by Krista Lakes
So, I took the most scenic route I knew from the Senate Offices to the offices of the USTR. The USTR was located just west of the White House, so I walked past the Capitol, down the National Mall, and headed toward the Washington Monument. My plan was to circle around the Washington Monument at least once before heading up to the Ellipse, past the White House, and over to the offices. It would take a good hour and I wanted to take every minute I could not doing what Audrey wanted.
The sun was shining. Birds were chirping. I had coffee. If I ignored that I'd just lost the job that I'd planned my future around, it was a nice day.
I walked slowly, enjoying the sights. Washington is a beautiful city. I loved to watch the tourists with their cameras snapping pictures of the various monuments and parks. The trees had just started to leaf out, painting the bare branches with pale green. Flowers peeked out from the ground. Children ran around laughing. There was always something to look at.
I came to the Washington Monument. The great obelisk rose up white against the pale blue sky. The reflecting pool was on the opposite side, but it was still beautiful. A ring of American flags flapped in the gentle breeze as I walked up.
I closed my eyes and stood in the sunshine. The breeze was warm and soft across my face and for a moment, I could forget everything. For a moment, I could pretend that everything was how it was supposed to be.
* * *
“Daddy, why is it two different colors?”
My father turned and smiled at eight-year old me. “You noticed that, Sweet-pea?”
I nodded solemnly. “It looks...” I fidgeted, not wanting to get someone in trouble, but needing to point out the flaw. “It looks like they messed up.”
My father chuckled, his smile bright in the sunshine.
“It wasn't planned that way,” my father informed me. He squinted up at the white pillar of marble for a moment before looking back at me. He was so tall and smart. My father was the best person in the entire world. I knew it was true because he was a senator and millions of people had voted for him. Millions of people thought he was the best, too.
“Did someone mess up?” I asked, sure that whoever had done it probably ended up cleaning something as punishment like I did the time I put the paints away messily in art class.
“Well, they wanted to honor George Washington. You know who he was, right?” my father asked. I nodded.
“The first president of the United States,” I recited. My father smiled.
“Yes. The government wanted to build this to honor him. They started building, but then they ran out of money. The Civil War was more important than building monuments,” my father explained. “When the war was over and they could start again, they couldn't get the original stone. They had to use a different kind. That's why it's two different colors.”
I stared up at the white obelisk, unsure of what the point of my father's story was.
“Why didn't they just start over? Or do something else?” I asked.
“Because that wasn't the plan,” he replied. He knelt before me with his knees in the damp grass. He put his hands on my small shoulders, our eyes at the same height. I loved it when he looked at me like this. I felt important. I was an equal.
“There's a lesson, isn't there?” I asked, a small smile on my face. My father always had some sort of lesson he wanted me to learn.
My father laughed and squeezed my shoulders. “Yes, Sweet-pea, there is.” His dark eyes found mine again. “The lesson is not to give up. Even if it isn't going to work out perfectly, don't give up. The builders of this monument didn't, and even though it isn't perfect, it's still beautiful. It's still amazing.”
I looked up at the different hues of white stone and thought about my father's words. “Things don't have to be perfect to be good,” I said.
“Exactly.” My father grinned and pulled me into a hug before rising to his feet. The knees of his suit pants were dark with grass water, but he didn't care. “That's it exactly, Sweet-pea.”
* * *
I could remember that day with crystal clarity, just as I could every time my father brought me here. We'd visit the monument at least once a year and I'd always ask the question of why it was two different shades of white. I knew the answer, but I loved having him explain it to me. It became a ritual between us for me to ask and him to answer.
I was sixteen the last time we'd both been here. It was the last place I'd seen him really alive. Being here was as close to being with my father as I could get.
“I could really use you today,” I whispered up at the monument. My father would know what to do about my job. He would know how to fix what my stepmother had done.
He would make things better, just by being there. My heart ached with missing him. I closed my eyes and wished for a sign. Something to tell me he was still here, just invisible.
A soft breeze across my face was all I got.
That, and someone crashing into me, knocking onto my butt in the grass and forcing me to go down.
Chapter 3
I was just standing there, minding my own business, reminiscing about my father, when a body came hurtling out of nowhere and knocked me over.
I sat on the grass, dazed and confused as to how I went from standing to sitting without meaning to. I tried to move, but my legs were tangled up with someone else's feet.
“Are you all right?” the person tangled up with me asked. He had a slight European accent to his words, making him sound educated, even if he was clumsy.
“I think so,” I said slowly, pulling my legs out from under his. Nothing seemed to be broken or too badly bruised. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I'm fine,” he assured me, rising to his feet. “I am so very sorry, miss.”
He held out a hand to help me up. I looked up and into the most handsome face I think I've ever seen. His hair was golden with just enough red to glint in the sun and he looked down at me with ocean eyes. His jaw was strong and his shoulders were broad in a t-shirt and gym shorts. I took his hand, feeling my heart speed up. It wasn't every day a handsome man crashed into me.
He tugged me up gently, a smile crossing his face as he did so. His grip had strength and he pulled me up with ease.
