Carrozza stepped out of the limousine to face a young attendant in a black suit.
“Madame, please follow me.”
She turned to look at her luggage being piled neatly on a cart to make sure that her large skin care and makeup bag was among them.
“Thank you, young man.”
“You are welcome. The Chief Usher will be here at any moment. Oh, here she is.”
Chief Usher Betsy Adegoke formerly Betsy Freeman walked toward Carrozza with a broad smile in long and purposeful strides, “Welcome to the White House, Ms. Carrozza.”
Carrozza discreetly glanced around but did not see Aurora. Well, she said to herself, she is a busy high-ranking government official, she cannot run down the stairs to meet an old friend.
The Chief Usher clarified the matter, “The First Lady will return tomorrow. She is aware of your visit and has sent her greetings.”
“Where is she?”
Ten seconds had passed before Adegoke said, “I am not privy to the First Lady’s schedule. I was told only that she would return tomorrow. Would you please follow me?”
They took the elevator to the second floor. Adegoke went ahead to open the door to the Lincoln Bedroom. The free-spirited Ms. Carrozza had been silent since leaving the elevator. She was in awe: she was actually walking in the White House on the second floor where the president of the United States of America was living. She followed Adegoke through the door into the Lincoln Bedroom and felt her knees were about to buckle. The room, part of a guest suite that included a sitting room, was even larger than her sumptuous bedroom suite at her mansion in the Hamptons. It was redecorated by First Lady Laura Bush in exquisite taste with light brown patterned wallpaper, emerald and gold geometric designed carpet, rich silk brocatelle window hangings, and a cornice over the bed.
Adegoke’s voice woke her up from a daze, “The president has a cabinet meeting, and the First Lady is not in residence. You can have dinner outside. There are many gourmet restaurants in D.C. One of my staff can assist you with choosing a good one. Since you’ve just arrived, I suggest that you order your meal from the White House kitchen so you can have more time to relax and rest. The White House’s chef is one of the best in the country. It’s my opinion.”
“Thanks Betsy, I take your offer. I am sleeping in the White House, why not take a White House bath and eat the White House food, right? Right?” Ms. Carrozza giggled. She stopped when she saw the erect Chief Usher’s face unmoved with her hands clasped together.
As Adegoke was leaving the room, Carrozza mumbled to herself, “That’s why the weasel is not here to greet me.” She meant Richardson. She closed the door and went straight to the bathroom.
