Death of an Intern Read Online Free Page B

Frankie Grayson replied with a smile I found to be a little forced. Laughter instantly boiled up around us. “Enjoy yourselves,” Grayson said and abruptly moved away.
    Ralph filled the void, turning our attention to some young women. “These ladies work for Vice President Grayson. Sarah, I'd like you to meet my attorney Jerry Fields and his wife Laura. He's a good man to know.”
    â€œHi,” Sarah said. No handshake.
    Ralph pulled in three others. “Meet Janet, Kat, and Lisa.”
    We greeted all around. I noticed a pin on Janet. “I love the pin you're wearing.”
    â€œIt was my grandmother's,” Janet replied.
    I heard Jerry whispering to Ralph, “Laura got the word; we're expecting.”
    â€œA baby!” Ralph blurted out. “Son-of-a-gun, it's about time.”
    Others close by overheard this. Some gave their congratulations.
    â€œYou just found out?” Janet asked.
    Ralph gave Jerry a friendly nudge. “It took you long enough.”
    I saw a shadow cross Janet's face as she said, “It's always people who want it the most who have the trouble.”
    â€œWe've been trying—it just took awhile,” Jerry said to Ralph.
    â€œI know,” I said. “The worst thing for me is I'll have to cut back on my work.”
    â€œOh? Is that for a special reason?” Janet asked.
    Dance music began, and Jerry tugged my arm. “You up for a little…” and he gave a little twirling gesture with his fingers.
    â€œOnly the slow stuff.”
    â€œI'm proud of you,” he kidded. “You're getting into the spirit very easily.”
    â€œYeah well, we'll see when the first hot story comes my way.” I turned to say goodbye to Janet and noticed tears in the young woman's eyes. “Everything all right?”
    â€œWhat? Oh sure. Good luck with your baby.”
    Jerry towed me off to the dance floor. As we danced, I saw Janet had rejoined the other two women. They were standing with the Vice President. Jerry twirled me and we were swallowed up by the other dancers. The band played seamlessly as we enjoyed our rare dance. During a pause, we sidled off the dance floor. I nudged him, nodding toward the buffet. “I'm not cooking tonight.”
    We had just started munching when the band emitted a brassy fanfare. The Vice President, with microphone in hand, greeted everyone and introduced his mother and father to tumultuous applause.
    The VP flashed his brilliant smile. “I hope everyone is getting enough food.”
    Applause and laughter broke out. Grayson's happiness for his parents was magnetic. The main party moved to the cake to make their ceremonial cut.
    Neither of us cared for any sweets, so we edged toward the exit. Outside, Jerry held on to me lovingly. I leaned against his warmth, feeling very lucky. The valet went off for our SUV. It was a lovely night, but the forecast called for wind and rain late Saturday.

S aturday began lovely, but became gloomy midday and thundershowers had been forecast for late afternoon. Janet wished she could have stayed home, curled up with a good book instead of having to drive into Washington on the weekend. She crossed the Potomac River on Memorial Bridge, then drove east on Constitution Avenue. The same route she took every morning on her way to the White House.
    Only today, she was not going to work. She had arranged to meet with Tishana Rice, who lived with her mother in Northwest. Janet was pregnant and needed a checkup, but wanted to go to a place where she wouldn't run into anyone who knew her. Tishana knew an inner city clinic, which she had once used.
    She and Tishana had met during a training session. They had lunched together soon after, and despite coming from entirely different worlds, they liked each other from the outset. They also respected each other's choice about pregnancy. Janet had decided not to go against her parents' pro-life beliefs. Tishana had been pregnant at