See first chapter for disclaimer and other information.

Much to Margaret's embarrassment she had drifted off to sleep only to wake with a start on the runway in Boston.

"The Grande Richardson is sending a car."

Leo nods as they make their way across the tarmac. Apparently his good mood doesn't last long after leaving the plane.

"It's a private physician's convention. You speak on avoiding sexual harassment charges right after lunch and then after dinner making out your will. I have no idea why anyone would want hear a lecture on that. I have your notes and an itinerary for the rest of the convention.

"Good" is all he has to say as they wait on the curb for the promised car.

Margaret explores her hotel room. It's much nicer than anything she has stayed at when traveling on her own. The room actually smells clean and she's glad that there's ample space to hang her clothes up. There's nothing like trying to get the wrinkles out of a business suit. The connecting door bothers her though. She has never liked the idea of her room being connected to a stranger's. Not that she didn't trust her boss, who was next door in this case, but she checked to make sure it was locked anyways.

Mr. McGarry doesn't need to be down in the conference room for another hour so she decides to take the time to finish sorting out the appointment book. She had finally restored to getting a whole new book. The pages had holes in them from all the erasing. However, it was still taking forever to transfer it and make a list of entries she wanted to know more about.

On the other side of the wall, Leo is trying to sort through his notes. They're in perfect order; it's more that he doesn't like doing these types of speeches. In fact he had no idea how he had ended up doing this. It was probably a favor for a friend, but he really couldn't remember. He preferred to speak to college students. Civil rights and the Constitution brought fire to his blood. What he had said to Margaret before wasn't exactly true. He didn't want to run for office himself, but he wanted to find the right man to support.

He hears a clatter from the other side of the wall. A chuckle escapes when he realizes that it's Margaret's pile of pencils falling to the floor. That woman had him baffled. She was quirky, quiet, firm, and carried more age than she should. She also didn't blink when he yelled and for once he would give his lecture in the order in was intended to be given. He didn't know where she had come from, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She was the only person willing to put up with the grumpy attitude he carried at the office.

Leo glances at the clock and realizes that it's about time to go. He knocks on the adjoining door only to here a knock from the other side as well.

Margaret opens the door to find herself staring down at her boss. I really need some flat dress shoes.

"I need to write a letter to Noah Lyman."

"Of course, sir."

The lectures had gone well at least from Margaret's perspective. She found Mr. McGarry a captivating speaker even if she really didn't care about the subject. Now she figured out why she was brought along. He couldn't fly back tonight, for a reason he hadn't disclosed, and he wanted to work.

"Supporting Fredricks in the Senate race would be a mistake. He doesn't stand a chance of winning. He offended every NRA member on national television. Rodgers at least shows some signs of telling the truth."

His face softens and Margaret realizes that his mind has moved on to another subject.

"I'll be in Connecticut for Josh's birthday. I can't believe that he's almost ready to graduate. He's probably not going to want us old men hanging around. He only invites me for the birthday present."

Leo signals that that was all he wanted to write to his old friend. He then raids the room's mini-bar. Margaret can smell the bourbon and it reminds her of the bottles she found in his office. This connection concerns her, but she isn't given long to think. Leo has every intention of getting the backlog of correspondence done tonight.

TBC

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It's that time of year again. My classes begin tomorrow so posting may take awhile. Please be patient. Thanks!