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BREAKING NEWS
Rumors are swirling that Baltimore’s poster boy billionaire, Harrison Rothschild, will be announcing his run for Governor of Maryland.
Harrison, well known across the East Coast for his stance on economic reform, is Harvard Law educated and heir of the Rothschild dynasty, along with his three brothers. Often nicknamed “The Charmer” for his dazzling smile and like for the ladies, his lavish lifestyle and connections puts him as the main contender for the top spot.
But will the boy from Baltimore, born with a silver spoon, receive the votes he needs from the general public? Many of whom say he is out of touch with what the real people want?
Affordable housing, advanced infrastructure, and investment in jobs are not something our poster boy has ever had to worry about before.
More to come.
“You know I spilled a tray of champagne on him once,” I mumble to my dad as we both relax in the living room, watching the nightly news.
“Hmph?” His eyes remain focused on the TV, even though the picture is slightly black in spots from where I accidently hit it with the vacuum the other day.
“We had a charity event for his mother, the one where Issy was kidnapped.” I continue as I scoop out a spoonful of ice cream from the tub of chocolate chip sitting on my lap. It is my Sunday night reprieve after a hectic week, the only luxury I give myself and, even then, only on pay weeks.
Dad side-eyes me. He doesn’t like me working in the city at all hours for my job managing events for the rich and famous of D.C. Even less so after Issy was kidnapped. But it is our only income and I get medical, so he can’t complain. Besides, Issy is fine now. She got her happily ever after with Jake and is loving life in the country. It all worked out.
“I turned and crashed into a waiter. The drinks went flying straight onto his Italian loafers. His mother was ropeable. I’ve never felt more insignificant than in that moment when I dove onto the floor to mop up his shoes while he and his mother looked down their noses at me.” I continue the story, the image still vivid in my mind despite that night taking a different turn. The ice cream drips onto my jumper from the spoon, creating a big brown splotch, and I quickly scrape off the remnants, internally cursing myself. This is why I can’t have good things, my mother’s voice, although distant, rings in my mind.
I work with many of the elite, yet in reality, I couldn’t be further from them if I tried. I struggle to make ends meet to look after dad and me. The opu
lence I see and create on a daily basis is in complete contrast to our bland, mismatched living room. Where the carpet is so worn there are dents in the floor from my dad’s wheelchair tires. The marks around our home are lovingly referred to as his racetrack.
But there is no racing. Our home is so small, we struggle to navigate his chair. We have only what we need and nothing more.
“Those pompous idiots have no idea how the real people live. He will run for governor, and he will win too because of his name, because of his connections. Not because of the difference he can make to the community,” Dad says, clearly unimpressed with the boy from Baltimore despite everyone else loving him endlessly.
As I see images flash across the TV screen of him with a stunning brunette on his arm, the wind outside picks up and I hear the roof lifting a little, the air howling through the rafters. My eyes immediately focus on the dampness seeping through the ceiling in the corner of the room. Little black patches of mold have appeared, so I make a mental note to look into it.
My eyes flick back to the TV, which is now showing Harrison Rothschild shaking hands at some industry event, flashing his smile and I watch his commanding presence. Feeling it through the screen.
He didn’t say anything to me that night when the drinks stained his loafers. He didn’t have to. His mother was ranting at me and anyone else who would listen about my incompetence. Loudly reminding everyone within earshot of exactly how expensive her son’s shoes were. He, on the other hand, just looked at me. His eyes pierced mine. He had a little crease in between his eyebrows, and his jaw ticked, which made my cheeks flush and my hands shake. I am clumsy, yes, but not usually so flappable.
But he was something else. And I was glad to see the back of that event. I didn’t miss his gaze on me as he left, though.
“Are you coming to the center tomorrow?” Dad asks me as I scrape out the last remaining spoonful of ice cream from the tub.
“Yep, I’m doing yoga with Marci at 9 a.m. Do you want to catch the bus together?” I ask him, knowing that he wouldn’t miss a day at the center for anything. Especially the daily game of chess he plays with Larry. The two of them are trouble when they get together at the local community center where dad spends most of his days. "
That would be good,” he grumbles.
“Are you alright, Dad?” He looks a little more worn out than when I was here last Sunday.
“Fine. Don’t worry about me.” I am used to his grumpy old man attitude by now, but it does make it difficult to tell when there’s actually something wrong. That is why I am so upbeat. I have to be. We both can’t be sad day after day. We both can’t live in the past and have our hearts filled with worries.
