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“What do you do, dear?” she asked, continuing to frost.
“I work at New Beginnings.”
Regina’s eyes snapped to mine with a flash of horror. She recovered quickly, blinking fast and glancing away, then forcing a smile.
“That’s a wonderful cause,” she said.
I nodded, confused and hoping I hadn’t somehow upset her. With her husband and son being in politics, the anti-drug issue couldn’t be a secret. She was obviously aware, but something in her reaction was odd.
I tried to change the subject. “Roman told me you stayed home with him while he was growing up?”
“He said that?”
Well, sort of, but I nodded anyway.
“His father was in DC quite a bit when Roman was young. So it was just the two of us for the majority of the time. He was such a good boy.”
She kept her concentration on the cake, but looked on the brink of tears. I felt like a horrible person. I couldn’t seem to find a single thing to talk about that didn’t upset Regina.
“Forgive me,” she said, running a fingertip under her lower lashes. “I’m just being an emotional old woman.”
I patted her shoulder. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“Oh, no, dear, you didn’t.” Clearing her throat she smiled at me before returning to the cake. “Tell me more about you. You said you were from Indiana. Did you come to New York for your job?”
“Yes. It’s technically an entry-level job right now, but I hope to make it more permanent. I’m trying to get a new center built in Arbor Hill.”
“That’s quite a goal.” She sounded truly impressed. “I’m sure it will turn out wonderfully. We’ve been following Roman’s campaign and he has the anti-drugs effort on the agenda. I assume you have something to do with that?” Her voice was soft and held such a sweet hope, it made my stomach twist.
“It’s a team effort,” I said. Of course, I couldn’t tell her about the deal or how he’d gone to my boss and all that, but still, we were a team in this.
“He’s never spoken for or publicly backed an anti-drug campaign. Especially New Beginnings.”
“Really?” I frowned.
She nodded. “I don’t want to intrude, but may I ask if there’s a personal motivation for you in this?”
It was my turn to stare at the cake and hold back tears.
“My sister, Lauren,” I started, glancing at Regina. She stopped what she was doing and gave me her full attention. “She died several years ago of an accidental overdose. She was eighteen.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” She pulled me into a hug, and now I really felt like crying.
Whenever I spoke of Lauren, guilt and horror flashed over me. Roman had just started to dispel the darkness and let in the light, enabling me to remember the good. Now with Regina hugging me, supportive and kind, I felt the weight of the guilt lessen a bit more.
“You are truly a sweet girl.” She squeezed a little tighter.
“Ma’am,” the caterer said, “dinner is ready to be served.”
She released me and smiled.
“Thank you, Mrs. Reese,” I said.
Holding my hands, she said, “We’d better get in there.”
I nodded. As we walked into the dining room she whispered, “I’m so happy Roman has you.”
“Thank you for visiting, dear,” Regina said, and pulled me into another one of her strong hugs. “I want us to meet again soon. Maybe I can come into the city and we can have lunch?”
