so sorry." He tried to blink them away, but tears filled his eyes, too. "You're right, the department is right. I'm a time-bomb and I'm scared to death I'm going to explode."
"You know what, Travis? Right now, I'm so mad at you, I don't even care."
PILAR – 7
"And so ladies and gentlemen, I hereby dedicate the new and improved Capitol building in the name of the people of the grand state of California."
From her front row seat, Pilar watched Preston. He worked the crowd as if he'd just been given an Academy Award. The crowd enthusiastically applauded his predictable, but well-delivered speech. She and Preston made a good pair. They were both young by political standards, and good looking, and well connected. There was no reason why they couldn't be the next J.F.K. and Jackie…of course, they'd have to call the White House something other than Camelot.
She wondered if he'd had any word on the missing nanny. Pilar had been too busy in the limo to ask, and Preston hadn't mentioned the woman either. But earlier in the day, when he'd made his presentation to the police, Preston certainly seemed intense. Of course, the fact his little princess, Tiffany, needed the woman's bone marrow probably played into his urgency.
Preston made his way off the stage to her.
"You were wonderful, darling," she whispered in his ear.
He leered down at her. "You can show me how wonderful I was later."
Martin Bain came over and touched Preston's arm. "Zepeda Sorriano is heading this way. He used to head the River Street gang until he 'found the Lord' in prison. He founded a rehabilitation program for gang members. He'll probably want funding."
"Is he important to me?"
Bain curled his lip. "Not so much, but gangs are all the rage in the media. It wouldn't hurt to get some face time presenting him with a check or something."
Pilar leaned close to Preston. "You could hold a press conference in Los Angeles. Gang members are killing each other daily in L.A.. It would work for both you and me." She lowered her voice a level and whispered in his ear. "Besides, it's another chance for you to spend some time with me."
Before Preston could reply, Sorriano walked up. "Governor," said the former gang shot-caller, extending his hand. "Zepeda Sorriano, from the Coalition of Everyone Get Along."
Preston pumped the man's hand. "Mr. Sorriano, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've been hearing good things about your organization." Both men tried to appear casual in spite of the multitude of cameras pointing in their direction.
The former gang leader gave a wry smile. "We try to make a difference. Next week we open our third EGA center in Oakland."
Pilar leaned forward, extending her hand. "Mr. Sorriano, how do you do? I'm Pilar Luna, the mayor of Los Angeles." Cameras flashed like strobe lights as Sorriano took her hand.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Madam Mayor." Hands joined, they both paused and smiled at the paparazzi.
"How would you like to build your next Everyone Get Along center in Los Angeles? After all, we've got the biggest gang problem in the state. Even with the budget concerns, I'm sure I could find some money to help you out." Pilar turned to Preston and favored him with a wide smile, "I'm sure Governor Truesdale could find some state and federal funding as well."
Sorriano nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes! We've wanted to expand to Southern California. However, the expense of such a venture held us back."
Pilar reached into her satin evening bag and withdrew a business card. "Call my personal secretary next week and make an appointment. We'll get your next EGA center on the fast track."
Sorriano took the card, then clasped Pilar's hand in both of his, causing another flurry of flashes from the cameras. "Madame Mayor, I can't thank you enough. We're changing and saving lives and I can't wait to get started in the City of Angels."
He then extended his hand to Preston. "Governor, thank you so much. I only wish more legislators were as foresighted as you to see the value of our program."
"I'm sure it's only a matter of time, Mr. Sorriano. If I'm available, I'll try to make your meeting with Mayor Luna."
"Wonderful. Thank you again." Sorriano waved at the cameras as he made his way through the crowd.
Preston whispered in Pilar's ear, "Don't ever say I didn't do anything for you; although I would have liked a little warning before you started pledging federal money on my behalf."
"And I bet you're going to make me pay, aren't you?"
He took a deep breath, inhaling her perfume. "You bet I am, as soon as I can get you to my house, and naked."
TIFFANY – 8
The party was packed with wall-to-wall people. At the sight of Brenda and Diana making their way through the rhythmic throb of bodies jammed in the ranch style house in the San Fernando Valley, Tiffany and Penny squealed. Slapping high fives with each other as they met in the middle of the room, they burst into laughter.
