Chapter 2

Interruptions

July 2004

They came at dusk. Two men-their hair slicked down by streams of perspiration running over them in the muggy, summer heat-schlepped through the woods. The stuffed packs on their backs grew heavier with each step. Heavy rains from days ago had saturated the ground, sheltered by the thick trees that wouldn't let the sun break through to take it back up.

"Shit! You okay?" Rusty said kneeling over the one walking with him who had taken a nose dive like a felled tree.

After a moan and a grunt, he turned over, and with help from Rusty struggled to his feet under the weight of the pack. Rusty began checking it to make sure the contents were in tact.

"Billy, damn, you gotta be careful. I know this is a long haul since we had to walk it…but everyone's countin' on us to fulfill this mission to take back our country from-"

"I know, I know," Billy said, groaning inwardly. His passion for blowing things up was eclipsed only by his hatred of high school. Bringing those two things together put him in a hog's heaven. But something was happening as they got closer to the campus. Something inside him was turning his stomach. He didn't know if it was excitement, fear, regret, or a mixture of all three.

"Okay, let's go then, boy. We have to send a clear message. Our kind built this country. We ain't gon' let it go to the niggers and the fags. Now wipe all that damn mud off yo' face 'fore I mistake you for the enemy," Rusty said with his distinctive guffaw. It sounded like a cross between the laugh of a hyena and the bleating of a sheep.

There it was again. Billy's stomach turned over as he watched his uncle continue down the path toward Monticello High School.

"So, tonight is the night little brother. You're finally going to make an honest woman out of her," said Joe.

Fitz and his brother were half-way into an early afternoon lunch, something they rarely were able to do during the week with the more than one hour distance between Fitz's home in Atlanta and Joe's in Monticello. He and Joe had spoken by phone the night before when Fitz had inadvertently revealed his intention to propose to Mellie the following night. The conversation had been innocent enough.

"So, what you got planned for Friday night?" Joe said.

"Dinner with Mellie," Fitz said before mumbling under his breath, "I can't forget the ring this time."

That last part had slipped out before Fitz could take it back. This wasn't news he was trying to keep from his family. Since this was his second proposal attempt, he didn't want to jinx it by telling anyone until it was done. Thankfully, he hadn't done the customary asking of the father for the hand in marriage bit. He knew he should have-that's how he was raised-but after meeting Mellie's parents he knew it wasn't necessary.

Fitz understood why Joe was here visiting him. Early this morning, when Joe called to ask him to lunch because he just happened to be in the area on business, was a good clue. He decided to play along. This was no social visit between brothers. Joe had been sent.

"Yes, tonight will be the night, Joe. You didn't have to come all this way either big brother, but I know your were the one designated to check up on me by decree of Mama," Fitz said with a knowing smirk, "I'll have to reimburse you for gas. It's not as cheap as it used to be."

Joe plastered on a surprised expression which Fitz ignored. "Just admit that you told Mama I was proposing to Mellie tonight. She put you up to coming here to make sure I do it."

Joe gave an exasperated sigh and then looked out of the window. He watched three pigeons descend on bread crumbs thrown down by a man who looked to be out of central casting for the homeless. "Why is he feeding the pigeons right beside the 'Don't Feed the Pigeons' sign? He's homeless for God's sake. How in the world can he afford to feed the damn pigeons. He's probably not even homeless. Wonder how much he pulls down after a day of begging?"

Fitz glanced at his watch. He had 2 briefs to finish and a meeting before he left the firm early. Then he had to pick up dry cleaning and get home to prepare for his dinner with Mellie tonight. "Just because he looks to be homeless, Joe, doesn't mean he can't show compassion to pigeons or even disobey a public ordinance," Fitz said, "Look at that lady over there. She's appears to be on a quick lunch break…look…she just threw that pigeon a French Fry."

Joe found the lady Fitz spoke of and prepared to counter, but Fitz would not allow him. "Joe, you didn't come here to talk about homeless people, pigeons, and public ordinances. Tell Mama you saw me, everything was fine, and that I'll call her after it's done." Fitz took a bite of his burger.

