by Combs, Sasha
“It is my pleasure to meet you and your lovely wife, Senator. This is a wonderful welcome to your fair country and I hope to serve my country well during my stay here.”
The ambassador had recently replaced his predecessor, a man with over twenty years of diplomatic experience. William read the bio that most of the senator’s received as a curtesy from the White House. The information was lacking the background details that generally speak to a persons character. William had done his own research and after he’d read through the report, he believed this man wouldn’t be a figurehead and he’d been wisely chosen for the position.
The reception line in the foyer of the Ballroom was long, and William didn’t want to do anything that would cause the program for the evenings events to be delayed. The protocol for these introductions weren’t foreign to most of the people in attendance. Yet, the ambassador seemed to be more chatty with William. More so than any of the other visitors who’d been swiftly ushered through the line and William couldn’t account for the ambassadors need to single him out.
“Senator...I understand that you have a home outside of Washington.”
“Yes, that is correct.” William said, while placing his hand at the curve of Pamela’s back.
“Would I be overstepping set norms and formalities, if I extend an invitation to you and your lovely wife to join me at my embassy? As you know, I am new to my post and I’m looking forward to making new acquaintances here.”
William wondered if the Ambassador had been made aware that a new Senator would be taking his place. After having a long talk with Morgan and Pamela, William had made it clear to them both; they were his priority. He didn’t want his choices and decisions to be guided and dictated by a collection of polls, votes and consensuses. Remaining in the race to keep his senate seat would come at a cost. A price that William wasn’t willing to pay.
But, currently, none of that mattered because he still had more than a few weeks to serve in the senate and he still owned his home outside of Washington. As the ambassador had rightly reminded him.
“Certainly...we would be honored to be your guest at your embassy. But ambassador, please...allow me to be your host. We would be honored if you graced our home with your presence.”
The ambassador looked to the rear, the line of people waiting to formally greet him had increased since he’d last peered down, looking into the sea of people. He didn’t think himself special enough to warrant such a lush gathering. When his eyes drifted back to the woman who’d been introduced to him as Pamela Hudson, Aziz studied her for a few seconds longer. Her flowing shimmering gown had been tailored to fit her perfectly but the dress wasn’t her crowning glory. He marveled over the way her pregnancy made her standout. The baby within her made her glow with a natural beauty that attracted men. He wasn’t sure if this was the reason he’d singled out the senator from Massachusetts, to speak to him candidly. He didn’t intend to offer this kind of greeting to any of the other people in the long line, so he thought it best to nod, thereby ending his conversation. Aziz fixed his gaze on the next person standing in line, yet his thoughts were still on the senator and his lovely wife.
When the secretary extended his arm, instructing William and Pamela to continue on. Next they were greeted by the President and his wife. The other people weren’t that impressive. Members of the current cabinet, their spouses, then other’s William barely knew. After they’d finally made it to the end of the reception line, they were ushered into the dinning room to be seated at their table. He had to give special praise to the planner of the event. At his table, William was seated with some of his closest political associates. They were joined by the Senator and his wife from Florida, the Senator and his wife from Texas and the two Federal Judges and their wives. These were people that William knew and had spent time with intimately. They were all friends seated at the table and their close connection could be noticed by everyone else joining them in the room.
The dinner progressed like many dinners he’d attended in the past. Speeches, long winded toast. A live band, drinks and dancing. Due to Pamela’s pregnancy, William had not intended to stay out very late. He whispered into her ear.
“Honey, are you getting tired?”
She smiled and she liked that he was so concerned for her.
The baby had been kicking all night but Pamela loved the baby’s tumbling.
“I’m all right. Maybe just a little tired.”
The people at their table were either on the dance floor or milling around talking to others in attendance at the gathering.
“Stay here.” He said. “I’ll be right back after I send someone to retrieved your wrap.”
William pressed his lips firmly on her cheek as he stood, then he began making his way across the floor. As he looked near the rooms entrance, he mentally recalled that there were several checkpoints at the affair and he’d have to pass through two of them before he would finally make it to the room where Pam’s wrap had been checked.
As William neared the rooms exit he was stopped by a close friend and advisor to the president.
“William...you’re not leaving yet are you?”
William noticed that Barnard Conrad had grasp hold of his elbow. He talked while leading William away from the rooms exit.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you all night but I never got the chance. The ambassador seemed interested in you.”
“I didn’t expected anyone to single me out.” William said because soon he would no longer be the Senator from Massachusetts.
“Nonsense. You’re still the Golden Boy.”
Barnard said, as he led William down a short hallway, then into a room not to far from where they’d started.
“Stop that Barnard... Bill doesn’t like that nick name. Tell him Bill.”
