September 18, 1899 — Washington, D.C., Hesh Residence
The late summer sun filtered through the rustling leaves of the mulberry tree in the backyard of the Hesh residence, casting dappled shadows across the patio where President Matthew Hesh sat with a cup of black tea in one hand and a worn leather-bound novel in the other. A rare breeze teased at the edges of his open shirt collar, while the distant clatter of carriage wheels and the occasional songbird reminded him that life, for once, was unfolding quietly.
The house was still. Amber had taken Sophia downtown for an early piano lesson, and Arthur was out front with the neighborhood boys, building a wooden fort from scrap planks and rope, loudly debating over whether it should have a flag. Matthew had intended to join them for a few minutes, but Arthur had insisted that forts were a "no-Papas zone" unless a battle needed refereeing.