"Okay, you got me. I shouldn't have told Mama. I know she's been nagging you about getting married ever since you graduated from law school," Joe said, dredging his steak fry through a mound of ketchup. He picked it up and used it to punctuate his words. "Seven years of nagging is hell, but that length of time combined with Mama's nagging could kill someone. When you said you were proposing last year and didn't, Mama got worried. You know how Mama is. She wants us all settled. You're the youngest, the only one who moved away, and the last free one." Joe gobbled up the steak fry.

Fitz nodded and they both took a bite of their burgers. An uneasiness filled him making his sandwich less appetizing. They chewed in silence for a while.

"Joe, thanks for coming, but I'm fine. How is Dawn and Howard? I haven't talked to either of them in about a month."

"School starts in less than two weeks so you know Dawn is at the high school every day getting ready for that. Howard is about to open another auto body shop in Shady Dale where-"

"Isn't that where you just opened your other restaurant?" Fitz said.

"Yep. That's just what I was about to say. Between my restaurants and Howard's auto body shops, the Grant name rules Jasper County. Now you just need to move back to Monticello and start your own law firm there."

"I guess that's an idea, but I can stay with Walker and Townsend and represent anyone in Monticello who needs a civil rights attorney-"

"Doesn't Grant and Associates sound better? You are thirty-two, Fitz. When I was your age, I had already owned my first restaurant for three years."

Fitz shook his head and chuckled at his brother. "I thought you were here to check on my love life, not my professional life one. The road to having my own law firm is different from starting a business, but you didn't come here to talk about that either. Stay on task. Tomorrow this time, I'll be an engaged man and Mama will be happy."

"Well, it's about time. Mellie's been loyal and put up with you for all these years. How long has it been, now…ten years since you all started dating in college?"

"Nope. We started dating in ninety-three…eleven years, but not concurrent, off and on."

"Well, obviously it's meant to be if you keep getting back together."

Fitz didn't respond because he really didn't want to talk about it anymore. He'd made up his mind to do it and that was that. "How's the restaurant going?"

Fitz took another bite of his burger while Joe launched into a detailed explanation of the new state of the art flat top grill he'd just bought for one of his restaurants.

Three hours later he sat at home trying to warm his cold feet. Intellectually, he knew it should not be this difficult. You fall in love. You buy a ring. You propose. He was 1 for 3. He had the ring. The problems came with the love and proposing part. It wasn't that he didn't love Melody Elizabeth Ferguson. He did. She was beautiful, smart, caring, and loyal. His feelings for her waxed and waned in direct proportion to his feelings for Olivia Pope who he didn't even communicate with anymore. They hadn't spoken since his first year in law school. He couldn't pinpoint when the decimation of their friendship began or why, but they lost touch in a way that seemed intentional. He was 32 years old and it was past time for him to do something to move past these pernicious feelings. He was taking the bull by the horns, and moving forward with Mellie. Eleven years was long enough to nurse a childish high school crush.

He dialed Mellie's number.

"Hello, Fitz. I'm so glad you called. Today has been the best day except for not knowing what you have planned for tonight. This day off from the hospital with all the pampering has made me feel like royalty. I wish you would have taken off today and enjoyed it with me."

Fitz smiled as he removed the plastic from his freshly laundered shirt. "Today was all about you, Mel, and tonight is for us."

"Oh, Fitz, I can't wait."

"Me either. I'll see you in an hour," he said.

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you, too."

Almost an hour later, Fitz was dressed and looking at himself in the mirror. He was confident and assured. His cold feet were now toasty warm and he was ready to ask Mellie to marry him. He practiced his proposal aloud. He'd picked this trick up during law school when he had to prepare for mock trials.

"We've been together off and on for eleven years, Mel. It's about time we made it official." He frowned at his reflection.

"No…no…very unromantic. Melody Elizabeth Ferguson, you are the love of my life. I can't think of anyone I'd like to spend the rest of my life with other than you." He shook his head when Olivia's face appeared in his mind's eye.

"Actually, there is one person, so that would be sort of ingenuous to say, so…" He cleared his throat and tried again and squinted his eyes to focus.

"Melody Elizabeth Ferguson, I love you. Will you marry me?" Fitz smiled broadly. "Yes, that's it, simple, direct, and sweet."

