by Greg Sandora
“I’m good, I wouldn’t have called so late, but I just got your text.”
“Oh, Jack, I’m so happy for you, that was amazing tonight. It felt more like a football game than a debate.”
“I’m glad you were there to throw some good questions my way.”
“Jack, you sold me that night in Kentucky, but did you see the crowd outside? They’re with you Jack. I had my cameraman shoot the street scenes after you left. We’re going to use them for a lead story on the evening news.”
“Lexi, you're what’s right about the media, but that Brett guy is a piece of work.”
“Yeah, he’s made his whole career by tearing at people, he wrote a book about himself and how he clawed his way to the top. That’s his public persona though. Off camera, he’s the opposite.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he’s nice to me and he treats the crew well. I went to a birthday for one of his kids and he’s a good dad.”
“So he’s just a prick on camera?”
“Pretty much. He’s got good ratings for it; it’s working for him. Brett appeals to the part in people that loves to find fault; seeing others torn down makes them feel better.”
“That’s sad, Lexi. He’s an ass!”
“Don’t worry about him. He told me privately he thought you had the best strategy. I believe it too, Jack. You have that defining issue that will lead like a shield until the New Hampshire Primary. You’ve opened people’s eyes to the inequities in this country and the world. You’ve given them hope that we can turn America around and make their lives better. I think you’re going to win the whole thing and be president and I’m really excited, Jack.”
“Well, no matter what happens, I’m glad I got to be your friend and I’m grateful for your questions, you helped me to frame my thoughts during the debate.”
“I loved that you said you’d call on school kids to plant gardens and learn about new energy sources. Change the way people think - get everyone involved in some small way - because we are all in this together. Jack, do you ever worry about retaliation from the rich? You’re calling out some pretty powerful people and it’s striking a nerve with the public. I was worried we’d have a riot on our hands before the end of the night.”
“You don’t have to worry about that in Boston; the cops will do whatever they have to keep the peace. The people know that up there. The big players will scheme to take over the energy markets with the help of the U.S. Government to do all the legwork. The end result will be: America will no longer bow to the King of Saudi Arabia. Lexi, there hasn’t been an investment this exciting ever, and we’re going to make it a no lose proposition by subsidizing it. The one percent is used to having the playing field stacked in their favor and this doesn’t feel any different.”
“Jack, I loved what you said about using surgical strikes instead of boots on the ground to accomplish military objectives.”
“Lexi, now you’re just baiting me. Listen, I’ve just had a thought.”
“What, Jack?”
“Why don’t you set up an interview in South Carolina? I’m going to add two more ideas to the platform, and what better way to bring them to a national audience than through you, my favorite reporter?”
“Any hints, Jack?”
“Just set it up; you won’t be disappointed. It has to do with jobs and taxes, but keep a lid on it until after Tuesday.”
“Okay, Jack, I’ll get it ready.”
“Lexi, there is one thing that I’m going to tell you that I heard about the Saudis, this is definitely under the radar so you’ll have to dig around.”
“You’ve got my attention. What is it?”
“A little birdie told me that the King is looking to buy F-16’s.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone, “Did you hear me?”
“Jack, how did you find…”
Cutting her off, “You know I can’t tell you that, but you have to wonder with so many friends over there what they might need with 30 billion dollars worth of war planes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
I arrived at Mom’s hospital room about two in the morning. The hall was quiet except for a nurse sitting at the desk, none of the usual activity happening. I walked into the room and saw Mom sleeping, with a nurse sitting in a nearby chair. The nurse looked my way, “I’m her son.” I whispered.
“I know you, you’re the senator everyone’s talking about. I’m Karen,” she spoke in a hushed tone.
“How’s my mom?”
“She was awake earlier when I started at 7 p.m. Your family was here; I met your wife Kathy and your daughters.”
“Has she been eating?”
“No, that’s her dinner right there,” nurse Karen motioned toward the rolling tray that passes for a table. We have her on IV Fluids; she was pretty dehydrated when she came in. “
“We’ve got to get her to eat; that’s the only way she will regain her strength,” I said, “otherwise she will just waste away in here.”
“It’s really up to her at this point. If the doctor puts her on a feeding tube it will be just a matter of time before her organs shut down,” she said.
I told Karen, “I’ve seen how they keep people in bed at the VA Hospitals until their legs get so weak they can’t walk; it only takes about two weeks at this age. I don’t want that to happen to Mom. What is the doctor doing to try to get her up? Is she getting any therapy for her legs to keep them moving?”
“You’ll have to speak with the doctor in the morning, Senator. I’m sorry, I don’t know quite what to say.”
“Oh please, call me Jack,” I moved over and gave Karen a one-arm hug around the shoulders. “I know you’re kind, and I appreciate you’re being here with my mom.”
“I’ve been watching you on the news and I gotta tell you, I agree with everything you’re saying,” she said whispering, “My husband, Joe, has been out of work for over a year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. What is his field?”
“He had his own construction company; we were doing well. I kept my hand in nursing a couple of nights a week so I could have my days off to raise my girls. I’ve gone back to work full time to try to make ends meet. My husband had trucks, equipment, and men working for him. His company built about 5 or 6 custom homes per year, but that’s all gone now.”
