Solid Foundation

by J. A. Armstrong

  Jameson took a deep breath. “They’re going to think something is up.”

  “Something is up,” Candace laughed. “Second thoughts?”

  “No. Can’t we just go to Vegas and then tell them? It worked for Kelly Ripa and Bette Midler.”

  Candace shook her head. “Kelly Ripa and Bette Midler? Do I want to know how you know that?”

  “I don’t need tabloids. Melanie is like E! on steroids.”

  “I see. Well, I don’t think those are the best models for us.”

  “I was afraid you would say that.”

  “Would you feel better if Pearl came tomorrow?” Candace asked knowingly. Jameson nodded. “Your protector,” she chuckled.

  “Pearl is everyone’s protector,” Jameson said.

  “That she is,” Candace agreed before making her way to the sink.

  “Candace?” Jameson began. Candace turned and raised her brow. “Would you really let me adopt Jinx?”

  “Lunatic.”

  “That will make you Mrs. Lunatic,” Jameson quipped.

  Candace picked up a dishtowel and tossed it at Jameson. “I guess they call it committed for a reason,” she said.

  ***

  “So? What is going on?” Michelle asked pointedly.

  “What makes you think anything is going on?” Candace asked as straight faced as she could manage.

  “Umm…Besides the fact that J.D. keeps finding reasons to leave the room, there is the fact that you have casually kept your hand hidden this whole time. Nice ring, Mom,” Michelle laughed.

  “Shell,” Candace whispered.

  “Oh, I know. Mum is the word until J.D.’s folks and Grandma Pearl get here. You do know that you can’t walk around with your hand in your pocket all afternoon,” she laughed.

  “Sometimes, Shell…if I didn’t know better, I would swear you and Jameson were related,” Candace commented.

  “Will be soon enough!” Michelle responded.

  “Will be what soon enough?” Maureen Reid asked as she entered the living room with Jameson, Duncan, and Pearl.

  Jameson looked at Candace curiously and Candace shrugged. Michelle was trying not to laugh. Jameson rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you guys have a seat?” she suggested. “I’ll go grab a bottle of wine and we can relax before dinner.”

  Pearl looked at Jameson and crossed her arms. “You’ll go get the wine?”

  “Well, yeah. You are guests…”

  “Sit down, Jameson,” Pearl ordered. Jameson sighed and took a seat between Candace and Michelle. Michelle could no longer hold back her amusement and feebly attempted to conceal her growing smirk with her hand.

  Jameson looked at Candace and then at Michelle. “Busted?” she whispered to Michelle.

  Michelle nodded “Nice ring, though,” she whispered back just as Candace lightly smacked Jameson’s knee.

  “What was that for?” Jameson asked Candace.

  “All right, you two,” Pearl interceded before Candace could respond. “First off, I have not been a guest in this house in more than forty years. Impromptu family dinners. Jameson wants Candace drinking wine at three in the afternoon. Shell is giggling like a school girl. Quit whispering. Who died? Who is pregnant or who is getting married?”

  “Shell! You’re pregnant?” Jameson asked excitedly.

  “Yeah, and the Pope is a Jewish lesbian,” Michelle quipped.

  Candace looked a Jameson. “Face it, honey, we are…”

  “Busted,” Michelle said.

  “Am I the only one who is lost here?” Maureen asked.

  Jameson took a deep breath and then took Candace’s hand. “Sorry, Mom. Okay…The thing is, I asked Candace to marry me.”

  “And she said yes?” Maureen responded.

  “Yes, she said yes!” Jameson answered. Candace laughed.

  “About time,” Pearl said. Her smile belied the firmness in her voice. Candace looked at Pearl and shook her head.

  “J.D., when?” Maureen asked.

  “When what?”

  “When are you getting married?” her mother inquired.

  “We haven’t decided that yet,” Candace answered honestly.

  “Yeah. We still have to tell Marianne and Jonah,” Jameson said quietly. She felt Candace squeeze her hand in reassurance.

  “Don’t sweat it, J.D.,” Michelle said. “Marianne will be fine. It’s not like you got Mom pregnant or anything. Although, I’m sure you tried,” she whispered not so softly in Jameson’s ear.

