For mid-April, it's muggier than I would have thought here. Standing on the balcony of my hotel room. Leaning on the railing of the balcony, I look out into the nothingness. The sky is dark, but the lights of the city and the haze that it creates are too bright for any stars to be seen. There is so much noise, the noise from the cars below from cities normal hustle and bustle. Then there is the noise from inside the hotel room, conversations continuing over each other. Planning, calculating, determining the best plan of action, this in reality will all go out the window when we show up at the visit site tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, I like, no I love a well thought out strategized plan, what I do not like is rethinking and over thinking said plan. But that is not why I am here, standing on a balcony of a hotel in a very humid, muggy warm Miami night in the middle of April.
What I would give to just lie on the beach and stare at the stars for just a few hours. But then again I choose this, I choose to set out on this crazy journey, I choose this. As I exhale, I mumble, "for the greater good," not realizing I was holding my breath. This is why I am here today. All for the greater good. I take a glance at my watch, "10 minutes, ok let's end this," again I say to myself. I stand up from leaning over the balcony, take one last deep breath, turn around pick up the folder that is lying on the table, which I dropped there when I walked out here and walk back into the room.
"Everyone, enough. Look, yes we planned for the VP of Resident Services and VP of Housing Development to be there tomorrow, but alas we need to adjust. They aren't going to be there, according to Randy, we are getting stuck with marketing people. This is fine; we need to roll with it." I pause for a moment before continuing, "This change is not going to deter us from the impact that we need. Housing isn't a major issue here on our platform, however, it feeds into other major issues that we want, no need to drive home to the voters. Regardless we need to make sure that even if we meet with support people we make this the most meaningful junction possible."
"Arizona," Randy spoke up "we need to ensure that this makes us look smart, we can't afford another slap in the face." "Randy, I respect that," I interrupt "and I understand why you're concerned. Believe me, I do not want another Michigan incident. However, its 9 o'clock we meet them tomorrow morning at 9 am, we can't change nor reschedule everything in 12 hours. It's just not humanly possible. Here is the game plan, let's stick to our goals, showcase the Agency and highlight their innovative work into a home program. We use tomorrow to the best of our ability. We breathe, we smile, we thank them for their time. And in the end, if needed, just like in Michigan we deal with the fallout as quickly as possible and turn the lump of coal into a shiny stone. " I stop I look around the room, some faces stare back in relief, as they fight both physical and mental exhaustion. Others look back in disbelief as if I'm already conceding. I close my eyes, inhale, and say "Hey, we are tired it has been a long 17 days, I know you're tired. " I open my eyes, and with the last bit of energy, I have left, I smile. As my brother would say it's my super magical mega smile, the smile that makes a weeping willow smile. "I get it, but lets just put this aside, for now, get a good night sleep and then we can meet in the morning for breakfast and we can brainstorm and work out some scenarios tomorrow. What do you think?"
There is grumbling around the room. I know they are not happy with stopping, but I am done. I just can't right now, I am so tired. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket, perfect timing I think to myself. I don't even need to look at my phone to know who it is. "Ari," Amy pops up, "tomorrow 6 am breakfast in the restaurant?" It is asked more as a question than a statement. Amy knows me so very well. We have worked together for many years through non-profit ventures, I was amazed when I asked if she would join the team and help keep not only me but everyone inline. Sometimes she is the biggest blessing, other times, well she is Amy and I wouldn't ask for a better scheduler / Communication Director / Press Secretary. Seriously the only reason I have gotten this far is largely due to her. I laugh and respond "Absolutely," continuing with the offer to her and the rest of my team "and as I always we can meet at 5 for a morning run, although tomorrow will be a quick 30-minute run, you all are always welcomed to join me." I turn around not waiting for their answers, I already knew their answers. A definite no, I don't even need to hear or see them shaking their heads. The room erupts in laughter. The team begins to file out, gathering their numerous devices as they go. I happily walk them out, "Good night everyone, see you bright and early." I chuckle as they walk out the door.
Dwayne leans in and whispers in my ear, "You need rest too, please." I smile at him, "I know which is why I am kicking you all out, I'm hungry and I want to unwind." Dwayne although I only met him a year ago when this nutty adventure began, he has quickly become a trusted friend or as close to it in this arena.
As the last team member leaves my room, I shut the door. Silence. The only sound in the room is the hum of the air conditioner. My hand is still on the door where I had just closed it. I lean in and rest my head on my back of my hand. I take a deep breath and then exhale, I close my eyes. The vibration in my pocket continues, I smile. I reach into my pocket pull out my phone, and without looking at what was said, I began to respond.
Me: Hi, sorry it was a long day. I am about to unwind, would...
As I trail off in my own thoughts I pause. I turn around with and press my back against the door, as I am about to finish my message I glance down at my phone. I freeze up.
