Page 28 of Revisions

“Not specifically,” Ryan admits. “My greater concern is what their presence might spawn.”

Cassidy looks at me, and I shrug. She takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly.

“I’m not sure what I walked in on,” Cassidy admits. “There are still a couple of weeks in this election cycle. The president can’t hide in a corner.”

“No one is suggesting that,” Luke says.

“No?” Cassidy questions.

“Cassidy,” Luke says.

“You embolden these groups every time you change the president’s schedule. That’s a fact. If you think for a moment that there is any organization in government without leaks, you’re deluded. Our government is the leakiest ship in the world. No one knows that better than the president. I’ve never known her to be unreasonable,” Cassidy says, turning to me. “What did you propose?”

“Some adjustments,” I reply.

Ryan rolls his eyes but chuckles. “We’ll make it happen, President Reid.”

“Thank you, Ryan.

Luke groans.

“Something else you’d like to offer?” I ask him.

“I don’t enjoy pressing you,” he replies.

“Then know when you’ve lost the advantage and stop,” I say.

He nods, looks at Cassidy, sighs, and leaves the room.

“Busy morning?” Cassidy asks.

“I know they’re both doing their jobs.”

“Are you worried?”

I shrug. “No. No more than any day.”

“You look tired,” Cassidy observes.

“Tell you the truth?”

Cassidy nods.

“I’m considering cutting this trip short and heading back to Washington tonight.”

Cassidy isn’t surprised. There’s something special about finding abestfriend. Cassidy would agree that the closest friendship we have outside of family and work is with each other. There are days when I wonder if I should have left Cass out of the administration. She was the best choice to stand before the press, but that isn’t why I asked her to be my press secretary. I needed someone nearby at work who sees Candace. Too many people dismiss Candace from the president as if we are separate individuals. There are aspects of President Reid’s work and public life that do not thrill Candy. But Candace StrattonFletcherReid is behind every decision the president makes. Cassidy understands that. She respects the authority of my position and trusts my professional judgment. When she looks at me, she seesme. That isn’t easy for most people.

The presidency is more than just a title or a job; it represents the American people and embodies a nation’s values and intentions. While the president is only a person, the presidency encompasses much more. This distinction can be challenging for many people close to my administration. It’s different for Cassidy. She lives in a surreal world, one that often seems as if it has been pulled from the pages of a novel. No novel, movie, or show could capture the surreal atmosphere surrounding thepresidency. Fiction is held to the standard of plausibility. Reality is not.

“I realize this was a long flight for you,” I say.

“Don’t worry about me,” Cassidy says. “I was happy to escape, even if it was just for the day. It’sloudat home. Feel like telling me why you want to cut this trip short?”

“Truthfully?” I ask.

“I hope so.”

“I miss Jameson, Cass.”

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