Election Day

by J. A. Armstrong

  Candace laughed and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

  “I fell in love with a mother whose eyes sparkle every time one of her kids calls her, ‘Mom.’ I fell in love with a person who makes me laugh without warning and listens to all my crazy rambling when she still has hours of work to complete. That’s the Candace I know. And, it’s all those parts of her that will make her the best president this country has ever had. She’ll listen. She’ll stand up for what she believes in. More than all the things you read or you’ve heard—she cares. She sees each and every one of you as an extended part of her family, as someone she wants to see cared for and appreciated. It’s not a slogan. It’s who she is.”

  Marianne pulled her mother closer. “She’s right.”

  Candace pushed back her tears. “If she doesn’t stop soon, they’ll be watching a raccoon on stage.”

  Marianne giggled.

  “The truth is,” Jameson said, “sharing the person you love with the entire world isn’t always easy.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve never told this story, not even to our kids.”

  “Oh, Lord, what is she up to?” Candace wondered.

  “I mentioned that Candace has a stash of fortune cookies. It’s a bit of a joke in our family.” Jameson paused. That and Bible study, but we’ll leave that one out. “What no one knows is that I proposed to her with a fortune cookie.” Faint laughter rolled through the large hall.

  “She did not!” Jonah commented from behind Candace.

  Candace grinned. “She did.”

  “I’ll tell you what the fortune said. It said, ‘A ship in the harbor is safe, that’s not what ships are built for.’ You see, I’m an architect. I understand foundations and ceilings. Those are stationary structures. Candace taught me that relationships are like ships. Life is like a ship. I told her that day that you could build a strong, majestic ship but it’s not worth its weight or grandeur if you never set sail. You have to trust that it will be able to navigate rocky waters. You might be asking what that has to do with all of this. I’d say everything. Candace is a masterful navigator for all the reasons I’ve shared. That’s why I am so proud to share her with all of you. If you don’t believe anything else I’ve said, believe this: Candace Reid will guide this country forward with compassionate strength no matter how deep or ferocious the waters may appear. She will never quit on you—never.”

  “This is it, Mom,” Michelle said.

  Candace nodded and took a deep breath.

  “You couldn’t find a better person if you sailed the world a thousand times over. And, I couldn’t be prouder to introduce the woman I get to call my wife and your next president, Governor Candace Reid!”

  Candace sucked in one more breath and stepped out on the stage to thundering applause. She waved to the crowd and smiled. A few steps and she was looking into Jameson’s eyes. She cupped Jameson’s face with her hands and brought their lips together tenderly. “I love you.”

  Jameson beamed with pride. “I love you.”

  Another long embrace and Jameson handed the crowd to her wife.

  “Holy shit,” Jonah said.

  “She was amazing,” Marianne commented.

  “She is amazing,” Michelle chimed.

  Marianne nodded. “They both are.”

  Candace steadied her breathing. Jameson’s words were still ringing in her ears. She’d heard a good deal of the speech and she was positive Jameson had gone off the original text more than once. Now, it was her turn. Here goes.

  Michelle nudged Jameson. “Stop holding your breath.”

  “I can’t help it. I think I’m more nervous watching her.”

  “She’s a pro, JD.”

  “She’s just Candace.”

  Marianne smiled. Jameson spoke the truth.

  “That’s a hard act to follow,” Candace chuckled. “I sometimes wonder if my wife should be the one running this campaign.”

  The crowd laughed.

  “Now you know some of my worst kept secrets,” she continued to more laughter. “What Jameson didn’t tell you is that the reason I have the strength to stand here tonight is that I know when I walk off this stage she will be waiting for me.”

  Jameson swallowed hard.

  “Do either of you know how to stick to a script?” Michelle laughed.

  “You’ve had the chance to hear from my daughters, Michelle and Marianne this week. I’m amazed you’re all still here,” Candace quipped.

  A collective chuckle emerged from the crowd.

  “You’ve heard President Wallace impart his wisdom, and you’ve gotten a chance to know Nate Ellison a little better. Let me tell you, I am excited to have him as a partner. We have a lot of work ahead of us. And, in my experience, the best way to approach a long trip is a lot of planning and even more teamwork. I didn’t reach this stage alone, and we will not reach the destinations we seek without each other.”

  Jameson listened as Candace continued her speech. She’d read Candace’s speech and had thought it was amazing on paper. Candace breathed life into it as only she could.

  Candace took a deep breath. “You heard Jameson a few minutes ago talking about our life—my life. When I look out at all of you, I see mothers and daughters, fathers, sons, friends, lovers, explorers and dreamers. That’s who we are. I could sit here and revisit what Mr. Wolfe says in his speeches—what he envisions for America. We envision a drastically different future. There’s a reason for that. We see our role in shaping America differently. This is not my journey. This is our journey. When I look at my children and my grandchildren, I see the same things each of you does when you look at yours. I see my hope for the future. I remember where I came from. I ask how time can pass so quickly, and I long to leave something meaningful to them. My heart aches for a world that allows them not only to be dreamers, but to be the explorers whose dreams can blossom into reality. That is the reason I am standing on this stage tonight, grateful and humbled to accept your nomination for President of the United States of America.”

