Claire Gulliver #02 - Washington Weirdos (13 page)

They spent the few minutes waiting for their food talking about inconsequential things. Claire told him about the Presidents’ Ladies exhibit at the American History Museum, and the thrill of seeing Fonzie’s leather jacket.

Doug talked a bit about his life in the Washington arena. “It sounds a lot more glamorous than it is. And of course the fact that I’m an available male for rounding out tables at dinner parties helps. But frankly it’s getting a little old. Or I am. I turned forty a few years back and suddenly things seem different.”

“Oh, I know about that. Look at me. I didn’t even wait to hit forty before I quit my job and sank every penny I could get my hands on into my bookstore. I shudder now when I think what a risk I took. There was so much I didn’t know. My mother tried to warn me but it seemed that after all those years of her cautions, I just wanted to get out there and fly a bit.”

“Didn’t you ever want to do the traditional things? You know, get married, stay home and have kids.”

“That’s traditional? How many families do you know where the wife stays home with the kids. I bet there are as many househusbands as housewives these days.”

She thought a bit. “I guess I did. When I grew up that’s what women did and I just assumed I would too. But then as the years went by I was always going to do it later and now suddenly it’s too late – not for marriage, but certainly for kids.”

The waiter brought their lunch and the next few minutes they concentrated on staving off starvation.

Claire had slowed down. The burger, big and juicy, was practically gone. She made good use of the large linen napkin and then continued their discussion while she picked at what was left of the sandwich. “You know, the real reason I never got married is I never met that right guy. They say there is a man for every woman, but I’ve noticed that some women have more than their share while some women have none. And I’m one of the latter.”

Doug crunched into his pickle, chewed and then asked, “What about Jack? Do you have something going with him?”

“Jack?” She shook her head. “I hardly know him. I like him. Maybe I liked him better when I thought he was a tour guide. Knowing what he really does is a little daunting. It’s pretty hard to get to know someone like him. Who’s to know what things about him are true? He has to be secretive. After all, his life may depend on his cover.

“How well do you know him?” She asked Doug.

“I only met him that time in London. But I’ve checked a bit. He has a good reputation. He’s apparently very good at what he does. And I noticed that about him right away. I understand he used to be an inside man, but then one day they needed to fill a hole and he was it. He’s been outside since. It must be a hard life.”

“I guess. Why did you ask about him?”

“I just wondered if you two were an item. I mean, I’ve seen how attentive he is both in London and here, and I didn’t want to horn in.”

She realized her surprise must’ve shown on her face as she stared at Doug.

“As I get out to the San Francisco Bay Area a couple times a year,” he continued, “I thought maybe we could get together for dinner or something.”

She was momentarily speechless. Then, recovering her wits, she asked boldly, “Doug, are you hitting on me?”

He smiled. “I guess. I just thought I would enjoy spending some time with you.”

“Really?”

She wondered why Doug would have an interest in her and almost as if reading her thoughts he said, “You know, you’re a very interesting person. You’re independent, intelligent, and adventurous. And,” he studied her, “being as attractive as you are doesn’t hurt.”

“Whoa.” She sat back, stunned.

“Come on, why are you so surprised? You must get lots of passes.”

She shook her head. “No, none that I’ve noticed.”

“No one ever asks you for dates?”

“Sometimes, but I’m too busy for that.” She thought a minute. “But...if you called, I could probably find some time.”

He laughed. “Fair enough.”

The waiter came to clear their plates and ask if they wanted dessert. Doug asked for a cup of coffee, but Claire only wanted a refill of her Coke. “That was a great burger. Thanks.”

While Doug settled the check Claire visited the restroom. When she refreshed her lip-gloss she couldn’t resist examining her face in the glass. Doug thought her attractive. Well, Jack had made it plain he was interested in her. Could it be that in middle age she was becoming a siren? As a young woman she had always looked more mature than her friends. Therefore, she was never carded when they went to clubs. And she was a serious type of person, not the kind that young men flocked to. Could it be that she was finally coming into her own? Well, she would just wait and see.

“There’s a cab.”

“No, not that one. He has his windows down so he’s not using air-conditioning. Even riding only a few blocks is a killer without air-conditioning. There’s one.” Doug put up his hand and the cab cut across the traffic to stop in front of them. He handed Claire in the cab and climbed in behind her. “The Longworth House Office Building, please.”

“Doug, you don’t have to go with me. Please, I know you’re busy. I can go by myself,” Claire protested.

“No you don’t. I’m delivering you in person. Nothing is happening to you on my watch. D.C. can be a dangerous place, and you seem to attract more than your share. I’m not taking any chances.”

He sat back and then said seriously, “I don’t know if you know this but we’ve lost a few young women recently. It’s pretty scary. The most recent was going home when she just disappeared. Turns out she was involved with one of the Representatives of your state and there is quite a scandal going on. But the important thing is that she has never been found.”

“Yes, I’ve read about it. My mother called to warn me when she learned I was coming, as if San Francisco hasn’t had more than its share of horror crimes.”

He nodded. “The night you arrived someone tried to knife you.” He shook his head. “Not on my watch. I’m delivering you personally to Jack Doobies’ office.”

“Who is Jack Doobies?”

Doug grinned. “The Lickmans’ Representative to the House. MiMi applied a little pressure. Or maybe Suzanne just implied that MiMi requested the favor. Anyway, someone in his office will give you a personal tour of the Capital.” He shook his head at Claire’s alarmed look. “Don’t worry. It’s in their job description. Most tourists contact their representatives to schedule tours before coming to Washington. They expect it.”

Doug went into the building with her, up the elevator and then pointed out the correct office.

“Thanks again for lunch, and for the tour of the White House. It was super.”

