Chapter Twenty-Nine #2
On the drive home to Leesburg, Virginia, Graham gazed out the window, taking in the glorious sight of spring in full bloom.
The grass was so green it sparkled. It grew so fast, it needed to be mowed twice a week this time of year.
When he was still serving in the Senate, he’d pawned off most of the duties at the farm to hired staff.
These days, he enjoyed taking the mower for a spin, as it was a great opportunity to unplug and think.
Retirement had afforded him the chance to travel, to spend time with his grandchildren and to indulge in all his favorite hobbies, especially horseback riding with his lovely wife.
He had to bite back a laugh when he thought about springing his news on her.
No, she wouldn’t be happy about it. Not one bit.
But she loved Nick as much as he did. He was a son to them in every way except biology, and he was asking for their help at the most important moment of his life. How could they say no?
Hours after the question had been asked, Graham still couldn’t believe it. He’d always known he was a valued advisor and mentor to Nick, but to serve as his vice president? That possibility had never crossed his mind. And now that the opportunity existed, it was all he could think about.
His phone rang with a call from Terry.
“Hi there.”
“Hey, are you home yet?”
“Almost.”
“What’s the game plan?”
“I don’t really have one beyond telling your mother about the offer I received today.”
“She’ll flip her lid.”
“I’m aware.”
“How’re you feeling about it?”
“More excited than I would’ve thought I’d be before I was asked.”
“Why did I know you were going to say that?”
Graham guffawed. “Because you know how much I’ve missed the game.”
“He needs you.”
“I know, son, and if it was only up to me, I would’ve said yes right away. But this is a decision I need to make with my wife, and if she honestly isn’t into it, it’ll be a no. She’s waited a long time to have the life we do now, and she enjoys it very much.”
“Yes, she does, but… her life doesn’t need to change all that much. Maybe she gives one day a week to being second lady. I mean, when Sam was second lady, she barely did a thing because of her full-time job, and no one cared.”
“That’s true, and Nick said he’d do everything he could to make it so we don’t have to move. That’ll mean a lot to her, too.”
“I think you can sell this to her.”
“We’ll soon find out.”
“Call me after you talk to her?”
“You’ll be my first call.”
“Good luck.”
“Thank you,” Graham said. “I may end up sleeping in the barn either way.”
Laughing, Terry said, “Why do you say that?”
“I could get banished simply for entertaining the idea.”
“Nah, she’ll get why it interests you. She’ll certainly understand why Nick asked you and how badly he needs you.”
“I gotta tell you, son… Seeing you in your element as the freaking White House Chief of Staff never gets old.”
“Thank you, Dad. That means a lot to me.”
“I’m so proud of how you’ve turned your life around and found this whole new purpose and a wonderful woman to love.”
“It wouldn’t have happened without your support and Mom’s.”
“Yes, it would have. This version of you was always waiting to get out there and get it done.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so, and I’m the dad, so that’s that.”
“Haha, some things never change. What do you think John would say about all this?”
“He’d be thrilled it wasn’t him in the Oval.”
Terry barked out a laugh. “That is true.”
“He’d be so proud of you and Nick. I’m sure he’s well aware of where you are and is always rooting for you.”
“I’d like to think so. He’d be all for you becoming VP. You know that, right?”
“I do.”
“Mom will know it, too. Nick is going to face off with the press in about two hours. If, by any chance, there’s a VP decision by then, it would give him something positive to tamp down the outrage.”
“Understood. I’ll be back to you as soon as there’s something to report.”
“Love you, Dad.”
“Love you more, son.”
Graham was smiling and stashing his phone in a pocket as they took the final turn into the long driveway that led to home, past pastures enclosed by white fencing stretching as far as the eye could see. When he stepped into the kitchen through a side door a few minutes later,
Carrie, their longtime housekeeper and friend, greeted him from where she stood at the stove, minding a bubbling pot. “How was your trip to the White House?”
“Very interesting.”
“How’s our friend Nick doing?”
“He’s making us proud every day.”
“Indeed.”
“What’s he saying about the ex-VP?”
“Nothing I can repeat, but he’s cleaning up quite a mess she left him.”
“She was always too slick, if you ask me.”
“Probably so. Where’s Laine?”
“In her office, last I checked.”
“Thanks, Carrie.” He leaned in to see what she was making and was excited to see beef stew simmering in the pot. “That smells delicious as always.”
“Will be ready around six thirty.”
“Sounds good.” He poured a glass of the iced tea that was in a pitcher on the counter and took it with him when he went to find his wife.
For the first time in a long while, he felt nervous about talking to her.
They’d been married for more than fifty years.
The days of nervous flutters were long behind them, replaced by the comfort that came from decades spent surviving life’s ups and downs together.
Laine was seated in her favorite chair, feet up on the upholstered footstool, a small fire in the hearth.
She liked to say it took until late May to shake off the winter chill, and she loved a nice fire in the afternoon.
She was absorbed in a book, glasses perched on the end of her nose and her gray hair in the usual bun.
He took great pleasure in the sight of her, as usual.
When he moved into the room, clearing his throat to announce his arrival, she looked up at him, smiling. “You’re back. How are things at the White House?”
“More interesting than usual.” He leaned in to kiss her. “How was your afternoon with the kids?”
“Granny got stood up. Emma stayed after school for math help, and Adam went home with a friend.”
“Well, there’s always tomorrow.”
“Adam has already called to tell me he’s sorry about today and asked if I can pick him up tomorrow to go riding.”
Graham took a seat in the chair next to hers, kicked off his shoes and put his feet up to warm by the fire. “Aw, that’s so cute. He loves his granny.”
“I think he loves the horses more.”
“Don’t we all?”
She chuckled. “They’re our favorites. How’re our boys doing?”
“They’re having a day.”
“They fired the vice president!”
“Wait until you hear why. It’s unbelievable.”
“Good Lord. Poor Nick. He’s taking a thrashing from his detractors.”
“Sucks to be the one in charge when a subordinate goes off the rails.”