  Jameson’s eyes glistened as her smile grew wider. She scooped up Cooper and hugged him. “Your Mommy is something else, Cooper.”

  “What is she?” Cooper asked innocently.

  Jameson burst out laughing and kissed his cheek. He looked at her with confusion. She laughed harder and kissed him again. “You should be very proud of her.”

  Cooper grinned and looked back at the screen in front of them. “Mommy’s beautiful,” he commented.

  Jameson sighed. “She certainly is, Coop.”

  ***

  Candace’s speech wound into its final moment.

  “I’ve been blessed in my life—some might say more than anyone has the right to be. I had parents and grandparents who did more than provide what I needed. Each imparted wisdom about life and love that I still draw on every day. My grandfather always told me that those of us who are given abundant blessings are called to extend those blessings to others. My children, grandchildren, and my wife remind me of the truth in that lesson daily.”

  Candace smiled.

  “I know how it appears. Candidates travel to cities and towns to tell you who they are and what they will do for you. It appears to be all about me. For me, the speeches fade and the lights dim when a mother squeezes my hand and tells me her son is abroad serving our country. Cheers and cameras disappear when a young man looks me in the eye and tells me that he had to drop out of school to care for his aging mother, and that he has no idea how they will afford her care. The questions shouted by reporters and the prodding of my staff fade into silence when a father asks me how he is supposed to feed his family now that the factory he’s worked in for twenty years has closed. Speeches and campaign stops, policies, and even elections are not about the people who stand before you; it is all about you. It is all about us. Moment to moment, with every word we speak, every action we take, and even every word we fail to speak—with every kindness we fail to extend or choose to offer we shape our future. Let’s crea
te one steeped in more than tolerance. Let’s build a future that enables us to embrace one another, to endeavor to create a gentler world full of eager explorers. And, then let us watch as the next generation leads us to places beyond our imagining. Together we begin that journey. Together we become a blessing to America just as America continues to bless us. Thank you. Now, let’s start moving toward that future together! God bless you and God bless America!”

  Candace walked to the front of the stage and waved to the crowd. Her heart fluttered perceptibly. It’s real. She wasn’t certain she had believed that any of this was real until now. Her smile was genuine but beneath her exterior tears threatened to spill over—tears of gratefulness and complete awe. In all her years, all the campaign speeches, the long hours sifting through policy, the hands she had shaken, babies she had held, and stories she had listened to, Candace had never seriously considered this moment as a possibility. She allowed herself the indulgence of the moment. Few people had ever or would ever stand where she now stood. It took her breath away.

  “Go on,” Dana instructed Nate Ellison. She turned to Jameson and Janine Ellison. “Give them a few beats and join them. Shell, you know the drill.”

  Candace turned and offered Nate Ellison a hug.

  “That was fucking amazing,” he whispered.

  Candace laughed at his colorful observation. She took his hand and the two waved to an exuberant crowd. She turned slightly and caught sight of Cooper and Jameson walking toward her hand in hand. Her heart skipped several beats. I love you. She accepted a kiss from Jameson without any hesitation and bent over to hug Cooper.

  “You’re beautiful, Mommy.”

  Candace grinned. “Thank you, sweetheart. And, you are very handsome.” She took both their hands just as the rest of the Fletcher-Reid clan meandered onto the stage.

  Dana watched in the distance.

  “That is some family,” Glenn commented.

  Dana smiled.

  Glenn studied Dana as she continued to watch the display on the stage. He’d always known that Candace and Dana shared a close bond. He suspected that Dana and Cassidy were the only people on Candace’s team that Candace trusted completely. Affection lit Dana’s eyes. It was easy to admire Candace Reid. He realized that Dana also loved the woman. In many ways, Candace was everyone’s mom. He’d found himself envying Candace’s family from time to time. He did not enjoy a close relationship with his parents. He wondered what Dana’s story might be. He gripped her shoulder gently. “We’re all lucky to have her.”

  Dana nodded. “I just hope people who haven’t met them realize how lucky they are to have that family standing up there.”

  “They will.”

  CHAPTER NINE

  July 3rd

  Jonah grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table. Pearl watched him out of the corner of her eye. He’d shown up unexpectedly that morning with JJ. Pearl asked where Laura was. Jonah told her that Laura had plans to take their daughter, Sophie to see her mother for a few hours. Pearl was sure that something was bothering Jonah. He could be tight-lipped, but she had a guess what was on his mind. She was positive that he had arrived hoping to find Jameson. Jameson had left earlier that morning to meet Nate Ellison and his family at the airport.

  “Talked to Jameson recently?”

  Jonah shrugged. “Not that much—no. She’s been kind of busy since the convention. I don’t want to bother her.”

  “I see.”

  Jonah spun the coffee mug in his hand.

  “She’ll be back soon,” Pearl offered.

  Jonah shrugged.

