Election Day

by J. A. Armstrong

  “Good.”

  “Mom, are you worried about Cooper’s safety?”

  “I’m worried about a lot of things. Do me a favor?”

  Marianne guessed what her mother’s request would be. “Clear out for a few?”

  “Catch your sister before she comes storming through the door. She should be here any minute. And, see if you can reach Maureen. They’re probably on route.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  Candace offered a smile as her thanks and went in search of Jameson. She noted a crushed soda can sitting on one of the tables in the common room. That’s not good. She stopped before making her way through the sliding glass doors to the balcony. Jameson was standing with her hands gripping the railing. Candace took a deep breath and ventured forward.

  “Jameson.”

  Jameson didn’t move. “It wasn’t enough back then?”

  “Jameson.” Candace walked forward and put her hand on Jameson’s back. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

  Jameson shook her head. She couldn’t face Candace. She couldn’t face anyone yet. Her initial reaction to seeing Jed Tyler on television was disbelief. Shame and guilt immediately followed. Anger simmered beneath it all. “It’s a lie. Just like it was then. It’s a lie.”

  Candace closed her eyes against an onslaught of raw pain. Jameson had only been intimate with one man in her life. She had confided the details of her first-time to Candace. It was an experience Candace had listened to many women recount—someone taking what they had no right to take. Jameson’s only fault had been trusting the wrong person. Jed Tyler had taken advantage of that trust, and he had taken Jameson’s innocence. He’d just violated her again. “I’m so sorry.”

  Jameson finally turned. “This isn’t your fault, Candace.”

  “Maybe not, but you are caught in the crossfire because of me.”

  “Bullshit. My asshole uncle just found a way to put the screws to me again. I don’t even know how he found out about Jed. Where the hell did he dig that up?”

  “My guess is he didn’t.”

  “He was right there!”

  “I saw.”

  “What the hell, Candace? What do I do now? I’m supposed to walk out on that stage tonight and introduce you. How the hell do I do that?”

  Candace held Jameson’s arms. “You do it exactly the way you planned before you saw that video.”

  “How?”

  “Jameson, listen to me—please. No one who matters is giving that show that happened earlier today an ounce of credence—no one. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You have nothing to feel self-conscious about.”

  “Oh? Aside from being called a whore and a liar?”

  “We both know you are neither of those things.”

  Jameson shook her head. “I thought that was over. Do you have any idea how many times that memory still comes back?”

  “I do.”

  “Son of a bitch!”

  Candace could feel Jameson trembling beneath her touch. “Jameson, I know how much this hurts.”

  “Candace, the kids will hear that. Cooper will see that one day—he’s going to hear people saying that.”

  “The kids love you—all of them. I love you. And, believe me when I tell you that there are millions of people who have already fallen in love with you too. Don’t give him this power. You are not a sixteen-year-old girl afraid of who you are. You’re a successful, beautiful, strong woman. Don’t give him that power, Jameson. It’s not his to take.”

  Tears streamed over Jameson’s cheeks. “Why would Jerry do that? Why would anyone do that?”

  Candace pulled Jameson to her and held her. “I don’t know, honey.” But I promise you, I am going to find out.

  ***

  Candace kissed a sleeping Jameson on the temple. “I love you so much,” she promised. She was relieved that Jameson had calmed and was resting. Candace found herself torn between wanting to hold Jameson close and finding a way to eviscerate Jerry Donnelly and Jed Tyler. She had no doubt that Jameson would emerge that evening as the picture of strength and confidence. She also understood that the earlier display had hurt her wife deeply. Candace had spent years as the target of hateful rhetoric and innuendo. None of it had ever come from her family, not publicly. Jed Tyler’s two minutes of fame would have been painful on its own. The knowledge that Jameson’s Uncle Jerry had been a party to it, perhaps even solicited it was unfathomable to Candace. She kissed Jameson again sweetly. Marianne had called and informed Candace that Maureen was on the verge of flying home and confronting her older brother. Candace reluctantly pulled herself from the bed and straightened her attire. A day that should have centered on celebration had taken an unexpected turn toward damage control. Tell me why I’m doing this again?

