Reggie tossed her pen on the table and pinched her fingers on the bridge of her nose. “I agree with you about expanding treatment access in prison. I’m the one who brought it up. What I’m asking is why are so many people in prison for drug related probation violations to begin with?”
Sophia’s eyebrows knit together, and she looked at the ceiling. “Once again, that’s outside the scope of what we’re doing here.”
Reggie and Sophia had been going in circles for almost an hour. While things outside the design team were heading in pleasantly warm directions, the current heat between them was the type that could burn.
“Maybe we should expand our scope. If someone’s freedom is contingent on abstaining from a substance they haven’t been capable of quitting, and once incarcerated there is no option for treatment, isn’t that an access issue?” Reggie raised an eyebrow.
“Not necessarily. Why didn’t they seek treatment before they were in legal jeopardy? And if they did seek treatment, at what point are you out of chances? I’m not meaning to imply I’m callous to the suffering, but the legal system needs to be able to run its course or laws in this country are meaningless. There can’t be endless carve outs for certain populations.” The longer Sophia talked, the more animated her hands became as they motioned in the air.
Reggie sighed and tapped her pen on the table. “Of course, but it doesn’t feel right to me to tell someone that they’re going to prison unless they stop a substance they’re addicted to when the use is what got them in trouble to begin with. Holding prison over someone’s head when their substance use has already led to a host of negative consequences feels like a stick being wielded with little chance of motivating the sought after behavior. They need treatment access before they relapse and end up violating their probation. Before they need it in the prison system.”
Sophia smiled ruefully. “I get the feeling we could debate all night, but I do think we’re off track, although I concede we can’t even agree on that. Truce?” She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Reggie. “Even if you’re awfully cute when you’re fired up and passionate about something.”
Reggie felt her eyes go wide. “You know you’re not giving me much motivation to drop the argument?”
Before Sophia could answer, Frankie and the Zookeeper rolled their chairs over and interrupted.
“Do you two need a referee?”
“We’re fine. If everyone had the same opinions, this design team would be worthless.” Sophia looked from Frankie to the Zookeeper and then caught Reggie’s eye.
Reggie couldn’t be sure, but it felt like the look Sophia threw her way was softer, more intimate, than what Frankie and the Zookeeper got. Even when they’d been strongly disagreeing, Reggie had never felt the rancor growing out of the control. Given Sophia’s comment moments ago, she wasn’t harboring ill will either.
“I wouldn’t usually eavesdrop, but you weren’t exactly whispering. Are you still hung up on treatment access in prison?” Frankie looked thoughtful.
“How do you both feel about it? You have different experiences with the system. Maybe you can share some insight.” Reggie pulled her notebook close and indicated the Zookeeper with her pen.
“To bring our rep Lamont up to speed, I veered off my sworn path of sobriety and ended up, like so many do, paying for my sins behind bars. Now, Parrot controls the flow of licit and illicit substances in and out of the prison, so I had access to the treatment options of my choice.”
Sophia was shaking her head. “I still have trouble wrapping my head around the ins and outs of that economy.”
“It is one of our more complicated business ventures, but my point is, I was afforded a large degree of privilege not available to everyone, although Parrot and I strive for equity in our business practices.”
“You’re not suggesting you should be the preferred vendor within the prison system, are you?” Sophia looked horrified.
“Representative Lamont, I’m saying for those that can afford it, we already are. It might be time for a more mainstream solution, although, personally, I trust the job Parrot and I could do more than the mess bureaucrats will make.”
“It would have made a huge difference in my mom’s life.” Frankie picked at a fingernail absently. “She’d only had a few weeks sober when she was arrested for drug possession. Everything she’d been putting in place before was wiped out as soon as she got locked up because there were no treatment programs inside. She went back to what she knew.” Frankie reached out and grasped the Zookeeper’s arm. “I know you did what you could for her, Zoo. We both appreciate it.”
“Every system has its limitations. I know it was rough for her.” The Zookeeper put her hand over Frankie’s.