"Oh my God," Diana gasped. "I thought Charlie's eyes were going to pop out of his skull when Brenda asked him to help her find the diamond ring she'd dropped on the floor. Brenda bent over and gave him a good shot of the girls, and I'm tellin' you, he never looked at the ground once!"
"Tiff, how can you stand to have him as your security detail?" Brenda asked. "He's such a perv. He told me we'd have a better chance of finding the ring if we faced each other as we looked. Any time I thought he was losing interest, I'd reach forward and practically poke out his eye with my boob. He loved it."
Tiffany clapped her hands. "We should have taken video so we could put it on You Tube."
"She had it easy," Diana said. "I was stuck with that loser Frank. I had a heck of a time distracting him. I had to appeal to his cop instincts."
"How'd you do that?" asked Penny.
"While Charlie was mesmerized by Brenda's boobs, I approached Frank and told him I worked for the store's loss prevention department. I asked him if he'd seen a young guy wearing a dark sweatshirt run by. He assured me no one had run by him. I told him I was sure I'd seen the guy head his way. Then I confided to him, this wasn't an ordinary shoplifter - this kid was part of an organized theft ring."
Tiffany nodded her head in admiration. "Good story, Di. What cop will turn their back on catching a big-time crook?"
"So," Diana continued, "he sees you and Penny still looking at shoes, and starts asking me cop-like questions. You know, how old is the kid, how tall; all that cop shit. Then I get a brilliant idea. I tell Frank I bet the guy ran into the bathroom on the other side of the shoe department. Frank says he'll go take a quick look, and calls out to Charlie he'll be right back."
"Charlie didn't even hear him," Brenda interrupted, "he was so intent on staring at my tits. I had to tell him his partner chasing someone. You should have seen him trying to catch up! That's when we gave you guys the signal to take off."
"You deserve an Academy Award," Penny said.
"I'll settle for a drink," Brenda said, scanning the room. "Over there," she pointed. "Booze, studs, and music. I knew this party was going to be fun."
MADDIE – 9
I stomped into our bedroom and slammed the door behind me. I heard the front door close as Travis got home a few minutes after me. I began pulling open drawers and tossing my clothes on the bed.
A quick knock on the door preceded Travis's entrance. "Maddie, I'm sorry. I had no right to say that to you. I know how tough the past year has been on you." He put his hand on my shoulder.
I shrugged it off.
"Maddiecake," he said using his favorite nickname for me, "please stop and talk to me."
"Screw you." I strode to the kitchen and yanked several plastic trash bags from the roll and returned to the bedroom. I began stuffing clothes into one of the bags.
"Dammit, Maddie, knock it off!" He grabbed the bag and flung it from my hands.
"Careful Travis, leave a mark on me and you'll find yourself in jail."
"You know I'd never hurt you."
"Since Dave was killed, I don't know you anymore, Travis." I bent and
scooped the remaining clothes into the bag and twisted the top and secured it with a knot. Dropping the bag on the floor I moved to the bathroom. I reached under the counter and pulled out a small satchel. I began to fling makeup and toiletries into the case.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Anywhere you aren't."
"Maddie, you don't have to leave. I'm sorry. I was out of line. Please," he begged.
I stopped and turned to look at him. "For the past eight months, I've tried to be supportive. I comfort you when you wake up screaming. I bite my tongue when you lash out at me for no reason. I sit quietly as you tell me how you blame your S.W.A.T. partners for what happened. Well, no more. I'm done."
I hated the fact I took some satisfaction at the stricken look on Travis's face.
He said nothing, but turned and left the room.
A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Where was I going? Did I really want to leave Travis? I immediately knew running off was wrong. But we couldn't continue to live the way we had been. Something needed to change. I sighed as I picked up my mascara and dropped it into the makeup case.
I walked into the family room and found Travis sitting on the couch staring into space.
"So you're leaving me," he said.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing. But what we're doing now isn't working. I think we need some time apart."
He slapped his hands on his thighs and stood. "Fine. But you don't have to leave. I will." He strode into the bedroom and I heard him gathering his things.
My heart hammered in my chest. It
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