LT walked into City Hall speaking to workers and residents as they passed him in the hallway. Some stopped him to share their thoughts on one project or another, some to take pictures with him. Either way it was a wonderful feeling to walk into a place that was drab and dingy two years ago to see it full of life and color now. It was remarkable how a place could transform with a little tender loving care. That’s really all he’d done for the building. Fresh coats of paint, new furniture, and a comfortable working area made the workers feel wanted and appreciated. LT had given them a renewed sense of pride when they came to work and it showed. They were friendlier to him and the residents of the city they served.
“Mr. Mayor, a word please.”
LT turned to see Councilwoman Rivera walking in his direction. She was the longest member of the City Council and felt he was there to grant her every wish. It did not matter if that wish stomped on the rights of others, as long as she got the byline in the local newspaper or was the lead story on the 6 and 11 pm news.
“Councilwoman Rivera, how may I help you on this beautiful day?”
“Those kiss ass words are not going to stop me from tearing into you,” she huffed. “Why in the hell did you allow that teeny bopper you call a fiancée to attack me in that manner publicly?”
LT held his composure. “Why don’t we step into my office to discuss your concerns.”
“You don’t want the residents of the city to hear how you can’t control your fiancée?” She raised an eyebrow as she glanced around. “How are they to expect you to control the city?”
Dressed in a bright yellow two-piece pants suit with gold buttons that seemed to be screaming to be free of the buttonholes that were restraining them, LT wanted to walk away from the woman. But he knew her next move would be to talk louder to create a scene. He had had a wonderful morning with Phire and did not want his mood swiped away by this publicity hungry woman. He stepped close to her ear and as calmly as he could he replied, “No. I did not think you would want the residents to hear when I tell you to go to hell in this lobby.” He stepped back. “Now, if you really want an answer to your question, I suggest you step into my office so we can speak privately or make an appointment to speak when you are a little more composed.”
The Councilwoman glanced around to see if anyone was looking, LT surmised. When her eyes narrowed in on him he knew she had seen things his way.
“Your office is fine.” She walked past him to the entrance of the reception area of his office as if she was the one in control. “Well, are you going to be a gentleman and open the door?”
LT stood where he was and was about to respond to the woman when Police Chief Frank Williams walked by.
“Allow me the pleasure, Councilwoman Rivera.” Chief Williams opened the door. The woman walked through as he cleared his throat at LT.
LT stared at Chief Williams who was still holding the door open. He tilted his head from side to side then walked in. “Good morning, Frank.”
“Good morning, Mayor Palmer. More honey than venom, son. It works every time.”
“I got some venom for you, all right,” LT said under his breath.
“I can see that.” Chief Williams smiled.
“Good morning, Mayor Palmer,” Ebony Sullivan, his office manager and personal assistant spoke as he walked in. “Your 9 am is waiting in your office.” She glanced at Councilwoman Rivera, then whispered, “Do you want to see her first or make an appointment?”
“Councilwoman Rivera will only take a moment,” LT replied.
“I’m going to be longer than a moment,” the Councilwoman started to protest but was cut off.
“A moment is all you are going to get,” LT replied without looking up as he read through his messages. “Or you can make an appointment as others have done.” He motioned to Chief Williams. “You can go on in, Frank.”
“You are not going to keep putting me off, Mr. Mayor. You have been in this position long enough to know who holds the power around here. You don’t want me as an enemy.”
“You’re not an enemy now?” LT looked up at her. “Damn, if accosting me at the event on Saturday then again in the lobby is your friendly approach, I would hate to see the other side.” Councilwoman Rivera was about to speak when he looked at his watch. “I’m afraid your moment is up. Ebony, make an appointment for Councilwoman Rivera at my earliest convenience. Councilwoman Rivera.” He nodded then walked towards his office.
“Don’t you dare walk away from me. You cannot just dismiss me,” Councilwoman Rivera yelled.
LT closed his office door behind him.
“I see you are having a cheerful start to the morning,” Grant said.
“It’s always a sign that you are doing something right when Councilwoman Rivera is upset with you.” Chief Williams smiled.
“I must be doing a hell of a job.” LT took a seat behind his desk. “She was only slightly pissed when she stopped me in the lobby. Now, I think she is about to blow a gasket. I’m sure Ebony will handle her.”
“You know you are going to need her vote on a couple of projects coming up,” Grant cautioned. “I’ll take her out to lunch to cool her off.”
“Yes.” LT smiled. “You do that. Make sure there are cameras around to take pictures. She likes being seen with you.”