“I know what you’re doing. Trying to get them on your side to make it three against one might win you the battle but makes your grip on ultimate victory tenuous at best.”
Sophia looked long and hard at Reggie. There was no mistaking her meaning. Reggie was ready to surrender this battle and any to come. She’d never wanted to be part of the design team anyway, but a chance with Sophia was something she wanted a lot. Except now the design team meant a lot to her too, and she didn’t suspect Sophia would look kindly on her surrender.
The Zookeeper caught Reggie’s eye and winked. Reggie remembered the Zookeeper saying she was a good judge of people. Could she know what was going on between them?
Bert called the group back together before Reggie could ponder further. He wrapped up the latest session and dismissed them. The four of them walked out together.
Sophia was quiet as they boarded the elevator. Reggie purposefully positioned herself so she could be close to her on the ride down. She’d looked forward to seeing her all day and they’d spent most of the time arguing. Not exactly the date they’d both been hoping for.
“Zoo, if someone overdoses, out on the street, what happens to them?” Sophia leaned around Reggie to look at the Zookeeper.
“That depends on whether someone has naloxone, whether they’re okay calling nine-one-one, mentally and emotionally, and whether they want to risk trying to revive someone in case it doesn’t work or they mess it up.”
“Aren’t there immunity laws and Good Samaritan laws to protect people when they call about an overdose?” Sophia frowned.
“For a law to work, people have to have trust in the system.” The Zookeeper shrugged. “And calling for assistance doesn’t mean that assistance will arrive in time. Timely naloxone administration is most important, but if it’s not readily available the outcome is often tragic.”
The elevator reached the first floor and they exited. Frankie and the Zookeeper said good-bye and headed into the evening, but Reggie lingered. She wasn’t ready to part. Sophia didn’t seem in a rush to leave either.
“Do you have anywhere to be?” Reggie reached out and grazed the back of Sophia’s hand.
“Depends on what kind of offers roll in.” Sophia made a show of pulling out her phone and checking the display. “What did you have in mind? You’ll have to beat what I’ve already been tempted with.”
Reggie didn’t want to admit the ball of fire shooting through her veins was jealousy. It wasn’t her business if Sophia was seeing other people. At least she was being offered a chance to win the night.
“I was going to suggest ice cream, but if you’re busy…” Reggie waved her hand like it didn’t matter.
“You’re poker face needs work Ms. Northrup. I’m teasing you. Lily texted to ask if I want to discuss the show that came out last weekend that everyone’s been bingeing. Apparently, there’s a naked ass in the second episode that she still can’t get out of her mind.”
“Well, I don’t want to keep you from talk of naked asses. Ice cream can’t compete with that.”
The sudden dousing of the flames of jealousy made Reggie a little woozy. Why did the emotions of the heart have to feel so much like a minor medical emergency?
“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” Sophia linked arms with Reggie and steered her toward the ice cream shop a few blocks away. “The ass Lily’s offering isn’t the one I’m particularly interested in.”
Reggie’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”
Sophia moved her hand into Reggie’s back pocket and squeezed. “I hope I’m not being too forward, but I like trying to catch a peek of this one when you’re not looking.” Sophia removed her hand and linked it again through Reggie’s arm.
“You expect me to keep walking like that didn’t happen?” Reggie stopped and inadvertently jolted Sophia back into her arms.
“Well, now something happened.” Sophia smiled, her face inches from Reggie’s.
Sophia smelled like lavender and everything good in the world. Reggie wanted to wrap her arms around her and kiss her, but she hesitated. They were in the middle of the sidewalk, downtown, blocks from the statehouse. The words of the other cochairs about her worthiness still echoed in her mind. Sophia deserved better.
Reggie took a step back, gently releasing Sophia, but keeping a hold of her hand. When did she start worrying about Sophia’s political career?
“Not one for public displays of affection?” Sophia shook their joined hands until Reggie looked at her.
