Making this journey without Kev, without Leo, and without Lauren only slams home the loss we’ve experienced.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of taking time off and escaping.
We have a country to run.
I call Angie once I’ve blown my nose and washed my face. “Release a statement from the Communications Department immediately, no byline,” I tellher. “Something along the lines of, ‘While it is with a heavy heart we say a final farewell to Press Secretary Lauren Baltazar today, President Samuels has directed Chief of Staff Kevin Markos to name Deputy Communications Director Angela Shibata as Ms. Baltazar’s replacement, effective immediately. The mark Ms. Baltazar left on our administration will never be forgotten. She was beloved by PresidentSamuels and the First Family, as well as by White House staff and the press corps. The president is honored and humbled to have known her and call her a friend and adopted family. We ask the public please respects Ms. Baltazar’s family’s privacy through this trying time, and to direct any questions about the investigation into her murder to law enforcement.’ Got it?”
Angie sniffles. “Yes, ma’am.Thank you, ma’am.”
“Leo and Kev are staying behind overnight with her family,” I tell her. “That’s need-to-know. I’m going to call a gaggle here in a few minutes, so they’ll have the news about your promotion. The statement will be the official public word. Please type it up right now and send the final text to Chris so he can give it to me to look at. He’s watching my phone for me.”
“Yes, ma’am.I will.”
“Thanks.”
I end that call and take a deep breath. I know she’s not enjoying this promotion any more than I’m enjoying giving it to her, but Lauren had faith in her, and so do I. This is one thing I can take off Kev’s plate, and it means continuity in the administration.
“You should eat something, Shae,” Chris says. He’s ditched his jacket and tie, unbuttoned his collar, and rolledup his sleeves. I’ve changed into jeans and a blue, short-sleeved collared pullover with the Presidential seal embroidered on it. Barefoot, because I’m tired and done with this day.
“I’m not hungry.” Actually, I haven’t eaten all day, come to think of it. I had coffee this morning…and that was it.
But no, I’m not hungry. My body has hit one of those phases where food isn’t welcomed, and allI can do is ride it out. It’s happened to me plenty of times before in high-stress situations.
After approving the press release, I head aft. The kids are sitting in the conference room with Yasmine, Elliot, and reporters from MSNBC and BBC America. They’re playing some sort of card game. I stop by to kiss the tops of their heads.
The kids, not the reporters.
Duh.
“Whatcha playing?” I ask.
Myla looks up. “Uno.” She grins. “We’re kicking their butts.”
I need that laugh. Desperately. I level a warning finger at the lady from BBC America. “Watch out for Hudson, because he’ll distract you with his handsome charm so the girls can cheat,” I tease, which prompts laughter from all three kids, and a grin from Hudson.
Ivy rolls her eyes. “We only had him help us cheatonetime, Aunt Shae.”
I’m aware of Chris shadowing me, standing back with his hands in his pockets and watching, listening, but not interrupting.
He’s trying to channel Kev for me, and don’t think I don’t know it.
Unfortunately, he’s not Kev. He’s my husband and sadist and takes damned good care of me, yes.
But he’s not my Sir, even though I call him that in private.
Chris helps with the private demons in my brain.
Kev quiets and calms my work ones.
I continue on to the press cabin, where they all fall silent when I walk in and step to the side so Chris can enter, then I retake my spot in the entry. I lean against the wall.
“Gaggle,” I say. “On the record, but please let’s keep this short and friendly, okay?”
It’s like a beast has come to life, and they’re all instantly ready for me, cell phones filming,notebooks in hand. I’m aware of the two reporters who’d been playing Uno with the kids now standing behind me in the corridor.
“There’s no easy way to say this,” I tell them. “Lauren wasn’t just my press secretary and director of communications—she was my friend. She was adopted family. Our kids called her ‘Aunt Lauren.’ But we have a country to run, and that means we have to move on. She wouldhave wanted that. In fact, she’d probably be yelling at me for waiting this long to announce this. I’ve directed Chief of Staff Kevin Markos to promote Deputy Communications Director Angela Shibata to Press Secretary and Communications Director, effective immediately. Questions only about this, please?”
TheWaPoreporter, Bill Graham, is closest, has seniority, and goes first. He’s in his sixties,and we’ve had a genial relationship ever since I was first elected to the Senate. Before my ascension to the presidency, I was his deep background for more stories than I can count over the years, and he’s always treated me fairly. He and Lauren had a good working relationship.
