Sophia hung up the phone and rolled her neck. She’d blocked off the afternoon to make constituent phone calls and answer letters and emails, but she rarely sat for such extended periods of time and her back and neck were screaming.
Rodrigo walked in with his arms full, looking stressed. He always looked stressed late afternoon when she was making phone calls and not attending to the hundred other things on her to-do list. Especially when he knew she had to be out of the office promptly and she was running behind schedule.
“Should I get a standing desk?”
“I thought you were taking care of the needs of the people, not interior design. If you’re done being productive, I’ve got other things to fill your time.” He dropped the armload of papers onto Sophia’s desk.
She took a closer look at what he’d deposited and saw it was draft legislation. She’d have to speed-read if she was going to make it to the design team meeting on time this evening.
“Can you take care of lunch and clear my afternoon tomorrow? I don’t think I’ll get through all of this tonight.”
“Already done. I know you want to get out of here in time for your side hustle and to see your sexy woman.” Rodrigo fanned himself.
“My side hustle is the design team the leadership asked me to join, and she’s not my woman.” Sophia put her hand on her hip.
Rodrigo mirrored her gesture. “Speaking of leadership, the Speaker’s been asking for an update on the design team. I’ve been stalling him like you asked, but that’s only going to work for so long. And, Sophia, sooner or later he’s going to find out about Reggie. Just because she’s not your woman doesn’t mean you don’t want her to be. I for one am going to enjoy the hell out of the show, but I suspect your bosses will not.”
“You’re not invited to the show.” Sophia came around her desk and sat on the front edge. “There’s nothing for leadership to get upset about. Reggie and I are cochairs, we have to spend time together, which is what I told him the last time he asked and I’ll tell him every time he asks going forward. But I do need you to tell me what you learned about her.”
She felt dirty even thinking of getting a briefing on Reggie and her family. Why should political calculus come into play with who she spent time with? It certainly didn’t when she was alone with Reggie, but there was a part of her that worried that could come back to bite her. What kind of person did that make her? Exactly the kind Reggie thought she’d be because of politics.
Rodrigo shut the door. “Bartholomew Northrup is a real gem. He’s in prison after getting convicted on racketeering charges, but he’s been accused of assault, bribery, and murder.”
Sophia waved him off. “I know that part. What did you learn that’s not available with a Google search?”
“For years he was the gatekeeper through which politics flowed in the state. If you wanted something done, you courted him. If you needed a favor, you’d better have something to offer in return. He was transactional and always came out on top. Regina Northrup is his only child. Her mother died of cancer shortly after Regina graduated from college.” Rodrigo ticked off items on his fingers as he went.
“Reggie.” Sophia gripped her desk tightly. “She goes by Reggie, not Regina.”
Rodrigo looked at her like she had three heads. “Did you hear the rest of what I said?”
“I heard it. He’s a terrible man. No wonder Reggie thinks politicians are corrupt assholes. Anything about her?”
“Nothing concrete. But Sophia, she’s his only kid. She was with him at plenty of events as a teenager and young adult and she knows all the players. There’s a reason people don’t trust her. Whether it’s true or not, she’s seen as his heir to the family business.”
Sophia threw her hands up. “But she’s not in politics. She abhors the whole business.”
Rodrigo put his hands out as if offering peace. “I’m only the messenger. You asked what I’d heard.”
“You know this is why people hate politics and politicians, right?”
“Sure, and rightly so. You know why they love them? Because they make their lives better by passing good laws, like the one on your desk.” Rodrigo tapped his wrist. “You’re going to be late if you don’t start reading.”
Sophia waved him out and flopped back in her chair. She flipped to the first page of the bill and scanned it without processing any of it. She pulled out her phone, debated, and texted Reggie to say hi.
She smiled when Reggie responded right away. When it was the two of them, Sophia had a hard time remembering why associating with Reggie was politically risky. She’d chosen a career that did not reward risk taking, but maybe her personal life deserved a different metric. Who was she kidding? Politicians weren’t allowed personal lives outside public scrutiny. No wonder Reggie was disgusted. Politicians were in endless pursuit of elusive approval from thousands of faceless strangers often to the detriment of those closest to them.
That was a thought for another time. She looked back at the bill on her desk. She concentrated, mostly, for three pages. She stole a look at her watch and realized she was going to be late to the design team. She packed up as quickly as she could and double-timed it to the now familiar building.
The buzz in the room was almost as electric as Bert’s two-tone neon leopard print glasses. She didn’t have a chance to ask what had everyone so excited before Bert got them started.