Fitz nodded once, turned off the bathroom, light and walked to the door. It was 6:45. Mellie lived close so he had more than enough time to pick her up and make their 7:30 dinner reservations. When his hand touched the doorknob, his phone rang. He walked to the phone mounted on the wall beside his refrigerator and saw his mom's name flash on the caller I.D. He lifted the receiver.

"Hello, Mama. I wish I could talk longer, but I'm headed out."

"Hi Fitzgerald, Joe told me you two had lunch today. How nice of him to drive all the way up there for lunch. Where did you all eat?"

"Mama, can I call you back tonight after I've proposed."

"Yes, dear, you can. You didn't forget the ring this time did you?"

Fitz gritted his teeth and then released them. "No," he said tapping his pocket. "I have it."

"Okay, I'll talk to you later." Fitz, looked at the receiver after his mom hung up and left.

It was almost 9 and he was stalling. Mellie sat across from him at the small intimate table they shared on the deck of Canoe restaurant that overlooked the river. The ambiance was perfect. The candlelight played across her face as she talked about something he couldn't recall right now. The waiter kept walking by ready for the cue to bring out the Lover's Strawberry Torte that was to hold the ring. Canoe was a proposal destination. Fitz had a choice of several plastic dessert accouterments to hide the ring. He had chosen the plastic strawberry that was to sit on the top of the torte. After slipping the ring to the waiter 30 minutes ago, he was waiting for Fitz's cue. Instead of giving the nod, Fitz began peppering Mellie with all manner of questions about anything he could think of.

Fitz eyed the waiter walking toward the table with a determined set of his lips. Fitz shook his head slightly, but the waiter continued forward.

"Sir, madam, would you all like to see the desert tray?"

Fitz and Mellie answered in tandem.

"Yes!" she said.

"Not yet." he said.

"Umm…yes," he said until the waiter gave him an exasperated look. "Umm…actually bring us the chef's desert you told me about earlier…Mellie, honey, you were in the bathroom, when I saw the tray go by. I asked the waiter about this strawberry one that I knew you'd love." The more Fitz spoke the more confident he became.

"Really? You know I love anything with strawberries," Mellie gushed.

There was no going back now. Fitz knew he had to seal this deal. By now it was obvious to Mellie what was about to happen. If Fitz was honest with himself, his suggestion that she take the day off so they could have dinner tonight at Canoe would have been a big clue of what was to come. He saw the excitement in Mellie's face even though she was doing all she could to temper it to that "appropriate for a regular dinner date" happiness. Fitz reached across the table, grabbed her hand, and squeezed. The waiter appeared in record time with the torte. He set it in the center of their table. After refilling their wine glasses, he left the table without a word.

"Wow, this looks beautiful and delicious," Mellie said.

"Not as delicious and beautiful as you." As soon as Fitz uttered the words, they sounded wooden in his ear. Thankfully, Mellie blushed, seemingly unaffected by his awkwardness.

Fitz grabbed the oversized strawberry from the top. The plan was for him to let her lick it before he attempted to bite into it. Then he would innocently realize that it was made of plastic and give it to her to investigate. She would find the ring. He would propose. Voila.

He felt the slight buzzing of his cell phone in his jacket pocket. Fitz knew he should wait to answer it, but he pulled it out.

"Do you mind if I see who this is?" he said.

"Oh, sure. I'll start working on this," she said, lifting her fork to spear the corner of the torte.

He smiled. "Hello?"

"Fitz. You have to come home. There was an explosion at Monticello High School earlier this evening. Christopher can't find Dawn. She's not answering her cell phone. She wasn't supposed to be working tonight, but-"

"Oh my God," Fitz said motioning for the waiter. "I'm coming home."

Olivia heard a far away voice calling her name and felt a constant push against her shoulder.

"Liv…Liv…wake up!"

Olivia slapped at the unknown offending thing and snuggled deeper into her arm. Suddenly she felt something cold and wet slide down her back inside her blouse.

She jumped to her feet. "Whoa! Hey!" she screamed, dancing around and slapping her back to release the frigid ice blocks. Finally, she pulled her shirttails out of her skirt until the three chunks shattered on the floor. She sighed in relief and then looked up with evil intent for the culprit. Thunderous applause as well as laughter broke out from everyone gathered in the room filled with cubicles. Olivia bent down and tiptoed back into her cubicle where she'd been taking a nap. The room went back to the busy campaign office it was before she broke out into spontaneous dance. The culprit, Huck, walked in behind her.

