in
case you haven’t already thought of it.”
“What’s that, love?”
“Get a forensic
accountant.” Her words lingered in the air. “Do it now.”
Chapter
Seven
Our first week in
Washington I could almost bet I could count the number of hours I actually saw
Apolo on both hands. That’s how busy he was. I might be over exaggerating, but
I don’t think so. Committee
meetings with votes, on the house floor, with more
votes. If he did come home at a decent hour, he almost always
fell asleep on the couch, or other comfortable chair, the moment he sat down.
Luckily, I’d figured
this might happen, and had begun setting up my own office in our new home. I w anted to get involved in various organizations and causes.
To help me get invites and meetings, Renee worked her magic. It was amazing
what dropping Apolo’s name could accomplish.
She scored me meetings
with high profile, nationally known organizations. Th e
first was with a performing arts organization Apolo had followed for quite some
time. Another with a disabled
veteran’s organization, which assisted with basic needs, such as house
renovations for when the soldiers came home. The best of all was an invit ation to accompany the vice president’s wife to Walter
Reed.
By the end of my first
seven days, I had a very full calendar for the following. Which was exactly what I wanted—to keep myself busy.
I was excited. The
performing arts organization included the Washington
area ballet troupe. Dance, especially classical ballet, had always been a
passion of mine. I had wanted to pursue it as a child, take dance classes. But
my mother made sure that had never happened. I lacked the discipline it took,
she’d tell me. In the end, though, I grew too tall to
ever be a serious dancer.
Friday was a gorgeous,
autumn day, so I decided to surprise Apolo by showing up around lunchtime. I
let Renee know I was coming, just in case my husband had any unforeseen changes
in his sch edule. Rather than go out, I prepared a
simple meal to take. I knew his time would be limited, and based on how little
I’d seen of him this week, I thought simpler was better.
His office was all
abuzz when I arrived. This was the first time I’d been here s ince he had officially started his new position. It took
far more people to run a senator’s office than a corporate tycoon’s. Or, at
least with the latter, they were hidden behind the scenes.
Renee, seeing me walk in, bolted across the outer office in
my d irection. I knew why. She was attempting to avoid
any awkward scenes with one of the underlings who did not know who I was, yet. “Wonderful to see you, Mrs. Choice. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to
the senator’s office.” She immediately took the small basket I’d been holding.
“Hello, Renee. This
certainly is nothing like Atlanta, is it?” I inquired, following her lead.
She opened the door to
a small, but adequate room. It was filled with books and paperwork. Not at all what I’d been expecting for a
sen ator.
Seeing the look on my
face, Renee instantly knew what I was thinking. “Senator Choice is a freshman
senator. They, um, don’t get the best offices. That comes later.”
“Ah, so he had to give
up the late senator’s space to someone with more tenure. I be t that chafed him. Apolo isn’t used to not being top dog.”
“Exactly what chafed
me?” A familiar voice boomed behind us in the doorway.
I turned to see him,
suit jacket unbuttoned and tie askew, a briefcase in hand. His hair was mussed,
probably from running his hand through it. He looked
like anything but a United States Senator. He looked more like my husband, who
had a lusty, hungry look in his eyes upon seeing me.
“Renee was telling me
how, being as you’re a freshman senator, you had to give up you r late predecessor’s space for this more quaint one.” I wanted to continue, but he was
already next to me, and I could feel his intensity.
“Yes, but
case you haven’t already thought of it.”
“What’s that, love?”
“Get a forensic
accountant.” Her words lingered in the air. “Do it now.”
Chapter
Seven
Our first week in
Washington I could almost bet I could count the number of hours I actually saw
Apolo on both hands. That’s how busy he was. I might be over exaggerating, but
I don’t think so. Committee
meetings with votes, on the house floor, with more
votes. If he did come home at a decent hour, he almost always
fell asleep on the couch, or other comfortable chair, the moment he sat down.
Luckily, I’d figured
this might happen, and had begun setting up my own office in our new home. I w anted to get involved in various organizations and causes.
To help me get invites and meetings, Renee worked her magic. It was amazing
what dropping Apolo’s name could accomplish.
She scored me meetings
with high profile, nationally known organizations. Th e
first was with a performing arts organization Apolo had followed for quite some
time. Another with a disabled
veteran’s organization, which assisted with basic needs, such as house
renovations for when the soldiers came home. The best of all was an invit ation to accompany the vice president’s wife to Walter
Reed.
By the end of my first
seven days, I had a very full calendar for the following. Which was exactly what I wanted—to keep myself busy.
I was excited. The
performing arts organization included the Washington
area ballet troupe. Dance, especially classical ballet, had always been a
passion of mine. I had wanted to pursue it as a child, take dance classes. But
my mother made sure that had never happened. I lacked the discipline it took,
she’d tell me. In the end, though, I grew too tall to
ever be a serious dancer.
Friday was a gorgeous,
autumn day, so I decided to surprise Apolo by showing up around lunchtime. I
let Renee know I was coming, just in case my husband had any unforeseen changes
in his sch edule. Rather than go out, I prepared a
simple meal to take. I knew his time would be limited, and based on how little
I’d seen of him this week, I thought simpler was better.
His office was all
abuzz when I arrived. This was the first time I’d been here s ince he had officially started his new position. It took
far more people to run a senator’s office than a corporate tycoon’s. Or, at
least with the latter, they were hidden behind the scenes.
Renee, seeing me walk in, bolted across the outer office in
my d irection. I knew why. She was attempting to avoid
any awkward scenes with one of the underlings who did not know who I was, yet. “Wonderful to see you, Mrs. Choice. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to
the senator’s office.” She immediately took the small basket I’d been holding.
“Hello, Renee. This
certainly is nothing like Atlanta, is it?” I inquired, following her lead.
She opened the door to
a small, but adequate room. It was filled with books and paperwork. Not at all what I’d been expecting for a
sen ator.
Seeing the look on my
face, Renee instantly knew what I was thinking. “Senator Choice is a freshman
senator. They, um, don’t get the best offices. That comes later.”
“Ah, so he had to give
up the late senator’s space to someone with more tenure. I be t that chafed him. Apolo isn’t used to not being top dog.”
“Exactly what chafed
me?” A familiar voice boomed behind us in the doorway.
I turned to see him,
suit jacket unbuttoned and tie askew, a briefcase in hand. His hair was mussed,
probably from running his hand through it. He looked
like anything but a United States Senator. He looked more like my husband, who
had a lusty, hungry look in his eyes upon seeing me.
“Renee was telling me
how, being as you’re a freshman senator, you had to give up you r late predecessor’s space for this more quaint one.” I wanted to continue, but he was
already next to me, and I could feel his intensity.
“Yes, but
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