The first half hour was devoted to progress updates from each of the teams. The longer Sophia listened, the more uncomfortable her chair, clothes, and air in her lungs became. What was everyone thinking? Was she the only one who thought smaller steps was the way to go? Was she wrong to think that way?
After the updates, they broke into their smaller teams. Sophia considered faking an illness and heading home. She wasn’t up for another showdown with Reggie after what she’d just heard. When she saw Reggie across the room setting up a chair for her, she knew she couldn’t sneak out the door. It wasn’t part of her makeup to avoid her duty, but even if it were, Reggie was like a bonfire and she was a helpless moth drawn to her flame. At least Frankie and the Zookeeper were working on their own part and were setting up at the conference table.
“That was intense.” Reggie indicated the rest of the PAC members. “I’m all about reform, but even I think some of that is an ocean too far. You must be close to a panic attack.”
Her shoulders relaxed from ear level and she nodded, grateful that Reggie already understood. “I haven’t squirmed or sweated that much since I forgot my homework one time in third grade.”
Reggie considered her intently. “I can see a young, panicked Sophia without her math papers. You wouldn’t dare blame it on the dog I bet.”
“No way. When it was time to turn in our homework, I turned in a one-page apology letter. I was convinced I’d blown my chance of moving up to the fourth grade.”
It wasn’t hard to conjure that feeling again. She’d had it at various times throughout her life. Being perfect was impossible, but damn if she didn’t try and then feel defeated when she fell short. Perfection was the most important virtue her parents had tried to instill in her and Davey.
“What do you think Brenda Seeley’s going to say when she stops by?”
Reggie was shuffling through her notebook so missed what Sophia was sure was a shocked expression.
“The governor’s coming here? When?”
“At some point tonight. Were you not here yet when Bert told us?”
Sophia had met the governor a couple of times since she took office. They were both women of color in their first terms, looking to fulfill their campaign promises and serve their constituents. Of course the governor answered to a larger following than Sophia, but at least on paper their political priorities aligned. The place they differed was how comfortable they were making a splash.
Sophia wasn’t shy about her pragmatism. She’d been derisively given the “moderate” label more than once, but she preferred to think of herself as a problem solver and a realist. Governor Seeley fell a bit left on the spectrum and was a skilled partisan. Sophia admired her political chops and calculated risk taking. She hadn’t gotten elected governor by playing it safe. There was probably a lesson in her rise to power, but Sophia wasn’t sure Brenda Seeley was the one she’d choose to emulate.
“I must have missed Bert’s announcement since I got here a few minutes late. I’m interested to see what she has to say, since she’s the one who put all of us together.”
“We better have our best stuff polished up to show her. Do we have any best stuff?”
Sophie caught Reggie looking her over and not exactly discreetly.
“Should I be offended you don’t think either of us is ‘best stuff’?”
Red crept up the side of Reggie’s neck. “The governor’s on her way, I don’t have time for flirting. Stop fishing for compliments. I’ll tell you how beautiful you are later. Besides, when it comes to this.” She looked at her notes, then turned the notebook upside down and examined it again. “We may still have some work to do.”
“Didn’t crack it since I last saw you?” Sophia tapped Reggie’s notebook with her pen.
She’d foregone her laptop and iPad when she came to the design team or met with Reggie. It felt odd and also freeing to jot things down on paper, she hadn’t done it in so long. She didn’t know anyone aside from Reggie who still took notes by hand.
“I probably cracked a thing or two, but I haven’t solved the drug crisis since the last time you saw me. I’ll have to stand up and bat my eyelashes and give her my most winning smile to prove my use to her.” Reggie directed her over-the-top eye flutter at Sophia.
“The First Gentleman is sure to be insanely jealous.” Sophia mocked swooning.
Reggie gently poked her in the knee. “Hey, don’t get distracted by the sights. I told you we don’t have time for flirting, we have work to do.”
Sophia rolled her eyes and poked Reggie back. “Fine, go ahead then, you show me yours.”
The pink migrating farther up Reggie’s neck was adorable. Sophia would have paid four pennies for her thoughts in that moment.
“I’ve been thinking about the Zookeeper.”
“That’s disappointing.” Sophia sat back, away from Reggie, and crossed her legs slowly. She enjoyed that Reggie watched.
“Not like that. I was thinking about the time she was an inmate at my prison.” Reggie looked over at the Zookeeper and looked hesitant to continue. “I can’t tell her part of the story. Some of it’s her business to tell or not, but my point is her main business didn’t slow down because she was locked up. If anything, I think her being behind bars might have made it easier to run one branch of their business.”
