Hidden Memories by Robin Allen

especially for children and the elderly. We always rank low in those areas.”
    “Are there any issues you and Mr. Hudson disagree on?”
    “I think we are like-minded on the serious issues,” Sage replied with a smile. “We sometimes differ on tactics or timetables.”
    Flipping to a new page in her notepad, Callie asked, “Why did Mr. Hudson pick you to run his campaign? Many expected him to hire a more seasoned person.”
    “He certainly could have. I think he chose me because I outlined a campaign plan and defined our strategies and tactics for winning very early, months before we started campaigning. Of course, we had outside counsel, locally and nationally.”
    “On a personal front, do you hope to marry and have children one day?”
    “Absolutely. I want the whole dream. I look forward to being a wife and a mother.”
    “Are you seeing anybody seriously?”
    “I’m involved, but that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
    “Where did your ambition come from?”
    Sage smiled. “Who could really answer that? Certainly not me.”
    “Well, what about strong role models in your life?”
    “I suppose I’d have to credit my Aunt Maddie. She never married, but she was always career-minded. She’s a teacher, and very well traveled. She’s always been very devoted to me.” Her eyes softened as she talked about her father’s sister. Aunt Maddie was the link to her father’s family.
    “My mother always wanted me to get married and have babies. The fact that I haven’t married and had a family has disappointed her,” Callie said. “What about your mother? Did she encourage you to go to college and have a career?”
    “My mother is old-fashioned too. Like your mother, she believes that women should be at home,” Sage responded carefully, reflecting on her relationship with her mother. If she answered truthfully, she would have to admit that there was no relationship. And maybe now, after their recent disastrous meeting, there never would be.
    Callie shifted the questioning back to the present. “Is there any truth to the rumor that you had an affair with the mayor when you started working for him? Many people speculate that that’s the reason he chose you to run his campaign.”
    Sage suppressed the urge to smile. That was one rumor that refused to die, and yet she’d never understood what had started the vicious gossip. Questions had been raised about her relationship with Cameron from the very beginning. But perhaps it was as simple as his reputation in private circles to be a womanizer. “No. We have never had a relationship other than a professional one.”
    “I understand that you have traveled together,” Callie pressed.
    “Of course,” Sage said reproachfully, refusing to dignify the implication by defending their relationship any further.
    “One more question,” Callie said, checking her watch. “What three words would you use to describe yourself?”
    Sage leaned back against the chair in thoughtful repose. “Confident, driven and people-oriented.”
    “That’s all for now,” Callie said. “May I call you if I have more questions later?”
    “Absolutely.”
    * * * * *
    Ava was headed home for Christmas, even though she had only been in Atlanta for three weeks. Whether she would make the flight was still in question as Sage sped down the interstate, her speedometer registering eighty miles per hour. Ava’s flight would be leaving in forty minutes.
    “If there’s no traffic and no red lights, we’ll make it, Miss Last Minute,” Sage said.
    Sage hated rushing frantically and usually allowed herself plenty of time to get to the airport. Getting through the airport to the departing gate was a maze of checkpoints, ticket counters, trains, escalators, elevators and terminals.
    But Ava was different. Last minute with everything, she didn’t start packing until they got home from work.
    “I hope you don’t get a ticket,” Ava taunted, when Sage barely slowed in time to pass the