Page 62 of State of Grace (First Family 2)

Her mind went completely blank. What was tonight?

“Sam,” Trulo said, sounding exasperated and amused. “The second grief group meeting is tonight.”

“Oh, right.” They’d agreed to get a second meeting on the schedule before the holidays so people could turn to each other for support if needed. “I knew that.”

“Don’t make it worse by lying to my face.”

“I’m not lying. I remembered!”

“No, you didn’t,” he said, chuckling, “but that’s okay. I’ve got you covered if you can’t make it. I understand you have a lot on your plate these days, especially after the tragedy in Des Moines.”

“It is a lot, Doc. Nick and I are really struggling with how best to support the families in Iowa.”

“May I?” he asked, gesturing toward her visitor chair.

“Sure.” Her team could wait five more minutes for her.

“The best thing you both can do is to go there and show you care about what happened to them, that you care about the underlying issues that cause these things to happen, that you’re determined to do what you can to try to bring about change.”

“It feels so inadequate.”

“Having the president and first lady come to offer their condolences won’t feel inadequate to the people affected.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“That’s good to know. Thank you.”

“I’m always here for you, Sam, whether it’s department related or not. You have a friend in me.”

“That’s very comforting. I’ll be there tonight.”

“I requested a bigger room in light of the interest I’ve received since we were on the Today show.”

“Oh wow. Has it been a lot?”

“More than three hundred departments have reached out to ask about our blueprint, and I’ve heard from quite a few people associated with past cases of ours who were interested in attending the next meeting. Thus the bigger room.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

“It’s all thanks to you and your brilliant idea.”

“And thanks to your brilliant execution of my idea.”

“We make a good team, you and me.”

“Yes, we do. Speaking of that… You might be hearing from my husband.”

Trulo’s eyebrows lifted. “About?”

“Leading a task force looking to address the connection between mental health and gun violence.”

“The president… wants me… to…”

Amused by his flustered reaction, Sam said, “Lead his mental health task force. If you’re willing, that is.”

“Of course I am. What an unbelievable honor that would be. I assume you suggested me for this?”