Welcome to romantic fiction serial White House Rhapsody. Love in the White House? Who would have thought. Join us as President Mark Jerguessen and his aide World Affairs Advisor Sharon Wheatly try to navigate a relationship. Click here to read a synopsis of the whole story that’s been blogged so far.
Sharon spent that Sunday with her parents, which meant Mark was left alone in the White House. June had gone back to New York early that morning, even before Mark could make her breakfast. Matt, his nephew, who boarded at the relatively nearby St. Ignatius Prep, had gone back to school the night before and was out with his pack of friends that included Jodi, Tiffany, his roommates Paul Marley, Tony Garces, and DeShawn Colley, Rebecca Cooper (the elder daughter of Mark’s close friend Eddie Cooper), Kira Watanabe (the elder daughter of Sharon’s friend and co-worker Karen Tanaka), and Karsa Bruchner.
Mark took advantage of the time alone to catch up on reading, going over some upcoming legislation, and otherwise trying to get ahead on his week. It being the first full week of December, there was plenty of work coming up, what with Congress trying to pass various bills before the end of the year, not to mention the extra social occasions. But even as the work occupied his brain, he couldn’t help wishing Sharon was around.
The next day was packed full without time for a briefing from his World Affairs Advisor. He was trying to figure out how to squeeze her in when White House Chef Yasmine Sollette called.
“Mr. President, I have a request,” she said. “I see that you haven’t sent your dinner order in, but I’m kinda hoping you’re not cooking for yourself tonight.”
“I haven’t made up my mind yet. Why?”
“We’ve got our first state dinner coming up in February.”
Mark scrolled through the calendar on one of his tablets. “That’s right. The President of Argentina.”
“Yes, sir. I’m starting to work on the menu. I’d like to make up a couple test dishes and do a wine tasting tonight, if you’d be interested. I’ll also ask Ms. Wheatly, because she’ll have to be in on the final decision anyway. That is, if you don’t mind.”
Mark couldn’t help grinning. “That sounds great.”
“What time are you going to be up in the residence?”
Mark checked his schedule. “I can be there by six.”
“Sounds good. I’ll escort Ms. Wheatly upstairs, too.”
Mark swiped his phone off and sat back in the leather office chair behind the famous desk in the Oval Office. The day was looking up.
He was feeling mildly peeved when he finally got his chance to go upstairs, however. Another meeting had run over, stalling his arrival in the upstairs kitchen by almost half an hour. Sharon was already there, sitting at the counter between the stove and the eating area behind it.
“I’ve got everything all set up,” Solly said. She was a tall woman with a generous figure. Her light coffee-colored skin reflected the wide diversity of her ancestry, which included Asian, Creole, and Lebanese. “I set the table with some of the different china sets we got in stock, so we can see how the food looks on them.”
There was a white tablecloth on the kitchen table, and there were only two places set, but with two different sets of flatware. The glasses were also missing from the table.
“We’re having hors d’oeuvres at the counter, though,” Sharon said. “And our first wine pairing to check out.”
Mark slid onto the stool next to Sharon. “I see.”
Indeed, there were two sets of three wine glasses, from the more ordinary set for daily use or more informal parties. Solly had labeled the glasses from one to three in each set. The glasses each had a small pour of white wine.
“We’re going to do this blind,” Solly explained, pulling a tray of small bites from the oven. “I’ve got cheese fritters, creamed caramelized onions on baguette rounds, and mini-spanakopita.”
Mark and Sharon began tasting, sipping the different wines with each of the hors d’oeuvres. Neither liked the second wine, which surprised Solly. Some minutes later, they moved to the table, and Solly lit the candelabra she’d set in the middle of the table.
“Gives it some ambience,” she chuckled.
There were three more wines in numbered glasses to go with the first course, a salad, which Solly brought to the table on two different plates.
“I like how this looks on the red-rimmed plate,” Sharon said.
“Why aren’t you eating?” Mark asked Solly.
“I already ate and I need to concentrate on what I’m doing.” Solly returned to the cooking area and started making notes.
It was a pleasant evening all around. Mark was shocked to find that one of the white wines that he and Sharon particularly liked was a chardonnay from Idaho.
“I would never have thought it,” said Mark, as he gathered the dishes on the table to bring them to the sink.
“That’s why I wanted to do this blind,” Solly said. “Kind of showcase what we’ve got and go outside the box a little at the same time.”
“That wine certainly does it,” said Mark.