“Thanks,” I said. He waited until I had my balance to let me go. I missed the warmth of his hand as soon as it was gone.
“Again, I apologize.” He put his hand to his heart, making his bicep flex. He was in great shape. “You're sure you are okay?”
“I'm sure,” I told him, dusting the grass from my slacks. At least I didn't wear a skirt today. “I just didn't see you coming.”
“To be fair, I did come up from behind. I assume you were looking at the monument,” he said, looking up at the tall obelisk himself. “It's my fault.”
“Are you two okay?” another man asked, jogging up beside us. He had a similar complexion, but darker hair and a crooked nose that looked like it had been broken several times. The man was tall and also in great shape.
“We're fine, Andre,” the first man assured him with a small wave of his hand. “It was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going.”
Andre still looked concerned. Somehow, his shoulders got bigger and his face darker.
“It's totally fine,” I replied, putting on a smile and trying to diffuse the situation. “Oh, and here's your Frisbee.”
I leaned over and tried to pick up the plastic disk. Unfortunately, I only picked up half of it, as it had broken into two pieces. I wasn't sure who exactly had landed on it, but given the ache in my hip, it was probably me.
“I am so sorry,” I said quickly. “I can buy you a new one.”
The first man laughed. “Miss, if anything, I should be buying you something. The Frisbee is my fault. I'm the one who ran into you.”
I looked down at the broken plastic in my hands and realized he was right. I held out the broken piece to him and he took it with a smile.
“This is my friend, Andre. I'm Henry, by the way,” he introduced
himself. He put the broken piece of Frisbee in his left hand and held out his right.
Andre nodded politely as I reached out and shook Henry's hand. His grip felt just as nice the second time as it had the first. Strong. Confident.
“I'm Aria,” I told him. “It's nice to meet you.”
“The pleasure, and responsibility is mine,” he replied. His accent made him sound like a chivalrous knight of old. He was probably only in his late twenties or early thirties, but he had a depth and confidence to him I didn't see often in men my own age.
“It's fine,” I assured him. “Other than some grass, no harm.”
Those blue eyes watched me for a moment, as if weighing my words. “Alright, then.”
Andre started walking away, and I assumed that was the end. It was time for me to be going, anyway. I needed to go fill out paperwork and yell at my stepmother.
I picked up my fallen purse and empty coffee cup. At least I had finished my coffee before Henry ran into me.
“Let me buy you lunch,” he said.
I turned in surprise, thinking he had already left. Instead he stood to the side, smiling and holding his broken toy.
“I have to go,” I told him, straightening up with my things. “I'm supposed to be somewhere.”
“Coffee, then?” he asked, pointing to my cup. “I am doubly sorry if I spilled it. I can get you a new one on your way.”
“It was empty,” I reassured him with a smile. His concern was sweet. “And it's fine. I'm good, I promise.”
“I feel badly, and I want to make it right,” he replied. His blue eyes were serious. “Please, let me make it up to you. Tell me where I can find you. I'll bring you lunch tomorrow.”
I chewed on my lip. I didn't want to tell a strange man where to find me, but I did need to get going. I was late as it was. There were limits to what my stepmother would tolerate. I couldn't stay here or stop for coffee.
I had the feeling he wouldn't take no for an answer, so I was going to have to give him something. Even though Henry was cute and seemed nice enough, this was DC. There were some weird people here, not even including the politicians.
However, there was something about Henry that I liked. I liked his easy smile and the way he looked at me with those ocean eyes. He was handsome and charming, so I did something I didn't usually do.
“I'll be working at the Trade Representative Office tomorrow,” I told him. “It's in the Winder building. Just ask for Aria R. at the front.”
He grinned, lighting up his whole face. “Perfect. I'll bring you lunch. What kind of food do you like?”
I chuckled. “Anything. Everything. If it has noodles, I am a fan.”
“I think I can work with that,” Henry said, nodding and already planning.
I had no doubt he was going to forget. Who brings lunch to a random stranger? It was a sweet offer, but I expected absolutely nothing from it.
“I need to get going,” I said, shouldering my bag. “It was nice to meet you, and I'm sorry about your Frisbee.”
“It was my fault,” he repeated. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
I nodded my head and started walking. I glanced back once to see him watching me with a smile and I wondered what I had just gotten myself into.
Chapter 4
The rest of the journey to the office was uneventful. No random strangers collided with me and I didn’t fall to the ground. The entire way, I did think of Henry, though. His easy smile seemed to stay with me even after he was gone from sight.
I secretly hoped he would run into me again.
The Winder Building sat regally on the corner of the street. Painted white, the second level wore wrought iron balconies that gave it an almost Southern charm. As much as I disliked the fact that I was unwillingly returning to my roots, I did like the building. It was from the time of the Civil War and radiated history.
I walked up to the heavy wooden door, took a deep breath, and stepped inside. I had been here a million times, yet I felt as nervous as my first time. It felt like stepping back seven years in my life to my very first day. I’d worked as an office assistant here for three years while I got my degree. I thought I would never be back except as a visitor.
