Page 2 of The Mayor's Surrender
“I’m sorry, Ms. Phillips.” Tears fill her tiger-shaped eyes. “Come have a seat over here.” I point to the chair next to my bed. She nods and moves to sit down, and I watch her every step, putting it down to memory. Fuck, she’s perfect but too damn young.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t come here to make you feel bad. Honestly, I just felt terrible about your situation. My father lost his mind a bit when he found out she’d been with another man.” I would, too. “He drank himself into a stupor.”
“So, we know what I was doing before our lives were uprooted, but Ms. Phillips, what were you doing?”
“I was in my first year of college working on my political science and business administration degrees.”
“Oh really? That’s interesting. Were you planning to run for office?”
“Hardly, but I have been working with the community affairs department in town, so I wanted to continue doing things like that.”
“You might have heard that I’ve been given the opportunity to run for office in Sweet Temptation.” She’s a sweet temptation, so why am I trying to know her better? This girl, of all women, should be off limits.
“So, this has knocked you completely off kilter?”
“You have no idea.”
“So, what did you want to say about your father's situation?” I might not be able to pursue her, but I am damn well going to protect her from this shitty life and hopefully help her get the career she wants.
She’s about to answer, but before she does, my lawyer arrives, walking in without knocking like he owns the fucking hospital.
“Admiral, I don’t recommend you have any conversations with Ms. Phillips here.”
“And why is that?”
“Because she’s the daughter of the defendant.”
“I’m aware of that. Did Ms. Phillips hit me with her car?”
“No.”
“Well then, that is none of your concern. Besides, I’m considering the suggested campaign run, and it will be good for my image if I play nice, won’t it?”
“That doesn’t seem wise, given her father’s predicament.”
“I’m actually recommending that his sentence be fulfilled in a mental institution or a rehab facility. He was not in his right mind at the time of the incident. His mental state was altered by the death of his wife.”
My lawyer purses his lips.
“But you lost your career,” he says.
“I’m on my way to a new one that may keep me close to my little sister and in my hometown. It’s not what I wanted, but I have to make the best out of a terrible situation. I lost my parents in that same damn accident as her mother, so I know the heartache they both feel. As angry as I am with Mr. Phillips, I don’t hold it against his daughter and sympathize with him.”
“Very well. I will inform the judge of your wishes.”
“Thank you.”
He steps out, turns around, and then comes back in. “Oh, and there’s a woman here who says she’s your campaign manager.”
“Yes, please send Ms. Granger in.”
“It was nice to meet you, Ms. Phillips. I hope you can return to your studies and heal from the loss,” I say, gently squeezing her hand.
She nods and stands. “Thank you for your time and your kindness. I’ll never forget it.” I watch her departure with longing and regret, but she’s too young and complicated.
“Are you okay, sir?” Ms. Granger says, tapping my shoulder and shaking me out of my memory.
“Yes, sorry. I was thinking about the speech I must give at the ribbon cutting. They wanted me to discuss my accident,” I lied.