Campaign Trail

by J. A. Armstrong

  “See what I mean?” Candace said. “Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.”

  “No, I think this is exactly what’s needed.”

  “Really?”

  “Look, you aren’t wrong. I don’t trust Grant Hill. I’m sorry; I don’t. I do trust you. If he wants the trust of this family he will have to earn that, Candace. No one is going to make him feel unwelcome. No matter what happened in the past, the kids care about Jessica. Hell, I care about Jessica. I understand how hard this is for her. I can even understand that it has been painful for Grant. What’s difficult for me to accept is that he’s been on your side this whole time.”

  “Jameson, I know it sounds crazy but I’m telling you…”

  Jameson held up her hand to stall Candace’s thought. “I’ve heard you. I understand hiding the relationship he had with Jessica and you from his parents. I do get that. I don’t understand how he could do and say so many things that hurt you when he says he loves you—or Jessica for that matter.”

  Candace sighed. “Hindsight is always 20/20, honey.”

  That’s what worries me. “True enough,” Jameson replied. “We’ll all do our best to get to know Grant.”

  “But?”

  “We’ll also be watching your back—and Jessica’s.”

  Candace smiled weakly. She could hardly blame her family. She also felt responsible for the current situation. She’d let Grant follow the course of feeding her information from inside Family Values International. She found herself wondering if she should have shut that down years ago. Maybe the results would have been less painful for Grant.

  “I know,” Candace said.

  Jameson walked over and kissed Candace on the cheek. “There’s another bag of corn in the pantry if you feel the need to eviscerate something else.”

  Candace chuckled. “Thanks, I think.”

  Jameson winked and headed out the back door.

  “Where are you off too?”

  “I think I’ll avoid the corn massacre this morning,” Jameson teased.

  Candace laughed when the back door closed. Lunatic.

  ***

  Jameson had wandered into the kitchen on the promise to deliver a few more cold beers to the cooler. She needed to take a breath. So far, the afternoon had been uneventful. Marianne had engaged Grant almost immediately, which had surprised Jameson. Michelle had followed suit. Jonah had kept his distance. Noting Jonah’s discomfort, she had spent most of the afternoon close to him and Laura. It made sense. Grant Hill had spent years keeping close company with Lawson Klein. She replayed a brief exchange that she’d had with Jonah before making her way inside.

  “I’m trying,” Jonah whispered.

  Jameson smiled. “You don’t have to be his best friend.”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  Jameson nodded.

  “Come on, JD; you don’t seriously trust him?”

  “Let’s just say that I’m keeping my eyes open.”

  Jameson sighed and attempted to shake off the thought. She heard the back door open and turned expecting to find Jonah.

  “Thought maybe you could use a hand.”

  Jameson offered Grant a strained smile.

  “You don’t like me much,” he observed candidly.

  Jameson set down the two six packs of beer in her hand and looked at him. “I don’t know you.”

  Grant nodded. “I wouldn’t trust me either.”

  “I’m not sure what you expect me to say.”

  “I don’t expect you to say anything. I can guess it’s uncomfortable having your wife’s ex-partner’s kid brought around as family.”

  Jameson shook her head. Not scoring points there, Grant. “That doesn’t bother me in the least.”

  “Really?” Grant sounded surprised.

  “Why would it? Like you said, Candace is my wife. We have three kids that are from her first marriage. Why would you being Jessica’s son be an issue for me?”

  Grant studied Jameson without comment.

  “Look, Candace loves you. That’s how she is. Jessica was a big part of her life for a lot of years. They loved each other. You were a part of that in your own way. I wouldn’t expect anything else from Candace.”

  “And you?”

  Jameson took a deep breath. “Candace would say trust is given until someone breaks it. Maybe. I think there are exceptions.”

  “And I’m guessing this is one of those.”

  “It is.”

  Grant sighed. “Candace and my mother are the only two people who’ve ever let me be myself. I would never do anything to hurt them.”