“Have you been working with Jeff this week?” I ask, trying to dig a little deeper.
Jeff is the new community manager at the center. He arrived six months ago and has gotten everyone in order and has built new programs. He is even assisting dad with trying to secure additional support and financial aid because of his disability, even offering to drive him to appointments.
“Yes. But Larry and I can see straight through him,” Dad mumbles, raising a brow as he glances my way.
“What do you mean?” My head tilts at the look on his face.
“Jeff is sweet on you.”
“No, he isn't,” I scoff. “We are just friends, Dad. Two adults of the opposite sex can be just friends, you know.”
“Oh, I know. And I also know that friends is not what that young man wants to be with you.” There’s no doubt in his tone, only resolve, as he shakes his head.
“How do you know?”
“Larry and I watched him last week when you did yoga. His eyes didn’t leave your backside for a moment.”
“Dad!” I screech, feeling my cheeks heat.
“Well, they didn’t. Plus, he follows you around like a lost puppy, bends over backwards to help me. He is infatuated with you, Beth.”
“Oh, he just doesn’t know many people yet.” I try to wave off the accusation Dad has put into the air, settling back in my seat.
“Why don’t you go on a date with him? He seems nice.”
“Because, I don’t feel anything more than friends for Jeff. There are no butterflies.
My heart doesn’t beat a little faster when he’s around. I don’t care to spend more time with him. Didn’t you feel all those things when you met Mom?” The minute the words leave my mouth, I know I shouldn’t have said them.
Our jovial conversation now feels like tar inside my body. The slow build of dread hits my stomach as the air of uncertainty hangs between us. I hold my breath, wondering what response I will get, and too scared to say anything else.
“I’m going to bed,” he says gruffly, and disappointment fills my chest. I feel sick. Sunday nights are our night, and I spoiled it. It’s what I do. It is what I always do. Spoil things. Spill drinks. Upset Dad. I can’t have nice things.
“Goodnight,” I say to him quietly as I watch him maneuver his chair and push down the narrow hallway, listening for his bedroom door to close before I let out a sigh.
Dad is right. The boy of Baltimore has no idea how the other half live.
Isit in my den, looking at my mother, my brother, and my newest staff member. Excitement swirls in my stomach. I have been waiting for this day my entire life and it is finally here.
As a kid, my dream was to be president. I have worked hard over the last year building connections, readying myself for a bigger role in politics. Now the governorship is so close, I can nearly taste it. I am ready. I am ready to lead this state and make a difference.
“When will you announce your intention to run for governor? I want to organize the event. I don’t want you to worry about anything!” Mom says, clapping her hands together, the smile on her face the widest I’ve ever seen.
Clearly, she’s happy to have a son on the national stage as Governor for Maryland. Dressed in her signature matching Chanel tweed suit with her fresh blow dry, I can see she has had some recent cosmetic work done, her eyes a little tighter and her cheeks a little sharper. No longer looking like the woman I grew up idolizing.
“Oh, imagine it, Harrison! You will be amazing!” Lilly gushes as she flutters her lashes. Even though she is one of our oldest family friends, I am under no illusion. She wants more from me than I am prepared to give. Like my mother, she is freshly primped, her large designer bag sitting on the floor at her feet. Her lips are bright red and glossy, more swollen than last week, and I wonder not for the first time if it is possible for them to overtake the lower part of her face entirely. My eyes flick between the two of them, trying to understand their agenda.
“Mom, seriously. Harrison can manage this. He can hire his own events team, you know,” my brother Eddie pipes up. He and my mother's relationship has always been strained and even though he is the youngest, he is the most protective of me and I him.
“Edward. Now is not the time.” My mother huffs, and I raise my eyebrow, not needing them to get into it here in my home office.
“I’m ready,” I state. “I’m committed to serving the people. I want to make a difference, and that’s my priority.” Taking a deep breath, I give my mom and brother a pointed look, leaning back in my leather chair.
I’m already thinking of the changes I can make and how I can position Maryland to be more. My mother’s lips thin as she looks at my stance. I know she wants me in the main seat to further her position in society, not for the greater good of the people. I, on the other hand, think differently. She just fails to hear it.