She snatched the greasy brown paper bag from him filled with her lunch from his left hand and the fountain drink cup resting in the drink carrier in his right hand. "Remind me to slap you when I am fully awake and finished with my lunch, Huck. You can be such an ass sometimes…putting ice down my blouse…very childish," Olivia said before taking a bite of three French fries.

"Well, you won't let me put anything else down your blouse so…"

Olivia rolled her eyes and snarled at him before opening her pungent cheesesteak.

"Seriously, Liv. You need to go home. It's been like three days since Mr. Obama gave that ass-kicking speech at the DNC convention. I know it's been crazy around here since then, but you've done your part. We all think…no, we know he's going to win the Senate race in November. Stop putting us all to shame working around the clock. You don't have to prove yourself to Mr. Obama."

"I'm not trying to do anything of the sort. I've been scanning the internet and there is so much buzz out there surrounding the powers that be wanting Obama to run for president in four years, Huck. I know he's going to beat Alan Keyes for the senate seat by more than 65%. That is my prediction, at least. This is just the beginning. He has to run for president...I mean his life story is epic...and if he does, I want to work on that campaign. Can you imagine that…working on the campaign of the first African-American president? I mean it boggles the mind. I think it can happen in 2008." Olivia was fully awake now, always poised and ready for a good political discussion.

Huck frowned. He snatched a chair from the wall and turned it backwards to face Olivia. He was just as poised. "Liv, come on! That would mean you are predicting that Bush is going to defeat Kerry in November."

"No disrespect to Kerry, but he's going to lose, Huck," Olivia said, speaking in lower tones while checking the opening of the cubicle for listening ears. "They are starting to attack his military service. There's this shadowy organization, "Swift Vets and POWs for Truth" and they are trying to discredit his service in the Navy during Vietnam."

"Liv, it's not going to work…and how do you know all this? Wait, don't even answer that. I'm sure I'd know as much as you, if I worked around the clock. Honestly, though, and don't think I'm being racist or anything, but I don't know if America is ready for an African-American president. If Mr. Obama wins, he'll only be the fifth black senator in US history and only the third popularly elected. I'd vote for him, but I can't imagine my white parents or grandparents doing the same-"

Olivia rose to her feet. "That's the key Huck. If there were some way to get the youth to vote in full force…some way to meet them where they are which is mostly on the internet …using technology and social-" Olivia's voice was interrupted by the phone in her cubicle. She answered it without remembering whom she was trying to avoid-so caught up in her spirited political discussion.

"Barack Obama for US Senate 2004, campaign office, Olivia Pope speaking," she said brightly.

"Baby, when are you coming home? I'm starting to think you are trying to avoid me," Ian said. Olivia let her head fall back and a look of irritation and exasperation crossed her face, causing Huck to strain his ears in interest.

Olivia swallowed a few times. "No, Ian. I'm sorry. It's just been crazy down here since Mr. Obamam's DNC speech. I've been fielding media calls and interviews. We've been getting more donations. It should die down soon though. I would never try to avoid you, baby." Olivia's eyes darted around the room hoping he believed her. Then her gaze met Huck's who was watching her like she was a primetime special on television. She turned around and crouched low over the phone.

"Liv, you are not the only staffer down there. I know how important this is to you, but you are just that, a staffer. There are enough people there to relieve you so you can come home-"

"But Ian, I-"

"Liv, If you aren't on your way home by 6, I'm coming down there to drag you out," Ian said sternly.

"Okay, babe. I'll call you when I'm on my way home," said Olivia. She acquiesced because she didn't want to continue the argument in front of Huck.

"Liv, I love you…you know that right?"

"Yes, Ian. I love you, too."

"I'm planning a nice night for us. I miss you."

"Me too. I'll see you tonight." Olivia plastered on her best smiling voice and then hung up.

She glanced over at Huck, ignoring his inquiring, 'one eyebrow up, one eyebrow down' look. "Thanks for the lunch, Huck. I'll owe you one. I may even hire you to work on Mr. Obama's presidential campaign in a couple of years." Olivia stuffed her mouth with a big hunk of her cheesesteak in case her bait and switch wasn't working on Huck.

