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“One might say the president’s focus is split.”

“They might,” I agree.

“So you agree.”

“That Candace’s focus is split?”

Jay Ivey nods.

“I’m not part of her administration, Jay. I know that countless issues land on her desk daily.”

“And some of those arefamily-related, are they not?”

“Sure.”

“Splitting her focus.”

My patience is wearing thin.

“Candace is hardly the first president to have a large family,” I remind him. “I think being a mother and grandmother is her biggest asset as a leader.”

Ivey smirks. Smug. He’s trying to bait me. It won’t work. I wait patiently for a question.

“We’ve all heard about the president’scompassion.”

“That’s an asset, too. Candace didn’t become compassionate because she had kids. She wanted a family because of her compassion.”

“Leading a nation isn’t the same as child rearing,” he says.

What a misogynistic ass. The most pathetic thing about men like Ivey is they think they’re clever. He hasn’t asked me one original question. It’spathetic.

“Ms. Reid,” he urges me.

“I’m sorry. Did you ask me a question?”

“Do you believe running the most powerful country in the world is the same as managing a family?” he asks.

I know how Candace would reply.

“Do you have a big family, Jay?” I ask.

“I don’t see how that matters.”

“Humor me.”

“I have two brothers and a sister,” he says.

“And do they always agree?”

“Of course not.”

“You should ask your mother how she manages to keep the peace on holidays,” I advise.

“We know what’s expected from us,” he says.

“Mm. She set boundaries.”

He nods.