I walk in Washington's office, a blush still noticeable on my face. "You asked to see me?"
"I know your busy." He says.
"What do you need sir?" I ask. No answer. "Sir?"
"I want to give you a word of warning."
"Sir I don't know what it is, but whatever it is-" I point to the door. "-Jefferson started it."
"Thomas Jefferson resigned this morning." He said, stacking some papers. I was shocked. Then why was he at the Cabinet Meeting?
"You're kidding." I state simply.
"I need a favor.."
"Whatever you say sir, Jefferson will pay for his behavior." I say, assuming it's Jefferson every time.
"Talk less-"
"I'll use the press, I'll write under a pseudonym, you'll see what I can do to him!"
"I need you to draft an address."
"Yes!" I say. "He resigned, you can finally speak your mind!"
"No." He said. "He's stepping down so he can run for president."
"Ha!" I say. "Good luck defeating you!"
"I'm stepping down, I not running for president."
Silence. My heart was beating fast. Not running? How could this be possible?
"I'm sorry, what?" I ask.
"One last time." He says. "Relax, have a drink with me, one last time. Let's take a break tonight, so we can teach them how to say goodbye, to say goodbye. You and I...."
"No, sir-"
"I want to talk about neutrality."
"With Britain and France on the verge of War, is this the best time-"
"I want to warn against partisan fighting."
"But-"
"Pick up a pen, starting writing." He demands. I do so. "I wanna talk about what I have learned, the hard-won wisdom I have earned."
"As far as the people are concerned, you have to serve!" I say. "You could continue to serve."
"No! One last time." He said. "The people will hear from me one last time. And if we get this right, we're gonna teach 'em how to say goodbye, to say goodbye.You and I..."
"George, they'll say you're weak." I say, using his first name. He looks at me, shocked. He then smiles.
"No, they'll see we're strong."
"Your position is so unique..."
"So I'll use it to move them along.."
"Why do you have to say goodbye?!"
"If I say goodbye, the nation learns to move on...it outlives me when I'm gone." He says. Sadness filled the room. His eyes looked weary and tired.
"Like the scripture says...'Everyone should sit under their own vine, and fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid.' They'll be safe in the nation we've made. I want to sit under my own vine and fig tree, a moment alone in the shade. At home in the nation we've made.." he takes my hands, holding them.
"One last time."
"One last time.." I say.
Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administrations, I am unconscious of intentional error, and I am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed many errors.
I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will view them with indulgence and that after forty five years of my life dedicated to it's service with upright zeal. The faults of incompetent abilities consigned to oblivion, as I myself soon to be the mansions of rest.
I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat in which I promise myself to realize the sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever-favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward as I trust of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.
"One last time." Washington said before walking.
"George Washington's going home.." a woman said.
"Teach them how to say goodbye!" I said.
"George Washington's going home.." Another man said.
"You and I.." he said. I blush. A couple more people say that he as going home. Before he fully goes out the door, he turns to me. "History has it's eyes on you."
He goes into the streets. I stare in amazement as he proudly walks, his chin high.
"One last time.." I say.