William looked across the room seeing two full sofa’s facing each other. During his time as a senator, he’d been in another similar room like this one at the White House. Immediately when he heard the sound of the person talking, he recognized the voice. Also, the room reeked with the smell of cherry tobacco smoke. One of his few vices and a telltale sign that betrayed his anonymity.
President Benjamin Nelson was known for many things; one of his unmistakeable characteristics was his tall lean stature. Yet the most admirable of his traits that William respected, was the president’s propensity for honesty.
“Bill, Aziz has taken a liking to you and your lovely wife. He talked on and on about a dinner being hosted at your house in is honor.”
William was standing near where the president sat puffing clouds of smoke from his handmade pipe.
“Just being neighborly.” William said then he joined the president by sitting on the sofa across from him.
“Is that what they’re calling it these days...being neighborly?” The president had directed this question to his friend and advisor Barnard, who still stood by the doors entrance. It didn’t escape William’s notice that Barnard didn’t respond. Then a few seconds later, William heard the door open then it closed again. The president had sent his advisor some sort of signal that even he had not seen. Now it was just the two of them. William and President Nelson. This was only the second time William had been asked to sit alone with the commander in chief without being joined by one of his staff members.
“Can I get you a drink Bill?”
Not many people called him this. But the president had been right when he reminded Barnard that William never liked his nickname Golden Boy.
“No thank you sir. In fact, before I ran into Barnard, I was just about to call it a night. The affair was lovely as usual but I don’t want to wear Pamela out.”
The president sipped from a small glass holding a brown liquid. He placed the glass on the table in front of him, then resumed puffing on his pipe.
“No, no...we wouldn’t want to tire out your beautiful wife. William, I’m sure you know that you are one lucky man.”
William smiled then replied by saying... �
��I wouldn’t call it luck but I do understand your meaning. I would say that I’m blessed.”
“When you pulled out of the senate race...I have to admit; I was surprised. Everyone with even an ounce of brains knew that you were a shoe in. But then out of the blue, your campaign manager calls a press conference. Then, everyone in Washington, Massachusetts as well as every news outlet... We were all completely blown away. Then when I saw your lovely new wife, I fully understood.”
The president placed his pipe in an ashtray near where he sat. He leaned forward, placing one elbow on his knee.
“Bill...what you did. That took guts. Most men in your position would have hid the news about their marriage until after they’d won the election. But not you. You pulled out of the race. Protected your family by telling the press only what you wanted them to know. You told the truth, with your family standing by your side. I admire that kind of integrity. I’ve always admired you and the things that you stand for.”
William had never been the kind of person seeking out praise nor did he bathe himself in compliments from others. He shied away from these kind of exchanges.
“Thank you sir but I wasn’t trying to be noble.”
“That’s it...you were just being yourself. I like that in a man. Integrity...you don’t find that to often in this town. Yet, I still like to surround myself with Washington’s best.”
“Sir...I appreciate your kind words but I really need to get back to my wife. I told her that I would return after I got her wrap.”
“Yes,...I know. Don’t worry about her William. She isn’t far from here. Barnard has already gone to let her know exactly where you are. She’s being cared for so, there’s no need to worry.”
William still squirmed in his seat. He didn’t like the idea of another man ushering his wife away from their table. He didn’t care that the ushering was taking place in one of the most secure places in Washington. He worried for her safety and he wanted the president to speed this meeting along.
President Nelson knew that William would give him a few minutes longer before he would be forced to throw caution to the wind.
“Bill...I’ll get to the heart of the matter. Your country needs you and I would like to tempt you with an offer.”
William frowned, then he said in the nicest way.
“Sir...I’m leaving public service to pursue other interest. My family owns several corporations and I hold seats on three of the boards. For years I’ve wanted to play an active role and finally the opportunity has presented itself.”
“Bill, I’m sure you’ll do fine in any private sector position but a talent like yours shouldn’t be squandered. If I thought you would accept, I would offer you a position on my cabinet.”
Before the president could say another word, William chimed in what his reason’s would be for not accepting.
“Sir, my family is important to me and right now, a job in Washington just wouldn’t be a good fit. I want to direct my focus solely on them. Soon, Pamela and I will be having a new child. I’m looking forward to that and I’m not willing to compromise by placing them on hold like I did when Bianca was alive.”
President Nelson had heard about this tragedy. His condolences had been added to so many others.
Determined to get his way, the president continued.
“Bill, I understand but working in Washington isn’t the reason I called you here. As I said, I would love it if you did join my team but I know enough about you to accept that you have no desire to make Washington your home. Part time or any time for that matter.”
William nodded, then he added. “Well, I guess we have nothing more to discuss.”
“Oh to the contrary my friend. You see...you said that you wouldn’t want to make Washington your home. You didn’t say anything about another country.”
