“She was driving and I was in the passenger seat, because the older we got, the clearer it was to both of us that she was the better navigator. She was probably a better driver, although I never conceded that point. We didn’t even talk about who was going to get behind the wheel that day.

“The conditions were dry and sunny. The traffic was moderate. We’d been to a museum, and the kids loved every minute of it. Riding inside that van with Danielle, we were all exhausted, and the kids weren’t asking for anything. I remember staring out the window, nodding on the edge of a nap, and for a few minutes, it felt like all of us were operating in unison, exhausted, but satisfied and happy.

“And then D’s date book slid and fell from the dash. She kept notes from meetings in there, and receipts – always so many receipts waiting to be processed and filed away.

“I know I would have done exactly the same thing. We are primal, you know? She just reached down, just for a moment, and she caught her book, still closed, spine down, the receipts all safely tucked inside.

“She looked away only for a moment, but the traffic had suddenly piled up in front of us, and had turned quickly into a frantic, downtown crowd of hurried, hungry drivers. She looked away for a second-and-a-half – at the most – but that’s when the car in front of us slammed into a disabled car sticking out into the road.

“Danielle broke hard, and then tried to swerve. We sideswiped the wreck and spun around, colliding with cars all around us.  Every safety feature deployed: side curtain airbags, everything. And when the energy of all those collisions finally dissipated, and all those cars returned to rest, my family was relatively untouched, except for D.

“A long, stainless steel slat had spun free from a nearby truck and penetrated the car, severing D’s spine at the base of her neck, like some gigantic scalpel.

“There wasn’t even that much blood,” Commissioner Bryan Meadows adds matter-of-factly, his face looking somewhat pained.

James Carlos Cates nods, thoughtfully, and Commissioner Meadows sits in silence, watching Cates from across Meadows’ mountainous desk.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Cates says after a period of silence, “and I am sorry for the continued grief that must still plague your family.”

Meadows looks hard at Cates for a moment longer, then he opens an ancient desk book and begins scratching out a check.

“Thank you for your kind words,” Meadows says, not bothering to look up from his work. “I know that sounds like a lot of information, but I like to shoot my partners straight early. That way, if somewhere down the road I scratch a lie and find a thief, there won’t be any misunderstanding.

“I don’t like Steve Howe,” Meadows continues. “I don’t like how he handles his legislative business, and I don’t like how he handles his personal business. Perhaps more importantly, for the purposes of today’s discussion, I think that you’re the only person who can beat him in the general election. So, if you want a shot, I’m in.”

Cates’ facial features remain still and stoic, “I apologize, Commissioner: I don’t think I understand your proposition.”

Meadows tears free the check that he’s just written, and he tosses it across the desk to Cates.

“You’ve got my support, and I’ll bring my family’s network and our money with me; I can guarantee that. But don’t forget what I said today. I told you something real about me, which makes me weak. I am lying my unhealed heart on the table as an act of good faith, and to give you some perspective regarding how I see the world.”

“Now its your turn,” Meadows continues. “In exchange for the value that I will provide, you will answer me honest when I ask you questions. No obfuscating. No bullshit. Straight answers, and real insights. If you cannot provide that, don’t commit to it.”

Meadows lowers his voice, and leans forward.

“Because I’m telling you now, that if you fuck me, I will fuck you back. It is important to me that people around here know that I am not easily fucked. You understand? The world is already too uncertain a place to make room for the undisciplined antics of children.”

Cates face relaxes, finally, and he seems to be making up his mind, “I can promise you this much, Commissioner: I will treat you with the same courtesy, respect, and honesty with which you treat me.“

Meadows seems satisfied.

“Well, let’s shake hands on it then, and be sure to put that check in your pocket.” The two men stood and shook hands across the desk. “I am so pleased that you took the time to come see me personally, Jim.

“Gladis!”

There is a rustling outside of the commissioner’s office. The door opens, and the woman who ushered Cates into the meeting 15 minutes earlier sticks her head inside.

“Why are you shouting at me, Commissioner? Is someone in this room on fire?”

To Cates, it almost looks like Meadows is smiling.

“Gladis, would you show Mr. Cates to the front door? He may be our new state rep, so don’t let him see your sass until he’s had a chance to get to know you, please.”

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