and symmetrical as the Eiffel Tower. People were reaching hands out toward her. She would reach back and give them a squeeze or occasionally lean in for a hug or an air kiss. She was mesmerizing to watch.
âShit,â Charlie said. âWeâve been spotted.â His mother came up the stairs, a woman in a navy suit at her heels. Lennoxgrabbed my hand and squeezed it hard. This was the moment sheâd been waiting for; one of the moments, at least. I could practically hear what she was thinking:
Now I get to shake the hand of the next First Lady.
âCharlie,â Julia Copeland said when she reached us, leaning in toward her son and taking the opportunity to sweep his bangs from his forehead. âIâve been looking for you.â
âIâve been with my friends,â Charlie said.
âI thought you said you hadnât invited anyone,â she said.
âSurprise,â he said.
A few steps away a crowd had gathered in parentheses around the two of them, people trying to look oh-so-casual, as if they just happened to be standing right by that very spot.
Julia looked Lennox and me up and down, then looked back at her son. âArenât you going to introduce me?â
âSure,â he said. âLorrie, Lennox, please meet the Famous Talking Julia Doll.â
âCharles, please,â Julia Copeland said. She took a step toward us and shook my hand, then Lennoxâs. âGood to meet you, girls.â
âItâs nice to meet you, too,â I said.
âThank you so much for having us, Mrs. Copeland,â Lennox said. âIâve actually seen you speak beforeâat the Rally for Women in DC last year. My entire American Government and Law class attended. You were so inspiring.â
âThatâs kind of you to say.â
âIâm excited to see your husband tonight, too.â
âUnfortunately, he was called away. No such thing as a holiday weekend when thereâs a bill on the floor.â
âBut I thought . . . I thought the Senate wasnât in session right now.â
âJulia!â We all swiveled our heads. âJulia!â A woman rushed toward us; well, rushed as well as she could on five-inch strappy sandals. Beth-Ann Bracelee had the same ones in multiple colors: Yves Saint Laurent.
The woman in navy bent toward Juliaâs ear and whispered helpful information: âThatâs Jill Whitley-Ford. Platinum sponsor this evening.â
âDonât go anywhere,â Julia told Charlie. She raised her hand to wave.
âJulia!â Jill Whitley-Ford said, pushing Lennox and me out of the way. She grasped Julia Copelandâs arm.
âJill, what a pleasure to see you again.â
âThe pleasure is mine,â Jill Whitley-Ford said. âAnd this gorgeous young man?â She looked up at Charlie adoringly. âMy daughterâs still in elementary school, but Iâm reserving you right now. Sloane is all yours in about ten years, okay?â
âGross,â I whispered to Lennox.
âThe Senateâs not in session right now,â Lennox whispered back.
âWhat?â
âItâs not in session. There canât be a bill on the floor.â
âYou look simply divine, Julia,â Jill said.
âThis old thing?â Julia Copeland flashed a glorious smile. âI just threw it on.â
Jill threw her head back and laughed, as if it was the funniest and most original joke sheâd ever heard.
Charlie stepped away from them and grabbed my hand.âNowâs our chance,â he said. My palm felt slippery against his, which was as cool and dry as a piece of paper. I grabbed Lennoxâs hand with my left, and we raced down the steps. Hundreds of guests were mingling on a lawn as vast and well kept as the rolling fairways of the clubâs eighteen-hole golf course. Charlie led us to the catering tent set up by the side of the tennis courts. He told us to
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