“I’m not some pervert,” Embeth said. “My name is Embeth Bart Levin. I’m an attorney and I’m Congressman Levin’s wife. This young woman came to my husband’s office, wanting to meet him, and he’s in D.C. until tonight.”
“So you took a thirteen-year-old girl to the movies?” the police officer said. “Is that how you treat every random child who shows up at your husband’s office?”
“You’re making it sound tawdry, but it isn’t like that. She’s a friend of the family,” said Embeth.
“You didn’t say that before.”
“We’ve only just begun talking,” said Embeth. “Ruby’s the granddaughter of an old neighbor of mine. Rachel Shapiro. Call her and ask, if you’d like.”
“I’ll do that,” the police officer said.
They had reached the movie theater bathroom. “I’m going in,” said the police officer. “You wait out here.”
“You’re going into the women’s room?” Embeth asked.
The police officer paused. “It’s not illegal, and this is an active crime scene.”
Embeth rolled her eyes. “Let me go in first,” she said. “Seriously, the kid likes me. I’ll get her to turn herself over. Why have a big scene?”
Embeth went into the bathroom. She didn’t see legs under any of the stalls.
“Come on, Ruby. Just come out. The jig is up,” said Embeth. “I know you’re on a toilet seat. Don’t make me touch all the doors. Public bathrooms are basically the dirtiest places on earth, and I’m immune compromised.”
“I can’t come out. I haven’t met the congressman yet,” said Ruby.
“Well . . . you’ve met me. We’re friends now, and that means you can meet the congressman later. I can make that happen for you. But you have to go with the police officer.”
“How do you know I’m on a toilet seat?” Ruby said.
“Because I’ve spent a good portion of my life hiding from people in bathrooms, okay? Squatting on the toilet is the way it’s done.”
“Who do you hide from?” Ruby asked.
“Oh, Christ. Everyone. Donors. My husband’s staff. Even my husband sometimes. Everyone. I literally hate everyone.”
The door swung open. Ruby’s face was sticky with tears. “I haven’t even met El Meté yet,” she said.
“Ruby, if I let you in on a secret about El Meté will you do something for me?” Embeth said.
“Maybe,” Ruby said.
“Good girl,” said Embeth. “You should never agree to something before you know what it is.”
“HOW’S IT GOING IN THERE?” the police officer yelled.
“ONE SECOND,” Embeth yelled back.
“I’ll tell you what I need you to do, and then I’ll tell you the secret about El Meté, okay?” Embeth said quickly. “It’s not something I’ve ever told anyone.”
Ruby nodded.
“You know how that election is next week? I need you to not tell the police officer that the congressman might be your father. We don’t know for sure if he is yet. Your mom hasn’t said for sure that he is. And if it got out that you were here, it could be a lot of trouble for him and for me. Can you do that? It would be an enormous favor to me.”
Ruby nodded again. “I understand,” she said. “What should I say instead?”
“Say you came to Florida to meet your grandmother, Rachel Shapiro.”
“Okay, enough time! Come on, Ruby.” The police officer came through the door and put his hand on Ruby’s shoulder. Ruby wrested herself away.
“What’s the secret about El Meté?” Ruby asked.
“I’m almost ninety-three percent sure that he’s not real,” Embeth said.
“It’s okay,” Ruby said. “I used to have a friend that was a lamp.”
The police officer turned to Embeth. “I’m not done with you. Let’s all take a ride to the police station, shall we?”
She could have argued—Embeth was excellent in an argument—but an argument might have led to her getting arrested, and that was the last thing Aaron needed.
THEY TOOK RUBY to the policeman’s office, and Embeth sat in the waiting area. She called Jorge, but it went straight to voice mail. “Jorge, I’m at the police station. I may be late to the party. It’s a long story. Can you get Aaron’s tuxedo from the house? And if Margarita’s there, have her pick out a dress from my closet. If she’s not there, just pick out anything that looks appropriate. Anything but the navy. I never want to wear the navy again. Also, I need you to bring my wig. I didn’t have time to get to the salon today. I’ll meet you at the party.”
The policeman came out of his office and walked over to Embeth. “You’re free to go,” he said.
“What happened?” Embeth said.
“The mother, Jane, vouched for you. The grandmother’s coming to pick up the girl.” The police officer sounded slightly incredulous. “In the future, I’d avoid going on impromptu field trips with thirteen-year-old girls without checking in with their parents first.”
“I’d like to speak to Ruby,” Embeth said.
“I’m not stopping you,” he said.
Embeth went into the office. “I guess this is good-bye,” Embeth said. “I thought I’d slip out of here before your grandmother showed up.”
“But I haven’t met the congressman yet!” Ruby said in an urgent whisper.
“I know,” Embeth said. “I’m sorry about that. I just talked to him. His flight is late, and then it’s our anniversary party tonight. We’ve been married for thirty years. Did you know that?”
“What about after the party?” Ruby said.
“The party won’t be done until midnight, or later. Maybe we could do it tomorrow afternoon?” Embeth said.
“My mom’s making me fly back tomorrow morning!” Ruby said. “I’m in huge trouble, and I’ve spent half of my savings, and I haven’t done anything I came to do.”
Embeth made a sad face “I’m sorry, Ruby. It’s a busy week for us.”
Ruby began to cry—snotty, messy tears. “Were you ever going to let me meet him?”
“I . . . ,” Embeth began. “Honestly, I don’t know. I needed to talk to him first.”
“If I told the police officer that you kidnapped me, then the congressman would have to come down to get you,” Ruby said.
“Please don’t do that,” Embeth said.
“If I told the police officer that you were some big pervert . . .”
“Ruby!”
“I wouldn’t do that,” Ruby said. “I just wanted to meet him. I just wanted to see for myself.” Ruby put her head in her lap. “Everyone hates me,” she said. “If I was related to him, then I would be someone, and maybe they wouldn’t hate me so much.”
“Ruby,” Embeth said. “That’s not how life works. I’m married to him, and everyone loves him, and no one seems to like me at all.”
“My mom said he wasn’t my dad,” Ruby said. “She said it was a ‘one-night stand.’ That’s when you sleep with someone for one night—”
“I know what it is,” Embeth said. “Ruby, your mom’s right. The congressman told me. He’s not your father, and I’m sorry to say this, but he doesn’t want to see you.”
Ruby nodded solemnly.
“But I thought he looks like me. He looks so much like me. It has to be true.”
El Meté flew through the open window and landed on Embeth’s shoulder.
“True! True!” El Meté said.
“Shh!” Embeth said.
“Party! Party!” El Meté said.
“Shut up, would you!” Embeth said.
“He’s here, isn’t he?” Ruby said. “El Meté.”
The bird flew over to Ruby, and he alighted on her forearm.