“Let’s just say that if I listened to my boss and some others who didn’t feel as strongly as I did, things might not have gotten so drastic so fast.”

“So if you hadn’t always been trying to prove that you were right, you might still be working there. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Something like that, yeah. Listen, I don’t want to see you complicate things with Steve. Give him a chance. Don’t fight him at every corner. Show him that you at least respect his judgment. Ask him what you could do to earn the same privilege that David has. Maybe the answer will surprise you. Maybe it will turn out to be something simple.”

“Now you sound like Mom.”

“Well, your mother is a very intelligent woman.”

“And beautiful.”

Lou nodded. “Yes, and beautiful.”

“Very beautiful,” Emily said.

“Very beautiful.”

“And incredibly talented.”

Lou sensed something was afoot. “Yes, your mother is very talented. She’s a great cook and fabulous dresser.”

“You forgot to mention a brilliant psychologist.”

“One of the best around.”

“And that you’ll never meet a woman who’ll compare to her.”

“Quite possibly so. It’s true your mother has set a very difficult standard to meet. And I say my nightly prayers of thanks that you inherited so many of her wonderful qualities.”

Emily was smiling—beaming was more like it. Then Lou realized that she was looking past him. He twisted around.

Renee was standing in the doorway, her set of his apartment keys in her hand. “Oh please, guys,” she said. “Don’t stop on my account.”

Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

Kim Hajjar beamed at the orderly behavior the children from the inner city Young People’s Chorus exhibited as they passed through White House security at the southwest entrance. No pushing. No horseplay. No yelling.

A darn fine start to the day.

Looking like a mother duck with four dozen ducklings in tow, she led the children to the Rose Garden via a series of well-marked paths that took them around the back side of the West Wing. The chaperones flanked the line and brought up the rear of the procession.

Hopefully, over the years, she thought, some of these kids will visit the White House again. After that, who knows?

The morning was already quite warm, and the cloudless sky guaranteed it would get even warmer. Forecasts had predicted rain throughout the day, so Kim saw the cooperating weather as a sign that the event would proceed without incident.