  ***

  “Candace,” Maureen accepted Candace’s hug. “I’m so sorry.”

  “You don’t have anything to be sorry for.”

  “I can’t believe he would do that.”

  Candace nodded sadly. “I know. Jameson wanted me to explain.”

  “She doesn’t need to explain anything.”

  “I know that too. I’m not sure that she’s ready to talk about this with anyone.”

  Maureen’s heart lurched in her chest.

  Candace took her mother-in-law’s hand. “I don’t think Jameson has ever told anyone except me.”

  “Told them what?”

  “Jed Tyler.”

  “She went on a few dates with him back in high school.”

  Candace nodded. “She did. One of those dates,” Candace paused and inhaled a deep breath for courage. She could imagine how she would feel if Maureen were telling her the same story about Marianne or Shell. She sighed. “He took advantage of the situation.”

  Maureen thought she might be sick. “Are you telling me he raped her?”

  Candace’s solemn smile gave the answer.

  “Why didn’t she tell us?”

  “She was a sixteen-year-old girl struggling with her sexuality.”

  Maureen’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, JD.”

  “I know that you want to lash out at them, I do too. That isn’t what Jameson needs right now.”

  “I can’t believe Jerry would… I mean, he’s always been hurtful—long before Craig’s death.”

  “I’ve heard.”

  “But, this? My God, Candace.” Maureen shook her head. “Is Jameson…”

  “She’s resting. She’s okay—just okay.”

  “Is she still planning on introducing you?”

  Candace smiled. “She is.”

  “She was already nervous.”

  Candace was aware that Jameson was nervous about speaking at the convention. She also believed that the day’s events would instill a unique resolve in her wife. Jameson needed to step onto that stage more now than ever. She would claim the power that Jed Tyler had tried to take from her. And, that would empower her in new ways. Candace was confident of that fact.

  “She needs to do this,” Candace said. “Not for me, for her.”

  Maureen nodded. “I swear to you…”

  “Trust me; I know how you feel. I need you to also trust me that I will not take this lying down.”

  Maureen offered the first hint of a smile. Oh, I have no doubt about that. “I wish I could say I feel sorry for them.”

  “Not a sentiment they deserve,” Candace replied.

  “No, it isn’t.”

  ***

  Marianne hadn’t made any attempt to wade into what she was positive were tumultuous waters. Jameson had gone to Michelle and Melanie’s room to escape the constant flow of advisers and family in and out of the hotel suite.

  “How’s JD?” Marianne asked Candace.

  “She’s okay.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m all right, Marianne.”

  “No, you aren’t. I can tell.”

  Candace smiled. “I will be. She will be too.”

  “What did Maureen say?�
��

  Candace sighed. Jameson’s mother was beyond furious. Maureen Reid’s fury had managed to calm both Jameson and Candace. Candace had found herself talking her mother-in-law off a ledge. Jameson hadn’t told many people about what Jed Tyler had done to her in the backseat of his car. Jameson had wrestled with guilt for years. Her body had responded without her permission just as Jed Tyler had continued to touch her without her consent. The entire situation made Candace sick. Maureen, upon hearing the details was ready to kill both her brother and Jed Tyler.

  “She was upset,” Candace said.

  “I don’t blame her. I’d like a few minutes alone with those assholes myself.”

  Candace chuckled. You are so protective. “I think Jameson might let you.”

  “Is JD going to be okay tonight?”

  “She’s practicing with Shell now,” Candace said. “She’ll be great.”

  “She must be a wreck.”

  “Oh, I think she might just surprise everyone,” Candace said. She patted Marianne’s knee. “I have a couple of calls I need to make before Jameson gets back.”

  Marianne watched her mother go.

