by Donna Hill
“No, I don’t.”
“And would you mind telling me why in the hell not?”
Vaughn now sat up as well. “First of all, it’s personal between Simone and Chad. I don’t see how it can benefit Samantha in any way. If anything, it could ruin whatever chance that relationship might have.”
Justin shook his head vigorously. “Is everyone crazy but me? Of course she needs to know so that she can make an informed decision. That’s her sister—stepsister—for Christ’s sake.”
“That’s exactly my point. If Simone were anyone else, it would be different. If Sam and Chad work out, do you really want Sam to be constantly reminded that he’d had a relationship with her sister? I know I wouldn’t.”
“So Samantha is supposed to stumble around in the dark until she trips over the information herself. Is that what you’re saying?”
This wasn’t going well. She’d debated telling her husband, but there was one thing they’d promised each other from the early days of their marriage: they would never keep secrets and would always share what was going on with the girls—women.
Vaughn gently cupped Justin’s upper arm. “This is something they will have to work out, Justin. Their bond is strong enough to handle anything, even this. As much as we might want to jump in there and fix things, protect them, we can’t—and you know it.”
“I know no such thing,” he grumbled under his breath. “Someone’s going to get hurt, I just know it.”
Vaughn smiled in the dark. He’d come around.
“Would you tell Sam if she were your daughter?” There was an element in his voice that said the blood tie between father and daughter was something not to be ignored. This was his child, after all.
She couldn’t have been more stunned if he’d smacked her. For a moment, she couldn’t clear her thoughts quickly enough to respond. “Because I didn’t push her out of my body, because my blood doesn’t run through her veins, does it make my love for her any less valuable? I have never,” she ground out, “treated Samantha any differently than I’ve treated Simone, and I would hope that you have done the same.”
“That’s not what I’m asking, Vaughn. I’m not asking you to quantify your relationship with Sam. I know you love her. I’m asking you if she were your flesh-and-blood daughter, would you tell her?”
For a second longer than she felt comfortable, she was torn. And it scared her. “No, I wouldn’t.” But even as she said the words, the doubts hovered in the back of her mind and something she never thought she’d feel in her marriage began to creep into her bed—distance.
“Ms. Montgomery,” a reporter from The Post shouted over the din of the news conference. “How do you plan to approach this new wave of police violence into your campaign?”
“As you all know, I have remained vocal and steadfast in my appeal for police reform in this city. My sister, Samantha Montgomery, is working with the families of the victims and I intend to support her in any way that I can. This effort must be a collective one, which will need the unification of all who hold a deep disdain for injustice of any kind, whether it is practiced by an individual or an institution.”
“Do you think it will hurt your chances for election to the Assembly if you pursue your current uncompromising strategy?” he tossed back. “Your opponent, Assemblyman McCall, upholds the actions of the police and believes that in order to crack down on drugs and murders in D.C., we must have strong police, operating without any kind of oversight committee or watchdog agency reining them in. He says that law and order must take precedence over any other concern if the streets are to be safe for this city’s citizens. You don’t seem to think so.”
Adam watched Simone carefully. They’d gone over this a dozen times.
Simone straightened. “I’m willing to take my chances on the people of this city, not the politicians and big business. I firmly believe that I speak for them and I will continue to do so. I believe I represent their concerns. I must devote myself to my beliefs and energy to serving them, and I cannot worry about currying the favor of any opponent, platform or political party.”
Adam stood up. “That’s all the questions for now, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you all for coming.” He escorted Simone away from the microphones and into the back room of her campaign headquarters. “You did great,” he assured.
“It still boggles my mind to think that simply because I’m running for higher office, I’m expected to cave in on everything I believe simply to get votes. What would be the point?”
“That’s the nature of this business, Simone.”
“Unfortunately.”
“Most politicians say what they think people want to hear. The money people, the ones who fund their campaigns. They compromise their values to fit the popular trends of the moment or forget their commitment to their constituents in order to capture a greater share of the limelight. That’s the nature of the political beast.”
“I pray I never become that weak and shallow. I’d quit first. I’d walk away and return to private life and become an average citizen.”
Adam wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “I can never see that happening. You have too much fire in you, Simone. That’s what the people need. A strong, uncompromising voice. A person of integrity and vision. Your career in politics is just beginning and anything you dream can be accomplished in this political arena if you stick to your guns. If you follow your heart, your instincts.”
“We’ll see, come November.”
“When are we meeting with Chad and your father?”
She glanced briefly at her watch. “I told them three o’clock at my father’s offices.”
“Will Samantha be there as well?” he asked gently.
She felt her body tighten and kept her gaze averted. “Sure,” she said, forcing a false note of cheer into her weary voice.
Adam monitored the tight expression on her face. “Are you cool with all that?”
“All what?”
“Everything you told me the other day—about Sam and Chad.”
“It is what it is. I can’t afford to get sidetracked with a lot of personal intrigue. I have to remain focused. We have a job to do, and that’s all I can concern myself with.”