"Not gonna work Liv. What was that about? I sensed a vibe from you when you realized it was Ian. Is there trouble in paradise with Mr. Solicitor General?" Huck said.

Olivia rolled her eyes at Huck's nickname for Ian as she chewed furiously. Huck had bestowed Ian with the nickname after he had attended a dinner with all the campaign staffers to celebrate a successful first fundraising drive at the start of the campaign. Ian had recently won a case and spent a big part of the night discussing it with anyone who would listen. She couldn't blame him though. It had been a long drawn out merger between two companies so it had been more ironing out of details than a courtroom battle. Ian was a great guy. He was a handsome, brilliant, and sexy brother who thought the sun rose and set on her. She loved Ian.

What are you so afraid of?

Why have you been shacking up with him for five years when he asked you to marry him after dating for 9 months?

Why have you been avoiding him?

Why? Why? Why? Could it be because of you know who?

Olivia couldn't quell the voices in her head. Whenever she got still and stopped thinking about her job. The voices became unbearable.

"He's going to ask me to marry him again…I don't know if I can say yes," Olivia said too loudly.

Huck's eyes turned into saucers which made Olivia realize something. "Did I say that out loud?"

Huck scooted his chair closer. "Umm, Yep. Loud and clear. So that's what your marathon stints here at the office have been about. You are dodging the Solici-sorry, Ian, because he's going to propose?"

Olivia gave a guttural moan and then a small cry. She had to unload on someone. For the first time in her life, she couldn't share her trials with Anna. Anna as well as her mother and other family loved Ian. They thought she was insane for not marrying him when he first proposed. She couldn't bring herself to admit certain realities. There was only one person she loved in that way. He lived in Atlanta and they hadn't spoken in 7 years because she couldn't bring herself to talk to him. Ever since he showed up on her doorstep with his girlfriend, she had been totally and completely dismantled. She refused to talk to anyone about it. Overtime, she refused to talk to him at all. The refusal wasn't overt, but gradually manifested in unreturned e-mails and phone calls. Whenever Fitz's name came up in conversation-usually when she returned home for visits or reunions-she skillfully changed the subject. Now that Ian was showing those tell-tell proposal signs, she was beginning to think about Fitz more, replaying that day in her mind over and over. She experienced the anticipation and joy of finally sharing her feelings with him and then the utter shock after he introduced that person as his girlfriend. It was like having PTSD with the reliving of it over and over.

"Yeah. It's obvious that he and my best friend are working together to plan this proposal. Actually, I overhead them talking about it on the phone last week. He was supposed to do it the night before Mr. Obama's speech. If you recall, I wasn't planning to go to the convention. When I heard he was going to propose, I sorta lied and told him that Mr. Obama made a last minute change and I had to go. It was a godsend that the speech went so damn well because-"

Huck interrupted. "It gave you a reason to work your crazy hours and continue to avoid him. Liv, you don't strike me as the type of woman who would marry someone unless you really loved them…really wanted to...so what is really going on? If you don't want to get married, just tell him."

"Well, he'd want an answer as to why and-and I don't have a reason," she lied. "I mean I think I might need more time to wrap my head around the who idea of marriage. I mean it's for the rest of my life…not something to enter into lightly."

Huck grabbed her shoulders. "Haven't you two been living together for like ten years already?" he said.

Olivia gave him a, 'Come on!" look and they both laughed. "No, it's been 5 years. We met at the University of Chicago when I was in graduate school and he was in law school."

"I'm no expert in that department, but if he is begging you to come home that…might…be…some indication? You're practically married already so just think about it on the drive home…no music…just you and your thoughts. Maybe you'll have an epiphany," Huck said. He patted her fuzzy twists which were in sore need of a wash and re-twisting.

"Huck, I want to thank you for your concern, but this sharing, friend thing we're doing right here is sorta weird. If you tell anyone, I'll tie your gonads in a bow, okay?"

Huck winced. Olivia gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Now, since I have a couple of hours before I have to go home and decide the course of my life, I plan to spend them telling you more about my theories on why I think Barack Obama should run for president."

"Okay, Ms. Pope, fill me in."