“I’m sorry, Karen. He’s been unable to find work?”
“Joe learned on the job right out of high school and built the business over the last thirty years of his life. He put me through nursing school. He feels like he’s too old at 49 to do anything else with his life now. He’s really depressed because of all the things he’s had to give up.”
Karen looked tired and not just because it was three in the morning. She was 46 but her face looked years older from worry.
“Here’s a picture of Joe and the kids.” She wore an acrylic covered photo on a chain around her neck.
“Here’s me and Joe on one side and the kids on the other.”
“That’s you?” I felt bad I had spoken quickly without thinking.
“Yeah, I used to have long hair but I cut it all off. I just couldn’t keep it up.” Karen had cut her hair very short and had let it go gray. The picture showed her smiling with highlighted brown hair, obviously a happier time.
“Your kids are beautiful, what are their ages?” I asked trying to recover.
“Ten and fifteen, same as your kids. I met them earlier; it’s obvious they love their Grammy.”
“Yeah, my mom has always been close to our girls. She used to babysit anytime we needed to be out of town for any reason, we could always count on her.”
Karen and I were quietly sitting on opposite sides of the bed, each of us holding one of my mom’s precious hands. We sat and talked for three hours about my mom, politics, places we’d been on vacation with our families. We both loved Disney World and shared stories. I told her I liked sitting in the rocking chairs on the big porch of the tow
n hall people watching. I could do that all day. We both loved the fireworks. Just before dawn, I could sense a change. Karen’s finely polished professional veneer was wearing thin and she started telling me the real story.
Joe was severely depressed, his sleep patterns were disrupted, he was up all night with panic attacks, and exhausted all day. He was ashamed that he had lost the business and talked of suicide, thinking the family would be better off without him. Sometimes financial problems can be every bit as bad as health issues; but with the added frustration, that a little money would easily solve them.
The relationship was taking the brunt of the hurt and he had moved into the garage and was sleeping on a cot. The two girls, once excellent students, were having difficulty with friends as the family could no longer keep up with their extra needs. During one emotionally piqued episode Karen- half out of anger and desperate to do something - locked herself in the bathroom, hysterical. She told me how she had grabbed a pair of scissors and hacked away at her long hair.
“I was so sick of keeping up appearances. I just wanted some relief, and out of despair I picked up the scissors and cut all my hair off. I can still see the long strands falling to the floor. The girls were so upset with me they locked their bedroom doors and cried into the night.”
“What caused the blow up?” I asked.
“I don’t even remember. The tension in the house was so high, Jack, any disappointment could set us off. The next day, I wrapped my head in a kerchief and did a walk-in at the closest hair salon. I met an angel, the stylist was so kind to me, and she was going through some issues herself and understood what I was going through. She carefully cut my hair, trying to even out the mess I made and then gave me a gray rinse. My hair had to be cut so short, there was no sense maintaining the color, so we just made the best of it.”
“What did Joe say? A lot of girls have short hair; he might like it.”
“He won’t talk about it.”
“Well I think you look nice.”
“Jack, you’re being kind.”
I could sense that Karen was the type of woman who was tough to compliment in the best of circumstances, let alone after she had been beaten down.
“No, I mean it; you’re beautiful inside and out.”
“Well, it means a lot to me. You’ve managed to make me feel better.”
“I can feel you from across the room. You’re a wonderful person, Karen.”
“Jack, I’m so sorry to burden you all night with my troubles.”
Around 5:30 in the morning it occurred to me, “Karen you know we could really use someone to manage the ranch. My father’s place is enormous and we could use Joe over there, at least until the construction market picks back up.”
“Jack, do you really mean that? It would mean so much to us for him to be back to work.”
“He would be doing us a great service, to have someone of his ability over there who has managed a crew and run his own business. You know, Karen, when did it get to this point?”
“What Jack?”
“That people would be made to feel like they are winning the lottery to get a job. You know, once you get the job there’s usually a mountain of work. Employees are asked to do the work of two or even three people because companies can take advantage of the poor economy. I just think it should be a two way street. Employers shouldn’t have the upper hand; the playing field should be more level.”
“I agree with you; there is no dignity in being out of work. You are made to feel less than [AMR10] and it’s very painful.”
“Hopefully we can change that, Karen.” I moved over to her side of the bed and gently hugged her. She felt soft and warm, I thought any man would be lucky to have her tender embrace. I didn’t want to let go.
“I’m sorry that you and your family have had to deal with the stress of Joe’s business failing. I know that it’s been hard on all of you. I want you to bring the girls over to the ranch and go horseback riding and enjoy the peaceful surroundings over there.”
“You’re so kind, Jack. Not for the circumstances, but I’m so happy to have met you.”
Just then, I heard my mother’s sweet voice whisper, “Jack?”
I moved my face closer to her so I could hear, “Mom it’s me, are you okay?”
“I’m tired, dear. I suppose my body just wore out.”
“Mom, I’ve been talking to Nurse Karen, she’s been keeping good care of you.”