“Listen, sir, I’ve got this,” Solly said, taking the dirty dishes from Mark. “You two go hang someplace else. Hey, Sharon, we’ll talk later.”
Mark and Sharon looked at each other, then left the kitchen. Mark took her to the sitting room, then looked back at the kitchen.
“Something’s up,” he said.
“I think she’s figured out about us,” Sharon said with a swallow.
“I think she has.” Mark cursed under his breath. “Roy has us pegged. Then your mom. Now her? What the hell’s going on?”
“I haven’t the faintest.” Sharon blinked. “What are we going to do? I don’t want to break up.”
“I don’t either.” Mark sighed and sank into an easy chair. He frowned. “I suppose we should start thinking about going public.”
Sharon shuddered. “That would make being together a lot easier, but I really do not want the attention. On the other hand, we probably should start thinking about it, if only to be on top of it if it leaks.”
“There’s no way to be on top of it when my mother finds out.” Mark shut his eyes, shook his head, then looked at her. “The problem is, it’s going to come out sometime, and it’s not just living in a fishbowl like we are. I keep falling more and more in love with you, and it’s starting to show.”
“That’s it exactly.” Sharon flopped onto the couch. “I just keep loving you more and wanting to be with you all the time. Somebody’s bound to notice.” She sighed. “I’m not ready. I hope I am soon.”
“I hope I am, too.” Mark pressed his lips together. “In the meantime, how would you feel if I did something distracting?”
“Like what?”
“Like if I went out on a date with Lady Beverly.”
Sharon couldn’t help laughing. “You know, your sister was really pissed off at you the last time you made it look like you two had something going.”
“Yeah.” Mark grinned. “The funny thing is, June made her one of my official dates.”
“June did?”
“Beverly’s scheduled to go with me Saturday to that education group fundraiser.”
Sharon frowned. “But that would mean she’s not really someone you’re seeing.”
“Like I’m not seeing you.”
Sharon laughed. She was one of the official dates, namely women that accompanied Mark to various events in the place of a First Lady. Sharon, however, was a special date in that she went with Mark to events featuring ambassadors and other non-U.S. dignitaries.
Mark got up and stretched. “It’s early yet, but the housekeeping staff has gone home by now, and we should be able to ditch anyone in the West Wing.” He grinned. “You want to check out the Executive Bedroom?”
The week moved quickly. Mark and Sharon had to skip seeing each other Tuesday and Wednesday because Mark had to go to New York for a couple of appearances and a fundraising dinner. During a briefing Thursday, Sharon invited Mark over to her place for dinner.
He was waiting for her in her townhouse in Georgetown when she hurried in from the front. Sharon barely had time to dump her coat, her mail, and her briefcase before Mark swept her into an intense embrace.
“Glad to see you, too, darling,” Sharon said when she could.
“I missed you, dammit,” Mark said. “And I don’t want to be forced into an early evening so that we can get you out of the White House before the night staff comes on.”
“Still, that bedroom is really nice.” Sharon picked up the envelopes she’d brought in from the house’s foyer.
“Oh, so you were impressed.” Mark grinned.
“Who wouldn’t be? The sheets alone are amazing, let alone that Lincoln probably slept on them.”
Mark laughed. “Sheets and even mattresses don’t last that long. But you’re right. It’s hard not to feel the weight of history in that place.”
“Huh?” Sharon glared at a red envelope and opened it.
“Christmas card?”
“Yeah. From my ex-boyfriend and former boss.” Sharon looked at the card and the photo inside and snarled. “That asshole.”
“What’s the matter?”
Sharon showed him the note on the back of the photo of the smiling man and woman holding an infant.
“‘This could have been us.’” Sharon rolled her eyes. “That’s why we broke up. We were thinking about getting married, but then he dumped it on me that he expected me to stay home and raise the kids while he went off working all over the world. I wasn’t about to.”
“Nice guy,” said Mark, heading for the kitchen. “What do we have for dinner?”
“How about some lamb chops grilled on the stove? And I’ve got some potatoes and made some tarragon mayonnaise last night.”
“Sounds great. I’ll start the salad.” Mark began pulling lettuce and other vegetables from the fridge.
Sharon got out her two skillets and dodged around Mark to get the chops, potatoes, and some butter out of the fridge. Mark went to work cleaning lettuce, but as he watched Sharon, something occurred to him.
“Sharon, just now, you said that you weren’t about to stay home and raise children. Don’t you want children?”