“And you allow that?”
Sophia didn’t mean to sound quite so accusatory.
“We don’t allow anything of the sort. But you try to stop drugs being smuggled in when someone like the Zookeeper is involved in logistics and planning. She’s got guards on her payroll, visitors, you name it. She’s set up an entire subsidiary operation that runs through every cell in the prison. As fast as we can lop off one rotten limb, a new branch sprouts.”
“So what does that have to do with us and the work we’re doing? Don’t the inmates have the choice to get treatment while they’re with you?”
“That’s the thing, aside from twelve-step volunteers and religious and psychological counseling, there’s not any type of formal drug treatment offered. No medication-assisted therapy, which is badly needed. A court order said corrections facilities have to provide it, but states all over the country have been slow to roll it out, and individual facilities are already low on funding.” Reggie wrote a few notes in her notebook and underlined “MAT” and “Corrections.”
How was what Reggie saying possible? Surely those arrested for drug crimes should immediately be offered drug treatment if they wanted it. Wasn’t prison supposed to be about rehabilitation?
“That’s wrong on every level. It shouldn’t be easier to get heroin than methadone in prison.”
“Oh, she’ll sell you methadone too if you want it.” Reggie hitched her thumb over her shoulder toward the Zookeeper. “But your point is taken.”
There was more Sophia wanted to say and ask, but before she could the conference room door opened and Governor Seeley stuck her head in. She smiled brightly and waved as everyone stopped and stared at her.
“Don’t let me interrupt. I want to chat with Bert for a moment and then I’ll come on by and chat with each of you if that’s okay with everyone.”
Sophia was impressed with her charisma and easy command of the room. She didn’t ask for all eyes to land on her, they did because there was nowhere else that demanded more attention.
“When I walk into a room, where do people look?”
“What?” Reggie turned her attention back to Sophia.
“Nothing, never mind. We should keep working. She’ll be over soon.” Sophia glanced once more at the governor talking to Bert and then refocused on Reggie.
“I don’t suppose I can speak for everyone, but the moment you walk in a room, you’re the most compelling thing in it, to me. If that’s what you’re asking.” Reggie looked like she was going to take her hand but pulled back before their hands touched.
“No matter what anyone says about you, you are very sweet, Reggie Northrup.” Sophia did what Reggie had not and joined their hands briefly. “But you told me no flirting.”
The moment their hands touched and Sophia leaned toward Reggie, the governor appeared. Reggie quickly pulled her hand from Sophia’s.
Sophia stood quickly to greet Governor Seeley. Reggie jumped up next to her.
“Representative Lamont, so wonderful to see you. I was thrilled to hear you had joined the design team.” The governor shook with one hand and clasped Sophia’s shoulder with the other. “And, Ms. Northrup, wonderful to have you. Corrections is an important piece of this puzzle. Tell me about the work you two are doing.” She pulled up a chair and waved them both back to their seats.
Sophia let Reggie fill the governor in on their area of focus and initial brainstorming. While Reggie talked and the governor listened, Sophia studied. She watched how Governor Seeley listened intently and kept eye contact. She could tell by Reggie’s body language she was engaged in the conversation.
Being a good listener was an important skill for a politician because even when you didn’t care a lick what someone was telling you, you still needed to make sure they felt heard.
“I applaud the work you two are doing. I hear from Bert you’ve both been elected cochairs of this Policy in Action group. Congratulations.” The governor held up her finger, silently asking for a moment, and leaned back to get a whispered update from a staff member who materialized behind her. “Sorry for the interruption. I was offering much deserved congratulations.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’m looking forward to the process unfolding over the coming months.” Sophia practiced the targeted eye contact.
“I’ve heard great things about you, Ms. Lamont. If you call me Brenda, is it okay if I call you Sophia?” The governor waited for Sophia’s nod and then continued. “Sophia, I watched your campaign and have heard the chatter about you. You’ll probably have my job one day if you’re interested.”
Sophia hoped she didn’t look as shocked as she felt. “Ma’am, I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Please, false modesty and demurring only works when you’re not ready to announce something. Behind closed doors you need to always be ready to go for the throat. This is me giving you advice as a crusty old lady who was once young and eager, like you, not as the governor, okay?” Brenda patted Sophia’s knee.
Sophia dared a glance at Reggie. It looked like a thunderstorm had rolled in over a party yacht three tequila shots out to sea.
“Thank you, ma’am. I’ll keep that in mind and remember to pack my brawling bras when I dress for work.”