  Jameson rolled her eyes. “I’m never going to live that down; am I?”

  “Well, at least it will be legal now,” Maureen said.

  “Mom!” Jameson scolded her mother.

  “You mentioned wine?” Candace asked. “I think I could use a glass now.”

  Pearl chuckled and followed Candace into the kitchen. She watched as Candace grabbed a bottle of white wine and began opening it. “So, let’s see it.”

  Candace smiled and made her way to Pearl. She held out her hand so Pearl could see the ring Jameson had given her. Pearl was markedly quiet. “Pearl?”

  “She is really something,” Pearl said emotionally.

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Candy, you don’t recognize that ring; do you?” Pearl asked.

  “What are you talking about?” Candace asked.

  “Come with me.” Pearl led Candace into the study and retrieved an old photo album. “I wondered why she asked me about that.”

  “Asked you about what?” Candace wondered.

  Pearl pointed to a picture in the album. Candace squinted without her glasses of bring it into focus. It was a photo of her Granddad and her Grandma when they were first married. “I don’t…” Pearl sighed and flipped another few pages forward. She pointed to another photo. “Oh my God,” Candace gasped. She looked at her ring. “This is almost exactly the same as Grandma’s ring.”

  Pearl nodded. “You can’t really tell what kind of stone it is. I wondered why Jameson asked me that. But, you know Jameson. She’s curious about everything. She’d asked about the color of the wallpaper, what type of cigars your granddad smoked, every detail she could think of. I told her the story about the time you dressed up in your grandma’s wedding dress. How she found you and told you that one day you would find someone just as special as she did. You swore you’d marry someone just like your granddad,” Pearl laughed. “She loves hearing those stories about you, you know? I should have known,” Pearl mused. Candace’s eyes had drifted to her ring.

  “Hey,” Jameson’s voice called from the door. “I wondered what happened to you two. What are you doing in here? I thought you went to get some wine.” Candace walked to Jameson and put her arms around Jameson’s neck. “What did I do?” Jameson asked. “And, was it a good thing?”

  “I love you,” Candace said. Jameson looked at Pearl in confusion. “What? You don’t believe me?” Candace asked. “I’m an idiot,” she said.

  “What are you talking about?” Jameson wondered.

  “The ring, Jameson. I’m so sorry. I didn’t even notice it was…”

  Jameson kissed Candace sweetly. “Well, it isn’t exactly the same. Pearl told me that your grandmother always wanted you to have it, but your mother and father gave it to David to give to Carol. I know it’s not the same.”

  “No, it’s even better,” Candace said with a kiss.

  “I’m going to go get that wine,” Pearl said. “I trust you will be right behind me?” Jameson nodded. “Good. As fascinating as I find Shell’s tale of the fireworks on the Fourth of July, I would prefer you wait until after I leave for a repeat performance,” she said as she walked out the door.

  Candace collapsed her head on Jameson’s shoulder. “Why doesn’t she just rent a billboard?”

  “Well, look at the bright side. If you run for governor you could save a lot of money and just hire Shell for your campaign,” Jameson suggested. “She certainly knows how to get a message out.”

  “Campaign for wh
at? Madame Candace of the Jameson Reid House of Ill Repute?” Candace asked.

  Jameson laughed. “Eh, no one looks for honest politicians anyway.”

  “Jameson!” Candace swatted her lover.

  “Just kidding. Come on, or there will be a whole new campaign running through this family before we know it,” Jameson said.

  “Jameson? Thanks.”

  Jameson smiled. “Don’t thank me until you hear all of my mother’s ideas,” she laughed.

  “Oh no.”

  “Oh yes,” Jameson laughed.

  “Red, white, and blue?” Candace asked. Jameson just smiled. “Oh boy,” Candace chuckled. She let Jameson lead her back to their family. “Why do I suddenly think a campaign might be less stressful?” she thought silently.

  Chapter Four

  “No,” Candace said firmly. “I said no. There are only two letters in the word, Daniel. It shouldn’t be that difficult to understand…even for you.”

  Dana walked into Candace’s office and flinched at the tone of the senator’s voice. Candace was annoyed and on the threshold of angry. Dana took a seat on the sofa and listened to Candace’s end of the phone call.