9:12 pm Mel: Hi Beautiful. I miss you already. (With an emoji heart and lips)
I groan aloud. "Oh Geesh, really. " I quickly delete my message. I was just about to send. I quickly look through the messages I've missed.
8:30 pm Mel: Hi hope your day went as well as it seemed. Are you up for a nightcap?
8:42 pm Mel: Hi, sorry thought you would be done with your meetings. Text me when you're done, I will swing by your room.
9:02 Roc: Dinner? I'm quite famished.
9:08 pm Mel: When I come by, I will help to make sure you relax, in my special way.
I quickly reply back to Mel. And hit send.
9:22 pm Me: Evening, thank you. I am tired I am just going to go to sleep. I will see you tomorrow then.
I hope she gets the hint, and doesn't stop by. Right then a knock on the door echoes over my left shoulder, and I jump. I pause only a moment before ripping the door open.
"Look, I ok ... I just want a night alone!"
"Dinner? Well, that's ok then. I will just leave this tray and will leave you to your night of peace," husked out Raquel.
Jared walked up behind her, "I see you are staying in, Steve will be on Duty tonight." "Jared, yes I am staying in, I will be ready at around 4:45 in the morning for our run." Raquel rolled her eyes, "How do you even do it, can we please stop standing in the hall?" As I move out of the way for her to come in I motion for Jared to enter also. Behind me Raquel is putting the food on the table and getting the table ready for dinner, the food smells so good. In a hushed tone, I ask Jared, "Please make sure Mel stays away tonight." Jared glances at me and nods his head yes. "Thank you." "Will you need anything else?" Jared asks. I shake my head no, and turn to Raquel, "Roc you good?" In turn, she responds by making a motion with her hand and telling him to "Go, sleep Jared, you need your sleep as much as the rest of them."
"Night Jared." I say as I walk him out of the room and shut the door behind him.
"Roc, I am sorry," I say as I turn around after locking the door. "It was a rough night and Mel wouldn't stop texting me, and ..." She cuts me off with a simple finger to my lips. When had she walked over to me, nonetheless, she is here in front of me. "None of that matters," she says, then traces my lips with her finger. "I am famished, I hope you're hungry." She smiles and returns to the table.
We both sit down at the table and begin to eat. Small talk flows smoothly. I look up at Raquel at one point and smile, I realize this is what I like. The quiteness and the ease of just us. It just flows naturally. "I thought you cut it off with Mel?" She asks out of now where.
"I did." I respond, "Or at least I thought I did. I honestly don't know. It was a mistake."
"A mistake that happened multiple times," she counters.
"What? I thought that we had an understanding. No strings," I mentioned.
She chuckles, and responds "Obviously not, otherwise you would not get the messages every night."
"I don't know what to do, but I just need to get through the convention this July, then I can reassess and figure out what to do." I retort with.
She slips out of her chair "Well, perhaps you could tell her." She lays her right hand on my left should and straddles my lap, stand, hovering over me. I look up into her eyes and smile as she takes her right hand, running her fingers over my cheek and down my neck. Sitting now, so we are slightly more at eye level, she is sitting on my lap. Grinning, "You are already involved with someone."
And as serious as the moment is, we both burst out laughing. Her head falls on my shoulder, laughing. Oh, how I missed the sound of her voice, the smell of her skin. I lean back to look at her, "Really?! We are going there again, and what about David?"
She kisses my forehead and stands up "I will always have a soft spot for you." "Governor, I didn't realize that I would ever hear the word soft and you in the same sentence," giggling I counter. "Thank for dinner, this was nice. I sincerely enjoyed it, both you and the food."
"I'm glad." She gathers the stuff that she brought in. "I also brought you a bottle of your favorite wine. Not to be shared with anyone, but for you to enjoy it. I need to get going now. But call me tomorrow?" She leans in and hugs me. I love her hugs, they are so warm, another thing I would never have imagined looking at the Governor that I would ever use the word warm. But in her arms one feels this warmth, it is captivating. With her arms around me, it allows me to feel safe in a way I have only felt once, so many years ago. But the warmth and feelings of being safe to consume as we hug.
I shut the door after she leaves, glance at my watch "10:22 pm, I have time for a glass." After I lock the door, I walk to the table to pour myself a glass of wine and realize there is already a glass poured for me. A note on a napkin written, "Enjoy, relax and sweet dreams. My Sweet."
AN: I have had a lot of comments regarding the Calzona issue. Please note that this story is Calzona endgame. There is a lot of BACK STORY there is a lot of Middle stories to get them to where they need to be. It's complicated like all things in life. The story itself is actually an original novel that I have written but am to chicken to actually publish it so I tweaked it to play into my two favorite women, I currently am on Chapter 18 and it seems to be working well with the Grey's characters. I do not own Grey's Characters. It is slow angst, but the endgame has been and will always be Calzona.