Page 34 of Revisions

“I’m frustrated by what happened today,” I confess. It’s not much of a confession. Anyone who knows me could guess the day’s events would trouble andfrustrateme.

“How’s the girl who got injured?”

“Home. That’s part of the reason I want you to make the trip with me.”

“Oh?”

“It seems Ava Porter wants to be an architect,” I explain. “Her mother told me she’s developed a fascination with the First Lady.”

Jameson chuckles.

“I think Ava hoped you might make an appearance at today’s event,” I tell Jameson.

“Should I bring some of my plans?”

“I think she might prefer to show you hers.”

“Maybe Mel or Jonah should come to conduct an interview,” Jameson quips.

“Actually, that might not be a bad idea.”

“You want Mel to hire a twelve-year-old? Candace, I thought you supported child labor laws.”

I laugh. “Lunatic.”

“Me? You’re the one who suggested hiring a pre-teen.”

“Maybe we should consider having Ava visit DC,” Candace said. “Mel could show her around the office, and you could show her around the White House.”

Jameson chuckles, and then she sighs. “It isn’t your fault she got hurt.”

“I know”

“Do you?”

“Yes,” I reply. “She’s a kid, Jameson—a kid who was excited to attend a political rally for one of the driest people in public life I’ve ever met.”

I hear Jameson snigger. She’s met Tomm Briggs.

“It doesn’t matter what excited her about attending. She asked her mother to bring her. Maybe your absence would have been a disappointment, but?—”

“Candace.”

“I’m serious. She was excited enough to take time out on a Saturday, willing to wait in line for a few hours to go to that rally. She left with a lasting memory—a traumatic one. I don’t want her lifelong impression of political involvement to be traumatic.”

“I love you.”

“What?”

“What do you mean—what?” Jameson returns. “I think it’s great idea. Maybe you should expand it a little.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, there might not be a lot of twelve-year-olds fascinated byme. I’m sure some are interested in architecture.”

“Go on.”

“Why not have a small group of kids in that age range visit the White House? I can take them on a tour and explain the building from an architectural standpoint—maybe I can help them sketch a plan. If you just have Ava visit, it will look like you’re capitalizing on her misfortune. We could even have the kids stay for dinner with their parents—something informal like a pizza party,” Jameson suggests.

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