  “What would possess you to even ask me to co-sponsor this bill?” Candace barked into the phone. She played with the glasses on the bridge of her nose and tapped the pen in her hands repeatedly on her desk. “Of course, I understand the issue, Daniel. I am not putting my name on something that has the potential to empower the wrong people.”

  Candace could feel her head beginning to pound. Two weeks back in Washington and she was ready to go home. The climate in the nation’s capital was contentious at best. Candace had one policy that she never compromised on. If she felt in her gut that a bill would do more harm than good, she would not sponsor it nor would she vote for it. Compromise was necessary to get things done. Compromising her morals was not something she was willing to do. It had become an increasingly difficult policy to adhere to. Lobbyists and donors and worse still, lobbyists for donors, were always knocking at her door. She often wondered who the authors of the majority of legislation that rolled across her desk were. Were they congressional staffers or corporate and special interest lobbyists? Candace groaned inwardly as she listened to the senator on the line. Everything these days seemed it was special interest and little of it served the interests of the people she represented.

  “No. Flat out, unequivocal no. That’s it, Daniel,” she repeated her answer. “That’s nice. I’m sure that President Wallace will appreciate your efforts,” Candace said. “My answer is still no.” Dana looked over at Candace and Candace shook her head in disbelief. “Yes, well, I have not made a decision about that yet. That has no bearing at all on my answer. Yes. You as well, Senator.” Candace hung up the phone and rolled her eyes. “Nitwit.”

  “Senator Barker?” Dana guessed.

  “Senator Nitwit,” Candace corrected. “What is it with these men? Do they not understand when a woman says no, she means no?”

  “Are we still talking about legislation here?” Dana asked.

  “Yes…and no. I’m tired of it, Dana; the lack of respect. Half these guys couldn’t pass a fifth grade history test and they treat the handful of us women as if we are their wives or worse still, daughters. I am not Senator Barker’s wife. Talking to me like I am a teenager who hasn’t learned about the birds and the bees! He’d better watch himself before he gets stung on the ass. I could teach him a thing or two about birds and bees.”

  Dana couldn’t help herself. She erupted in a fit of laughter. Candace tossed her glasses on the desk and chuckled. “Birds and bees, Senator?” Dana was laughing so hard she began to cry.

  “Senator Fletcher,” the office intercom beckoned.

  “Yes, Susan?” Candace replied through a few giggles.

  “There is a delivery here for you,” Susan said.

  “That’s fine, Susan. Bring it in,” Candace said. She looked back at Dana and they started laughing again.

  “Whose office did you two toilet paper?” an amused voice inquired from the doorway. Candace and Dana both turned in surprise.

  “Jameson?” Candace asked in disbelief. Jameson just smiled. “What are you doing here?”

  “Nice to see you too, Senator Fletcher,” Jameson responded.

  “Well, get in here,” Candace said.

  “Dana,” Jameson greeted her friend. “Sorry if I am interrupting something important,” Jameson said playfully.

  “No, your fiancée was just explaining the birds and the bees,” Dana replied.

  Jameson looked at Candace suspiciously. “”Environmental legislation?” she asked.

  “Cute,” Candace laughed. “Not exactly.” Candace stood and greeted Jameson with a hug. “Now, really…What are you doing in Washington?”

  “I have a meeting in Baltimore at three. Thought I might be able to lobby you for dinner?”

  “No lobbying necessary. When did this all happen?” Candace asked.

  “Just this morning. Bryan was supposed to make the trip. I figured we could save on the hotel expense if I came instead.”

  “I see,” Candace said.

  “So…Dinner in Georgetown? Dana, would you like to join us?” Jameson asked.

  “Davey has his first T-Ball game,” Dana said.

  “That will probably be more exciting than dinner in Georgetown,” Candace commented.

  “Maybe. You think Senator Barker is bad? You should see some of these parents,” Dana groaned.

  Candace laughed. “I have every confidence you will put them all in line if necessary.”

  “True. It’s what I do,” Dana agreed.

  “All right,” Jameson began, “sorry to pop in and out. I need to get going. Have to catch a train.” She leaned in and kissed Candace on the cheek. “Meet you here later?”

  “Actually, how about we meet at Martin’s? Say around six-thirty?” Candace suggested.