Sharon shrugged. “I never really thought about it.” She looked at him. “Do you want children?”
Mark nodded. “More than anything. I think that’s why I got engaged that one time. That’s always been the worst part of staying single. No kids. I mean, I figured I’d probably adopt a couple after I got out of office, assuming I was still young enough. But now…” He swallowed and looked at her.
“Oh. I guess that is a possibility now.” Sharon pressed her lips together.
“So, you don’t want kids?” Mark felt the panic sliding its icy hold on his gut.
“I didn’t say that,” Sharon sighed. “And why are we having this discussion? We can’t even figure out if we want to go public or not.”
“Yeah, but…”
Sharon blinked as she saw the terror on his face.
“Let me guess. No kids is a deal breaker.” She winced.
“I don’t want to put it that way, and I don’t want you feeling like you have to say you do or we break up.” Mark put the salad spinner on the counter and started pacing.
Sharon leaned on the counter. “You’re probably right, though. We should be thinking about that possibility. To be honest, I don’t really know if I want kids.” She sighed as Mark’s face grew pained. “Give me a minute. I want to think about this. I don’t want you thinking that I’m just going along with you. I want to be sure this is a good decision.”
Mark took a deep breath. “You’re right. That is the best way to do it.”
Sharon also took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was silent for several minutes as Mark went back to making salad, mostly to have something to do.
Finally, she opened her eyes and smiled softly at Mark.
“Here’s the thing,” she said. “I’ve never really thought about whether or not to have children. I always assumed I would get married and have them. Then Oscar and I broke up, and I didn’t get married, and I began to think I was going to be a single old lady with cats. So, now kids are a possibility again.” She pressed her lips together. “Mark, I will probably not want kids as much as you do, but I do want them. And if we get to the point where we decide to get married, then we will have kids, and I will love them and be happy to have them. As for Oscar, what pissed me off was that he expected me to give up my job to take care of the kids back home without considering whether or not I wanted to keep working. Not to mention, he would get to work all over the place while I stayed home.”
“I’m not sure I can afford to have you quit.” Mark smiled, relief easing across his face. “But I promise, you continuing to work will be mostly your decision. I mean, I hope I get some say in it, especially since I need your work.”
“I have no interest in quitting my job to be your wife, mother of your children, or even your girlfriend.” Sharon turned the heat on under both of her skillets, then turned to season the lamb chops. “Are you okay with that?”
“More than okay.” Mark slid up behind her as she put some butter into the cast-iron skillet, then added some oil. “Look, I know neither of us is ready to make the big commitment. But it is nice to know that we’re compatible when it comes to something as important as children.”
“Yeah, it is.” Sharon smiled at him, then tossed cooked potatoes into the cast-iron skillet, and the lamb chops into the other pan. “And the more I think about it, the more I think it would be nice having yours.”
“I’m glad.”
The next night, Mark arrived at Sharon’s Georgetown townhouse well after ten p.m. He’d stayed at the Congressional Holiday Party at the White House for as little time as he could. He spent the night, but had to leave the next afternoon to take Lady Beverly Stoddard to a holiday dinner that was a local education benefit.
Lady Beverly held a title as a member of the British Royal Family, although she was a cousin, rather than an immediate relative. She was also a biologist with a PhD who had recently signed on at Johns Hopkins University. She’d covered for Mark before, although it had been more about her family than it had been about him.
In the presidential limo, as they left the event, Mark smiled at her.
“Did you have a good time tonight?” he asked.
“As well as anyone could,” said Beverly, a dark-haired woman with a relatively full figure. She smiled.
Mark smiled, then winced a little. “I have to say, I’m a little worried about the fat-shaming I’ve seen on social media recently.”
Beverly snorted. “It is rather nasty, isn’t it? That’s why I’ve disavowed the whole social media thing of late. You’d think I eat nothing but cream puffs and never exercise, which makes it all the more irritating, as I do keep up a solid exercise regimen and eat reasonably healthy.” She laughed a little. “I eat the occasional cream puff, however.”
“Life is too short not to.” Mark grinned at her. “But the exercise thing.”
“Yes. I run at least an hour every day, and I enjoy several water sports.”
“Huh.” Mark thought that one over. “I, uh, could use some coverage on another matter. Would you mind if we set up a play date for tomorrow afternoon? Something physically active. That should work against the fat-shaming.”
“Coverage?” Beverly grinned.
Mark sighed. “I may be trying to distract a few people.”
