The Invitation(10)
“Hi, Kathryn. How are you?” Carol asks as the two women embrace.
“I’m fine, Carol. It’s good to see you.”
“You look great,” Carol adds.
“Well I try. Come on in. Let’s sit down.”
“Thanks. Wow, you’re place looks wonderful. I haven’t been here for a while. I’m sorry we’ve been so busy.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I understand what kind of schedule you have.”
“I’m so glad to see you, Kathryn.”
“I'm just as happy to see you. Let’s have some coffee.”
Moments later the two women are seated enjoying their lunch. Their convivial strain of friendly conversation turns to a more serious subject.
“I saw Dr. Phelps last week,” Carol says.
“What did he tell you?”
“That I was healthy. That’s it.”
“Well, that’s good news.”
“It is good news,” Carol says.
“Did he say why you’re having trouble starting a family?”
“He thinks Ken is under too much stress. He said we need to find time for ourselves, to get away from Washington.”
“What do you think?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought the subject up.”
“Nonsense, I’m glad to hear you speak about anything that’s bothering you. It shows you have enough trust to confide in me.”
“Thank you, Kathryn. I do trust you.”
“I’m grateful to hear that. I think your doctor gave you good advice. What did Ken say about it?”
“He agreed. So we’re going to take some time off, once the Olympics are over.”
“That’s good. I think you both need that.”
“So we’ll be in Miami on the 20th.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“You’re welcome to come. We’re not staying any longer than the opening ceremonies,” Carol says.
“Thank you, Carol. It’s kind of you to ask, but you know I’m a stay at home type.”
“You like your privacy.”
“I do. I couldn’t live without it.”
“I can understand that. Not having a private life takes some getting used to.”
“I’m sure.”
“You know it’s true what they say about living in the White House. It really is a fish bowl.”
“I would think it’s the ultimate fish bowl,” says Kathryn.
“Well, I better get used to it. It’s a safe bet that Ken’s going to win reelection.”
“Does he think so?”
“He never talks about it. He’s trying to get his energy bill passed right now. Tell me something. What’s it like to watch your son being the President of the United States? You must be very proud.”
“Actually, I don’t think of him in those terms. I still see him as just being my son.”
“Isn’t that hard to do when you see him on TV so often?”
“I try to avoid that. I think you can be preoccupied with that kind of thing. It can take over your life.”
“I think your right. I have to admit, I take it personally when people criticize him.”
“That’s because you’re a good wife who supports her husband.”
“He’s the most remarkable person I’ve ever known. It’s such a privilege to be part of his life.”
“I’m sure he feels the same about you. Would you like some more coffee?”
“Yes, thank you. By the way, this lunch is delicious.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
As coffee is poured, Kathryn resolves to tell her daughter-in-law something that no other living person knows other than herself.
“Carol, you said earlier that you trusted me.”
“Yes, and I do.”
“I have something I want to show you.”
After opening the drawer a few feet away, Kathryn pulls out an unassumingly plain plastic bag, and places it on the table.
“What’s that?” Carol asks.
“It’s the nightgown I use to wear when I was pregnant with Ken. I want you to look at it.”
As Carol holds the garment up to look at it, she notices the neat circular burn mark in the front.
“What’s this? Looks like it was burned. Was it in a fire?”
“No, there was no fire. I was wearing that night gown when that happened.”
“How did it get burned?”
“It happened forty-six years ago, when we were living in Connecticut. Ken’s father, and I had just moved into our new home. We were so happy. I was eight months pregnant with Ken. It was July seventeenth, a Saturday night, 2:30 in the morning. I remember as if it was last night. I was sleeping. Something woke me up. There was a light outside the window. Then, I looked straight up, and I could see the sky. I was still in bed, but I could see the night sky. I thought for sure I was dreaming. I looked up, and saw the stars. Then one star got brighter, and closer. All of a sudden a column of light was shining on me, the purest, whitest light I’ve ever seen. That’s what made that mark on my night gown.”