Brenda laughed a full-throated, fill-up-the-room-with-joy laugh. More than a few design team members turned their way. Sophia saw even Reggie smiled.
“I like you, Sophia. I hoped I would. I can help you go far while I’m the most powerful politician in the state, but I want something from you.”
Of course she did. Why didn’t Sophia see that coming? Politics was always transactional, that was part of the fun. The trick was making sure you got more than you gave. Now Sophia had to come out on top.
“I’m listening.” Sophia made sure her face was neutral and indifferent.
“When the design team is wrapping up, I want you to join forces with the other cochairs. I want you to get the final proposals compiled and I want you to draft legislation that gets through both chambers and onto my desk. I want something out of this design team that I can sign into law. I know that’s not the purpose of what you’re doing here, but how about we save everyone the months of grandstanding and chest thumping that would be necessary if I took the proposals from this team and rolled out a plan of my own. You talk to my office and get something done so the two of us can announce it the day the design team wraps.” Brenda clapped her hands once as if that settled it.
Sophia was having a hard time ignoring Reggie’s increasing agitation. She wondered what Brenda truly thought of Reggie’s presence on the design team or her obvious displeasure now. Sophia was fairly confident Reggie looked like a three-year-old about to lose her mind over spilled apple juice because she had a front row seat to the political give-and-take she seemed to loathe, but Brenda likely had no idea.
“Reggie, do you mind asking Bert if we have any homework for our next meeting?”
Although Reggie looked reluctant, she nodded and headed to the front of the room to talk to Bert. Sophia needed to feel free to do her job, not worry about what Reggie was going to think of her.
Sophia turned back toward Brenda. “What’s in it for me? You get the bill and fulfill a campaign promise, but what do I get?”
“Ah, good, much better than meek and mild, but not a very good question. You get your first piece of substantial legislation, sponsored by you. Not only that, but you help me fulfill one of my first one-hundred-day wish list items and fulfill one of your campaign promises to get things done. On top of that, you have the thanks of a grateful governor.”
“So you’ll owe me.” Sophia pointed between Brenda and herself.
“I didn’t say that.” Brenda shook her head. “You’re not as green as you look, rookie. Do we have a deal?”
“I’ll do my duty as cochair of this group and I’ll keep in touch about legislative action.”
Brenda looked like she wanted to say more on the topic but let it drop. She glanced over her shoulder at Reggie talking to Bert. “A last piece of advice, off the record, Sophia. Be careful with that one. She’s bad news. Getting mixed up with her doesn’t lead to the chair behind my desk.”
The frustration bubbled up fast and hot.
“Is it her that’s the issue or her family name?” Sophia took a breath to keep her tone level.
“One and the same in our line of work, perception is reality. Be careful. There are some stains you can’t wash away. Maybe she’s a Boy Scout, maybe not. Are you willing to put your career on the line to find out?” The governor raised an eyebrow and stared at her for a long moment.
“Thanks for the advice. I don’t have a choice while we’re on the design team, but I hear you and I appreciate the warning.”
Sophia did appreciate the warning even if she wasn’t comfortable with the message. She had to find out what Reggie was being punished for if it went beyond what her father had done. Whatever was bad enough to blacklist Reggie didn’t seem like the kind of thing she’d be mixed up in. Reggie was kind, charming, and thoughtful, the opposite of most politicians. Maybe that’s why they didn’t want her around.
The governor took her leave with a promise to keep in touch about the design team’s progress. It sounded more like a teacher promising to keep track of the progress of a mandatory book report than a friendly check-in, but Sophia knew it was all part of the game.
Reggie was still talking to Bert, which gave Sophia a chance to evaluate her without getting caught. Her insides quivered when Reggie laughed at something Bert said. She didn’t figure that was supposed to happen with a work colleague. She thought of not seeing Reggie again after the design team was finished and immediately felt downhearted.
She put her head in her hands a moment and tried to clear her thoughts. The governor was asking for legislation from the design team simply so she could say she’d worked toward a campaign promise. The Speaker and majority leader wanted first crack at the outcomes from this group so they could poach the glory from the governor’s agenda. No one cared what the recommendations actually were or where Sophia landed on the issues. She was caught in the middle, expected to play a role she wasn’t sure she was appropriately cast for.
Then there was Reggie, who should have been like touching a hot stove, but instead was heating her in all kinds of other ways. She took another look at Reggie who saw her and smiled. Sophia’s stomach misbehaved again. Jesus, this had been quite a meeting.