POTOMAC

Autumn was always one of the prettiest times of the year on the Potomac.  Lazing along its banks with her beau, and watching the suspended leaves turn the deepest shades of pomegranate and mustard in a collage of neat piles, Pamela had found her own perfect heaven in Washington.  Nothing was ever more perfect.  There were no campaign speeches, D.C. politics or war room sessions along the tranquil river’s side.  Just peace. 

This year, being the tenth year of the new millennium, Winston had been busy with the White House planning committee that had worked itself up into a fever pitch of excitement over the gala that was three months away.  The slogan?  2010 – Now is Win.  Sounded hokey to Pamela and awkwardly ungrammatical, but she had feigned delight as she saw the immediate grin on Winston’s face.  Win was always a sucker for a gimmick, a good line, and a svelte body.  His mother, Pamela thought wryly, had named him well.

“Want some more relish?,” Pamela was almost as startled by the question as she was by the presence of the speaker.

“Sure, sure,” she replied hastily, aware that her thoughts had completely drifted from where they lay on the open blanket. 

The last time she had heard the question was that past summer.  It had come from her ten year old, Winnie, Jr., who had been helping Win barbeque on the south lawn.  The photo opportunity had been irresistible.  Win, with an immaculate apron and oven mitt posing boyishly with Winnie, had oozed the appearance of suburban bliss and the press had just eaten it up.  Literally and figuratively.  Fifty hot dogs served to carnivorous press agents at a nominal cost of $20 bucks to U.S. taxpayers.  But next year the good-will shared around the grill will be returned at least three-fold in the campaign  -- and that could translate into a potential million extra votes.   Probably more!  It had become almost un-American to resist Win.  The trouble was he knew it, and he used it against his enemies, just as much as he used it against her.

“You’re a million miles away,” the gentle reproach reminded Pamela that she had thoughtlessly forgotten her luncheon partner once again.  Wasn’t easy to forget someone so kind, so considerate, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous.  If it weren’t for the fact that she was married with three kids to Winston Anderson Davenport, she would throw all caution to the wind and do the most natural thing in the world.  But she was Mrs.“Tight-W.A.D.” as he was known in less friendly political circles, and she knew better. 

Just thinking of the possibilities could get them both killed. 

Pamela looked over her shoulder at the two Secret Service men positioned discreetly some feet away.  With their ear pieces and dark suits, it was unmistakable who they were.  With her face plastered a million times on the airwaves and Internet beside the most popular president in a decade, she wasn’t easy to miss either.  This is why this little impromptu picnic as wonderful as it could have been with what had to be one of the most attentive and interesting men in the world ranked on the danger scale of Richter 10 and she had to leave quickly – more quickly than she would have liked.

“I must get back,” Pamela didn’t mean to sigh and the tears that caught in her throat surprised even her.

His hand on hers was gentle, comforting.  His deep brown eyes flecked with gold held hers in a steady gaze.

“The Potomac is here always,” he reassured her with a voice as deep as the roots of the oak under which they sat, “And I will wait for you.”

Pamela’s small smile captured her most intimate thoughts and fears.  This was very scary territory and neither the warmth of the Indian summer afternoon nor the loving strength of the man beside her could distract her from that basic truth.

Rising together, Pamela was once again struck by the sheer majesty of his bearing and stature.  The legends were true, she told herself for the fifteenth time, they must be true!

Taking her hands in his, he kissed both palms ceremoniously.

“Until we meet again,” it was not a question on his part.  Pamela nodded,  completely entranced.

For Pamela, until then could not come soon enough.