  “Maybe not intentionally,” Jameson said.

  “Is that how Jonah feels?”

  “I don’t make it a habit to speak for the kids. Jonah and Laura have been through a lot thanks to FVI, so has Candace.”

  “I’m sorry about that. Lawson doesn’t give an inch to most people. Believe it or not, I tried to get him to see reason. For the record, I know what it’s like to have your father hate you.”

  Jameson sighed. There was genuine pain in Grant’s voice. “Maybe that’s your common ground with Laura and Jonah.”

  “And with you?”

  “You want the truth?”

  “Please.”

  Jameson looked Grant in the eye. “Most of the time, Candace can see people and situations for what they are—more clearly than most people, in fact. There’s one exception. She’s just a person, Grant. She’s not the folk hero or the villain people make her out to be. She cares about you. She trusts you. I just hope her trust is well-placed. If you’re asking how to gain my trust, the answer is simple; don’t betray hers.”

  Grant nodded and then smiled at Jameson. “Fair enough. So, can I help carry that beer?”

  Jameson reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of wine. “Carry that instead. I’m betting your mother and my wife are ready for another one by now.”

  Grant chuckled. “Safe bet.”

  Jameson followed Grant out the door. Decent start, Grant. Decent start.

  ***

  “Hey,” Jessica came up behind Jameson.

  “How are you doing?” Jameson asked.

  “I’m okay. I’m not so sure Jonah is.”

  Jameson glanced over at Jonah who was attempting to hold a conversation with Michelle and Grant. She sighed and looked back at Jessica. “You can’t blame him.”

  Jessica nodded. “I wish we’d done things differently.”

  “Well, someone told me earlier that hindsight is always 20/20.”

  “Can’t imagine who that would’ve been.”

  Jameson laughed. “Give it time,” Jameson advised.

  “He wants to work for Candy.”

  “Maybe that would be a good thing.”

  “She blames herself,” Jessica said. “For this being so public.”

  “She cares about you,” Jameson said.

  “I know.”

  “And, she cares about Grant.”

  “It’s not her fault. If anything, it’s mine.”

  Jameson shook her head. “I know that Grant is your son. He’s not a little kid,” Jameson pointed out. “You and Candace followed his lead. He was an adult capable of making his own decisions. It’s not anyone’s fault. It’s the consequence of the decisions. It wasn’t your place—either of you to tell him what to do. You’ve stood beside him through all those decisions. I would guess some of them hurt you a little bit.”

  Jessica’s head fell in defeat. Grant’s choice to hide his relationship with her had hurt her deeply. She felt she deserved it on some level. After all, she’d chosen to give up her child.

  “Jessica,” Jameson gripped Jessica’s arm. “Quit beating yourself up. You were a seventeen-year-old kid. You have the right to be hurt. You didn’t walk away when he found you. Give yourself a break.”

  Jessica looked at Jameson with watery eyes. “Not an easy thing to do, JD.”

  “Now, what do you think those two are talking abou
t?” Marianne asked her mother.

  Candace looked over at Jameson and Jessica and smiled. “I’m not sure. I’d wager Jameson is telling Jessica to stop blaming herself about Grant.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “She told me the same thing.”

  “She’s right; you know?” Marianne said.

  Candace nodded. She usually is. “Yes.” Candace smiled at Marianne. “But she forgets to take her own advice a lot.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh, she blames herself for every little thing that happens to Cooper. She worries about all of you—whether something she did or said hurt you. It goes with the territory. What you know and how you feel often don’t agree, particularly when it comes to your kids.”

  Marianne chuckled. “Ain’t that the truth. What do you think Grant’s going to do?”

  “Time will tell.”

  ***

  Three Weeks Later

  “How’s it going there?” Candace asked.

  Michelle looked around the office. “Quiet.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “I’m okay, Mom—honest.”

