Free Compromising Positions by Mary Whitney

Congresswoman. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that. I do apologize.”
    “Please, don’t apologize,” I said, shaking my head. “There are over four hundred members of the House. Only lobbyists know every single one of us, and that’s because they’re paid to.”
    “No, it’s really inexcusable of me. Please forgive me.” Again she stared, still trying to place me. Then it dawned on me. She thinks I’m a Republican, but she thought she knew all the Republican women in Congress. I smiled, as she looked at her watch and announced, “Michael, do you mind if we leave now? I have an early morning meeting.”
    “Not at all.” He still wore the same smirk.
    “Thank you. Just let me tell the other board members that I’m leaving.” She turned to me. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Jessie, and I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow at the RNC fundraiser.”
    Poor woman . I felt a little bad for what I was about to do to her, but only a little. “Actually, no, Mrs. Grath, I won’t be attending the dinner. I’m a Democrat.”
    Evelyn’s eyes widened, but only for a second before she composed herself. She was a political matron after all and hard to trip up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed.”
    I waved my hand to dismiss the misunderstanding. “No apology necessary. It’s a good assumption. There are only ten Democrats in this freshman class.”
    Michael appeared to watch the whole thing with amusement. He nodded to his mother. “Mom, go say your goodbyes.”
    “Yes, I will.” Extending her hand one more time to me she said, “It really was nice to meet you. I hope we can speak again.”
    “Yes, that would be nice.” I shook her hand. “Goodnight, Mrs. Grath.”
    Evelyn turned to find some of her fellow trustees, but not before giving me one more look. I’d bewildered her. Why was her son talking to a Democrat like me? He wasn’t even divorced. Oh, the scandal!
    When she was a few steps further away, Michael smiled down at me. “Sorry about that. She sort of lives in her own little world.”
    “No worries.” I laughed. “As you know, this happens to me a lot.”
    “I guess I did make the same mistake as her.”
    “You did.”
    “But at least I didn’t talk to you like you were nineteen.”
    My hand went to my hip. “No, but you thought I was a waitress.”
    “You’re right.” He cringed and laughed. “I guess that’s not any better.”
    “Not really.” I chuckled.
    We had shared a smile before he gestured to my foot. “So you’re off your crutches. Do you feel better?”
    “Yeah. My ankle works again. Thank God. I can’t wear heels, though, which just makes me look even more out of place.”
    After a quick appraisal from head to toe and shrugged, “So you don’t look like your average congresswoman with gray hair and always wearing a suit and high heels.”
    “Exactly. Which is why I try to look doubly professional.”
    “I understand, but couldn’t you embrace the fact that you’re different—you know, work it to your advantage?”
    I was just about to tell him all the reasons why that wouldn’t work when he spoke again, this time with some trepidation. “You’re very pretty, you know.” The compliment was like a shock to my heart, and before I could even mumble a thank you, he qualified it like he was only stating a fact. “I can’t be the first person to tell you that.”
    Maybe he was just speaking plainly, but hearing it from him made me giddy. My cheeks flamed, as I found my voice to say a muted, “Thanks.”
    “So Jessie, my work here is done,” Larry said, appearing from a few feet away.
    I was thankful for his interruption until I saw the stupid grin on his face. Great. He must’ve heard everything. I minded my manners and gestured back and forth between the two men. “Larry Wingren meet Michael Grath.”
    A jovial Larry pumped Michael’s hand. “Evening, Congressman. Nice to meet you.”
    “Please, call me Michael.” He smiled. “And I’m not