Page 108 of Meant to Be

“Congress,” he said. “The House of Representatives.”

“Wow,” I said again, getting chills at the thought. “Tell me more.”

“Well…you know that big meeting I had the other day? The one I was nervous about?”

“Yes?”

“Well, it was with Judith Hope,” he said.

“Should I know that name?”

“She’s the chairperson of the New York State Democratic Committee. And she’s trying to convince me to run for Congress…. What do you think?”

“Well, what doyouthink? I thought you didn’t want this?”

“I didn’t…but I don’t know. Maybe I could do some good. More good than I’m doing now…”

“What does your mother say?” I asked.

“I haven’t talked to her about it.”

“Have you talked to your grandmother?”

He shook his head and said, “No, honey. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Oh, wow,” I said, feeling honored—and also overwhelmed by the responsibility.

“Do you think I’d be any good at it?” he said.

“I think you’d be awesome,” I said. “But I want you to be happy.”

“Youmake me happy.”

“You make me happy, too…but I’m talking about yourjob.”

“You’re more important to me than my job—”

“Joe!” I said with a laugh. “Focus!”

“Okay. Sorry,” he said, smiling. “I’m trying.”

“Do you think this might be something you really want? Or would you be doing it because you’re Joe Kingsley and people expect it of you?” I asked.

“I don’t know…. I’d say neither. I think if I did it—I’d be doing it because I think I have an obligation to help as many people as I can.”

“That’s a great answer,” I said.

“And so long as you’re by my side, I think we can accomplish some big things…not that I would expect you to give up your career to be some congressman’s wife or anything like that.”

“Actually, I think it might be time for me to make a change,too,” I said. Some of my recent thoughts about work were suddenly crystallizing in my head.

“Why do you say that?” he asked. “I thought you loved your job?”

“I do. In some ways. I mean…I love some of my clients. But for the most part, it’s not all that fulfilling. At the end of the day, I sell clothes to rich people.”

“It’s way more than that—and you know it. Wilbur depends on you. You’re doing so much for his brand. From a business perspective. From a sales perspective. From a creative perspective.”

“Thank you, Joe,” I said. “Butyou’reactually doing more for his brand than I am.”

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