A/N: It is safe to say I did not watch enough of Secretary Blinken's confirmation hearings to be writing this but I'm writing it anyway lol
Well, I made it to my second day of confirmation hearings before I was questioned about my relationship status. I understand why someone would ask the question and I knew there was no right or wrong answer but I know based on the person who asked it… they were looking for an answer that I didn't give.
The first question was about Max and his company. I was completely honest when asked about my involvement with the company that I had very little to do with it. I never wanted anything to do with it. I supported Max's decision to take it over from his father… who took it over from his father, but that was the extent of my involvement.
I found out that they had connected one of their suppliers to a drug cartel after we had already ended the contract with them. He didn't consult me about it, he didn't consult anyone, he morally could not use the supplier after that and immediately ended the contract. Yes he had attended numerous business meetings, dinners, and events sponsored by this supplier but as soon as we found out what they did, he cut it off.
I always admired that about him. He didn't care about the consequences… if he knew something was morally wrong, he didn't do it. He always defended his decisions, even if they were made suddenly with little thought. He always did and continues to do what his heart tells him.
The questions related to Max were easy… it was Henry who I worried about. I could answer the questions and do it well… but I didn't want to bring attention to him after the fact. Max could handle the attention, the magazine articles, people knowing his name… Henry absolutely could handle it, but I know he doesn't want to.
I can understand why this question would come up and why this particular person would ask it, but damn I hate it. I replay it so vividly in my head…
"Ms. Callaway, you've been in a relationship with Dr. Henry McCord for a few months. Will Dr. McCord's background as a theologian influence you to make decisions based on religious texts?"
Senator Langston is the most outspoken, religious person on the committee. I could have said I would consider religious texts when appropriate but I can't think of many times when only considering religious texts would be appropriate. That's probably what I should have said… but that's not what I would do.
"Like political parties, I have never attached myself to one denomination or even one particular religion and I don't plan on doing so now. My decisions will be made based on facts and research on each individual situation and only those with the appropriate security clearance will be consulted."
My advisors said I handled the question wonderfully, that I answered confidently and truthfully. No matter how Senator Langston votes after that, it won't really affect the results. There's a very good chance I'll be confirmed no matter what, I don't want to say that it's a done deal… but it's pretty much a done deal.
I need to go home this weekend and pack up the farm. Lady is going to be boarded starting on Sunday and I need to see her before we fully move. Ali and Jason are with Max this weekend and we're going to continue to split weekends as best as we can. I miss them so much… but it'll make packing a little bit easier.
I bought the townhouse I viewed a couple of days ago. The location is great and it's absolutely beautiful. It'll be a lot of space for just Ali, Jason, and I… but hopefully we'll add one more to that list soon. Henry and I have already talked about it to some degree but I'm going to ask him to move in this weekend… when the semester is over of course.
It seemed like a great idea to try out long distance first but I don't want to be long distance for very long. It'll give him an opportunity to spend more time with Ali and Jason before he moves in and realistically… if for some reason it doesn't work in those three months, it's not going to work at all.
I don't close on the townhouse for another few weeks so I'll mainly be packing things that won't be needed but after years in one place… you start to accumulate things. Ali and Jason won't start school in DC until we fully move so they'll still be spending every week with Max. It's still Max's weekend so we'll be trying to keep that routine but I know I'll see them at some point this weekend. I don't want to pack up any of their things or have them back anything until it's really time to go.
This will likely be one of the last times I can really go somewhere whenever I feel like it, by myself. As soon as I'm confirmed, my security will start and long drives, personal shopping trips, and late drives to my lover's house will be a thing of the past. It's exciting and absolutely terrifying at the same time.
I'm kind of treating it like my last weekend of freedom. Doing all the things I feel like I'll never get to do again… at least not for a while.
Henry already has plans for the weekend and I'm very excited about them. Friday I'll drive in, hopefully arrive by 9:00PM, we'll order dinner and spend the entire night in bed. We're pushing our record for days without sex and I don't like it.
I never liked sex as much as I like it with Henry. Sex was always good… it was sex… but he's the only one who's ever been able to look at me and make me instantly want to take all of my clothes off. As attractive as he is, I don't think it's a looks thing. I genuinely enjoy the connection. Not that I haven't before, but with him it's different.
Saturday we'll grab breakfast at our favorite coffee shop… not the Starbucks on campus. We'll maybe manage to get some packing done, hang out with Ali and Jason, binge watch some TV, and spend all night in bed with little sleep. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Sunday will be hard. Every Sunday is going to be hard. Once the boarding facility picks Lady up, I'll be an emotional wreck. Henry will understand. We'll have a late lunch or an early dinner depending on what the kids are feeling and I'll drop them back off at Max's. I'll say goodbye to Henry and try to be back on the road by 8:00PM. These are the hardest goodbyes.
I can understand Max's pain when it comes to the kids moving. It's how I feel now and I know this situation is temporary. Henry understands the pain that comes with leaving him because he's experiencing it with me. Eventually, we'll be staying at my house… maybe our house… and I won't be living out of a hotel suite, no matter how nice it is. I'll feel human again.
I cannot wait to feel human again in so many ways.
