~ Love Beyond Tomorrow ~

by

Jeannine D. Van Eperen

At twelve-thirty, she donned her coat and rushed to the elevator, glancing out of the window only momentarily to see if it were still raining. Not watching where she was going, she bumped into a tall man who stood waiting. “Sorry,” she murmured, not looking up. Both pushed into the already crowded elevator.

She ran into the drug store on the first floor and pushed some coins into the sandwich machine. She looked with distaste at the soggy, cold ham and cheese in its wax paper wrapper as she ran outside into the drizzle and tried to flag a cab.

A taxi finally pulled near the curb, and after jumping over a puddle to the vehicle, she was jostled by a tall male form. “You again,” he said, chuckling. “First at the elevator and now again. I’m off to City Hall. How about you?”

“The same.”

“Come on, hop in, Miss Layne.”

She glanced at him, surprised that he knew her name, and took a good look at him for the first time. He looked vaguely familiar but she was certain they had never met. She’d remember meeting him. Tall. Dark. Handsome. The three adjectives most women dream about. “Thank you,” she stammered and scooted across the seat as he climbed in after her.

He looked at the sandwich, still unwrapped, in her hand. “You won’t need that. We can grab a bite after the conference.”

Well, who are you?

As if reading her thoughts, he held out his hand to her. “I’m Robert Hughes, Miss Layne.”

Her eyes opened wide. Robert Hughes, the new correspondent! She had heard of him, as had almost everyone who knew anything about news correspondents. It had been quite a feather in the News’ cap to land him. Everyone was after him. He had broken last year’s big Washington scandal. She had wondered how the paper she worked for had managed to hire him. She was sure he had plenty of offers. Why pick the News? “You’re covering this story?” she finally asked.

He laughed and gave her an impish grin. “Not really. I just want to get acquainted with what’s going on around here. I believe Keith Duncan’s covering it.”

“Do you know everybody’s name on the paper?”

“No, only those I need to know.” He raised an expressive eyebrow. “And those people who interest me.”

Dee felt her face begin to blush and she looked away from him and glanced out of the cab’s window. Did he mean that she interested him? She knew it was foolish for her to suddenly feel coy, have her mouth go dry, and her temperature rise. She turned her thoughts away from him to the press conference, but she found it hard to concentrate.

“This isn’t your usual either, is it?”

“My what?” Her thoughts were jumbled and she wasn’t sure to what he referred.

“Mayors’ conferences.”

“Oh. No,” her voice was soft when she replied to what she thought had been his question. She didn’t embellish her answer.

The cab pulled up to City Hall. “Thanks for the lift,” Dee said.

“Not at all. It was really your taxi, you know.”

Deanna ran into the building and was separated from Robert as she entered one elevator and he another.

“Hey, Dee.” Keith Duncan sidled up to her as they rode upward. “What’s the hot shot doing here?” She shrugged. “Weren’t you in the same cab with him?”

Before she could answer she was pushed forward out of the elevator and into the conference room. She sat down in the first empty seat she came to, looked around briefly, then steered her thoughts to forming an appropriate question, should she get a chance to ask one.

Fifteen mayors from the major cities of America entered the room and took places at the front of the room facing the reporters. Chicago’s mayor was the last to enter; with him was the U.S. Secretary of State. Wow! Maybe I’ll get to ask her a question. Deanna’s mind whirled trying to think of something to ask.

When everyone was seated, Chicago’s mayor walked to the rostrum with a no-nonsense approach, waving away reporters who tried for exclusives. All mayors and the Secretary of State were introduced by the host mayor who remarked that the city was honored to have these distinctive people visit, and pledged to make their stay a happy one as well as their meetings productive. I didn’t know she was a special guest speaker at the conference. Glad the mayor mentioned that fact. Deanna scribbled on her pad as the mayor spoke. His words were followed by a rapid question and answer session involving all mayors present.

“Will this city be prepared for the next full-scale snowfall?

“How are you going to keep your city out of the red?

“What are your thoughts on police unions?

During a short lull, Deanna popped up on her feet, hoped no one could hear her pounding heart, and asked the United States Secretary of State a question. “Deanna Layne, Chicago News, Madame Secretary.” Deanna got her breath as the Secretary acknowledged her, took a deep breath and plodded on hoping that the important woman didn’t think it was a nitwit question. “Now that you are the Secretary of State for the United States, and as you know there have been other women in that same position, and as you can see we have women mayors, England has had a female Prime Minister, you almost got on the ballot as president, do you believe the time is ripe for a woman president?”

“I don’t see why not,” was the prompt answer. “I think women have proved they are just as capable as men in governing.” She smiled and added, “If not more so. Don’t you all agree?” she asked rhetorically of those present. “In fact, I think we have a very good chance of getting, if not a woman for the top job in this next election, then for the vice-presidency.” Secretary of State Clinton chuckled. “As you know, there have been two women as vice-presidential candidates in recent years. The trick is for the parties to select the right woman for the job, and I believe the voters will support that person.”

“Will you try again?” Deanna bravely asked, standing her ground.

“Well, I never say never. We need women to support women, then, perhaps, we may see a woman president.” Hillary smiled broadly. “It may be me and it may be you. Check with me if you ever decide to run, Ms. Layne.”

With Deanna’s question answered, the chairman ended the press conference. The mayors waved and the Secretary of State gave Deanna a thumbs up as she left.

Deanna felt giddy with the success of her encounter.

After the news people filed out into the corridor, Dee found herself standing next to Robert Hughes. He led her away from the crowd who scrambled into the elevators.

“Well, you got your question asked and answered,” he said.

“Such as it was.”

“It was apropos. I’m sure you knew what her answer would be before you asked the question, but you’ve got some quote, especially coming from such a high-power woman. I’m sure you and the Secretary will both be on national television tonight.”

“You think?” She glanced up at him. “Me?”

He smiled at her and she noticed then a dimple in his right cheek. She liked the way his hazel eyes looked straight into hers.

“You’ve got a quote direct to you.”

“Yeah, but so do fifty other reporters.”

“Mrs. Clinton called you by name, smiled and made eye-contact with you. That’s pretty good, I say.”

Deanna nodded. “Thanks. It was pretty thrilling.” Her stomach rumbled and she hoped Bob Hughes hadn’t heard it. She took her sandwich out of her canvas tote bag as she slid her notebook into it.

“You’re not really going to eat that, are you?”

“I’m thinking about it. You must have heard my stomach cry for food.”

He took the sandwich from her hand and placed it in a refuse bin. “So much for that, Miss Layne. Now you’ll have to have lunch with me.”

“I-I-I’ve got to call in my quote.”

“Sure.” He handed her his cell phone.

The corridor was now empty except for the two of them. She nodded and took his phone and called the City Editor.