“You’re the pretty one,” Frank chuckled as he elbowed Grant.
“That’s what she calls you, the pretty one,” LT laughed as he sat up. “Okay, gentlemen. We have twenty minutes. Frank, I take it you are here as a backup for whatever Grant wants to say.”
Frank nodded. “To be honest, Grant requested this meeting on my behalf.”
Grant nodded. “I did, however, the conversation needed to be started. You are well into your second year in the position. There are a number of exploratory committees for people interested in challenging you for the Mayoral position in the next election. I think you know my position. There is no one out there who can take the city in the direction we have planned. The implementations you’ve made are improving the city overall. There are a few projects that council members are battling us on. We know they need to be put in place to secure the educational and economical independence needed to keep outside entities from having their way with the city. If you do not run again, and the counties get a yes person in your chair, the city will get run down again, maybe to a point of no return.”
“I have to agree with Grant on that point,” Frank chimed in. “The counties wants to control the city only to pull all the good to their localities. You saw what condition the downtown area was in when you came in. That’s because your predecessor was in the outside localities’ pockets and didn’t give a damn about the city or the residents. You brought our pride back, but it’s not solid. It still has a few cracks. If we go back into the hands of people whose sole interest is how much tax revenue they can pull from the city, we will be worse off than before. You already are aware of the issues with the police department. We are clearing out some of the problems, but there is the issue with recruits that were placed in service under the last administration. Their intent is clear. They are deep in the department and we need more time to identify and eliminate the bad seeds. The covert activities you have put into action will disappear without your leadership.”
LT glanced at Grant then at Frank. “I understand your positions, however, when I stepped in to run for this position, it was not my intent to make it a lifetime position.”
“But you care about the city,” Grant stated. “You showed that there is a better life for our residents. Now that you have opened that door, it is up to you to keep it that way. You can’t show us paradise then walk away. As Frank stated, he needs time to follow through on the programs you put in place for RPD and we need an additional four years to solidify the strength of the city.”
“Your youth is key to what is bringing the city back to life,” Frank added. “The counties pulled the very life out of Richmond. The outdoor concerts are now held in Henrico County. The Fairground is now out in Goochland, the malls are all in the counties. Those are things our youth are interested in. We need a person in place who will continue to keep our young people in mind. That’s you, son. Like it or not, it’s you.”
“My life is about to change for the better. I’m getting married in a few months and I want to spend time with my woman. Constantly fighting with the members of City Council is not my cup of tea.”
“But you are so damn good at it,” Grant laughed. “City Council meetings have been very entertaining for the last two years. Hell, I think we have better ratings than some of the shows on regular television.”
“It’s even better when Phire shows up.” Frank smiled. “She’s a firecracker for sure.”
“Having Sapphire around makes everything better.” LT smiled, then exhaled. “You both know this is a conversation I will have to have with her. With the wedding and all the plans we have coming up I can’t give you a definite answer until we are married.”
“Fair enough.” Frank stood and held out his hand. “As long as it’s not a definite no.”
“I promise to keep an open mind,” LT replied.
“That’s all I ask.” Frank shook Grant’s hand. “My number one concern is cleaning out the RPD of the dirty cops we have uncovered. Only then can we have the city that you and I envision.”
“I understand what’s at stake.” LT stood.
Frank nodded. “I know you do. Have a good day, gentlemen.”
LT sat back down once the door was closed. He looked up at Grant. “Are you in a position to run if I don’t?”
Grant sighed. “Opal’s hands are full trying to deal with my family and the drama they have brought into our lives. I don’t know if she is going to put up with them and the challenges of the city.”
“Who is out there that can carry the agenda forward?” LT asked.
“I don’t see anyone in the immediate future. We can start looking and begin to prep someone to take over both your position and mine. But that will take time.”
LT nodded. “Let’s begin to see who we can start grooming to take over once we are gone.”
Grant stood and nodded. “Are we talking in two years or four?”
LT thought about his life, his company, and Phire. He had a full uncomplicated life waiting for him outside of politics. Then there were the changes he had seen with the city. People were coming back to the downtown area. Phire and her televised program on city government and how it impacts young people’s lives had proven to be a positive venture for all. Young people were even expressing interest in running for office. If they could keep the interest it would be great for the city’s future.
He exhaled while picking up a file from his in basket. “I can’t say right now. I have to give it a lot of thought.”
“You know if you are successful, the powers that be will not let it end at the Mayor’s level. They are going to want more.”
LT glared up at Grant. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”