“Of course, of course.” She waves her manicured hand around, her mind no doubt filling with who to invite and who to strategically leave off the list. “Darling, throwing parties is what I do best so let me handle this one. You and Lilly will be the biggest stars of the night.”
Taking Lilly to an event isn’t new, but I am not keen on the idea this time around. She is a friend, nothing more, and that won't change. Much to my mother’s outrage. She has been trying to set us up for years and can’t seem to see that we are not a match. Not in any way.
Eddie rolls his eyes, as he hates all this ceremonial extravagance.
The penny drops for me as I watch my mother and Lilly share a smile. This is yet another tactic of my mother’s to push Lilly and I together. She gives me her, your father died and left me surrounded in the chaos of his infidelity sad eyes, and I give in.
“Fine,” I grit out, really preferring her to take a step back from my life now that running for governor is on the cards. “But I want real people in the room, not just your society friends. And leave me and my team to the politics. I do not need your meddling.” I leave no room for questions, and with a curt nod, she’s back to chattering with Lilly.
My new Chief of Staff, Oscar Barone, sits in the large leather chesterfield, looking over everyone in the room with his assessing eyes. He is a strategic Pit Bull. He takes no shit from me or my mother. As someone who has led key political campaigns for some of the country's biggest representatives, Oscar is the key to my campaign. He is what will help me win. Not my mother and her rich friends.
“Oh, what will I wear!” Lilly jumps up, gushing. “I want to look perfect for your big night, Harrison!” She smiles wide, looking at me with her big brown eyes, the same ones her father Ronald has. One of the biggest funders of my campaign. My brother curses under his breath, but she doesn’t falter as I grit my teeth.
“Come, Lilly darling, let’s start the party planning and leave the boys to work,” my mother says, knowing she has pushed me as far as she is going to today and that her next move needs to be out the door.
The three of us watch as the two ladies walk and talk with such excitement it is already giving me a migraine. As the door closes behind them, Oscar opens his mouth.
“Your mother will plan a great party, and I am sure Lillian will look great on your arm,” he states diplomatically, knowing how important her father’s money and support is for my campaign.
“She is trying to get a ring on her finger. I love her like a sister, but seriously, she ne
eds to know that you are not going to be marrying her,” Eddie says, sitting forward and placing his elbows on his knees, looking at me accusingly.
“I've told her,” I reply with a groan, running my hands through my hair in frustration. “I can’t make it any clearer without taking out a full-page ad in the society news. She is practically already part of the family. But between her and our mother, some wires have been crossed and before I know it, she’ll be expecting a diamond that I have no plans on giving her. It is something I have no plans on giving anyone.” They both nod their heads in silent understanding.
“You will need to take a date to the event, though, and she is a good choice,” Oscar continues, leaning back in his chair, assessing me.
“No.” I have no desire to make that kind of public statement. I have no romantic feelings for Lilly at all and have no intention of leading her on by having her on my arm during the campaign or after.
“You are well known for your bachelorhood and love for the ladies, but that is not going to win you votes. Your father did not leave a good legacy in that regard. You need to look all-American. You and Lillian have known each other for decades. Played together in the Hamptons as kids, the press has practically already written you off as married.” He just won’t quit.
“No,” I grit out, swallowing my growing irritation.
“Who then?” he challenges.
“No one. I don’t need the distraction,” I say firmly, committed to being focused on the campaign and not my sex life.
I need to ensure that my father’s philandering history is not something people think I will repeat. I am seen out and about with women. I love women. But right now, I need to focus. It is my one and only shot at putting myself on track for political success, and I would prefer to be judged by the new policies I plan to implement, not by the woman I take to events.
“He is afraid of commitment,” Eddie adds, and if looks could kill, he would be mush right about now.
“You have to have someone on your arm,” Oscar presses.
“No, I don’t,” I sigh out. I may be in my mid-thirties, but I have no plans to marry or commit myself to one person for the rest of my life. My parents proved to everyone that never works out.
“Yes. You. Do.” He
punches the words out to further emphasize his never-ending point. He is right, of course. But taking Lilly will make a firm statement. A statement that she will be by my side not just during the election campaign but through life. It makes a statement that together, we will look after Maryland and make it better. That is not a statement I want to make. She is not my forever.
“Let’s announce it some other way,” I say, rubbing my chin, thinking of a way to get out of this situation, dreading the alternative.
