sure he’d want me to accept your position and that I’ll have his complete support. I appreciate your sensitivity where he’s concerned.”
During the next hour, Michael and Paula discussed various aspects of the director of protocol job. “I’m planning to announce the creation of the position at my next press conference,”
“Do you want me to be there?”
“I’m meeting with my transition team later tonight to discuss a variety of issues. Someone will call you tomorrow morning to tell you what we decide. I’d appreciate it if you’d talk only to Connor about this for now. I don’t want any information leaked to the press before the official announcement. You’ll learn keeping information from the media is harder than you think.”
Paula agreed. “Of course, I recognize that this is a highly sensitive situation. I’m sorry Ashley chose to continue working at the museum. I honestly believed she’d change her mind once you were elected.”
Michael had no intention of discussing Ashley with anyone. He was beginning to hope there might be a chance of adequately coping with Ashley’s abdication. True, he was establishing a new position, which would set a precedent for future First Ladies. But once his decision was announced and explained, maybe some of the pressure would lessen.
“I feel confident that we can move forward on a positive note. Thanks again for coming on such short notice.”
Paula got the hint; she was being dismissed. She got up and extended her hand to shake Michael’s. “Thank you. Your trust means a great deal to me. I’m looking forward to working with you, more than you know.”
“I hope you still feel that way once you’re officially the director and the media starts hammering away at you.”
“I’m not easily deterred from a goal once I set my mind to it. I’ll talk to you later.”
Paula seemed almost to float out of his office.
Michael turned to his desk. He hoped to God he was making the right decision. Out of all of the possibilities he and his staff had discussed to compensate for Ashley’s absence, this solution seemed the least likely to be troublesome.
Almost a week had passed since he’d last talked to Ashley, and that spoke volumes. He needed to call her. He’d meant to call her before now, but he honestly didn’t know what to say to her. Now at least he had something to tell her. He’d give her a call tonight and make arrangements for them to spend a weekend together.
Michael picked up the phone and dialed Ed. “Hey, I just finished meeting with Paula, and I wanted to confirm our seven o’clock meeting this evening. I’d like to give you my impressions.”
“How did it go? Did you decide anything?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. I offered her the job, and I didn’t sugarcoat it. I was quite clear about the boundaries I want established right from the start. I’ll have to say, she didn’t even flinch. At the meeting tonight, I’d like to discuss the best way of presenting this appointment to the press.”
“I’ll see that it gets added to the agenda. Have you said anything to Ashley about the decisions you’ve made?”
“Not yet. I’ll give her a call tonight and give her a heads-up. See you at the meeting.”
15
Ashley felt it was now or never. She needed to call Michael. She felt responsible for the distance that had grown between them and putting if off any longer would only make matters worse. She dialed his number, and as soon as she heard his secretary’s voice, the acid began to bubble in her stomach.
“Hi, Georgia; it’s Ashley. Is Michael available?”
“He’s in a meeting, but I’ll see if he can break free to take your call. Please hold the line.”
Ashley heard the difference in the sound of the connection as she was placed on hold. It was going to take a whole bottle of antacids to get through this. She was just plain dumb to feel this nervous about talking to her own husband. Of course, it was guilt. Guilt over
During the next hour, Michael and Paula discussed various aspects of the director of protocol job. “I’m planning to announce the creation of the position at my next press conference,”
“Do you want me to be there?”
“I’m meeting with my transition team later tonight to discuss a variety of issues. Someone will call you tomorrow morning to tell you what we decide. I’d appreciate it if you’d talk only to Connor about this for now. I don’t want any information leaked to the press before the official announcement. You’ll learn keeping information from the media is harder than you think.”
Paula agreed. “Of course, I recognize that this is a highly sensitive situation. I’m sorry Ashley chose to continue working at the museum. I honestly believed she’d change her mind once you were elected.”
Michael had no intention of discussing Ashley with anyone. He was beginning to hope there might be a chance of adequately coping with Ashley’s abdication. True, he was establishing a new position, which would set a precedent for future First Ladies. But once his decision was announced and explained, maybe some of the pressure would lessen.
“I feel confident that we can move forward on a positive note. Thanks again for coming on such short notice.”
Paula got the hint; she was being dismissed. She got up and extended her hand to shake Michael’s. “Thank you. Your trust means a great deal to me. I’m looking forward to working with you, more than you know.”
“I hope you still feel that way once you’re officially the director and the media starts hammering away at you.”
“I’m not easily deterred from a goal once I set my mind to it. I’ll talk to you later.”
Paula seemed almost to float out of his office.
Michael turned to his desk. He hoped to God he was making the right decision. Out of all of the possibilities he and his staff had discussed to compensate for Ashley’s absence, this solution seemed the least likely to be troublesome.
Almost a week had passed since he’d last talked to Ashley, and that spoke volumes. He needed to call her. He’d meant to call her before now, but he honestly didn’t know what to say to her. Now at least he had something to tell her. He’d give her a call tonight and make arrangements for them to spend a weekend together.
Michael picked up the phone and dialed Ed. “Hey, I just finished meeting with Paula, and I wanted to confirm our seven o’clock meeting this evening. I’d like to give you my impressions.”
“How did it go? Did you decide anything?”
“As a matter of fact, I did. I offered her the job, and I didn’t sugarcoat it. I was quite clear about the boundaries I want established right from the start. I’ll have to say, she didn’t even flinch. At the meeting tonight, I’d like to discuss the best way of presenting this appointment to the press.”
“I’ll see that it gets added to the agenda. Have you said anything to Ashley about the decisions you’ve made?”
“Not yet. I’ll give her a call tonight and give her a heads-up. See you at the meeting.”
15
Ashley felt it was now or never. She needed to call Michael. She felt responsible for the distance that had grown between them and putting if off any longer would only make matters worse. She dialed his number, and as soon as she heard his secretary’s voice, the acid began to bubble in her stomach.
“Hi, Georgia; it’s Ashley. Is Michael available?”
“He’s in a meeting, but I’ll see if he can break free to take your call. Please hold the line.”
Ashley heard the difference in the sound of the connection as she was placed on hold. It was going to take a whole bottle of antacids to get through this. She was just plain dumb to feel this nervous about talking to her own husband. Of course, it was guilt. Guilt over
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