Free Love in a Carry-On Bag by Sadeqa Johnson Page B

together. Erica was delighted to have the chance to work with a woman who reflected her own ambition and she decided right away to do whatever it took to work side by side with Claire. But that plan came to a halt the moment Edie Butnick, vice president and director of publicity, strolled in with her long legs and narrow eyes, sucking up the air like a parched potted plant.
    “You’ll report directly to Edie,” Claire introduced the woman as her right hand and Erica soon discovered that just as the Christians believed that the way to God was through Jesus Christ, in the publicity department the only way to Claire was through Edie.
    From Erica’s first encounter with Edie it was apparent that they were as likely to get along as oil and water. Edie looked down her nose at Erica and had a tendency to talk in a condescending voice that Erica found offensive. She was a knit-picking control freak who didn’t hesitate to call Erica at home on things that could be solved the next morning. Worse, she was constantly removing Erica from projects she started and giving them to other publicists to finish. Whenever Edie pulled one of these stunts, she explained that she was putting Erica on books that were a higher priority to the House. This would have been flattering coming from Claire, but from Edie it just aggravated the issues between them.
    So on that Monday morning after her blow up with Warren, Erica heard a light tap on her office door and was astonished and surprised to see Claire breeze in. Women as high up on the chain as Claire never visited their subordinate’s offices, and Erica sat up taller in her chair to greet her.
    “Good morning,” Erica smiled.
    “Always here early.” Claire’s designer sling backs carried her to the empty chair in front of Erica’s desk. The soft wool coat she wore was opened and the fluorescent overhead light twinkled against the gumball diamonds dripping from her ears, throat and ring finger. Erica touched the hem of her gray sheath dress. It was one of the more expensive pieces she owned, and she was happy that she was well dressed for this impromptu occasion.
    “How was your weekend?” she asked Claire.
    “Busy, Reverend Black is holding a major conference down in Atlanta and I’ve been on the phone with his people all weekend hammering out details. It’s a big deal even though we just found out about it.” Claire gave Erica a knowing look.
    “Anyway, everything is set—the press conference, dinner, and a satellite tour. Black will be promoting the Powerful Men book and audiotape. His office wants us there for show. No one from editorial is available and Edie can’t travel, so I’m taking you.”
    If pigs could fly there would be one buzzing around in her office. Erica couldn’t contain her disbelief.
    “Don’t look so surprised.” Claire pushed a file across the desk towards Erica. “You know you are my go-to-girl. This trip should be interesting.”
    “Thanks so much. I’m looking forward to it,” said Erica, and before she could add to the conversation Claire was on her feet cruising out on the same air she sailed in on.
    She called over her shoulder, “We’ll meet again after lunch.”
    Alone, Erica pumped her fist in the air. Her insides were turning as she got to her feet, dancing a hip-shaking jig. This was it. The opportunity had finally come for her to prove herself. She had been pulled in on the Reverend Black campaign, a coup in itself and the sweet strawberry on top was that she was going to Atlanta with Claire. Just the two of them, without Edie breathing her dragon breath down her neck. What would she wear? Her mind was working through her wardrobe as she flipped through the folder that Claire had given her. For the tiniest moment, she had forgotten that Warren hadn’t called last night when he got home nor had he phoned her this morning. It had felt like her entire life was intact. Then, on page three, she saw scribbled in Claire’s curvy