  Candace sighed. Michelle had shown up on the doorstep with Melanie the weekend before. Melanie had gotten the results back from a second round of tests. The results had not been as encouraging as they had hoped. Rather than risk a pregnancy not making it to term, Michelle and Melanie had opted to take a different route. Melanie would attempt to be the egg donor, and Michelle would carry their baby. Candace felt sure that Michelle was more disappointed for Melanie than Melanie was upset over the news. She was confident that when they finally conceived, all the turmoil of the past few months would fade in an instant.

  “I know you’re okay,” Candace replied. “I was just wondering how the appointment went yesterday.”

  “Oh, I see,” Michelle laughed. “It went well, Nosy Nana. Hopefully, sometime by the end of the year, you’ll be expecting another addition.”

  Candace could hear the excitement in Michelle’s voice. “I look forward to that.”

  “That’s good because if it all times out there will be another seat required at your inauguration.”

  “Perhaps a crib in the Lincoln bedroom?”

  “No way. You get to babysit that night.”

  Candace laughed. “I’m sure we can figure out something, Shell.”

  “Thanks for checking on me.”

  “You call if you need anything.”

  “Are we talking about my womb or this office?”

  “Either.”

  “I will,” Michelle promised. She chuckled as she placed her phone in her pocket. “She really is nosy.” The sound of the front door to the office opening drew her attention

  “Hi,” a man peeked in through the door.

  “Welcome,” Michelle greeted him.

  “I heard you were looking for some help,” he said.

  “Oh, you have no idea how much help we need.” Michelle winked and ushered him in. “Have you ever worked on a campaign before?”

  “No. Is that a problem?”

  “Not at all. I used to be a teacher,” she said.

  “You’re the governor’s daughter,” he observed.

  “Guilty as charged,” Michelle held out her hand. “Shell.”

  “Brad,” he said.

  “Nice to meet you, Brad.”

  “I hope I can help with something.”

  “Well, can you man a phone?”

  “Sure.”

  “Can you use a computer?” Michelle asked.

  “I think so,” he answered lightly.

  “You’re hired. Starting wage—unlimited coffee and the pleasure of my company from time to time,” she joked.

  “I’ll take it.”

  “Let me grab you a cup and a seat.” Michelle made her way to the coffee maker. Well, at least I have minions to manage. More training. She chuckled softly.

  ***

  Marianne shook her head and laughed when she walked out into the backyard. “What on earth have you two been doing?” she asked Spencer and Cooper.

  “Building a moat,” Spencer said.

  “A moat?”

  “Yep!” Cooper pointed to a hole in the dirt next to the barn.

  “Why do you need a moat?” she asked.

  “It’s practice, Mommy,” Spencer answered with exasperation.

  “Practice?” Marianne questioned.

  “Oh my,” Pearl’s voice came from behind. “What did I tell you two about digging to China?”

  Cooper laughed. “No, Grandma—it’s a moat!”

  Pearl pursed her lips. “Oh…”

  “Yep,” Cooper said. “Cause it’s like the White House where Mommy is gonna be.”

  “We have to protect Nana,” Spencer explained their reasoning.

  “The White House isn’t a castle,” Marianne offered.

  “Won’t be all that white for long either,” Pearl muttered.

  Marianne snickered. “Why does Mom need protecting?” she asked Cooper.

  Cooper sighed dramatically. “Bad people do bad things to Queens. It’s in the stories.”

  “Mom won’t be a queen if she gets elected. She’ll be the president.”

  “Them too,” Spencer said.

  Pearl narrowed her gaze. Now, where did this come from? “What gave you two this idea?” she asked.

  Spencer made his way to Pearl and Marianne with Cooper a pace behind. “It was on TV. Bad people do that ‘sasnation thing.”

  Pearl sighed. What on earth were they watching?

  “Where did you hear that?” Marianne asked.

  “It was on TV!” Spencer said.

  “Yep. They said that the president got ‘sasnated,” Cooper said.

  Marianne noted the fear in his eyes. She smiled at the pair standing before her. “I think maybe we need to talk,” she said.