  Melanie had brought the twins to Candace and Jameson’s suite to give her wife and Jameson some space. “Where’s your mom off to?” she asked.

  “She’s making some calls.”

  “Think they’ll be okay?”

  “Who?” Marianne asked.

  “JD and your mom.”

  Candace was much calmer than Marianne had expected. That told her that Candace was working on something. She almost pitied the men who had verbally assaulted Jameson’s character—almost. “I wouldn’t worry too much about Mom and JD.”

  “That had to be brutal,” Melanie observed.

  Marianne smiled. Not as brutal as it’s going to be, I’d bet.

  ***

  “Did you see Jameson?” Candace asked Cassidy.

  “I did. She wanted to run a couple of things by me about her speech.”

  Candace nodded.

  “Are you all right?” Cassidy asked.

  “Not even a little bit.”

  “That’s what I thought. Want to talk about it?”

  “Yes, just not now.”

  Cassidy understood. Candace needed to stay focused, not only for herself and for the task that awaited her; she also needed to keep her anger in check for Jameson.

  “Anything you want to review before I head downstairs?” Cassidy asked.

  “No. I think I’m all set.”

  Cassidy clasped Candace’s hand. “You will both be amazing.”

  Cassidy turned to leave. Candace pulled her back.

  “Thank you, Cass. Your friendship—it means more to me than I think you know.”

  Cassidy did know. She and Candace had been friends for years. Working together had grown that friendship immensely. She smiled at the governor. They spoke daily about everything from the campaign to politics in general, their wives, their children, their parents, and the past and future. Cassidy had many friends. Candace did as well. They both tended to play other roles for the people closest to them: parent, child, mentor, even lover. While Cassidy was sure that Candace cherished all those roles just as she did, everyone needed an equal, a friend that was a confidante—a companion without any other part to play. She reached over and hugged Candace.

  “I do know,” Cassidy said. “I feel the same way.”

  Candace smiled. “It’s been a long time since I had a best friend who was…”

  “Just that,” Cassidy finished the thought. “I know. Me too. I’ll see you after the confetti falls.”

  “You will,” Candace said.

  ***

  “Aren’t you going to go see JD before she leaves?” Michelle asked.

  “No.”

  Michelle was shocked.

  “She asked me not to,” Candace explained. “It’s been an emotional day, Shell.” Candace could tell Michelle was still confused. She directed Michelle to sit beside her on the bed. “Sometimes, when we are together it’s hard to separate emotions,” she said. “I can only speak from my point of view. I love her so much, Shell—so much that just looking at her hurts sometimes. In a way that I think everyone hopes they will experience, but as much as loving her gives me clarity, it can also cloud my ability to focus.”

  Michelle smiled. Her mother’s candor amazed her. “I think I get it.”

  “I would love to see her—give her a good luck kiss. I think my presence will make her nervous. I’ll head down just after she does.”

  “I’m sorry about everything that happened today.”

  “We all are,” Candace replied. “This is our moment to show everyone who we are as a family.”

  “That’s kind of what JD said when she was getting dressed.”

  Candace grinned. “So? Let’s show them.”

  ***

  Jameson felt a hand press into her back. “You are going to blow them all away,” Marianne whispered.

  Jameson turned around and smiled at her step-daughter. She didn’t always voice her feelings. Marianne had been a rock for her all afternoon. She’d known when to give Jameson space and when Jameson needed her presence. That’s why everyone needed a best friend.

  Marianne wasn’t certain what she saw brewing in Jameson’s eyes.

  “I’m not always great at telling people how I feel,” Jameson said.

  Marianne tipped her head curiously.

  “You’re my best friend,” Jameson said. “Not like Scott or Steve. There was a time I would never have imagined saying this.”

  Marianne grinned.

  “But you are. I just want you to know that.”

  Marianne leaned in and kissed Jameson’s cheek. “I’m glad Mom found you,” she said. “I feel the same way.”

  Jameson nodded and took a deep breath. “Did you see her?”

  “Mom?”

