Sarah was making her first trip to the Oval Office to meet with the President. She was excited and awed by the whole thing. She had been sitting in her office when the call from the White House came. She was almost speechless when informed that it was President Sampson on the other end of the line.
“Ms. Steel? The President would like a word with you,” the caller announced.
She almost dropped the phone. A few moments later he was on the line.
“Ms. Steel, This is President Sampson.”
“Mr. President. I’m honored. I didn’t expect to be talking to you,” she stammered.
He chuckled, “Believe me, I’m just the same as you. I’m not Superman or the Pope. I called because there is a matter I would like to discuss with you. I think it would be better if you could come over to the Oval Office,” he said.
“Yes sir. When would you like me to come?”
“Well, now would work nicely, if you have the time.”
“I’ll be right there. What do I need to do to get in and how do I find you?”
He chuckled again, “I’ll be the tall older gentlemen wandering around with nothing to do.”
He heard her laugh on the other end.
“Just kidding. All you have to do is show your credentials to the guards at the gate and someone will escort you to the Oval Office. They know you are coming and will have a person waiting for you,” he told her.
Now, here she was, being shown in to the office of the President of the United States. It was a little overwhelming.
“Ms. Steel, welcome,” he said, coming from around behind his desk and shaking her hand. He held it for a few seconds and said, “firm handshake, I like that.”
“Thank you sir.”
“Please, pick a spot and take a load off,” he replied, dropping down into one of the chairs.
Wow, she thought, he is different somehow. She had always pictured him as formal with little sense of humor.
“What can I get for you? We have all sorts of juices and sodas,” he offered.
She had been warned about this so she asked for a Diet Coke.
After it was brought in he said, “I have asked you over here because I want you to hear this from me, not second hand information.”
“Yes sir,” she said, taking a big gulp of Diet Coke.
“Do you mind if I call you Sarah?”
“Please, Mr. President. That would be just fine with me,” she said.
“Sarah, I am about to tell you something that has not been released to anyone yet. In fact, you will be one of the very first to know. I’m afraid it isn’t good news, however. I don’t know any other way to say it so here it goes,” he said, taking a deep breath.
Oh God, I’m going to get fired. I screwed up at the congressional hearings and that’s it for me, she thought.
“Sarah, I am very, very sorry to have to tell you this,” he paused again.
She could see he was struggling with what he was about to say next. It wasn’t going to be good. She could almost see her career slipping away. She took a deep breath as well.
“Raymond is…dead,” he finally got out.
“What?” she gasped, shaking her head a moment. “I’m sorry, did you say dead? That can’t be,” she said putting her hands up to her mouth. “No. Mr. President it just can’t be,” she said trying to maintain control.
“I know. I know. I said the same thing. Raymond couldn’t possibly be dead. It had to be a mistake. A horrible mistake. I wish I could tell you that it isn’t true but we have positive proof now.”
“I don’t understand. How can that be? Not Raymond,” she said, fighting to keep from crying.
“I sorry Sarah. He was working on an assignment I sent him on. You can imagine how I feel. I am responsible for what happened to him,” the President said.
He was having a hard time maintaining his composure as well.
“How?” was all she could think to say.
“The details are not something you really want to know. It wouldn’t help any, believe me. He died in the line of duty for his country and for me,” he said, running his fingers across the bridge of his nose. “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this,” he said.
“I can’t believe it. Raymond. He was invincible. I looked up to him. He was a mentor to me. He gave me my first break,” she said, rambling.
“I understand how you feel. He was a good friend to me as well. We became friends when I was just a snot-nosed Senator. Not only was he important to this administration, but I personally grieve for his loss. I always enjoyed the time we spent together.”
“My God. Now what? I don’t even know what to say. This is surreal. I can’t…I can’t even fathom this,” she said.
“I understand. I felt the exact same way when I learned of it,” he assured her.
“When is the funeral? Has that been arranged?” she asked.
“I am having his mother notified today. I sent a personal currier to deliver a letter and convey my condolences. I will know more after we find out her wishes. She is quite old and her health is poor. I want to make sure we respect whatever she desires.”
“This is terrible. Poor Raymond. He was such a good person,” she lamented.
“He was indeed.”
