Read Oath of Office for Free Online Page B

rock songs at a volume that permitted conversation without shouting.
    Darlene smiled up at Ochoa and patted him on the arm. “I’m guessing you’d like us to sit over there,” she said, pointing to an empty booth that was closest to the emergency exit.
    “I knew you’d eventually get the hang of this, Madam First Lady,” Ochoa said.
    “Victor, it’s Darlene. Please. I’d rather you call me Princess Buttercup than Madam First Lady, and you’re wrong. I don’t think I’ll ever fully get the hang of this role.”
    Ochoa laughed warmly. “Our guide to protocol is thicker than the D.C. phone book. No excessive familiarity, including no first names, even though you’re about the most down-to-earth, approachable First Lady I’ve worked with. Tell you what—I’ll be saying ma’am and thinking Darlene. How’s that?”
    “That’ll be fine. What does your protocol guide say about my going grocery shopping without an advance team clearing the cereal aisle first?”
    “It says that isn’t going to happen … ma’am.”
    Darlene followed Ochoa, Kim, and another agent beyond the bar, smiling and shaking hands with surprised patrons as she passed by. Then she asked Ochoa for two vodka tonics and settled into the booth, sitting directly across from her friend.
    “I’ll be the second to admit the constant attention gets tiresome,” Kim said. “But at least after shopping, we won’t have to lug any of our purchases back home.”
    “That is a plus. Alas, it was one thing when Martin had an approval rating of sixty percent. Now we’re in free fall. The depression or recession, or whatever it is, has seen to it that even shopping is unpleasant for me. Imagine what it must be like for those poor folks who suddenly don’t have a job.”
    Moments later, Ochoa materialized from within the crowd, carrying two tall vodka tonics, each garnished with a crescent of lemon. The women clinked glasses more out of habit than over anything to celebrate.
    “I wonder if Victor had to sample our drinks before he brought them over,” Kim said.
    Darlene took a sip of hers, which she quickly followed with a much longer swallow. The sting of Martin’s behavior abated some.
    “How did you know this is what I needed?” Darlene asked.
    “Honey, it doesn’t take Sigmund Freud to figure out that you’re stressed out. Look at those circles under your eyes. You’ve got a social schedule that would exhaust a rhinoceros. On top of that, you’re working every spare moment trying to change the eating habits of three hundred million Americans, while keeping the fragile ego of their president appropriately stroked. Sometimes, I don’t think you realize just how much you’ve taken on.”
    “Well, maybe it’s time I put my agenda on a diet.”
    Kim took a healthy swallow and set her glass firmly on the table. “Nonsense,” she said. “Just because the president of the United States acts like your work is irrelevant doesn’t make it so. You just have to pace yourself better, that’s all—a little more shopping, a little more spa time, a few more vacations, an extra hour at the gym. Sweetheart, you’re changing things out there. You’ve read the reports. You’re like the pediatrician to the nation, and people are starting to pay attention to your message.”
    “Sure, they’re starting to listen, but change is coming very slowly. And if we don’t get reelected, any chance of making much of a difference will be gone.”
    “Meal by meal, isn’t that your war cry? Keep pushing, Dar. Just don’t push yourself over a cliff. Blow off steam when the pressure gets too intense, and for God’s sake, don’t let that galoot you’re married to get away with not giving you or your cause the respect you deserve.”
    Darlene clinked Kim’s glass with more enthusiasm. “You know, Hajjar, I think you’d make someone a great chief of staff. Are you looking for a job?”
    “Depends,” Kim answered, her rich brown eyes gleaming playfully.