  Pearl took a seat at the table across from him. “Why don’t you just tell her you want to spend some time with her?”

  “She’s got enough to deal with.”

  Pearl nodded. Jameson’s uncle had continued his campaign against her. Jerry Donnelly seemed to enjoy any and every bit of attention anyone was willing to give him. It had been a struggle for Jameson. Maureen was not only furious, she was devastated. Jameson had done her best to rise above it all, but Pearl could see the evidence of the toll it had taken on Jameson. Candace had decided to take a few days away from the campaign trail and Pearl knew the biggest reason was to give Jameson a break. She also knew that Jameson missed Jonah.

  “Just tell her you’d like to spend some time together,” Pearl suggested.

  Jonah shrugged again. “I asked her for some help on one of our new projects.”

  “That’s an excuse.”

  Jonah shrugged yet again. Pearl wondered if he’d reverted to the ten-year-old boy she remembered.

  “Jonah,” Pearl addressed him firmly.

  He looked up at her.

  There’s that little boy. “I think Jameson would appreciate hearing that.”

  “Grandma, JD has Coop and Mom and all this other bullshit to deal with.”

  Pearl laughed. “You’re right.”

  Jonah looked surprised.

  “She does. She has plenty of bullshit to deal with,” Pearl agreed.

  Jonah’s jaw dropped.

  “So, don’t you go adding to it with yours.”

  “I don’t…”

  “You don’t what? Asking Jameson to help you with something that you don’t need help with—that’s what I would call bullshit.”

  “She knows how…”

  “She knows that you and Mel can handle that firm. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t have signed it over to you. She’s got enough people in her life not being honest about her. She doesn’t need her son being less than honest with her.”

  Jonah looked down. “That’s not who I…”

  “That is who you are to her. I love you, but you are acting like a wounded ten-year-old. I know that you’ve had a rough time the last few months too. Jonah,” Pearl called his attention.

  Jonah reluctantly met Pearl’s gaze.

  “I’m going to tell you what I know, and I want you to listen to me.”

  Jonah nodded.

  “Your mother is doing something right now that few people will ever have the guts to do. We are all trying to support her. And, all of us have had to deal with things we’d prefer not to. None of us like seeing her attacked or seeing each other hurt. She can handle the attacks on her.” Pearl saw Jonah ready to speak and cautioned him silently. “I said, I want you to listen to me. It’s not easy for your mother. She wants to protect all of you. But it’s even harder for Jameson. She’s the closest to your mother. She sees what you don’t. She even sees what I don’t.”

  “I know.”

  “Do you? You don’t think Jameson views you as her kid? Why? Because of how old you are or because she has Cooper now?”

  “It’s not that. I don’t know. I just…”

  “You know, you kids didn’t really grow up with two parents. Your father is a decent man, Jonah. His life never existed at home. If you want to know the truth, I think that’s what pulled your parents apart more than anything else—even your mother....”

  “Even mom being gay, you mean.”

  “Yes.”

  Jonah nodded.

  “You see Cooper with your mother and Jameson and a little part of you is jealous.”

  “I’m not jealous of Coop.”

  Pearl chuckled. “Yes, you are. Don’t look at me like that. You and Jameson have a lot of things in common, Jonah. You might be surprised at what some of those things are.”

  “JD doesn’t need my issues.”

  “Jameson loves you. You know that.”

  Jonah shook his head. “Grandma, all this stuff that her uncle has said and that… That…”

  “That asshole?” Pearl guessed.

  Jonah’s jaw dropped.

  Pearl laughed. “I know the word, Jonah.”

  “The point is that I can take care of myself. I don’t want her to think…”

  “Uh-huh. So, you tell her you need help at work instead of telling her the truth?”

  “That’s not…”

  “You don�
�t need her help at work. You need her. Tell her that. Sometimes, I think Jameson feels a little helpless.”

  “Helpless? Grandma, JD takes care of everyone, even Mom.”

  “She doesn’t see it that way. You forget; Jameson had to pick up the pieces after Rick died. She had Spencer and Maddie almost full-time for months. She had a business that was her responsibility to run. She had Shell looking to her for guidance. Marianne needed support—you needed a place to land. Things have changed. She does have Cooper. That doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss you fools.”

  “She sees us all the time.”

  “Not the same. Marianne has Scott. Shell’s married with the twins. You and Laura have your family. She doesn’t have a company to run anymore. She’s on the road with your mom or she’s in Albany. She doesn’t even have this house to look after now. Sometimes, Jonah, I think Jameson could use to know that she’s still needed. Ask her to spend a day with you. Just ask her. Tell her you miss her. I think you might be surprised at the reaction you get.”

  Jonah sighed. “I don’t want to disappoint her.”

  Pearl smiled. “I wouldn’t worry about that,” she said. “Now, if you are going to hang around here all day, you are going to have to get to work. I’m trying to cook one-handed. Half the State of New York will be here for this annual debacle before you know it.”

  Jonah chuckled. “Just tell me what you need, Grandma.”

  “Don’t you worry; I will.”