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Sometimes I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to have these kinds of supporters for Kingdom Come. Maybe Silas wouldn't have struggled so much. Maybe he would have been able to realize his dreams more quickly.
But it’s happening now, and it feels good. People have been very generous with us, and we have found the kind of peace and fulfillment I don't believe we ever could have, before.
In the living room, I find Silas standing by the window, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet as he listens to Senator Jack Kenilworth talk with his mouth wide open. Daniel stands to the side, surveying. He’s fortyish. Muscular, and handsome. Jack looks like a senator should: wavy silver hair, the California tan, square jaw. He looks like an actor, playing the role of a senator in a movie where he does something heroic after spending a long time struggling with his foes.
But really, he's just a man. Just like all of them, he gives us money because he feels guilty about some of the really terrible things he's done.
“Quite a view you have here, Silas,” the senator observes, but I'm not sure if he's talking about the city lights far below us, or the swimming pool full of starlets and some of the older foster girls. I watch them through the window, squinting, trying to figure out who I recognize. Sometimes I can’t tell them apart. Actresses and orphans seem to have a lot in common in LA.
/> “Now, Jack,” Silas chides him, “I know you’re not here to talk about the view. And I'll tell you what, I won't ask you exactly what you meant by that if you just cut to the chase and tell me if we can count on your support?”
The senator rolls his eyes and turns around deliberately. Seems like men are always surprised when they don't get reinforcement for their worst inclinations from Silas. He's not sanctimonious about it, but he is direct. Silas is not anyone to tolerate the abuse of children. Not even as a joke.
You think that these guys would have figured this out by now. It makes me wonder what kind of conversations they have when Silas is not around.
“Yeah, you can count on me,” the senator huffs, pouting. “I’ll get the line item in, making sure there's funding for your little rehabilitation program here.”
“Thank you,” I add quietly.
The senator’s eyes slide over me suspiciously. He looks at me like everyone here: like I am some kind of strange archeological artifact. My “story” has been part of the new Kingdom Come operation. Daughter of an addict, raised in the church. Sheltered from outside influences but still, I am a strong influence here. I’m not like anyone they’ve seen before, and sometimes we have to use that notoriety to gain more attention.
All in the service of the greater good, of course.
The senator knows I’m forbidden, so he wants me. It’s obvious, now that I’ve learned how to watch for the signs. He swallows as he looks me over. He seems distracted by his own fantasy. It’s appalling, really, how everyone is so simple-minded. I’m wearing a long, silk gown that looks like it might be transparent if I move just right. He can’t help but look. But he also knows I’m miles and miles above him. He’s just a man. I consort with better.
Daniel only seems to have eyes for Kita, which I appreciate.
“You won't regret it,” Silas smiles, clapping him on the shoulder. “Every penny will go to good use.”
“That's just the thing,” the senator huffs, shaking his head as though this has somehow defeated him. “I know I won’t regret it. You really do good work here. You’re one of the good guys, Silas. It's a rare thing.”
“Isn’t he though?” I interrupt, gliding forward and taking Silas's elbow. As far as anyone knows, I am a preacher's wife: committed, devoted, and practically pristine.
Little do they know. I’m not sure everybody would approve of our lifestyle choices.
“Yes, yes, yes,” the senator says wearily. “Listen, I think my wife over there needs a drink. Would you excuse me?”
“Certainly, Jack,” Silas says. He gives him a sarcastic little salute as he walks away, as soon as he can't see us.
“How did the ladies enjoy their tour?” Silas asks, his voice a sexy murmur that sends chills through me.
“Impressed,” I happily reply. “They love what we have done with the place.”
“As they should,” he smiles. “Daniel was happy. Senator Kenilworth seems satisfied too. I think we’re solid from here on out.”
“So, that's good, right?” I whisper, enjoying our private moment in the midst of all these people. We are still connected, like there’s a live wire between us. “We can keep going?”
“We can keep going, little Angel,” he murmurs into my hair. “In fact, we should be able to open the new space even sooner. Fifty beds. Can you imagine that?”
I really can't. We've gone from five foster children, now to fifty more? We’re really doing it. Making a difference.
It's perfect.
“So, can I steal you away, just for a second? Remember, I asked you?”
“Oh!” he gasps. “I'm so sorry. I got stuck with him for way too long. Yeah, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“This way…”