  Jameson nodded again.

  Marianne almost laughed. Jameson looked like a love-struck teenager. “She’s not far.”

  Another nod served as Jameson’s reply. She inspected herself. “Do I look okay?”

  “You look great, JD.”

  “You don’t think I should have made them let me wear something more—I don’t know, frilly?”

  Marianne laughed. “Frilly?”

  “You know what I mean! Girlie!”

  Marianne shook her head affectionately. Jameson would do anything for Candace. Jameson’s navy pantsuit complimented both her looks and her personality. All Candace would ever want was for Jameson to be herself. Marianne gave Jameson’s hand a gentle squeeze as the video playing on the giant screens wound into its final moment. I can’t wait to see Mom’s face when you take that stage. “I’ll see you in a few,” Marianne promised.

  “Unless I pass out first.”

  “You won’t.”

  Marianne stepped away and bumped into Dana.

  “How is she?” Dana asked.

  “She’s JD.”

  Dana sidled up to Jameson. “You ready?”

  Jameson nodded. “Who invented heels?” she muttered. “Masochists.”

  Dana chuckled. Yep, she’s JD.

  ***

  Marianne slid in next to her mother behind the stage. Jameson was just walking out to greet the crowd. Marianne’s attention fell on her mother’s expression. Candace’s eyes twinkled with affection and pride. She was sure that watching her mother watch Jameson would be every bit as entertaining as Jameson’s words.

  Jameson waved to the crowd and stepped up to the podium. She let her eyes fall on the several teleprompters that would roll through her speech. You can do this, JD. Jameson held up her hand as a signal for the crowd to quiet.

  “We love you, JD!” A round of clapping and renewed cheers erupted.

  Jameson felt the sentiment lodge in her chest.

  “I love you too,” she called out to the audience.

  Candace smiled. “She’s already got them.”

  Marianne put an
arm around her mother. “She sure does.”

  Jameson chuckled at the continued cheers. “Okay,” she spoke into the microphone. “Settle down so we can get to the main attraction.”

  The crowd laughed. Jameson waited a beat for the laughter to fade.

  “Most of you know by now that my claim to fame is my wife—unless you ask her. She’ll tell you it’s my ability to order the correct Chinese food.”

  Michelle laughed loudly. “That was not in the speech.”

  Candace shook her head. Lunatic.

  Jameson smiled broadly. “The world knows a stateswoman. And, Candace is that. She is the most intelligent and thoughtful person I’ve ever met. She sees people as people no matter where they live, how they’ve struggled or how much success they’ve enjoyed. She doesn’t see problems; she sees opportunities. You can listen to all the news and all the experts weigh in on her talent and experience. You can read a million articles about her agenda and how it will or will not work. That’s not my field of expertise.” Jameson took a breath. “I can’t give you an assessment of those things. I can tell you that Candace is someone who finds solutions. I know that because I’ve watched her do it a million times. I can tell you that she’s a woman who can bring people together in ways that cultivate the most unlikely friendships. Before Candace was a congresswoman, a senator or a governor, she was someone’s daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother. It’s all those pieces of her that have made her the compassionate leader she is.”

  Marianne watched as Candace’s teeth gripped her bottom lip. Not for the first time, she marveled at the love she witnessed in her mother’s eyes.

  Jameson took a deep breath. She knew the script. She also felt she needed to be honest. “They’ll tell you that I’m biased. I am. The truth is I love Candace more than anything in this world. I’ve watched her hold our children and grandchildren through loss. I’m still amazed every day at the way she manages to balance all the demands placed on her and remain attentive to the needs of our family. She always has time for the people she loves. She doesn’t make promises unless she intends to keep them, and she doesn’t shy away from responsibility. She knows how to say, ‘I’m sorry,” and when she does, she means it. I didn’t fall in love with Senator Candace Fletcher. I fell in love with a woman who loves Chinese take-out, stows away fortune cookies, and hates it when I climb on ladders.”