Sixteen: When Bitches Greet (each other)

The man in front of her is sweaty and fatigued as the physical therapist follows him onto the rehabilitation platform, Elaine watches with relief as he is regaining muscle mass on his legs covered by a pair of short shorts, the scars from the accident still visible at the points where the skin and muscle were torn away from the bone and at the points where the pins of the external anchors were placed. - He won't be able to perform ballets like last time, he'll have to be content to sit quietly behind the lectern most of the time, he'll be a bit Roosevelt, but maybe that's a good thing - , the Secretary of State thinks.

"Elaine!", he greets her smilingly as he sits down at his desk with a grimace, "Are you ready to go?", he asks energetically. "Ready, sir!", she confirms with a tugged smile. "Good! Because we have a very tight schedule ahead of us, we're running late, you know that, besides, I don't want any of you to tire yourself out more than you need to, I'll have to deal with my limitations too, I've scheduled everyone's attendance based on the states we'll be visiting, for the first part of the trip I'll need you, since you've accepted the nomination as my deputy, we'll be touching the hardest states", he reminds her, as if she hadn't spent the last few weeks in the Oval with him and the rest of the Cabinet drawing up the campaign milestones.

"Certainly, Mr. President", the woman confirms in a polite tone, "We'll start with Georgia and move east all the way to California", the Secretary confirms. "That's right Elaine, then I'll relieve you, partly because I want you here when the trial against Collier begins", he explains. Barrish moves a step forward, "If I may, Mr. President… I think you should relieve me in Nevada, in your best interest... The California voting public is already oriented on your side, Sir, also, if you remember the interview with my ex-husband in the previous primaries, it would be better for you to leave me aside", she reminds him.

The man is thoughtful for a few moments, then he lets out a deep sigh, "You know, I don't think it matters anymore what happened back then, however... I trust your instincts and advice, I'll have the second jet pick you up in Las Vegas then", he concedes with a smile.

"Thank you, Mr. President", she says to him nodding, "Now go home, get ready, spend some time with your folks, I'll expect you in the morning", he dismisses her in an affable tone.

—

"Are you going to be okay, alone all this time, with TJ?", Elaine asks her mother, "Honey, of course I'll be okay! It's not like I'm not an old fart yet! Besides, I'm not alone! TJ's always got that handsome piece of meat of a sponsor attached to him, thank goodness! And then there's Douglas and Anne…", she assures her slyly, "...or rather… you know what they say, don't you? While the cat's away… I'm going to have the time of my life without you! I might even throw a big party to celebrate your absence!", she announces pretending to be serious.

"Mom!", she admonishes her watching her burst out laughing. "We'll be fine, dear… now stop pretending to worry and go pack your things. You're leaving straight from Susan's house in the morning, right?", she asks her. "Well it's crazy to come back here just to get my bags, since I'd be halfway there by now"

"Right! Oh, and tell her I'll expect her for lunch, Sunday, like always!", "Really?", Barrish asks amazed, "Of course! It's a tradition by now!", her mother assures her, "That's a kind thought, Mom, thank you!", she says gratefully, "Go on, go ahead and pack your bags! No more traipsing around!", spurs her in her mama bear way.

Elaine shuts herself in her room without being able to stop smiling, she is deeply grateful that especially her mother has accepted and enjoys the reporter's presence. The invitation extended even without her presence is proof that she's not just acting out of kindness to her, but because in a way she's become attached to her as well.

—

"Did you see? I've got an eye for these things and you're too self-judging!", the reporter says with delight, as she checks that the pajamas she's got for her fit her perfectly. "Okay, it fits, but… the color… I look like an inmate at Wentworth Correctional Centre in Melbourne! Come on!", Susan bursts out laughing with amusement, "Nah, you don't! C'mon! Teal is a beautiful color! Would you have preferred a… I don't know… pig pink? Striped pajamas?", she jokes smoothing the fabric over one sleeve, "Besides... as a physical presence... I could see you more in the parts of The Freak!", she insists snidely. Elaine opens her mouth wide pretending to be furious, "You little bitch!", she recites pointing her finger. Susan cheekily mimics her, "See? Just like Joan Freak Ferguson! But don't worry, next season she'll end up as an 'inmate' too!", the reporter reasons, pinching her nose affectionately, "Yeah, but in a nice white blouse with looooong sleeves!", Barrish echoes before bursting into laughter.