“Ah. Just like you were in October.” Beverly laughed. “To be honest, I can’t say for certain that I know who you’re trying to hide.”
“Let’s keep it that way,” Mark said, frowning.
“Well, given that my latest academic journal article has been exceedingly well-received, I’m not worried about the nay-sayers.” Beverly smiled at Mark. “And showing off that I am really exercising and able to keep up with you should do a great deal to stave off the fat shaming. Besides, it would be rather fun to do something physical.”
Mark grinned. “So, do we want to go for a run?”
“That sounds lovely.”
So, the next day, even though Mark would have much rather spent it with Sharon, he and Beverly went running along the bay in Baltimore accompanied by Secret Service and Mark’s two small dogs, Ginger Peachy, an apricot colored toy poodle mix, and Kickie Poo, a tan Pomeranian. Then Beverly and Mark played basketball with some local youths at a public school’s gym. Neither Mark nor Beverly seemed to mind the press photographers that had “somehow” shown up.
News Story from Sunday Supplement:
THE WHITE HOUSE TEEN POSSE
These well-connected teens are flying their geek flag high in defense of unpopular kids everywhere. But they have no illusions about their own popularity and couldn’t care less.
Pull quote –
“It’s easy to tell the suck ups. They can’t keep up with us.” – Allie Watanabe
The 11 teens are well aware that they are not the most popular kids at school.
“Are you kidding?” said DeShawn Colley, age 16. “We’d be social road kill if it weren’t for Matt’s uncle.”
Matt is Matt Jerguessen, the 16-year-old nephew of the President of the United States.
“I don’t think that’s true,” Matt says back.
“We are social road kill at our school,” adds Kira Watanabe, age 15, on top of Matt. “Most of our classmates don’t even know who Matt’s uncle is and could care less that we hang with him.”
“Couldn’t care less,” Tiffany Sheppledorf interrupts. “It’s could not care less. Obviously, it would be very easy to care less. Get it right.”
The others are groaning at 15-year-old Tiffany’s interruption.
“I’m not social road kill,” says Jody Wheatly, also 15. She’s the quiet one and rarely says much.
“I’m not either,” Rebecca Cooper says. She’s 16. “To be social road kill, you actually have to care what people think about you.”
Tiffany puts on a mock frown. “Oh, that’s right. We’re supposed to care about that, aren’t we?”
“My mom sure wishes I did,” says Matt with a chuckle.
Paul Marley looked at the story in the Sunday paper with a small sigh. He’d known it was coming. Several reporters had noticed the small group of teens working as Mark’s personal assistants in the afternoons and evenings. What with the news website the group had been working on since the previous spring getting ready to launch, the kids had decided a little publicity would be a good thing. This was hardly the first feature that had run.
If only some wag hadn’t dubbed them the White House Teen Posse. It was the dumbest name ever. News&Perspectives.com, the name of the new site, sounded much more thoughtful than some group of kids goofing off together. He and Matt were covering politics and Paul was helping Tiffany with the story editing, while Matt oversaw all the content on the site. DeShawn had taken over covering the sciences.
However, listening to his mother, Senator Janet Marley, on the phone, Paul wondered if his involvement had been such a great idea.
“I really don’t see the need to respond to that kind of pettiness,” she told someone in her office as she paced in the living room. “I didn’t say anything about agreeing with the president, only that I appreciate that he’s been there for my son… Mark Jerguessen is not the Devil incarnate, and to imply that he’s trying to corrupt Paul is beyond ludicrous. If Wiley is going to insist that’s the case, then it’s no wonder the party is suffering a credibility problem… I understand the concept of unity. I do not understand why it is so hard for them to allow the opposition to be anything but evil.”
Paul sighed and went to his room and picked up his phone. His mother’s quote in the article about him and his friends was all over social media. It even eclipsed the president and Lady Beverly Stoddard exercising together all afternoon. Tiffany and Matt had sent out an invite for an afternoon video conference on how to respond.
Paul knew that his political beliefs hadn’t changed since being part of the group. It was one of the reasons he was covering politics alongside Matt. The two differed in opinion and they thought putting both sides out there was important. The funny thing was, while he’d heard his mother disagree vehemently with the President, she’d never put him down. It was almost as if she liked him.
Several people on social media were positing that the president’s afternoon with Lady Beverly was about distracting them from the real focus of the president’s affections. Paul looked toward the front of the apartment. Could it be his mother…?