Georgia on my Mind
Gerry and Karen walk silently down the industrial hallway. The only sound is the loud boot steps of the federal correction officers escorting them to a secluded office. The group reaches the metal door with the small window. "You have forty-five minutes. We will remain outside."
"Thank you." He and his sister take a deep breath before entering the room to face their mother for the first time since her arrest. The charges of conspiracy and attempted voter fraud carried severe sentencing guidelines and enormous fines. Despite their father and Liv's best efforts to shield them from the brutal media coverage they recognized that they would both be adults before they ever saw their mother again.
"Karen, Gerry…I am so glad you requested a visit. I know all of this is confusing. Please know I am getting out. My lawyer has a winning strategy and with you as part of my team; I can beat this." She gestures for them to take a seat across from her at the round laminate table.
Karen observes her mother. Mellie nerves are on full display. She tugs at the ill-fitting yellow jumpsuit and tucks her limp brown hair behind her ears. There are bags under her eyes and her skin is pasty with red blotches. "Why did you do it?" Gerry's head snaps to the left.
"Honey, you do not understand because you are young, but politics is a dirty business. I was doing what was best to help your father win. He is great with speeches and retail politics, but the hard-nose, cut- throat aspects were never his strong suit. My skill set always served us well; that is why we make a great team."
"Are you honestly suggesting that stealing votes and disenfranchising voters is normal political behavior?"
"There has always been a small margin of voter fraud in support of the greater good. I am a patriot and my country needed President Grant."
Gerry shakes his head, "What makes you think you know better than the American people? The debates were televised. Each campaign had a website with all their ideas and proposal. The people had all the information to make a choice."
"Pssh, I blame your idealism on him. The American people are not paying attention. They are too busy with reality television fantasy or the latest filter. If they consume any news at all it is from Facebook where most of these morons cannot tell fact from opinion. Only the best of us…the elites can lead the unwashed masses."
"You didn't win. Dad did because he played by the rules and listened to the unwashed masses," he uses air quotes.
Before she responds Karen interjects, "What you did has absolutely nothing to do with Dad or the American people. The divorce was final…you were not on the campaign trail. This was about having something to use against him. This was about power."
Gerry sighs, "How do you think we can help?" She is my mother I cannot let her rot in prison.
Mellie stops glaring at her daughter long enough to offer a warm smile. "First, get your father to have the charges dropped. Obviously, he cannot say anything in public; but he could speak off the record to the Director of the FBI or maybe the Attorney General. Second, an interview with both of you; or a statement to a reporter would help with the narrative."
Karen slumps back in her chair, "I have no idea what to feel. You are my mom and I love you; but I will not be a part of this. You are wrong and there are consequences. This isn't something you handle."
"Oh, we quote Olivia Pope now. Do not let that viper poison your mind. We were a happy family before she showed up and ruined everything. She got rid of me so do not think for one second that you will not be next. She has an agenda she will pursue with ruthless determination," she hisses.
Karen stands, "Get rid of us…what is wrong with you? We were locked away in boarding school. Out of sight out of mind. The first thing Dad did after your divorce was come and get us. In the middle of a campaign, he moved heaven and earth to make us a real family. And who helped him do that…Olivia Pope. Where were you?"
"Look little girl. You have no idea what I gave up; what I compromised and sacrificed to make your dad's presidency possible. I am owed. I will always do what is necessary to make sure I get what I deserve!"
Gerry holds up his hands, "I thought there was another side….and maybe we could help so you wouldn't have to suffer. The truth is you love one thing…the pursuit of power and you are blind to everything else."
Karen turns to her brother with sympathetic eyes, "I don't want her to suffer either but there is nothing we can do. Somehow you and I are going to have to accept who she is and grieve who we wanted her to be."
They both turn towards their mother. Her eyes are filled with panic and pleading. Karen and Gerry speak one after each other, "We will write…We might visit. Maybe in time we can develop something real…less transactional…no more pretending."
"Don't you understand? Everyone does it…pretending is real."
Gerry's mouth falls open and a tear escapes Karen's eyes. "Goodbye…I wish you the best." Mellie stares at their retreating forms in disbelief.
Olivia hides in her office. Her well-crafted plan to change the media narrative so the beginning of the Grant Administration could not be tainted by the sins of the former campaign staff and his ex-wife worked like a charm. She scrolls through the network and social media outlets and they all contained a version of the same story: the engagement of President Grant and his Chief of Staff, Olivia Pope. Unfortunately, once the official announcement was made the speculation spun beyond her control.
Are they living together and is that the best example for the children? How soon before we get America's Baby? When will she resign and become a proper First Lady?...Can the Republican Party handle a Black First Lady?
"What's wrong?" Abby watched her friend the entire week and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt trouble was brewing.
"Nothing," Liv responds closing her laptop.
"I call bullshit, but I am here when you are ready," she hands over a folder. "This is the briefing information for the interview tonight. Unfortunately, we drew the short straw…Fox News. I think they are sending the reality wonder, Elizabeth Hasselback."
Olivia waves her hand, "It will be fine." She flips through the pages and soft smile spreads across her face. The engagement photoshoot was a blissful love bubble. She studies the series of pictures from the Rose Garden: Fitz leaning against a tree in a pinstriped suit with the sun dancing off his flag pin and her standing as close as possible in front of him in a sleeveless white gown. The next set from inside the White House on the staircase leading to the residence with Fitz standing behind her as she ascends the stairs with their fingers interlaced on the railing reminds her all the dirty talk he whispered in her ear. Finally, a candid moment on the Truman Balcony dressed down in casual wear. His broad shoulders and firm chest testing the limits of the light blue cashmere sweater pressed against her silk covered back as they stare out at the Washington Monument.
Harrison leans his head into the doorway. "Hey, I am headed to the Hill to make sure the whip count is accurate."
Liv stands, "What do you mean? I am scheduled to make the rounds."
"Oh, we…I mean I just thought with the interview tonight I would take it off your plate."
"No, you mean the President decided I am incapable of doing my job and babbling like a useful idiot during a fluff piece."
"Uh, no…I don't think he meant any of what you just said. How about we go together?"
"So now I need a babysitter. Are you his spy? How often do you report on my behavior? What, the agents are providing enough detail?"
He takes a deep breath, "I am smart enough to know that I am removing myself from whatever this is. I have plenty of paperwork that requires my attention. Enjoy your visit on the Hill. Abby." He spins and makes haste down the hallway.
Olivia glares at her friend shaking her head. "Liv, before you go nuclear and make a rash decision. Try, I beg of you. Try to tell him what is not working for you. He loves you and he will do whatever it takes to make you happy. But in fairness to him; he cannot fix something he does not know is broken."
"I am not broken Abby. I am good, brilliant, a force to be reckoned with and I will not allow him or anyone else reduce me to an ornament on Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III arm. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to the Hill to make the world a better place."
