Elizabeth the First Wife (12 page)

“Now that's a bad breakup,” Rafa said. He was touching the artichokes but examining me.

I felt a giant wave of self-consciousness wash over me, just like when I spotted him at the party.
What was it about this guy?
To cover my discomfort, I explained, “There's a vague artichoke reference in
Hamlet
. Shakespeare uses the phrase ‘heart of heart' to describe the depth of his feelings for his dear friend Horatio, who is ruled by reason, not passion, a quality Hamlet admires to his core.”

“Heart of heart,” Rafa repeated slowly, as if he truly understood the phrase for the first time. His face lit up. I'd seen that look before with my students, when I'd touched something deep inside their intellect. But it had been a long time since I'd seen it in a man's face. “Free reading in your spare time?”

“I wrote a paper on it once.”

“The Importance of Artichokes in Shakespeare's
Hamlet?”

“Pretty much.”

“That's vital work you do, Professor,” Rafa mocked. Then his voice softened. “I'll never eat an artichoke the same way again. And I'm pretty sure we'll use that heart of heart bit in a campaign speech. It's good.”

“Another donation.” We both laughed.

His Droid went off, but he didn't look down to acknowledge it. “Sorry I have to rush, but we're flying back to Washington this afternoon. Can I see the rest of the place, so I'll know what I need in terms of office supplies and tech? Then I'll get out of your hair.”

Speaking of hair, Rafa had good hair. A thick, full head of black hair. “Sure. It has three bedrooms, including the master. I'd prefer if the master wasn't ‘donated to the campaign.' But the guest room is available, and you can use the third bedroom as your office. That's what I do.”

“Got it, your bedroom off-limits. Any other restricted areas?”

I bet that line worked on interns. “The air conditioning is a little quirky. Good news is that the adobe walls keep the house cool even on hot days. The stove has its own personality—it's an old O'Keefe & Merritt—but it sounds like you won't be turning it on, so no worries. The yard guy comes on Monday and the trash guy comes on Friday.”

“Anybody else show up around here?” Rafa said from underneath the desk in my office, where he was checking out the outlet situation.

“The meter reader shows up once a month. Other than that, it's just me.” I tried not to sound too pathetic. Or defensive. Or eager.

Rafa stood up and wiped his hands on a handkerchief he produced from his pocket. Who carries a handkerchief these days? Then he dipped into his coat one more time, “Here's my card with all my contact information. Can I get yours in case I have any other questions? I'll confirm my arrival date with you and Bumble, of course.”

I looked down: Rafael Moreno. Chief of Staff. Giant Congressional seal. And I had nothing. So I scribbled my e-mail address and cell number on a Post-it and made a mental note to get actual cards before I headed to Ashland. “Don't hesitate to call.” Whoa, definitely too eager. “Anything for the campaign.”

I texted Bumble: Don't think chief of staff interested in watering my plants.

She replied: Metaphor?

I answered: No, literally.

The phone chimed with a text from an unfamiliar number. I tapped the screen: Rafa here. Do you have cable?

I replied: Yes. C-Span?

He responded: Wimbledon.

I saved his number to my contact list.

Another chime. It was FX from New York: Having Indian at that place on Essex Street. Reminds me of you. Want something?

I replied: We have great Indian here in Pasadena.

Juliet Capulet FROM ROMEO & JULIET

WHO SHE IS:
She's Juliet,
the
Juliet. Innocent, obedient teenage daughter of the Capulets who takes one look at Romeo Montague, sworn enemy of her family, and that is that. Goodbye arranged fiancé Paris. Goodbye controlling mother. Hello womanhood.

WHAT TO STEAL FROM JULIET:

Determined, strong, sober-minded personality

Loves to read

Great fashion sense

Totally fakes out her parents and her nurse

Matures with grace and wit

WHAT TO SKIP:
Definitely the suicide. And really, stabbing yourself in the heart? That is brutal.

DEFINING MOMENT:
She walks the walk. After begging Romeo to deny thy father and refuse thy name, she does just that and leaves all that she knows to follow her heart.

HER BEST RELATIONSHIP ADVICE:
“Well, do not swear: Although I joy in thee, I have to joy of this contract to-night; It is too rash, too unadvised; too sudden; Too like the lightening, which doth cease to be Ere one can say, ‘It lightens'.”

WHAT SHE MEANS:
Romeo, stop right there. This is too much, too soon. (Oh, if she had only paid a little more attention to her own advice.)

WHO JULIET WOULD HANG OUT WITH AT THE COFFEEHOUSE:
Emma Watson.