past his conservative view of the world. Making money is good. Making a difference is okay as long as you’re making money doing it. Money equals success.
She loved him because he was her father, but she’d never understand him, and she wasn’t coming home for him. She was coming home because for the first time since her mother died, Jack would be there, and even though she barely saw her brother anymore, his company was the closest thing to home she had anymore. And right now she needed to be grounded.
Addison walked off the plane and headed to the ground transportation area, bypassing baggage claim. She was only here for two days and had packed lightly. Once at the doors, she looked around for the various drivers gathered there, holding signs with the names of their fares. A tap on her shoulder surprised her, and she whirled around to face an even bigger surprise.
“Jack!”
“Addy!”
Before she could remind him no one called her that anymore, he had her in his arms, swinging her through the air.
“Put me down.” She whispered the words into his ear in a fierce, but loving tone.
He shook her in the air one last time and then set her down gently. “It’s great to see you.”
She hugged him hard. “It’s great to see you too.” She leaned back to give him the once-over. He was slimmer than she remembered, but still ruggedly handsome.
“You’re thin. They feeding you over there?”
“They feed us plenty, but heat and hard work make it go fast. Quit worrying.”
“Somebody has to now that—” She stopped, letting the word drop. Jack squeezed her arm.
“I know. I miss her too.”
They both stood silent for a moment before Jack said, “Speaking of parents, Dad’s going to be so happy you made it.”
“Uh-huh.” Addison wasn’t at all sure how she and her father would get along now that her mother wasn’t there to referee, but she opted not to push the point.
“Did you check a bag?”
“No.” She glanced around. “I ordered a car, but it doesn’t appear to be here yet.”
He reached down to his bag and picked up a small white board with her name on it that was resting on top. “I high-jacked him. He’s over there.” He pointed to a suited driver with a cap. Mind if I tag along?”
“Pretty sure you planned it that way.”
Once they were seated in the car and headed to Southlake, the suburb where she’d grown up, she reconsidered her remark. “I thought you were getting in yesterday.”
“Me too, but you know how it is.”
“Right. You could tell me, but then you’d have to kill me?”
“Exactly.”
Seriously, is everything okay?”
“It’s as okay as it can be.”
Addison heard the words for what they were. Jack took his career seriously, and he would never divulge information about the dangerous missions he and his team faced in the ongoing war, but she could tell something was up. She wouldn’t pry. “I think about you all the time. I can’t wait until you can come home.”
“Me too.”
The admission was huge, but Addison didn’t make a big deal about it to keep him from clamming up. “How’s Dad?”
“Do you think it’s strange that I know more about how he’s doing than you do and I’m seven thousand miles away?”
“Not in the least.”
He gave her a knowing look. “He’s good. He’s functioning really well, but holidays are hardest. It means a lot to him that you’re here.”
“I’m sorry I’m not more available. I know my job doesn’t seem like a big deal to him, but it’s more challenging than working at the firm ever was. More challenging than even the solicitor general’s office.”
“You still love it?”
She hesitated. She did love it, or at least the thought of it, but she’d had more fun when she was teaching than she did now pushing paper, crunching numbers, and resolving disputes. “I wish I had more time to teach, but yes, I still love it.”
“That’s all that really matters. Anyone special in your life?”
Same question Jeff had asked when she’d seen him at the funeral. She cringed for the second time. “How about you?”
“Nice dodge. No, it’s hard to find that special someone when you spend all your time surrounded by a bunch of burly guys who don’t bother shaving most of the time.”
“No G.I. Janes yet?”
“Not yet. Someday though. Things are changing.”
“No more don’t ask, don’t tell.”
“I’m glad folks can start living their lives out in the open, but the guys in our unit are still pretty uptight about it. I’m not sure anyone could take the hazing that would come with an outing.”
Addison nodded, sure that was true. All the more reason civil rights were important. Judges like Landry would let the court backslide, she was sure of it.
“I was sorry to hear about Justice Weir. I know you were close.”
“Thanks. He was a giant and he’ll be missed.” She started to tell him about Julia, but what was the point? She wasn’t going to see Julia again, and she definitely would have no part in the appointment process. Garrett would appoint Landry, the nomination would sail through, and life would go on. What was important to her and the lessons she taught generally escaped the notice of the everyday person. People didn’t usually care about rights changing until it affected them personally, and by then it was too late. Connie had called her before she left for Dallas, but she hadn’t returned the call.
She decided to focus on the issues in front of her. “So, Dad’s really cooking dinner? Should I have eaten something on the plane?”
“Oh, like you’re one to talk.”
True. Her mother had been amazing in the kitchen, but she’d never been interested in anything even slightly domestic, preferring instead to keep her head buried in history books. Her father had been her biggest champion, saying she didn’t need to learn those things—when she was president, she could get someone to do them for her. What neither one of them counted on was Addison having no desire to run for political office, and even if she did, it wouldn’t have been for the party her father preferred.
