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Chapter Six:
Miranda woke up determined to make things right with her staff. She woke up early and went to the kitchen. It was a relief to see that no one was there.
She heated up pots and pans and started cooking. After putting on some coffee, she scrambled eggs and poured pancake batter. The pantries were fully stocked so she even pulled out chocolate chips for the pancakes and peppers for the omelets. Cooking was relaxing.
The staffer appeared as she was platting pancakes. It was Bruce Williams.
"You did not have to do all this Ma'am," he said. "I usually just settle for a bagel and coffee."
"You'll have to cut your own bagels I'm afraid, but there is toast. Besides I like to cook for my family with my husband."
"I thought by now you'd have a house keeper," he said.
"We do, but Spencer and I declined to use one for most meals. When we can we cook together. It's peaceful."
"Can I ask you something personal?" he said.
"I may or may not answer it, but sure," she said as she cooked sausage.
"You and your husband always look like you're deeply in love. I haven't seen a couple so publicly intimate in years. I'm on my second marriage. What is your secret?"
She paused a second. "We both needed something in our lives," she said as she watched the eggs. "When we found each other, it felt like every minute before that was actually like living without water. Even during a time when I wanted to let him go to stay with his FBI family, I knew I would miss him. He gave up everything for me."
"Is that why you really wanted the White House?" he asked as others joined them. "To return him to his FBI family?"
Miranda ignored the gathering group. "I wanted it for both of us. Yes, to return him to DC but to also make a difference. I tried out for junior Jeopardy! I said I wanted to be president so every kid could have ice cream with lunch, even kids in Alaska. I was one cut away from making it to the air.
But back to your question. The secret to our marriage is understanding when you're needed. When to grab his hand and when hug him. When to share a secret smile and when to laugh. So, I guess it is all about communication."
People began to pick up plates of food. Williams nodded.
"Thank you," he said.
"So, who would like to discuss Schrodinger's Cat?" she asked jokingly.
A few people stared at her.
"Whether a cat in a box is dead or alive without knowing the actual outcome?" she said. "It is a popular meal topic at my house until I shut it down."
Jane Corbin, the chief legal lawyer smiled. "I guess I never thought about what a pair of genius children would discuss over meals."
"Everything under the sun," Miranda said. "Including about the sun. But still I ask: 'How was your day?' and they say 'boring,' and then debate Nash's gaming theory like I know what they're talking about."
Fred Janson, the deputy chief of staff shook his head. "Sometimes I think my two teenage girls are speaking gibberish when they talk boys."
Gina appeared. "You have two teenage girls? I'm sorry. I had no idea."
"No, it's okay. I don't like to talk about my family at work."
"Gibberish has vague English etymological origins. My kids spent two meals arguing over it one summer."
A few people laughed.
"You really have stay on your toes with them," another staffer said.
Fleming appeared. The room turned quiet.
"I was worried you wouldn't come," Miranda said. "There is just enough of everything left for you."
"Thank you," she said softly.
"It is going to take more than one bad impression of me to ruin our special relationship," she said.
Fleming smiled and picked up a plate.
…
Miranda actually had no firm schedule of activities. She just wanted everyone back at the house by six for dinner where she was making tandoori chicken.
It turned out the only thing the staff really wanted was her time. She played basketball with the speech writers and discussed her laid-back mentality. She played a round of ping pong with the communications director and discussed how to better improve relations with those who spoke during the Sunday morning shows. While playing billiards with the press secretary, she debated how to handle news organizations that refused to let the evacuation drill go. It was all about playing games and learning to communicate better.
When it came to prepare for dinner, Miranda found everyone in the kitchen waiting.
"How can we help?" Williams asked. "You cooked breakfast. It is only fair we help you cook dinner."
Miranda looked slightly embarrassed by all the attention. "Well there is such a thing as too many cooks in the kitchen. Some could set the table and other could fetch drinks. I'll need someone good with knives and someone who can watch the oven. We should have it ready fairly quickly.
They talked while they cooked and then talked some more over dinner. There were many toasts made to a better relationship in the White House. It was a good evening.
Jane Corbin then led a few old girls scout songs while they toasted marshmallows. Geena and another staffer got into slightly drunk debate over which Disney princess was the best. It was a fun night and everyone was sorry to see it end.
Miranda collapsed on her bed from exhaustion. Something didn't feel right. She twisted around and felt something under pillow. She lifted it up and found a vial. A vial of a reddish substance.
She carefully used a plastic bag as a glove to place it in another bag. She always locked her door but locks could be picked. After all that bonding, one of her staff was a traitor and she had no idea who it was.