Mom smiled and nodded reassuringly, “But, she says you haven’t been eating very much. Can you try to eat something to get your strength back?”
“I could drink some juice, I think.”
It felt good to hear my mom responding.
Karen said, “I’ll go get her some fresh juice.”
“Thanks,” and turning to Mom, “Karen is going to get you some.”
“I heard her, that’s nice dear. Jack?”
“What, Mom?”
“I want to ask you while we’re alone, if you’re happy Honey?” She spoke faintly.
“I am, Mom, please don’t worry about me We’ve got to get you stronger and back on your feet.”
“Jack, you’re always so busy. I am worried that you never get a chance to catch a breath. I want you to think if all this is what you really want.”
“I want to make changes in this country, but right now I just want to get you better and home.”
“It’s so much, Honey; you’re taking on people who don’t want to change.” She whispered, “I have to be honest, I’m scared for you.”
Just then, Karen popped back in with a cup half filled with crushed ice and juice. “Here, Mabel, take a sip of this nice juice,” she carefully placed the straw to Mom’s lips.
I said, “Her lips are so dry. That’s what you get from a lifetime of using chapstick; she has no natural oils left. Her body hasn’t needed to make any for itself.”
“All women use lipstick and moisturizer, Jack.”
“I’m sorry, Karen; believe it or not that’s my best attempt at levity at this hour of the morning. When do you think the doctor will be in? I’d like to find out what the plan is.”
“Right now, I think it’s to keep her here until she is able to be moved,” Karen said softly.
“Mom, I’m going home to change and eat, I’ll be back later with the girls.”
“That will be nice, dear,” Mom whispered as I leaned over to kiss her cheek.
Karen was standing near the doorway, “I’ll be back with her tonight at seven. Thank you for being so nice to me.”
I walked towards the door and gave her a hug, “Everything is going to be better.” I looked deep into her eyes, “You are a wonderful woman and deserve peace in your life.”
Karen followed me out into the hallway, “Jack this must be so hard for you. I know you want to be with your mom, but don’t you have to be back in New Hampshire?”
“Karen, there are so many people running up there. Did you know there are 31 candidates on the ballot? Some of them are crazies with big hats that don’t make any sense, but others are serious people. Some are people who have been very successful in other pursuits who have been camped out there for the last two years trying to get noticed.”
“No, I didn’t know that. I only thought there were a few candidates.”
“Last time I ran, I spent months in coffee shops and lunch counters and outside of work places shaking hands. It’s so hard to know what to do. My mom would want me to be up there, but my heart tells me I have to be here. People are polite and happy to meet you, but even if you worked at it around the clock, you’d be lucky meeting two percent of the voters. Most people only see the candidates on the TV anyway. The real race is won in living rooms blasting your message when people are in a receptive state.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The rest of Monday and all day Tuesday we spent visiting with Mom. I told Roger and the Colonel about Joe and arranged for him to get started at the ranch. Kathy wanted to stay behind and tak
e care of Mom for at least the next few days. Then we’d have to get the girls back to Alexandria for school. Preparations were made for me to fly up to New York for the fundraiser. Bud, Tip, and Lisa would be there waiting for us. The pilot would stop off at Reagan to pick up Sandy and Bill before flying on to New York. The plan was to arrive at the fundraising event around 8 p.m. then watch the returns of the New Hampshire Primary. A win would mean that I would give a brief interview with a local news crew Lexi would make available. Finally, we would fly our people back to Reagan and I’d head back to Lexington to be with my family.
As planned, the jet was ready to fly me up to Reagan when I pulled into a private hanger at 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening. I phoned Bud, he was at the Syracuse Home of billionaire Gene Hobbs making arrangements for the evening and the interview later.
“Everything all set up there, Bud?” I asked.
“You're gonna be surprised. Gene told me he has one hundred and seventy five people who confirmed they were coming. If you’re super rich, this is the hottest ticket in town! We should do well tonight.”
Gene Hobbs was heir to one of the largest fortunes in the United States. The family had one of the original land grants dating back to pre-colonial times. The Hobbs fortune was the epitome of old money; the family was invested in multiple industries including vast amounts of raw land held for generations. Politically, Gene leaned Republican. He believed in dramatically lower corporate taxes, reduction in social services for the poor, and favored reduced government. Contributions from him and his ilk had pressured Congress over the years to reduce banking regulations. The lack of oversight on Wall Street and the Banks had drastic consequences, causing the longest and deepest recession in American History. Naturally, his political beliefs dovetailed nicely with his business interests, which by some accounts had his fortune at the fourth largest in America.
One other interesting thing about the Hobbs Dynasty is they seldom, if ever, sold land, preferring to lease for ninety-nine years. That strategy allowed the holdings to earn substantial income while staying with the family. Hobbs was very reclusive and never granted interviews, preferring the seclusion of estates all over the world. Bud told me that Gene never dealt directly in business, preferring his attorneys handle everything. Tonight would be a rare exception. Gene wanted to deal directly with me and asked Bud to arrange for a private meeting between the two of us.
