AP NEWS FLASH: The President is preparing for a private dinner with some guests in the residence of the White House. Rumors are circulating that a potential Vice Presidential nomination may be coming soon due to the secrecy around this meeting. No list of attendees has been given to the press only adding to the speculation. No further information has been given on the conflict in the Middle East.
AP ECONOMIC NEWS FLASH: All of the American automobile companies impacted by the bombing have filed for bankruptcy protection while preparing to relocate out of the radiation quarantine zone. Many States have starting pushing to be their new headquarters due to what would be an influx of manufacturing jobs. Additionally, if this decision can be made rapidly it could mean a boost to the devastated construction industry in certain portions of the United States. With some states approaching 20 % real unemployment this could be the first step in what could turn into an economic recovery, at least regionally, within the United States.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Frank could hardly believe it himself. His military career had allowed him access to some rarely seen places within the Federal Government. Access was not why he did his job, it merely came along as part of his chosen career. This evening was certainly going to be one of those rare, and probably once-in-a-career, or more likely, once-in-a-lifetime places.
Military personnel rarely saw the White House as part of a social function unless you were standing guard, or perhaps a member of the Joint Chiefs. There were occasions on which duty would take a soldier to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, but those would be all business. This was a visit designed for relaxation, which made it unique.
He jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped and raced to the other side so he could open the door for Sandra, “Do you finally believe me?” he asked, with a smile extending ear to ear.
“Oh hush, just let me take it all in,” she was trying to look at everything at once.
She held his arm tightly. It was hard for her to know where to look. The moment they walked through the door they were surrounded by famous original paintings of former Presidents and First Ladies, there were so many amazing artifacts of American history that neither of them could figure out where to start.
Sandy was the first to come out of the overload they were both experiencing and look back to her date. Who was this man that she barely knew who wanted to bring her, of all people, here.
“Yes Captain, I believe you. We really are going to the White House,” she was also smiling ear to ear standing in this beautifully decorated, classically styled, pinnacle of American symbolism and said, “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, anything,” he said.
Her curiosity and natural drive to try to figure out answers to questions as they came to her was eating her alive. Part of her was shocked she kept it at bay this long, “Why are we here? I mean, really, you must either be far more important than you say or you must have done something that the President, himself, heard about and wanted to thank you and your unit for. I mean you are Special Forces so I guess theoretically it could have been,” It hit her, finally, smack between the eyes. “That thing, on the news in Iran, it was you and your team. Wasn’t it? It really wasn’t anything like Iran said it was, there wasn’t some sort of a kill squad and you were after something important. It was you and your men, wasn’t it?”
He cast his eyes to the floor. It took him a moment to gather his thoughts. Then, with a deep breath, he made direct eye contact with her, his smile gone, and his expression much more serious than it had been.
His eyes looked as much like a puppy as any adult could. He appeared to be asking forgiveness for what he was about to say, “I can’t talk about certain portions of my work very much. Especially specifics about most of what I do when I am in the field. I certainly can’t tell you where I was, or what I was doing. You’ll just have to trust me that it wasn’t anything illegal. I was just doing my duty.
“That is as much for my safety as for yours, not to mention the safety of soldiers and airmen on any number of upcoming missions. I can confirm one thing for you. The news has cast some doubt on the Iranian claims as to what happened, and they are not wrong. Some of what the Iranians are saying occurred is true, but a VERY large portion of it can be clearly seen to be fabrication. All of that can be easily determined from the news by anyone willing to look at the film but not listen to the ‘on air experts’ and think for themselves. Even some of those experts are questioning the Iranian statements, that’s how bogus they are.”
She very much wanted to ask more but thought better of it, “Ok, well I will just leave that alone and move on to just a simple but heartfelt thank you for inviting me. This is more than just a dinner, and we will just leave it at that.”
It was difficult for her to not dig deeper but allowed him to change the subject anyway.
“Oh, thank you for coming,” he looked around the room, “Well it looks like my entire team is here. I got so distracted by your beauty that I didn’t notice! Let me introduce you around.”
She rolled her eyes ever so slightly at his last statement.
He introduced her to every member of his team and their significant others. Every one of them were obviously sharing the feeling of being overwhelmed by their surroundings.
After the introductions were complete she took Frank’s arm again, very affectionately, as they walked more slowly around the room. They continued to be amazed at the treasures within, a George Washington owned sword here, a Thomas Jefferson jacket there. They were both like kids in a candy store taking in each of these items. Then the door to the dining room opened and they were ushered into a receiving line.
The dining room was a reasonably large room with four tables positioned symmetrically around the center. It really was just a semi-formal affair as Frank had said, despite the upscale address.
Then it finally hit her, the reality of who the host was. There he was at the end of the line shaking people’s hands. She knew he would be here at an intellectual level, but seeing him was an entirely different thing. Knowing she was about to meet him made it worse! How could Frank stay so damn calm!
“Mr. President, may I introduce my friend Ms. Sandra Cooper, Sandra this is President Scott Press and First Lady Alexis Press,” Frank said calmly.
The President smiled directly at her, making her feel more than a little light-headed as she took his hand, “Sandy, I am glad to meet you. The fine young Captain here has told me a little bit about you, but I do hope to learn more throughout the evening.”
Wait, she couldn’t believe what she had just heard. The President had heard about her? She shook hands with both the President and the First Lady unsure if she was going to pass out or wake up from a dream at some point. Either was a possibility, “You have an amazing man here. The Country owes him, and his men, an enormous debt of gratitude. Not just for recent achievements, but for a record of constant, and consistent achievement throughout their careers. He has many great things ahead of him. I am sure of that.”
“Thank you Mister President, I happen to like him,” she said timidly, her voice audibly shaking. She was clutching Frank’s arm as much for physical support as affection.
“If I may add, please keep him close to you, and teach him a thing or two. He was going to come here alone tonight! The Warrant Officer over there and I had to tease him a bit to get him to break down and get you to come with him. I threatened to have my wife here call you with an invitation if he didn’t do it. But I assure you, despite that he may just be the keeper you have been looking for,” the President had a firm grip on Frank’s shoulder and seemed intent to not let go.