He nodded slowly. “Do you want to order in or can I get you from behind your desk for an hour?” he asked, switching the subject and lightening the air around them.
She turned to him, looked up and smiled. “I think I could stand to get out of here for a while. Let’s go out and see if we can find someplace nice where we can get a good meal.”
“Your chariot awaits, Madame.” He bowed gallantly like a devoted butler and Simone’s hearty laughter filled the room.
Later, as Simone and Adam approached her father’s office, she could hear the familiar voices coming from behind the partially closed door—Samantha, Chad, her father. She drew in a breath. This was business, she reminded herself. She wouldn’t let her personal feelings cloud whatever was necessary to get the job done.
She tapped lightly and walked in, Adam behind her. For an instant, conversation ceased, then swirled again with greetings.
Justin stood and approached her with his customary kiss and hug. He shook Adam’s hand. Chad stood as well and was introduced to Adam.
“Good to meet you,” Chad acknowledged. “I know you must have your hands full writing for this fireball.” He winked at Simone.
“Every day is a challenge,” Adam responded, quickly sizing up Chad.
“Good to see you, Adam,” Samantha said.
Adam moved out of Chad’s space and brushed Samantha’s cheek with a light kiss. “I didn’t see your name in the papers today, Sam. I was disappointed,” he teased.
Samantha grinned. “Slow news day, I guess.”
“Why don’t we all grab a seat and get down to business,” Justin suggested.
Samantha extended her hand to Simone and pulled her close. “I have so much to tell you,” she whispered as she eased Simone into the available
space next to her on the couch.
“Can’t wait.” Her gaze darted to Chad, then back to her sister. “We can talk later.”
“At least one hundred of the victims or family members have already been contacted by phone,” Chad began. “The plan has been explained to them in as much detail as possible and everyone was more than enthusiastic to move forward. We’ll finish up the list and begin the preliminary interviews in about another week.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“I’ll be preparing the court papers,” Justin added.
“What can we do?” Samantha asked.
“You’ve done a lot already, sweetheart. The key now is to pull this all together and make it happen.”
“The press is going to pounce on this once it gets out. They’ll be relentless,” Adam interjected, thinking of the impact it would have on Simone and her campaign. “You must be prepared to deal with the onslaught. We can’t be caught off guard with any surprises or ambushes. Make sure that you are prepped for every possible scenario.”
“We can handle it,” Simone said, looking at each face in the room. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s more ammunition for my platform. The tides are turning against McCall every day. We’re gaining in the polls. His aggressive reactions to our challenges of his stances on key issues, along with these police shootings, are eating into his base of support. He never reacts well under pressure and that’s killing him with the voters. We must keep pressing him on the police abuse issue, keep his feet to the fire.”
“We’ll be ready to mobilize any street actions or rallies should they become necessary, which I’m certain they will be,” Samantha said. “I strongly feel that we must keep the focus on the people, their voice, and not let it deteriorate into some political agenda. It won’t do us any good to get into a mudslinging match with him. If we get into the gutter with him or any of our opposition, we’ll only get dirty and lose.”
“This is politics,” Simone said with a bit too much force. “I think it’s fine to fight in the street, but in the final analysis it’s about laws and those who will implement them.”
The room became suddenly still. The sound of typewriters from down the corridor could be heard.
“We’re all in this together, Simone,” Chad said, disturbed by her tone and posture. “We all have the same agenda.”
“Do we?”
“Simone!” Justin snapped.
“Dad,” Samantha cut in, touching his arm. “Simone has the right to her opinion. She does have a lot at stake.”
“You don’t have to speak for me, Sam.”
Samantha’s neck snapped back. “I wasn’t trying to. I was stating the obvious.”
Adam’s gaze darted back and forth between the two sisters as if suddenly some invisible line had been drawn in the dirt, one on either side. And he knew the reason why. The tension between them was building, rising to an uncomfortable level, and anything could cause an explosion of harsh words that could endanger everything, from the election to Chad’s prize project.
“This can potentially be a very volatile situation for everyone,” Adam said. “We’re all stressed by the recent developments, the coverage in the press and the impact it’s had on our time…and our sleep,” he added, trying to bring the growing combustion between them down to a harmless level. “But it’s doable. And we’re all prepared to work at it from our own strengths, our own positions of expertise. Am I right?” He looked anxiously from one to the other as each nodded in agreement.
“I’m sorry,” Simone mumbled softly. “I had a tough press conference this morning and I guess it’s still with me.” She gave a tight-lipped smile to Samantha. “Nothing against you, sis.”
Samantha’s incredulous expression at her sister’s outburst slowly eased away from her face. “Adam’s right.” She turned to Chad. “How long do you think it will be before we can go public with this?”
Chad deferred to Justin.
“I’d say within the next six weeks. Once all of the statements are taken, an overall strategy formulated after a complete evaluation of the responses, and the papers signed by all parties involved, we’ll be ready to bring it to court.”
