Benito’s expression warms. “I’m not.”
I skip the shower and slink into my pajamas, flipping open my laptop to find that I have to log into the streaming service where I watchHousewives. I clickforgot passwordand open my email. There, at the top of my inbox I see his name again. Levi Cross. In fact, many Levi Crosses. I scroll to the bottom.
Hi IB(the way he shortens my name because he’d rather die than call me Izzy apparently), been trying to reach you on your cell. I have an idea I want to run by you—you’ve been in my shoes before ;)
Delete. The next one is from Congressman Levi Cross.
Realizing you might have my personal email blocked (you’ll have to show me how to do that one day haha). IB, could really use your expertise—deciding a vote on a bill that was first intro’d last sesh and I want to know if you were leaning yes or no. Call me when you can.
Delete. Next from The Office of Representative Levi Cross (CA-35).
Hi Ms. Rhodes,
Congressman Cross has requested a meeting with you. Please respond with your availability at your earliest convenience.
Delete.
The most recent one from his personal email again.
Isabella, remember that hot August weekend we spent registering USC students to vote? It was one million degrees with 1000% humidity and you still showed up in a freaking suit. You looked so cute, energetically trying to engage the privileged freshmen in your khaki suit with sweat stains down your back. You said it was important to project authority, that people would take you more seriously if you dressed the part. Well, I took your note and now I never go anywhere not in a suit. Not even the gym. Seriously, Isabella, I’m running three miles onthe tread every morning in a suit. Don’t ever let them see you flinch. I miss you. Please call me. There’s so much I want to ask you.
Delete. I wish I did know how to block email addresses, because I’d block his. I consider researching but I don’t have the energy. I reset my password and queue up the housewives.
Chapter Ten
The Nightly Show with Jason Rockweiler Season 46 Episode 92; Congressman Levi Cross, Kiernan Shipka, Vampire Weekend
20:01:58
Jason Rockweiler: Congressman, I hate to embarrass you, but—
[Mr. Rockweiler holds up tweet that readsSexiest Man Alive???with a picture of Mr. Cross on a beach]
AUDIENCE: [Cheers and applause]
Jason Rockweiler: People are saying you’re the hottest congressman alive.
Levi Cross: Hey, I’m there for the work, not the fame.
Jason Rockweiler: Now, I have to ask because everyone’s been wondering, have you talked toyour former adversary, your friend, your, shall we say. . . pen pal Izzy Rhodes since the election?
Levi Cross: I haven’t.
Jason Rockweiler: Really? Because people are asking where she’s been. She apparently hasn’t been seen in public in months. Are you sure she’s not hiding in your closet?
AUDIENCE: [Laughs]
Levi Cross: I’m not sure. Maybe I should check.
AUDIENCE: [Laughs]
Levi Cross: No, no. Look, Izzy is a friend. She’s a good friend. She’s a good human. I hope wherever she is, she’s happy.
“What about flyers? We could plaster flyers all over town, build awareness,” Mia, the owner of the butcher shop in town, pitches what is now becoming a laundry list of asinine ideas the women business owners have come up with so far. We’re sitting outside at Bar Musa. It’s a beautiful evening. It’s golden hour and the piazza is dripping in sunlight, a reflection of theduomocasting itself into the top of my glass of white wine, but I want to bludgeon my eyes out. I’m trying hard to let them lead. I’m only here to consult, but if I have to listen to another terrible idea, I am going to scream.
“Too much paper,” says Bettina of the titular Osteria Bettina. “We do not want to waste trees.”
The other women hum in agreement. I tap my finger against the table. I promised myself I wouldn’t get involved unless I’m directly asked, but no one is asking me anything. “Have you tried social media? Getting press involved?” I blurt out, the latent strategist in me tired of being banished to my subconscious. “If La Musa’s development happens, it’s bound to spread to nearby towns. You should get other communities involved. You need more voices to add to the resistance. We need to put pressure on the mayor to not go through with this.”
