The First Counsel by Brad Meltzer Read Free Book Online Page B

needed your help. You do it every time you get the bird-with-a-broken-wing face. Forever ready to save the world . . . except with Nora, swinging to the rescue makes you feel like a rock star . . ."
    "Who says I want to be a rock star?"
    "You work in the White House, Michael--everyone wants to be a rock star. It's the only reason we take the low pay and the abusive hours . . ."
    "Oh, so now you're going to tell me you'd do this job for just anyone? That Hartson and the issues are all bullshit? That all we're here for are the bragging rights?"
    Trey takes a long, silent moment to answer. Idealism dies hard--especially when the President's involved. As it is, we spend every day changing lives. Sometimes we get a chance to make them better. Corny as it sounds, both of us know it's a dream job. Eventually, Trey adds, "All I'm saying is, even if you liked her, you wouldn't have asked her out if it didn't give you some sort of inside track to Daddy."
    "You really think I'm that conniving?"
    "You really think I'm that naive? She's the honcho's kid. One leads right to the other. Whatever you told yourself, the political lizard in you can't ignore it. But take it from me--just because you're dating the President's daughter, doesn't mean you're the First Counsel."
    I don't like the way he says that, but I can't help thinking about why Nora and I went out in the first place. She's beautiful and thrillingly wild. It wasn't just about a career move. At least, I pray I'm better than that.
    "So are you gonna tell me what happ--"
    "Can we please talk about it later?" I interrupt, hoping it'll go away. "Now you got any other predictions for the morning?"
    "Take my word on the census. It's gonna be big. Bigger than Sir Elton at Wembley, at the Garden, even live in Australia."
    I roll my eyes at the only black person in existence who's obsessed with Elton John. "Anything else, Levon?"
    "Census. That's all it's going to be today. Learn how to spell it. Cen-sus."
    I hang up the phone and read the census story first. When it comes to the politics of politics, Trey's never wrong. Even among political animals--including myself--there's no one better. For four years, even before I saved his ass on the campaign, he's been the First Lady's favorite; so even though he's only a Deputy Press Secretary in title, it doesn't go into her office without first going through his fingers. And believe me, they're great fingers to know.
    I blow through the Post while shoveling my way through a quick bowl of Lucky Charms. After last night, I could use them. When the cereal's gone, I go through the Times and the Journal, then I'm ready to go. With the last paper under my arm, I leave my one-bedroom apartment without making my bed. With the loss of my snooze bar and hair gel, I'm slowly acknowledging that, at twenty-nine years old, adulthood is upon me. The messy bed is simply a final act of denial. And one I won't be giving up soon.
    It takes me three stops on the Metro to get from Cleveland Park to Farragut North, the closest station to the White House. On the ride, I knock off half of the Herald. I can usually get through all of it, but Simon's escapades make for an easy distraction. If he saw us, it's over. I'll be buried by lunch. Looking down, I see an inky handprint where my fingers grasp the paper.
    The train pulls in and it's almost eight o'clock. When I'm done climbing the escalator with the rest of the city's suit-and-tie crowd, I'm hit in the face with a wave of D.C. heat. The remnant summer air is like licking grease, and the intensity of the bright sun is disorienting. But it's not enough to make me forget where I work.

First Counsel (2000)

    * * *
    At the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance of the Old Executive Office Building, I force myself up the sharp granite stairs and pull my ID from my suit pocket. The whole area looks different than last night. Not as dark.
    The long line of co-workers who're trailing through the lobby and waiting to pass through