  “See you then. Wish Davey luck for me,” Jameson said to Dana.

  Dana waited until Jameson had closed the door and then turned to Candace. “What was that all about?”

  Candace sighed. “I don’t know. Something is on her mind.”

  “Maybe she just missed you,” Dana suggested.

  “Oh, I am sure she misses me. That’s not why she came down here. She’s up to something.”

  “Well, at least you know it isn’t for a proposal,” Dana offered.

  “At least not marriage,” Candace laughed.

  “Come on, Candy. You know J.D. She hates being away from you. What could she possibly have up her sleeve?”

  “Dana, in the last year Jameson has convinced me to take a lover twenty years my junior. I have gotten engaged when I swore I would never marry again and remodel my entire home. And, even more unbelievably, I have allow a cat to keep residence in that home. What does she have up her sleeve? God only knows,” Candace said.

  “She’s good for you,” Dana said flatly.

  “Yes, I know,” Candace admitted. “I just hope I am as good for her.”

  Dana smiled. “Still twirling this governor race around in your head? Stop worrying, Candy. I’ve known J.D. since we were barely twenty. She’s never been happier. And, J.D. is tough. I’ve always admired that in her; the way things roll off her.”

  Candace offered Dana a weak smile. She believed that Jameson was happy. She also knew Jameson was a determined person. Jameson was hardly tough. Jameson was the most sensitive person Candace had ever known. Candace was aware that most people saw the humorous Jameson, the professional Jameson. They knew J.D. Reid. Candace loved J.D. but she was in love with Jameson. Jameson was the person underneath the exterior, much like Candace was the woman behind Senator Fletcher. Jameson’s appearance in Washington meant something was on her mind. Candace was eager to find out exactly what that might be. She sighed and looked at Dana. “Let’s get down to business. Seems we both have important dates tonight.”

  ***

  “How was your mee
ting?” Candace asked Jameson.

  “Fine,” Jameson responded. “Typical. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “Uh-huh. You flew down here for a typical meeting to save money on a hotel?”

  “I flew down here to see you,” Jameson said taking a sip of her wine. “I missed you.” Candace looked across at Jameson doubtfully. “What? I did miss you.”

  “I know. That isn’t why you are here. What’s going on?” Candace asked.

  “Candy?” a voice startled Candace from behind her.

  Candace saw Jameson’s expression fall and turned to the sound of the voice. “Jessica?”

  Jessica Stearns smiled at her former partner. “It’s been a while,” she said softly as she made her way to stand beside Candace and Jameson’s table.

  “What are you doing in Washington?” Candace asked.

  “I do still have friends here, Candy,” Jessica chuckled.

  Candace sighed. “I didn’t mean it the way…”

  “I know,” Jessica said a bit sadly. She extended her hand to Jameson.

  “Oh God, I’m sorry. Jameson Reid meet Jessica Stearns,” Candace made the formal introduction.

  “Nice to meet you,” Jameson said cordially.

  “I hear congratulations are in order,” Jessica offered. Candace smiled a bit uncomfortably. She had not seen her former lover in over two years, not even in passing.

  Jameson watched the exchange between Candace and Jessica with interest. She had heard stories and opinions about the infamous Jessica Stearns from all of Candace’s children, Dana, and even Pearl. Candace never spoke ill of Jessica in spite of the scandal Jessica’s affair had caused. That was not Candace’s way. She had moved on. Jessica had been part of her life, an important part. Jameson often wondered about the woman who had share Candace’s life before her. She wondered how anyone could be foolish enough to let Candace go.

  Jessica was every bit as attractive and polished as Jameson would have expected. She also noted the genuine affection in Jessica’s eyes as she looked at Candace. Jameson had never given any thought to the likelihood that she would eventually confront this part of Candace’s past. She’d met Candace’s ex-husband a handful of times. That had been inevitable. They shared three children. To her surprise, she had been relaxed in his presence. He and Candace had been apart for many years. Their divorce was amicable. While Jameson was certain there was no animosity between them, she also recognized there was also little emotion at all. Jessica was different. Candace had loved her once. Jameson understood that. Jessica had hurt Candace deeply. Jameson knew that as well. She smiled at Candace when Candace grasped her hand.