“No, it’s not that. You shouldn’t be. Not with me. Not here.” Reggie jammed her free hand in her pocket.
“Wait a minute.” Sophia stopped Reggie and stood in front of her. Close in front of her. “Aren’t you the one worried about being seen cavorting with a politician? Since when are you worried about me?”
“Maybe you broke me when you grabbed my ass.”
Sophia looked delighted. “I wonder what else I could do to you.”
Reggie didn’t tell her the sky was probably the limit. “Are we getting ice cream?” She tried for a scowl, but she took Sophia’s hand and lost her angry look when Sophia dropped her head onto Reggie’s shoulder.
“If you insist. One thing I need to say, to clear the air, because I could tell you were jealous earlier. I’m busy and have crazy hours and have people in my business constantly. I’m not interested in juggling a hectic dating schedule. When I like someone, that’s who I want to spend time with, and I happen to like you.”
“Would your reelection focus groups like it better if you were seen on the arm of a new woman every week or on my arm? What about the fact that I’m White and you’re Black? Does that freak anyone out? Does it freak you out? Are there career ramifications about it?”
Sophia wrapped both arms around Reggie’s bicep and pulled her close. “Don’t know, don’t care. I haven’t asked and I never will. My personal life is my own. I don’t ask my constituents what happens in their bedrooms. As for the fact that I’m Black and you’re not, as long as you see me, all of me, and that includes my Blackness, then we’re okay. I expect we’ll both have learning to do as we go. I’m not naive enough to think this is the last conversation we’ll have about it.”
Reggie tried to give Sophia an “oh please” look, but she wasn’t looking at her. “I do see you and what I see is amazing. But you’re a public figure. My reputation has already been brought to your attention, more than once. My guess is the ones who alerted you to the rot on my family tree are the ones who matter a bit more than the family of five counting on you to make their lives a little easier. Which you can’t do if you don’t get reelected because you’re spending time with shadowy people.”
Sophia kissed Reggie’s cheek. “And yet here we are. We’ve both stepped outside our comfort zones. Trust that and trust me, okay? And while you’re at it, you can buy me some ice cream. Bubble gum or cotton candy, please.”
Reggie dropped her arms and stared at Sophia. “Are you serious?”
“Completely. Have you had it since you were a kid? It’s delicious. It was my nana’s favorite and she passed it on to me.”
“That’s the scandal that might get you booted from office. It won’t be anything to do with me.”
Sophia put her hand on her hip and tapped her foot “Are you going to stand there all night judging me or are you going to make good on your ice cream promise because you know I have naked asses as a backup plan.”
Reggie shuddered. She could still feel Sophia’s hand in her back pocket. What she wouldn’t give to have it there again. Although, if she were being honest, she’d give a lot more for those naked asses to be theirs.
She wanted to shove the young family out of line and jump ahead of the high schoolers on an awkward date, but she, appropriately, waited her turn. Impatiently. She was even successful at ignoring the questioning looks when she ordered Sophia’s cotton candy cone.
It took her a moment to find Sophia in the early evening crowd. They weren’t the only ones enjoying the late spring warm weather and longer days. The sun was low in the sky casting a warm glow over the picnic tables. She finally saw Sophia sitting at the farthest corner of the lawn, her back to the table, her elbows propped behind her, her face toward the last of the sun.
Reggie could have stayed where she was and stared until the dark shuttered the view for the evening, but from here she was only an observer. If she joined her, she got to be part of Sophia’s world. As she approached, Reggie remembered, once again, why “beautiful” always seemed so inadequate when describing Sophia.
“What are you doing? Are you going to stand there until our ice cream melts or come sit with me, Hellhound?” Sophia opened her eyes and sat up. She patted the bench next to her.
“I’m trying to remember another time the English language has utterly failed me. I don’t think there’s a word available to me that describes how beautiful you are. Maybe I’ll have to try another one. Maybe Swahili or Farsi. I don’t know anything about the languages, and I don’t think English has borrowed much from them, so I have high hopes. Latin perhaps?” Reggie handed Sophia her cup and spoon and sat next to her.