“They told me you were coming, but I didn’t believe them,” a deep voice said from the security desk. I knew that voice, and I smiled as my eyes adjusted from the bright sunlight to the artificial lights.
“Gus?” I grinned as I walked over to the security desk. Gus was the biggest, kindest man I’d ever had the pleasure of working with. He had three daughters at home and he considered me his work daughter. He still sent me Christmas cards every year with a can of pepper-spray attached to keep me safe.
The chair groaned as Gus rose, and he hurried around the desk to give me a hug. He enveloped me in his large arms, wrapping me into a hug that was warm and soft. His crisp uniform pressed into my cheek.
“I guess I don’t need to show you my identification,” I said as he released me from his bear hug. The big man chuckled as he ran a hand over his bald head.
“I still can’t believe you’re here. I thought it had to be a mistake. Why are you back here? You’re supposed to be a senator or something by now. I was planning on voting for you for president next election.”
I chuckled, blushing slightly at his faith in me. “I thought so too. Apparently, the universe has other plans.”
“You mean your stepmother,” Gus corrected me, sitting back down in his chair. The rolling chair creaked with his weight as he began typing my information into the computer.
I raised my eyebrows at him.
“There’s no other reason you’d be back here,” Gus said. “She’s the only one with enough strings to pull to get you here and not have her name on it. I can guess who she has in her pocket. There’s not many who could pull this off without questions.”
“Gus, your talents are wasted as a security guard.”
He chuckled. “Nah. I just read too many of those crime mystery novels.” He tapped a couple of things on the computer, hit enter, and looked up. “You’re in the system again. I’ll have your badge ready when you come back down. Jaqui’s upstairs in her office. She’s got all your paperwork.”
“Jaqui has an office?” I asked, frowning slightly. When I had left, Jaqui worked on a table in a hallway. She’d been an assistant just like me. I was glad to hear she’d moved up in the organization. “Where?”
“Oh, that’s right.” Gus rolled his broad shoulders. He was large, but most of it was muscle, not fat. “She’s the head of the records department now. She’s in Beth’s old office. Second floor.”
“She claimed the good office?” I asked. “She must be important.”
Gus grinned at me. “She’s your new boss.”
“Oh.” I nodded. Jaqui was a year younger than me, but now she was my boss. I didn’t begrudge her the position, but it only added to how far this job was taking me from my goals. “Well, then I have the best boss in the building.”
“Only because you don’t work security.”
I grinned at him. “Obviously.”
I headed upstairs and to my new boss’s office. It still smelled the same here. Musty, but clean. The old building had weathered enough wars and time that it had an old, but peaceful scent. It felt like nothing had changed, even though I most certainly had.
I went to the far corner office. The door was open, spilling afternoon sunshine into the hallway. Jaqui sat at a small black desk, typing away at her computer and looking busy.
She was small with dark hair and beautiful dark eyes. She had the longest eyelashes I had ever seen on a person. Her beautiful dark olive skin glowed in the sunlight.
“Hey, I hear you get to tell me what to do now,” I said, stepping into her office.
Jaqui looked up at me and grinned. “I was wondering when you were going to get here,” she said, rising gracefully from her desk and coming to greet me. She gave me a warm hug.
“I took my ti
me coming from the Senate offices,” I admitted.
“You should have taken longer,” Jaqui replied. I thought of how I could have stayed with Henry and gotten coffee. It was strange, but thinking of him made me smile. I wondered if he was going to remember to bring me lunch tomorrow. I hoped he would, but I doubted it.
“I didn’t want to be inconvenient for you. My stepmother, sure. But not you.”
“If I had my way, you would still be at the Senate offices.” She shook her head and motioned to a chair in front of her desk. “That’s where you belong. I can’t believe you’re back.”
I sat down on the chair and set my bag by my feet. “I was told you have some paperwork for me?”
Jaqui nodded as she returned to her own seat. “I do. For some strange reason, my boss informed me that you will be inputting all the new information on our trade deals into the computer. It’s something that we usually have an intern do, but you’ve been chosen. Who did you piss off?”
“My stepmother,” I informed her as Jaqui handed me a stack of paper. It was heavier than I remembered.
“Ah. That makes sense. I forgot about her. I’m sorry that she put you here.” A small smile filled her face. “But, I’m not sorry that you’re back. We all missed you.”
“I missed you guys,” I said, smoothing the paperwork and making it straight. “What exactly am I going to be doing? You said something about trade documents.”
“We have a bunch of new trade negotiations going on with Paradisa, and thus all the paperwork that goes with it. Their monarchs are going to arrive next month for the official trade treaty signing, but all the preliminary work is going on now. We’re backlogged with all of it. Paradisa has a lot of natural resources for being a small island country. You’re going to be scanning it all in.”
Great. I was going to scan documents all day. I was leaving work that I enjoyed and cared about to scan boring paperwork. It was salt on the wound.
“So my old job, then?” I replied, looking at the work forms in my hands. I could feel my future slipping away from me.
