Page 45 of The Senator: Raphael

“Capitan Grant was telling me how not every veteran has accessible Medicare,” she explains.

I turn toward the guy she’s referring to, the one in a wheelchair, in his mid-forties with a hard look on his face.

“That’s a problem we’re aware of,” I say, looking him straight in the eye. “But I can’t promise you it will magically disappear. It will take time.”

I’m honest with him, even though it may not be in my best interest since someone else could sell it like a done deal. I’m not that kind of person. I don’t want to insult his intelligence.

He doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m aware of that, but there’s a lot of talk that doesn’t include the actual people who are affected by the problem.”

“I think Silver has something in mind for that, yes?” I look at her with a smile. I can see the determination in her eyes and her brain working overtime for a solution.

What I like about Silver is that she sees these encounters as a chance to solve real problems, to dig into what people need and what would make their lives better. She’s not jaded by politics, power games, or corruption. She still believes that things can change, and she’s someone who can do it, with her determination, her passion, her kindness.

“Why don’t we meet, and you can explain what the problem is? I think your experience is an invaluable resource of information for people who are working for a solution,” she suggests and the guys around her seem to light up. Even Capitan Grant smiles. Not a grin like the others, but his lips are curved upward.

“We can do that,” Grant agrees.

“Listen, compile a list of ten to fifteen people who are experiencing this problem,” she adds. “I’ll send Cindy to get your contact information and tell her to set up a meeting. Don’t focus just on the physical injuries. I’m sure you have friends who need psychological support as well but couldn’t get it. Mental health is important too.”

I see the admiration forming on these men’s faces. She gets it. She knows what it means to struggle every day to survive and she understands them. Her ordeal was different than theirs, but she’s a survivor too, and she has the empathy to prove it.

“Is it true you were a prostitute?”

My blood freezes in my veins. We all turn toward the middle-aged journalist who joined our conversation. As soon as my eyes lands on his smirk, the ice inside me turns to simmering hot rage. I’m about to kick his ass when Silver smiles at him. Everybody around us seems to want to punch the guy in the face, but we’re all waiting to see what she’ll do.

“I don’t know who gave you this information, but it’s a complete lie. I’ve never had sex with anyone in exchange for money or presents. Write that down very carefully, because if I read some other version of this conversation, I have fourteen witnesses that will testify against you in court.” She’s calm and still smiling, but there is a firmness in her tone that makes me want to kiss her and kneel in front of her. She is a queen.

The journalist shrinks a little but doesn’t back down. “So, you’re telling me you never worked in an exclusive nightclub where baristas are also escorts?” The smug smile on his face makes me almost snap, but it’s Capitan Grant who turns on him.

“Listen, dude, I don’t know what your problem is, but she answered your question very clearly. She’s not a prostitute, so stop digging into something that isn’t there and get a life,” he snaps, and I silently thank him. My rage is boiling so hot it’s difficult to keep my temper under control.

Silver is tense next to me, and when I see one of the security guys come closer and gently grab the journalist’s elbow, I relax a bit. I look around and see Matthew controlling the situation without making a fuss. People nearby notice the tense atmosphere but I don’t think they followed our conversation.

The security guy bends to whisper something in the journalist’s ear and the man walks out escorted without making a scene. I’m glad he’s out of here, but I’m not happy about this situation. I keep a smile on my face, pretending to be unaffected by it all, but inside a storm is brewing. Someone better explain how the hell this happened. Everyone in this room should have been thoroughly checked, background and all. How did he get on the list?

“Capitan Grant, come with me. I want to make sure I have all your contact information before we sit down for lunch.” Silver smiles at the man, managing to diffuse the tension and awkward silence that follows the outburst.

“Thank you,” I whisper in her ear, kissing her temple.

She doesn’t say anything, she just smiles at me and puts a hand on my chest, calming me down. I search for Matthew in the crowd, and when I lay eyes on him, he knows he has a lot to explain.

***

“How the fuck did that shit happen?” I shout.

Silver flinches and Matthew lowers his gaze to the floor. We’re locked in my home office after the event and all the anger I suppressed in public is exploding like I’ve never experienced before.

“Why was that prick in there? I pay you to take care of these things and check every single person that steps foot within a mile radius from us. Why was he in there?” I shout again at my best friend.

He snaps his head up and I see anger, disappointment, and maybe shame in his eyes. I don’t care. That man humiliated Silver in front of everyone, tried to smear my campaign, but what scared me most is that he wanted to hurt Silver and me. What if someone else, the one Silver’s running from, got this close to her? In that moment I realized I’m not sure I can keep her safe. I promised her, but I’m not certain I can do it.

“He was screened like everyone else. He’s never been a problem before,” he says firmly, raising his voice a bit.

“Bullshit!” I get in his face. I know it’s not fair, but I can’t stop blaming him.

“Maybe the guy that harassed me at the bar tried to sell the story,” Silver chimes in, and I turn to her.

She seems unsure as to whether she can speak or not, and I’m ashamed at my outburst. I say nothing because maybe she’s right. I don’t know. I can’t know.

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