Page 2 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

“It’s so nice to meet you after hearing so much about you,” Hoda said.

“Thank you,” Sam said. “You as well.”

“How’s life in the White House?” Savannah asked.

“It’s different,” Sam said with a laugh. “We’re still getting used to it and finding a new routine there.”

“Do you mind if we ask you about the adjustment during the interview?”

“No, that’s fine. I just won’t speak about my husband or his administration. Since I’m not briefed on any of that, I’d rather not be asked those questions, especially when we’re here to talk about the grief group.”

“Understood,” Hoda said. “We’ll be back from commercial in a few and will bring you right in.”

“Sounds good.” She glanced at Dr. Trulo, who was looking at her with amusement. His wiry gray hair had been combed into submission for the occasion. “What?”

“‘I’m not briefed on any of that.’”

“Well, I’m not.”

He laughed. “It’s a good way to say, ‘Stay in the lane we agreed to.’”

“Exactly. If you knew how many times reporters asked me questions about Nick, you’d know why I said that.”

“I get it. I just thought it was funny that you’re speaking the lingo now.”

“I’m really not. That’s about the extent of my political-wife lingo.”

“Stand by,” the producer said. “We’re back in three, two, one.”

“We have two very special guests with us this morning,” Hoda said, smiling. “Our new first lady, Samantha Cappuano, also known at the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, as Lieutenant Sam Holland, and Metro PD psychiatrist Dr. Anthony Trulo are here to talk about an exciting new initiative they’ve founded within the MPD and one they hope will become a national project. Welcome to both of you.”

“Thanks for having us,” Sam said.

“Thank you for the invitation to talk about a project that’s near and dear to both of us,” Dr. Trulo said.

“Before we get to that,” Savannah said, “we’re all curious about how you and your family are adapting to your new home.”

“Everyone is doing well,” Sam said. “It’s been two days since the last time I got lost trying to find the residence inside the White House, so I take that as progress. The kids are doing much better than I am with finding their way around.”

“This is the first time in more than a decade that young children have lived at the White House,” Hoda said. “What’re they enjoying the most?”

“Scotty, who just turned fourteen, loves the movie theater, and the twins, who are six, are partial to the pool. They want to swim every night after dinner.”

“Who’s on lifeguard duty?” Hoda asked. “You or the president?”

“Mostly him, but I’ve done a few shifts.”

“We asked you to come on today to discuss the grief group for victims of violent crime that you’ve initiated within the MPD,” Savannah said. “Can you tell us about that?”

Sam looked to Dr. Trulo, who signaled for her to take the lead. She’d get him for that later. “As you may have heard,” she said with a laugh, “I’m a homicide detective. In the course of my work, I encounter family members and others deeply affected by the violent loss of loved ones. For some time, I’ve wished there was a mechanism in place to better support the secondary victims of violent crime. When I mentioned the idea to Dr. Trulo, he suggested a grief group.”

“And you’ve formed the group within your department?” Hoda asked.

“We have,” Dr. Trulo said. “We’ve had the first meeting and feel it was a big success. People who’ve lost spouses, children, parents and friends attended the meeting, and we’ve heard from several of them that they’ve met up again outside the meeting.”

“That’s amazing,” Hoda said, “that they’re making friends and finding additional support.”

“That was our hope,” Dr. Trulo said, “and we also hope our model might be adopted by other police departments across the country. Grief groups are a source of tremendous support to people suffering from loss. We wanted to provide an extra level of support to those grappling with violent loss, which often involves a protracted criminal proceeding that adds to the agony. The justice system moves slowly, and the families need support sometimes for years.”