  “It’s okay,” Spencer said. “We’ll build the moat, Mommy.”

  “And, I know Nana will appreciate that,” Marianne told her son. “But, I don’t think she wants you to worry about anyone hurting her.”

  “We can be her knights,” Cooper said.

  Pearl intervened. “Well then, the first order of business is a bath. Knights are supposed to be in shining armor,” she reminded them. “Not muddy jeans.”

  Cooper and Spencer giggled. Pearl shooed them into the house and turned briefly to Marianne. “They’ll be fine,” she said.

  Marianne sighed. “She’s going to flip when she hears this.”

  “Then let’s make sure we make it a funny story,” Pearl said.

  “Good luck with that,” Marianne replied.

  “Oh, Spitfire, trust me; I can handle my Candy.”

  “I’ve no doubt about that,” Marianne chuckled.

  “You, however, have charge of the Knights of the Moat upstairs.”

  “Gee thanks.”

  “Rank has its privilege,” Pearl cracked. She watched as Marianne disappeared into the house. Oh, boy. I might need to call in reinforcements to spin this one.

  ***

  Candace considered the arguments she had been presented. The budget vote was two days away. “Make the concessions,” she said.

  Dan looked at her with genuine surprise.

  “It’s reasonable,” Candace admitted.

  “Candy,” Dan cautioned her. “Infrastructure will take a hit.”

  “We’ll make the cut to the infrastructure package that they’ve requested.”

  “That’s a fifty million dollar cut,” her chief of staff reminded her.

  “Well, it’s better than no budget. Look, we all know that plan was ambitious.”

  “It was the cornerstone of your campaign.”

  “One of them, and it’s in more danger if we don’t make this concession. We’ve got enough votes to pass this with almost all the additions we’ve requested. It’s a ninety-nine-billion-dollar budget, folks. There are more wins here than there are losses. It’s called compromi
se. No budget is not an option. Make the call.” Candace stood up and smiled at her staff. “It’s a win,” she told them. “Getting a budget passed is no easy task. Don’t feel defeated. This is how it’s done. You press up to the breaking point, then you bend. It’s a solid plan.” She turned to Dana. “Coffee in ten?”

  Dana nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  “Stop moping,” Candace laughed. She began to step through the door and turned back. “You think you’ve lost the battle. You did. You won the war,” she said.

  Dan shook his head. “She took that well.”

  Dana shrugged. “She’s right.”

  “You think she expected this?” he asked. “You’re the closest to her.”

  Dana smiled. “There isn’t much that comes at her from left field,” she told the group. “At least, not much she isn’t prepared to field. Now, if you’ll all excuse me I need to find some coffee.”

  Dana opened the door. She saw Candace grinning at her from a few feet away.

  “They’re still reeling; I take it?” Candace guessed.

  “Not over the budget, over the fact that you expected it.”

  Candace laughed. “Not much surprises me.”

  “That’s what I told them. So? Coffee?”

  “I was thinking more like scotch.”

  Dana chuckled. “I take it this meeting will be in your office?”

  Candace winked.

  “Some days, I love this job,” Dana said.

  Candace laughed. “Me too.”

  ***

  Marianne passed each of the boys a plate.

  “Mac ‘n cheese!” Spencer pumped his fist in the air.

  “Grandma made it special for you two after all your hard work today.”

  “Can we call Mommy and tell her about the moat?” Cooper asked.

  Marianne smiled. “Maybe a little later. Mom is working late tonight, Coop.”

  “Can we tell Jay Jay?” Spencer asked.

  “JD is spending the evening with Aunt Shell,” she told her son. “You and Cooper are stuck with me, I’m afraid.”

  Cooper grinned. He adored his oldest sister. “Can we camp?” he asked her.

  Marianne considered the request. “I’ll tell you what, we can camp out in the backyard as long as you remember that Maddie has to go to sleep. So, you two can’t be loud.”