"So, what's the plan?", Susan questions as she seasons the salad, "Believe me, you don't want to hear this, I hate campaigns, don't make me think about it again, please", Elaine pleads jokingly. "You know what? You're right! Let's just enjoy the evening!", the young woman confirms, handing her the bowl for her to put on the table while she takes care of the steaks.

Elaine watches her move, exhaling a sigh. She'll miss these evenings of theirs, she feels like she needs to watch her more intently than usual, as if to memorize her every movement, every little typical gesture or sound, so she can take it with her while she's away. They spend most of their dinner time choosing a not-too-depressing movie for the evening, and eventually find themselves sitting next to each other on the couch watching a documentary about African elephants.

"Then it wasn't a tease! They're really kicking them out of the herd!", the reporter exclaims bursting into laughter. "Of course I wasn't making fun of you, dummy! What do you think?", the politician retorts offended, slapping her on the arm. " I don't know! Maybe you were still upset about the news and wanted to get back at me by making fun of me in some way!", she justifies herself playfully. "Okay! That's officially the meanest thing you've ever said about me, Ms. Berg!", she jokes pointing her finger at her.

Susan raises an eyebrow, amused, "Are you sure about that?", she challenges her. "What do you mean?", Barrish asks with a sour look. Her friend bursts into one of her strangled laughs, "Oh God I really think I'm going to miss this, you know?", she confesses in one breath with a big smile, betrayed by a pair of strangely bright eyes.

In a second Elaine feels the lump in her throat and her eyes moisten, she grimaces to push back the emotion, wraps an arm around her shoulders and draws her to herself in an affectionate gesture, "Ah you won't be able to make me cry, little bitch!", she says in a broken voice depositing a quick kiss on her temple.

—

"You pamper me too much!", she accuses her, putting a blueberry in her mouth. "You think so?", the other one asks thoughtfully, masterfully turning the mixture in the steaming pan, "Yes... maybe you're right!", she admits without particular emphasis, after a while she slides the pancake in a serving plate and serves it to her friend.

"Okay, now try this one", she gloatingly proposes, resting her elbows on the table and leaning towards her awaiting her judgment. Elaine looks at her doubtfully, "Are you trying to poison me so I'll have to delay my departure?", she jokes, "Um...maybe..." the young woman holds her up.

From the outside view, it looks like a regular pancake to Elaine. She feels her friend's eyes on her and it amuses her and warms her heart. She picks up the fork on the side of the plate and uses it to cut off a piece. She pokes it and lifts it off the plate, looking at the inside, it looks undercooked, slightly creamy, and she is a little afraid to put it in her mouth, but she is also curious, something is obviously eluding her and she wants to find out what it is. So she plucks up courage and bites the pancake.

"It's good!", she says, pleasantly surprised by the creamy texture, after a while her tongue perceives a particular aroma, unmistakable. "Did you add the almond flour?", she asks almost sure she's right.

Berg grimaces thoughtfully, "Added almond flour… to what?", she asks mysteriously. "To regular pancake mix!", the other replies as if it should be an obvious fact. Susan smiles raising an eyebrow, satisfied, "But it's not regular pancake mix! No eggs, milk, flour or sugar!" she states.

"Oh…", the politician exclaims in bewilderment. She watches in astonishment as her friend assumes a 'I got you!' attitude, and waits patiently for the ingredients of that treat to be revealed.

"Chickpea flour, almond flour, acacia honey and water!", she announces proudly. "Well...let me tell you, it's really good Sue! Thank you!", she sweetly replies, adding the blueberries to the center of the pancake and closing it like an omelet. She separates a bite with her fork and offers it to her. "Try it!"

—

"Okay, you're ready", Susan remarks flatly, facing Elaine, fully dressed, at the front door still closed in front of them. "Keep me updated, okay?", she tells her, avoiding her gaze. "And have a safe trip!", she adds, moving a step forward, then rising up on her toes and hugging her affectionately, inhaling the scent of her skin and hair with her eyes closed.

She feels Elaine's arm fasten behind her back and pull her close. "Don't work too hard, Miss Berg", the woman whispers to her in a soft tone, before retreating a step while widening a smile for just her, - I better get out of here as soon as possible -, the Secretary thinks, opening the door and almost running away.