“My pleasure. I guess I’ll see you Saturday night at the Lickmans’?”

“I’m looking forward to it.” And she went into Doobies’ office.

The intern’s name was Marybeth Benigan and she was from Annapolis. She had majored in Political Sciences and Communications, and she was interning before graduate school. She was so young and so enthusiastic.

Claire spent over two hours with her and came away exhausted, informed, and in awe of her energy. They took the underground walkway from the Longworth House basement to the basement of the Capital. It was filled with people moving back and forth. Claire was amused that as important as many of these people were, no one seemed to care the tunnel was filled with pipes and fixtures you would find in any basement. It was just a practical way to quickly move from one building to another without weather concerns. Marybeth, despite her short six months on Doobies’ staff, seemed to know a good number of the people they encountered, from security guards posted at strategic points to other interns moving between the buildings to business people who Claire suspected might be Representatives themselves.

And she was very knowledgeable about the workings of both the House and the Senate. They visited both chambers. Unfortunately Congress was recessed for the holiday, but that did give them the freedom to roam about at will. Marybeth was doing such a good job explaining the procedures of the Senate that several other people crowded around listening and then asked questions. She good-naturedly included them in her comments.

By the time Claire met Charlie, waiting patiently for her at the bottom of the Capital steps, she knew more about being an Intern and living in D.C. on the stipend they were paid, than she ever thought possible. She admired Marybeth for her willingness to take on such an adventure. She wondered why she never thought to do something like this when she was young. But she realized she wasn’t ready to leave home at that age. She had been overly protected by a mother who had never got over the loss of her husband and guarded her daughter carefully lest she lose her too. And times were different then. Her world was small. It never occurred to her to investigate other opportunities.

She was happy to sit back in the luxurious car and let Charlie take care of everything. Her brain was on overload and when David joined them, she was pleased that he wanted to read the stack of papers he had brought so she didn’t even have to keep up half of a conversation.

“Grandpap. Grandpap.” Amy threw herself at David, who stooped to sweep her up in his arms.

JoJo didn’t want to be left out and moved close to hug him too.

“Welcome home, dear.” Then MiMi smiled at Claire. “Did you have a good day?” She waited for Claire’s nod before she continued. “David, I made reservations at the Club for dinner so you have an hour to have a drink, change and get there.”

“Okay.” He set Amy down. “So this reception wasn’t really for me, it was to get me moving.”

Amy nodded. “I’m hungry.”

JoJo disagreed. “We’re just glad to see you, Grandpap.”

“Claire, this is a very casual dinner. We’ll be sitting outside on the dock, so if you want to change, wear anything comfortable and cool. Otherwise what you have on would be fine.”

Claire nodded and turned to go into the house, almost tripping over Tuffy who was dancing underfoot. That amused her. She had become so used to the bedlam at the Lickmans’ she didn’t even register that Tuffy was barking and jumping for his share of the attention.

‘What are you going to wear, Claire?” JoJo asked shyly. “I’m wearing this. What do you think?”

Claire looked at her seriously, and then nodded her head. “Very nice. Yes, I like it. Turn around so I can see the back.”

JoJo twirled so the skirt of the sundress she was wearing flared out. It was white cotton with different kinds of fish printed on it.

“I think I have a sundress with me. Maybe I’ll wear mine. What do you think?”

JoJo smiled her pleasure.

“I’m wearing my shorts.” Amy said proudly. “Gramimi said I could.”

“Well, you look very nice too. I could wear shorts. I think I’ll just go up and see what I have that will surprise you when I come down.”

“What did you do today, Claire?” JoJo was curious.

“I had a great day. I’ll tell you all about it at dinner, okay?” And she headed upstairs, hoping for a quick shower before dinner.

The Club was a yachting club the Lickmans had belonged to for years. The dock was crammed with tables and everyone seemed to know everyone. The clubhouse had a large dining room as well, but it appeared to be mostly empty with all the members preferring to sit on the dock. The maitre’d led them through the labyrinth, seating them at a table near the water with a clear view of the marina. At one time, David explained, he had served as the Club’s Commodore. That’s when they still owned a big motor yacht and spent most of their spare time at the Club or on the Bay.

“I wasn’t using it enough. So I finally sold it. We keep the little boats down on the dock for fishing or just taking a ride. And the girls’ parents take the motorboat out water-skiing sometimes.”

Amy piped up. “I love to water ski.”

“You don’t water ski,” JoJo retorted with scorn.

“I do so!” Then at her grandmother’s look, she amended somewhat. “Well, I ride in the boat and watch for when the skier goes down. That’s really important, isn’t it, Gramimi?

“And I’m going to ski just as soon as I turn ten, Mom said.”

JoJo agreed. “I’m ten and I’m just learning. It’s lots of fun. But I can only ski when Mom and Dad are with me until I get really good. Probably when I’m eleven, I think. That’s why I’m on the swim team. It makes me strong. It will help me be a better skier.” JoJo was obviously proud of herself. She turned to her grandmother and politely asked, “Gramimi, can I get some more shrimp?”

“Yes, dear. Amy, do you want to go back to the buffet?”

Amy nodded, getting up to follow her sister to the lavish buffet laid out for the members.

David chuckled. “That Amy, she is really something. She is so positive that she’s right. It would be annoying if it wasn’t so comical.”

“Yes, dear. She takes after someone else in the family, don’t you think?”

“What? Are you suggesting me? Moi?” Then he turned to Claire and shrugged. “Well, if it’s in the genes, what can we do?”

“Gramimi,” the girls were back, excited, “Mrs. Cooley said the kids are going to play games down in the recreation room after dinner. Can Amy and I go?”