“All of the files are in the database at my office,” Samantha noted. “We should be finished with all of the entries shortly.”
“I’ll be working out of your office,” Chad said. “That will make things a little easier.”
“No problem.”
Simone stood. “I’ve really got to get back to my office. If there’s nothing else…”
“I think that covers everything,” Justin said.
“Good seeing everyone. Keep me posted if there’s anything I need to do.” She moved toward the door, then stopped at the sound of Samantha’s voice.
“I’ll call you tonight.”
“Sure.” She walked out.
“What in the hell was wrong with you back there?” Adam demanded to know as they drove back to Simone’s offices.
She glared out the window with her back to him. Her silence said more in that instant than any quick turn of phrase ever could.
“Simone, this isn’t like you to let personal issues get in the way of what counts.”
Her head snapped in his direction, and her nostrils flared. “What do you know about what I’m like!” Her chest heaved in and out and she knew she’d lost the last vestiges of her self-control. The cords strained in her neck, puffed with blood fed by anger. This wasn’t Adam’s fault, it wasn’t Samantha’s fault. But damn it, she wanted to blame someone.
“I know more than you think I do, Simone,” he said gently. “I know you’re a decent human being who loves hard and plays hard. I know that this thing, whatever it is between Sam and Chad, has really affected you. More than you want to let on. And that’s cool. But you can’t let it creep in, take over your life and ruin your relationship with your sister. Hell, she doesn’t even know what’s happening. She hasn’t a clue about this entire business. Did you see the look on her face, on everyone’s face, when you went off in there? Damn, what were you thinking? What were you trying to prove?”
Simone lowered her head, shamed by what she knew was childish behavior. “I said I was sorry,” she mumbled.
“It shouldn’t have gotten to that point, Monie, and you know it.”
A tight smile tugged at her lips at the sound of her pet name. It always had a way of softening her edges, easing her back through time to a safer, simpler place in herself.
They stopped for a light. “Maybe what you’re going to have to do is tell your sister how you feel. Level with her. Be honest. Trust in the love between you two.”
She shook her head rapidly. “I can’t do that.” That was unthinkable.
“Well, you’ve got to do something. You obviously can’t let this continue. We have months ahead of us of working together. You’re going to see them together. And you can’t lose it every time you do. Eventually, it’s not only going to affect your relationship with Samantha, but with the rest of your family, and maybe your election. Think about it, Simone. I’m telling you as a friend…someone who cares about you.”
She turned to look at him, let the impact of his advice settle within her. He was right. She was going to have to do something, and soon. But that didn’t make any of it any easier. No one would walk away from this uninjured, unscathed.
With Simone and Adam gone, and Samantha leaving shortly afterward, Justin and Chad were left alone. Both men took a deep breath and watched the other with closed faces, digesting what had just transpired.
“I think that went pretty well,” Chad commented, slowly pacing the floor, absently looking at the plaques on Justin’s walls.
Justin knew what he and Vaughn had discussed. She’d been adamant about revealing anything to Samantha. Maybe she was right. The only thing that concerned him was that he didn’t want to see his daughter hurt, and if keeping this one secret would further that cause, then he would reluctantly go along with it. However, he
never agreed not to speak with Chad.
“We need to talk.”
Chad turned and his brow rose in question. “About?”
“You and Samantha…and Simone.”
Chapter 14
Samantha sat on the edge of her bed staring at the phone on the table. For the better part of the afternoon, she replayed the scene in her father’s office and Simone’s uncharacteristic outburst toward her. Perhaps it was what she’d said, a carryover from the news conference earlier in the day. But she knew her sister, almost as well as she knew herself. Something was wrong and she had the underlying feeling that it had something to do with her. But what?
In the past few weeks, she’d noticed the change in Simone’s attitude, specifically toward her. Had she done something, said something that she was unaware of? But she and Simone had always been up front with each other. There wasn’t anything they couldn’t talk about.
Although they hadn’t grown up together and actually had never met until they were in their early twenties, the bond between them was undeniable. Simone was her best friend, her confidant, and this unexplainable rift between them left her feeling alone and hollow. Something was not being said. Something was pulling them apart.
She reached for the phone. Whatever it was, they needed to talk about it, get it out in the open. She dialed Simone’s number, her stomach in tight knots of anxiety.
Simone had just gotten out of the shower, feeling mildly refreshed. She was determined to have a worryfree night, just relaxing with a glass of white wine and some mindless movie. But then the doorbell rang. Who could this be?
Annoyed by the unexpected intrusion on her quiet time, she stomped off toward the door, her skin glistening from its recent baptism of warm water and scented bath oil.
“Who?” she called from behind the heavy wood barrier.
“It’s Chad, Simone.”
She squeezed her eyes shut and pulled her robe tightly around her. Her heart thumped against her chest. She drew in a breath and unlocked the door. Pulling it partially open, she peered out into Chad’s ruggedly handsome face, which wore a pleasant, boyish smile. All teeth and dimples.