It was 5:50 when Olivia slipped into the driver's seat of her 1998 Honda Accord. She had just left Ian a voice mail message alerting him that she was heading home. She'd called Anna, but just got her voice mail too. She resisted the urge to flip on "U Got it Bad" by Usher. She'd been binge listening to this song for about a month. The car was silent. It wasn't dark yet so she just enjoyed the drive through downtown Chicago.

Then she spoke out loud. This usually came in handy when she was prepping for a press conference or helping her candidates prep for a debate. She believed that talking to oneself was not a sign of crazy. In fact it was crazy not to do this.

"Snap out of it, Olivia. Ian Bernard McCormack loves you. He cares about you. He wants to marry you. You would be a fool to walk away from him and for what? Despite you actions this week, he understands and accepts your quirky ways. He gets your unhealthy affinity for all things political. He can make you come…most of the time. He gives the required courtesy flush. Your mom loves him. Anna loves him. His faults are few, right? Well, he does occasionally fart in his sleep…but we all do. He examines his snot after blowing it into the tissue, which...is…gross. He refuses to go skydiving. Maybe he's just being wise about that one…Damn it, Olivia! Stop this. Ian is practically perfect. The past is the past. Fitz chose that lily white Melody person over you…no, no, no. You didn't choose him. That's it. But it is water under the bridge. You are not a little girl anymore. Grow a pair….of breasts…and marry Ian. Say yes!"

Olivia wasn't paying attention to the road and almost rear ended a car when she nearly missed the red light. Her brief case and all its contents hit the floor when she stopped within a hair of the Mercedes in front of her. She looked in the rear view mirror and read the lips of the driver behind her. The words were not complimentary.

"You shouldn't have been riding my bumper," she said with a contradictory smile. The origin of her smile was that of acceptance. She had accepted her fate. She was going to say yes to Ian.

It was almost 9, and Ian had not proposed yet. The little butterflies in her stomach had stopped their dancing. The night had been a chart topper of dates. After top to bottom self-care from her hair to her toe nails, Olivia floated from the bathroom looking fabulous in a silky white sundress and gladiator sandals. Had he asked for her hand in marriage at that moment and produced a justice of the peace and one witness, she would have said, 'yes' and proceeded to be lawfully wed.

Ian recreated their first date complete with dinner and a stroll along Navy Pier. Their conversation flowed seamlessly. There were a gratuitous amount of PDAs. Olivia kept trying to anticipate when the proposal would come. She examined every glass of wine thoroughly. She chewed her desert slowly and thoroughly. No diamond solitaires could be found. Now, they were back home standing at the door of their brownstone, the ring finger on her left hand feeling decidedly light and bare.

Maybe he decided not to ask me? she thought. I have been pretty cold lately.

Olivia was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize Ian was scooping her up in his arms and carrying her through the open door. In an instant she knew this was it. He walked her to their dining room. In the center of the table set a poster sized placard that read simply, "Will you Marry Me 2.0 Choose one." There were three choices: yes, yes, or yes. In front of the sign was a black ring box.

When Olivia saw the sign she laughed. Ian set her down. The phone rang, and their heads turned to face the phone at the same time. Neither moved. Olivia looked up into his eyes.

"Well, Ms. Pope?"

"I choose number two."

"Praise the Lord," he said before bending to kiss her.

Olivia stepped out of his arms and moved to answer the phone. "I better get that. I'm sure it's Anna or my mom or both on the line together. A glance at the caller ID confirmed that it was Olivia's mother. "It's my Mom, probably with Anna on three way."

"Hi, Mom, Guess what?" Olivia gushed into the phone.

"Olivia, h-h-honey. There's been an accident and-"

Olivia recognized her mother's voice, but it sounded thick and scratchy as if she had been crying or was frightened. "Mommy, what's wrong? You sound funny." Ian was standing behind her now.

"Baby. There was an accident at Monticello High School earlier tonight. Part of it was blown up. Anna was there working this evening. She was injured, but details are not clear. She's at Jasper General Hospital now, but I think they're going to be transferring her to Grady Hospital. You need to come home as soon as you can."

"What? An explosion? I don't understand…Anna?" Olivia felt terribly confused. Anna was a high school science teacher at MHS, but the news about the explosion was difficult to process. What she knew for sure was that she needed to get home.