by Ron Schwab
During lunch, the president and Kansas senator were engaged in serious baseball debate. “Babe Ruth will hit sixty home runs for the Yankees this year,” President Coolidge predicted.
“Never been done,” replied the senator. “The sluggers all burn out before they get there.”
“Too bad I’m not a betting man.”
“You’re a Boston Red Sox fan, aren’t you?” Senator Capper asked.
“Yes, and it perturbs me to no end that Boston traded Ruth to the Yankees. They let Herb Pennock get away to New York, too. A twenty-game winner. But not this year, according to his cousin.”
“His cousin?”
“Yes, a young man who has been helping me with the budget is a distant cousin. He said his mother was a Pennock from Pennsylvania. His name’s Trey Ramsey.”
“Related to the former senator?”
“Grandson. He’s a genius with numbers. I must confess, he gave me the lowdown on Ruth. He says Pennock will be one game short of twenty.”
Senator Capper chuckled. “Well, we’ll see about that in a few months.”
“Don’t bet against Trey.”
Kate wondered if the president was sending her a subtle message.
Later, Senator Capper commented to Grace Coolidge, “That was quite a surprise the president gave us this morning.”
The first lady had a stunned look on her face, and it was one of the few instances Kate had seen her flustered. My God. The president had not told her. It made for an uncomfortable few minutes until everything was explained. The first lady quickly regained her composure and laughed dutifully about the surprise. Poor Uncle Cal, Kate thought. The first lady’s cheerful front was likely to disappear after the guests took their leave.
Kate excused herself mid-afternoon, and, as she was walking toward the door, Grace Coolidge called to her, “Kate, may I speak with you a moment?”
Kate stopped. “Certainly, what is it?”
“I have a letter for you.”
Kate took the envelope, which was unsealed.
“I was told to read it,” she explained. She waited expectantly while Kate removed the single page.
Kate unfolded the sheet of paper and read it. “Dear Kate, I still remember my last words to you, and they still stand. A stoolie has informed me you have decided to return to school. I have been assigned to an investigation in St. Paul, Minnesota, which will likely take some months. It is within easy driving distance of Brookings. Would you be willing to speak with me if I called on you there? My messenger will see that I receive your reply. Trey.”
Kate looked at Mrs. Coolidge. “Isn’t it disrespectful to refer to the first lady as a stoolie?”
“As they say, dear, ‘if the shoe fits.’”
“Do you have a sheet of paper?”
“I just happen to have one with me.” She plucked a small sheet of paper from her dress pocket. “I have a pen, too.”
Kate took the writing supplies and sat down at a nearby coffee table. First, she printed at the top of the sheet in large letters, “YES.” She signed it, “Kate.”
She showed her reply to Mrs. Coolidge, who smiled approvingly.
Afterword
Thank you for purchasing this ebook. If you enjoyed reading it, please consider leaving a review at your favorite online retailer or Goodreads. For more information about Ron Schwab and his books, you may visit the author’s website at www.RonSchwabBooks.com.