“It’s always good to try new things.” Sophia traced Reggie’s eyebrow, along her cheekbone, to her chin.
Reggie shivered. It had nothing to do with the ice cream. She took Sophia’s hand before she could meander farther down Reggie’s neck. How far was she planning on going? “You may not care about being seen in public with me, but you’d probably care quite a bit if we get booted out of here for groping each other like those two over there.” Reggie nodded in the direction of the two teenagers she’d been behind in line.
Sophia looked over Reggie’s shoulder and stifled a laugh behind her ice cream. “He needs some guidance. You should pull him aside for a chat.”
Reggie sat up straight and looked at Sophia with her spoon halfway to her mouth. “I’m not giving that kid tips on how to feel up his girlfriend in front of toddlers and God and everyone.”
Sophia put her hand on Reggie’s knee and patted it. She scooted closer and left her hand where it was. “I didn’t mean that. You should give him some advice about treating a girl right, cause he’s missing a few marks in that regard.”
Before Reggie could respond, the young man under review landed on his ass on the ground holding his hands to his crotch. The young woman he’d been getting handsy with stood over him and dumped a milkshake on his head.
“I think he learned a valuable lesson from an excellent teacher.” Reggie turned back to Sophia. “Where were we?”
“You were telling me how beautiful you think I am and how worried we should be if someone saw us kissing in public.” Sophia moved her hand a little farther up Reggie’s leg.
Reggie looked down at her leg and stumbled through a few incoherent utterances. She tried again. “You’re beyond beautiful, that was my point. I don’t have the words to describe it. And I’m not worried about kissing.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.” Sophia put her cup on the table, slid her hand behind Reggie’s head, and pulled her close. “I’ve wanted this, and you, for so long.”
Their lips were together so quickly Reggie didn’t have a chance to think or overthink. She reacted, and that meant she pulled Sophia closer and deepened the kiss. Sophia’s lips were soft and urgent and she tasted like cotton candy.
Long before Reggie was ready for it to end, Sophia slowly pulled away, a smile lighting up her face. “That should give everyone something to talk about. It certainly has me buzzing.”
Reggie sagged against the table. “I’m so far off balance with you I might as well be standing on my head.”
Sophia kissed her again quickly, a light, mostly PG-rated kiss. “Why do I get the feeling you don’t mind?”
They finished their ice cream, stealing glances, sharing smiles, and one or two more kisses. Reggie took Sophia’s hand as they walked back toward their cars.
“When I’m with you, Reggie, I don’t worry about reelection or politics, or how many ways I could fail my constituents or myself. Why is that?”
Reggie laughed to cover the nerves that had sprung back to life. “Probably because I hate politics. Should I write a note for you to keep at the office so you don’t worry so much about those things when I’m not around? I’m always happy to remind you how wonderful you are.”
“How lucky for me. I know you don’t let very many people see this sweet side of you. Thank you for making an exception for me. If you do make a career change and this is who the kids get as a teacher, you’re the one they’ll talk about twenty years down the road. You’ll be the one they say changed their lives.” Sophia cupped Reggie’s cheek and kissed her one last time before unlocking her car and slipping into the driver’s seat.
Reggie closed the door and waved as Sophia drove away. She touched her cheek as she walked to her truck. The evening hadn’t gone as expected but had outpaced her wildest hopes. Could she really put aside her fears tied into Sophia’s career and see where this led? She could still taste the cotton candy on her lips.
Fear of her father’s shadow hadn’t stopped her from being crushed under its weight. And now there was Sophia and her career to consider. What if her father’s past pulled her under as well? The thought made her ill. But what would happen if she stepped into the light and carved her own path? The possibility of shrugging off the shackles of her family name hadn’t ever seemed possible, but maybe it was time. Could she allow the possibility that some politicians used their power for good? Could her heart afford for her not to?