Facing the Senate Sub-Committee
How did I expect to spend my Saturday in Washington DC? Sightseeing? Shopping perhaps? Perhaps some excellent food at a top-class restaurant? Maybe a trip to a theatre? I mean, it was supposed to be a holiday. I certainly didn't expect that I would be caught up in the machinations of the government and fronting a Senate Sub-Committee, yet here we are.
After a truly horrendous night's sleep, I got up early, attempting to ready myself for this unexpected, but really important meeting. I don't like to think of myself as vain, but I do admit to putting a bit of effort into my appearance – not for anyone else, but for me. The right outfit, the right hairstyle, the right makeup is like my armor. I can remember who said, "Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched", but they were right. Today, I felt that I needed a serious amount of concealer to combat my lack of rest, and an outfit and hairstyle that gave off a serious, professional vibe. Navy dress and blazer was the perfect note I decided, high but conservative pumps, and sleek hair. There. Ready for whatever this day brings.
I guess you don't get to be the chairperson of a senate sub-committee without a certain amount of steel in your spine, but I admit, Madame Chairperson scared me! I was very thankful that I didn't have to face her alone. Having Oliver, Rita, Norman and even Steve there was reassuring. I don't think that she thought very highly of our status as postal detectives! Rude! I mean, if we are right, we have done more, and done it faster, than Department of Defence cryptographers and analysts. Lady, we have wide powers of postal discretion. Not to mention some pretty significant personal motivation. We have to do what we can for Phoebe and Harper.
As worried as I was, I think Rita was feeling worse. That memory of hers is a true gift, but today I think she was scared it might be a curse. And brave Norman – so frightened to be speaking in such a setting, but so willing to face the dragon (Madame Chairperson) in order to help Phoebe and Randilynn.
It's funny, but as a boyfriend, Steve was the least dependable guy I had ever dated. Dinners cancelled without explanation and flowers meant to excuse his frequent disappearances. I think I understand him a little better now. In the role of intelligence agent, he is everything he wasn't in our personal life. Steve as a potential partner in life was a washout. Steve as a 'spy' is someone you would want to have on your side.
Two things that I know Oliver O'Toole believes: to trust the timing and that there is no such thing as coincidences (middle name of the Almighty and all of that). Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Oliver and Steve having a conversation about patriotism and the 'Halls of Montezuma', Norman making an off-handed remark about Randilynn singing all the verses of 'America the Beautiful' as a lullaby and a partial phrase – 'grim feet'. The timing of this was the most perfect happenstance. Which led us to perhaps the most impassioned and eloquent Oliver I have ever seen. I was a pretty useful debater in High School and College, but I was never that powerful a speaker.
We left the sub-committee unsure of everything. We knew that we had done what we could, but no decision was given to us. It took a few more fretful hours before we heard the news. Action had been recommended! They were going to find Randilynn! Hearing that from Steve was the most welcome thing he had said this entire encounter.
Pre-Denver Shane would have been ecstatic if Steve had asked for another chance. His kiss would have been enough to make me swoon. The Shane I am now held myself still, offering no encouragement. I meant what I said. There was nothing official between Oliver and I, but a solid friendship was the perfect place to build from. Roses and porch swings are the perfect place to start.
Miss Special Delivery
I was an absolute mess. Waiting to hear the success (or not) of the mission had me tied in knots. I felt as nervous as Mindy. Oh Mindy, that song was truly inspirational. Even though Mindy's fabulous rendition of 'The Impossible Dream' meant that she, and not Rita was Miss Special Delivery, it truly did give me the hope that I needed to keep me calm enough to wait for Steve's message confirming that Randilynn was safe, and coming home tomorrow! Such a beautiful song, and delivered so passionately, had me (and I think Oliver too) on the verge of tears. And Rita, giving up on her own ambition to help another. Rita truly is the best of friends and the most giving of hearts. Rita is Miss Special Handling. Her special handling of each of us is a wonder that I treasure every day.
You have to hand it to Rita and Norman. Way to go Rita, discovering that the man you have worked beside for years is in love with you on stage at the Miss Special Delivery Pageant! They are the sweetest couple ever.
Dining out in Washington
It's funny, but even though I have lunch with Oliver almost every day, our first dinner together has loomed large in my imagination for months. I could see fine crystal, glittering candlelight and fine linen on the table. I may have spent hours practicing the steps of our dance so that if there was a chance to dance the steps, I would be ready. I had a Pinterest board devoted to classy updos, and may have already shopped for a killer outfit (if the occasion arrived). When Oliver asked me out for dinner in DC I was ecstatic. (I was annoyed that I didn't have the killer dress with me, but was still going to seize the moment). After all of the drama of the past few days, dinner did not look like I had expected it to. I am pretty sure that Oliver didn't plan things to go this way either. But even though it was vastly different from what we expected, I wouldn't have changed it for anything. Sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, wrapped in Oliver's jacket and eating a very unassuming sandwich, was beyond special. I meant what I said to Steve. Friendship was a great place to start. I have known that Oliver is my best friend – the closest friend I have ever had – since Christmas. This was a confirmation of that friendship, but an acknowledgement that something more could exist. Oliver quoted the Psalm that Randilynn used in her letter. I know that he was speaking of his relationship with God when he said, 'for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble'. For years, I have been my own island, interacting with people in a light kind of way. Dad, then Alex, have made me wary … isolated from others almost. Moving to Denver, or more importantly finding the family of my heart, has changed me. I no longer stand alone, and Oliver is my fortress and my refuge. And I am so thankful.