Senate Cloakroom Cabal Read Online Free

we’re in suburban Virginia on a Saturday afternoon, I am.”
    He grinned. “Could this be a tomorrow headline?”
    Our server appeared at that moment, blocking my view. We ordered coffee, and Max, true to form, ordered steak. He could not order it rare, so he settled for medium, which was well-done to him. I requested a grilled chicken salad with Caesar dressing on the side.
    Max ordered onion rings as an appetizer, and the server departed. “Your Christmas party was very enjoyable. I was going to call . . .”
    The server brought our coffee.
    â€œI’m so glad your daughter could be there,” I said. “She’s become quite a looker.”
    â€œYes, well-coiffed and dressed as only her stepfather can afford.”
    â€œShe seemed very attentive to her big, teddy-bear daddy. How does she like you being Tyler’s godfather?”
    â€œShe thinks it’s cooool .”
    â€œSounds like Jerry’s boys . . . cooool .”
    We chatted amiably until the server arrived with the onion rings and my grilled chicken salad, saying Max’s steak would be ready shortly. He topped off our coffees and left.
    Max had a swallow. “You, eh, over the holidays?”
    I caught the unspoken meaning to his question, but didn’t respond right away.
    â€œDid Mr. Tyler hold up well after his days on stage with your parents?” Max prompted.
    â€œWith all the attention, all the holding and cooing he got, he came out of it quite well. I was afraid he would want more of the same constantly, and I’d be the only one around to give it to him. Fortunately, he settled into his previous patterns.” I reached for an onion ring.
    â€œI enjoyed meeting your parents. And if I may say so without getting my head chopped off, I found your father a very interesting guy.”
    I peered at him over an onion ring as if I would attack, but then lightened up. “Yes, he is. I never saw that part of him growing up.”
    â€œMaybe he never expressed himself in a way that allowed for that.” Max picked up the last onion ring and held it up in a last-chance gesture.
    â€œIt’s all yours,” I said graciously.
    He took it in one bite and looked at me softly, tilting his head questioningly.
    â€œOkay. I was guilty back then, too, focusing only on myself,” I said. Max had a way of drawing me out without verbally asking. “Dad and I never had the opportunity to become close.”
    The server appeared with Max’s steak. We both reordered coffee, this time decaf for me, and fell into eating. There wasn’t a whole lot I wanted to say about my youth. I peeked at the corner booth while digging into my salad. “Things seem to have relaxed down at the corner ring.”
    Max couldn’t resist and turned to glimpse in that direction. “He does look familiar. I know we’re in a low-traffic area for Washington big shots, but doesn’t he know that snoopy reporters are everyplace?” He grinned and raised his eyebrows.
    â€œThank you very much,” I smirked. “I wish I had my camera.”
    â€œPersonally, I’d rather talk about young Mr. Tyler Fields.”
    â€œHe’s a wonderful, playful, happy guy. And believe me, I count my blessings.”
    â€œI’m looking forward to the christening.”
    I had fallen way behind Max in the eating department and I concentrated on that, but my mind went back to Mom, Dad, and their four-day visit over Christmas. Their first-ever trip to see me—anywhere.
    â€œYou look like you’re off someplace. May I ask where?”
    â€œChristmas.” I sipped on my coffee.
    â€œAh. Not with the couple in the corner?”
    â€œNo.” I looked in that direction. They were just leaving.
    Max looked at the departing couple. “Do you know him now?”
    â€œOnly as someone familiar.”
    â€œIf I said Senate majority leader, would that—”
    â€œOh my God. Kelly!