In her teen years, she’d become increasingly liberal, which put her at odds with her father on just about every issue discussed at the dinner table. Her mother had served as de facto referee until Addison left for college at sixteen. Future discussions of ambition were confined to Jack’s career, and Addison was content to let him have the spotlight since it relieved her of the pressure to live up to her father’s standards.
As they pulled up to the house, she said a little prayer for peace. After the tumult of the last week, she just wanted to relax, enjoy time with her brother, and avoid conflict.
John Riley stood in the doorway with a spatula in one hand and flour in his hair. “Boy, am I glad to see you two. I’ll get your luggage. Please just go in the kitchen and see what can be salvaged.”
Addison looked at Jack. “This seems like a job for Special Forces. Don’t you people make whole meals out of things you find in the forest?”
“Very funny, sis. I’m happy to let you help Dad do the heavy lifting while I check the oven.” He shot her a grin as he headed off to the kitchen, and she quickly realized she’d just lost her buffer.
Her dad had one bag and she grabbed the other. “Where do you want us?”
“Any reason your old rooms won’t do?”
“Not a one.”
She followed him up the stairs to the second story. The wall along the stairway was lined with a lifetime of memories. Birthday parties, graduations, Jack in dress uniform. And her mother, present for every celebration, the backbone of the family. Gone forever, gone too soon.
“I miss her every day.”
Addison looked up and met her father’s eyes. As much as she missed her mother, he’d had the greater loss. She’d never understood how they’d come together, but their relationship had worked. With Mom gone, he’d lost not only his soul mate, but the glue that held them all together. He’d spent the morning trying to take her place, and it made her sad. “I miss her too.”
“I know. I’m trying.”
She sniffed the air and smiled. “You might be trying a little too hard. I’m not sure even Emeril could salvage what you’ve got roasting downstairs.” She hefted the bag in her hand. “Why don’t we get these put away and go out to eat. My treat?”
“I really wanted to make today like every other Thanksgiving.”
“Things have changed. We’ll change with them. Besides, this way we don’t have to fight about who’s going to do the dishes. Deal?”
“Deal.” He took the suitcase from her hand and jogged up the last few stairs.
Two hours later, they were seated at Copeland’s, tearing into Cajun-fried turkey and a half dozen side dishes.
“Dad,” Jack said between bites, “I have no idea what you were trying to cook, but this is the best meal I’ve had in a very long time.”
“Thank Addison. She’s paying.”
“Someone had to save you two from food poisoning, and I didn’t make a quick trip just to spend it all in the kitchen.”
“How long can you stay?”
“I need to get back on Saturday. Lots of work to do before the end of the semester.” She considered telling them about all t
he things that had distracted her from her work over the past two weeks. Meeting Julia Scott, the visit from Connie Armstrong, the narrow shot at a Supreme Court nomination. Great stories, but telling them would come at her expense since she didn’t have anything to show for her recent experiences. No relationship, no judgeship. Military types like Jack and her dad measured life in terms of success—mission accomplished. The only thing she’d accomplished in the past two weeks was to be distracted. And she was distracted now.
While she ate turkey and sweet potatoes and way too much pecan pie, was Julia sitting in her immaculate townhouse eating Chinese takeout? While she listened to Jack and her father debate the strategies of war, was Julia sitting at the desk in her museum-like study, making notes for the Senate confirmation hearings? While she wondered what Julia was doing, was her own life passing her by?
Chapter Fifteen
Julia sighed. It had been a week since Thanksgiving, and this was the fifth meeting with Judge George Landry. Multiple meetings were to be expected, but they were nowhere near where they needed to be to get him through the process. Garrett might think Landry was a perfect candidate not to ruffle any feathers, but he sure got under her skin.
She turned to Tommy, who, after a couple of lessons from Gordon, had proved very effective at role-play. “Okay, this time you be Senator Burrows and I’ll be Armstrong. I’m telling you, he’s going to get hit from both sides and you can’t be this easy on him.”
“Excuse me, but I’m sitting right here.”
Julia glanced at the tall, imposing man seated to her right. What Landry didn’t have in intelligence, he made up in size. “Pardon me, Judge. I’d like to run through this one more time before we head out to our meetings. We’d just like you to be prepared for each of the different methods of questioning you’re likely to face.” It took every ounce of resistance she had to keep her tone even and respectful. If he’d been a candidate for political office, she’d have been much rougher, and they probably would’ve made more progress by now. At this rate, they’d be lucky to have him ready for confirmation when the term opened after the New Year. Whether he would be prepared for the first round of interviews with several key senators this afternoon was in major doubt. “Tommy, I mean, Senator Burrows, you have the floor.”