William’s eyebrow furrowed, nearly meeting in the center of his forehead. Now that he had his full attention, the president set his trap.
“Bill, soon, several ambassadorial post will become available. This isn’t a secret. Some of the ambassadors have already publicly announced to their staff that soon they will be stepping down from their post. But the ones who haven’t announced their desire to return to the United States for personal reasons; no one knows that these post will soon have vacancies. I’m sure you already know how eager people are to be appointed to these jobs. Right now, I’ve already received request to fill the post that will soon be vacant.”
William added. “But you have me in mind to fill one of the post that so far isn’t on anyones radar.”
The president suppressed his emotions, because he didn’t want to appear to eager if he were ever to be successful in persuading William to accept the appointment he had in mind for him.
“That’s right Bill. But look... I’m sure you understand this is a sensitive topic and I can’t mention anything unless you believe this is something you might consider.”
His first thought was to say no, without any further consideration. But then, William thought about Pamela and Morgan. They were a family now and all major decisions were discussed as a unit.
“Sir...as I said before; my family must come first. In a months time, I’ll have a new baby in the house and following that, I’ll be vacating my senate seat.”
“The timing would be perfect Bill. But, I don’t want to put any pressure on you. I just wanted to hear if you might be interested.”
William’s eyes narrowed, then he looked at him quizzically.
“Can you tell me where these appointments are located.”
The president smiled. “Sorry Bill. I’ll need a little more persuading that you’re really interested.”
William wanted to know which ambassadorial post the president had in mind for him before he talked to his family but he wasn’t willing to lie just to get the information that he needed.
“Accepting an ambassadorial post is something that I’ll need to discuss with my family...and I can’t say with any degree of certainty what their response will be. So, I guess I’ll just have to present this scenario as if it were a hypothetical question. Given that I don’t know where in the world you would be sending me.”
“It’s a gem assignment Bill. That’s all I can say. A place that I know you and your family will fit right in.”
After giving him this tiny little hint, the president stood, so William followed his lead.
President Nelson extended his hand to shake William’s. As he held his hand in a firm grip, Nelson said...
“I look forward to hearing from you. But now...I have guest to attend to. My wife only allows me to slip away once during these parties.”
“Please, extend my compliments to the first lady. The dinner was wonderful.”
“I’m sure Carrie would love it, if you and Pamela would join us here at the White House for an informal dinner. Do you plan to have the baby here or in Boston?”
They were walking to the door, and the president stopped a few steps before reaching the rooms exit.
“No...I wanted her to be close to her parents. So, she’s going to have the baby in Wilmington.”
When the president opened the door, Barnard and two Secret Service men were standing out in the hallway.
“Like I said Bill... You are one lucky man. Pardon me...you are truly one blessed man.”
William watched as the president walked with an easy glide, flanked by the men charged with a duty to protect him. Barnard remained with him, in the hall outside of the room.
“Your wife is waiting for you in another part of the house.”
They walked away from the Ballroom and the countless security checkpoints. When they finally made it to where Pamela sat sitting, a wide smile beamed across his face. The president’s fifteen year old daughter sat keeping Pamela company. They were laughing over something funny that the girl had just said. When they looked up, finally seeing Barnard and William, the two women stopped their laughing and pretended to act as if nothing hilarious had been
shared.
“William...I’ve been sitting here talking to Holly. You’ll never guess where she attended school before her father became president.”
“Lets see...” he pretended to muse.
“Oh, you’ll never guess.” Pamela said. “Aubrey...can you believe that? We both attended the same boarding school. What are the odds?”
The two women laughed again and William didn’t see the humor in this but he supposed something more had been shared between them before he arrived.
“Holly...the senator and his wife were just about to leave before I interrupted their departure.”
Holly’s face took on a serious expression after hearing Barnard. She understood that her role had only been to keep the senator’s wife from being bored while waiting for her husband. She’d done her job. But for Holly it wasn’t a job at all because she really enjoyed talking to Pamela.
“You can write me anytime Holly. And I hope you get your wish.”
Holly crossed her fingers, then she swiftly left the room.
“This way Senator Hudson, Mrs. Hudson.” Barnard said, and it was all business again.
As they followed the president’s trusted friend to another exit, far from the one they’d used to enter the party; just outside the door, William spotted their limousine and his driver. William shook Barnard’s hand, while listening to his parting words. Before returning to the house, he waited until William lowered his head then slid across the rear seat. After being singled out, it was clear to William that the president really wanted him to fill this secret position.
Once they were inside of the limo, the car pulled off at a slow speed, following directions which led them through two sets of security points. Not long after that, the limo was in a steady stream of heavy traffic. William wanted to fly out of Washington to their home in Boston but instead, he opted to stay at their place outside of Washington.
