Forever After (Unrestrained 5)

“Maybe you’re right,” I said, then checked my watch. I had to meet Dave in fifteen minutes, but luckily, the foundation was down the street. I turned to Lara. “So, you’ll write up a canned response to any press inquiries for me?”

She nodded. “You should memorize it. In fact, you should carry a copy around in your pocket, have a copy on your cell and put a sheet beside the phone. That way, if anyone calls, you and Kate will know exactly what to say about the whole business.”

“What about ‘no comment’?”

She shook her head. “No,” she said and stood up when I did. “That’s only for people who are guilty. The public and the press will expect you to explain. You need short talking points that are easy to memorize and will not invite more questions. I’ll send you something later today. Until then, screen your calls. Don’t answer from any numbers you don’t recognize. Don’t return any calls from the press until you’ve got my text. Okay?”

She came over to me and put a hand on my shoulder, smiling. I nodded, and exhaled heavily, feeling a weight off my shoulders that Lara was going to help.

“Thanks, Lara. For this and for going to the apartment and being with Kate while the police were there. You’re a true friend.”

We embraced briefly and I must admit I was thankful to have her at that moment, for everything almost overwhelmed me.

“Everything will work out fine,” she said and let go of me. “You’ll see. This will all blow over, and if it doesn’t, we’ll find a way to move forward. You and Kate love each other. You two have bright futures for yourselves and with each other. You have beautiful Sophia. Remember that.”

“I will,” I said and smiled at her.

I waved at her as she sat back down behind her huge mahogany desk and left the office.

Instead of taking my car, I walked the five blocks to the foundation’s offices and went inside, taking the elevator to the main offices.

As I exited the elevator, I noticed the discussion among the staff fall silent and felt their eyes on me. I frowned. Had they already read the article? I glanced at the receptionist, who quickly averted her eyes.

Then, I went to Dave’s corner office, stopping briefly to say hello to Dave’s admin person, Brenda, to make sure Dave was in. She smiled briefly and nodded when I asked if Dave was ready for me.

Dave was seated at his desk and on the phone. When he saw me, he held up one finger and I nodded. I took a seat across from his desk and unbuttoned my suit jacket.

Finally, he said goodbye to whomever he was speaking and put down the receiver.

“There you are,” he said and stood, extending his hand across the desk. I shook it and sat back down. “Thanks for coming in.”

“Why so formal?” I said, frowning. “You don’t usually shake my hand.”

He shrugged and looked a bit sheepish. “I just got off the phone with an irate donor and I guess I was still in formal mode.”

“What’s wrong? No,” I said and held out my hand. “Let me guess. The donor read the Herald article and doesn’t want to be associated with me anymore.”

He chuckled. “No, actually. It was some Florida resort owner who doesn’t like that we’re providing birth control education, including information about access to Planned Parenthood, in some of the poorer parts of the South. It’s part of our Mother-Baby program.”

“We’re usually focused on international aid,” I said and tilted my head, interested in learning more. “I don’t remember any projects in the US.”

Dave sighed. “We did some research on poverty in the US and in some of the poorer areas of the South, there are third-world conditions for many small towns and rural communities. I did a bit of groundwork to identify the need. They met our criteria for aid, so I did a pilot project in Mississippi and Florida. I can provide you with the project data if you want.”

I nodded, trusting Dave to pick good projects. “If you think these projects fulfill the foundation’s mandate, I trust your judgement.”

“Thanks,” he said. “So, back to the matter at hand…” He searched around on his desk and found the Herald article, which he had printed off. “It’s only a matter of time before we start getting flack. I overheard some discussion about it around the staff water cooler today, so you should know it’s out there. I want to develop a response to it so we don’t lose many donors. Not that I’m expecting it, but just to be prepared.”

I sighed and folded my hands in my lap, wishing all of it would go away.

“What about you?" I said, wondering how to broach the subject. "Do you have any questions? I realize this must be a shock to you as well."

Dave shrugged but shook his head. "None of my business, frankly. I think what goes on in a person's bedroom is their own and their partner's business. As long as it's adults and they consent, I have nothing to say."

He finally met my eyes, and I didn’t see any judgement in them.

"But first,” he said and leaned back in his chair. “Before we get into any business, how is Kate? How’s Sophia?”

I shifted position, a gnawing sense of gloom coming over me when I thought about what Lara told me. “Kate's having problems. PTSD, I think. The accident, the surgery, Sophie being premature, the usual new parent fatigue. She’s struggling.”