be about immigration and education, maybe a tad bit about water rights in the Central Valley. Stuff your guy is not as good at.”
“What do you mean, no one wants it?” I asked, not wanting to discuss Levi yet.
“Just what I said,” Levant replied, taking back his popcorn bag. “No one wants to take on the Tea Party, or the Republican Party. It’s impossible to raise a million dollars in this economy. At this rate, the Democrats will be lucky to keep the seats we currently have in Congress.”
Here was my opening. “Fortunately for you, money is no object for Levi Barnes. He’s prepared to spend to win. And he’s a Democrat.”
Levant shook his head. “At this point, I am glad someone is willing to run for the seat. I’m getting too fucking old for this shit. As far as I’m concerned, a Bible’s main use is to swear in a candidate, and that’s about it. In my day, we didn’t let these fights become so personal. Your guy is walking into a shit storm of hard feelings in Washington.”
“Paul, don’t worry,” I said, feeling the need to reassure him. “Levi is a former member of Congress and a successful businessman. He can stay above the fray and he’ll be a bright star for the party…you wait and see.”
“If he can win, kid. If he can win,” Levant said, turning his gaze to the wooden boats on the water.
“Maybe if you use some of the ESP you’ve got to help us, it will be a sure thing,” I said, gathering up my belongings.
“I think I’d rather send you a check,” Levant said. “Be in touch with me about your campaign plan; the Party will support you.”
I walked to my car, but waited until I was on the road back to my house before I made the call to Levi.
“Levant is backing us,” I said, feeling jubilant. “The party will bankroll our efforts.”
“I don’t need their money Olivia,” Levi said. “I’ll tell Paul to use it for another race, for someone who needs the help.”
“We will take a little help from the party,” I said. “For one thing, it will look better if they’re seen spending some resources on us. We don’t want anyone to think our campaign is operating out there alone.”
After I hung up with Levi, I called Gabriel. He didn’t pick up, so I left him a message letting him know that I’d secured Levant’s backing. I also told him about Levant’s funny comment about the Bible, knowing he’d get a kick out of the image.
With Paul Levant’s promise in my back pocket, I was free to continue with a research project I’d started a few weeks back. It took patience, but finally one Sunday, as I was reading the entertainment section of the paper, I was rewarded. There, in a small box, was a listing for Three Blind Mice. They were playing later in the week at the Treasure Chest, a nightclub on Divisadero Street. This was my chance to see William again. Now that the campaign was on the right path, I didn’t see why anyone would object to me taking a night off. Nadia’s pronouncements aside, the truth was that I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wasn’t sure what bothered me more, being caught in the horrible cliché of pining for a vampire musician, or my actual yearning for him. Regardless, I was determined to see him again.
When the night of the show arrived, I was pleased Elsa had forced me into such a rigorous exercise regime. I pulled a pair of very slim black jeans out of my closet, along with a beat up pair of brown cowboy boots, and then searched in my drawer for the sexiest bra I could find. I knew I was playing with fire—not to mention being pretty presumptuous, but if there was a make-out session in my future, I wanted to be wearing the most provocative underwear possible. I rummaged around for the black T-shirt I was looking for and grabbed a khaki safari jacket off a hanger. I looked in the mirror and liked what I saw. I was stylish without trying too hard. At the very least, if I missed William, I would no doubt meet someone interesting, and the truth was that I was in the mood for a little night magic.
I called a cab and within ten minutes one arrived at my doorstep. It was approaching 9:30 when the car neared the club.