I am staying right away from women during this campaign. I have worked too long and too hard to get this chance, so for the first time in my life, I am going to remain single and concentrate on my future. I will be a man for the people, so my dick just has to get into line.
“But your mother is already organizing the party?” Oscar reminds me.
“I think we should work out what our key focus point is and then announce my running at a place that’s relevant,” I suggest, and as I say it, I know it’s the perfect solution.
“Good idea,” Eddie jumps in, giving me a nod.
“Somewhere in the community, then. Somewhere with the people,” Oscar states, sitting forward with renewed interest, and I can already see his mind turning.
“Who is telling Mom?” Eddie asks, looking right at me with a smirk. I ignore his look of question because we both know our mother is not going to like this one bit.
“Great. I will investigate venues. Now that is sorted, let’s talk about the key points of your campaign. Inflation, jobs and infrastructure investment.” Oscar talks specifics, and we get down to business. I want Maryland to flourish. I want to help the communities who need the support, and most of all, I want to make a positive difference across the entire state.
It is a big challenge, trying to keep everyone happy, while also supporting those that can’t afford to support themselves. That’s why Eddie is here with me. Out of all of my brothers, he is not as enamored by the wealthy as the rest of us have been brought up to be. In fact, he purposefully rebels against it. Having backpacked around Asia for six months, living off two dollars a day, and surviving on cheap street food, there was more than one occasion when his travel insurance was needed due to hospitalization over food poisoning. Aside from that medical luxury, he didn’t live like the billi
onaire he is, and still doesn’t.
“So I have mapped out the state, and you have most of the areas in hand, which is good. Obviously, you’re well known and loved in Baltimore City and most outskirts. However, you have some work to do in the southeast, particularly toward D.C. that will need attention. Some areas have high poverty rates and high unemployment rates, so we really need to get our messaging on point before we delve into those areas.”
Oscar opens a map on my desk and the three of us look over it like a military tactical team, assessing the segmentation of areas that Oscar has already done, color coding it in a traffic light system. The areas of the state that are colored red are those that I need to be more active in, green are the ones that I already have a good following in. And amber are the ones that can go either way.
I go to D.C. often, although I live and work in Baltimore City. D.C. is the political capital of the country, where all the big players are, many of whom I am friends with. If I want to continue to climb the political ladder, it is where I will need to be spending my time, eventually.
“What do you suggest?” I ask him as I look over the map.
“Infrastructure. Investing in large-scale infrastructure will build jobs and a better life for many people in some of these areas. It will keep the labor market happy, unions satisfied, and as long as your family property and construction company doesn’t benefit directly from it, then it will make the construction industry thrive as well.”
“So new hospitals, schools, that kind of thing?” I ask, already liking the idea, with healthcare being one area I do want to focus on.
“They are too involved. Too expensive. Think large-scale residential development or commercial, in terms of shopping precincts to kick start the local economy by way of retailers.”
“You don’t think schools or health facilities would be a better investment?” I question. I know they would be welcomed.
“What about the people?” Eddie asks.
“What about them?” Oscar counters.
“Has anyone thought about asking them what they want?” Eddie asks, and I nod in agreement.
“They don’t even know what they want. It is up to us to build a vision and they will come. Harrison here will be like the pied piper and all the people will follow him, no matter where he goes.” Oscar sits back
with a satisfied smile on his face, and I wish I felt his confidence. It will be a tough race for me. My competitor is someone who has been eyeing the governorship for years.
“You do realize the pied piper took all the children, right? And left the town bereft?” Eddie asks Oscar mockingly.
“Wait and see, young man, wait and see,” Oscar says, rubbing his hands together.
Ifinally take a breath as I see everyone seated, well fed, and happy. With only thirty minutes to go before the guests are due to leave, I can finally take a small breather. This is the time when you know ninety-five percent of the work is done and even though there is still a lot to do with debriefs and budgets behind the scenes, the event itself is complete. This is my last event for a while, so I take it all in for a moment. The beautiful flowers, the distinguished guests, the plates of lobster, and glasses of champagne. Opulence of the highest caliber; nothing is too much for this high net-worth cohort of businessmen.
My boss, Kelly, is about to have her first baby, and while the event agency can work without her, she has decided for us all to have a small break for three months. We have been busy. Being one of D.C.’s most in-demand event companies has us working almost twenty-four-seven, and while Kelly is slowing down, wanting a quieter life, my need to continue to provide for my dad and I burns under my skin. ...
